Our avatars are in a room together

-aichi, they seem too concerned about something... theyre like, now busy trying to looking at your eye, giving consolation hugs, things like that-

-they seem sad and worried about you... maybe-

Kitchen (Number 108, "Aichi")

-OK, there's actually a small amount of confusion on his face.-

"...?"

-About them looking at his eye...-

"It is an injury. I was discovered and failed to flee unscathed."

-...They're hugging him. Hugging means you like what you're hugging.-

-They haven't even been around him for two minutes, and yet they like him?-

-He doesn't understand.-

"You are hugging me. This means you like me?"

-...Oh geez, Annas... WHAT DID THEY DO TO HIM?!-

-AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH-

-they all nod and stare sadly... those monsters broke an aichi like they did to one of their own...-

-one attempts to use sign language with this aichi, hoping they can communicate with him-

Kitchen (Number 108, "Aichi")

-They like him.-

-...Their expressions are...-

-...? He doesn't know how to explain it... It betrays the idea of them liking him though... or at least he thinks?-

-He is actually able to understand. He was taught multiple discreet and/or quiet forms of communication.-

-So... He should be able to understand what they're saying.-

-He simply watches them, waiting to see what they say.-

''-"What happened? Did the bad men with white coats hurt you? Do you remember your name? Are you okay?"-

-oh yep they worried bout you-

Kitchen (Number 108, "Aichi")

-Blink.-

-He has no confirmation that they can hear him, so he signs back.-

[I was created by scientists. I am intended to gather information from other facilities for my superiors. To scout and report threats.]

-He continues, expression still blank.-

[No harm has come to me. I have heard that less compliant agents have been severely punished, but I have managed to avoid such punishment.]

-His handler did tell him he could hold onto Blaster Blade, but he said to keep it hidden as he was not supposed to have such things.-

-He has managed to keep Blaster Blade secret this whole time. Perhaps because he has been so well-behaved throughout his life, and his superiors didn't expect for him to do anything like that (Not to mention that they would have no reason to think he got a card anyway).-

-He was also told to never speak of the day his handler took him outside to anyone, as he was not supposed to leave barring his missions.-

-...-

-His name...-

[My designation is Number 108. However, I have been referred to as 'Aichi'.]

-And one last thing...-

[I am in good condition.]

-'Good condition'. As in 'he is functioning'. That's a rather stilted way of speaking, isn't it...?-

...-

-"You should stay here for a while, you will learn more and feel happier here like us. We are like you, but we escaped from the people who kept us captive."-

Kitchen (Number 108, "Aichi")

-Stay here and learn things... He needs to get back to his superiors, but he has been alerted to the fact that there is no feasible way for him to return...-

-...And he has learned a few things here...-

[Understood. I will continue to learn things during my time here.]

-...Did he respond to you as if you had given him a mission...?-

[You were held captive? Were you discovered during a mission?]

-He doesn't seem to understand that you mean your 'superiors'...-

Edited by CrystalMemoria on Jul 1st 2018 at 1:00:21 PM

-they shake their heads-

-"Our Superiors were bad people... They created us just to fight and spy, and to be replaced when we die. we escaped when they added a 'termination protocal' and were about to destroy one of us for one issue she had..."-

-they... seem said signing this-

Kitchen (Number 108, "Aichi")

-...-

-...-

-...They were going to terminate one of their agents...?-

-...-

-He can't help but find himself wondering, all of a sudden... He has no idea where it came from, but...-

-...Have...-

-...Have his superiors done something like that to some of their agents...?-

-He heard from his handler that there were some agents that simply vanished, but they are no longer allowed to be spoken of.-

-...Were they...-

-...Were they terminated...?-

-And he sees the expressions on the Annas' faces. He doesn't quite understand it, but he now knows that it means they're not in good condition. The knowledge of the termination protocol and the fact that one of their own was to be terminated makes them unwell.-

-...He is unwell as well.-

-...Guys, it seems like you saying that did seem to make him stop and... does he look a tiny bit wide-eyed...?-

-...And is that the closet thing to a real facial expression you've seen him make...?! A look of... mild unhappiness.-

-However, that look of mild unhappiness is groundbreaking for him. He's never actually been 'unhappy' before.-

-And the fact that he's making this expression at all is a huge thing. He is upset, even if he doesn't really understand it at all...-

[...Understood...]

