Furscape MUCK

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^ Title | Looking for Honest Politicians |
^ Storyline | Tangled Epiphyte |
^ IC date | 2211-09-09|
^ Location | Epiphyte, Lopanga Confederacy, [[Annyrion]] |
^ Summary | A citizen has a little chat with the new mayor's representative.|
^ Characters | [[Cecilia]], [[Ichiko]], [[Sam]] |

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Sam continues in the guise of Akira Racer, a young looking male tabby recom who works in the food industry, all the makeup and dyeing impeccably done in order to make the disguise convincing. The feline does 'his' best not to greet any of the robots that are stationed about, showing no hostility and committing to not acting suspiciously at all. The apparent tabby moves towards the administration building.

In front of the administration building is a riot group significantly smaller than one just a day prior. Signs are held up in protest of the new 'Mayor' but no aggression is evident. It is here that there is one of the greatest concentration of the military androids in the entire city. Probably for good reason, too. Once at the door, Akira is likely stopped by one of the menacing and tall robots, which inquires in a completely monotone, and frankly loud voice, "PRESENT NAME, STATUS, DATE OF BIRTH, RACE." It doesn't seem like Sam will be able to pass without saying said information.

"Akira. Uh, single? February sixth, 2192. Cat? Tabby cat? That's the look of it, anyways, yeah," replies Akira, brows raising slightly at the questioning. "How about you, buddy?" the feline says a bit lazily glancing past the machine. "Name, status, date, yadayada?"

As soon as Sam says 'cat', the robot resumes talking, "YOUR IDENTITY HAS BEEN REGISTERED." It doesn't seem like this one is really connected to the same network as all of other robots. Its movements are very slow, clumsy and robotic. All of the other ones are animated, looking about, shifting around, it's quite a weird set up. Once the door is open, Sam is allowed to step inside, her questions unanswered. Inside, most of the doors are blocked off, leaving one door open at the end of the hall. There is a guard of at /least/ 6 robots in his hallway alone.

"Uptight friggin' robots," mumbles the disguised Sam, entering into the administration building, "not even good for a little conversation." The tabby walks down the hall, towards the open door. At passing each robot, the tabby greets them politely, but with a stern disapproving look.

The sixth robot, the final one at the end of the hallway actually seems a bit more animated. "GOOD EVENING, MR. AKIRA." And the door is then opened, revealing the office previously belonging to Paris. Sitting in her seat is the same doll from the stage earlier. The model is absolutely exquisite. Immediately what stands out is the curves used in every component used to make up this robot, from the arms to the chest and face. Lines and curves that are almost invisible trace the separate pieces to its exterior shell. Much like an art piece, most of the curves are accentuated to provide visual aesthetic to the extremely pale and somewhat dull robot. It has short black hair that resembles something a pixie might have, with long bangs that sweep low to the brow, while maintaining some kind of curl. Even more peculiar is that the robot looks human, and not recom. The doll sits there in the same ornate dress, hands folded upon the table. It gestures for Sam to sit in one of the chairs in front of the wooden desk. Every movement the doll makes is incredibly smooth and precise, void of errors. This is one very expensive piece of robotics. The perfect proxy figurehead. "Please, sit down, Mr. Akira." The robot says in an extremely calm and feminine voice.

Sam keeps an eye on the doll and sits down in the chair, rambling a bit, "So, it seems you've got my introduction. Name, status, date of birth, race. That's how we ask for information nowadays, isn't it? Just demand, no 'please', very cold." The feline leans back slightly, and raises a brow.

The robotic doll smiles, "Mayor Sethos would like to express his apology in the lack of an emotion engine in the war units." Oh wait. It's /SMILING/? It could be even considered an attractive and very articulated. "This unit's name is Cecilia. It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Akira."

"A pleasure, Cecilia. Is that Ms. Cecilia, or do you prefer Miss Cecilia? Or Mrs.? You never know if there's a Mr. Cecilia," says 'Akira', smiling lightly at that, "Tell Sethos thanks for the apology... So, how do these things usually go? I've seen more bodies around here than usual. Should I be nervous right now?"

"Ms. Cecilia." The dolls responds, while unfolding her hands on the table top. The robot continues to smile, "It has been relayed, Mr. Akira." There's a pause for the next question before the robot responds, "In every revolution, blood is shed." Cecilia says, frowning, "Epiphyte has long been a hive of scum and villainy and those people are very angry to have lost their home." But then it smiles again, "In the new Epiphyte, we provide welcome to everyone as long as they follow appropriate laws."

"What laws are appropriate laws? I mean, don't get me wrong, I like a few laws here and there. Don't kill, don't steal, those are pretty good. The last administration put those in place. What'll be different?" says Sam, leaning in slightly. "I mean, people around here don't like taxes, by the way. Just a warning. They just hate taxes."

