[Probably not the best idea to confess it now when he doesn't hold the same feelings towards Monika. That might actually get him to leave.]
No, nothing like that.
[There's a small frown on him when she suggests that he's like an android, but he can see how she came to that, given his appearance. Well, when the topic of his being comes up this is the point where he'll have to correct people's misconceptions about him or his kinds. He understands that not many people have seen a mechanical lifeform before.]
My true form is fully mechanical. Nothing like an android... or a robot. [That term specifically has a different connotation to him or any Cybertronian for the matter than how humans may use the word traditionally.] Cybertronians are as natural a part of this existence as any organic creatures. Nothing artificial about us.
[Although he personally doesn't have a problem with artificial beings, otherwise he wouldn't be talking to Monika after she confessed to being an A.I. It's just that there are some differences between them.]
As for this form you're seeing, it is a holoavatar- a holographic projection. [One that is remarkable "real" and solid.]
[ She noticed that frown. Well, that was understandable considering everything he was saying... It would be like if you compared a human to a biological yet artificially-engineered lifeform, such as a clone. Similar, yes, but one was artificial while the other was natural. She'd have to be careful with her word choice in the future.
Of course, it was a bit hard for her to imagine how mechanical lifeforms could naturally occur the same way than organic creatures... But here she was, in a reality far from hers and with a real human body. An universe where such things were possible? It wasn't far-fetched. If anything, keeping in mind there is an infinite amount of universes with an infinite amount of possibilities, it was even likely. ]
I see... [She slowly nodded.] A projection? But you're like, solid? Ahaha.
[ She slightly moved the hand that was still holding his as if to emphasize the point. She didn't disbelieve him— If anything, she was curious as to how it worked. It made her wonder for a moment if perhaps her own body was a projection and she still existed on a computer somewhere in the city... But no. She'd probably know it, as he did. ]
I've never seen your true body I think... [She was a bit curious what he looked like, but she wouldn't inquire.] Do you prefer your avatar?
[ Well, if he was truly fully mechanical, she imagined it might be difficult to get Synchrony when most gembonded were human-like... Maybe that was just it. Or maybe he just felt this avatar defined him better now? Humans did this, too. Changing their names and appearances to better fit what they wanted to be. ]
[Fortunately for everyone, Soundwave could handle being called a robot or be mistaken as artificial to a degree, so he won't be too offended over a mistake others wouldn't know about. He'd only get irritated when someone would insist on using the term or, more annoyingly, argue with him over the proper usage as if they know better. Thankfully, he hasn't met one here yet and people had been pretty respectful.]
Some form of hard-light projection. I don't claim to understand how this tech fully works.
[He answers, all the while squeezing her hand. He knows the purpose of a holoavatar was to blend in within a populace, and here specifically, it's just a useful form to use. Still able to taste, smell, feel his surroundings... almost like he's actually present here. And more importantly, able to perform Synchrony.]
I prefer my true body, of course. However, this... [He gestures with his free hand.] is simply more convenient for me to use on this world. That said, it's not uncommon for me to go out in the city in my true body.
[It's like she thought, it's a bit difficult to Synchronize with people who were human-like, here. While there are certainly some organics- and probably more out there -who wouldn't mind syncing or having lewd acts with a mech, he's still running under the assumption that most of them prefer a body that is more familiar to them. And, well... there are some things he could do only in this form, but he won't bring those up.]
[ She nodded at his explanation. People were vain... Most would naturally be more friendly towards a beautiful young woman, while they would be fearful towards a mechanical lifeform. But it wasn't really fair, was it? Regardless of what he looked like, he was the same person inside. Ideally, he should be treated the same regardless of what form he decided to go with. Well... She imagined she would probably enjoy it more if she were to synchronize with his avatar than with his true body. So that made her just as bad as everyone else, huh?
That was something to think about, actually. Could she be in a relationship with someone who didn't look human? Mhm. Well, there really wasn't much to think about. The answer was obviously yes. She'd loved the player without having any idea what they looked like. What she had tried to initiate had been a completely platonic relationship back then. Those sort of feelings... She couldn't imagine appearances getting in the way.
And ah, she could already imagine herself sitting on the shoulders of a giant mechanical lifeform. That was cute to think about. ]
Well, I wouldn't mind hanging out with your true body every now and then. [She tried smiling reassuringly.] I would rather you feel comfortable and be yourself than try to fit in.
[ Though, all of that brought more questions... One that came to mind was that of gender. Monika had thought of Soundwave as a girl so far, but since it was an avatar, it might not be so. Mechanical lifeform likely didn't have sexes in the first place, so their concept of gender were probably completely different from those she was used to. ]
That makes me think— What you would you like for me to refer to you as? So far I'd assumed you were female, but I'd like to make sure not to accidentally misgender you in the future, ahaha.
