Star Trek: Starbase 777 - retail-outlet

"... I was just curious about another android, interesting," Alizati's face did not change but he was unamused with the woman's cheerfulness. Yet again he was raising an eyebrow of judgment to Elwyn comparing herself to some sort of flesh monster. He continued walking through the retail outlet, not actually looking at any of the stuff. He didn't want to buy anything, he didn't have money or well, nothing he saw seemed worth his money. The Furberus on the other hand seemed very intrigued by everything and all three heads began to poke through the aisles to look at the things on display. "I was created as one of the Terran Empires many weapons of war. I am not proud of that, but that was my intended purposes. I do not do that anymore however, I am free to live my life non-violently in the Commonwealth," Alizati told her as he used his arms to support the Furberus who was moving about every which way. "And what is your job, Elwyn? I hope your superiors are not mistreating you."

As the two (well, technically five, if you count the Furberus) walked through the retail outlet Elwyn's attention was seemingly on everything except Alizati, taking in the sights, sounds, smells, and seeing if there was anything she wanted to get in the process. Her head an eyes looked in all sorts of different directions as they walked along, frankly enjoying the relaxing vibe of it all. "Oh, I'm the Eventide's Chief of Security!" The young android chirped cheerfully, seeming very proud of herself despite the fact that in saying that she basically just confirmed she had killed a bunch of people to get that position. "My only superiors are the Captain, First Officer, and, well, everyone above them! They say I'm a useful asset!"

Elwyn seemed to be looking at everything but him, how dangerous, he thought. If she was an assassin she was a pretty bad one. "Then you are with the Empire?" Alizati raised and eyebrow, now very concerned that this woman-- cheery and lively, was the Chief of Security? The Furberus made a piercing chirping sound when they heard her words. "A... Useful asset," The words seemed to sting his tongue as he repeated them. It wasn't far off from what he had been told from his superiors during his time in the Empire. "You are more than just a tool of war, androids are more than just tools. We are sentient beings just like any Klingon or human. Elwyn, are you being mistreated?" Alizati was blunt with his question, stopping in front of a random store and turning to look at her. His suspicions about her being an assassin had quickly been replaced with the feeling of concern.

As Alizati spoke Elwyn listened, and when the Furberus made a noise she looked over at it (them?) with a grin, before carrying on looking at all the things in the shops with a spring in her step. “Oh no, not at all! I mean, sure, some people occasionally try to kill me, but I just kill them first! It’s really quite easy!” She said in a far too cheerful tone. “Everyone knows I’m sentient, and those who disagree usually don’t last very long! The Captain and First Officer treat me with as much respect as anyone else below them!”

Alizati was taken aback by the cheerful way Elwyn spoke about literally committing murder. As scary as Alizati could look (long blue hair, angry eyebrows all the time), he was a pacifist and secretly followed Surak's teachings. He could not be open about it, but he embraced his Vulcan heritage including the pacifism. "I am glad you are not mistreated and you can protect yourself," Alizati continued walking, not looking at any of the items, but trying to make sure the Furberus didn't get too carried away looking at things. Bir, the longest head, ended up stretching right in front of Elwyn to try and look at some board games on the shelf next to her. "You mentioned you were... Fleshy? Do you not have a metal skeleton? I thought all Terran Empire androids were built to the same specifications... Unless you were built.. Illegally?" Alizati said, the suspicion returning to his tone. He didn't care that Elwyn seemingly brushed off his other question about who and why she was made, but maybe she'd answer this one?

As Bir moved across her to look at something Elwyn giggled, enjoying how silly the Furberus was. And as Alizati asked about her being made of flesh the young android laughed in response. "Oh no, I meant Frankenstein's Monster was fleshy! I'm not! I'm very much so the opposite of fleshy!" She said with a grin, before immediately reaching out her hand and grabbing it with her other. She then twisted it as if trying to snap her wrist, only for it to make a metallic click and for her to straight up remove her hand at the join. She then turned the inside of her wrist to show the other android, confirming that she was indeed very metal. "See?"

Bir withdrew his long head when he noticed the other android was doing something funny. All three heads of the Furberus along with Alizati stared at her as she removed her hand. Alizati gave Elwyn a curious eyebrow raise and then glanced around the area to see if anyone was watching them. Well, the Furberus attracted a lot of attention but from the looks of it no one was going to jump them. Always something to be mindful of! "We are built very similarly then. Your build quality is high, the Empire has become quite good at artificial intelligence. Do you also have the memories of a dead person in your mind?" Maybe it was a stretch, but Alizati still couldn't believe Elwyn's cheerfulness was all her own. She must have had the memories of some happy scientist or engineer inside of her just like he had the memories if a headstrong and highly emotional scientist inside of him.

