Can we start again
Aug. 11th, 2017 12:14 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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blizzardbox[By all accounts, Toby had not been around for very long. At least, not Toby as he was now. The Toby he'd been made in the image of- the Toby whose memories he now had- was long gone.
And just a few weeks ago, he had to deal with overhearing his father brokenly confessing to his assistant that he'd made a mistake reviving Toby, and that in all best interests he should just shut him down.
And when Toby himself questioned his father about his intentions, his response had been to tell him that he didn't want him anymore. And though his assistant tried to assure Toby that he would be able to find his place somewhere in the world, it didn't exactly help him feel any better.
That night, he flew out the window and left home, and later the entirety of Metro City. It wasn't long before word got out to the government that Tenma had been using a certain energy core that was reserved for the military to revive his son, and that didn't please the people who funded his scientific works. They pursued Toby, and only through falling to the earth's surface could he escape from the city in the clouds, and in turn from the life he'd now be leaving behind.
On the surface that Metro City had detached from, Toby would meet others. Other people, and other robots. Those robots in particular would rename him: Astro.
Desperate to find a new niche in life, he would cling to that name and long for some sort of purpose, even when he could no longer stay in the place he'd found.
In the end, he began to wonder if maybe his place was in hiding, where no humans or robots alike would run into him and risk destroying his hope just like his father had.
He'd traveled hundreds of miles from Metro City, winding up in a place he didn't recognize. It was easy enough to pretend to be human, at least on the surface,
when he needed to blend in with any people he found. But it was overwhelmingly lonely. But what could he do but wander?
Maybe he would find someone, somewhere. But he wasn't sure that would be for the best.]
And just a few weeks ago, he had to deal with overhearing his father brokenly confessing to his assistant that he'd made a mistake reviving Toby, and that in all best interests he should just shut him down.
And when Toby himself questioned his father about his intentions, his response had been to tell him that he didn't want him anymore. And though his assistant tried to assure Toby that he would be able to find his place somewhere in the world, it didn't exactly help him feel any better.
That night, he flew out the window and left home, and later the entirety of Metro City. It wasn't long before word got out to the government that Tenma had been using a certain energy core that was reserved for the military to revive his son, and that didn't please the people who funded his scientific works. They pursued Toby, and only through falling to the earth's surface could he escape from the city in the clouds, and in turn from the life he'd now be leaving behind.
On the surface that Metro City had detached from, Toby would meet others. Other people, and other robots. Those robots in particular would rename him: Astro.
Desperate to find a new niche in life, he would cling to that name and long for some sort of purpose, even when he could no longer stay in the place he'd found.
In the end, he began to wonder if maybe his place was in hiding, where no humans or robots alike would run into him and risk destroying his hope just like his father had.
He'd traveled hundreds of miles from Metro City, winding up in a place he didn't recognize. It was easy enough to pretend to be human, at least on the surface,
when he needed to blend in with any people he found. But it was overwhelmingly lonely. But what could he do but wander?
Maybe he would find someone, somewhere. But he wasn't sure that would be for the best.]
no subject
Date: 2017-08-12 04:26 am (UTC)My name is T-
[He stops, seems to reconsider his words, and then starts again.]
...Astro. Call me Astro.
[He decides to turn the attention off of him, then, looking back the way Hiroto came again.]
You say your...home is nearby? You live all the way out here, by yourself?
no subject
Date: 2017-08-14 04:29 am (UTC)After all, what would he be? An alien?]
Astro.
[Hiroto's smile lights up at that, sounding out the syllables to make sure it's said exactly the way Astro had told him. A simple name, but one that definitely reminded Hiroto of the stars.]
Like asteroid. It's nice.
[But at the question, he pulls away, a hand running through his hair and looking up the steps where Sun Garden stood at its end.]
Mm...Not alone, no. I have 55 siblings.
[...adopted siblings.]
no subject
Date: 2017-08-14 04:42 am (UTC)He even takes a step closer, like he's going to follow him, but then he hesitates and looks back up as he registers the second thing he said.]
I'm sorry? ...55?
no subject
Date: 2017-08-14 05:06 am (UTC)[He's so used to it coming out so naturally as 'siblings', he forgets often that many people would not see an orphanage that way. Hitomiko often made sure they were all loved as one big family. Something Kira had torn apart seam by seam.
With that hopefully settled, he looks back towards the steps, and then to the setting sun just over the tops of the trees. With it being so late...the buses won't be running until tomorrow morning. He could probably convince Reina to sit one more for them to eat...she was never one to turn away someone who needed help.
It just wasn't in her.]
It's getting a bit dark out, and you look a little worn.
[With a quick head nod to the stairs, he has to ask:]
Would you like to join us for dinner, then? I've just gotten enough ingredients for some ochazuke...I won't keep you from going where you need to go, but it would be best if you stopped for the night.
no subject
Date: 2017-08-14 05:25 am (UTC)[He wishes he could be honest and say he has nowhere to go, but he's not about to stomp all over Hiroto's hospitality so immediately like that. He's not sure he'd feel right staying indefinitely anyway, yet...one night couldn't possibly hurt. The thought of spending even one more night alone is almost unbearable to him now, so the invitation alone is enough to make him sag a little with relief as he lifts a hand to rub at his forearm with a sheepish grin.]
That...sounds great actually, Hiroto. It's been a lot of walking, coming this way.
[He's not tired physically though, not at all. Just...emotionally.]
And uh...thanks.
no subject
Date: 2017-08-14 06:03 am (UTC)You're pretty far out from most cities...I'd say the closest one is half hour by bus. And you walked...you must be starving.
[He returns to the steps, waiting by them with one foot on the next, ready to walk when Astro's ready.]
I'm sorry, it's a bit more of a walk--they didn't exactly make Sun Garden easily accessible. But I'm here with you, so you'll be okay.
no subject
Date: 2017-08-14 06:11 am (UTC)[He sort of just...gently doesn't respond to the comment about starving, instead starting to walk and letting Hiroto stay a pace ahead of him so he can lead the way.]
It's okay. I mean, I made it this far, right? A promise of not having to walk any more after is pretty much enough to help me out the rest of the way.
[Now that they're on the steps, he tries to tread carefully along with continuing to talk, just so the tinny sound of every step he makes sounds a bit less like a soda can being dropped down a flight of stairs.]
55 brothers and sisters, though...even adopted ones. I can't imagine what that's gotta be like. I never had any growing up.
no subject
Date: 2017-08-16 05:14 pm (UTC)[Even during their Aliea training, he can't imagine running as far as civilization. That was quite some feat... His eyes trail to Astro's footsteps for a second, only minorly noticing that soft 'klink' with every walk up the stone steps they make.
Nothing he'll think too hard, on, though.]
It's busy, that's for sure. And there's always something that's getting broken. But there's also a lot of love there, and you're never alone, no matter how much you might feel like it.
[His smile warms as he turns to look at him.]
You'll fit right in, I can tell.
[Sun Garden was where the people who didn't belong anywhere else found a place to belong, after all.]
no subject
Date: 2017-08-16 05:42 pm (UTC)It does sound pretty busy, but I'm glad to hear that.
[...Oh god, there's a lot of steps. He's just now starting to realize just how far up they go, and he can't help but ask-]
You're talking about me having stamina...you don't get tired climbing all these steps every day?