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Aug 28, 2020 11:49:11 GMT -7
Post by Gordy on Aug 28, 2020 11:49:11 GMT -7
"We both covet things we don't have. The difference between us, of course..."------------------------------------------------------ The Collector furrowed his nose. "Quit your crying, Miss Karst. You're not a child anymore, so stop acting like one."Harsh. And as the girl prattled on about her grievances, he kept glaring down at her intently. This man had no intention of letting her destroy his hard work by calling in some threats. "I don't care if you can't control yourself. If you're looking for something to do, you can take cleaning duties from one of the Gatherers."But then his expression softened. Maybe he was having some second thoughts about his attitude. Admittedly, he didn't have to be so hard on someone who was clearly homesick. She had done well enough so far, so maybe he could consider forgiving this transgression. "So, you like to build things. What sort of inventions make you happiest?"------------------------------------------------------ "...is that I have almost everything anyone could possibly want. Including you."
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Aug 28, 2020 14:09:26 GMT -7
Post by Gummy on Aug 28, 2020 14:09:26 GMT -7
Ziggy looked at his eye, the tears, she tried to quell them but she was still upset. Wiping them she tried again. She opened her mouth to say something. As he spoke she felt the blush growing further. She looked down as she stood up accepting his offer to become a cleaner... even though that would mean... She swallowed hard. Then he said something that made her look back up to him with her mouth open and eyes sparkling. Yeah she was only 5'1" but when he said that she looked a little taller.
"Anything... I don't like making combative things. I don't mind fixing things either. I really am sorry. I would show you but...."
She looked around at the items she had fixed and indicated them.
"Most of these I have never seen before but I have fixed them for you. There were a few things I wasn't sure what they were supposed to do so possibly made them do something slightly different. I don't even know what they are all called! I think I can figure it out from your vast catalogue. Like this one."
She held up something that looked like an urn.
"It erm... I managed to make it turn on and erm... well... reprogram it to make noises. I'm not sure what it was supposed to do and some of the panels that I removed were interesting to take off. I suppose I like helping people."
She looked up to meet the Collector's eyes and she felt that same feeling again. The feeling of a child in a sweet shop but measured 100 times over. She fidgeted with the item, whilst still looking at the Collector. Her hands making the urn device make sounds, it almost seemed musical.
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Aug 29, 2020 15:17:34 GMT -7
Post by Gordy on Aug 29, 2020 15:17:34 GMT -7
"We both covet things we don't have. The difference between us, of course..."------------------------------------------------------ This girl was touching his collection?! "That urn carried the mind of a Machine Emperor! Your tampering might have erased what his mind and killed him off forever!"He was furious. Was it foolish of him to have been expecting more from Ziggy, her curiosity and intelligence? Frankly, he had been much too lenient with this child, letting her roam free around his ship. He reached out to grab her wrist and lift her up off of the ground, ready to drag her with him to the tiniest habitat and toss her inside. But... he wasn't going to do that just yet. He had an idea. "You will spend the next two months working as a cleaner on this ship. If any of the Gatherers wish to hand over their shifts to you, at any time, then they are free to do so. You will be forbidden from interacting with anything in my collection without permission and supervision."But then, his voice softened a touch. I f he had successfully grabbed her, he would let go of Ziggy's wrist and let her drop back to the ground, "You also need to keep your mind busy. You have talent with machines. You don't like making combative weapons. How would you like to help me run my operations without loss of life? Make it so our weapons can stop others without harming them. Improve habitats to make them more appealing for those living inside."------------------------------------------------------ "...is that I have almost everything anyone could possibly want. Including you."
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Aug 29, 2020 15:28:23 GMT -7
Post by Gummy on Aug 29, 2020 15:28:23 GMT -7
Ziggy looked at the Urn even more curious but then he grabbed her wrist and she clenched her jaw allowing a slight groan but nothing else. As he pulled her up she found she was soon off her feet. The next news made her skin crawl but being able to look at him... no! She didn't want to do what he said but then what choice did she have? She needed to keep in his good books. So she nodded before he let go of her to acknowledge that she understood the cleaning orders.
