Donnie's more concerned about the fact that she seems to be cataloguing his private space, his eyes narrowing the longer Sarah stands motionless.
He almost jumps when she suddenly turns to face him. Fingers drumming against his arms, he looks to the worktable, considering. That one isn't necessarily any super secret project or even very complicated, so he supposes it's fine.
"However-" he adds on after a nod- "I will request that you delete all acquired data from this space since the moment you stepped into this room, once you set foot back outside of it."
Finally, a blink as she turns the request over, examines it, compares it to everything in her core, then discards it.
Donatello is not Warren. He is not an Authorised User of Sarah-13.
Emotionless glass eyes of unnatural green meet Donnie's eyes.
"Request denied. Donatello does not have the appropriate authorisation within this unit's core coding. The Creator of unit Sarah-13, Warren Hadley, is not here to grant the request. Apologies." Somehow the monotone seems genuinely sorry. Not that Donnie's getting a chance to but in as Sarah keeps talking.
"However, this unit will keep what is seen to itself. It is merely following it's programing to learn about everything it can. Curiosity or a desire for more data to create better algorithmic processes that will enable this unit to be more proficient in what it does. However, some data sets are considered classified. The data set belonging to 'Donatello: Room' would be marked as such. If this is not a suitable alternative, please state so and this unit will mark the data already obtained as classified and leave."
Something organic and new and alien twists in rebellion at the idea. The nascent emotion is crushed under the heavy heel of logic.
That blatant denial makes Donnie look genuinely shocked for a moment. No, that's...reasonable, but not an ideal response so far as he's concerned. Donnie opens his mouth but he's unable to get a word in edgewise, brow furrowing as Sarah continues.
"...your reasoning is flawed," he finally says after digesting everything. "By your own stated parameters that means that you have no boundaries set. What aren't you willing to do to someone to learn something? What if that hurts someone? If you managed somehow to push open my door, what would you have done if it had fallen in and crushed me to death?"
"This Unit is an AI." A small shrug. "Willingness does not factor into goals, only acceptable outcomes." Another blink and a slight bird-like head tilt. Her version of confusion.
"Further more, Mikaela would not allow this unit to traverse and explore if it where to harm someone in the process of said exploration. More to the point, the doors of the R2 are far sturdier than even I could hope to breech and yours are this one's been particularly fortified. Wise, given the lab. If I breeched, I would be reporting to security and the captain at once as that data set would weight in orders of importance to what is in your room. We would have bigger problems, of which I would not be sorry about uncovering. Your death would be..."
Her face scrunches as best it can for a few seconds as she struggles with the wording. "Unfortunate and regrettable. Once you revived, I would allow allow a revenge kill on your end. If would likely make you feel better. I would not care to my death."
she is very, very, very likely missing the point by a long shot.
Donnie shakes his head. "Not the point. While I'm glad you're at least heeding someone's limitations, you are missing the problem here.
"By saying that you are meant to learn things means that you do not know everything. Tests through trial and error are only acceptable to an extent and within favorable conditions, conditions that are controllable should said tests fail. That said, while you don't know everything, you know enough to be able to formulate what might amount to common sense. You know what doors are for, and when they are closed and more importantly locked and with security installations, then you should perceive it as Off. Limits. This is not an invitation to break in, especially when it is in fact the quarters of a crewmate on the vessel you are all currently occupying. Your programming is lacking in key modifiers, which is not in any part your fault but that of your creator."
It had absolutely bothered him that she more or less brushes off the life-threatening potential of her actions. "Anyway," he says, his tone sharper and colder than earlier, "-I sure hope I don't die because someone just wanted to open my dumb door, I'd rather skip the experience because know what? Even if people are still somehow coming back through the space bridge that doesn't erase the fact that something happened. There was an iteration of us that died. That isn't something to be taken lightly, death is not a dismissible occurrence. It affects people, not just the ones that actually died. So how dare you brush it off as an unfortunate outcome and think that it can be made up by offering your own life to be taken in revenge. Is it because you're an AI and figure you can just be rebuilt? Pop out of the bridge and that's that? No, it's not that simple. Life is important. Everyone on this ship is important. And don't you give me any crap about AIs not being able to feel- have you met Rock and the others? Maybe they're the ones you should be learning from."
