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

[eyestothesky]

[Well... he's definitely not the youngest Spine around now.]

[titaniumalloysmokestack]

[Oh, is that you The Spine? Don't mind as your younger rendition kind of stares blankly at you. He's trying to figure out why you seem so familiar yet not familiar.]

Not a human. But not look like a robot. Self not understand.

[eyestothesky]

[He's... really not sure how to explain all this. So he just takes off that hat and wig, so it's... not quite so hard to parse what he is. Poor confused babby.]

I'm a robot, buckaroo. Just like to dress up.

[titaniumalloysmokestack]

[Without the hat and wig, it's clear to this The Spine that this other robot is, in fact, a robot. A very human-looking robot but a robot nonetheless. He nods slowly in understanding, metal joints creaking a bit.]

[He's still confused about one thing, though.] Not buckaroo. The Spine. [A point at himself.] Who is you?

[eyestothesky]

Buckaroo's like a nickname. [Whoops, time to confuse the baby more.]

Hard as it may be to believe, I'm The Spine. Just... from the future. [Easiest way to phrase it.]

[freakame]

FIRE BAAAAAAD! [Yes, he is stomping around like Frankenstein's monster.

Pause. Waitaminute.

Freak scratches his head.] That's what we're doing, right?

[titaniumalloysmokestack]

Nickname. [Poor baby The Spine, dealing with terms he's technically got defined in his memory banks but is unfamiliar with. A few puffs of steam emit from his smokestacks as he processes this new information.]

From... future? [Oooh no, all that extra steam puffing from his back probably isn't a good sign. This was The Spine from the future... but he was The Spine... but why were there two The Spines? Was this other The Spine him? Was he the other The Spine? But how could he be the other The Spine if he's this The Spine??]

[Whew, all that steam's making it get kinda hot in here.]

[titaniumalloysmokestack]

[Good robot lord what is this why is someone yelling what is even going on. Steam puffs out from his smokestacks on his back in surprise.]

...Self no understand. Do not register a fire in area.

[eyestothesky]

[Noo baby no.]

Easy there. Just take it slow, I know it's confusing... [Soothing tones? Soothing tones.

If the baby malfunctions what happens to him, uhoh.]

[titaniumalloysmokestack]

[That steam billowing from his back is worrisome, but miraculously no malfunction is brought about. Those soothing tones do help a bit, or at least seem to calm him enough for him to speak once again.]

Self... no understand. How is you from future?

[He has nothing in his databanks about time paradoxes or time travel, but he's got programming to inquire about information that he doesn't have. A programming loophole built in by Peter I, or a chance happening of programming? Who knows, but so far no malfunction.]

[eyestothesky]

This place... it doesn't like to play by the rules. Like the one that says you belong in the time you're supposed to be in and I'm supposed to be in mine.

The Grandmaster'd be able to explain it better than I could, to be honest.

[freakame]

Heeeeeeeey are you a robot?! [Freakazoid, robots are not for climb--

...Nevermind.

He raps on the top of The Spine's head and then shakes out his hand.] Are you gonna start singing about how you don't have a heart? Are you gonna go find one? [GASP.] CAN I BE YOUR DOROTHY?!

[titaniumalloysmokestack]

[That makes sense, kind of. Or at least passes as a logical explanation. Kind of.]

This place is in error. Does not follow rules.

Who is Grandmaster?

[titaniumalloysmokestack]

[Okay, that is a question he understands. A quick nod.]

Self is robot. Self is--!

[Whoops, no time for introductions when someone's suddenly climbing you. More steam is hissing from those smokestacks as he takes a step back in an attempt to brace himself for that sudden weight imbalance.]

[Why is this happening to him, who is this person, why is this a thing. Just why. He didn't sign up for this.]

Please do not hit Self.

Who is Dorothy?

[freakame]

[Annnnd that sure is a forward flip off of the automaton's shoulders. Freak sticks the landing, to the accompaniment of a cheering crowd. In his head.]

Oh, you know, ruby slippers, big brown eyes, sings like this...

[He strikes a pose, pressing his hand to his heart and gesturing expansively with his other arm.]

Uh-soooooomewhere-uh over-a tha raiiiinnnnnbooooooow~

[That's not Judy Garland, that's a really bad impression of Dean Martin.]

[bluematters]

[Because reasons.]

Iris may not be here, but I am. [Now this was a familiar sight, strange as it may be compared to the other The Spines he's seen as of late.]

[hatchworthy]

Oh. no.

You are. adorable. [Teasing Big Spine a little? Maybe.]

[mybackstory]

[No.]

[hatchworthy]

[It is not his fault you were a cute baby.]

[lovesbobbydarin]

Hide and go seek!!


... waitasec, you look kinda different. Did you lose your hat?

[mybackstory]

[Nope. Denying the fact he was cute or adorable as a 'baby.' They don't count as babies even.]

[hatchworthy]

[Totally the cutest baby.

You know what they should scan your baby photos and post them online for the fans. He's sure Rabbit's got some somewhere.]

[mybackstory]

[He isn't just in the river, he's buying the entire Nile.

... He was so awkward no those pictures would just be ridiculous like those naked baby pictures parents like showing off why do you want to do this.].]

[titaniumalloysmokestack]

[Oh thank goodness that person is off of his frame, he was starting to overheat. He has no idea what this person is talking about, but he gives a robotic wince at the attempt of singing.]

You sing bad.

[hatchworthy]

[Did you listen to Go Spine Go?

Does he need a reason to do this?]