themainframe | action + video;

[action;]
[There's a young, blond haired boy sitting at a bench outside of the small (although it's extremely large to him) Tokyo Tower with a blue dog beside him. The Gaomon refuses to stand still, punching and kicking and jumping around, even as Armin sits as still as he can. He's silent, staring at the ground as a million thoughts run through his head (why him? what is this place? he got the explanation but it just brought more questions. was he the only one here? how would he survive here, he's never known anything outside of the walls that wasn't out to eat people.) He sits there for almost an hour until he finally gets to his feet, taking a deep breath and clenching his hands into fists to keep them from shaking. He's got to figure this out. He begins to walk, the Gaomon pausing its training to follow him as he begins to look for anybody he would be able to talk to.

And that person is you! Clad in a dark green cloak with the crest of a pair of wings embroidered into the back, Armin's expression is both serious and nervous, and he manages to stay calm as he walks up to you, raising his arm to show his D-Terminal.]

Excuse me-- I just arrived here a short while ago, and I'm afraid that I'm having trouble figuring out how this works. If you're familiar with how it works, would it be all right if I asked you to show me? As well as... a few tips on how to get by around here, if it's not too much trouble.

[video;]
[The video is later in the day, hours after Armin left the Tokyo Tower and learned some locations in Terminal Tokyo and found his way to the newcomers' apartment. He hasn't entered his room yet, but instead seems to be standing in one of the corridors, holding his device to show his face on the camera.]

... This is Armin Arlert of the Scouting Legion.

I've arrived at the housing prepared for newcomers to this world. If there is anybody from the Scouting Legion, Garrison, or Military Police -- or anybody who recognizes those names, I would like to request correspondence.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

They will look like the ones on my clothes.

[He gestures again, a hand to his chest.]

Thank you very much, sir. I appreciate any help I can get.

That's the one! It will record you. We can do a test run, if you want.

So if you press that, it will turn on the camera and you should be able to see yourself on the screen... [he doesn't want to get all up in Armin's space so he tries to point out what he can without being too intrusive] This is the camera, here. That's the thing that... sees you, kinda, and records your movements. The tiny hole there picks up your voice. They both sort of work together and you get walking talking pictures.

The circle will make it record, the square will make it stop, and if you want to play it back, you want the sideways triangle. Wanna try it?

Yes. I'll try it, to see if I could get this right.

[He doesn't understand how something this small and seemingly simple could record images and even... voices? He tries not to think too hard as he presses the camera button, blinking in surprise when the the thing called a screen does, as Kaoru said, suddenly show his face. Was it like a mirror?]

What happens if I make this recording?

[He nods.]

I'll remember that.

... sir? You don't... need to call me that.

You must trust him a lot.

[And as soon as she sees the Gaomon, she herself transforms back into her Gazimon form, completely dropping the bags (nice going, You) and scampering up Wheeljack's own shoulders, hanging on in much the same way.]

Of course he does! He's waited his WHOLE life to meet you!

Ya hear that, kid? You're stuck with em. Believe me, it's not as fun as it sounds.

[But at the question, he gives a nod, and a little smirk.]

Just like that, only instead'a havin' to write it out, ya can push a button and it makes the letter for ya.

[???]

Ah, I apologize. "Sir" is a normal form of address where I am from... I'm afraid I hadn't caught your name yet. How should I call you?

That is...

[He pauses, but it isn't hesitation. He's just never had to put it in words before.]

We've been together our entire lives.

But... you don't have to be formal. I'm not even human.

[Sorry, kiddo, this one's an oddball.]

... Kagerou.

I was told something similar, earlier. It's still difficult to fully grasp the concept of that, but I'm grateful that he's at least keeping us out of trouble.

[The Gaomon is as quiet as ever, simply hanging off of Armin's shoulders. They both look comfortable enough with it, although Armin takes a moment to shoo his Digimon's feet off what look like large metal boxes strapped to his legs.]

Typing... If I type the words, the recipient is then able to read exactly what I write? How do I send my messages?

Kagerou...

[To Armin, "not human" points to two things: one, that one is an animal, like the horses they ride or the birds and fish they eat; and two, that one is a titan, monsters that eat humans. But Kagerou, as he knows this man by now, doesn't seem like either.]

What do you mean?

What about cute girls?

[ She has some of her ego left after all. ]

[He thinks he understands. Though his first friend hadn't been with him all his life, he understands.]

Friendships like that are the most important bond. Never let it go.

[What is he talking about?]

We- There was the female titan. We couldn't complete are mission as planned.

I'm not human. I'm... AI. An AI.

Built by human beings.

[Those metal boxes get a look of curiosity from the bot. They weren't exactly the most streamlined pieces of equipment, so he can only wonder what exactly they accomplish. But that's a question for later.]

Ahhhh yep! That's what we're best at. I've helped Wheeljack here out a bunch of times.

[And actually, that gets a laugh out of him.]

Won't lie, she's good at it.

Ya send the messages just like ya would with the video and audio, with this button here. Whatever ya type is what gets sent.

[The expedition? Armin's eyes widen, and he feels his heartbeat quicken as his stomach sinks. There's something absolutely wrong. How? Eren's memory was perfectly fine. Was it because of the fight in Stohess? Did the shift during that battle damage his mind? How could this be--?]

... Had you already returned from the expedition?

... Huh?

What do you mean?

I don't intend to.

[He nods, quietly. He looks Leatherhead straight in the eyes.]

I never did.

Ey... eye?

[What.]

You were built by humans? [What.] I-I'm afraid I don't know what you mean.

[The button. He doesn't press the button yet, but he memorizes what it looks like and nods, staring at the screen before finding how to exit out of it. The basic information, for now, should be enough.]

How do I decide who will receive it? The way this seems to work... I'd have to let it know who to send to, won't I?

Yes... AI. Artificial Intelligence in a robotic frame.

[He looks suddenly embarrassed, and touches his chest lightly, to indicate... all of him.]

I wasn't -- this isn't the body I'm supposed to be in.

I'm asking if you're used to cute girls. Normally if you want me to help you with your D-Terminal, you'd pad my ego a little bit by insisting there are none as fair as I.

[ A low sigh. ] It deflates the effect for me to have to explain it, so come here. I'll help you with it free of charge.

The world won't end, don't worry! You should be able to watch it back after you record it but... glitches happen, sometimes.

[kind of like a mirror, Armin, yes. But don't try to beat your camera-self, you'll just look like an idiot on tape]

So you just want to speak normally, no need to shout or anything. You could always do a 'Testing, Testing' kind of post if you want to see if it works first?

((I'm sorry I'm sorry for being late! I'm back now!!!)

Ah yeah, right.

[His hand glides over the screen to the side, pulling up a list of everyone in the city. With a flick of his finger, he scrolls down it.]

List's right here. Just pick who ya want, or pick no one if ya want it to go to everyone. Simple as that.

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