The City of Steam MK.II (IC/Open)

[Morlodania]

"I doubt you'll outlive me, machine... Especially if you take a step closer. I'll disable and dismantle you before you have a chance to wonder what the fuck just happened. Machines are my specialty, and I STUDIED M.I.s once. I know the ins and outs of your machinery, and I know which parts of you are original and which ones you stole from the Clockworks." Trit gives Kiera a defiant look, on hand drifting to one of her pistols slowly, the other drifting to her toolbox. "I might not be good for much... But put me against a machine, that machine's spare parts in the blink of an eye..."

Kiera glared as she clicked the safety off on her rifle. "And I know how to defend myself against people like you. You make another move and you'll be Swiss cheese." Kiera set her rifle against her shoulder and stood defensively. "And you'll need a little longer to take me apart, I welded a lot of my parts back on instead of screwing them back together."

In a flash, Trit's inhibitor ring would be off her horn, and Kiera's rifle unloaded and cleared via magic, a sinister look on the unicorn's face. "You know how to deal with my kind WITHOUT our magic... You have no clue what I can do to a machine like you with it..." The ring clinks to the ground before Trit lifts it magically, sliding it into a pocket before crossing her arms and chuckling. "I'm not going to do anything to you... I'm not cruel. Just know that you are, in fact, not as powerful as you say you are." Trit would then spin on her heels and simply walk away, heading towards the main market.

[Nuclear Aftermath]

Kiera glared as she clicked the safety off on her rifle. "And I know how to defend myself against people like you. You make another move and you'll be Swiss cheese." Kiera set her rifle against her shoulder and stood defensively. "And you'll need a little longer to take me apart, I welded a lot of my parts back on instead of screwing them back together."

In a flash, Trit's inhibitor ring would be off her horn, and Kiera's rifle unloaded and cleared via magic, a sinister look on the unicorn's face. "You know how to deal with my kind WITHOUT our magic... You have no clue what I can do to a machine like you with it..." The ring clinks to the ground before Trit lifts it magically, sliding it into a pocket before crossing her arms and chuckling. "I'm not going to do anything to you... I'm not cruel. Just know that you are, in fact, not as powerful as you say you are." Trit would then spin on her heels and simply walk away, heading towards the main market.

Kiera glared flames into Trit's back and followed her. "I never claimed to be powerful! I just know that I'm more advanced than Clock Works." Kiera pulled her hood up and slung her rifle over her shoulder.

[Pinki3 Pon-3]

Janet Hugo
Janet felt her nerves rising in her chest. She felt trapped, like prey. She felt watched. A shiver went down her spine as she watched the exchange between the two stallions.
"Okay, that's nice, you both hate each other. Is now really the time for this?"
She said with a nervous, stressed smile. Her well tuned ears heard the scrabble of dirt sent up by the Hunter as it turned the corner into the alleyway. Its eyes glowed a bright red with the infernal fires of its heartboiler. Its paws pounded on the ground as it hurtled towards them. She barely turned before noticing the creature and grabbing Cinder's hand. She placed a hand on Pitch's neck, not giving a damn if he got mad at that point.
"Teleport now!!!!!"
She yelled as the Hunter came closer.

[The Flutterlands]

Pitch Black

Pitch also heard the sound of the hunter coming after them, and he glared at the metal hound as it went on the pursuit. No sooner than immediately after Janet yelled at him to teleport, Pitch grabbed both her and Inquisitor, and the group vanished in a flash of green. Upon rematerializing at SECA HQ, the black unicorn let go of Janet and Inquisitor, and scoffed. "By Celestia, I hate the mechs." he said coldly, "Anyway, mission complete. Bolt Breaker! We're back with the human!"

[Fascist Russian Empire]

Inquisitor

Inquisitor remained silent as he picked his short sword back up, putting the sheath back around his waist; it was somewhat comforting, having the weapon back on him and ready to be used at any time. Inquisitor was, by no means, a violent or trigger happy pony, but when he was around ponies like Pitch Black it was of some consolation to have a weapon to defend himself with; he didn't trust Pitch Black, and felt safer around him when he had his sword on him, especially knowing just how damn many weapons the unicorn kept on him. Deep down, he knew that Janet was right, and that his rivalry with Pitch was rather petty, but he simply couldn't bring himself to put his trust in a sociopathic child murderer like Pitch Black; besides, even if he wanted to try and mend his relations with the unicorn, Pitch wasn't exactly a very forgiving individual, as evident by his undisguised racism and hatred of humans, and he probably wouldn't want to be friends with Inquisitor anyway.

When the City mech started coming towards them, Inquisitor didn't feel the same sense of panic that Janet felt; instead, he just gave a frustrated sigh. He'd been dealing with mechs for several years, and had grown not to fear them; instead, they simply annoyed him. The fact that he could fly largely removed any of the dangers that the mechs posed, so he didn't exactly have any reason to fear them, anyway. "Just teleport us already." He said, simply, to Pitch, his voice conveying annoyance far more than fear. He simply stood in place, staring at the mech as it moved towards them, completely unphased; he might have been a pacifist, but he wasn't a coward. I swear, the shit I have to put up with...Sometimes, I wonder why I even fucking bother. He thought as the three of them and Cinder were teleported back to the SECA base.

Of course, his annoyance didn't leave with the mech; the very moment they got back to the base, Pitch continued annoying him, with his racism. Without even bothering to say anything to Pitch, Inquisitor simply flew up into Bolt Breaker's office; flying was quicker than trotting, so Inquisitor took advantage of his wings. "Like Pitch Black said, we're back with miss Hugo. Like I said earlier, we didn't need to use violence, coercion, or kidnapping to get it done, either; diplomacy was, and continues to be, the better alternative to violence. In any case, I should like to mention that this is the last time I'm ever working with Pitch Black on a mission again; I've had more than enough of his racist and pony supremacist rhetoric, and I have no intentions of having to listen to him ever again in the future. Not only does he completely spit in the face of my own values, he continues to undermine diplomacy and almost made the mission a failure with his impulsive and violent tendencies." Inquisitor said, bluntly, to Bolt Breaker.

[Morlodania]

In a flash, Trit's inhibitor ring would be off her horn, and Kiera's rifle unloaded and cleared via magic, a sinister look on the unicorn's face. "You know how to deal with my kind WITHOUT our magic... You have no clue what I can do to a machine like you with it..." The ring clinks to the ground before Trit lifts it magically, sliding it into a pocket before crossing her arms and chuckling. "I'm not going to do anything to you... I'm not cruel. Just know that you are, in fact, not as powerful as you say you are." Trit would then spin on her heels and simply walk away, heading towards the main market.

Kiera glared flames into Trit's back and followed her. "I never claimed to be powerful! I just know that I'm more advanced than Clock Works." Kiera pulled her hood up and slung her rifle over her shoulder.

"The Clockworks are powerful. Claiming to be more advanced claims you have more power than they." Trit stops and looks back at the M.I. "A clockwork would have known better than to try and draw a weapon on a Unicorn... Because our magic would easily counter that unless you have a way to negate that. You lack that knowledge, shame on you."

[Nuclear Aftermath]

Kiera glared flames into Trit's back and followed her. "I never claimed to be powerful! I just know that I'm more advanced than Clock Works." Kiera pulled her hood up and slung her rifle over her shoulder.

"The Clockworks are powerful. Claiming to be more advanced claims you have more power than they." Trit stops and looks back at the M.I. "A clockwork would have known better than to try and draw a weapon on a Unicorn... Because our magic would easily counter that unless you have a way to negate that. You lack that knowledge, shame on you."

Kiera glared even more. "I run on a Mini Nuclear Arc Reactor. That's far more advanced that what those stupid hunks of scrap run off of." Kiera pointed to her rifle. "And a scout rifle with a scope and silencer would take your head off before you could even hear the shot."