Once he let go she landed on the floor awkwardly, she felt her ankle shift but she didn't make a noise. She thought about what he said with a slight frown. She had made similar things in the past as her mind tried to figure out what it was she needed to do. It made sense.
"If I know what it is and some information about what your collecting then yes.. I can make something that would work. I don't know all erm.. alien DNA or biology enough yet to know if what I can already make will work. As for the habitats... that requires the same things. For me to know more about the inhabitants in order to make their home better. Is it ok if I talk to them to understand what it is that they need?"
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Aug 30, 2020 8:37:29 GMT -7
Post by Gordy on Aug 30, 2020 8:37:29 GMT -7
"We both covet things we don't have. The difference between us, of course..."------------------------------------------------------ Good. Very good. Even if she was just feigning compliance for now, she was still going to follow along. Perhaps their partnership could still be salvaged after all. "I do have some non-lethal capture tools, which are fairly universal. Remind me to show you them later, for inspiration. As for the habitats and their inhabitants, we can visit them at any time. I know for a fact that the Volbehr is awake, if you don't mind putting your safety at risk talking to her."
The Collector lifted the bottom of his coat and produced a tablet. This time, the image of what looked to be a brown, baby bear was displayed. It had pitch-black, almost button-like eyes and a mouth that stretched from ear to ear. The fur around its eyes and forehead was a lighter shade of brown, with some white and blue streaks that resembled lightning bolts. "You might feel less... lonely, if you got to interact with some of the animals on the ship."------------------------------------------------------ "...is that I have almost everything anyone could possibly want. Including you."
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Aug 30, 2020 10:49:58 GMT -7
Post by Gummy on Aug 30, 2020 10:49:58 GMT -7
Ziggy nodded at the thought of looking at tools he already had. Then he mentioned a Volbehr and she looked confused. Seeing it she tilted her head curiously. The idea of putting her safety at risk was another thing entirely... Then it hit her what he had said! Was it a species or was it an animal? Her mind started reeling at the thought of how to make all their lives better.
"The collection is categorised with similar in similar areas yeah? I expect anything I do you want to know about first? I could make their lives better. I don't really want to risk being in danger to speak to her... could I speak to her from outside?"
She frowned looking at the creature and knowing the reputation of a bear on Earth.
"I'm not lonely, I'm just missing Earth and my family. I'll be fine, just need a bit of time...."
All that time her mind was whirling and she moved over to a few devices and picked them up. He could see her eyes were looking from one to another then placed them back on the shelf.
"... I think I have an idea of how to help them and also get specimens onboard without hurting anyone. It might work but I will need to see a couple of devices that are on your lists. Oh... also your coffee is far better than I have ever had.... Do the translators work on animals, reptiles and other creatures? Or is it just humanoids with a language? Plus... Do you have anything that will get rid of a scar? AND I take it that I can only go and see them with you?"
Her brain had sped up as had her speech so that by the end it seemed she wasn't breathing. She blushed deeper and swallowed.
"Sorry."
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Aug 30, 2020 17:05:51 GMT -7
Post by Gordy on Aug 30, 2020 17:05:51 GMT -7
"We both covet things we don't have. The difference between us, of course..."------------------------------------------------------ Quite the talkative girl. Frankly, he didn't have the time to deal with every single question at once. Luckily, he didn't have to; he was in charge here, so he could say and do as much, or as little, as he wanted. He calmly rose up his hand to grab her attention. Over the past few months, this had become his way of silencing her. Not a threat, since it wasn't raised up with the intent to hit her. But he always made sure to keep up the air of austerity when he did so. "I know about your scars. Tomorrow, you will meet the Volbehr and see its habitat for yourself. If you do well in your duties, you will be rewarded with your scar's removal. Along with other modifications, if you want."And with that, the man turned on his heel and headed towards the door. But as he reached the threshold, he paused, then turned his head slightly to look back at the girl. "Happy birthday, Miss Karst."------------------------------------------------------ "...is that I have almost everything anyone could possibly want. Including you."