“Oh, oh no, no, no!” Elwyn replied with a laugh as she re-attached her hand (little did anyone know she could use her hand remotely like a little Thing). “All my memories are mine, bay-bee! I’m 100% original! No one is like me, never has been and never will be! I love being unique!” She added in a very enthusiastic tone. “What about you? Do you have the memories of a dead person in your mind? Because if so that’s really metal and I love it! What were they like? Did they have any cool hobbies? Oooh, oooh, what was their favourite snack?!”

Alizati was surprised to hear that Elwyn didn't have any one else's memories. Maybe it was just him. For so long Alizati survived (well, technically he was never alive, but whatever) by keeping his head down and secretly planning his own escape. He didn't speak to any other androids, not that he would. In his mind androids made by the empire were all tools of war and not to be trusted-- including himself. Well.... "I do," Alizati decided to be truthful if Elwyn was doing so. If anything perhaps telling her about the man in his head would alert her to the mistreatment of artificial life in the Empire. He readjusted the Furberus in his arms, now cradling them like a baby as they purred softly. "I used to be an organic man, but I was murdered and my consciousness forced against my will to inhabit a body of metal and wires. My situation is not ideal, but I am glad I was able to fulfill his last wish of freedom which I found in the Commonwealth," Alizati said, careful not to reveal that he was technically a deserter. "As for my hobbies, I enjoy retro tech, Romulan chess, and ping pong. My favourite snack when I was organic is Romulan Ale, but I suppose that is more of a drink," Alizati answered Elwyn's questions. He and Jarok were the same man, but they were also different. Alizati regarded his life as Jarok as... Part one (Alizati's Bizarre Adventure), and his life as an android was Jarok Electric Boogaloo 2. "Now I ask you Elwyn, what are your likes and dislikes? Games? Foods? Hmm, sports?"

Elwyn listened happily and skipped alongside Alizati as he spoke, her eyes still looking around at everything she was surrounded by. It was all very exciting for her to be here, and she really enjoyed it here! It was an adventure and an opportunity to meet new people and do new things! She just wished she could stay for longer than she was able. "What do I like? Oooh, that's a long list! I like basically any game, all food, and all the sports! I love sports! I don't get to play them as much as I'd like, but still! Love them! As for dislikes... Rude people, arrogant people, people who call me a robot, people who make my job harder... You know, the usual!"

Elwyn's cheery demeanour never got old, the Furberus was reacting well to it too. Ikki leaned his head towards Elwyn as they walked, so curious about this woman with the pretty blond hair. The three headed monstrosity chriped and purred in an attempt to communicate. "Well if these peace talks go well perhaps you will be able to visit this station and we could spend more time together? You are fascinating and... To be honest, I do not get the opportunity to speak with other androids often. If you would be open to that... Perhaps we could exchange comms codes?" Alizati didn't know if he was up for playing sports, but thought board games would be a good bonding activity. Speaking of the peace talks, Alizati wasn't sure what was going on with those. His eyes glossed over anything on display in the shops, his eyes were either on Elwyn or making sure he didn't crash into anything whilst holding the Furberus. "This is a strange request but could you pet the Furberus? They would like to be your friend."

As the Furberus chirped and purred Elwyn smiled at it happily as she listened to what Alizait said. "Oh I'd be totally down for that!" She replied with a grin in response to spending more time together and exchanging comm codes. She knew she could get in trouble for doing this, but she didn't care either. She was her own free spirit and anyone who attempted to stop her making friends usually resulted in them being stabbed! Upon the request being made to pet the Furberus the young android's eyes lit up with joy as she immediately reach her hands out to pet them on the head(s), making sure all of them got attention. "You're so weird but so cute! Yes you are, yes you are!" She said in a similar high-pitched voice to how one might talk to a puppy.

Alizati was surprised by the security chief's enthusiasm to see him again. With her attitude it was unsurprising, but still he wondered if she was breaking rules talking to a Commonwealth officer. Well, hopefully the peace talks go well and they wouldn't have to sneak around just to be friends. Alizati watched as Elwyn pet all the heads of the Furberus. Each head squeaked individually when pet, responding very well to the woman's sweet high pitched voice. "They appreciate it," Alizati chimed in with the most deadpan monotone ever. "They have their own comms code as well, but I am afraid as of now they only know how to send.. Voice messages," Alizati told Elwyn before the Furberus began making some real eldritch horror noises. This apparently did not bother the android because his expression did not change at all. "How are the peace talks going? I am not senior staff so I am unaware how progress is," Alizati said as if his Furberus was not making the weirdest noises. All three heads booped Elwyn's hand one at a time, their way of giving her a hi five and thank you for pets.

