[Video]

[littlestraydoll]

[The video comes on to reveal the ruins in the northern mountains, the ones that everyone agrees are haunted. And apparently they are?? After all, the camera's following what looks like a possessed toy. A doll made of knitted yarn is climbing around the broken rocks and remnants of walls. Did a comm drone get lost and find its way clear out there somehow? Surely it doesn't belong to the toy. The Guardians only give comm drones to new arrivals brought by the Miasma . . . right?]

[The little doll loses its footing as bits of rock and dirt slip away from under its stumpy legs. It yelps, little knitted tubes for fingers scrabbling to find purchase in a crack between stones. It pauses, seemingly to make sure it indeed has caught itself, then huffs softly and half-turns toward the drone. Its "eyes" are a pair of mismatched buttons, the left one bright green and noticeably larger than the red one on its right.]

A little help would be nice, friend.

[The voice, sounding like a little boy, presumably comes from the doll, even though its mouth - a gash through the knitting crudely sewn across in such a way as to give it the appearance of ragged teeth - doesn't move.]

[The answering voice is one that every viewer will recognize, since all comm drones sound the same. Think SIRI.]

Understood: help. Starting community video to request help.

Correction: community video already in progress. Proceed to request help.

[The doll's head tilts as if in confusion, and shifts faintly for an instant as if glancing at the camera itself, then shakes its head and turns to continue climbing, sounding resigned as it talks to itself.]

Dumb drone. Not as if there's anyone else around. Oh well . . .



((ooc: By the way, permissions post HERE for its "intuitive learning" ability. =3))

Comments

[Video]

[greater_than_zero]

[Have a curious look, there little guy.]

More people around than you might think. Need a hand?

[Video]

[littlestraydoll]

[The doll YIPS in surprise, spinning around again at the unexpected voice and nearly losing its footing again. The buttons don't actually change, and yet somehow they manage to convey the impression of a gaze widened in shock. And then matching curiosity.]

Oh! Hello! Apparently, yes. More people, I mean. And . . . yes, I think that might be a good thing. Are you near here? I wouldn't want to be any trouble.

Re: [Video]

[greater_than_zero]

No trouble at all. Just stay put, I'll come get you.

[Video]

[littlestraydoll]

Okay, thank you.

[And it will indeed just sit down where it is.]

Re: [Video]

[greater_than_zero]

[Ooooooh no....you’re so small, little guy. It’s gonna take Zero a little time to spot you, even if you do get up to wave him down.]

[He lands well back and steps closer.] You’re...quite a bit smaller than I was expecting.

[Video]

[littlestraydoll]

[The doll does indeed attempt to wave him down, hopping up and down and calling him too - by name, even, if the Cybertronian notices.]

[Once spotted, the doll gazes up in awe.]

And you're quite a bit larger. Wow.

Hi, Subzero! Thank you for coming for me.

[Video]

[mercury_gaze]

Oh...you're...a doll. [wow.]

[Video]

[littlestraydoll]

Hm?

[It turns again at hearing a new voice, though at least it's not as startled as with the last one. Oddly, the ends of the gash pull up a bit, looking very much like a grin.]

I am, yes. And you...

[It pauses, seeming to consider, then nods.]

...are a Half-Blood. Your father was human and your mother was j'har.

Re: [Video]

[mercury_gaze]

[She blinks, gaping at him.]

How...did you know that?

[Video]

[littlestraydoll]

...

[That's a really good question, one it's never been asked before. Danielle never asked how it knew things. It pauses as it casts for an answer, but none comes and it finally shakes its head.]

I don't know. I'm sorry. Should I not?

[It's honestly not sure.]

Re: [Video]

[mercury_gaze]

[Gaping.]

Not without someone telling you. I don’t think I’ve told many people here... [Sam...and Lea of course...maybe a couple of the robots....]

[Video]

[happyclappyhippydrippy]

[on one hand, IT'S A CREEPY POSSESSED DOLL???????? On the other hand, stranger things have happened, and the poor little thing seems to need help. Even if it is creepy.]

Ahh.... if you still need a hand, I'd be happy to help.

[actually he looks vaguely creeped out but he's trying to be polite SO.]

[Video]

[littlestraydoll]

Hello!

I think someone might be on his way here soon, but I would not turn down more company. I thought I was alone here. It's really nice to know I'm not!

Re: [Video]

[happyclappyhippydrippy]

[it's so CREEPY but it's so polite AAHHHHGNGHEBS]

Company I can do. And don't worry, there are quite a few people around here. Not to sound rude, but I don't think I've ever seen anyone like you before.

[Video]

[littlestraydoll]

That's good to know. I thought this was some kind of afterlife, but . . . I don't think that anymore. And that's okay. I don't think there is anyone else like me. I haven't seen anything like you either before. Well, not before the one who's on his way to me right now.

[A headtilt as the doll studies big robot guy.]

...your name is Drift. It hasn't always been. It is now, though.

Are you lost?

[Video]

[happyclappyhippydrippy]

[Well Drift was about to reply to the first stuff the doll said but then it had to go and creep Drift out even more. He looks absolutely baffled for a moment, not only at the fact that this doll thing not only knows his name, but knows he used to have a different name. It then completely throws him off by asking him something he's asked himself a billion times over and still isn't sure he has an answer for. Thanks creepy doll now Drift just looks disturbed.]

I... how do you know that? What do you mean lost?

[Video]

[eyestothesky]

Hey there buddy, you still need help? [That's one robut watching that little doll with concern, a tiny white fluffball cat perched on his shoulder.]

[Video]

[littlestraydoll]

Hello! No, thank you, I don't think so. Someone's coming to me. He told me to stay put. But I wouldn't mind more company.

[Video]

[eyestothesky]

Well, it doesn't look like you're too far from where I am, I could come keep you company until your help comes along if you'd like?

[Video]

[littlestraydoll]

Thank you, I'd like that! If it's not any trouble. I . . . I think I'm kind of far out from . . . whatever the center of this place is.

[10_20_15_5_50]

[That's new! Sam regards the feed with open interest, but speaks without any uncertainty.]

Hey, little dude. Lucky for you, a little help's not too hard to come by. You've probably got enough coming, but if not...?

[She offers a chipper little wave.]

Yo. I'll happily lend a hand.

[littlestraydoll]

Yo! [The greeting is echoed back with a delighted laugh. He'll even wave at the camera.] Thank you. I think help's on the way now - I've been told to stay put. But I wouldn't mind company.

[10_20_15_5_50]

Oh.

[There's a brief pause as Sam skims the other replies.]

I wouldn't mind coming out to meet you, but Subzero's gonna beat me there unless there's a gateway really close. See any massive ring contraptions nearby?

[littlestraydoll]

Um…

[The doll climbs back to its feet, then pulls itself up the rest of the way to the top of the wall and looks around.]

I don't think so. Not where I can see, anyway.

It's okay, though. Maybe I can come meet you somewhere? Once Subzero's gotten here, that is.

[10_20_15_5_50]

Sure. Or I can meet up with the two of you once you're in from the hinterlands, or whatever works for you. I'm not picky.