Chapter Text
"Are you serious or is this a load of shit?"
An aggressive voice rang out, however, the words started glitching out, becoming distorted to ears it wasn't meant for. The voice would soon calm down, with an aggravated sigh and the Familiar beep of a call ending. Leaving mumbled curses and threats to be the only thing breaking the silence.
As though the beep was an entrance que, an android looking boy steps out of a pod, blue eyes glossy and clean like that of a porcelain doll, the dull blue faceplates hard, but not hard enough to be just chrome by itself, blended into the android’s Jet black hair shifting into the cosmic gradient blue-green streaks at the end of its hair.
“Where am I?” The android called out, clutching its heavy clothing like a lifeline, it looked around the unfamiliar area. The android did the best it could to attempt to remember anything, but–
ERROR. CLASSIFIED.
A simple error code was the only thing that popped up in its head. As far as it knew it couldn’t trace back anything before this point. The android spun around, eyes darting around the cramped room, glancing at each inanimate object like threats, "What's that!" The android shakily whispered, it's breathing coming out in short gasps.
The chair in front of the android quickly turned around, revealing a man that the android weirdly felt like he knew in contrast to the nerve-wracking environment, “Hm, you’re up?” The man called out to the android, scooting the chair closer to the android. Almost immediately, the Android’s unclear vision settled on the man in front of it, now analyzing his appearance.
Dark brown skin, tall you could even tell when he was sitting down, the straight jet black hair with red underneath was evidently damaged, not to mention completely shaved on the left, a man bun on the back and then the rest of his hair cascades down the right in a side swept style. The man also wore striking lengthy cross earrings that reached to his collar bone. Paired with his deep red eyes with darker circles than all 7 circles of hell. The man wasn’t hideous, but wasn’t decent looking either. The android rubbed it's temples as it looked the man up and down from the tired look in his eyes to the weird earrings he thought were an odd fashion statement.
“Come on, look at me.” The man cupped the android's face and roughly tilted it up, making the android’s face plates shudder, “Ouch!” The Android yelped and turned away from the man with an annoyed expression, “I asked where I am, and who are you?” The code in the android's eyes began to cluster together, like a surge of power diverted to its irises and, it's eyes glowed a eerie cyan through the inky black depths of its sclera. “Oh, I can see clearly!” the android looked around the room again, a wave of calmness washing over it's system. Turning back to face the man, a weird projection shot from the androids eyes, scanning over the man, a window immediately popped up in the android’s face.
Asherest Sion: EX-PANE
“I coded you quite well didn't I. You're learning quickly.” Asherest subtly smiled at the android, however, the smile didn't reach his eyes. It didn't seem like it was supposed to either.
The warmth that came from the pod dissipated. The wires connecting the Android to the pod snapping along with it, “Oh,” The android looked at its arms and legs around like a baby just learning how to move on their own. The Android's eyes sparkled discovering its more, unique attributes. Asherest just glared at the android, looking him up and down like a…thing, “You've got a stinger,” the android jumped in, “A scorpion tail!” The android turned to the side to get its tail in view, the stinger about the size of it's head swung around fluidly, reaching to about 8 feet long. Asherest looked the android up and down, “That's why I named you, Zusting.”
The android perked up at its name, a wave of identity finally washing over it, “Zusting" a big grin crossed its face, "that's me.” Zusting whispered, touching his face and torso, “Yes, that's what you are. I don't fancy giving things names, especially if they aren't useful to me.” Asherest’s facial expression soured, putting emphasis on “Things.”
Zusting pouted at Asherest's comment, “I'm not a thing,” Zusting turned around to see their reflection in the pod, “More like a man!” Zusting cheered. Asherest rolled his eyes, “Sure, if that's what you think.” Asherest turned back to his 3 hologram panels at his desk, completely shifting his attention to the more important task at hand, while Zusting continued to explore himself.
