[Video]

[butwonderful]

[ Excuse the awkward robot with the ears. ]

Hi there. I know we've had some new arrivals recently. My name is Drift and I'm-

I'm an Autobot. I want to apologize for all the commotion lately. Things seem to have um. Settled. They've settled.

On that note, I'd love to open the option of self defense classes to anyone who is interested, or if you are already inclined, I'd be happy to spar.

So. Um. Let me know! Humans, cybertronians, and any other species fully welcome! If you'd like to learn swordplay, I'd also be happy to teach.

Drift out!

[ Awkward wave. ]

Comments

[weapabilities]

Pfft. Me? No, not cuddly at all. I'm too hard... and. Rough.

[ SO TOUGH look at this tough guy. ]

[now_i_know]

...

[snrk]

...hehe...

sobs I was using the wrong journal

[butwonderful]

What?

oooops

[now_i_know]

Nothin'. [But she can't hide that smile.]

So... alien robots, huh, and there's a lot of you.

Do you mind if I ask yah somethin'?

[butwonderful]

Yeah...

Hmm?

Sure, go ahead.

[now_i_know]

What are you guys' thoughts on non-alien robots? Have you ever met any?

[butwonderful]

Well, you mean constructed automatons? We have them. It depends. Sometimes a race can become so developed they shift. There's a test that can determine if a mechanoid is sapient or not.

[now_i_know]

So, basically, they're second-class citizens unless they're able to be proven otherwise.

Eh.

Typical.

[butwonderful]

Er- are you talking about AI?

[now_i_know]

No. I'm talking about other living, thinking robots. I don't know nothin' about any AI.

[butwonderful]

Oh! Well robotic life, sure. I mean the universe is full of it.

[now_i_know]

But they're nothing special compared to you guys.

[butwonderful]

Actually... we're a pretty universally hated species. Our society was much more-

Well. Racist before the war. Now we're kind of considered thugs to be avoided.

I don't really blame them.

[now_i_know]

Yeah, I'm starting to get that.

[butwonderful]

We're not all bad.

[ Just most of them. ]

Many of us are just very spiritually constipated.

[now_i_know]

...

[Sigh.]

And you're the guy caught in the middle.

[butwonderful]

I honestly don't know where I am along that scale.

[now_i_know]

So you're just responding to me?

[butwonderful]

What do you mean?

[now_i_know]

Well, maybe you haven't realized this, but you've been trying to defend your people this whole time. If you're not doing it intentionally, then you're doing it responsively.

And you're taking on a lot of your people's shame and guilt.

[butwonderful]

Hey now...

That's assuming a lot, ma'am.

[now_i_know]

Well, I'm not saying it's a bad thing. It sounds like you guys have a lot to own up to, too.

[butwonderful]

We do, I won't deny that. But there's good in us, too. I guess like any intelligent species.

[now_i_know]

Then...

[and her tone becomes a little gentler]

Maybe you should try talking about that, too.

[butwonderful]