He takes a moment, sucking in a breath as he forces his claws to relax from around his arms.
[Should she be encouraging the child? Probably not, but at the same time...
What she knows him as her impressed and any young tech genius always needs encouragement.
A few blueprints of the tamer and more harmless weapons from inside the Dark Fortress find their way into Donnie's inbox. Mostly handheld guns that all look designed to take down a target without lethal force, but there is a small artillery weapon in there designed to immobilise the target.
Nothing remotely lethal, of course, but the blueprints are more wire frames with notes attached. Notes detailing what it's intended for with power sources mentioned, rather than 'how to actually build a thing'.]
Perhaps you might find some enjoyment? I have non-weapons too, if you desire. A sample of my colour changing paints, for example.
[New toys?? Donnie's immediately intrigued because no one ever just gives him things like this. That does make him hesitate, his initial glee shifting towards mild suspicion. But Esmeryl's always been encouraging and not unpleasant to talk to. He looks over the blueprints, building up a model of the guns with his ninpō just to test things out. Definitely an advantage to having mystic-tech, he will admit. Handguns aren't particularly his style, but he takes a few shots at the reinforced wall of his testing area before letting things dissipate.
The power sources are definitely of more interest to him. His eyes rove over things a few more times before looking at the message itself.]
These are great. Non-weapon designs might be more interesting to study, certainly.
Color changing paints, do want.
[Realistically the only color he ever wants to do anything in is purple, but it might be handy to be able to tone it down for stealth purposes without having to resort to a complete repaint.]
We'll start with this one. It's quiet involved and I've never made heads or tails of it, truly.
[She drops in the plans for a whole arse Augmented-VR system that's designed for movies more than it is games. It is, of course, state of the art. Could it be turned into something else? yes.
But also: Sometimes you just want a very cool movie theatre in your Supervillain's Planet Destroying Fortress. Also a pool room and a ballpit room, but details.]
Of course. It's better I give you a sample outright, though. I can come to you or you to me. I'm in my rooms. Where are you?
Oh? It was quite common in all cities before the war. I merely ensured one was built into the city of the Space Fortress.
[A fortress that just happened to be a Planet Destorying Dark Fortress; one that's hers, no matter what her beloved husband might say about it.]
I shall arrive shortly.
[True to her word, she does soon arrive, and there is a polite knock on the door from Esme, who's in beastmode and sporting a dark purple-and-gold colour schemw, with the occassional dark red trimmings tossed.]
I think all I've ever heard about was the war and completely forgot there must have been a before.
[He feels bad about that. Wheeljack's told him some of what he'd used to do, farming and some kind of robotic cattle herding..?? But somehow Donnie'd overlooked the whole part about there being more to Cybertronians than fighting.
When Esmeryl arrives, Donnie does a quick check over his security camera before the large door slides open to reveal his lab and workshop space. He's already walking towards the doorway to greet her.]
Understandable. We've been at war for a very long time.
[Esmeryl does take a quick glance around, but then she drops the curiosity. If he's anything like any of her tinkerers and mad scientists back on the Fortress, he'll show off when he's good and ready and not a drop before. She's also a guest in his space.
He could, like any good Decepticon scientist would, have a multitude of hidden traps of varying lethality.
She offers as much of a smile as her beast mode will allow and offers what passes as a bow of greeting.]
Pardon the intrusion into your space, Donatello. And I believe it would be wiser to remain in beastmode.
[She a - does not wish to tower over her host, and b - sometimes a lady just wants to be a pretty griffon-dragon kaiju. Also her beast mode is arguably half her bipedal height. ]
[There's a small, found smile that tugs at her mouth. He'd get along well with Solon. Probably (they'd either be best friends or brilliant rivals, but she is certain they'd egg each other on in some fashion and form. And or all the scientists Esmeryl personally knows, and she does wonder: What is it with them and combining work and recreational spaces?
