dear_mun | The happiest camper in the world just got happier.

[Just... ignore the badly-hidden amusement.]

Nice speech. I don't suppose it ever works?

[Don't get cute with her, user. She will disc you. You know, if Tesler didn't have her disc.]

It works better than doing nothing.

[He's quaking in his gridsuit. Or just giving you a skeptical look.]

Really?

[Sam's not sure what you have against him, but in his experience? Mun-users are a lot, lot worse about these things.]

[Thin ice, Sam, you are walking on it. She is already feeling murderous. Don't make her act on said urge.]

I would think that you are already aware of that fact. Your father tried that whole 'do nothing' method, and look at where it got him: A thousand cycles of hiding in the Outlands like a coward.

[...low blow, program. There's an instant of open shock (and loss) before Sam's expression closes. Jaw tightens, fists clenching at his sides.]

He wasn't a coward.

And you get to talk? You worked for that genocidal freak!

[Her lips curl into a mirthless smirk. Struck a nerve, did she?]

He had all the hallmarks of one.

He was more deserving of my loyalty than the user who abandoned me to the mercies of the MCP, more deserving than your precious father who brought me to a foreign system and left me with no directive, no guidance.

He fought. And he tried. And when programs like you made it clear you wouldn't let him help? Yeah, he left.

[Ignoring that tiny edge of doubt right now. Sam can't afford to think of both the dad who died for him and the dad who ran away. ~~So... little bit of a nerve, yup.~~

He shakes his head.]

He gave up more than you'll ever know.

[Clu's much easier to think about. Sam's got his own smirk building as the topic shifts.]

And that's your issue? That my dad wouldn't hold your hand enough? So you turn to a murdering dictator--'cause obviously it's fine being his pawn.

[He gives a short laugh. It's anything but friendly.]

Really, I don't see why you're complaining about this "Tesler" guy at all. He seems right up your alley.

So you admit that he gave up and retreated like a coward. Let leaderless programs take up his fight and get slaughtered while he hid himself away in a cave where they could not seek his help. Abandoned any attempt to get back to you. Yeah, that's someone I would want to follow.

[Nice try, but if Wulf cannot change her mind about Clu, you don't stand much of a chance, Sam.]

I never said that was my issue. It was merely a contributing factor. I do not have to explain myself to you, son of Flynn. My decisions are just that - mine, and nothing you say will change it. Once you have lived in the system as long as I have and experienced the things I have seen, then we can have a philosophical debate.

[She narrows her eyes just slightly, the smirk never leaving her lips.]

And what would you know about my "alley"?

Yeah, well, if this-- [He waves at Echo] --is what all the "leaderless programs" were doing? I sure as hell can't blame him.

[A half-turn, he paces another step. Not fair to the rest of the Grid, maybe. But they aren't here, and she is. And Echo? You're making yourself far too easy a target.]

So that's how it is. You don't explain yourself, you just throw the blame around? It's Dad's fault, not yours. Not Clu's, never mind that the bastard did to the whole Grid what you're whining about with Tesler. Or maybe he did it to you too?

[The dig comes out exactly as vicious as he meant it.]

You seem to be doing well enough at "mindless lackey" already.

So like a user to lump all programs together and forget that we are individuals much like yourselves. Our freedoms and capacities may be limited but we are still sentient beings capable of having our own thoughts and ideas. Surprising, I know.

[Vent at her all you want, Sam. She will just continue to bait you. It gives her something to focus on besides her run in with Tesler.]

Who was the one who created the Grid? Who was the one who gave his program an impossible directive? Who failed to tell anyone else that he had created his own world inside of a computer on the off chance that they could rescue him if he became trapped there? It certainly wasn't me, and it wasn't Clu. Who does that leave us with?

Correction. Rectified programs are the mindless lackeys, and I am not a rectified program. I can still think and make decisions for myself.

[Sam scoffs at that line. Who's doing the stereotyping?]

Sorry to disappoint, but I don't have a problem with programs. Just mass-murderers.

[And Sam could use something to focus on besides his dad. Unfortunately, you don't seem to be letting that one go.]

Just shut up already! You really want to blame my dad for making your world? Fine. He wrote a beautiful, amazing place. And yeah, he should've told someone. [Should have told him. But that hurt's long buried.]

But he's not the one who started your freaking death-games. He's not the one who murdered a whole species; he's not the one who brainwashed half your system! Clu is, and if you're telling me you chose to lend a hand? That you signed on by choice to help kill and reprogram your whole world--and are blaming it on Dad? [A low exhale.] Lady, I don't have words for how screwed up that is.