Zusting felt as if this body was his, but at the same time it wasn't, "It's like I'm split in two." Zusting murmured, arms clutched around his torso, the cold and void sensation cutting through the familiarity he thought he felt.
“Enxi’s very skilled with designing Circuits,” Asherest broke through Zusting's rambling, filling out a profile for Zusting in a catalog of other profiles. The people in these profiles looked similar, all Android’s with unnatural features that contrast their humanoid looks, “...She definitely did a phenomenal job with you, considering you're already fawning over yourself.” Asherest stated blankly, causing Zusting to zip over to his side and over his shoulder, “Who are they? Oh, and that's me!” Zusting exclaimed, pointing to the Photo of himself that floated in the air.
“Circuits, androids that people like me create in order to ward off those…things outside.” Asherest turned to the fascinated Zusting hovering over his shoulder, “You're one of them,another weapon in the catalog.” Asherest's face flickered to a somber expression, just staring at the panels.
“So you're a...” Zusting recalled the hologram from a few minutes ago, “An Ex-pane.” To which Asherest responded with a sigh, “Correct.” hand rubbing circles over the shaved side of his head.
Zusting then backed away, looking at himself once more. He thought he was a person, not a weapon, “I'm not just a weapon, I'm a circuit,no? You made me, why aren't you proud?” Zusting inquired, glaring at Asherest with a blazing intensity, "I'm happy!" Zusting beamed, as he posed epically.
Asherest completely dismissed Zusting's questions, “Your stylist is ecstatic to meet you. So you should get yourself together.” Asherest finally stood up from his chair, towering over Zusting, causing Zusting to flinch upon having to look up at him. Asherest pays no attention to his fear and grabs him by the arm, “Hey, that hurts!” Despite Zusting's pleas, Asherest shoves Zusting over to the catalog, “Put something else, that body suit reeks of the infirmary." Wrinkled his nose, "I don't need you disturbing me down by acting like you're more than just a pile of bolts.” Asherest's voice was rough, agitated even at Zusting's behavior, “I thought I coded you differently than…whatever this is.” With a final scrunched up look, Asherest turned away and went back to his desk.
“Fine I get it, damn!” Zusting winched, putting a hand over his wrist. His voice etched with defiance but his body language was shaken. Zusting had so many questions, and the very man he'd ought to ask was plain rude. Reluctantly, Zusting entered the closet.
Little holographic panels showed each item, the panels circled around Zusting, caging him in a whirlwind of code.
“Holy nova…” Zusting felt his chest tighten. His thoughts bubbled up into questions that he was itching to ask, curious fingers running along everything he could touch with his small height.
Zusting began searching through the outfits, he found a glitchy flower in one of the corners of a panel, It looked like misplaced code, “Oh, what's that?” Zusting reached out to touch the flower--
“Eek, don't touch that!” A very high pitched voice shouted, zipping past in a blink and snatching the flower right out of Zusting's curious fingers.
“Ah-!” Zusting stepped back, looking at his empty hands, “Did I just get zipped.” Zusting looked back up, to find a small sized Bee Circuit, except he looked more holographic than physical and was the size of Zusting's hand. The Bee Circuit, sticking his nose up at Zusting, stroking the flower petals gently.
“Hah?” Zusting’s face shifted to one of pure confusion, “What in Xyles name are you?” just as Zusting asked, The projector shot out of his eyes again and scanned over the smaller circuit.
ENO.
But all that came up was a photo and its name, “More like who are you?” EN0 crossed his arms and floated around Zusting’s head analyzing him carefully, “Ah, you're that new piece of garbage they gave to Ash!” EN0 snickered, getting up in Zusting’s face. Zusting instantly swat him away almost sending the circuit flying, “This is coming from someone who doesn't even look like they can touch anything that isn't from their little holographic realm, so who's really garbage here?” Zusting shot back, matching EN0’s smug face with his own shit eating grin, “Agh, How repulsive!” EN0 quickly flew back, making eyes at Zusting before soaring though the cracks in panels and over to Asherest's side, dutifully handing him the flower.