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Aug 30, 2020 17:31:11 GMT -7
Post by Gummy on Aug 30, 2020 17:31:11 GMT -7
Ziggy knew that hand expression as she had back at school... wow! thinking of school made her a little more upset. She looked giddy with excitement but didn't really know what to do with it. As for 'other modifications' what did that mean? Her mind like normal was going fast. She needed time to meditate, that might help. She nodded to the instructions. Looking around when he was leaving she bent to pick up a few bits putting them back where they came from but she looked up as he said something that made her day.
Ziggy's heart leapt and she grinned from ear to ear.
"Thank you. I'll tidy up then head back to my room to meditate. It might help."
Ziggy tidied up in no time at all and skipped down to her room humming a tune. What it was she didn't have a clue - the problem was the tune was indistinguishable with her lack of musical skills. It made her happy though and her heart soared.
It didn't take long for one of the reclamators (sorry if that is not the right word!) turned up and took her to a room that was flooded. Her job was to clean it up which she took heart to and proceeded to do the work under guidance. Nothing that day seemed to bother her. Even the tired feeling she had after returning to her room felt good. Ziggy was happy.
That night she slept with disturbed sleep. It felt like it was only a blink of an eye when it was morning.
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Sept 2, 2020 12:47:17 GMT -7
Post by Gordy on Sept 2, 2020 12:47:17 GMT -7
"We both covet things we don't have. The difference between us, of course..."------------------------------------------------------ Bring and early in the morning, there was a knock on the door. After giving Ziggy enough time to collect herself, the door slid into the wall, and the Collector walked in. "I see you're already awake."Of course she would be; he already knew when she'd wake up, thanks to his clairvoyancy. He was often awake at this time, himself. And since he Ghost Orchid still had a few more days until it reached its next destination, he had more than enough free time he would have to burn. "You'll need to eat a liquid breakfast before you meet the Volhber," the Elder explained. "And be careful not to spill any food on you - it can smell the slightest crumb on your body and look for it."------------------------------------------------------ "...is that I have almost everything anyone could possibly want. Including you."
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Sept 2, 2020 13:30:10 GMT -7
Post by Gummy on Sept 2, 2020 13:30:10 GMT -7
Upon hearing the knock Ziggy quickly gained her consciousness back to this room. Then got up and waited for him to enter. She was looking a lot calmer and nodded to the instructions and proceeded to follow them. She even made sure that her overalls were clean. This would be an interesting day and she felt relaxed enough to at lest cope an hour without getting all excited by what she was learning. After finishing her breakfast she smiled to the Collector.
"Does it have any other kin?"
She made sure not to spill a drop and rose to follow the Collector to the rooms where his exhibits all were. Well one question was good enough for the time being. She was excited but also nervous. At least she was calm enough to react as best as she could. She had been fairly quiet which was odd for her and her tiredness was partly apparent.
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Sept 4, 2020 16:30:39 GMT -7
Post by Gordy on Sept 4, 2020 16:30:39 GMT -7
"We both covet things we don't have. The difference between us, of course..."------------------------------------------------------ The Elder of the Universe walked alongside the girl, though he was keeping his eyes glued to the tablet he held in his right hand. He casually drifted through the information presented before him and making some mental notes for later. "Unfortunately, I only have one of its kind on this ship, at the moment," the Collector explained. "It has no family. I've tried integrating it with my other Vohlbers on one of my museum planets, but it didn't take. Far, far too aggressive, even by its species' standards."As he said this, they were coming up to one of the habitats. This one seemed to be a blank room with a viewing glass wall, steel doors, and an examination table. Sitting on the table, standing at about a foot tall, was a brown little bear with beady eyes. "They like bamboo, various nut-based oils, and the blood of Earthling humans. If you don't want to have it maul you to death, try to avoid bleeding in front of it."------------------------------------------------------ "...is that I have almost everything anyone could possibly want. Including you."