-... then, they get determined look on their faces-

-"We swore to protect every aichi we find, we will do our best to protect you and save others if we find them. We will not let you be terminated."-

Kitchen (Number 108, "Aichi")

-...They want to protect him and these other Aichis...-

-...Is it... similar to how he wanted to help Leos and the others fighting against Zamasu?-

-He... He thinks he understands...-

[...Thank you...]

-You are supposed to thank people that are helping you... and...-

-...This is help that he...-

-...is...-

-...Is there a word for it...?-

-...-

-...T...h...a...n...k...f...u...l...-

-...Thankful...-

-He is thankful for this help.-

-The Annas have taught him the concept of actual gratitude! It's no longer just a response he's supposed to do. He now knows what it means to be thankful.-

-You say 'thank you' when you're thankful. You're thankful when someone helps you.-

-The Annas might be able to tell that there is a small shift in his expression as he reaches this epiphany.-

[Thank you.]

-He signs that quickly, showing that he is actually quick to express his gratitude.-

[Thank you.]

-And now he's doing it like a kid that learned a new word, enthralled with it, it seems...-

-And once, for good measure perhaps, he finds himself saying it aloud.-

"Thank you."

-You can even hear it in his voice as well. There's something that wasn't there before in his tone.-

-Guys, you taught him something!!!-

-There's hope for him!!!-

Edited by CrystalMemoria on Jul 1st 2018 at 1:44:30 PM

-OOOOOOOOOOOH PROGRESS!!!!-

-they just give him bright happy smiles before making another sign-

-"Your welcome."-

Kitchen (Number 108, "Aichi")

-'You're welcome'... It's not just a response anymore. It's an acknowledgement that the person saying 'thank you' is thankful.-

-He finds himself staring at the Annas' smiles, perhaps with a small look of confusion.-

[Is something wrong your mouths?]

-He's seen multiple people do it now, but he's not sure if it's good, bad, or what...-

[Do you need medical assistance?]

-...Guys, he doesn't know what a smile is.-

-...Heck, does he even know what it means to be happy?!-

Edited by CrystalMemoria on Jul 1st 2018 at 1:52:57 PM

-they shake their heads-

-"No. we're happy that you're thankful. It's just something you do when you feel good about something."-

Kitchen (Number 108, "Aichi")

-'Something you do when you feel good about something'...-

-And so he tries to move the corners of his mouth, attempting to smile.-

-...However, the end result makes it clear that he still doesn't understand. It's a completely hollow and forced smile. Lifeless.-

-...But you can at least tell there is effort on his part.-

-In his own weird way he's trying to understand.-

-It'll just just take a while...-

[Understood.]

-Hearing him say it with that practically emotionless tone along with the smile makes it sink in that he's still not there.-

-Being thankful makes him feel good, so he's supposed to do this, right? He understands.-

-Or at least he thinks he does. After all, he thought he understood the idea of saying 'thank you' and 'you're welcome', but in reality he had no idea.-

-Sadly the smile doesn't last long. He is not used to using those muscles like that, so he can't do it for long.-

-'Happy'...-

[...What is 'happy'?]

-That's... probably not an easy question to answer.-

Edited by CrystalMemoria on Jul 1st 2018 at 2:04:44 PM

-... crap they have no idea how to explain happy-

-"... It's something you feel."-

Main Room (Number 108, "Aichi")

-...Something you feel...-

"Such as when I touch something?"

-...Or is it...-

"...Or thankfulness?"

Edited by CrystalMemoria on Jul 1st 2018 at 2:44:41 PM

-"No like emotions, you can feel emotions."-

Kitchen (Number 108, "Aichi")

-'Emotions'...?-

[...What are emotions?]

-MORE TOUGH QUESTIONS, ANNAS!!-

-"I don't know."-

-"You'll know when you feel them."-

Kitchen (Number 108, "Aichi")

-He'll know when he feels it...?-

[I do not understand.]

-He will someday though... If he's able to understand the idea of gratitude, he'll definitely be able to understand the idea of emotions.-

-He just needs time...-

Forest

-an utterly done groan echoes throughout the woods-

Woods

(Marcia and Lili are gathering herbs.)

You hear that, Marsh?

(nods to Lili and changes to Fairymon.)

Let's go! (grabs Lili and flies towards the noise.)

Forest

A frustrated girl in red◊ punching a flaming hole in a tree-

-And a suspicious boy in purple◊ casting what looks like physical darkness on the hole to snuff the flames-

We had her. Who was that?! The thief you were talking about it?!

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee...