Inside of the manager's office
-“As you command, my dear user!”
MARC exclaimed before scanning the manager. Then, flying in circles around him at blinding speed, the little machine managed to extract his wallet. After taking a couple of bills from it, and discarding the wallet in a strangely non-nonchalant manner, the robot handed over the money to Ginger.
-“There we go: 50 bucks just for you, my dear lady!”
Outside, near the parking lot
-“A music festival? That sounds really interesting, indeed. I've always wanted to attend to a concert.”
She said as she skipped merrily while carrying the heavy suitcase as if it weighted nothing, before carefully storing it in the back of the van. Then, she sat on the door's edge of the garish vehicle, with her legs stretched as she adopted a relaxed stance, before looking straight into Alexi's eyes.
-“...It's really curious: Grandpa has told me stories about this massive music festival called Lumberstock; he also said it was an event that made history. He says it marked the start of the 'Peace & Love' movement. Do think Waterstock is gonna be the Lumberstock of this generation? The beginning of a new cultural and social revolution? That sounds so awesome. I cannot wait for it.”
She stated as she moved her legs up and down in an playful manner, a sign of her genuine enthusiasm for the upcoming events.
-“And, to answer your question: Yes, I'm a passionate admirer of music. Though, I don't know a lot about modern music. I've mostly listened to grandpa's collection of old vinyl records, so there's so much else I still have to learn about it.”
...But then, her legs stopped suddenly as the first part of the question made her realize something...
-“Though, now that you mention it... I don't know if there are other robots who like music besides me. I have met a few of robots capable of playing instruments, singing, dancing, and even creating new music, but none of them said anything about enjoying it. They all seem to think of it as a job, something they do very well in order to help organics.”
...Still sitting on the door's edge, Alice placed her tiptoes firmly on the ground while looking down, as she adopted her “grandpa's pensive stance” (right hand on chin, left palm on right elbow) once again...
-“...Yes, it's quite peculiar now that you mention it, miss Stavros. I've never thought about it before, but it's true: I'm the only robot I know who enjoys music.”
edited 25th May '15 7:37:42 PM by VPhantom
"It's better to burn out... THAN TO FADE AWAY!"Danica tapped her chin. "Well, there are some people who can try. Don't think there's someone who has bass experience in our group, though." She turned towards Alice. "Lumberstock? I've heard of that. Though I dunno if Waterstock will be that historically significant. I'll be happy if it's just fun to attend!"
Exist, pursued by bear"Ah, you are also acquainted with Hayate?" Lyndi asked Charlie, glancing over at the man in question. "Yes, that would make sense, a guardian of nature like him..."
She turned back to the ent, head cocked curiously. "I must say, your skills with the human language are impeccable for one who is not spoken to much."
they/them || "Forgive me, regent of queer amphibians" - Lt.BGob"Oh shit, what the fu-" the manager mumbled as MARC spin around him and somehow pickpocketed the wallet and passed the bill to Ginger, whose jaws have dropped on the floor and ears shot straight up because she didn't actually think that her robot can do that.
"Holy shit," and a laugh of amazement was all Ginger could managed to utter before her manager shouted "Give it back, you little shit!" causing the bunny waitress to panic and ran out of the office, and soon enough, the restaurant.
Meanwhile, after Alexi placed the bag onto the van, she listened to what Alice has to say, and she says a lot. The way Alice is looking at Alexi made the mermaid a bit discomforted though, she's not used that kind of attention and she tried avoid the direct gaze while also not looking rude, her eyes ended up at the robot's legs and she's noticing at how not only at how it jitters but at how it moves so naturally...Alexi have to subtly shake her head off the idea how good it looks.
One thing that kinda sticks out of it was the existence of Lumberstock and her mind half-wondered how similar, or different, Waterstock is to its wooden counterpart. Then Alice talked about her musical taste and how she is willing to learn, Alexi tried her best to hide her stupid grin. Oh how she can't wait to show off her music superiority.
And then Alice talked about other robots too, and how she can actually enjoy music, and how different she felt from them, emphasised by the sudden stop of her legs, strange because they had just met. After all of that, Alexi wasn't sure of how to answer after that and could only gave her an awkward smile and said "Well, let's make this road trip counts...erm...and I hope we can have a good time listening to some good tunes-"
Her poorly put together speech was broken when Ginger yelled frantically to her back "Yo, CHILLLLLL!" as she practically sprinted out of the restaurant with a fifty-dollar bill in her hand and an angry manager who, despite having a pot belly, managed to keep up the pace with her. When they approached the RV, they did a pretty high jump over it, after all they're bunnies, passed by the van and Ginger said very fast "By the way, thanks for the gift!" to Alice and continued the chase from around the carpark to the back of the establishment.
