Fourth Waypoint Marked

[wolf_of_war]

[Bladewolf didn't require much sleep, which is why he's surprised to find himself "waking up" at all, and it only takes him a moment to notice the half-dozen tiny LQ-84i's currently snuggled against him. He knew that there were a few models that shared his basic body shape, in the form of the LQ-84 Fenrir, but they had never been so small. Spotting his journal on a table nearby, he pulls it over with his tail.]

I do not know why the castle has done this, but....I am currently the caretaker of six LQ-84i's.

I...was not given any education regarding the care of children.

[Hearing their "father's" voice, the LQ-84i's begin to wake up, stretching themselves out, before they proceed to leap all over Bladewolf, and each other. High-pitched versions of Bladewolf's own voice can be heard, spouting things like "Exterminate!" and "Superficial damage."]

I require assistance. Anyone with knowledge or experience regarding not only the care of children, but knowledge of robotics and artificial intelligence would be appreciated.

Comments

[solowingpixy]

[There will be a small laugh.]

I'm not sure how eager people would be to help when one of the things coming out of the journal is 'exterminate'.

[wolf_of_war]

Hmm...perhaps you are right. They seem to be acting on a rudimentary equivalent of my own artificial intelligence. Similar to my behavior within the first few months of my activation. Nevertheless, they are harmless, their weapons little better than toys.

[In the background you might hear the high-pitched hum of a laser pointer being turned on, as one of the puppies has discovered his "rail gun", accented by the clashing of metal as the others wrestle around on the floor.]

I do not recall being so eager to test my combat capabilities after my initial activation. I will need to teach them as I was taught.

[pint_sized_carnivore]

Oh come on! You too? Ugh! This castle is pissing me off!

[wolf_of_war]

Affirmative. Though as I understand it based on years passed, this is usually considered an enjoyable occasion, due to having the opportunity to experience parenthood, if only briefly.

I confess, I find myself curious of what I could teach my "offspring" in the limited time I will have with them.

[pint_sized_carnivore]

Well I'm glad you're taking this well. I so happen to have one kid with a friend of mine. Sheesh, I'm so unprepared for this...

[wolf_of_war]

Compared with previous experience, caring for what appears to be a litter of LQ-84's is not a difficult task.

I am sure you will do fine, Ms. Satonaka.

[pint_sized_carnivore]

Yeah, thanks. I need that.

Are you paired up with someone? I don't think there's another robot dog in the castle.

[wolf_of_war]

You are welcome.

I am not. I woke up alone in my workshop, with my offspring doing their apparent best to wake me.

[pint_sized_carnivore]

Heh... That actually sounds adorable.

[wolf_of_war]

Perhaps. Though you must remember that my offspring are designed for combat, as I was originally. Their "play" is in truth merely exercising their combat protocols.

[pint_sized_carnivore]

That sounds intense... Where are you right now?

[wolf_of_war]

On a larger scale it might be, but their weapons are harmless, so they can do no real lasting harm. I am in my quarters on the second floor.

[pint_sized_carnivore]

Wait, how are you in the castle? We're in this weird place. It looks like a hotel of some kind...? I don't know.

[wolf_of_war]

I have heard the two are somehow connected. As though the castle is providing us with an optimal environment for our offspring, while continuing to offer us it's services, as well.

[pint_sized_carnivore]

Okay. I should find a way back to the castle. There's someone I need to check in!

[wolf_of_war]

It should be relatively easy to find, whatever method the castle has employed. My offspring and I will come to the Lobby, as it seems a likely connection point.

[pint_sized_carnivore]

Okay, if I find the place to get myself back there, I'll look for you.

["Papa, can I come with you?" a voice of a little girl can be heard in the background]

Yeah, sure! I'm talking to a friend right now. He's a robot dog!

["Really?! I want to see him! I want to see him!"]

Eheheh... Sure. We'll just have to meet with him first. Sheesh.

[wolf_of_war]

Affirmative. If not, I will find my way to you. I am sure that my offspring would benefit from exposure to other children.

[pint_sized_carnivore]

Okay.

[A minute or so later]

Aha! I think I found it.

[wolf_of_war]

I and my offspring will wait for you in the Lobby. We will not be difficult to locate.

[Meanwhile, Bladewolf and his puppies will head for the Lobby, having to stop multiple times as they get distracted by absolutely goddamn everything.]

[pint_sized_carnivore]

[Chie and Shiori actually made it to the lobby first]

Yo, Bladewolf!

[wolf_of_war]

[Bladewolf and his pups just arrive, with the lot of them running circles around and under him, swinging non-functional chainsaws at each other, and shooting each other with harmless lasers. Bladewolf himself has given up on trying to control them.]

Hello, Ms. Satonaka.

[pint_sized_carnivore]

Your puppies are attacking each other!

[wolf_of_war]

[If Bladewolf could sigh in exasperation, he might be right now. Instead, he just shakes his head.]

Their weapons are harmless, so they can do no lasting damage to one another. They are merely exercising their combat protocols, and will cease if I command them to do so.

1/2

[pint_sized_carnivore]

Oh, uh. Okay. Cool.

Shiori, say hi.

2/2

[pint_sized_carnivore]

[Shiori just stared and waved, while clinging to Chie's leg]

Hello, mister.

[honeytoes]

[Have some muffled giggling Bladewolf]

Wow...uh sounds like you got your hands full there big guy.

[wolf_of_war]

Affirmative. They are modeled after my original design, though one-third my size. I am grateful that their weapons systems are non-functional, if nothing else. I can teach them stalking and infiltration techniques, without the possibility of them attacking a resident accidentally.

[honeytoes]

Kids huh? Wow tough break.

At least you have the situation under control. Kids aren't exactly my strongest subject.

I mean I don't have any of my own back home...that I know about.

[wolf_of_war]

I do not mind it so much, though I understand that others may not share my enthusiasm.

You may be surprised. Often those who believe themselves unsuited for caring for children, often find themselves unconsciously adept.

Dictated

[wizard_redfive]

[Well, she did say she'd be in touch, though this was hardly what Dairine was expecting. She chuckles.]

Welcome to babies' week. The castle does this every year.

Don't know about children, but I have plenty of experience dealing with robotic and silicon life. Would you like a hand?

Dictated

[wolf_of_war]

My investigation of the journal indicated as much, however, I did not expect that it would grant me children of my own, as I am not biological in origin.

I would appreciate that, yes. They exhibit an artificial intelligence that seems to merely be a simplified version of my own.

Dictated

[wizard_redfive]

It's not that surprising; there are some non-organic life whom have children. And even if there weren't, that'd be unlikely to stop the castle from giving them to you. It has a weird sense of humor.

Sounds about right. I'll swing over sometime. And you're... where?

Dictated

[wolf_of_war]

I have noticed this, as well. The castle will have to forgive me if I do not find it's actions amusing. Nevertheless, it is a fascinating experience.

On the second floor, near the end of the hall. I have converted my quarters into a workshop, in the event that I require repairs, as I did after we returned from space.

Dictated

[wizard_redfive]

Oh really? That sounds cool... other than the needing repairs part.

Dictated

[wolf_of_war]

I reason that it is better to err on the side of caution. The repairs I required were not serious, and were in part my own doing, as a result of my attempts to thwart many of the efforts to destroy the Event Horizon before the evacuation could begin.