[Video] Nebula 17

[silver_eyes_rose]

[The video kicks on showing Ruby in the Quiet Cab, looking a bit nervous]

Uh, yeah... h-hi, I'm Ruby Rose, I just got here and, um... I had a.. crazy idea. I'm sure you'll think I'm silly and all that, but...

[Deep breath, Ruby.]

Before I came to this world, I was brought to another world called Prismatica. Because of how I was brought in, I was given strange abilities by being "Moonblessed". One of those is being able to make energy I can use within myself called "Chroma" that fuels both the powers from my world and the powers from that world... among other things. And we make this by "Moonlacing", which is willingly touching another.

All I really need to do is to touch someone with their permission or vice versa, but Prismatica preferred more affectionate touches. Hugs, kisses... th-things that I would probably get yelled at for saying because there's kids here.

[Another deep breath and...]

I guess what I'm trying to say is that, well... a lot of you are hurting because of what this train does and... I want to help. Boy or girl, taken or not, I'm here if you need someone to give you affection and it also helps me not feel drained!

Does... that make sense? It makes sense in my head and...

Oh, I probably screwed this up...

Comments

[marvelous_murderbot]

[She looks down at her hands, then back to Ruby.]

Oh, you're starting, I see - one moment.

[Internally, she makes adjustments - her body usually runs a few degrees colder than a human, which is noticeable in the skin. She takes the time to adjust that, bringing her body temperature up towards human norms.]

[silver_eyes_rose]

Oh!

[Ruby blinks and giggles at that, awed at how she warmed up so easily. Such a handy thing to have.]

I guess it would be silly to tell you “you’re warm”, then…

You can do what you think is right.

[marvelous_murderbot]

[She looked thoughtful a moment.]

This is nice, for now. May I ask: what do you get from the contact? I presume more than just the act itself?

[silver_eyes_rose]

It’s an energy that was used in the world I was on before I got here called Chroma. It has a lot of uses on that world, but here it’s basically fuel for my powers.

Something that didn’t hinder me before…

[marvelous_murderbot]

[She thinks about that.]

Being as I am artificial - can you get that from me? And is it necessary to survival?

[silver_eyes_rose]

Uh-huh! Long as there’s touch, it’s fine.

But… that’s the thing. I’m not sure. I’ve never been drained so badly that I could die. I know when it’s low, I’m tired and my powers don’t work

[marvelous_murderbot]

[Well that sounds serious.]

But that is an extant possibility? Oh dear. In that case, consider me for emergency touching.

[Said with complete earnestness and as if that isn't a ridiculous sounding turn of phrase.]

[silver_eyes_rose]

[Ruby blushed as she giggled]

Don't say it like that! You make it sound naughtier than it should be!

[marvelous_murderbot]

Oh. Is it? I just meant that in an emergency I am likely to be able to give significant energy without being drained myself.

Does it require intercourse?

[Because she gets blunt when she's curious.]

[silver_eyes_rose]

[And Ruby's face gets even redder]

N-No! I-I mean, they said it's faster through other means including intercourse, but I couldn't ask you to do that with me!

[marvelous_murderbot]

[She nods]

I am fully capable, of course, but I would prefer that such an occasion be one of connection, not utility.

[silver_eyes_rose]

And I would want that moment to be the same… with or without me, of course.

[If there was someone Guri liked, she wasn’t going to stand in her way]

[marvelous_murderbot]

[Which is a question. The illusions had left her in some doubt as to her own feelings on a range of issues, not least of which the matter of feeling affection and who for.]

That is a complicated question. But in either case, I hope you consider me a friend from here on. I would so wish to have more of those.

[silver_eyes_rose]

Of course! I always love new friends! No matter what, we’re friends and if you need anything, please tell me!

[marvelous_murderbot]

[Oh, she does, and it's Guri so she asks it without any mental filter.]

Oh, good - in that case: how can you tell when you are physically attracted to someone? Rather than just noting features?

[It's been on her mind lately, and she has all the subtlety in interpersonal conversation of an on-fire truck.]

[silver_eyes_rose]

Hmm… I would say how they look at you as well as wanting to touch you more. Especially the touching - they like you like that, they’ll want to do things like hug you or hold your hand.

[marvelous_murderbot]

[She nods, brow furrowed.]

That is good to know. But how about the other way around? How do you, yourself, know when you are attracted to someone? What are the initial signs?

[silver_eyes_rose]

How do I...?

[Ruby thinks this over a bit, before ultimately nodding]

You can't stop thinking about them. Being around them makes you happy. You have confused feelings about them that you'll realize may be happy ones.

[marvelous_murderbot]

[She withdraws her hands from a moment, if only to take out a small notebook and write those things down. She can remember them, but notes are important.]

Well. That is fairly thorough. The trouble for me, I was - in a previous mission - told I had feelings for someone, but all that turned out to be a lie. It has been difficult to sort reality from fantasy ever since.

[silver_eyes_rose]

WHAT?! That’s wrong! No one should ever force you to believe such a thing! Love isn’t determined by what someone says or commands; it’s determined by you yourself!

[marvelous_murderbot]

I am quite aware. But the illusions were arranged regardless. It was...

[Any hesitation from a robot is a sign, really.]

A difficult time.

[silver_eyes_rose]

Oh… I’m sorry…

[Ruby goes to take Guri’s hands again, this time trying to entwine her fingers through hers.]

I wish I could help you…

[marvelous_murderbot]

[She sighs, accepting the gesture.]

I know. It is a matter now of figuring out what to do with all the information. Imagine admiring a person before, being placed with them in a dreamscape with feelings, then being reverted to the real world.

It leaves one with questions.

[silver_eyes_rose]

[Ruby closes her eyes and sighs]

I wish I could fully understand it, but I know it hurts. Emotions are such fickle things, you know?

Do you… want me to help you calm down a bit?

[marvelous_murderbot]

[Her head tilts]

How would that work?