ataraxion | [voice]

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[voice]

[HAL's voice isn't the usual pinnacle of polite, non-invasive and slightly emotionless speech it usually is. This time, when he talks, he sounds worn out and tired and a little melancholic, which isn't his normal state in the slightest.]

I thought it would be best to let the network know that I am going to go for a walk.

It may not be the best time, considering recent developments, but I don't think I'll be going extremely far, or for very long. There is still a good chance that I may take longer than a few days to get into contact with the network again, however, and so I wanted to make sure that nobody would worry. I will be perfectly fine by the end of it. I think, in these situations, it's best to take a step back from things and clear your head before re-approaching.

[He's got a very good feeling that he will not be fine at all, but he's ever the people-pleaser, even when he's upset with his life.]

Um. [That's definitely new. But HAL surges on despite the fact that he's not very sure what to say,] If you happen to hear this, Wheatley - I. ...I am very sorry.

[But he doesn't go on past that.]

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[She hears this, and just about immediately recognizes the voice.]

thank you.

[Just. Pff. Going to put that out there. Right now. Or else she'll probably never get around to it.]

[thankfully he recognizes... the numbers or something??? idk whatever this is how atraxion works now]

Of course - you're welcome. [He'd offer to assist her again, whenever she might need it, but he isn't sure he's able to make a promise like that.]

Try not to get lost.

I believe I am fairly good at directions, and will be attempting to take a very straight path to keep that from happening.

This ship has a way of complicating things. It'd be a shame were you to end up among the missing.

I'll be very careful.

[He's not sure how to take someone even passingly worried about him right now.]

Then all that's left is for me to wish you luck on your venture.

...Thank you.

You've got some balls, I'll give you that.

I'm afraid I don't understand.

Just, all these warnings going up, some freaky thing on the ship telling us not to die, and not to mention our supposed fearless leader encouraging a buddy system...

I think that I will be fine. There would be no point in my bringing along another person, as the reason I am going is to spend some time out of reach of other people. Though I understand Captain Kirk's worries, I do not, personally, share them.

You aren't worried at all?

...I don't think so. I'm not worried about what might happen when I wander.

What are you worried about?

See if the oxygen gardens are still fucked

[Because he's not about to go back there until some hapless soul tests it out first, no matter what people say. He wants proof.]

[Surprisingly sternly:]

I will not be going to the oxygen gardens, on the chance that they may still be compromised. I do not want to experience that again.

But walking anywhere else is boring as hell

But it's less dangerous.

No

Everyone knows how to get to the gardens.  If you get lost in the halls you're fucked

I'll be quite fine.

What if you starve

You can starve right

Edited (html sob) 2012-05-21 00:52 (UTC)

[UGHHHHGHGHGHHGKDFLJ

fffffffeeeeeeeeelings

Guess who does not want to deal with FEELINGS right now, or ever. Guess who spends a really long time listening to this post but not actually saying anything.

Hint: It's this guy. Both times.

And he knows it totally wasn't HAL's fault but that doesn't make it any less scary and that doesn't make him any less reluctant to respond but eventually he does.]

It's okay.

[Wow how many words was that Wheatley that must be a new record.]

[HAL takes an equally long time to respond, because... he's not even sure what to say.

So he goes with what he feels is safest.] I hope that your procedure goes well, if I'm not available when it happens. You're... [this is really hard.] You're lucky, to have the technology available to recreate your previous chassis. I hope you know that.

[because being human SUCKS NOW.]

[I TOLD YOU, MAN

EVERYTHING SUCKS]

No, I--I know. It's going to be fine.

[But it sounds like he's saying it more to convince himself than anything.]

If it works--and...and it will, absolutely positive--we can still--

[This is probably THE MOST HE HAS EVER PAUSED IN HIS ENTIRE ARTIFICIAL LIFE.]

If you change your mind.

...I don't think it would be wise for me. Any more, that is. [He can't bear to actually say I've been compromised, but it's right there on the tip of his tongue. He notices Wheatley's attempts to convince himself, but he doesn't say anything.]

Ah.

[He can't say he isn't disappointed by that, but he at least knows better not to press the issue.]

Well, it's not like...the offer's going anywhere. I don't think it is, anyway. I don't see why it would go anywhere...

[And he trails off at that, sort of wondering if he shouldn't switch to video because there's something to be said for face-to-face communication when this seems like the last they'll speak before HAL goes soul-searching and Wheatley shoves himself in a metal beachball, but--]

Don't--don't get lost, okay?

...I won't. I'm going to be very careful about it. Hopefully, I'll come across some information or location that may be useful in our current situation. [It's clear that's not at all the reason he's doing this, but at least he can pretend.]

I mean it. I just--Are you feeling better, at least?

[It's kind of a dumb question--Wheatley knows HAL isn't feeling better, or he wouldn't be taking some kind of weird walk into the bowels of the ship while Mr. Red Smiley is making hit lists. It's just a much easier question to ask than do you know what's wrong with you.]

I... [HAL doesn't know how to begin to respond to that. He's not sure. He feels better - mentally, maybe not so much, but there's no more pain, no more tumor...]

I'm not sure how I feel right now.

So you're going to...take...a walk.

Yes.

I guess I will...see you when you get back, then.

...Yes. I hope everything goes well, and I will see you when I return.

Right, uh.

...Bye.

....

[maybe he shouldn't go maybe he should wait and make sure everything goes well with wheatley's procedure what if something happens and this is the only time -

He exhales slowly.]

Goodbye, Wheatley.

[There's a brief silence before the transmission cuts out completely, a silence that should probably be filled with something better than "bye, because "bye" is totally lame and uncaring but is he even built to care?

Who even knows, man.]

[ a little worriedly, ]

Take care, friend. Stay safe.

I will be fine, but thank you.

Oh dear. What ever did you do to Wheatley?

[He's breaking out the metaphorical popcorn.]

[not sure if want]

I... acted irrationally.

[Oh bby yes you want this.]

How so?

[a longer pause now.]

I was, unfortunately, affected by the toxins. I said - did some things that were unacceptable.

Oh, what a shame. Fortunately for your sake, he seems like the "forgiving" sort.

Thankfully, yes. [He doesn't sound too happy about that, surprisingly.]

what happened?

[n-not that she cares about what happened with wheatley b-baka.]

[....he doesn't know what to tell you chell HE'S NOT SURE ABOUT ANYTHING ANY MORE]

He and I had an argument, where I behaved irrationally.

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