No matter. As long as they are happy and not plotting too much mayhem for those they live with, she personally doesn't care what they do, and it's easy enough to nod and hmm with the appropriate level of enthusiasm and interest. Which isn't faked, though not for the reasons Donnie might think.
It's always good to know how to best disable a scientist's lab if one must. Ideally it'd be left to the person, but one doesn't run the day-to-day operation of a giant planet destroying fortress without back-ups of back-ups.]
[Said rec space was "upstairs" atop what would otherwise be the recharge slab for a Cybertronian, piled haphazardly with blankets and pillows because sometimes you just felt like hiding under a pile and it also makes for the comfiest place to watch movies projected on the wall. Of course, it also serves as his and Leo's room.
Donnie's space is at least kept very neat. There aren't any random things thrown around on the floor, finished projects are set neatly on shelves or hanging on the wall like his array of battle shells, and even current projects on the worktable are contained to a specific area.
Donnie spins around, eyes bright.]
Plants! Yes, maybe you might find these a familiar variety? Or at least similar...
[Excitedly he starts towards the back of the room, but Esmeryl can see easily enough once she redirects her attention, the wall of Cybertronian blooms. He's been letting them grow steadily, training them to the rear wall, various samples as he's gotten from Eco Memoria. There's also a single inorganic plant of what seems a different species altogether, set in a pot in its own space nearby.]
I've been cultivating those for nearly as long as I've been here.
[Her optics light up a happy, gleeful red. Does she care other Decepticons might have claimed him as theirs? No. Not at all. He's now under her protection, too.
(He could be useful and at the end of the day, she is nothing of not pragmatic. Donatello could be many things; a friend for her son first and foremost. Another scientist in her employ. The list goes on.)
A blink to refocus her thoughts, and Esmeryl blinks again, optics widening.]
I... Some. yes. [She crouches to get a better look at the garden, tail twitching slightly. Even now, she's mindful of the teenager's lair. Some of the plants he has she hasn't seen since she left Cybertron. The rest are unfamiliar to her.
It doesn't make it any less wondrous to see them here.
Her head snaps to look at the turtle, ears pricked with keen interest.]
I wouldn't say no to a guided tour of your work before we get down to business.
[For all the things Donnie's built, the garden's his pride and joy. The plants sit neatly in that niche between his favorite subjects, and studying and growing them has been fascinating. He morphs his hands back to their usual rounded fingers rather than clawed tips so he won't risk any damage when he reaches out to touch some of the glowing blooms. Even if he knows they're more resilient than regular plants, he's careful.
The sudden movement from Esmeryl makes him startle just a little, and for a split second he wonders if he'd done something wrong, blinking then at her...well, it's somewhat of a request, isn't it?]
Oh, sure!
[Giving the flowers one last check, he turns and waves her after, heading back towards the workshop area.]
That's MISHELLE over there, she's currently recharging. [He points towards the wall where a turtle-shaped drone is docked into her recharge space, right beside the rows of battle shells.
Speaking of, there's another in the works it seems, on the worktable, its innards exposed as he'd been working on the internal functions that would be hidden beneath the armor itself.]
I'm working on a new shell design. I like my current one, which has flight capability and at least two legs from my spider-shell design, but I'm trying to balance basic defensive capability. ...do you think spikes or spines might be too much...?
MISHELLE? She's adorable, and doubtless packs a mean sting if required. [There's a grin in her voice; she finds the tiny (to her) drone adorable, yet she also recognises the skill needed to create such a thing.
It's impressive.
Yet soon her attention slips to the battle shell, and Esmeryl hums in thought. On one hand, both would be a useful addition to an already impressive arsenal, but on the other...
Her optics slit as she mulls it over.]
If you are looking for purely defensive, both would be adequate and doubtless you have ideas in mind. However, have you considered hiding them until someone is foolish enough to jump your back or pick you up?
Assuming you are not averse to blood and viscera, of course. [Her tone is non-judgmental either way. She is well ware that even amongst her Decepticons there are the rare few who don't do well with insides becoming outsides.]