Elwyn's reaction to the horrific noises the Furberus was making was nothing more than a single blink of their eyes, not minding at all despite how weird it sounded. "Aww, they haven't learnt how to text yet? I'm sure they will one day!" She replied with a grin as she skipped alongside Alizati. The three head boops were appreciated, the grin on the young android's face only growing. "I'll be honest, I've been paying little attention to the talks themselves. My job has been protection so I've been doing just that. I can't get distracted with politics when my sole job is to protect the people I'm supposed to be, like my Captain!"

The two androids may not have thought it was too strange that the Furberus sounded like a creature out of some jumpscare horror game, but perhaps some of the people watching did. Alizati didn't seem fazed though, he was used to getting stares because of his pet, but he was Vulcan and the opinions of others did not matter to him as long as he was following his own morals and logic (which were always right, of course). "They do not have hands, I think giving them any limbs would be... unwise. My purpose for them was not to be a combat pet," Alizati faced forward, walking slowly with short strides so Elwyn could keep up whilst also browsing comfortable. "I see. The Terran Empire is lucky to have you," Alizati paused and looked around briefly, always on the look out for danger. "Did you want to buy anything? I have some money, I can buy it for you if you would like."

Elwyn continued to skip along next to Alizati as he spoke, enjoying the conversation and general change of pace. This guy was nice! This place was nice! Why couldn't things be this nice in the Empire? Why did people always have to be so mean? What was with everyone having to stab each other? Oooh look a board game! The young android's thoughts were rapid and ever-changing as she processed everything. It was as the other android offered to buy her something that she froze in place, the expression on her face turning to disbelief. "You would do that for me? But we're enemies, I shouldn't even be hanging out with you! Why would you do that?" They asked in a significantly quieter, softer tone than before.

Alizati also thought this interaction was going quite well, which was why he was surprised when the android turned to him in disbelief. Yes they were 'enemies', but that didn't seem to have had any affect on their interactions prior to this. She was still kind to him and in return he was kind back. The Furberus seemed confused as well as Yuch, the shortest of the heads, let out soft mew sounds. Alizati responded to this by flicking the creature on the nose and wagging a finger at him. Yuch stopped the noise, allowing his father to focus on Elwyn. "I may just be an engineer on this station, but I also am here to represent the good will of the Commonwealth towards other factions. Our two factions may be hostile now, but that does not mean we have to," Alizati spoke softly, his voice almost fatherly as he raised an eyebrow at the younger android. "I am no diplomat, but even I know peace is not achieved by signing some document or shaking hands with the right people. It is achieved by people from both sides being able to listen to one another and make meaningful connections, like you and I are doing right now," Alizati hoisted the Furberus onto his shoulders again, wearing them like a scarf so he could clasp his hands behind his back. "So I ask you again, Elwyn, what would you like?"

As Elwyn listened to what Alizati said her digital brain processed everything he said. He was right, frankly. Just because their people were enemies doesn't mean they had to be. They could be friends, so long as her Captain didn't find out. As he said this interaction was them making a meaningful connection the young android's face lit up with happiness, and as he asked her again what she would like she immediately looked around to see. "I don't know! There's so much to choose from and it's all so nice! I don't have anything like any of this! Plus, if my Captain catches me with half of this my loyalty would be questioned, so I'm really not sure! I just wished I could stay here forever, this place is really fun!"

Alizati was not telepathic, but he could tell the gears (literally) were turning in Elwyn's mind. He listened to Elwyn ponder over what to get, her cute expression and the way her eyes darted around the shop. It was strange, but Alizati felt a desire to-- hold her hand? Lead her around? Holding hands was scandalous but he already felt like Elwyn could be family. That is why when she said her 'loyalty would be questioned' he frowned. "I could keep whatever we buy here in my quarters and if you come to visit some day, we could play together?" Alizati wanted to say 'just defect', but he worried that would be overstepping his boundaries Or maybe it was an idea? "You could also ask to stay here... Or just... Stay here?"

Elwyn took a moment to think of what Alizati just said, her brain processing everything as a look of deep thought crossed her face. "But if the peace talks don't work I wouldn't be able to come and visit you... And if I defected I'd be wanted in the Empire and I wouldn't be able to visit my creator, but at the same time I really like it here. What's the Commonwealth's stance on a crazy guy who likes to tinker with artificial life coming to live in it? He could live with me! Here! It could be fun! We could all hang out! He's kinda used to telling me what to do but not like in a mean way, more of a 'you're my daughter' sort of way, you know?"

Alizati noticed the change in expression on Elwyn's face and although he didn't show it, he was proud. Proud that his kindness was making an impression on the Terran officer. "I will tell you a secret, Elwyn," Alizati leaned down so he could be eye level with Elwyn. "I defected from the Empire too. It is alright," Would this jeopardise peace talks if all Terran officers defected? Maybe. But Alizati knew the Empire was whack and he hated seeing people get mistreated or even worse; forced to commit evil acts because they have no other choice. "I believe the Commonwealth would welcome him, and you too. They welcomed me and the Furberus. If they allowed the Furberus I think your father would be welcomed," He straightened his posture again and let out a soft chuckle. The Furberus squeaked and tightened their grip on Alizati so they were like a very loving three headed snake hugging him. "Your creator works for the Terran Empire too, right? He could work for the Commonwealth."