[Pinki3 Pon-3]

Bolt Breaker
Bolt Breaker sighed and pressed a hoof against the forehead of the gas-mask.
Why the temper-tantrums? Why can't they just shut up and do their bit?
Bolt thought as he listened to Inquisitor's little rant about Pitch.
"Of course, of course. And if the next partner you have isn't agreeable either? What about the one after that? Look Inquisitor, we weren't all as lucky as you. Not all of our owners showed us some divine path. Not all of our owners treated us as yours did. You're going to meet a lot of ponies you won't agree with here, because they've experienced life differently to how you have. That's how this goes. But next time I'll be sure to keep you two apart."
Bolt said before walking down the stairs to the entrance, not particularly looking forward to using the tattered wings which had once been proud specimens of pegasus skill and might. Bolt left the building and approached Janet tentatively,
"Miss . . . Hugo. Welcome."
Bolt said respectfully and gestured to the house. Janet glanced from Bolt to the house and back again.
"If it's all the same to you, I shall stay out here for the time being."
She said. Bolt sighed and nodded,
"Of course. I trust they weren't too rough?"
"No, there was some bickering but we got here in the end as you can see. With a little motivation from a mechanical hound."
Janet said calmly, controlling her situation masterfully, or obliviously depending on one's view. Bolt Breaker's ears perked up at the mention of the hound and Bolt immediately turned to Pitch,
"Were you followed?"

[Morlodania]

"The Clockworks are powerful. Claiming to be more advanced claims you have more power than they." Trit stops and looks back at the M.I. "A clockwork would have known better than to try and draw a weapon on a Unicorn... Because our magic would easily counter that unless you have a way to negate that. You lack that knowledge, shame on you."

Kiera glared even more. "I run on a Mini Nuclear Arc Reactor. That's far more advanced that what those stupid hunks of scrap run off of." Kiera pointed to her rifle. "And a scout rifle with a scope and silencer would take your head off before you could even hear the shot."

Trit's horn shimmers as a shield raises around her. "Better than a sniper have tried to kill me, love... I don't die easily. My mechanical arm runs on a magic crystal, FAR more reliable than your arc reactor. Your reactor is very... Unstable. One wrong hit and you explode. Clockworks never do that."

[The Flutterlands]

Pitch Black

Pitch shook his head. "No. We weren't followed." he said, "However, we did have an encounter with another one of those damn mechs. This time it was a hunter. Probably won't be any trouble, since we teleported here. ...Unless it touched me in mid-teleportation." Pitch shook his head. "Anyway, does this mean I'll be getting a new partner, too?" he asked, "I'm actually glad that I don't have to put up with Inquisitor and his foolish ideals any longer."

[Fascist Russian Empire]

Inquisitor

Silent relief fell over Inquisitor, knowing he wouldn't have to deal with Pitch Black anymore; he'd, honestly, rather work alone than work with the likes of him. Certainly, he wasn't too happy about the fact that Bolt Breaker was accepting of radical views in SECA, but he was at the very least happy that he wouldn't have to work with Pitch Black anymore. Deciding not to comment further on the matter, Inquisitor flew back down to the ground outside the SECA headquarters where Janet, Pitch, and Cinder were. He decided he'd talk about the problem of pony supremacist thoughts in SECA with Bolt Breaker later; it could wait, for the time being. He landed down on the ground with the others just in time to hear Pitch Black's insulting comment about him.

"Oh, and you think that you're so much better than me, you damn child murdering bastard? Regardless of your views on integration between ponies and humans, at least I have the decency not to slaughter entire families in cold blood. Racism is one thing, hatred is one thing, even murder is one thing, but kill children out of petty desires for revenge is sickening, and if you think the words of a God damned sociopath like you are going to influence anybody other than the lowest of the low, you have a whole other thing coming; nobody cares what your kind think, nobody cares about your reactionary racist views, and nobody cares about what you think about me." Inquisitor said to Pitch Black, the hostility in his voice being evident and open for all to hear.

