orendalogs | IT'S YOUR DESTINY!!!

"If you want a space upgrade we can acquire one," Ghost replied, hovering next to Ren and addressing him because the construct didn't understand that Aoba was the one that made the choices. In Declan and Ghost's world, artificial intelligences were recognized as human and made their own choices in regards to everything to do with themselves. The idea of someone else treating them as lower functioning or of lesser right in some way wasn't just insulting, it was unlawful. Not that Aoba and Ren were going to be judged for anything by present company, they just weren't accustomed to hearing and acting in such a manner.

"The Exos are human in every way but the strictly biological sense and have very complex computerized parts that function like human brains. Exo scientists are very good at making compatible upgrades for other artificial intelligence. If space is a concern, they can offer you something. Meanwhile, I don't think maps should take up too much room. I can alter the size and quality to conserve space usage."

There were parallels between them, but Aoba and Ren and Declan and Ghost were still worlds apart in many ways.

An Allmate-to-Allmate transmission (as Aoba viewed it) wasn’t too bad. Really, Aoba’s only true concern there was the vast difference in hardware. Ren was already an old model compared to modern Allmates back home. Comparing him to a construct like Ghost seemed…possibly even implausible.

The suggestion that someone other than Aoba could make modifications to Ren, though? Aoba turned away from the little kitchen counter completely, making a discontent noise of protest.

“If Ren really needed some kind of upgrade, I’d do it myself…but I suppose there’s no harm in seeing if the maps can transfer. They would be useful.”

Ren, attentive to his master, wagged his tail briefly. “The likelihood of me being damaged by any data files from Ghost is very slim. Most likely any incompatibilities would simply result in me being unable to read the information rather than being harmed by it. I do not mind it, Aoba. I’m certain you could fix me if anything did go wrong.”

Aoba thought as much as well—at least regarding the likelihood that maps might hurt Ren somehow. It wasn’t like Ghost was going to hit him with a virus or a worm, right? In his own Midorijima-era manner of thinking, Aoba saw Ghost as an extension of Declan and therefore had no reason to mistrust the little construct.

“Maps would be useful,” Aoba said, repeating himself but also reassuring himself. “Alright, no harm in trying. Go ahead.”

"It wasn't my intention to insult you," Ghost remarked, floating away from Ren slowly and glancing towards Aoba. Declan didn't say anything, letting the two speak at their leisure.

"I didn't mean for them to upgrade him, either. You are obviously his closest companion in much the way Declan and I are connected. Declan is the only one who changes my shell, for instance. I merely meant that the Exos would be able to design something compatible for you to use."

"But for now, maps are quite enough and useful as well. If you change your mind about anything, please let me know. I believe Lakshmi-2 would be inclined to assist. She's very concerned about the future, after all."

"That's an understatement," Declan sighed, patting Ren gently before moving his hand away to give Ghost and Ren space. Ghost floated down and cast his scan over the dog. Just like that, the information was wirelessly transferred, effortless for the orb, though it might take longer for Ren to process all of the maps.

"There you go," Ghost chimed, floating off to stare out the window at the Traveler, done attempting to put a foot he didn't have in a mouth he was equally devoid of.

All cooking preparations went on hold. Thankfully nothing was on or burning or what have you—Aoba was still getting all the ingredients in order, so he walked away from the kitchen area, automatically drawn to observe Ren at a closer range.

For a little while (which felt much longer to Aoba himself), the Allmate appeared frozen…or rather, lagging. He stared straight ahead and his tail had stopped wagging. Finally, though, Ren perked his ears forward and announced, “Data received.”

As he uttered the words, Ren opened up a trio of holographic windows in front of himself. While Aoba leaned in over the back of the couch (and Declan’s broad shoulder), Ren loaded a different image to each one. On the right, a map of a portion of the Old Resident District. On the left, his new map of the local area. In the middle, a very partial map of Steelport, Decker territory specifically, that had obviously been put together in a simple image program.

The right and middle maps each had a bright blue dot on them. Ren compared them briefly, then lit a third blue dot upon the newest map. “Aoba, I have recorded the latest portal connection and location for future referencing.”

“Not that they do much good when they’re one-way, but…good work, Ren.” He pushed himself upright from the couch backing again and looked towards the window to add, “Thanks, Ghost. I really do appreciate it. I’d hate to get lost out there.”

"No thanks necessary! I got much of my information from the Ishtar Academy libraries on Venus, so sharing only seems appropriate. Knowledge is only worth having if you're giving it to others," the little ball stated happily. Declan smiled faintly and shook his head, looking over his shoulder at Aoba, though he leaned away enough to offer polite distance and not crowd the other man.

