Chapter Text
After their chance encounter at the Spire, Uzi and Doll decided it would be best to stay in the, somehow, still functional bunker as opposed to the desolate, but well decorated in Uzi’s opinion, corpse tower.
(I still cannot believe you chose to live in that heap for all these years…)
“Yeah, and you chose the now corpse filled hallways of the bunker, so I’d say its pretty even actually.” Uzi remarked, not letting Doll slander her only real comfort left on this icy rock.
Doll merely sighed as the two continued to head towards their destination; while they could have simply teleported the two wanted to make the most of their now less lonely time.
Though, it was becoming increasingly clear that this relationship was already wearing somewhat thin.
Uzi with her constant quips and defensive remarks, and Doll with her deadpanned and insensitive comments, they were polar opposites. The only similarity between their behaviors being their origins as bad coping mechanisms.
But, as much as she hated it, Doll had to admit that she of all people had no right to complain about living among corpses. (I suppose that is true Doorman, but mine is a kitchen, yours is a graveyard.)
Uzi didn’t give a remark to that, both because Doll was technically right, and she just didn’t want to continue arguing. As that had become the majority of their conversations on this long walk back home.
…
Finally reaching the bunker, the two stopped outside its monolithic doors. Maybe out of anxiety, or perhaps nostalgia, neither of them was entirely sure what it was. They were sure, however, that once they went in, there was really no going back. If they wanted to call this off and go their separate ways, now was the time.
But they both decided against that. Former Enemies they my be, but the two drones had learnt just how crazy loneliness could make someone…
Uzi was the first to speak up, despising the temporary silence, “Please, preps first.” she quipped, putting on that signature fake edge.
The comment almost got a smile out of the Russian drone, so she quipped back in an uncharacteristic showcase of humor, (I’m glad you finally see me as the social butterfly I was.)
Tensions and nerves now somewhat eased, the two journeyed farther in. Doll taking the lead, guiding Uzi to where she had been staying. Surprisingly it wasn’t her room, rather it was an unused break room, and a remarkably well kept one at that.
(Welcome to my uh, home. I would say to sit anywhere, but you are not capable of such.)
“Was that supposed to be a joke or…?” Uzi questioned, as she could never tell when the drone was joking, or expressing herself at all. Only a handful of times had she heard her ever break from that monotone manner of speaking.
(Joke? No, you are both a hologram and eldritch centipede. Sitting isn’t in your wheelhouse as of now.)
Deadpan as always… well at least she was consistent. Not thinking on it much, Uzi looked around the room. It wasn’t exactly small, being made to comfortably house around a dozen humans, or drones, originally. The multiple couches, frozen vending machines, and tables certainly gave it an almost normal vibe, which was comforting, in a messed up way when Uzi thought about it… best not to dwell much there.
“So… now what?”
(Good question Doorman, there isn’t much we can do as we are now…)
There it was again, Doorman…
“Well. For starters, stop calling me that. I have a name! You know it!” Uzi stated, rather aggressively in Dolls opinion.
(Doorman? That is what I have always called you, I suppose it is just habit now.)
“Yeah cool, could ya maybe make it not a habit then?”
Now Doll was somewhat confused, Uzi was being very defensive about this. When before she never cared, or well, never showed that she did at least. The bullying is really backfiring now in hindsight.
(Ok, Uzi. Is that better?") she asked, confusion evident in her voice.
“Much… thanks.”
Small drama resolved, Doll returned to her original, more pressing, thoughts. Their future.
(I have thoroughly explored the bunker, and there is not much left in good condition. So I am doubtful we could repair or really find anything, or anyone.)
“Could have guessed that genius. But yeah, same goes for the inner city I guess. Whatever I did, absolutely ruined the general area apparently.”
(Speaking of which… do you recall anything? Did the Solver say anything?)
Uzi pondered for a moment, with Doll taking notice of how her actual body seemed to pulsate in thought. Which didn’t last long, thankfully, as Uzi quickly scanned her memories and found nothing but corrupt data there.
Hearing this, Doll was disappointed but not surprised, the Solver wasn’t a generous being after all, so even if it had mentioned something of use, it would make it a pain to get.
And with little clue of where else to steer this already awkward conversation, the two drones remained in silence, both thinking to themselves of what to do next.
…
It had now been a few weeks since that fateful day at the Spire.
And Doll had begun to think it was a curse rather than a blessing, sure the company kept her from going insane, but Uzi was trying her damnedest to make her go crazy instead!
