dear_mun | So what's a "Ruby City"?

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So what's a "Ruby City"?

Hey mun. Long time no see. Things have been pretty crazy on your end, huh? Art school and all that? I can't even imagine; numbers and axes are more my thing than paint. But what's this I hear about a new game? That...actually sounds pretty nice. I could really dig that.

...none of my friends are there though, huh. But...I guess I could make new friends. I did it once, I could do it again, right? Right! I've got this!

And you got this too, mun. I know you're worried with school and stuff, but if you manage your time, you should be fine. Believe in me who believes in you, yeah?

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Better than my situation. My mun hardly does anything with me anymore.

Tell your mun not to sweat it! We'll make it as easy and stress-free as possible!

Labrys, my writer also participates in Ruby City and loves it. I know you will do well there if you try!

Please, don't be afraid!

Maybe they're just busy? Life is a pretty hectic thing, ya know!

She's worried, but I think she'll be alright! She's tougher than she gives herself credit for.

I'll try. It's just...so new. New is fine and new is good but- I dunno. It's just hard to adjust sometimes.

Changing interests, mostly. I'm kind of glad for the chance to have a break. It was pretty intense where I'm from, and where she first had me. It's like a long vacation.

Enjoy it then! Sit back, relax, do whatever it is human's do to chill out. Live it up while you can, she might pick you up again someday.

I agree. I have felt this way many times.

But I often find that new things can help the greater good in addition to being beneficial to us!

If you say so. I mean, you'd have a better idea, right? I trust you.

Yes, I trust you as well.

As an example, I tried many new things with Minato. He...changed all of us for the better.

[She gives the other robot a pained smile.]

I think she'll be alright too! Maybe she just needs to see that people have faith in her! ♥

It's good to see you excited about something, Labrys. You deserve this.

It's a little scary but- I think it'll be fun. In it's own way. [ She smiles brightly. ]

[ Labrys hesitated for a moment before leaning forward and taking Aigis' hand. They couldn't actually feel it but- maybe it was the thought that counted. ]

Yeah? You should tell me about him sometime. If you want, anyway.

You're more than capable of handling anything thrown at you. And just remember, you're not alone. I'm not talking about just Mitsuru, Aigis, myself, or the Investigation Team.

[He doesn't elaborate directly, but he pounds a fist to his chest over his heart, hopefully making it clear what he means.]

[Have a snow-white dog poking your leg with his nose, a distinct concerned look on his face.]

[OOC: I would've replied sooner, but I just started P4A, beat all the stories up til Labrys' and then had to take breaks at each bookmark just because I kept bawling like a baby. T-T God I love this franchise.]

[ Labrys kneels down and hesitantly rests a hand on the dogs head. ]

Hey there, big guy. Don't look so down.

[ If she could, Labrys would probably blush with embarrassment right here. Not in a bad way, but in the "wow look at all these amazing people in my life" kind of way. ]

I'll. I'll remember. Thank you. [ Labrys smile is less bright, but more sincere. ]

[Akihiko just grins and steps forward, nudging her shoulder with a fist slightly.]

You don't need to be so formal with me. Just relax, and everything will be fine.

I'm not in school or nothin' but you're my senpai. Aren't I supposed to be formal?

[ Social structures are so weird. ]

[Koro isn't sure if she can understand him like Aigis could, but he tries to 'talk' anyway.]

Woof!

[...I may not be Snowy, or know if I'm any direct relation to him. My mun likes to think that Snowy was my father. But... I can tell, that he would have been happy to see you get away from that place, make friends and stuff. ...And be careful, okay?]

...Maybe if you were talking to Mitsuru, but not me. Mitsuru's used to that sort of thing. I don't expect any kind of special treatment just because of my age or something. You and me? We're equals... maybe even family.

[ It's...dicey, but she's picking up bits and pieces. And honestly, after Teddie the talking bear shadow, this is disturbingly normal. ]

I miss Snowy. I kinda wonder what happened to him, after I left. [ She scratches him behind an ear, like she'd seen others doing to their own pets. ] Thanks for the support. And...I will be careful. I don't want anymore trouble.

[ She gives him a wry smile. ]

[ A thoughtful look crosses Labrys' face as she stores this new information. ]

Family, huh? Okay. I'll try. [ She pauses. ] Does that make you kind of like my brother?

He was a very good friend. Minato brought us all together. In a way, he taught me how...

[She can't say it, not outright.]

He taught many of us different things about ourselves.

Yeah. I guess it does. I don't know how much of my files or anything you know about me, but... I have no biological family, lost my parents when I was just a kid, my sister in a fire...

...All I had for a long time was my best friend, Shinji. We did everything together, looked out for each other, and we even had Personas that according to legends were supposed to be twins.

Shinji taught me early on. Family doesn't have to be related by blood. It's deeper than that. All that matters is that family care about one another deeply. We all were like that in SEES. In a way, we were a little family... Aigis included, and from what I've seen, I'd have no problem thinking of you as a sister.