All the while during the sudden chaos, Alexi simply stared at them in a weird curiosity...Then her eyes landed on the bass, then a thought came onto her head and spontaneously said "By the way, I used to fool around with the bass when I was young, can I play with that thing for a bit?"
http://www.last.fm/user/sgtpendulum Yo, check out what I'm listening, it'll be heat, brah :^)Andreia watched Ginger and her manager's shenanigans sleepily, but perked right up when she heard her name called for her order. She went up to the counter and retrieved her breakfast, then went back to her table and dug in.
“Not a promise, not an oath, or a malediction or a curse. Inevitable." - Taylor HebertIn the parking lot
Despite that unexpected down on her mood, as soon as Alexi reiterated her desire to have a great time during the upcoming music festival, Alice spirit seemed to ignite once again, making her put aside her worries in order not spoil anyone's fun... Including her own.
-“Yeah, you're definitely right miss Stavros. I also plan to enjoy the festival, and our whole trip, to the fullest. Let's make some great memories, together as friends.”
She spoke as she hopped out of her provisional seat, even standing up on her tiptoes for a brief moment, a gesture denoting her sincere enthusiasm despite the blank tone of her voice, and the plain expression on her face.
She was about to tell Alexi something else, when she saw Ginger and the manager on an impromptu chase around the establishment, with MARC following them not too far behind. Suddenly, Alice felt quite embarrassed, as she could infer that her little gift has caused an unexpected commotion... She was about to apologize for the troubles, when she heard the bunny waitress giving her thanks for the gift.
-“You're welcome... I think?”
She exclaimed, happy to hear that she actually liked her present... Even if it turned out to be more boisterous than she anticipated. Then, the voice of a young woman, (Danica, which she hadn't met up until this point) and the mention that old music festival made react instantly, turning her attention towards her, as she spoke what came to her mind on that instant:
-“You've also heard about Lumberstock? That's really nice. Grandpa used to say that the youth of these days don't even care about old things like those, but it's nice to know he was wrong about that. People should never forget about awesome and significant events like those.”
Her reaction was so sudden and her happiness to overwhelming, that she forgot about making a proper introduction... A minor detail indeed, but something that made her feel ashamed nonetheless, as politeness was something she tried to cultivate as much as possible. It also took her an instant to notice the presence of Bud, who she thought at first was only an ordinary musical instrument, but after listening to him talk, she was intrigued to know more about him...
-“Excuse my rudeness, good miss and mr. bass. I forgot to introduce myself: My name is Alice Asimov. My grandpa is Gregory Asimov, famous inventor, admirer and patron of the arts, wise and loving father, and an overall excellent person; I hope to be just as good and kind as he is... Someday. Nice to meet you two.”
Alice said as she made a little bow before them. She was about to start a conversation with her new acquaintances...
-“I hope I don't come up as insolent for asking this, but I'm really curious: Wh-”
...But then her system glitched out without previous warning, deactivating main functions and making her “faint” on the spot; an obnoxious phenomenon that could be described as “robotic narcolepsy”. Fortunately, this time she didn't fall over anybody, nor she was located in a dangerous zone, but it always was an unfortunate event.
edited 26th May '15 9:49:37 PM by VPhantom
"It's better to burn out... THAN TO FADE AWAY!"Floored
Tsukika idly kept her flowing locks off the ground with but a thought as she considered Diana's question, shifting quickly to a comfortable sprawl on the other girl, "I don't know, Dai-chan, you're just so comfy, y'know?" She punctuated her statement with a quick little shift that left her head nestled neatly in the juncture of the werewolf's shoulders and neck. "I could just take a nap here, catch up on some of the sleep I missed packing for the trip."
/人◕ ‿‿ ◕人\ Will you make a contract with me?Outside
Hayate walked back out of the Bunny HOP drinking a cup of tea. "I can help." He offered Dianca, setting his drink to one side and moving towards Alice.
"Oh, Ta-chan! Morning!" He greeted Tamae upon noticing she had arrived while he was indoors.
Floored
With a blush and a sigh, Diana wrapped an arm around Tsukika as she started to prop the both of them up with the other. "Alright, alright, that's enough of that. Listen, I'll get you some sweet batter pancakes, the ones with the strawberries and whipped cream, if you promise to lay off a bit. At least until we're on the road. I'll even let you have a sip of my coffee. Rachel, can I have my coffee back?"
Alexi smiled when Alice perked up like she did, certainly a sight to see for someone so innocent looking to be so excited like that. "I will show you the world," Alexi whispered to herself, indulging in her own little jest. "Shining, shimmering-"
And then Alice just dropped dead in front of her. Alexi stood there frozen, wondering what the hell happened to the robot, only speaking up to say "Actually, I think she might prefer to stay in the van."
Then the bass spoke up. Holy shit, it can talk? That's...mildly interesting, to say the least, that earned a raised eyebrow. She went over to Danica, take the bass out of her hand and sat back down on the van, keeping her hand off to think of what song to play. Soon after, she got one.
She wasn't exactly as psyched for that certain band nowadays but she still can appreciate their magnum opus(in her opinion, anyway), especially for their chill song about masturbation. She got as far as the first verse but then she stopped suddenly and pointed out "Wait a minute, how do you know my name, bass bro? I didn't even say my name yet."
edited 27th May '15 7:44:26 PM by sgtpendulum
http://www.last.fm/user/sgtpendulum Yo, check out what I'm listening, it'll be heat, brah :^)Tsukika considered the offer for a moment before lightly hopping to her feet, "Deal! It's been so looong since any of you let me have coffee, I can't wait," she exclaimed, a thin but strong lock of hair extending towards the prone werewolf, offering some help getting to her feet.
/人◕ ‿‿ ◕人\ Will you make a contract with me?Bud mumbled noncommitally. "One of the big folks organizing this whole trip 'owns' me. I probably memorized your name. It pays to remember folks's names, you know. Develops a bond immediately." He listened to the lyrics, remembering hearing this on the radio. "Which would explain why you're comfortable singing a song about masturbation with a supposed stranger—we're already close. Nice, isn't it?"
"That's...kinda creepy," Alexi said about him memorizing the name. "And...eewww, when do we implicate that? Motherfucker, the only reason I'm playing that song is because it has the funnest bass lines ever. Danica, I think your bass is defective. Too horny, I think."
Meanwhile, at the restaurant..."OkmayItakeyourordersothat'sapple cinnamonpancakeandonestrawberry, right?" Ginger spoke like an uzi in a driveby van as she passed by the yuki-onna and skinwalker couple.
"Forgiveforthisminorinconvenience," the manager added as he passed by the couple too.
edited 28th May '15 8:31:26 AM by sgtpendulum
http://www.last.fm/user/sgtpendulum Yo, check out what I'm listening, it'll be heat, brah :^)"Danker Grove, you say? Why, I'm quite familiar with the place! I daresay that I may have met you befo-"
Lyndi's speech cut off as the bunny girl and her manager raced by. Instantly her hunter instincts kicked in, pupils dilating and legs tensing in preparation for take-off, but Alice's collapse distracted Lyndi from joining in the chase. It was almost a shame; it'd been a while since she'd had the opportunity to get her adrenaline pumping.
"Oh dear, is it that nefarious 'glitch' affecting her again?" Lyndi fluttered over to assist Danica and Hayate, her clawed feet gripping onto the robot's legs with a surprising gentleness. "I concur that she would find it more comfortable to awaken in her own vehicle. I can lift her lower half, if you two would be so kind as to get her shoulders."
they/them || "Forgive me, regent of queer amphibians" - Lt.BGob

Ginger and the manager jumped a bit when the box exploded with lights and confetti. The two of them stared at the robot cautiously, with the waitress holding it outstretched in case something else happens. After the robot speak of his service, the music played, their ears perked up and their eyes widened and the manager said "Is it that Rickroll song?"
"Erm..." Ginger muttered to give herself time to listen more closely then decided "No it's not, it's kinda different. I mean, like, the hook sounds the same but the drums beats is different...Anyways, where's my 50 bucks?"
"I'll put that money into your monthly wage," the manager said dismissively as he turned towards the computer, managing sales and...other things managers do."Get back to work."
Ginger frowned, staring disappointingly at her boss for a while, then joked for a bit by saying "MARC, get that 50 bucks from him."
The manager laughed for a bit, shaking his head and said "Oh, come on, you don't think that little thing would extort my money from me forcefully..."
Meanwhile, on the outside, Alexi did a deadlift on the luggage and carry it over to the van, all the while answering "Me too! Oh, man! I can't wait to get to the Waterstock Music Carnival and see Death Grips live, play all the merfolk games and see my old friends there, Elise, you're about to see history there. Though I suppose it didn't hurt to stop and look around as well."
As she placed the luggage into the van, a thought just came into her head and asked "Wait, do robots enjoy music? Or at least, do you?"
http://www.last.fm/user/sgtpendulum Yo, check out what I'm listening, it'll be heat, brah :^)