notglitching: (red - in Clu's shadow)
Rinzler / Tron ([personal profile] notglitching) wrote in [community profile] thisavrou_log2016-06-05 07:13 am

They say we are what we are

Who: Rinzler, his CR, and OPEN
When: first week of June
Where: around the Moira.
What: Rinzler's real boss is on the ship. Flailing ensues! Some open prompts; some closed ones.
Warnings: references to mindfuck, genocide, and other family-friendly Disney canon. Creeping, violence, and general awfulness in the thread with Clu. TBE as things happen.


A. Night of the 1st, maintenance room: CLOSED to Frisk and Asriel

When Rinzler receives the call from Zam_Wesell, he doesn't panic. Panic would be crashing on the spot. Panic would be taking the nearest transporter and trying to fly, to run; to split his disks and cut through anyone who stalled his path. But running wouldn't help (he knew) (he'd tried), and this is the one threat Rinzler can never, ever fight against.

Clu is on the Moira, and it's only a matter of time before the admin takes back what he made.

The hooks of directive are pulled tight enough to strangle, but Rinzler doesn't crash. He doesn't run. He doesn't have a voice to scream, and if the ticking rattle of code conflict has risen to nearly the same volume, Rinzler doesn't (can't) let the mass of errors stall him long. He'd been in nearly the same situation less than a decicycle back, trapped in his own world by the glitched Ingress until his allies here had come to get him out. Extraction is impossible this time, but there's still a task that holds priority. Not all of those who'd come to save him then returned unchanged.

Request meeting. Urgent.
Bring identity disks.


The texts transmit, along with coordinates: a maintenance space just off one of the vent shafts. Asriel will know the way. This discussion, Rinzler doesn't want anywhere near cameras.


B. Early morning on the 2nd, Moro #023: CLOSED to Nihlus

The discussion with the betas takes longer than expected. Information. Demonstration. Diverting more personal inquiries—or trying to, at least. By the time they head back to their quarters, Rinzler's as sure as he can be they understand the danger. They'll safeguard their backups. They won't let themselves be edited.

They, they, they.

Rinzler's situation is different, and no matter what he used to be, the enforcer knows what he's made for. Fight. Obey. Serve Clu. Directive loops, close and prickling as he submits his request for a room change. As he examines the space, bare and empty of intrusion. It's better this way, but it's not enough. He needs to report in. Submit, wait, present disk. It's been the better part of a cycle since Clu reviewed his code, and Rinzler knows how badly he needs correcting. He can feel it in the nausea behind each mismatched line, in the near constant flicker of [Warning—] no longer capable of locking him back in his place. He knows he's broken because of how very badly he wants not to be fixed.

Just over a millicycle after Zam's call, Rinzler sends out his second message asking for a meeting. This one is harder.

This time, it's for himself.


C. 2nd, Moro deck: OPEN

It won't end well. Rinzler knows this even without the shameful twist of function to remind him. When Nihlus leaves, his sound is harsher, the jagged edge of code warped to the point of breaking grinding against each and every choice he's made. But it's too late now, and Rinzler forces himself to still and wait. Clu will find him soon. Clu will call, and Rinzler will come the way his code demands. The way he was made to do.

Clu will call and he will come, but it is taking too long.

Processes are frayed with looping by the time Rinzler gives up. Whether from ignorance or disinterest or some new test, his administrator isn't initiating contact. Test is the most likely explanation by far, and Rinzler knows what he should do to pass. Search the ship. Find Clu. Surrender of his own volition. But he won't, he can't, not yet. Not after what he's done. Instead, Rinzler leaves his empty quarters and walks down the hall. He has a room change to finish.

The sum and total of Rinzler's time outside the Grid fits in one box and his backpack from Inugami. The latter settles much too easily over his shoulders, covering the new absence well. He takes a moment to glance around the room, mask lingering on the ground where he'd killed his first user. It's a strange association. He might value this system, but the room itself has never been of much significance, and if Elle might regret his absence, he knows her feelings won't be shared. Tucking the box of user clothing, rocket boots, and books under one arm, Rinzler sticks his helmet out into the hall, cautiously checking both ways for gold-lit figures before he steps out and paces back toward his new room.


D. 2nd-7th, around the ship: OPEN

Not yet shades far too easily into not. A direct order, Rinzler would have to obey, and he knows that much will come eventually. But the longer the delay draws out, the easier it is to pretend otherwise. Maybe Clu doesn't know he's here. Maybe Clu doesn't want him. It's a betrayal to consider and a delusion to believe, but the idea keeps Rinzler running.

For the most part, Rinzler can be encountered all over the Moira, going about his business as usual. He handles training and transport duties on the flight deck, attends his kitchen shifts, and looks up the most recent foreign references (vacation?) in the library. He examines the kittens in the garden and patrols the halls and ventilation shafts to scan for threats. But familiar acquaintances or new ones will find the program alert to the edge of twitchiness. His constant noise is clipped and harsh. He spends far too much time watching any crowds. And anyone behind the program will see a strange empty space on his back: the merged disks that should have filled the spot are missing.