The robot tilts its head, "Current, all of the laws previously enacted are in effect. In addition, all citizens wishing to procreate naturally are not allowed. Procreation without medical intervention results in abortionary tactics and a fine. Hostility against the robots is also a new law. Tampering with the robots is also a new law." Everything is said pretty friendly, but a lot of the punishments are not mentioned. Almost all of the ones not mentioned are probably punisable by death.

From the northwest, a female recom walks into the plaza area from Landing Street. A dark green shawl is wrapped around her upper body and layered over her face, hiding all but her deep golden eyes. A very long tail sticks out of the back of the kimono she's wearing, brushing idly as she strolls slowly towards the fountain.

"No natural procreation? Okay, okay, I can probably manage that. I don't even have a girlfriend or anything. Or a boyfriend. But I wouldn't have to worry with a boyfriend would I? Biological incompatibility, nature's best birth control," says Akira, chuckling softly before nodding. "So why? That's what everyone wants to know... why does Sethos have an interest in this place?"

Cecilia laughs politely, it's even a pretty convincing laugh. "Epiphyte was one of the worst cities in this sector. It was the most likely candidate for rebuilding. One of our primary agendas is to improve the longevity of the recom race by making sure every recom couple looking to procreate can do so without creating genetically scrambled spawn." In front of the administration building is a small riot, a smaller one than the previous day. As the female recom outside would see. Though there now appears to be quite a large force of black combat robots guarding the administration building and providing protection should something happen.

The woman keeps a constant walking line towards the fountain in the middle of the plaza, keeping an eye on the rioting furs but not close enough to arouse any suspicion. She sits at the edge of the fountain, slowly pulling the shawl away from her face before removing it entirely. After loosely folding it up, she sets it beside her.

"It's funny, there's the rival to the idea, that we should work on creating homogenous and genetically pure lines that can procreate amongst themselves naturally. To reduce reliance on technology in case there's a backslide. So that we don't go extinct if that happens," says Akira, pleasantly, "Has Mayor Sethos considered all the long terms repercussions of his policies? Who is Mayor Sethos, anyways?"

"The survival of future recoms is always our top priority, Mr. Akira." That is a wonderfully brilliant way to direct information. "Mayor Sethos is Sethos or Seth. He is the mayor of Epiphyte." It's funny, because that answer didn't really answer anything. "Could you be more specific, Mr. Akira?"

After watching the crowd for a while, the woman at the fountain pulls a few ties out of her hair which had been until then, a ponytail. She runs her fingers continuously through her waist-long golden hair to work out knots and tangles. Occasionally she looks over at the guards and stares for a few seconds before looking back into the crowd.

"Well, I don't know anything about the guy! Hard to trust your mayor if you don't know anything about him! Isn't mayor an elected title anyways?" asks Sam, before giving a headshake, "Where does he stand on issues like gun control? Or separation of church and state? He seems like a one issue candidate. I'm also guessing he doesn't give too much heed to that rival theory, given your answer."

"Much like Paris left office, Sethos must be protected against unwanted aggression." Cecilia answers curtly, still smiling. "Gun control is a hot issue and so we've decided to be lax until it becomes a problem. Unlike Paris, we have the ability to enforce these laws. Religion has no involvement in our affairs." Some things are still maybe being avoided, but it's hard to tell. The robot guards do not look back Ichiko.

Ichiko turns to the side so she can look into the fountain. She sticks a hand in and runs the fingers through the cool water. After a few seconds, she cups a bit of water to her face and sniffs at it. She sticks both hands into the fountain, cupping water and throwing it onto her face.

"I guess you've been programmed to give pretty pragmatic answers, huh? Don't touch on any of the unpleasant stuff. I mean, you aren't even mentioning the death penalties for some of the crimes," says Akira, shrugging lightly, "And then not answering some questions at all. Do you have direct communication with Sethos?"

"It is part of my politician programming, Mr. Akira." That response is so double-blindly ironic, that it may actually come across as hilarious. Cecilia nods to Sam, "Yes, I have direct communication cables with Sethos."

Ichiko shakes the water from her face then cups another hanful to dump ontop of her head. She shakes her head again while gently rubbing at her ears. The fur around her neck and cheeks seems to come a little more to life as it dries out. She dips her hair into the fountain and lets it soak for a a few seconds before pulling it out and wringing it over the ground, dirt and sand mixed in with the water.

"I'd never make a good politician. Too honest, you know," says Akira, grinning. A statement that is perhaps equally ironic coming from this particular feline. "So if I were to ask you a question intended for the mayor, could /he/ provide the answer directly?"

