What am I even doing

[titaniumalloysmokestack]

Query. What is purpose of this place? Self not understand.

Voice projector is functioning properly. Voice test not necessary. Not understand why functioning voice box required to play game. Not understand why Self should play game here. Self should return home.

Must stay here? Pappy and Miss Iris not here. Pappy will worry. Rabbit and Three and Four not here. Self not want to be here alone.

Self will see others if wait? They be here soon? Self understand. Self will wait for others here.

...Query. What game does Mun play? Self know Hide and Seek.

Comments

[titaniumalloysmokestack]

[The Spine visibly relaxes at the sight of his creator, small whisps of steam trailing from his smokestacks.]

Pappy here too. Is good.

[bluematters]

You're going to be in for a few surprises. Do you think you can handle those, The Spine?

[A small gesture for the 'bot to come closer.] Let me take a good look at you.

[titaniumalloysmokestack]

Think so. Yes.

[A small nod, before The Spine takes a couple clanking steps forward at Pappy's instruction. Still a little awkward in his movements.]

[bluematters]

It's good to see you. [Not that it wasn't good to see the older Spines, but this was what he was more used to.

He's already reaching to do a few routine checks, carefully of course.]

Your brothers are here as well, and as you might notce they don't exactly look the same as you would remember.

[titaniumalloysmokestack]

Is good to see Pappy.

[Obediently holds still for Pappy to perform his checks. His face scrunches (or at least attempts to) into a look of robotic confusion.]

Yes... Self not know why. Looks different.

[bluematters]

They're older than you are. Upgraded.

[It's a sort of calming thing, even if it's just to him. Keep focused on the task at hand, and make sure everything was fine with his boy.

Wouldn't want him to overstress himself to the point of malfunctioning.]

They are still them, however.

[titaniumalloysmokestack]

From... future.

[A slight twitch, a puff of steam, but otherwise no malfunctions. He's getting better at processing paradoxical anomalies!]

This place not follow rules. Is in error.

[bluematters]

It follows it's own rules. You could think of it as another dimension -you remember me talking about Kazooland, yes?- that can pull us from other worlds, even different points in time.

[He's finishing up.] It is confusing, I know.

[titaniumalloysmokestack]

Self remembers.

[It sounded like a weird place, that's for sure, but The Spine remembers Peter I talking about the strange alternate dimension and how it differed from Earth.]

Self understand. Like Kazooland.

[Still holding still like a good bot.]

Yes. Is strange.

[bluematters]

[There is a hand rested just against the tall 'bot's shoulder.] All done.

There are a few places like that, the Games your Mundane was reffering to. It's what they call them.

[titaniumalloysmokestack]

[A small robotic smile. He always gets a sense of goodhappyproud when Peter gives him the OK after an examination.]

Games not like Hide and Seek?

[bluematters]

No, not like Hide and Seek. They're different worlds filled with people from different worlds and times. The Mundanes enjoy sending those individuals theree, so they called them a Game.

[He's trying to use words the 'bot would easily understand.]

[titaniumalloysmokestack]

[The Spine is grateful for that, and he nods in understanding.]

Strange. Are games fun?

[bluematters]

[Brows furror for a moment-]

They can be fun, yet sometimes they can be very not fun. That is mostly due to the influence these Mundanes have over what happens. Like you or have have the ability to pick up and object and move it about, or drop it so that it may break.

[titaniumalloysmokestack]

[Oh dear, that didn't sound good at all.]

Pappy break?

[bluematters]

[Have some shoulder patting, Spine.]

I can break, yes. Right now things are alright, and for the moment no one has to worry about breaking, okay?

[titaniumalloysmokestack]

[A small nod, but that is definitely a look of concern on his face.]

Self no want Pappy break.

[bluematters]

You don't have to worry about that right now, Spine.

[titaniumalloysmokestack]

[A nod/]

Self make sure Pappy no break.

[bluematters]

[TOO BAD I PLAN ON KILLING HIM HORRIBLY AGAIN SOONER OR LATER.]

Don't forget to make sure you don't break either. We can do that together.

[titaniumalloysmokestack]

[omg I am anxiously awaiting that HASN'T HE DIED ENOUGH YET?]

Pappy help Self. Self help Pappy. Simultaneous helps.