She wasn’t sure why but the purple drone was dedicated to arguing with her over nearly everything, and if not that, she’d make edgy remarks and jokes at everything. Safe to say it had grown old.
And Uzi felt much the same. In her eyes, Doll was being unfeeling and passive. Always shooting down her suggestions to explore the planet, or trying to make her thrown her friends out. Which was simply ridiculous! But what really pissed her off was the names, Doll was still calling her Doorman! Which, if done again, would probably make her try to see if you can kill ghosts.
So yeah… they were getting along just swimmingly. And soon it was going to boil over, in incredible fashion at that.
(Doorman! Would you stop already! And get rid of the corpses; if I could remove my parents I would, so you should so the same!)
And there was that final straw Uzi was talking about…
The lights on Uzi, both on her body and holograms, took on a sudden yellow tinted hue, as she faced Doll. It was obvious she was mad, very mad.
“WHAT DID I SAY ABOUT THAT!” she yelled as she threw the closest object at Dolls ghostly form. It passed through her obviously, but that did not stop Uzi from throwing more objects, heck she even slashed at her a few times!
“I will find a way to kill ghosts! Do NOT test me you red eyed demon!” she yelled again, digital tears welling up in her eyes now. Which surprised Doll, but was pushed to the back of her head as an equal rage took hold.
(Uzi! I get you're upset at… whatever it is! But don’t act like you’re the only victim here, I also lost people you freak of a moron! So I don’t wanna hear it from YOU of all people!)
At that Uzi was incredulous. Victim? Yeah right.
“Hahaha! VICTIM! Are you kidding me? I committed literal genocide, I killed all my friends, my Dad, shit… EVERYONE! So yeah! Sorry I feel a little bad about it!”
After getting it all off her chest, Uzi broke down. Bad. While her actually body expressed little of her emotions, her hologram self was far more expressive, and it was weeping. Curled up on herself, her walls having crashed down, leaving just the regret and guilt.
Doll was understandably taken aback by this sudden shift in behavior. As far as she had known the purple drone, she had never cried before. Even after hearing that her Mom had died, she just got even edgier.
Which in hindsight, was much more obviously a coping mechanism, not dissimilar to Dolls months of muteness after her parents were killed.
But she could self-reflect later. As annoying as she could be Uzi probably could use some help right now, or comfort at least.
(Hey… sorry about that. I think I get why you were so bothered by the name thing. I- I should have been more thoughtful about that. I forget I’m not the only one who lost people…)
Uzi glances up, tears still streaming down her face. She uncurls somewhat, and shifts her body to better face Doll. “Yeah, I… I probably could have better explained it as well. Instead of y’know, bottling it all up.”
(Well, we both have plenty of experience there. So I do think I can understand you there. But, if we want this to work… we need to be more open about everything.) Doll awkwardly glances around the room for a moment, collecting her thoughts, (I am sorry. About your father, believe me I understand that pain. So I apologize for reminding you of it all.)
Uzi nodded, getting back up, her tears fading away on her screen. “We’re both just chock full of parent issues huh.” she pauses, “Too soon?”
The russian actually smiles at the awful joke, (I believe your humor has been rubbing off on me Uzi. But yes, that was too soon.)
“Good. The humor bit I mean. You could use a sense of humor, even if it is mine.” she says, smiling as usual. But without any edge, its more natural.
After all the yelling and crying, the drones let a moment of silence pass, before Doll deadpannedly states, (Sure, sure. But I still want the bodies outside the room at least, they are disturbing.)
“Heh… yeah that's… actually pretty fair. I think I was getting a little obsessed. But, I’m not getting rid of them.”
Doll doesn’t argue that point, just happy to get the cold metal figures out of the one moderately normal space left in the bunker.
She makes an attempt to pick up a body, deciding that helping would probably be a good idea, given just how grief stricken Uzi apparently was, but she quickly remembers the whole ghost thing and fails to even touch Vs frame.
Seeing this happen, Uzi comments, “Man, shame your just ghost. We could probably get more done if you had a body.” It was more of an off handed comment than anything, something to fill space and acknowledge Dolls plight.
But ut made Doll think.
(Well, we may be able to do just that actually… if we can find my corpse that is.)
“The Cathedral… yeah…” she pauses to think, “It could be worth a shot I suppose.”
Doll smiles, as the prospect of being corporeal again is rather invigorating, (Then I suppose we finally have plans now.)