"That's the Traveler in him. The Traveler taught all of humanity the things that got the races where they are today, and Ghosts are tiny pieces of the Traveler. Don't let him fool you; he's proud of emulating it," the Guardian chuckled softly, Ghost widening his eye in some manner of shocked embarrassment before floating back to the window in a harmless huff.

"Just let us know," Declan added, looking between Aoba and Ren. "We really can find someone that can make excellent parts you can use. If you're worried about the results of adding some maps, you two ought to at least consider upgrading, just for posterity."

Aoba glanced towards the window and the great curve of the distant ‘Traveler’: the most visible of many things about this world that could be explained to Aoba, but that he couldn’t quite grasp.

“I’ll…think about it,” he said at last, standing up and wandering back towards the kitchen, half musing out loud as he went. “I mean, we won’t be here forever, and going back home with technology from the future…I don’t know, I’m just not sure if it’s a good idea. But I’ll think about it.”

“I will of course go along with whatever you decide is best, Aoba,” Ren intoned, pausing, then putting his chin back down on his paws as he dismissed his holograms.

In the meanwhile, Aoba finished chopping up all the vegetables he’d chosen into appropriate sizes. Not long after that, the smell of actual cooking began to fill the small space of Declan’s home as Aoba started putting things together in that particular way he’d learned from Tae’s particular touch wish the dish. His face was one of fairly intense focus in the meanwhile—he felt like he’d never live it down if he ruined the meal he’d insisted on cooking!

For the remainder of the time, Declan sat in unsure silence, unwilling to move Ren but worried he ought to be doing something around his own home. Perhaps helping in the kitchen? Eventually he convinced himself to stay on the couch and close his eyes - just for a minute! Of course, unless Aoba spoke up or ratted around a lot, Declan drifted off, dozing quietly on the spot. He thought he might feel edgy having someone else occupying his space, but it was honestly the most comfortable he'd been in as long as he could remember. Living alone had never done well by him and Ghost was hardly warm and companionable by contrast to an actual human.

When food began cooking in earnest the Guardian perked a bit, rumbling low in his chest as he grunted and stretched, silver eyes blinking slowly open. He looked around, briefly confused before he remember what was going on and yawned noisily. It was then that the bell rang again, drawing his attention to the door. He was forced to get up at that point, much as he didn't want to move the Allmate, so he could answer the door and accept the new package of dishware. Now there were two sets in his home, and it felt very strange, he mused, carefully unpacking things and setting them nearby Aoba without getting in the way.

There was one point where Aoba glanced over and realized by the loll of Declan’s head that the Guardian had dozed off. Was it weird to think it was kind of cute? Sure, you had this big guy the size of a bulldozer, with weird glowing eyes and no pigment at in his skin or his hair, and that deeply resonant voice…and he was dozing off on the couch with a tiny dog balanced over his thigh.

He’d been so nice, so helpful…and hadn’t asked for a damn thing in return. You didn’t meet a lot of people like that. Aoba wasn’t even sure that he could have been so nice if he’d found himself in Declan’s boots.

When it came to the point where the stew just had to simmer, soaking in the stock and seasonings, Aoba wandered to the window for a while and stared out at an alien Earth. There were more portals out there somewhere…but who knew where the next one would take him? When there were infinite worlds out there…could you even calculate the chance that your next portal would be the one home?

Sighing quietly, Aoba returned to stove to check on things. The potatoes and carrots and onions seemed nice and soft, so he started adding the thin slivers of meat and watched them change colors in the stock, richening the smells throughout the little apartment. Not long after that, Declan stirred and the bell rang. Ren padded into the kitchen space while Declan dealt with the door (phew), and when the big Guardian shuffled over Aoba gave him a grin.

“Perfect timing! Here….” He picked up the brand new bowl and loaded it with a hefty serving of the nikujaga. It smelled right, at least. Hopefully he hadn’t cooked the vegetables too long or added too much seasoning. Some of the things he’d gotten were ‘close guesses’ after much debating over Tess’s catalogue.

Loaded with the meat, veggies, and with just a bit of the broth ladled over it all, Aoba held the bowl back to Declan. “Here you go. Hope you like it. Granny’s a better cook than I am, but it’s hard to get nikujaga wrong.”