"You know what, Pitch Black, I denounce you; you are a stain upon the face of the Earth, and you are the personification of everything wrong with society. You don't deserve to be a member of SECA." He finished, his hatred of Pitch Black climaxing, pointing an accusatory hoof at the black unicorn. He didn't care what Bolt Breaker would think; he would gladly take whatever punishment BB had in store for him, but he couldn't take any more of Pitch. Pitch Black was a criminal, a child murderer, and a terrorist; Inquisitor had no more patience for him.

[The Flutterlands]

Pitch Black

"You think I'm happy with what I did?" Pitch snapped back at Inquisutor in a rage, "You don't think I've lost sleep after killing thoes children?!" The black stallion glared at Inquisitor, who must have thought of himself as the perfect saint. "I have lost sleep regretting what I've done." Pitch continued, "I may not feel sorry about killing my wretched masters... but, the children?" He then went silent for a moment, realizing what he just said, and his eyes softened slightly, and he sulked his head, knowing fully that he must continue. "A few weeks after what I have done," said the black unicorn, "I promised that I will always spare the children. ...I now understand just how... innocent, they are." Pitch sighed slightly, and looked back at Inquisitor. "There! I admit I was wrong! Okay? Are you happy now, Saint Inquisitor?"

[Nuclear Aftermath]

Kiera glared even more. "I run on a Mini Nuclear Arc Reactor. That's far more advanced that what those stupid hunks of scrap run off of." Kiera pointed to her rifle. "And a scout rifle with a scope and silencer would take your head off before you could even hear the shot."

Trit's horn shimmers as a shield raises around her. "Better than a sniper have tried to kill me, love... I don't die easily. My mechanical arm runs on a magic crystal, FAR more reliable than your arc reactor. Your reactor is very... Unstable. One wrong hit and you explode. Clockworks never do that."

Kiera glares to the point her eyebrows nearly bend past their stopping point. "But it'll keep me running longer than those stupid Clock Works."

[Pinki3 Pon-3]

Bolt Breaker
Bolt Breaker's gas masked face dropped when the hostilities flared up once more. Bolt sat down and pressed the two, scarred forehooves together with increasing pressure, attempting to relieve a little of the anger that was building up. Anger was very bad. It lead to bad things for those nearby.
"Inquisitor . . . Pitch . . . Please . . . Just . . . Shut up."
Bolt Breaker said exasperatedly. Janet looked at the pair and sighed,
"Are they always like that?"
"Indeed. I was hoping retrieving you might have helped bring a little peace. You were always the little diplomat."
Bolt Breaker said with a long sigh, muttering the last bit softly, almost inaudibly. Janet hadn't noticedwhat Bolt said and sat down on a nearby rock as she prepared to watch Pitch and Inquisitor continue their shouting match. Bolt sighed and stepped between them.
"Pitch . . . Please can you just forgive Inquisitor a little impatience. Your past does bring an understandable amount of discomfort to him. Inquisitor, please let the wrongs of the past slide. They happened, they have been paid for and the guilty have suffered their punishment. Look to fix the wrongs of today, instead of clinging to the past. You both work to free ponies. Pitch, you hate humans, yet you gladly accept food and gear from our human contacts inside the city. You don't honestly think we grow it all here do you? This is a tobacco plantation . . . There is nothing else but tobacco."
Bolt said, emphasizing how much external help they had from humans.
"Besides, they aren't all bad. Inquisitor, you trust too easily in your diplomacy, and one day its going to get you killed. You two need to find a way to learn a little of what the other has if you're going to survive."
Bolt said,
"Now if you two would like to sit and learn a little more about our guest feel free. But if you're going to bicker I'll set the Hunter on you myself."
Bolt said, assuming that if the pair had time to argue they hadn't been followed by the mech.

[Fascist Russian Empire]

Inquisitor

Inquisitor couldn't help but feel ever so slightly bad when he listened to Pitch admit that he had been wrong in his actions, and confess that he had in fact felt regret over what he did. Of course, Inquisitor still felt correct in his distrust of the unicorn, although he did feel bad about his rather heated denunciation of Pitch following Pitch's confession. He prepared to say something, only to be interrupted by Bolt Breaker speaking up. He had to admit, BB did have a point, although he still disagreed with BB on the matter of diplomatic solutions and still believed that SECA ought to have more emphasis on equality and expel reactionary members. He silently listened to Bolt Breaker's scolding, ignoring the temptation to comment on the matter, and he quietly took in what their leader had to say.

