ACE

[ballies]

(pirate noises)

Comments

[selfimmolation]

Issue?

[ :? ]

[ballies]

I wanted to find a storage device. I didn't know there were USBs in the Wonderball machines.

[selfimmolation]

Well, no one else has gotten one has far as I know. What do you need it for?

[ballies]

[ she's quiet for a moment. ]

...

Mostly for if something happens to me. I can't upload my memories directly, but I can do a video diary at least so I'll know what's happened. So I wouldn't lose anything when Ryuki gets back home.

[selfimmolation]

[ he doesn't know enough about technology to understand the significance of this ]

... How would you still be home if something happened to you here?

[ballies]

[ ... ]

The way I am back home would let me back up my memories. [ she looks at her hand a little thoughfully. ] Not here though. This is all human.

[selfimmolation]

... So ... you're not, usually?

[ :o ]

[ballies]

Not usually, no. Although this is how I tend to look, in my own way.

[selfimmolation]

Cool. [ there are so many non-humans he's truly like neat! ] So... you're linked to technology?

[ballies]

[ there really are so many non humans this game, what a place. ]

Yup. And Ryuki, through that technology. Although not here, so it’s even weirder. [ like she’s missing a limb, which is funny because she’s actually the limb. or the body part, at least. ]

This is one of those other work secrets I talked about, so… it’s probably better not to spread it around. [ … ] But! It also means I want to try and at least… save a record of what’s happening here. Just in case anything happens to me.

[selfimmolation]

With Ryuki too?

[ that's more interesting because he has no idea how that would even work, because Technology. Tama is the snail and-- ok I'm done

He laughs a little ]

Don't worry, your secret's safe with me. It's not like it's anyone else's business. [ ... ] You think it's likely someone would target you?

[ballies]

Mmhmm. We’re partners.

[ not the snail tech!!!! ]

Maybe? About as much as anyone else thinks they might be targeted. I just don’t want to leave Ryuki without any hope of getting me back if it does happen. If I don’t record what’s going on here, they’ll be a gap in my memories that will just haunt him.

[selfimmolation]

... It'll probably haunt him no matter what, but I guess it wouldn't be as bad if he could get you back.

[ so. sure. that works. ]

[ballies]

… It’ll haunt him worse if there’s no way to get me back. Trust me.

It’s the lesser of two evils.

[selfimmolation]

... I know. I just wish it wasn't something you had to do at all, I guess.

[ballies]

…

I think it’s kind of unfair, honestly. The others— they don’t even get that.

[selfimmolation]

[ playing with the yellow friendship bracelet on his wrist ]

... People don't get that most of the time. [ people die when they are killed vibes, but; ] Only thing you can do is remember them.

[ballies]

[ sorry about your norma…. friendship wasn’t magic :( ]

Yeah.

It feels a bit like cheating, but— [ but she knows ryuki. ]

[selfimmolation]

[ for some reason, he laughs? ]

Cheating? If you can make sure you'll be there for him, then do it. Who cares about fairness?

[ballies]

Please, it's not going to stop me.

[ psh. ]

But it still feels... I dunno. I wish I could do it for the others as well. [ points at argalia: not you. .. unless nimona asked. ]

[selfimmolation]

Even if that worked for regular people, you need Ryuki to go back home with it for it to work, right?

[ so a back up save ... Isn't a great solution ]

[ballies]

I'm doing it for Ryuki's sake. [ ... ] If he doesn't go back and I do, then they'll just reboot me anyway.

I wouldn't work with anyone else. Not permanently.

[selfimmolation]

Because of the partner thing?

[ballies]

Because I wouldn't work with anyone else.

So, sort of, I guess. I'm his partner, and ABIS takes that into account.

[selfimmolation]

ABIS...? The guys you work for?