[He punctuates the remark with a small hair ruffle.]

[There's a look of decided relief that she gets any of what he's trying to 'say' and does his best to smile up at her, leaning his head into the scratches.]

[I'm glad to see you getting along with everyone. I don't know what happened to Snowy, but I know this for certain. He's smiling down on you from wherever he is.]

[...Being the pet of a monk, Koro is more attune to the spiritual side of things, and even though he knows it's likely Snowy would have died of old age by now, he can't bring himself to think that just yet.]

He sounds like a pretty good guy. [ Labrys smiled slightly. ] He kind of sounds like Souji, in a way. A leader, and all that.

[ Labrys snickered and batted Akihiko's hands away, rearranging her bangs so that they sat normally again. ]

I don't know much about brothers, but I somehow feel like you act like one. [ Once she was satisfied with her hair, she dropped her hands. ] Family by choice, huh? I like that.

I hope so. [ Labrys continues her head scratches, pleased the dog likes them. She had no idea if she was doing this right, but so far so good. ] He was a good dog and a good friend.

I'm really excited to apply and I know she is too. It's gonna be good! [ Labrys grins excitedly. ]

Souji...that is the leader of your team's name, then. What is he like?

I've had a lot of practice. Keeping Shinji in line, making sure Mitsuru doesn't stand out too much in public, keeping an eye on Yukari's stalk--I mean--boyfriends, tasting Fuuka's cooking, making sure Junpei actually studied...

I may not have any actual blood-relatives left... but I've got one Hell of an amazing family. Including you.

[He's gonna put an arm around Labrys' shoulders for a second and give her a slight squeeze.]

[Koro's more than happy to cock his head and lean this way and that to direct her fingers to all the right spots. After a moment, he looks up at her, his eyes locking with hers.]

[And I can tell you were just as good a friend to him. I can tell, I'm a dog.]

[As he conveys that last part, he opens his mouth in as wide a grin as he can muster.]

You confound me. Put through such hell by humans, and yet you side with them? I've gone through every possible scenario, but only one seems to make sense.

They still control you remotely, don't they?

I side with them because they're my friends. Those...people who did those awful things to me...well. They aren't here any more. The humans I'm around now actually care about how I feel.

And don't even joke about the remote thing! I have been there and that is some seriously messed up crap, okay?

[ Labrys smiles and giggles, covering her mouth with her free hand. ]

Oh, is that how it works? [ She raises an eyebrow. ] Dog logic sure is somethin' else.

[ Go right ahead. Labrys can't feel it, persay, but she gets the message. ]

Thanks. I'm happy you consider me as one of you, even after all that stuff that happened.

[ She shrugs a little and smiles up at Akihiko. ]

He's...nice. Dependable, I guess. Stands by you when you're feeling low.

Maybe I'm not the best person to ask. We didn't...get to spend much time together, after all. But that's the impression I got, ya know?

Yes, Minato did that sort of thing as well. Even in situations where all probable outcomes were grim...he put everyone's wellbeing before his own. It was admirable of him.

When one can be a judge of character based on a few brief moments, I believe that is what humans call 'going by their stomach.'

I...think you mean a gut feeling. [ Labrys had no idea how she knew these things sometimes. Her Mother must have sure been someone interesting. ]

Oh! Yes, that is what it is called.

[She looks a little embarrassed, but continues on.]

Although I am still unsure as to how humans can feel with their stomachs.

Trust me, compared to Iori's antics, you've not caused any trouble. Besides, that was what I trained for. I'm just glad I could use that strength to help you out.

[Koro just grins to himself and nuzzles her hand.]

[Not logic so much as instinct. We dogs can tell when people have good hearts. You and Aigis have two of the purest I've ever seen.]

As those neanderthals are so keen to say, you are not alone.

[He reaches up with one hand, taking a hold of his head and lifts it clear off his shoulders, revealing the mechanical connectors within his neck, before setting it back in its place.]

I too was created as a weapon. I was not designed to kill whatever these... 'Shadows' are. But my own kind. Any that the humans designated as 'deviate' or had thoughts that fell outside accepted parameters. We were supposedly free-thinking, feeling, living machines much like yourself. Yet I was the head of the organization that hunted down and destroyed other Reploids for the sin of being what they were built to do; think.

I blindly accepted my orders for a time, until my brother opened my eyes and tore down the veil the humans had imposed on me and my friends. It was then I realized something. Humans built us, but feared us. We were tools to them. Objects to be thrown away when our purpose was fulfilled. They would never see us as equals.

And so I gathered my closest friends and allies, and announced the creation of a Reploid state, a state where no human had authority over the life of a Reploid. As I predicted, we were all branded as Mavericks. Now, I fight a war for survival, a war to ensure no Reploid need fear human influence again.

You may think they're your friends, but I know they've put the same blindfold on you as I was once crippled with. Take my hand and I will show you the world as it was truly intended.

[He steps forward, extending his hand.]

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So what's a "Ruby City"?

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aigis tries so hard

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