[Soundwave is used to be feared. Not just in the context that he was a Decepticon High command, but even his own kind feared him because of the power he was born with. Here? He wasn't discriminated against much, here. He gets some curious people, local or gembonded, approached him with interest or mostly gaze on him. That easily gets annoying for him, and it's another reason why he used the avatar, to avoid their attention.
His head tilts at her reassuring him. It's not as if he was uncomfortable using this form, but he appreciates what she said all the same... and it was good to know that she was comfortable with him, regardless of form. Truthfully, the number of people he met who don't mind him seems to be growing and it makes him feel silly to even had that assumption about how organics/human-like creatures feel about him in the first place. But then again, the humans from his universe weren't fond of Cybertronians.....]
Thank you.
[Soundwave isn't surprised at all by the question, definitely not the first time he's gotten it. Gender... It's a human topic he doesn't quite understand and they seem to be rather obsessed with it, honestly.]
You're talking about gender, yes? ... Technically I am genderless, but if it's easier you may refer to me as male.
[ Monika understood the topic, but her golden rule had always been to go with what people felt the most comfortable with. So technically genderless, but he preferred to be referred to as male. She nodded and raised her free finger as he said that. ]
Got it!
[ Boy, that conversation sure had been saved from what could have been a disaster. Soundwave was to thank for that. She had been completely at a loss after her blunder. But now, that meant she had a chance to turn it all around. It wasn't a video game and there was no need to rush anything. It wasn't like she was at risk of losing her sanity or being trapped in a digital hell. Not in Noctium.
She needed to remember that. So now if she was careful... ]
Um, by the way... [She turned her head to smile at Soundwave once again] I was thinking of visiting Primavera and treating myself to a fancy restaurant while I'm at it. Sometimes next week, but that would be kind of sad doing it alone. Would you like to come with me?
[ Yay, that one went well! She was pretty happy with how she'd managed to word it. It didn't sound at all as though she was trying to go on a date with him... Even though in practice, that's exactly what it was. ]
[With the awkwardness from earlier largely forgotten and Soundwave not thinking much about her blunder, he certainly doesn't think if there was anything deeper to her request there. It sounds like she wanted a friend to visit Primavera with. While Soundwave doesn't see himself as someone who would make a great company, they both wanted to know each other better. It is an opportunity to bond a bit.
Ultimately, he doesn't see a reason to decline, nodding once.]
I have no plans scheduled next week... I wouldn't mind accompanying you. Although I would have to use my avatar if we are to go to a restaurant.
[Not that he minds having to use his holoavatar. He can't eat the food here as his true form, after all. At least, not without having to worry if his tank is able to digest them. Since Soundwave had been to Primavera and all three of its islands before--]
Are you planning to visit all of Primavera's major islands there? I could show you around each one... [It would be a long trip, however.]
[ That sudden exclamation was the only thing that betrayed what was really going on in her head. But hey, maybe she was just excited at the thought of spending the day with a friend? Soundwave may not have thought of himself as good company, but she disagreed vehemently with that. ]
You can come with your true body and shift to your avatar for dinner if you'd like. [She wasn't entirely sure how it worked... Was his avatar like, permanent? Or could he dissolve and reform it at will from his true body?] And I'd really like that.
[ Visiting all four islands would perhaps be too much... But worse came to worse, they'd have to stop after having visited an island. And if this happened... Oh no! Then she'd have to reschedule another date so they could visit the other islands..! That'd be a true tragedy. Ehehe.
She took her phone with her free hand and shifted through it. ]
Let's see... Would Saturday next week at 14:00 work? We could meet up at Primavera's transit station.
[ There was a flashpoint teleporter there so it'd make it easy. She had really planned to go there already, as evidenced by the stuff she had on her phone. It was just very fortunate that this was the perfect occasion for a date, too. ]
[Yes, certainly it's because she was excited to spend the day with a friend. At least that's how he interpret her excitement. What else could it possibly be?
Anyways. He could just materialize his avatar when it's dinner time, true. Eating as his avatar won't be fulfilling or benefit him at all, but at least he'll be able to enjoy the tasty experience through it. It won't be a total waste.]
That works for me.
[If their first friend date goes well, he wouldn't mind future trips on the other islands. Who knows... He might actually find it fun being her company.
He pauses for a bit. Though he agreed to go with her, maybe he should at least show that he's actually interested in spending the day with Monika, too? He's not really the best at expressing that kind of stuff, but he'll try.]
I look forward to our exciting trip together, Monika. [Well... That's good enough coming from him.]
[ Monika did her very best not to look too overjoyed. She was going to think about literally nothing else for the next ten days, so she could afford to keep it all in for a while longer. ]
I'm really looking forward to it, too.
