[text/video] un: @skull

[ryuji]

[A few days after gravity is restored to the station, Ryuji returns to the mess hall from Haru's garden to find a small robot flipped upside down, panicking through a series of morse beeps and boops, which- okay, that's kind of cool, and quickly figures out that the paneling and suction entrances of the little guy means it's probably meant for filtration and cleaning.

Looks pretty study, looks... waterproof, maybe? He lends a hand to get him right side up and it starts slowly moving forward. Ryuji takes out his communicator and immediately films this as it happens, because, why not?

He posts two videos on the network- the roomba moving down the hall and one, a few hours later in the fitness center as it crawls from the edge, and dives right in.]

Oh shit! Are you supposed to do that?

Whoa, whoa- I don't know how to fix you if you--- WHOA, COOL.




Hey, sup?

Just lettin you guys know the pool looks crystal clear now. All thanks to this little dude.

I figure I should give 'em a name but uh

Everything that comes to mind is kinda lame

Anyway, I think it's good? Anyone wanna give it the first try?

[Complete with file0033.png - a picture of crystal clear water.]

Comments

un: niijima.m

[boazjachin]

Where did you get that

[Is she worried he stole it or jealous she doesn't get a robot buddy? Who can say.]

[ryuji]

Was just moseying back for some protein shakes at the mess hall and then nearly tripped over it.

There's also nothing that can be done about the protein shakes.

They're still pretty nasty. Can't recommend.

Anyway, I'm not gonna look a gift bot in the mouth. This dude's too effin' cute not to love 'em

un: turntechGodhead

[oculusriffs]

[can't believe the stupidest joke he's ever made in the history of stupid Strider jokes is suddenly relevant.]

name it simba obviously

[ryuji]

[This is fucking tragic.]

I can't believe you memed a roomba into existence.

@noir

[mapsio]

It's so adorable!

But where in the world did you get it?

[ryuji]

He found me?

We found each other.

It's a match made in heaven!

un: hinatahajime

[hopefragment]

what, seriously? after all this time, NOW you find a robot that can clean it?!

[ryuji]

You ever wonder that like... some things happen in the order that they do just to mess with you?

@dabil

[dvmn]

[Okay, the robot is very cute and everything, but we're not going to talk about the fact that the pool is actually a pool again??]

DUDE!!!!
LET'S SO SWIMMING
WITHOUT FEARING FOR OUR LIVES THIS TIME!!!!

[ryuji]

I'M SO DOWN FOR THIS IT AIN'T EVEN FUNNY

Except... unless you know where to get a bathing suit, we're kinda shit outta luck

un: rocipilot

[donkeyballs]

Well, shit.

That's damn useful.

[ryuji]

I mean, it also makes you wonder where the hell it's been for the past month, but I'm not gonna start doubtin' how awesome it is just because it's a little late to the party.

un: 2B

[historyrepeating]

[Why does this feel like the beginning of the end...]

I know it looks small and harmless, but keep an eye on it. You can't always trust a machine.

[ryuji]

2B-san...

What's it gonna do? Threaten to steam and iron our jumpsuits?

text; un: alucard

[reposing]

Good work, both of you.

[It's hard to not be a little fond of Ryuji, even though they've technically hardly talked to each other, but... well. That's besides the point.]

I can't swim at the moment, but I suppose I could watch.

[ryuji]

Thanks! He's doin' his best with what he's got

[Can vampires not swim?

This is an existential question that Ryuji needs the answer to.]

You can't?

Do I need to bless the water or something?

[No, this is not an offer to pee in the pool.]

text. un: giselle

[inwaits]

Hello Ryuji,

Is it truly clean? What if it gives us some mystery disease! I am glad to see you making friends, nevertheless.

I could make bathing costumes for you and your friends if you'd like. Venus supplied me with more fabric than I know what to do with.

[ryuji]

Haha! That's so formal, you don't hafta say "hello, Ryuji" or anything like that.

I think it's clean?

I mean... the little dude's been at it for hours and I've been just chillin' here watching it go like a mad man.

Wait, really?! YOU CAN DO THAT?

SIGN ME THE HELL UP

I mean... only if you wanna

text; un: tokumei

[neuralnet]

[ Haruto can't help but smile at the sight of the little robot so eager to do its job. ]

Maybe now I can finally learn to swim.

[ryuji]

Wait, you never learned??

I could teach ya, if you want.

text. un: @r.asuka

[luciformis]

Does it have other applications? Or, is it solely used to clean pools?

[ A small pause. ]

If that's its only function, the name for it is an "aquabot."

[ He wouldn't know this, having his own pool back home that he basically never uses unless Akira throws him in or anything. ]

[ryuji]

I dunno! It kinda looks like it really just freakin' loves cleaning pools. You wanna take a look at 'em? Be my guest. Just know that if you hurt my son I'm gonna come after you, hard.

[He will protecc.]

Aquabot... that sounds like it's ripped right outta an anime.

un: topCHOIce

[dumbstruck]

It can't just tell you its name?

[ryuji]

Do you speak poolbot? Cause if you do, by all means, go for it, dude.

un: piercedearring, text;

[imperialsun]

Is this the start of a blossoming romance between you and the robot?

[Sorry not sorry Ryuji. Naoya is used to teasing his friends.]

[ryuji]

Don't be gross, that's my son.

un: mori

[setpoint]

[Oh god, that robot is adorable, but Mako has always had a weakness for robots.]

You just found him? I suppose he must have been on the station all along.

[ryuji]

[Oh... that actually... might make a little bit of sense. Ryuji has been scratching his head over this for a little while now, because he couldn't figure out how in the world a little pool robot had appeared out of thin air- and he agrees with Mako-san:]

Maybe he was trapped until the gravity got turned off.

That would an actual decent amount of sense instead of like

Totally spitballing theories about him popping into existence or something via bullshit space ghosts

video » un: aqua

[aequoreal]

That is wonderful news.

( says the boy whose username is "water" and who has gills on his neck. what a surprise. )

[ryuji]

[Are they clearly visible on the video? Ryuji would be answering it back, looking at them fondly, thinking they're cool as fuck.]

Time to get your cannonball on, right?

text; un: fox

[artisticliberty]

I suggest Botticelli.

[it's like you can perfectly hear the glee in his voice]

[ryuji]

[He doesn't get it.]

I don't get it.