He tried. But if you really wanted things to go this way? You think Clu did it right? Then you should be ecstatic Dad never managed to call for help. Glad he left the place for you.

Make up your damn mind.

[Echo, let go of something that hurts someone who is trying to do the same thing to her? Not likely.]

Your father did not make my world. I was created and lived in the ENCOM system for cycles before he dragged me over to his playground when my user vanished.

[Her smirk becomes more feral, more vicious.]

He may not have started the games, but he should have known. He played in them himself when the MCP sent him to my world. And yes, I do blame him for what happened. He ignored the warning signs. He ignored Clu when Clu needed him and his guidance. He failed to take care of the world he wrote and the programs that inhabited it. I am not saying that what Clu did was right, but I will still follow him. He has not betrayed me like users have in the past.

My mind was made up a long time ago, user. Stop trying to change it.

[Sam just shakes his head.]

Right. So, to get this clear.

The Grid's not your world to care about. A few million deaths are a misdemeanor compared to the great crime of ignoring Clu. And even if your admin's a backstabbing genocidal freak, it's just fine to follow him and help out, since at least he doesn't leave you to make your own choices?

[A smirk.] Yeah. No question, wasted effort here.

[Sam turns to leave.]

Have fun being a pawn. Pretty sure that's not what you have problems with.

You would like it if everything was as nice and neat and black and white as you put it, wouldn't you? Like I said earlier, until you have experienced everything I have gone through, you have no room to judge that choices I have made. It is about survival but I don't expect a user to understand. Say what you will about me. In the end it is I that has to live with my choices, not you. You'll just run back to the user world where none of it matters.

[Sam's actually leaving when the next tirade comes. But he pauses, and there's a sigh, some of the tight anger bleeding out. Because yeah. That's familiar.

He turns back partway.]

Look. You don't want me around, you don't care, fine. But word of advice? That line goes both ways.

You don't know me. You don't know my dad. And you really want to live with your choices? Stop blaming my dad--or me, or "users". And start actually making some.

[Jaw clenches, but the words are level.]

And I'm not running anywhere.

As you said, the line goes both ways. You don't know me, so do kindly stop making assumptions.

[She scoffs, but seems to tone down her antagonism the next time she speaks.]

I have been making my own decisions before Clu was created and before you were born. Just because you do not agree with them does not render that fact null and void.

[Sam shakes his head. He could point out how you've more or less admitted you followed Clu just because he didn't leave you. That you didn't agree, at least with all of it--but you helped kill and brainwash thousands anyway. There's a difference between making decisions and deciding not to care because you know your dad would hate it.

At least Sam's frustration never got people killed.

But no point arguing. At least not now. She's made it clear enough he's not wanted here--and believe it or not, Sam does know how to stay out. Well, once in a while.]

Hey, I'm done. [He raises his hands.] Your mind's made up.

[Faint grin fades to something a lot more honestly skeptical he glances away.]

Good luck with that. I guess.

[Curious headtilt.

[What's a Tesler?

[(He kinda died before Tesler turned up.)]

[DO NOT MENTION THAT NAME IN HER PRESENCE, SECURITY MONITOR. SEE THIS TABLE? IT IS COMING STRAIGHT FOR YOU COURTESY OF AN ANGRY FEMALE NEEDING TO THROW SOMETHING.

~~She really needs to stop hanging out with Clu, he is a bad influence when it comes to the proper, humane treatment of inanimate objects.~~]

[Anon leaps sideways and does a forward roll out of the way. Once he's upright again, his helmet radiates apologetic bafflement.]

[Echo growls and kicks the table, her aggressions directed at it rather than Anon.]

Tesler may be one of Clu's generals but that does not give him the right to order me around. It certainly does not give him the right to steal my disc in an attempt to make me more obedient to his wishes.

Edited 2012-07-29 19:08 (UTC)

[Anon's helmet tilts down in anger, his hand half-reaching for his own disc in automatic protectiveness. Just point him at this General, Echo - if he's doing that, and one of Team Orange to boot, he will happily disc him for you.]

Edited 2012-07-29 19:17 (UTC)

[Thank you for the offer, Anon, but destroying Tesler is really something that Echo would much rather do herself. She will, however, gladly give you some hints to his location so that you can interfere with his plans as much as possible while she goes about obtaining a new disc and recovering from whatever he did to her.]

Edited 2012-07-29 19:36 (UTC)

[He nods. Fair enough. Security will happily take your hints, and if you happen to need him mildly maimed to slow him down, well . . .]

"Tessler? Is he that security Kernel who seems to be a walking stack of bad news?"

Bad news, bad ideas, same thing.

"I met him. He's not all that User-friendly, but I can't blame him. I've seen what a few bad ones are capable of."