"Granny. Hm." Declan nodded slowly, thanking the bowl with a small smile of appreciation. "Thank you," he murmured softly, looking around at the spartan furnishings before shuffling over to the couch and setting the bowl on the coffee table. he waited patiently for Aoba to join him, not wanting to eat while the other man was serving himself. In the interim he mused over what it must have been like, having family and friends waiting for you. Somewhere Aoba's family probably missed him...what was that like?

"It smells delicious. Thank you for cooking, Aoba," Declan added, looking over the couch at the blue-haired man, watching him curiously. When Aoba finally joined him and he felt it was acceptable to eat, Declan went at it with the sort of appetite only a man his size could have. Strictly speaking, Guardians didn't have to eat anything at all, but he enjoyed it as much as the next person, and didn't want Aoba to feel like he was getting nothing but charity. That, and all he really ever ate to take the edge off was rations...

"This is the best thing I've ever tasted," the Titan admitted, and it wasn't even an exaggeration. "You're a wonderful cook! Thank you for this, truly."

Aoba loaded the second bowl and grabbed a spoon before glancing back and following Declan to the couch. Not even a kitchen or dining table, huh…well, not that Aoba hadn’t noticed it already, but going to sit at the couch and its little coffee table really drove it home.

He murmured a little itadakimasu before starting into it himself, and…hmm. Well it definitely wasn’t Granny’s but it wasn’t…bad per se. Maybe a bit too sweet, but….

Declan may not have been embellishing from his own point of view, but Aoba still startled and automatically assumed that the Guardian was. The best thing he’d ever tasted? No way!

“You’re exaggerating!” he blurted with an embarrassed laugh, blushing at the perceived hyperbole…but happy despite himself. Declan was so straightforward that Aoba didn’t think he was lying, even if he was going a little overboard. “But I’m glad you like it. It’s the least I can do after all your help today.”

"I'm not though," Declan mumbled, tilting his head slightly and pursing his lips before looking down at the bowl with a pleased smile.

"I've never had a home cooked meal before. I've only ever had food from mess or rations packets. This is absolutely the best thing I've ever had. If doing the right thing was always this rewarding it wouldn't be so hard for some people."

“Flatterer,” Aoba ‘grumbled’, a warm smile proving the mutter to be anything but displeased. His ability to cook was hit or miss, really. He knew it! Certainly Koujaku teased him about it enough! Not that he hated Koujaku’s teasing or anything like that, but…Declan’s genuine appreciation was really nice. Aoba liked genuine praise and compliments just as much as anybody.

“Cooking a meal isn’t the least bit equal to sharing your home and buying new clothes…but if you let me cook for you a few more times, I might start to feel a little better about this arrangement.”

He’d have to find some little job, though…it halfway defeated the purpose of it if Declan was still paying for the ingredients, didn’t it?

The Titan didn't see it that way of course, but he knew better than to bring anything up that might draw attention to the situation as a whole. He was feeling more like the lucky one of the two. When he decided to swing on the man in the bathroom he hadn't realized how much of his life would change in such a short span of time. He wasn't complaining at all, but it was interesting to see what a leap of faith and a little common decency could do to two lives.

"You may cook as often as you like. I will always look forward to it," Declan replied, nodding slowly and settling into the food. He polished it off in no time, even with impeccable manners. Instead of asking for more, he quietly waiting on Aoba, feeling it more important for someone who actually needed food to get his fill first.

Declan certainly had a healthy appetite, that was for sure. Aoba could only imagine how much a guy as big as him really needed to eat!

He was, in fact, watching Declan rather more than he was paying attention to his own food. Sure, it was great to have some real food in his own stomach at last, but as soon as he realized Declan was sitting with an empty bowl Aoba asked, “Ready for seconds?”

And even as he was asking, he was already moving, standing up with his own near-empty bowl in hand (might as well top it off) while reaching for Declan’s empty.

"Only if it isn't taking food from you," Declan stated, watching Aoba rise and walk away. He considered for a moment before finally confessing the truth of the situation.

"I don't have to eat. I just like to. I have a big appetite when I do so it can be hard to keep up with and pretty costly. I have plenty of money, of course, but eating always felt like a social thing, to me, so I don't really do it. This is the first time I've eaten real food in a few months. Usually if I eat at all, it's just rations with other Guardians when I'm on the field, or when I have to eat to look normal to civilians."

He nodded slightly before pausing to think about what he'd said in any other context, then hurriedly raised both hands and shook his head quickly.

"That isn't to say I don't appreciate the meal! I do. It's really very good. I've never had anything home-cooked before. I'm only saying, please don't let me take food out of your mouth, when I don't actually need it to live. I would very much enjoy more, just not at the cost of you eating well yourself."

