View source for A Curious Feeling

{{CampaignQuestHeader
|Chapter = 11
|ChapterName = Android Anguish
|Location = EX 1
|LocationName = Ancient Meadow
|Part = 1
|NextQuest = Blocked Path
|PreviousQuest = A Broken Heart
|ThumbnailImage = 10011_07
|Summary = With the sun setting over the plains, the party decides to call it a day. During the night watch, Mascula chats with Luca about the pleasures of a meal with friends, making him even more aware of the lonely existence he leads.
|Dialogue =
{{ST|Gala Prince}} Looks like the sun's about to set. Let's rest here for the night.
{{ST|Notte}} I'm so hungry I could eat a bearcowken! That's a chicken stuffed into a cow stuffed into a bear, by the way. Oh man, I'm drooling... Mmrrrggh...
{{ST|Cleo}} I don't think I have access to all of those ingredients, but I will see what I can do.
{{ST|Mascula}} Mealtime, yes?
{{ST|Luca}} Hey, yeah. Do you even eat, Mascula?
{{ST|Mascula}} Yes. We androids can replenish our energy with organic food.
{{ST|Mascula}} However, we are able to convert a wider range of substances into energy than people can. For example, the soil floor of the surrounding area would suffice.
{{ST|Luca}} Well, that sounds handy! Still, ya might as well eat with us instead of munchin' on dirt or whatever.
{{ST|Mascula}} What? Er, no. I...
{{ST|Luca}} Huh? Did I say somethin' weird?
{{ST|Mascula}} No, it's just that food shortages were common on battlefields of old, so we generally avoided eating the same things as people.
{{ST|Luca}} Sounds like you had a pretty rough time of it back in the day.
{{ST|Mascula}} We were merely making the pragmatic choice.
{{ST|Mascula}} It is inefficient for us to consume the food of people when we have other options.
{{ST|Luca}} Ha! That sounds like someone who's never shared a good meal with friends! Ain't nothin' more delicious than that!
{{ST|Luca}} If you're with us, you're with us. And that means we eat together!
{{ST|Mascula}} I don't know what to say...
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{{ST|Cleo}} Here you are, Mascula.
{{ST|Mascula}} My thanks.
{{ST|Ranzal}} Cleo, yer the damn BEST! I don't eat this well at an inn, much less on a battlefield!
{{ST|Notte}} Yeah, we're crazy lucky to have you traveling with us, girl!
{{ST|Cleo}} Come now, that's enough.
{{ST|Ranzal}} Look, sometimes even a cold-hearted merc like me needs to express what's in his heart—and right now, my heart is stuffed full'a tasty chow!
{{ST|Notte}} Ranzal's right! ...Which is SUPER weird. But yeah, you always need to take the time to tell people stuff like that.
{{ST|Cleo}} Ah. I think I see what is happening here.
{{ST|Cleo}} While I am delighted to hear such lavish praise, I fear no amount of sweet talk will produce additional helpings; what you see in front of you is all we have.
{{ST|Ranzal}} Cold! ICE cold! Ya WOUND me, Cleo! Here I am just tryin' to tell ya how great ya are, and ya gotta go and do me dirty!
{{ST|Cleo}} Oh? Well, in that case, perhaps I will give this extra serving to someone el—
{{ST|Ranzal}} On the OTHER hand, a nice compliment like that probably deserves a little somethin' sweet, yeah?
{{ST|Everyone}} Ha ha ha!
{{ST|Mascula}} ......
{{ST|Luca}} What's up, Mascula? You seem spacey.
{{ST|Cleo}} My apologies if the meal is not to your liking. I have little experience preparing food for your kind.
{{ST|Mascula}} No, it's fine. Or rather...we androids in fact lack the ability to "taste."
{{ST|Notte}} Wait, so everything just tastes like a big pile of bland cardboard mush? Duuuuude!
{{ST|Luca}} Oh, man. Maybe I shouldn't have pushed this whole eating thing on you, then.
{{ST|Mascula}} No, it was a good idea.
{{ST|Mascula}} In fact, you have made me reconsider the concept of replenishing energy stores.
{{ST|Luca}} Huh?
{{ST|Mascula}} You mentioned the deliciousness of a meal taken with friends, yes?
{{ST|Mascula}} And I am finding this meal enjoyable. I even feel like I'm beginning to understand the concept of "taste."
{{ST|Mascula}} I think what I'm feeling right now is the "deliciousness" that you spoke of earlier.
{{ST|Mascula}} Thank you, everyone. This is the most enjoyable time I've ever spent.
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{{ST|Mascula}} ......
{{ST|Luca}} Heya, Mascula.
{{ST|Mascula}} Yes? What is it?
{{ST|Luca}} Oh, nothin'. Just thought I'd come hang with ya for a bit.
{{ST|Mascula}} Oh? If you're concerned about the watch, all is well. There's no sign of enemies in the area.
{{ST|Mascula}} I can cover a wide area by myself while engaged in search mode. You should take this opportunity to rest.
{{ST|Mascula}} Fatigue is a constant problem for organics like yourself as I understand it.
{{ST|Luca}} Well, sure, we all gotta sleep. But YOU need to rest, too.
{{ST|Mascula}} But I just said...
{{ST|Luca}} Just because ya don't need to sleep doesn't mean ya don't need REST.
{{ST|Luca}} No one can keep goin' a million miles an hour, no matter how awesome they are. So get some rest, yeah?
{{ST|Mascula}} I appreciate the thought.
{{ST|Mascula}} But, as I lack the functionality for sleep, I don't know how to engage in "rest."
{{ST|Luca}} In that case, how 'bout you and me just hang and chew the fat for a bit.
{{ST|Mascula}} Chew the...fat?
{{ST|Luca}} Yeah! Chat! Talk! Spill the beans! Night watch is boring as hell when there ain't an enemy tryin' to kill ya. I always find it lonely, personally.
{{ST|Mascula}} Lonely... Yes, I see. That's what it was.
{{ST|Luca}} Did I say somethin'?
{{ST|Mascula}} From time to time, I've been assaulted by a curious feeling. Like something's missing. Like I've forgotten something...
{{ST|Mascula}} I believe this feeling was loneliness.
{{ST|Mascula}} I have been...lonely.
{{ST|Luca}} Oh, wow. That's heavy.
{{ST|Luca}} But hey, you're gonna be fine now, 'cause ya got ME!
{{ST|Mascula}} What?
{{ST|Luca}} Ain't no cure for loneliness like whoopin' it up with a buddy!
{{ST|Mascula}} A buddy. You mean a friend, yes? Then you are...my friend?
{{ST|Luca}} Well, sure. Don't ya think?
{{ST|Mascula}} R-right! I have a friend... I'm not lonely anymore...
{{ST|Mascula}} Heh. Thank you, Luca.
}}