[These teeny tiny betas give her legs reassuring hugs. They don't like pawns either. Or chess, really. Board games are still beyond comprehension.]

[They are not the first small Clus she has seen, but the twins are definitely the smallest. She restrains the knee-jerk reaction to shove them away and awkwardly rests a hand on each of their heads, keeping a wary eye on them. What is she supposed to do with the tiny betas? They are Clus, so protecting them is the obvious answer, but beyond that she is lost.]

Edited 2012-08-01 02:32 (UTC)

[The CLU who looks most like her boss, Two, nuzzles his cheek against her knee before he looks up.] When we're sad, we need hugs, 'cause hugs make things better!

[His twin, One, nods in agreement.] A lot better! Especially if that something is soft. Do you have a soft thing to hug?

I am not sad -- I am angry. [She clarifies with a grumpy frown.] And I do not need hugs. Not that there is anyone daft enough to risk it...

[That being said she still does not make a move to chase them off. She just tilts her head and snorts in quiet amusement. What is it with Clus and soft things?] No, I don't.

[Apparently, these two things attached to your legs are just daft enough. Two puffs up his cheeks thoughtfully.] Huh. Well when I'm angry I pull on One's hair... [The boy gives a sideways glance at his brother, then shakes his head.] But Tron will find out, cause Tron always finds out. Always.

And then you'd be in trouble! [One covers his head defensively.] And you're not mad now, anyways, so don't do it or I'll cry!

[She listens to their banter and gradually relaxes. Part of her still wants to pry them off her legs, as she is not use to being in physical contact with anyone for prolonged periods of time, but she manages to tolerate them. For the moment.] Tron always did seem to know more than he should have at any given point in time. It is a wonder that the pack of Trons present on the so-called Free Grid let as many attacks slip through their Security as they have been lately.

[Echo pauses and looks down at One in something akin to alarm, and places her hand on top of his head again.] No, no hair pulling, or crying.

[That's right, Two, no hair pulling. He focuses on the Tron issue instead.] That's cause our Tron isn't one of them! [Two nods sharply.] If our Tron was here, there wouldn't be a problem.

[Reassured, One leans up into her hand.] Except maybe the Rinzlers are making the Trons sneeze too hard, and that's why these Trons can't do anything. And our Tron can't do anything about that, cause he's allergic to our Rinzler too.

There are so many Trons already in the System that it would not surprise me to learn that one of them is yours. [She does not sound particularly happy with this thought but, then again, Echo is a program that has managed to get into an argument with every Tron she has ever interacted with. She is understandably a bit tired of them.]

I...did not know it was possible for Trons to be...allergic to Rinzlers. They tend to be one and the same.

[smiiiirks] You know, you could make this easier on yourself.

And bow to you? Don't make me laugh. I am not your little puppet Paige if you haven't noticed.

Oh? Do you really prefer being an outcast in your own territory? And I'm not looking for slaves. [LIIIIES] I'm looking for potential.

You could be an asset to the System again. All you need is a little... direction.

Excuse me, but do I look like the sort of program that takes orders from someone just because they wear red? You are not Clu. You are not Rinzler. You are not the MCP. You aren't even Sark. You will find that you do not come anywhere close to meeting the qualifications of being someone I will obey.

In fact, you look exactly like one. If you aren't interested in being part of this cause anymore, maybe you should think about switching your colors.

..[glare] Fine. But I hope you realize what you're asking for.

[Oh, don't mind Hurd. She'll just be over here with some of Roy's virtual popcorn.]

Looks like somebody doesn't like the idea of losing her autonomy.

[Oh, don't mind that predatory smile Echo is giving her. She is delighted to see Hurd. No, really.]

Oh, you again. Pleasant as always.

[The delight is mutual, totally.]

You didn't seem to have any problem at all with seeing programs turned into mindless lackies in the name of the Perfect System before. So long as they weren't you, I guess.

Still, I suppose I'd be insulted too if I had to be his mindless lackey.

The happiest camper in the world just got happier.

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sorry for tl;dr

It's okay! :3 It's fun having someone besides her frienemy try to talk sense into her. XD

Sam's more ranting with his own issues, but glad it works? XD

It's all good! The last user she interacted with she tried to kill, so. XD

*facepalm* Well, uh... I guess we'll see how bad it gets with Sam.

Yeaaah she tried to kill Alan. In front of Tron. And Flynn. And Roy. And Ram. And Clu1. x_X

....yeah, low survival odds there.

...only reason she survived is because Flynn stopped Tron from killing her.

Sounds about right.

Re: Sounds about right.

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facepalm Well, uh... I guess we'll see how bad it gets with Sam.