There is also the practical uses for intimidation.
She doesn't have half the things I've installed in SHELLDON back home but I'm still in between upgrades.
[Donnie grimaces a little at the thought of anyone jumping at his back. Thankfully nothing's attempted that for his time here in a different dimension, but the memory of Shredder viciously tearing into his battle shell like paper is still something that comes too vividly to mind.]
I'd rather prevent them from getting that far, if even thinking about it. The less they figure my shell's a vulnerability, the better.
[There is a small whir of actuators as Velocity shifts her weight back and forth for a few moments]
I don't think I've heard that sort of thing before. So it's just... steps in a process? Maybe?
[If she sounds uncertain to the point of dubiousness, it's because she is. Along with...]
Does it help? Returning to things after a break? Usually I just... attempt to power through until I have to stop. That's how I managed to write all of my papers and tests for school. The words might have wanted to wiggle off of the page, but if you concentrate hard enough, they... well, they still wiggle, and give you a headache for your troubles, but there'll be less of them to deal with. Probably.
Everything is part of the process. The failures, the breakthroughs, right up until completion.
[He thinks it makes perfect sense. The rest, he considers.]
I feel like it does. There can be external influences or experiences that can be rather eye-opening. I can't say I haven't taken the approach of pushing through to finish something, but...the resulting is never really as satisfying. Like. A nagging feeling that I could have done something differently, something better. Maybe others can't tell, but I always can.
[Velocity immediately and hurriedly shook her head]
No no no, that's not what- I'm not saying it's your fault or that you should stop if you truly enjoy it. If that's your joy and source of passion, stick with it. That's a part of where you make your meaning. I just mean...
[Velocity fights not to wince as she relates far too much to what he's saying, to keep her voice steady and calm]
I just want you to think about it, okay? About whether you're only worth keeping around because of what you can do for people. Aren't you loved for other things, too? I'm pretty sure your family and friends love you even when you don't do clever things, or when you're feeling tired or angry or are unpleasant to be around, because everybody gets those ways sometimes. I just...
[Her mouth pulled, knowing she was being hypocritical. That didn't matter, though. What mattered here was Donnie]
I just don't want you to do the exact same things I've done. There will always be people who hurt you. You don't have to do their job for them.
[Velocity didn't know what to think of this different perspective, but... it did sound like it would weigh less upon you, didn't it? If everything linked up together, if even the failures weren't failures but just a way you learned not to do something. It was very tempting. As was what he said next]
That does make sense... after submitting things, I always found places where I would have gone into more detail or come to different conclusions.
[Another thoughtful frown, and she hesitated as a very small wish bubbled up in her chest, but...]
Do you think... do you think I could work on some of these things nearby you, sometimes? Ratchet said I ought to keep writing research papers to keep myself stimulated, and, well... I don't go very many places with anyone, aside from the medibay and the library. It might be nice.
[Everything's blurry and that annoyingly uncomfortable burning sensation in his eyes has made a comeback. For a while he just remains in that compacted position.
The things Velocity says... He supposes deep down, he's known it. They're the things he takes for granted, the things he doesn't think about, the things that he's never thought to put too much worth into because well... shouldn't there be reasons? Was being part of a family reason enough? Friendship was built from some sort of shared bond, relationships...
There he goes, trying to pick things apart again, trying to find the reasonings, the meaning, the how's and why's because that's what he does even if it threatens to drive him crazy. It's so hard to just not think too hard about it and accept things as they are.
But Velocity with all her words is still basically telling him that it's okay. That everything's okay. That should be all that matters, that's all he really wants to hear.
He drags in a strained breath, head tilting back enough that he can look over his arms again, tear-filled eyes making Velocity look like one giant blurry blob of teal.]
[It might seem like his answer's too quick, too casual. From his perspective it isn't a difficult thing to decide. It's some form of asking him to help with a problem, isn't it? It's a refreshingly different sort of problem, although at the same time, kind of strange since he might not really be doing much of anything except just. Being there.
Huh. He'd never really thought about it in that sense, even though it's something their father had taught them early on.]
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