Circuit 10 [Loss]

[lfetimewarranty]

. . . . North and Shockwave are gone. Their ID's are off the network.

[The tone comes off as neutral, like a good little robot's voice would, but there's a unique undercurrent of depression in her tone.]

It is very . . . odd, to be able to experience this sensation of loss. I have never had to deal with losing someone before. Miss someone, certainly

Comments

[atomic16]

...North's gone?

[There's a long pause.]

You checked and everything.

[lfetimewarranty]

His ID is gone, but I haven't checked his room yet.

[Her tone of voice suggest she thinks checking would be pointless.]

[atomic16]

[North may have been really terrifying at first, but it was good to have a friend who understood the Pet mentality - and had himself surpassed it. She'll miss him. A lot.

She lets out a shaky breath. Sulphur? Does not do this crying thing. At least not on-comm.]

Well. I ...

Want me to come over?

[This is the first time she's offered her company to Rfena instead of the other way around.]

[lfetimewarranty]

[Rfena admired North for doing something that she could only hope to do, and causing events that resulted in freedom. Plus, she genuinely like him, so having him go...]

I... yes. If it is not too much trouble.

[.___.]

[atomic16]

[It's definitely not.]

Be there in a minute.

[And true to her word, there's a knock-knock at Reffy's door shortly after.]

[lfetimewarranty]

[Reffy's not doing anything but scrolling through old logs, mentally noting which ones are North's. Her way of keeping him around.

At the knock, she sets her communicator down and gets up, opening the door and attempting a smile.]

Come in.

[atomic16]

[The first thing Sulphur does is pull Reffy into a hug. She really doesn't think about it before she does it: the Pet wants comfort, Reffy probably does to some degree too -- though ... she doesn't know if androids really like hugs ...

But whatever.]

...Hi.

[And then she lets go and steps back before the hug turns creepylong.]

[lfetimewarranty]

[Rfena's somewhat surprised at the hug, but she gingerly hugs her back tightly after a moment, and lets her go when Sulphur pulls back.]

Hello to you too.

[She gestures around.] Have a seat any where you'd like.

[atomic16]

[Sulphur lets out a soft sigh and goes to seat herself on the edge of Reffy's bed.]

... I knew people disappeared and all, but I never thought North would be one of them.

[lfetimewarranty]

[Rfena follows Sulphur, and seats herself a few feet away from her on the bed.]

The same. I knew it happened in theory, but to lose someone... and both of them so suddenly...

I guess this is what they mean by experiencing versus knowing.

[atomic16]

I didn't know Shockwave. But North was -- he was -- ... yeah.

[She trails off, failing to find the words to complete her sentence.]

[lfetimewarranty]

He was important. He was a friend, and I'm going to miss him.

[Rfena looks down.]

He's.... going to die. He's going to save the Pets by doing it, but he's going to...

[atomic16]

[Sulphur stares at the floor, silent for a few long moments.]

...'least he's doing it for something important.

[lfetimewarranty]

[She reaches out to rub Sulphur's shoulders.]

There... is that. I never thought I would think that it might not be a good sacrifice, but I have to remember that he'll do good things for the Pets by doing this.

[Her voice is still very unhappy.]