awashlogs | november catch all

[ Turning over a new leaf and being nice is hard. But it isn't as hard when there's a reward to be had. It's part of the reason why she's been sticking so close to everyone in Gem Haus.. Even more than usual. Lottie is loitering around their house, trying to imagine something close to a trashy reality TV show as she stares at the wall.

But then her eyes train on something more entertaining than the ugly coloring of their home.. Ghost Quartz. Come to think of it - she hasn't gotten around to giving them a nickname. Huh. Her brows knit as she stares a little longer than necessary before addressing them. ]

...Is there anything you do for fun?

[ Lottie??? Showing gratitude?????? Difficult. Near impossible. But seeing Phos walk around with a orange rim around their white romper strangely makes her feel.. Guilty? After a while of thinking, she comes to the conclusion that she's feeling a bit out of sorts about it because it is directly her fault. It was only in response to how creepy they were as a statue.. ]

Hey, um.. Phos!

[ She's wrapped in a blanket, slippers on her feet as she peeks from her room to catch their attention. Lottie quickly adjusts her glasses, brows furrowing as she struggles to sound super nonchalant. ]

What are you doing later?

[ The cold is a ruthless mistress. Especially when one in four people living in this household are organic. Lottie curls in deeper into her bundle of blankets the gems have helped her hoard in the living room. And then, she eyes Connor in thought. Make that five. Five people who do not have to suffer the very thing she has become: a sniffling, generally gross, mess.

She's gone ahead and wrapped one of the blankets around her frame, sitting opposite to him on the couch. ] Does it feel any different to you? At all? Like, has it gotten colder these past couple days?

[ The only reason he's here is so he can fill her in on all gossip related to the town, but Lottie has derailed the conversation enough for her to start on how the gems get sleepy when it's cold. And how the last time she tried stealing any semblance of warmth she got stuck to their skin. Literally. ]

..Can you do that? Tell the temperature?

[He's still pondering over how she can actually literally get stuck to their skin (they even take on properties of crystals, how interesting!) when she starts on her new tangent about the weather. They're simple questions, at least.]

It's currently forty seven degrees outside.

[She wanted to know if he could tell the temperature, right? Or, no... she wanted to know if he could actually feel it.]

But no, I can't feel it in the way you can. I only sense when I'm becoming too hot or cold and am at risk for damage. Some models are built with that functionality, though.

[ Forty seven.... degrees!!!! What!!! Lottie instantly looks displeased at that, even more at the accuracy of it. By now she has no doubt he's right. She pushes her glasses against her face, grabbing at a tissue nearby to dab delicately at her nose. ]

Oh my god!! You're just like the gems, then? [ That's how she ended up getting stuck to them to begin with - they're not really aware of temperature, or social norms like preventing your really nice roommate from getting in that situation to begin with. ] Must be nice.

[ It's mumbled under her breath, pulling the blanket around her a little tighter. ]

That means you never have to layer up.. [ Or his skin doesn't get dry. She blatantly pauses at the thought - what the hell is his skin made out of??? ] .... Well, anyway! Do you have any control over how hot or cold you are? Or is that.. uh, not a function they gave your.. model?

[ Phos has, understandably, kept a bit of a wary distance from Lottie after The Pumpkin Incident, powered by sheer childish grudge alone even once the festivities had weathered away. And even if they'd still kind of want an apology, the power of their spite is weakening with each passing day of the new month- leaving their expression almost surprised when she calls out to them. ]

Today? [ a tilt of the head, assessing their roomie all bundled up... ] Nothing, really. Did you need me to find more blankets for you?

[ Uh. Actually. That is a very nice suggestion which, in turn, makes her feel shittier about the whole thing. Ugh... Curse Phos and their good personality. She ]

Uh.. No, not now. Thanks, though? [ She self-consciously pulls the blankets a bit tighter though. It is definitely because they are sizing her up. ] I just wanted to know if I could look at your romper?

I do need to protect myself from freezing temperatures, so my biocomponents don't become damaged. [So yes, he does have to layer up to some extent, though not as much as a human might.]

I can't control how hot or cold I am, but I run at a steady 98 degrees Fahrenheit, similar to a human.

[So on the plus side, he's not as cold as a gem? Lottie wouldn't stick to him, at least.]

[ Okay well.. That makes sense. The word biocomponents is definitely out of her pay grade but she can infer enough from what he's saying to get the gist. ]

..Right. Because that'd be bad for you! Being too hot or cold. [ Ugh, she feels like she should've caught onto that sooner.. But, either way, he's still technically warm? Her eyes narrow, awkwardly, her usually confident tone a little unsure. ]

Okay, so, what's a bad temperature for a human to be at? Like.. when does it start getting to where I should be really concerned?