"Should Pitch Black be willing to see reason and look past his petty hatred of humanity, that same day will be the day I offer him my forgiveness for past transgressions and my hoof in friendship. However, I see no evidence that he is willing to make that change; I hear nothing from him but anti-human sentiment. Unless I see some kind of commitment from him, no amount of encouragement from you will make me forgive him, much less cooperate with him. I'll have nothing to do with radicals and reactionaries." Inquisitor said, plainly, after a moment of thought. He didn't want to be enemies with Pitch, he didn't want to constantly be feuding with him, and he certainly didn't want to have the two constantly getting in each others' way; however, given the lack of willingness to see reason on Pitch's part, Inquisitor honestly saw no other alternative.

"I'm going to infer, already, from my past experiences with you, that you aren't going to compromise on the matter of humanity?" Inquisitor asked, simply, to Pitch Black, already knowing what the most likely answer from the stallion would be. Inquisitor was a respectable stallion, and certainly he wasn't an extremist; he was always willing to compromise, and he was more than willing to change his opinions on any matter, but Pitch Black, he presumed, was the exact opposite, and he highly doubted he would be willing to change his outlook on humans. If Pitch Black were willing to see reason when it came to equal rights, Inquisitor would have been more than willing to set aside their past differences and work together for the greater good, although Inquisitor sincerely doubted he would find any such compromise with Pitch.

[The Flutterlands]

Pitch Black

Pitch looked at Inquisitor and nodded his head. The black stallion didn't believe that humanity and ponies could coexist without one trying to rule over the other. "Yes," said Pitch, "I think that many of us would prefer that, when slavery is finally outlawed, the human race and the pony race would separate from each other, and live on different lands, and never interact with each other again. How's that for a compromise?" Pitch sighed in a sort of relief. He felt lighter, as if he had dropped some sort of heavy burden, he was carrying. Nonetheless, Pitch just couldn't believe that the deep wounds inflicted by the war and the human enslavement of the pony race, could ever heal.

[Fascist Russian Empire]

Inquisitor

Inquisitor felt...surprised, to hear Pitch agree to any kind of compromise. Of course, he still fervently disagreed with the unicorn, although he was, at the very least, glad to see him taking a step up from his typical pony supremacist ways. Inquisitor could name a very long list of reasons why separating human and pony societies was a bad idea, but, at the very least, it was an acceptable, although not preferable, proposition. He took a moment to think about his response, looking away for a few seconds before turning his gaze back onto Pitch Black; he did, honestly, want to help mend the less than cordial relations between them, and he figured that resolving their differences on the racial issue was as good a way as any to start.

"My goal is, and always has been, to broker an end not only to slavery but also to the long standing hostilities between humanity and ponies; I've always believed, and always will believe, that cooperation and mutual prosperity is the best thing for society as a whole. Segregating society based on race will, in all frankness and likelihood, result in the already deep rooted racial tension in society continuing to be an issue for many decades to come, and make the possibility of a productive partnership between ponies and humans virtually impossible...However, it's certainly a step up from wanting to punish humanity as a whole for the crimes of the slave owners and, in spite of my opposition to the idea, it is an acceptable compromise. If...if you wish to end our rather hostile relationship, and look to the future, then I offer you a cordial hoof in partnership and friendship. I am willing to let go of the past, and work together, if you're willing to do the same." Inquisitor said, a little hesitantly, not entire certain if it was a good idea.

Just moments ago, he had outright denounced Pitch Black, and moments later he had offered to end their rivalry. Inquisitor himself could hardly believe that he was offering to forgive Pitch's past crimes and offer him friendship, although, deep down, he realized that it was most likely for the best for them to work together. Taking a deep breath, Inquisitor looked Pitch in the eyes and waited for an answer from him, wondering if he had made a mistake in his decision to offer friendship to Pitch and half-expecting some kind of hostile reaction from him. If Pitch was willing to take his hoof in friendship, then that would be well and good, although Inquisitor couldn't help but feel like he was thinking idealistically, and that Pitch wasn't going to abandon his old ways.