Elwyn looked into Alizati's eyes as he spoke, listening to everything he said. It was so very tempting to do what she wanted to do and to not care about what anyone else thought. That's what she had always tried to do, what she had always wanted to do. She was a free spirit, and she hated being indecisive. "He does, yeah." She replied with a small smile on her face, before suddenly realising something, a look of concern, conflict, and practically horror spreading across her face. "Oh stars I forgot about my girlfriend! I can't just abandon her! And she'd probably never want to come and live here. I doubt she'd even be allowed... She kinda likes to chop bits off and out of people during interrogations, and that's not really allowed here."

Elwyn's smile was radiant like the sun, so much so that even Alizati-- fully Vulcanoid-- well Vulcanoid android, couldn't help but smile right back at her. It only lasted a few seconds because well, he did not like showing emotions very often, probably because any emotions were signs of weakness in the empire. He clutched the Furberus tightly when Elwyn began to speak about her girlfriend-- girlfriend who... Oh no. "No, we do not. She would need to change her ways," Alizati raised an eyebrow, now very concerned about the people Elwyn was associating herself with. "Does this girlfriend treat you well? It sounds like she does not have a good foundation of morals if she is hurting others."

"Oh yeah! She's great! We share quarters and bonded over various things." (Read: Interpret how you wish) "She joins me on interrogations!" Elwyn said with a warm smile, clearly enjoying talking about her partner. "She's nice when you get to know her, but... I suppose the whole removing people's limbs isn't exactly very nice. It gets the job done, but... I don't know. I don't want to break her heart, but I also don't think she'd want to change for the Commonwealth. Ugh, this is so confusing..." The young android replied with a frustrated sigh.

Bonded over various things-- that was not very comforting to hear that his new friend was bonding with a literal sadist! Alizati was not smiling at all, he did not find this cute, he found it concerning as hell! ".... Elwyn," Alizati said in a serious tone as he pat all three necks of the Furberus that were hugging his sohulders. "I think you need to really think about what sort of people you associate with. I do not want to tell you that you cannot bring your friends to live here, however I believe it is important to choose your 'friends' wisely," Alizati was speaking like an overprotective dad-- but he felt like it! Jarok never had children, but had always dreamed of becoming a father. Now as Alizati the chances of that were a lot slimmer. No one tell Alizati how primeverse Jarok treated his children. "Anyway... Please let me know what you want and I will purchase it and keep it in my quarters for when you hopefully can come visit again," Alizati may have felt overprotective, but Elwyn was still a grown woman-- well android, and could make decisions for herself.

As Alizati spoke Elwyn listened with a thoughtful, yet conflicted expression on her face. Why was doing what you wanted so complicated? Why was it so hard to make a decision she was happy with? Staying here, meeting new people, being in a place she really liked but having to break up with her girlfriend... Or staying with her girlfriend and potentially never coming here again. She'd have to make a decision before she left, that was for sure. As the other android brought up buying her something again her smile returned and she immediately started to wander off into a shop to look at something that caught her eye, before stopping and turning back to look at her new friend.

15:05

"Thank you." She said sincerely. "I've got a lot to think about, but we can hang out for a bit longer without looking too suspicious, can't we?" She added with a playful grin and a wink. The two agreed to spend some more time together and they went off into the shop to buy a nice thing for maybe not-so-Evilwyn: A fun looking strategy board game, a cute plushy fluffy bunny that Elwyn immediately fell in love with, and two little charms. One for her, and one for Alizati, much to his surprise. They matched, and if put together would form a complete charm. Plus, it was easy enough for her to hide the charm under her uniform. Elwyn thought it would be nice so they could remember each other if she didn't come back. The two spent the next few hours hanging out and enjoying chatting about stuff, and when the time came for her to leave their interaction ended with a hug. *Despite it being unknown if Elwyn would stay or not at the time of the two androids parting, only a few days later as the Eventide was meant to depart the two were reunited as no-longer-Evilwyn defected from the Empire, feeling very bittersweet considering her relationship and knowing she could never go home, but knowing she couldn't stay under their control anymore when the Commonwealth gave her the freedom she had always desired. She had contacted her creator to give him information on the starbase and a new opportunity for him to do something different and to not be under the Empire's thumb, but as for her girlfriend... That was yet to be determined. It was all very complicated, but the offer for her to defect as well was always going to be there, even in the future, and if she did Elwyn would love her even more, knowing it would mean she could change for the better and not hurt as many people.