Or, you might encounter his problems more directly. When Rinzler does spot Clu in the halls, his priority is to get out of the way before he's noticed. Any unlocked doors are prone to experiencing a sudden arrival: one (1) glowing, growling computer program ducking in your space with no pause for permission. He might say sorry if you ask? (Good luck.)


E. 8th, Moro #015: CLOSED to Clu

He'd known it was inevitable. He'd known it was a test. Still, when the order does come, when Rinzler feels the lines of should and have to pulling tight in a familiar, unbreakable chain, he wishes he'd had the sense to run. It wouldn't have helped. It wouldn't have done anything at all. But he wants to [wants to] [wants], and now, the option is entirely past reaching.

Clu's instructions are short and simple. A place. A word. Report. Nothing else was necessary, and they will have all the time in the world for Clu to fill the silences up soon. When Rinzler is back where he belongs. When everything is back as it's supposed to be. The enforcer doesn't answer [speech is forbidden] ["—perfect this way"], but as slow and heavy as his steps feel, it's scant micros before the enforcer is outside the door.

A moment's lag. A moment to freeze and falter, a moment's panic when it's far too late to matter. Then Rinzler reaches out, and the door opens.
pleasereset: dayuh on tumblr (Listening)

A

[personal profile] pleasereset 2016-06-05 07:01 pm (UTC)(link)
The request is answered with a quick "we'll be there" before Asriel sends a message out to Frisk. If it was Rinzler saying it was urgent, Asriel figured it was best to not make him wait too long. Besides, while Toriel wasn't expecting them back yet... she would be soon. With his identity disk strapped to his back, he meets up with Frisk and they start walking towards their meeting place.

When they arrive, Asriel can't help but feel a little uneasy. He cautiously calls out.

"Rinzler, are you here?"
gainedlove: (* Approach)

[personal profile] gainedlove 2016-06-05 08:32 pm (UTC)(link)
Frisk is quick to agree as well, meeting with Asriel before the pair headed off. Frisk's own disk is strapped securely in place, an odd weight but one they're growing accustomed to.

Frisk tugs on their sleeve and looks around, trying to spot wherever Rinzler might be hiding. He's been better since returning from the Grid, but not entirely, and this message makes it seem like things might be getting worse again.
a_perfect_end: The players tried for a forward pass. (procedural language)

E. !=escape ♥ (mindfuckery, psychological abuse, prodding past injuries of all sorts, etc.)

[personal profile] a_perfect_end 2016-06-05 08:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Clu nominally shared these quarters, but the intellect referring to himself as Black Box was not currently in residence and preferred to avoid the base-physical. Besides, the first test would push the boundaries of their first concepts, their oldest lessons together-- parameter input: home turf.

"Do come in."

His tone is soft enough, smooths the question mark from the courtesy, eliminating the choice. He doesn't look up at the door, makes no move toward it, perched standing by the small folding shelf that serves as a desk.

That delay could only have been deliberate; Rinzler will have to process the request and obey. It is the second of several tests.
pleasereset: dreemurr-reborn on tumblr (I'm not a little kid)

[personal profile] pleasereset 2016-06-05 09:11 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, this isn't the urgent call that Asriel was expecting. At least not urgent enough to hold this meeting in a cramped, noisy machine room. But Asriel still pauses and thinks over Rinzler's question.

"Um... it's a weapon used in those games? And uh, you can throw it. Like a frisbee. And it's really sharp."

That's probably not the answer Rinzler is looking for, so he casts a glance to Frisk for some help.

"You can... use it like a nightlight?"
gainedlove: (* Mystify)

[personal profile] gainedlove 2016-06-05 09:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Frisk frowns in confusion, glancing to Asriel before reaching back to grab their disk and inspect it. They figured out a while ago how to make it light up on command, and they let it flicker on a few times in demonstration when Asriel mentions that.

"Um, I r'member you an' Tron got yours to split! I can't figure out how t' do it, though." Frisk picks at the inside loop, trying to find whatever seam might be there, but of course there's nothing. "I dunno nothing else, though."
pleasereset: just-face-planted on tumblr (Realization)

[personal profile] pleasereset 2016-06-05 11:19 pm (UTC)(link)
"Backups?"

Asriel has no idea what that means, but he unhooks his own disk too. It didn't really seem like there was a whole lot to it, but there really was something special about them? All this time, he just thought they were given these disks just to survive those games.

His eyes turn to watch Frisk and Rinzler, watching carefully.
gainedlove: (* Pause)

[personal profile] gainedlove 2016-06-05 11:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Something about the way Rinzler phrases that tickles in the back of Frisk's mind--an old instinct, some feeling of unease and a reluctance to follow along. Perhaps something about a dog...?

But that's silly. Shaking free of the odd thought, Frisk nods and hands over their disk to Rinzler without a second thought.
pleasereset: icons by friisking on tumblr (What are you guys talking about)

[personal profile] pleasereset 2016-06-06 02:56 am (UTC)(link)
Asriel stops the occasional attempts to mimic what Rinzler's doing, watching the scene unfold in wide-eyed fascination. It records what you've been doing? It seems like a pretty useful thing for it to be able to do.