By the time Declan had finished his expanded explanation, Aoba was back and standing in front of the couch with two refilled bowls in hand. His expression was, once again, puzzled with the feeling of being out of his league. Declan had mentioned that he wasn't human, but... well, how could Aoba possibly extrapolate from that, that Declan didn't need to eat? At all?

The frown lingered as Aoba sat down, but ultimately he pressed Declan's bowl firmly back into those big hands.

"If you like eating and you like my cooking, then eat. You're not going to starve me and I'd rather not just sit here and eat alone." Saying so made Aoba recall one of the particular things Declan had said so he paused, then added, "I suppose that makes it a social thing after all, but you have to expect a little social interaction from your roommate, right?"

Aoba took a deliberate leap with that: saying roommate rather than guest. Putting forward a notion of equality between them. They weren't actually equal, not yet, not when Aoba was new and useless to this world, but it was something to strive for.

He was starting to get a feeling like he'd have to be stubborn in putting himself forward as Declan's friend, too. Time would tell, but that was how it felt right now.

Social indeed. Socializing was something Declan didn't so much avoid as he wasn't invited and had learned not to impose himself upon. While Aoba seemed like a captive audience to Declan in a lot of ways, he had to remind himself that the man had chosen to stay with him when he'd been given a chance to be on his own. With that in mind, it was less difficult to smile and nod when addressed, even if only second hand.

"A roommate has his own room," Declan pointed out with a small, apologetic smile. "I only have a couch to offer, at least until I can find an alternative," the oversized Guardian mumbled, inclining his head in gratitude when the bowl was returned. He settled into the food, careful not to rush or make a mess, careful never to speak with his mouth full.

"I have television," he added awkwardly, pointing with a free finger off his bowl towards the blank screen set into one wall. "I don't really watch it, myself, but there will be news and educational shows and things there that are easier to follow that setting into one of our computers, at first. You can get a grasp of local events and time-relevant things. It isn't much but it'll help you orient yourself and give you something else to do if I'm not here and you don't have anything in the way of work."

“It’s better than what I had with the Deckers,” Aoba retorted when it came to the couch comment, wondering again at the irony—or maybe just coincidence?—of going from one kind of ‘Decker’ to another, even if there was no comparing the two. A couch was perfectly fine.

He ate while Declan continued to speak, his own stomach and tastebuds thrilling to have something that wasn’t all sugar and fat and preservatives at last. Aoba glanced up at the dormant television, nodding in acknowledgement as he swallowed his mouthful.

“That’s a good idea. I’ll do that. I mean, even if I won’t be here forever, the more I understand the better I’ll fit in, right? And just because I may find another portal, that doesn’t mean I’ll want to jump through it right away.” Aoba sighed, looking down into his bowl, then out the window at the sky of an alien Earth. “There’s no going back once you step through, but you don’t know where it goes until you do. If I’ve got time to prepare myself this time around, I’d better take it.”

Deckers again. Even Declan wasn't oblivious enough to note the peculiar parallel between places. Fate? Perhaps. He believed in a lot more than he spoke up about. Destiny and Fate were in there somewhere. He didn't speak up on his opinion about jumping through portals, either. The idea of Aoba leaving so soon after being met was...something. He wasn't sure what that feeling was, but it wasn't pleasant.

"You're welcome here as long as you feel comfortable staying. I promise, aside from my size, I won't get in the way much. You can have the place to yourself as much as you like, I don't mind going out or away. I do it a lot anyways so if you need space or privacy, just let me know. And...I don't mind helping you look for portals, either. I travel all over the known galaxy...there's bound to be something. You're welcome to come with me."

All over the gala…. That brought Aoba’s head craning back around to stare, though this time it wasn’t the sheer knowledge of an explored galaxy so much as—

“Me?” Talking about space and space travel was one thing, but to go across space like that? Teleporting three miles had been bewildering enough! Aoba didn’t even know if what he felt was awe or fear at the prospect.

“I…I hope it doesn’t come to that!” Okay, maybe ‘fear’ was more likely. He’d never even been in a plane, much less…what, a space ship? Or would that just be more teleporting? “Portals…according to the Guide at least, they’re everywhere. You just can’t…see them until you’re, ah…a ‘Chosen One’. And even that was an accident.”

Aoba stirred his bowl a bit then shook his head with a wry kind of expression. “Anyway, Declan…you don’t need to put yourself down so much. It’s not like I lived alone before I got caught up in all of this—I lived with my Granny. I’m used to someone else being around, so having a place all to myself would actually feel weirder than you being here in it, too.”

