ㅤ
「 You say made for combat. What kind? Are you a guard, perhaps? 」
ㅤ
ㅤMAXWELLㅤ
Hm, I suppose not.
( Despite the uncomfortable feeling, Enker appreciates the other's willingness to answer, as it helps him feel more familiar. )
I have asked many questions, so it's only fair that you do the same.
Enker 🎋 [perma-hiatus]
ㅤ
「 Why are you apologizing? I'm the one who told you to ask. 」
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤHe starts massaging his wrist, just to have something to do with his hands.
「 But, would you mind if I did the same? 」
ㅤ
ㅤMAXWELLㅤ
Ah. I-I'm sorry to hear you're... afflicted with such a condition.
( The sight will stick in his mind for a while. )
And... my apologies for being so nosy.
Enker 🎋 [perma-hiatus]
ㅤ
「 Ah... no. This is from... a series of old mistakes. 」
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤHe brings the hand closer to Enker— if only he hadn't. Even within the darkness of the hand, the veins of the hand are visible, marked with an even darker shade.
ㅤ
ㅤMAXWELLㅤ
( That's much more unsettling than the flowers. )
You mentioned before that you were friends with this 'darkness'. Is that why your hands are...?
Enker 🎋 [perma-hiatus]
ㅤ
「 She is. But, ah, enough about that. 」
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤHe covers his mouth with a hand, covering a decent amount of his cheeks in the process. His hands look... clawed, almost, tainted with some inky darkness.
ㅤ
ㅤMAXWELLㅤ
I-I see. It was impressive either way.
( Still very unsettling, but… yes, impressive. He can read the room, so he doesn’t want to dig further. )
Enker 🎋 [perma-hiatus]
ㅤ
「 No, no. That was... an old friend of mine. 」
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤHe looks away, a small blush dusting his face.
ㅤ
ㅤMAXWELLㅤ
… The way those roses were given life again, for a brief moment… was that your doing?
( He still feels uneasy about it, but it’s going to eat at him if he doesn’t find out. )
Enker 🎋 [perma-hiatus]
ㅤ
「 Oh, of course. 」
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤHis demeanor seems to lighten— shoulders a little higher, a faint smile making its way onto his face.
「 Ask away. 」
ㅤ
ㅤMAXWELLㅤ
( He’s taken aback for a moment. )
I have never seen… magic… like you just exhibited. Naturally, I would have a lot on my mind afterwards…
Enker 🎋 [perma-hiatus]
ㅤ
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤAfter a moment of hesitation, he narrows his eyes and waves a hand.
「 Speak. There's clearly more on your mind. 」
ㅤ
ㅤMAXWELLㅤ
I understand. I hope that continues to be the case, then.
( It's obvious that he has so many questions, but he doesn't want to pry... )
Enker 🎋 [perma-hiatus]
ㅤ
「 And thus, neither do you. I'm alright; neither a threat nor at threat. 」
ㅤ
ㅤMAXWELLㅤ
( Do /not/ question it, Enker. Do not make the same mistake twice. )
I... see. Then you have nothing to worry about.
Enker 🎋 [perma-hiatus]
ㅤ
「 The Darkness and I are on good terms right now, don't worry. 」
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤwhat
ㅤ
ㅤMAXWELLㅤ
I understand. However, with that sentiment, I am concerned that you are still wandering about so late at night...
Enker 🎋 [perma-hiatus]
ㅤ
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤIt doesn't seem to matter, as he puts the book into his suit.
「 Ah, good. I'm in no shape to fight, and I'd rather not be felled this night. 」
ㅤ
ㅤMAXWELLㅤ
Ah, no, that's not my intention. It's simply the way I'm used to speaking.
( He steps back again, signaling that he does not want any kind of trouble. Who knows what he can do with that book. )
Enker 🎋 [perma-hiatus]
ㅤ
「 Matchup? You word it like we're about to fight. 」
ㅤ
ㅤMAXWELLㅤ
I don't tend to run into those with magical abilities, either, so I suppose this creates an even matchup.
Enker 🎋 [perma-hiatus]
ㅤ
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤHe looks around, eyes narrowing.
「 ..odd. I don't run into many robots myself. 」
ㅤ
ㅤMAXWELLㅤ
You'd be surprised.
However... I've done extensive searching tonight, and I doubt anyone's here, other than you and I.
Enker 🎋 [perma-hiatus]
ㅤ
「 Are there many? I feel like suspicious robots is so specific you might as well not patrol at all. 」
ㅤ
ㅤMAXWELLㅤ
Right now, I am looking for suspicious robots who are looking to cause trouble in this area.
I didn’t expect to find a human out here this late.
Enker 🎋 [perma-hiatus]
ㅤ
「 Understood. What do you patrol here for, though? 」
ㅤ
ㅤMAXWELLㅤ
Yes. A Robot Master specialized for combat specifically. Though I do not prefer to fight unless I need to.
( A slight beat, then… )
… You can simply call me Enker.
Enker 🎋 [perma-hiatus]
ㅤ
「 RKN-001. A machine, I presume? 」
ㅤ
ㅤMAXWELLㅤ
( His hand hovers near his side, just in case. )
… My name is Enker, RKN-001. I hope that answers your question.
Enker 🎋 [perma-hiatus]
ㅤ
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤThe book he holds slams shut, small black wisps arising from it.
「 Maxwell Carter. Now answer my question. 」
ㅤ
ㅤMAXWELLㅤ
( He stiffens up again, standing up straight. He’s thankful the chill has faded, but he never lets his guard down. )
… I regularly patrol this area. I’d like to ask the same of you.
( He’s a bit too startled to give out his name right away. )
Enker 🎋 [perma-hiatus]
ㅤ
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤThe chill vanishes, and the flower wilts once more. The man groans in response, pinching the bridge of his chin.
「 Who are /you?/ 」
ㅤ
ㅤMAXWELLㅤ
( Oh. The sudden chill gives him pause; he bristles and shrinks back a bit. He really doesn't like that. )
... N-No, you're mistaken.
( He figured that making himself known would make the strange feeling stop, but he regrets saying /anything/ as soon as the words come out. )
Enker 🎋 [perma-hiatus]
ㅤ
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤIn a strange move, he looks up at the flowers and... his eyes widen, looking around. Was it him..?
「 ..Charlie? 」
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤHis voice is rough and scratched from smoking and trauma. But when he says the name, a cold feeling washes over the whole woods.
ㅤ
ㅤMAXWELLㅤ
( ... Against better judgement, the robot continues to watch, and /follow,/ for that matter. )