Human's usually start to experience hypothermia when their body temperature reaches 95 degrees Fahrenheit, 35 degrees Celsius. [Said like he's reading off a Wikipedia page or out of a medical journal. He drops his more robotic tone after that, though.] I really doubt you're going to freeze to death in here, though.

[Sure, it's cold outside, but not that cold. And anyway, they're in a house that is at least somewhat insulated, and she has a whole pile of blankets! It's fine, right?]

[ And it's not really Lottie's fault Ghost's bereft of one of her famous nicknames- they've been holed up in the library for the most part. But they've read all they can, to no avail, so it's about time they try the "normal way." That's how they think Phosphophyllite would put it, anyhow.

...But all that goes out the window when fun's brought up because genuinely, what the heck do they do for fun? They spent every waking minute back home either thinking about Lapis, thinking about Phosphophyllite, talking to their twin, or doing their job. There wasn't much room for anything fun after Lapis' abduction.

Then they realize they'd only been thinking about after Lapis. They set their elbows on the kitchen table and lean forward, hands clasped. Their eyes are downcast, crystalline eyelashes making it look as if their eyes are shut as they remember patrols in the sunlight and gold-speckled hair. ] I'd spend time with Lapis. They'd share their thoughts, and I would listen. It was nice.

[ They level their gaze. Their expression isn't hostile, but it isn't inviting either- a neutrality broken only by the faintest curiosity. ] Would you like me to listen to yours?

Is that what this is called?

[ Idly tugging at the hem of their outfit; they had no idea clothes had different names, but like, they're still learning about fashion, okay.

The stain around the collar doesn't affect he overall functionality of the outfit, but they can imagine Lottie must have the same monstrous nitpicking gaze as Red Beryl when it comes to loose threads. ]

You can see it if you want, but I don't think I've torn it at all yet.

[ Uh. Incorrect!! She doesn't immediately say that out loud, but the expression on her face gives way to her actual thoughts. Lottie didn't even consider Connor calling her out so quickly, either.. Too savage. ]

I might not freeze to death, but I'm cold as hell! [ She wiggles herself enough out of her cocoon to point a finger in his direction. ] You're warm, can't you do something to help??

[She underestimates the robot to her own detriment.

He takes a moment to think about her question, and try to find practical solutions. He's done about everything he can think of, according to Sebastian's instructions, to make the house warmer, so what does that leave?]

I guess we could share body heat.

[His skin is plastic, but it still gives off some residual warmth.]

[ It's agonizing in a weird way to watch his computer brain come up with a solution to the problem Lottie has given him. And when he says it, out loud, it takes her a few moments to actually take it in and process it. ]

B-Body heat....?? [ That finger she pointed at him???? Is definitely back under the blanket. She doubts he'll really judge her for her crusty skin (because the cold is merciless even to the pretty people) but she still pauses to think about it.

Well. It's not a bad idea, and all he really cares about is being useful and solving mysteries.. So it won't ever get weird. ] Okay.. So you mean like, hug? That kind of sharing body heat? You think that'll be alright?

[A hug...? Connor raises his eyebrows, a little surprised that's where she went, but not totally against it.

After all, he does only care about being useful and solving mysteries, so it won't be weird at all, ever.]

I think that could work, but it might be easier if I get under the blankets with you.

[Then their combined body heat will get trapped in the blankets like a toasty oven. Perfect.]

...Actually, that would mean we would complete a quest, as well.

[ Lottie's cheeks flare at the delivery of his suggestion and how utterly nonchalant it is. She has to remember that this is for survival, because she lives with cold space rocks.

And he's a nice robot who is the only warm person in this household. ]

Really. [ A quest, though.. There's no way around the fact she like free things even if she despises this place. Especially free, useful, things. ]

Well.. If it's really okay, let's do it. But you can get under my blankets after you take off your jacket. No offense.. It'll feel less comfy with you dressed in a uniform like that.

[ Wow. It's SO unfair that all these rocks get to look pretty without any work, while she has to struggle on the daily. Wait. Off topic. Off topic. Lottie leans back in her chair, a hand combing through her hair as she thinks. ]

I don't think I'd have anything interesting to talk about.. Nothing really happens here, you know? [ Outside of the usual wacky nonsense, she means. And most of her thoughts are generally just one crisis after the next, so.. maybe not the best fodder for conversation. That is a really nice offer though - another reminder that she needs to stay on the good side of the gems.

And also because she kind of likes hanging out with them. Not that she'll readily admit that. She's trying to get them a gift though, so Lottie decides to Creatively Steer the conversation towards a direction that might help her. ] Maybe, um.. What does Lapis remind you of? Like is there a color you associate with them?

