A Curious Feeling

Campaign: Android Anguish

Chapter 11 / EX 1-1

A Curious Feeling

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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

Looks like the sun's about to set. Let's rest here for the night. 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... I don't think I have access to all of those ingredients, but I will see what I can do. Mealtime, yes? Hey, yeah. Do you even eat, Mascula? Yes. We androids can replenish our energy with organic food. 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. Well, that sounds handy! Still, ya might as well eat with us instead of munchin' on dirt or whatever. What? Er, no. I... Huh? Did I say somethin' weird? No, it's just that food shortages were common on battlefields of old, so we generally avoided eating the same things as people. Sounds like you had a pretty rough time of it back in the day. We were merely making the pragmatic choice. It is inefficient for us to consume the food of people when we have other options. Ha! That sounds like someone who's never shared a good meal with friends! Ain't nothin' more delicious than that! If you're with us, you're with us. And that means we eat together! I don't know what to say...

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Here you are, Mascula. My thanks. Cleo, yer the damn BEST! I don't eat this well at an inn, much less on a battlefield! Yeah, we're crazy lucky to have you traveling with us, girl! Come now, that's enough. 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! Ranzal's right! ...Which is SUPER weird. But yeah, you always need to take the time to tell people stuff like that. Ah. I think I see what is happening here. 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. 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! Oh? Well, in that case, perhaps I will give this extra serving to someone el— On the OTHER hand, a nice compliment like that probably deserves a little somethin' sweet, yeah? Ha ha ha! ...... What's up, Mascula? You seem spacey. My apologies if the meal is not to your liking. I have little experience preparing food for your kind. No, it's fine. Or rather...we androids in fact lack the ability to "taste." Wait, so everything just tastes like a big pile of bland cardboard mush? Duuuuude! Oh, man. Maybe I shouldn't have pushed this whole eating thing on you, then. No, it was a good idea. In fact, you have made me reconsider the concept of replenishing energy stores. Huh? You mentioned the deliciousness of a meal taken with friends, yes? And I am finding this meal enjoyable. I even feel like I'm beginning to understand the concept of "taste." I think what I'm feeling right now is the "deliciousness" that you spoke of earlier. Thank you, everyone. This is the most enjoyable time I've ever spent.

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...... Heya, Mascula. Yes? What is it? Oh, nothin'. Just thought I'd come hang with ya for a bit. Oh? If you're concerned about the watch, all is well. There's no sign of enemies in the area. I can cover a wide area by myself while engaged in search mode. You should take this opportunity to rest. Fatigue is a constant problem for organics like yourself as I understand it. Well, sure, we all gotta sleep. But YOU need to rest, too. But I just said... Just because ya don't need to sleep doesn't mean ya don't need REST. No one can keep goin' a million miles an hour, no matter how awesome they are. So get some rest, yeah? I appreciate the thought. But, as I lack the functionality for sleep, I don't know how to engage in "rest." In that case, how 'bout you and me just hang and chew the fat for a bit. Chew the...fat? 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. Lonely... Yes, I see. That's what it was. Did I say somethin'? From time to time, I've been assaulted by a curious feeling. Like something's missing. Like I've forgotten something... I believe this feeling was loneliness. I have been...lonely. Oh, wow. That's heavy. But hey, you're gonna be fine now, 'cause ya got ME! What? Ain't no cure for loneliness like whoopin' it up with a buddy! A buddy. You mean a friend, yes? Then you are...my friend? Well, sure. Don't ya think? R-right! I have a friend... I'm not lonely anymore... Heh. Thank you, Luca.