[ She was getting afraid she was going to blow it up with another terrible mistake if it kept going... And she knew for a fact the odds of it happening were getting higher the longer this kept going. She probably should end their conversation here and now... But she wanted him to stay!
Things were really unfair sometimes. ]
I won't keep you any longer, I'm sure you have so many things to do. [That made her sad, but it was better than risking another blunder.] And... Thank you. I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
[ She had planned to postpone their "clarification" for what had happened the other day, but... Now that it was done, she really did feel better. Not only that, but she now had something very precious to look forward to. ]
[She may succeed on not looking the part, but he feels the tremendous amount of joy radiating from Monika. She sure is looking forward to it, huh. But there is also sadness in her? Some conflicting feelings in the mix, too. They aren't as overwhelming as her happiness but they're in there, especially when this conversation is coming to an end and her letting him go.
What an odd girl. He isn't entirely sure why she is feeling that way, though he won't bring it up, either. He wouldn't want to turn this good end into an awkward one.]
You're welcome, Monika. And I feel the same.
[All his worries has been lifted thanks to the discussion, his spark feeling lighter now.
With that, he stands up and releases Monika's hand, thereby breaking the warmth contact and Manna generation between them, and then turns towards the front door to leave. But not before looking back at her over his shoulder.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
No, nothing like that.
[There's a small frown on him when she suggests that he's like an android, but he can see how she came to that, given his appearance. Well, when the topic of his being comes up this is the point where he'll have to correct people's misconceptions about him or his kinds. He understands that not many people have seen a mechanical lifeform before.]
My true form is fully mechanical. Nothing like an android... or a robot. [That term specifically has a different connotation to him or any Cybertronian for the matter than how humans may use the word traditionally.] Cybertronians are as natural a part of this existence as any organic creatures. Nothing artificial about us.
[Although he personally doesn't have a problem with artificial beings, otherwise he wouldn't be talking to Monika after she confessed to being an A.I. It's just that there are some differences between them.]
As for this form you're seeing, it is a holoavatar- a holographic projection. [One that is remarkable "real" and solid.]
no subject
Of course, it was a bit hard for her to imagine how mechanical lifeforms could naturally occur the same way than organic creatures... But here she was, in a reality far from hers and with a real human body. An universe where such things were possible? It wasn't far-fetched. If anything, keeping in mind there is an infinite amount of universes with an infinite amount of possibilities, it was even likely. ]
I see... [She slowly nodded.] A projection? But you're like, solid? Ahaha.
[ She slightly moved the hand that was still holding his as if to emphasize the point. She didn't disbelieve him— If anything, she was curious as to how it worked. It made her wonder for a moment if perhaps her own body was a projection and she still existed on a computer somewhere in the city... But no. She'd probably know it, as he did. ]
I've never seen your true body I think... [She was a bit curious what he looked like, but she wouldn't inquire.] Do you prefer your avatar?
[ Well, if he was truly fully mechanical, she imagined it might be difficult to get Synchrony when most gembonded were human-like... Maybe that was just it. Or maybe he just felt this avatar defined him better now? Humans did this, too. Changing their names and appearances to better fit what they wanted to be. ]
no subject
Some form of hard-light projection. I don't claim to understand how this tech fully works.
[He answers, all the while squeezing her hand. He knows the purpose of a holoavatar was to blend in within a populace, and here specifically, it's just a useful form to use. Still able to taste, smell, feel his surroundings... almost like he's actually present here. And more importantly, able to perform Synchrony.]
I prefer my true body, of course. However, this... [He gestures with his free hand.] is simply more convenient for me to use on this world. That said, it's not uncommon for me to go out in the city in my true body.
[It's like she thought, it's a bit difficult to Synchronize with people who were human-like, here. While there are certainly some organics- and probably more out there -who wouldn't mind syncing or having lewd acts with a mech, he's still running under the assumption that most of them prefer a body that is more familiar to them. And, well... there are some things he could do only in this form, but he won't bring those up.]
no subject
That was something to think about, actually. Could she be in a relationship with someone who didn't look human? Mhm. Well, there really wasn't much to think about. The answer was obviously yes. She'd loved the player without having any idea what they looked like. What she had tried to initiate had been a completely platonic relationship back then. Those sort of feelings... She couldn't imagine appearances getting in the way.
And ah, she could already imagine herself sitting on the shoulders of a giant mechanical lifeform. That was cute to think about. ]
Well, I wouldn't mind hanging out with your true body every now and then. [She tried smiling reassuringly.] I would rather you feel comfortable and be yourself than try to fit in.