[The Flutterlands]

Pitch Black

Pitch's eyes grew cold for a moment, when Inquisitor offered friendship. The black unicorn still saw his ideals as both foolish and impossible, he still hated humanity as a whole for their crimes, and he still saw brutality and force as a means to end the human tyranny. However, Pitch saw profit in Inquisitor's offer, thinking that it would be more productive if they work together, rather than if they bickered and fought. "Fine." said Pitch, "I accept your offer. I... I forgive you for your foolish ideals... And I'm... sorry for my attitude, lately. I will... I will try to restrain myself, for now on, okay?"

[Morlodania]

Trit's horn shimmers as a shield raises around her. "Better than a sniper have tried to kill me, love... I don't die easily. My mechanical arm runs on a magic crystal, FAR more reliable than your arc reactor. Your reactor is very... Unstable. One wrong hit and you explode. Clockworks never do that."

Kiera glares to the point her eyebrows nearly bend past their stopping point. "But it'll keep me running longer than those stupid Clock Works."

"Or it'll give out and you'll explode any moment now. Those power sources are... Not too reliable when it comes to not self-destructing." Trit shrugs a little. "Again, humanity left far too many loopholes in its systems, unlike my kind... We created things with one purpose, Humanity tried multitasking and failed."

[Saestea]

Cinder

Cinder was really about to spew some fire at the black unicorn, but he felt someone grab his arm and yank at him. After a blur, the little clockwork realized that he was now in some alley. Another clockwork, much larger, had begun to approach. That was probably why he was dragged off. Looking up, he realized it was that lady from earlier. He hadn't even found out what her name was yet. Everything was going so fast. He stood up slowly, adjusted his left arm so that it wouldn't fall off and watched the three talk. Then, it wasn't long before his hand was grabbed again. Cinder caught a glimpse of Janet before the world around him flashed. There had been something very ugly and scary stalking after them.

Now they were in a different place. There were equines all around. Cinder's interior gas valve had been rupture by the combined pressure of anger and fright. He sat there, twisting a knob on his torso to keep the gas from igniting. Cinder had not been through so much excitement in a long time. Around him, there seemed to be another verbal altercation, but the two aggressors had been quelled and now seemed to be making up. Cinder gave a short sigh. He had been indirectly involved again. Not bothering to look for the lady, Cinder stood up, reattached his arm and began clanking off towards a group of ponies. Tehey dispersed to let him through, but Cinder may have been damaged a little more than he'd thought. The back panel on his torso, beneath his cylindrical head exploded, revealing a gaping hole. Within seconds, white smoke was pouring out of it. Small fires had erupted under the clockwork's head. A loud ticking sound was being emitted from him as he sagged, fell on his side, kicked, and went out like a light.

Was that the end for Cinder?..

[Nuclear Aftermath]

Kiera glares to the point her eyebrows nearly bend past their stopping point. "But it'll keep me running longer than those stupid Clock Works."

"Or it'll give out and you'll explode any moment now. Those power sources are... Not too reliable when it comes to not self-destructing." Trit shrugs a little. "Again, humanity left far too many loopholes in its systems, unlike my kind... We created things with one purpose, Humanity tried multitasking and failed."

Kiera raises her voice in anger. "I WAS BUILT FOR WAR! I tried to help people when the bombs dropped, but war came back and I had to fight again. Maybe I don't enjoy fighting with a bunch of intolerant ponies and worthless Clock Works, ever think of that?" Kiera huffs and sits on the side walk. "I just wanted to be nicer than I was. Maybe even be loved by someone...Anyone.

[Morlodania]

"Or it'll give out and you'll explode any moment now. Those power sources are... Not too reliable when it comes to not self-destructing." Trit shrugs a little. "Again, humanity left far too many loopholes in its systems, unlike my kind... We created things with one purpose, Humanity tried multitasking and failed."