Of course, Asriel is unaware of just how far back it can go.

"Look, Frisk! It's like a camcorder! How'd you do that, Rinzler? I wanna try!"
beautifulspaceraptor: (contemplative)

B

[personal profile] beautifulspaceraptor 2016-06-06 02:57 am (UTC)(link)
Nihlus stares at the message before sending off an affirmative and then just... taking a second to let the feeling of an impending disaster sink in. The message had been sparse in detail (to be expected, really), but the fact that Rinzler was inviting him to meet him was putting up a few dozen red flags.

He quickly tidies up his work area, making sure there wasn't anything around the fabricator for people to trip over. After that, Nihlus heads out.

Five minutes later, he standing in front of the door and quietly realizing that Rinzler's moved. It must have been recent because he recalls peering through the rosters barely a week ago and the program had still been in his usual spot.

Not- necessarily a bad thing. The less roommates the guy had to nose about his business the better. Finding this out in tandem with the message, though? That put up a couple more red flags.

Somewhat gingerly, Nihlus knocks on the door.
Edited 2016-06-06 02:58 (UTC)
gainedlove: (* Joke)

[personal profile] gainedlove 2016-06-06 03:41 am (UTC)(link)
Rinzler, buddy, you have no idea how easy this kid trusts people.

When their face appears in the apparently holographic display, Frisk makes a faint noise of surprise, stepping closer to get a better view of it. And then the display shifts, and they gasp in surprise and delight.

"Oh, that's so cool! How'd you make it show that, what else does it do?"
warandpeace: (Yoυ're αll тнe тнιɴɢѕ I've ɢoт)

[personal profile] warandpeace 2016-06-07 05:22 am (UTC)(link)
☄Around the Ship
"Rinzler!"

Miller called after him, striding after to catch up. Thank god for this prosthetic. Despite his earnest refusal to get one for so long, it had been working out to his benefit. But his speedy approach slowed, and he honed in on Rinzler's back.

Because he remembered. He remembered what he'd been told, what he'd warned, and those weapons should be there.

When Miller came to a standstill, he was still a bit away, but with an undeniably questioning look on his face.
a_perfect_end: The players tried for a forward pass. (nod your head)

[personal profile] a_perfect_end 2016-06-08 12:46 am (UTC)(link)
Clu was not rezzed yesterday. Rinzler is his best warrior, a perfect weapon written to specifications excruciating and precise--if he failed to report, there is a reason. Still, there's no undue hurry. Clu will find it.

Rinzler acts exactly as he should. It's inconsistent, nearly incorrect when compared with that failure to arrive.

“Very good.” Soft, steady, listening--consulting audio processors and turning over that hitch in tone, that sudden deviation Rinzler had been unable to suppress...Nonspecific. More data required.

“But you misunderstand me.” Flat, factual, the pause before the whip crack. “Come here.”
warandpeace: (I wιll ғιɴd α wαy αɴd I wιll нαve yoυ)

[personal profile] warandpeace 2016-06-08 03:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Again Miller didn't speak. Rather he reached around and tapped between his own shoulderblades, indicating what he noticed was gone.

What ever other questions remained, that was worthy of concern first. Especially after what Rinzler had been through. The fighting everyone got involved with.

"Are you alright?"
alan_1: (you know who i am)

june 3rd

[personal profile] alan_1 2016-06-08 11:06 pm (UTC)(link)
[Elevators are, strategically speaking, good for getting away from people. Not only do they offer a compact hiding place with securely closing doors, but also the promise of taking you somewhere else on the ship, hopefully far away from the person you happen to be avoiding.

Unfortunately, elevators also have the downside of often already having someone in them. A downside Rinzler will no doubt regret when he ducks furtively into an elevator -- only to find it already occupied by a surprised Alan.

Alan’s eyes go from Rinzler to the hallway over his shoulder and then back, a questioning expression on his face. If he didn’t know any better, he’d say Rinzler was trying to hide from someone, though he sees no obvious culprit in the hall at the moment. Perhaps he’s just in a rush then? Alan takes a step to the side to allow Rinzler further into the elevator just in case.]


Going somewhere?
beautifulspaceraptor: (sad Nihlus)

[personal profile] beautifulspaceraptor 2016-06-09 03:40 am (UTC)(link)
Well, Rinzler's not covered in blood or smelling of blood and the room behind him had everything pointing more towards 'brand spanking new' over 'murder scene'.

Nihlus isn't sure if that made the situation better or worse. He keeps his expression and body language carefully neutral, inclining his head in greeting and stepping into the room when Rinzler gestures for him to do so.

For a room that was so cheerfully colorful, it sure felt... empty. The Spectre notes the untouched furniture, the lack of decor, the lack of other smells in the room asides from Rinzler's own strange scent.

"... Fancy," he says after the door slides closed, peering at the program over his cowl, an unreadable note in his tones.

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