Cecilia looks curiously at Akira, "A statement? Of course. If you tell me, my eidetic memory will store it and forward it to Sethos. You may receive a response within two to three weeks." This response is obviously tailored to disinterest people from making these kinds of statements. "We are always looking for honest politicians, Mr. Akira."

Ichiko contiues to wring her hair until it is fairly dry, then uses more water to rinse all the way up her arms. She unfolds the shawl and puts it back on, making sure her hair is wrapped up in it well. As she stands up from the edge of the fountain, she dips her tail into the water and wrings it out before shaking it around to dry it. The hair on her tail puffs out from the air drying, and she makes her way towards the crowd of people.

"Two to three weeks?" says Akira, rolling his eyes, "That is a terrible turnaround time. So, do you happen to know about Sethos's genetic history? You know, I want to know if he's the real deal with all this genetic purity business. Like you know, homophobic politicians are often boinking the pages and all that, not that there's many homophobic politicians anymore. But you know, want to make sure of those things. I'd also like you to ask him what his personal thoughts are regarding that opposing theory we discussed briefly? 'kay?"

The doll pauses for a moment, then nods. "Your statement has been registered. Is there anything else you would like to discuss for today, Mr. Akira?" 

Ichiko stands on her tippitoes to try and look over as much of the crowd as she can. She doesn't seem to be satisfied so she begins to slowly push her way forward through the mass to try and get a closer look.

"No," says Sam, nodding at that, "I don't believe that I do... When do you think you're going to send that off? I really want answers as soon as possible!" Given that the transmission must take place, that's one potential way to be able to track the whereabouts of Sethos, though certainly not the easiest.

The doll smiles pleasantly, "The transmission has already taken place, Mr. Akira." Outside the rioters are hard to shove about, but at the front of the riot.. It's incredibly basic. There are some robots holding the line of rioters back while a second and third line of robots are obviously ready to open fire on any transgressors.

The woman struggles as she tries to make it through the crowd, taking an elbow to the cheek without apology or concern from the elbower. Her eyes seem focused more on the guard robots and less on the people they're supposedly guarding against.

Sam nods at that and says, "I guess the mayor is all kinds of busy, hm? That's why the long turnaround time? Before I go... How many others have sent him messages like I have? I imagine there must have been a few at least."

Cecilia responds to that curtly, "Two. I cannot reveal their identities or other information related to these statements. It is against policy." Outside, as Ichiko looks at those robots, she notices they have no branding. They are all unmarked, possibly custom machines. There are so many, too! They are bulky, black, and carry no apparent weaponry.

"Of course you can't, that'd be such a terrible breach of confidentiality. Seeya," says Akira, pulling a pack of bubblegum from his pocket, taking a piece and nodding, before getting up and walking out.

Ichiko finally makes her way past the bulk of the crowd. She eventually gets to the front of the crowd and stands almost nose to "nose" with one of the robots, looking into whatever face it might have. She tilts her head to the side and remains unmoving.

Just as Akira opens the door, the doll speaks up. "Mr. Akira. I have an alert for you." As the doll waits for acknowledgment, it continues, "Mayor Sethos has responded to your statement." Behind the robot is more robots in front of the building.

Sam looks back at the doll and quirks an eyebrow slightly, hesitating at the doorway, "That was quick."

Ichiko stares into the blank face of the robot for a few more seconds before taking a few steps to the side, standing infront of another bot. She repeats the same behavior of staring at it's face with her head tilted to the side.

The doll pauses, looking up to Sam curiously. "Would you like for me to read it to you?" When Akira replies 'Yes', because he will, Cecilia reads off the reply. "My heritage comes from first generation Sol DNA. I think that improving processes so that one day recoms may mate without significant DNA issues would be a wonderful thing. However, it is a pipe dream. Malignancies will always develop in unaugmented DNA if left to nature's hands. We must make sure that we preserve our future generation's health at all costs."

Outside, the robot's eyes all rotate to look fixatedly at Ichiko. It doesn't have a face to speak of, just one long cylindrical head with horizontally rotating eyes.

Ichiko moves along to the next one, aware that the robots are noticing her. Once again, she strangly looks at the metal where it's face would be as if staring deeply into it's eyes and staring off into space at the same time.

Sam nods at the doll and then says, "Interesting. I suppose there's no reason in replying, is there? Give the mayor a thank you for me." The feline smiles and then opens the door, heading out.

Cecila smiles as Akira leaves, "Certainly. Have a nice day, Mr. Akira." And out Sam goes, leaving the doll behind. The six robot guards outside do nothing to stop Sam.

Ichiko continues the odd behavior with the robots, moving from one to the next, staring at it as if it were some great piece of art in a museum or an old man telling a curious tale.

Sam walks down the hall of the building, hands in pocket, content to just chew some gum and walk along back outside into the sun.