Video; un: nightwanderer

[dragonrising]

[He's taken a few days before coming to this network, mainly observing and getting a feel for it. But now, he wants to try it. So here Runyu is, sitting in his room before a low table with some tea before him. Compared to a few days ago, he doesn't look nearly as regal, his white robes simple despite their numerous layers.

He offers the view a smile, nodding his head politely.]

Greetings. My name is Runyu.

I wanted to start off by saying that I'm grateful to all those who took care of me when I arrived here. With such friendly faces it was rather easy to settle in. Thank you to those I have met so far.

[He might be confused as to how he's being kept here but he appreciates everyone regardless.]

Though, I have noticed that one can find themselves alone a good deal if they lack those from home here. I'm curious to know how people handle this here. What have you done to occupy yourselves? Not everyone is so used to the feeling of isolation so I wouldn't mind learning what you have come up with. It could be interesting.

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video; UN: geth

[agglomerate]

[ Legion's optic seems very... intense for a second, watching and pondering. ]

This... is a question we find ourselves asking often. We are not isolated. It is not a perspective that we understand. We do not understand having only one perspective, for that matter.

For all of our observations, organics continue to surprise us with how they choose to avoid their existential dread.

[dragonrising]

[A unique way of phrasing things. Runyu can't help but be interested in this one.]

They do like to find ways to avoid this dread, it's true. It seems something that is a part of their very nature from what I've seen.

[agglomerate]

We agree with this sentiment. Perhaps it is due to the unknowable nature of their origins. The seemingly pervasive mystery of what preceded the birth of the universe.

[dragonrising]

Or perhaps it is simply that they fear being miserable all their lives.

[Since he doubts many think quite that deeply.]

[agglomerate]

We do not understand the emotion, but... [ Well... ]

It is understandable to want to avoid negative stimuli.

[dragonrising]

That's what it is really. An urge to avoid negative stimuli.

[A pause...] If you do not mind, may I ask what you are? You speak of organic life as if you aren't one and so I'm curious.

[agglomerate]

[ Ah, yes, that's right-- no one here is familiar with geth, to their knowledge. ]

We are geth. We are sapient, but we are not organic. More simply put: Created synthetic life.

[dragonrising]

Created synthetic life. So you have a consciousness but you are made from inorganic material?

[agglomerate]

Yes. Albeit, our consciousness is not singular, as with organics.

[dragonrising]

Yes, I noticed you seemed to refer to yourself as a collective. As if there were many. Are you all connected to each other?

[agglomerate]

[ A very small pause, then: ] Yes and no.

Yes, in that we need to work together in order to achieve greater consciousness. No, in that we can technically function independently of each other. It is not preferable to do so.

[dragonrising]

I see. I think I understand. If you don't mind an organic comparison, you are similar to a plant. You thrive the most when together but it is possible for one of you to be alone in an area. But the greater preference would be for you to be with other plant life.

Is that similar?

[agglomerate]

That is... not a comparison we have considered before. Yes, we are similar to plant life in that way-- what one would consider fungi, to be more precise. We can survive on our own, but we thrive collectively. We appreciate this perspective. It is not one that we have considered before.

Inquiry: What is your designation?

[dragonrising]

I see. Then I do understand. Thank you for indulging my curiosity.

Do you mean to ask what manner of organic lifeform am I?

[agglomerate]

Apologies. We mean to ask your name.

We are designated as Legion.

[dragonrising]

Ah I see. Forgive me. I am Runyu.

It is good to meet you, Legion.

[agglomerate]

Ranyu. We will remember this. It is... good to meet an organic being that so readily tries to understand us.

It is appreciated.

[dragonrising]

Do people not often try to understand you, Legion? I am sorry for that. To be honest, I was interested in understanding you from the moment you replied to me.

It seems a shame others would not offer you the same.

[agglomerate]

[ From the moment...? Oh. That's a good way to make a fast friend of this robot, man. ]

It is... complicated. When and where we come from, organics fear the geth, and for good reason. Some of our own kind have done great harm to organics at large, and the geth as a whole have done great harm to our creators. We judge that it would be easier to want to understand us without knowing our history.

Yet it still... surprises us...

[dragonrising]

I see. That would complicate matters a great deal. I have done my own harm to others in my past which has bred mistrust too. I suppose that might be why I am more interested in trying to understand.

There are those willing to give me another chance, to redeem myself. Somehow it feels wrong to not offer a chance to others now as well.

[agglomerate]

That is understandable... Ranyu is wiser than most organics we have run into. To learn from past mistakes, to improve, to understand organic life in order to perhaps better understand our creators: that is what the geth wish as part of our future.

We-- we wish Ranyu the best possible outcome to your own future, even if it cannot be predicted or guaranteed.

[dragonrising]

Runyu has lived a very long time.

[And made so many mistakes along the way as a result. He sighs a little bit.]

Thank you for that though, Legion. I don't know what my future holds but I know I can only try to be better than I have been.

[agglomerate]

Would it be inappropriate for us to ask how long Runyu has lived?

[dragonrising]

No, not all. I honestly cannot remember exactly but it has been several thousand years.

[agglomerate]

[ Watch all of them optic plates rise straight up and down for a solid five seconds. ]

Is Runyu... inorganic as well? Or like the individual here that eats dreams?