queenofheartsrp | third bullet

[The mirror at first only shows robots marching past, destroying and trampling the Gardens as they go. Really, you might think, why did the Vine even bother? It's not exactly hard to miss the drama going on- no need for this kind of public awareness announcement.

But, see, the Vine sensed something exciting about to happen.]

TIRO FINALE!

[The roar of a single cannon blast; a nigh-blinding burst of light; a massive shot of bright yellow energy shoots into view from somewhere off in the surroundings, obliterating dozens of the robots. Their pieces litter the grass. Then, a small but growing spot of darkness over the busted gears and scraps of metal; the shadow of something falling out of the sky.

Mami gracefully touches down into sight of the mirror, fully transformed and for once not smiling. Unaware that the Vine is recording her, she summons a dozen muskets from thin air with a sweep of her hand. They remain hovering there, by her side, as her cold gaze takes in the damage the robots caused.

It's a very different Mami Tomoe than most in the Gardens know.]

They just won't stop, hmm....? Then neither will I.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I don't mean to disrespect you or to judge your acts, as I understand them, but violence is not a reasoned first course of action.

[Although she is upset, she remains calm and tries another smile.] You don't know enough about these robots to say that they can be rebuilt. You don't know if they have intelligence, personality, emotion. I am a robot. I was destroyed, and they will not be able to rebuild me in my world. My electronic brain cannot be repaired.

The Queen can look after her Gardens. What matters here is the people. Angering the robots puts people at risk, and what if the robots are people too, in their way? When I've spoken to them nonverbally, through actions, they've listened and followed my example.

Edited 2011-04-27 16:03 (UTC)

Perhaps it isn't, Miss Epsilon, but it's the only one I know.

[The next part, though, catches her deeply off-guard, and her smile drops for a good few minutes, to not come back. A long pause, wherein Mami stares somewhere off into the distance.] ....well, if that's the case, then I'm surprised you aren't trying to kill me for what I chose to do.

[A robot moves in the distance and Mami half-turns toward it, taking a gun and gripping it on reflex-

But she stops, waits, the sudden and confusing influx of guilt staying her hand. She's blown away countless monsters in her time, yet never then did she have such words ringing in her head: "I am a robot." She never conversed with a Witch, never knew them to have interests or joys beyond spreading despair, causing murder, provoking suicide. This is different, and so she can't bring herself to shoot the robot trundling by.

Yet she doesn't drop the gun, because bitter and broken or not, she's only fourteen and full of her own selfish, misguided pride.]

I admit, then, that my reasons....well, I won't try to defend myself anymore, if that's what you want.

I would never try to kill anyone. As I said, for those who have power--sometimes the wisest way to use it is not to. Your life is important to me, as is the existence of these robots.

Why do you believe that defending yourself involves destroying others?

[A wall of light springs up, surrounding Mami. It is bright and golden and gives off only a small amount of heat, yet no bullet or robot would be able to pierce it while Epsilon maintains it. It is a use of her energy that is more difficult to maintain than a purely destructive one, but she has stored a great deal of energy since arriving here.]

It does not. With your permission, I can protect you.

-!!

[Mami jumps a little, but makes no noise of surprise. Her teeth are clenched too tightly for that. She studies the light surrounding her, the look in her eyes wary- like something cornered. It feels like she's at Epsilon's mercy- and wouldn't she just deserve to be squashed like a grape? Epsilon was a robot and Mami had already utterly annihilated so many of the same, so very many in a very thoughtless way. And suddenly she feels a gnawing need to try and explain herself, at least in part, although it takes a mountain of effort to face the possibility, let alone gather her thoughts.]

....I believe it because for a long time it was, in a sense, my only reality. The things I used to destroy were completely different from these machines- and they did much worse. It was fight them or die- or worse, let innocent people die.

[She pauses, swallows, and there isn't a tremble in her voice when she continues:]

One day I failed. I don't know if I can think any other way, after that.

Don't be alarmed. The barrier is only for your protection. I will lower it at once, if you wish. [Even if her programming did not prevent her from taking human life, she never would--she will not injure other robots, either, although she could. She will never do that kind of harm.]

Sometimes it might seem like there is no alternative to violence, but I can't help but believe that there is, even if we can't see it at first.

[She has a great deal of sympathy for Mami.] I had a friend who felt as you do. He died, fighting. I thought he was brave, although his choice was not mine, and I advised him against it. In this case, I counsel the same, but the situation is much simpler here. The robots learn from us. Violence teaches them violence, and peaceful action teaches peace.

I'm- [spits out the lie] -indifferent, but I'd really rather you protect yourself. [She watches a robot trundle by instead of looking at Epsilon.]

I commend you for your hope, and I'm sorry for your friend, but I'm nothing like what he must have been- I'm not brave. [The brave don't fear, don't cry.] But I'll listen to you now, and heed; I guess that's the more important thing.

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