You guys never named your stuff?

[ Wild.. Lottie sounds more fascinated at that than appalled. She nods, regardless. She opens the door to her cave, silently inviting them in. Ignore the clothing rack with her things hung up and the blanket piles around the room. ]

Oh yeah.. I guess that makes sense. You guys don't feel drafts or anything. [ She didn't even consider a tear in the grand scheme of this gesture.. It's a good thing she brought her sewing kit. ] You wanna change into some of my clothes so I can check?

I don't think there was a reason to.

[ Their tone carries an audible, unbothered shrug. Probably Red Beryl would have insisted that there definitely was, but to Phos, clothes are clothes. They don't need special titles - especially when they're just a set from the moon. ]

If it weren't for you, I wouldn't even know it had gotten so cold. [ Stepping into her room, Phos flashes Lottie their most reassuring "please believe me" smile, even though they know when the seasons are changing. They just feel bad that she wasn't blessed with being an immortal rock that's immune to temperature. ]

—Oh, yeah. Thanks! Please pick something cute enough for me.

[ The second smile is more genuine and thankful as their hands go to work at undoing the little parts of their outfit enough to shrug out of the romper's first layer. Quietly, and more to themself than anything: ]

I don't think I've even taken this off since I got it..

Edited 2018-11-12 04:57 (UTC)

...My jacket?

[He looks hesitant about it, and his LED whirs to yellow. He's required to wear his jacket at all times, by law. But he's also decided to accept the commands of the people living here, and one of them is giving a command that conflicts that law. Could it be that the laws don't even matter, in a place like this? Should he only follow laws when he could be punished for breaking them?

He exists in a robotic existential crisis for a few moments, before finally reaching to the edges of his jacket, still hesitant.]

If you think that's alright?

[ It doesn't take a lot for her to notice that Connor is going through.. Well, something. Probably complicated. She's the Queen of Crises in this household, it's only natural. So Lottie awkwardly lets him stew in his own thoughts until he's good and ready to say something, brows raised slightly as her eyes look to the changing color of his LED. ]

Yeah? Why wouldn't it! It's just a jacket.. [ A fancy, decked out, jacket.. But still a jacket. ] Oh, I can try and hang it for you if you don't.. want it wrinkled??

[ ...Should she have offered that sooner??? ]

Is that why you're worried?

[ Huh..... Huh. Lottie stores that bit of information later to stew over when she thinks about the rocks as a whole. Especially the bit about temperature - despite already knowing it, it still blows her mind how absurdly lucky they are to not deal with things like allergies. Temperature.. Getting diseases and probably never dying.

It works out for her in the end, existential crisis be damned, she gets all their blankets and any clothes they think will be warm for her. She's the resident human and Rock Doctor, after all! ] So you don't know what it's made of?? [ She'd normally leave it at that, if not for the fact she kind of needs to know what to use if she needs to fix anything. Maybe she'll find out something cool about their world, too?? ]

Oh!! Yeah, sure. [ She pauses to think over if they need any underwear. In fact, Lottie struggles with that for a while until she remembers Cairngorm didn't even know what boobs were. Specifically, hers. ] ..Phos, you can't just wear the same outfit everyday. [ Social suicide, on top of fabric suicide. An off the shoulder crop and one of her high-waisted skirts is pulled from her delicate pile of clothes, draped on her arm for them to take when ready. ]

[Offering to hang it is kind of her, but that isn't the issue. Connor gives a shake of his head.]

No, it's... In my world, it's illegal for androids to not wear identifying clothing. [He turns so she can see the "Android" on the back of his jacket, before turning back and tapping his temple.] Along with my LED, it lets humans know I'm actually a machine.

[His LED which is still yellow.]

My programming prevents me from breaking the law unless it's in a way permitted as part of police business. But does the law apply in this town? Does that even matter?

[Stop him before smoke starts pouring out of his ears.]

[ Yikes! That sounds like a classic case of overthinking. And a lot of weirdly specific laws that are really extra - maybe if the clothes were cuter she could understand. Regardless, he could make some kind of argument either way, since it's so deeply ingrained in him by now.

Literally. It's his programming. At least all the details of his jacket make more sense now as for why it's there.. with the numbers and everything. ]

Okay, I really don't think that'll be illegal. No cops! We went over this, remember? Only rules here are don't be a jerk. [ She's just going to give him the very direct answer here, one without the long-winded explanation she could give. Better to tell him straight, it's what Lottie would prefer if she were getting ready to freak. ] But if you're that worried, I can take it off.

It shouldn't matter if a human does it, right??

november catch all

quest 32, ghost quartz

quest 32, phos

quest 34, connor

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guess whomst back, back again...

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the gems are back...tell a friend

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