[ Though, all of that brought more questions... One that came to mind was that of gender. Monika had thought of Soundwave as a girl so far, but since it was an avatar, it might not be so. Mechanical lifeform likely didn't have sexes in the first place, so their concept of gender were probably completely different from those she was used to. ]
That makes me think— What you would you like for me to refer to you as? So far I'd assumed you were female, but I'd like to make sure not to accidentally misgender you in the future, ahaha.
no subject
His head tilts at her reassuring him. It's not as if he was uncomfortable using this form, but he appreciates what she said all the same... and it was good to know that she was comfortable with him, regardless of form. Truthfully, the number of people he met who don't mind him seems to be growing and it makes him feel silly to even had that assumption about how organics/human-like creatures feel about him in the first place. But then again, the humans from his universe weren't fond of Cybertronians.....]
Thank you.
[Soundwave isn't surprised at all by the question, definitely not the first time he's gotten it. Gender... It's a human topic he doesn't quite understand and they seem to be rather obsessed with it, honestly.]
You're talking about gender, yes? ... Technically I am genderless, but if it's easier you may refer to me as male.
no subject
Got it!
[ Boy, that conversation sure had been saved from what could have been a disaster. Soundwave was to thank for that. She had been completely at a loss after her blunder. But now, that meant she had a chance to turn it all around. It wasn't a video game and there was no need to rush anything. It wasn't like she was at risk of losing her sanity or being trapped in a digital hell. Not in Noctium.
She needed to remember that. So now if she was careful... ]
Um, by the way... [She turned her head to smile at Soundwave once again] I was thinking of visiting Primavera and treating myself to a fancy restaurant while I'm at it. Sometimes next week, but that would be kind of sad doing it alone. Would you like to come with me?
[ Yay, that one went well! She was pretty happy with how she'd managed to word it. It didn't sound at all as though she was trying to go on a date with him... Even though in practice, that's exactly what it was. ]
no subject
Ultimately, he doesn't see a reason to decline, nodding once.]
I have no plans scheduled next week... I wouldn't mind accompanying you. Although I would have to use my avatar if we are to go to a restaurant.
[Not that he minds having to use his holoavatar. He can't eat the food here as his true form, after all. At least, not without having to worry if his tank is able to digest them. Since Soundwave had been to Primavera and all three of its islands before--]
Are you planning to visit all of Primavera's major islands there? I could show you around each one... [It would be a long trip, however.]
no subject
[ That sudden exclamation was the only thing that betrayed what was really going on in her head. But hey, maybe she was just excited at the thought of spending the day with a friend? Soundwave may not have thought of himself as good company, but she disagreed vehemently with that. ]
You can come with your true body and shift to your avatar for dinner if you'd like. [She wasn't entirely sure how it worked... Was his avatar like, permanent? Or could he dissolve and reform it at will from his true body?] And I'd really like that.
[ Visiting all four islands would perhaps be too much... But worse came to worse, they'd have to stop after having visited an island. And if this happened... Oh no! Then she'd have to reschedule another date so they could visit the other islands..! That'd be a true tragedy. Ehehe.
She took her phone with her free hand and shifted through it. ]
Let's see... Would Saturday next week at 14:00 work? We could meet up at Primavera's transit station.
[ There was a flashpoint teleporter there so it'd make it easy. She had really planned to go there already, as evidenced by the stuff she had on her phone. It was just very fortunate that this was the perfect occasion for a date, too. ]
no subject
Anyways. He could just materialize his avatar when it's dinner time, true. Eating as his avatar won't be fulfilling or benefit him at all, but at least he'll be able to enjoy the tasty experience through it. It won't be a total waste.]
That works for me.
[If their first friend date goes well, he wouldn't mind future trips on the other islands. Who knows... He might actually find it fun being her company.
He pauses for a bit. Though he agreed to go with her, maybe he should at least show that he's actually interested in spending the day with Monika, too? He's not really the best at expressing that kind of stuff, but he'll try.]
I look forward to our exciting trip together, Monika. [Well... That's good enough coming from him.]
no subject
I'm really looking forward to it, too.
[ She was getting afraid she was going to blow it up with another terrible mistake if it kept going... And she knew for a fact the odds of it happening were getting higher the longer this kept going. She probably should end their conversation here and now... But she wanted him to stay!
Things were really unfair sometimes. ]
I won't keep you any longer, I'm sure you have so many things to do. [That made her sad, but it was better than risking another blunder.] And... Thank you. I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
[ She had planned to postpone their "clarification" for what had happened the other day, but... Now that it was done, she really did feel better. Not only that, but she now had something very precious to look forward to. ]
no subject
What an odd girl. He isn't entirely sure why she is feeling that way, though he won't bring it up, either. He wouldn't want to turn this good end into an awkward one.]
You're welcome, Monika. And I feel the same.
[All his worries has been lifted thanks to the discussion, his spark feeling lighter now.
With that, he stands up and releases Monika's hand, thereby breaking the warmth contact and Manna generation between them, and then turns towards the front door to leave. But not before looking back at her over his shoulder.]
I will see you soon, Monika.