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Sept 4, 2020 16:41:17 GMT -7
Post by Gummy on Sept 4, 2020 16:41:17 GMT -7
The more she heard about it the more she was worried. the Vohlber seemed to be rather scary but she calmed herself.
"Is there anything I need to defend myself with?"
She looked into the viewing room and frowned slightly.
"Can it hear me from our here? Will the translator work?"
There was a slight nervousness about her and this was seen by her pulling out a piece of wire from her pocket and fiddling with it. Oh how she wished for a beanie around about now! She looked at her hands and placed the wire back into her pocket then looked at the Vohlber, her frown easing as she relaxed. It was stuck here as much as anyone else, it was just that she had more space and freedom. It did look like a panda and she knew how aggressive they could be if they were caught startled. She wasn't going to go in there and experiment on it. She just hoped that there would be enough time for her to gain it's trust. It was that or she was going to get mauled... if what he said was true. Then again... He could be joking, making her feel anxious on purpose and it not be vicious at all. That actually made her relax further.
"It looks like a panda."
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Sept 9, 2020 15:23:07 GMT -7
Post by Gordy on Sept 9, 2020 15:23:07 GMT -7
"We both covet things we don't have. The difference between us, of course..."------------------------------------------------------ A curious mind would get the answers it sought. "You can't defend yourself from a Vohlber. You either befriend it, or stay far away from it. As for translators, their language is incomprehensible; they might understand us, but we can't understand them. THey're like animals, in that respect."
The Collector pressed his hand on the door. It slid open, showing a small, protective cube of clear plastic, not unlike a hatch from a space ship, connecting the outside to the rest of the ship. It would likely open up once the door was closed, so as to prevent the creature's escape. "The vohlber share an ancestor with pandas," the Collector explained. "They originated from an alien race now long-extinct, aside from the ones in my collection. Obviously, the volhber is a little smarter, and much more dangerous."------------------------------------------------------ "...is that I have almost everything anyone could possibly want. Including you."
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Oct 3, 2020 15:20:38 GMT -7
Post by Gummy on Oct 3, 2020 15:20:38 GMT -7
Thinking through her options there wasn't much left for her to do. There was only one thing to do and that was not annoy the Collector and hopefully get into his good books again... somehow... she hoped! Taking another look at the information she read through the creature's information and then looked up at the Vohlber watching it breath and move slightly. She nodded handing information back to the Collector she walked into the first room.
She kept breathing slowly lowering her breathing down. That was when the door closed behind her and she thought that she would be able to move forward but nothing happened. Then in two deafening clicks things changed. The lights went out in the Vohlber cage and a spot light went on above her. Looking up blinking at the light was when the second click happened. A door to the side opened up to reveal another cage with nothing in. Her heart pounded as she turned back to look out but was unable to see anything.
Heart pounding she looked into the small cell, it was large enough for a human to stand and lie in but that was about it. It was lit the same as the room she was currently standing in. She spoke nervously.
"Sir? I don't see the Vohlber. This cage is empty."
She turned on the spot not wanting to step through from fear of being trapped in that tiny room and that would bring back the fear of being trapped like she was in the escape shaft. A lot had happened since then.
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Oct 5, 2020 16:49:48 GMT -7
Post by Gordy on Oct 5, 2020 16:49:48 GMT -7
"We both covet things we don't have. The difference between us, of course..."------------------------------------------------------ The Collector looked at Ziggy through the window, a knowing, piercing gaze on his face. The expression should tell Ziggy that there would be no remorse for his actions here. "I've been very lenient with you these past few weeks, Miss Karst. Yet despite offering you much more freedom than others in my collection, you've had a bit of trouble listening."The cage could open, and Ziggy would be free to walk through the room. Unfortunately though, it seemed as though the exit was sealed. In a twist of fate, however, another door appeared on the wall - one about knee-height, which opened up as the vohlber slinked inside on all fours. "I have no plans on killing you," the Collector told her. "In fact, against my better judgment, I have some desire to see you thrive. Consider this a test of your abilities. Prove my better judgment wrong."------------------------------------------------------ "...is that I have almost everything anyone could possibly want. Including you."
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