“Oh so he can touch it but I can't? Hmph!” Zusting pouted, grabbing one of the more simple outfits, slipping off the body suit and jumping into the new outfit, a regular pair of shorts and a gray training shirt, both oversized and heavily baggy on Zusting. Once he was finished the panels all dismissed themselves into their respective catalog spaces, turning around to see EN0 buzzing around Asherest in distress, being met with an uninterested, "Mhm."
Zusting took the opportunity to take in his surroundings now that he could think, the small, futuristic dorm room was messy yet functional. The clutter was backed into a corner, so at least Asherest had the decency to put his mess away. The cool blue LED lights lined the ceiling and furniture, casting a cool glow over everything making the ends of Zusting's hair glow as well. The dual hologram panels hover over a sleek desk where Asherest sat. It was equipped with small built-in shelves holding disks and blueprints, hinting at Asherest being a bit tech-savvy. Behind Zusting, was the catalog and not far away, the transparent pod that he had just come out of. Lastly, a raised bed tucked near tall neon-lit windows overlooks the cityscape, complete with a bookshelf filled with books and gadgets.
“Uh, hello.” Zusting walked up behind Asherest watching him and EN0 converse with each other, a smug smirk etched on his face at EN0’s childishness, “EN0, I am not given enough creds to care about you and your jealousy.” Asherest raised his voice, flicking EN0 away like a bug.
“Ack!” Eno barely caught himself before he hit the wall, “Quit swatting me away.” EN0 sneered, floating over towards the shelves.
“So, what's this little thing?” Zusting waltzed over to the bookshelf, rubbing EN0 on the head with his finger, "He’s a bit tiny.” Zusting noted, “ Get away from me!” EN0 wrestled with Zusting's finger, flailing like a toddler having a tantrum.
Asherest looked between the two with a disappointed expression, “That little thing is EN0, a false circuit. He's got no CDD value or spectral abilities, but he looks like one." Asherest pulled up another panel from his wrist, an outline of EN0's file.
"EN0 is more of like a data extractor. A personal comms device." Asherest held up the flower and the petals glitched into the panel. The information flew across the screen, a debrief of information that Zusting couldn't understand.
"...Yeah I totally get it!" Zusting put up a thumbs up, laughed nervously. Asherest glanced at Eno before staring at Zusting, “You’d better be good, Zusting.” Asherest sneered, “A weapon should be useful, otherwise you’re nothing but a pile of chrome to me.” Zusting groaned at the phrase, “How many times will you say that?” He crossed his arms, head cocking to the side.
Asherest's monotone voice echoed throughout the room, “Till you recognize what you are.” Asherest assessed Zusting's defiant stance, "Just a thing, and a pain in my ass."
However, “I don't intend to sit back and let you run over me, Ash.” Zusting stood up against Asherest, a beat of silence weighted over the two, air heavy with tension. Asherest simply leaned in and whispered in Zusting's ear, “Get some rest.”
Zusting was perplexed, taking a step back and bumping into the bookshelf behind him, “What are you talking about?” Zusting laughed till a sudden wave of obedience washed over him, like energy was shutting off in every corner of his body. His finger tips fell cold and his knees threatened to bunkle beneath him, "Huh?" Zusting stumbled over to the bed, legs completely going cold and before long the rest of his body went offline too, the glow in his eyes flicking and before long he passed out, hanging off the edge of the bed.
Asherest looked down at the sleeping android, “Since he's already over there." Asherest lifted up Zusting's legs and set them on the bed. Looming over him, his expression softened at the sight, “My own circuit.” Asherest mumbled, glancing up at the cityscape outside the window, the neon lights casing Zusting in a beam of purple and blue, “CuroCell-tech, huh.” Asherest chuckled grimly, "A load of shit, that's what it is."