Well, that snagged things a bit. Did that mean it would be more rude to go than to stay? In his experience, people generally found him either unnerving or a nuisance to work around, so he made himself scare. Taking slightly longer to think about things than most people made him frustrating for those with less patience, and when he acted without thinking, he always ended up upsetting someone, so there wasn't a lot of middle ground for him to work with. Aoba was implying that Declan ought to stay, but it was so out of the ordinary that the Guardian simply sat there, conflicted, face scrunched slightly in thought as he puzzled it over.

"Are you frightened of traveling in space?" Ghost suddenly piped up, breaking the silence and smoothly attempting to distract Aoba from further dialogue with Declan until the man figured things out for himself, or at least came to a temporary answer.

"I assure you, it's quite safe. There are warp jumps, so it doesn't take all that long, and the current generation of ships are the fastest and most well-constructed ever."

Aoba saw that bit of wrinkled expression. No, he didn’t know exactly what it signified for he was certainly no mindreader, but it was there and Aoba made note of it. He wasn’t given much time to dwell on it, anyway. Ghost piping up again drew his attention, earning an incredulous splutter of sound.

“So it is ships, huh…. Where I come from, spaceships only happen in movies. I know astronauts made it to the moon a few times, but…the whole galaxy? No way. And I’ve never even been on an airplane. Trying to imagine flying through space…I can barely wrap my head around it.”

With a little sigh and resting his bowl on his lap, between his hands, Aoba carefully leaned his head back against the couch. It wasn’t painful, but his hair reported the sensation, the texture, as well as his palm might have.

“So…yeah. As normal as it may be to you guys…it sounds a little scary to me.”

"that's alright," Declan finally spoke up, drawing Ghosts's eye up briefly before the little ball bobbed and drifted away again.

"If you're afraid, you don't have to go. It's only a suggestion. It's beautiful out there, though. I like it. I don't think it's scary at all once you get up there, and it doesn't take long. Once you get far enough away from the ground, it isn't like flying anymore, it's like being under water. You can float if you have gravity off, but mostly there's nothing around you and you can see everything, never-ending. The nebulae and stardust in all their colors...it's unlike anything else. If you change your mind, I promise I'll show you some amazing things and you'll never be frightened again."

Maybe not what Aoba had in mind, but Declan's gentle stare was genuine. He really believed the real beauty was out there in the stars and he believed he ought to share it with someone so firmly planted on the ground.

"May I have another bowl?" he asked sheepishly, the request abruptly changing the subject. That was Declan, alright.

Declan’s rambling little train of thought had earned Aoba staring at him again, not in shock, but quietly. That had been…poetic, really. Not the kind of thing you’d expect to come out of the mouth of a guy that looked like Declan, or even just one who was overall as quiet as the Guardian had been so far.

A guy who spent most of his time on the front lines, never took his leave time…going above and beyond in being helpful and providing and accommodating. Kind of shy, kind of awkward…and a mean right hook. Still, Aoba thought he could have had a lot more friends than he appeared to.

The request for thirds broke Aoba’s latest little reverie. He shook himself out of it, smiling warmly.

“Sure thing,” he said, hopping up and taking Declan’s bowl for the refill as if he were the host instead of the guest. Aoba left his own empty bowl in the sink this time, returning only with Declan’s as he gave it back and reclaimed his seat beside the other, picking Ren up from the floor this time. His Allmate settled quietly into his lap as Aoba stroked the familiarity of his fur.

“The way you talk…I mean, outside of that punch you threw at that guy, you come across like a really gentle soul. How does someone like you wind up a soldier?”

"That's what Guardians are. We're soldiers," Declan replied, frowning slightly as he tried to think of a better way to explain. He had waited quietly, watching Aoba without another thought in his head other than it was important to let Aoba do things, and asking for things meant making him feel like he wasn't there for free. Declan wasn't exactly the quickest person, but he had a deeper understanding of basic things than most people realized. Particularly how important is was to feel useful.

"There are a few Guardians who have very specific tasks that keep them out of the field, but for the most part, every Guardian is a soldier. When the Ghosts find us, they bring us back for only one purpose: to fight the Darkness. I've never known anything else. I've always been a Guardian."

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I love it when your tags arrive just as I'm sitting for lunch break X3

I must have good timing XD I sat down right before I decided I should shower like "Tag? TAG."

Perfect timing. Your tag came in while I was walking from the salon to the timeclock. X3

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