Kiera raises her voice in anger. "I WAS BUILT FOR WAR! I tried to help people when the bombs dropped, but war came back and I had to fight again. Maybe I don't enjoy fighting with a bunch of intolerant ponies and worthless Clock Works, ever think of that?" Kiera huffs and sits on the side walk. "I just wanted to be nicer than I was. Maybe even be loved by someone...Anyone.

"That love thing wouldn't be hard if you met my brother... He has a... Thing for machines." Trit shrugs slightly. "And while an attempt at change is admirable... It is outside of your function. You are still a machine, an though you may be intelligent and even capable of individual choices... You still must follow your programming and functions, for they are the base of your very being." Trit's expression softens as she squats, looking the M.I. in the eyes. "You now have at least a small amount of my respect now, however, for at least trying. Now stand, machine... After I get food for myself and my brother, I'll bring you to him, maybe you can have a shot at love after all."

[Nuclear Aftermath]

Kiera raises her voice in anger. "I WAS BUILT FOR WAR! I tried to help people when the bombs dropped, but war came back and I had to fight again. Maybe I don't enjoy fighting with a bunch of intolerant ponies and worthless Clock Works, ever think of that?" Kiera huffs and sits on the side walk. "I just wanted to be nicer than I was. Maybe even be loved by someone...Anyone.

"That love thing wouldn't be hard if you met my brother... He has a... Thing for machines." Trit shrugs slightly. "And while an attempt at change is admirable... It is outside of your function. You are still a machine, an though you may be intelligent and even capable of individual choices... You still must follow your programming and functions, for they are the base of your very being." Trit's expression softens as she squats, looking the M.I. in the eyes. "You now have at least a small amount of my respect now, however, for at least trying. Now stand, machine... After I get food for myself and my brother, I'll bring you to him, maybe you can have a shot at love after all."

Kiera looks at Trit for a moment and softly smiles. "If I'm coming with you, call me by my name. Kiera." With that, Kiera stands and pulls her hood up. "Deal?"

[Morlodania]

"That love thing wouldn't be hard if you met my brother... He has a... Thing for machines." Trit shrugs slightly. "And while an attempt at change is admirable... It is outside of your function. You are still a machine, an though you may be intelligent and even capable of individual choices... You still must follow your programming and functions, for they are the base of your very being." Trit's expression softens as she squats, looking the M.I. in the eyes. "You now have at least a small amount of my respect now, however, for at least trying. Now stand, machine... After I get food for myself and my brother, I'll bring you to him, maybe you can have a shot at love after all."

Kiera looks at Trit for a moment and softly smiles. "If I'm coming with you, call me by my name. Kiera." With that, Kiera stands and pulls her hood up. "Deal?"

Trit extends a hand to the M.I., smiling gently. "Trit Rodgers." She nods. "And yes, deal. Strange how my starting off by insulting you lead to this, isn't it?" Trit cocks her head to the side for a moment before looking over her shoulder, reaching into her pocket and re-placing the inhibitor ring on her horn. "All well, I suppose. No harm no foul, right Kiera?"

[Nuclear Aftermath]

Kiera looks at Trit for a moment and softly smiles. "If I'm coming with you, call me by my name. Kiera." With that, Kiera stands and pulls her hood up. "Deal?"

Trit extends a hand to the M.I., smiling gently. "Trit Rodgers." She nods. "And yes, deal. Strange how my starting off by insulting you lead to this, isn't it?" Trit cocks her head to the side for a moment before looking over her shoulder, reaching into her pocket and re-placing the inhibitor ring on her horn. "All well, I suppose. No harm no foul, right Kiera?"

Kiera smiles. "As long as the insults stay in the past from now on, we won't have problems." Kiera unbuttons her jacket and reaches into her vest pocket, pulling out a small pocket watch. "I know it's ironic for me to have this, but...I have a thing for pocket watches." Kiera opens the pocket watch and checks the time. "Curfew will begin in about an hour. We better get moving, Trit."