A Metal Feather (Open to Red Ravens)

[Kara]

When Bane had mentioned her still injured state Kara looked down and saw the shot still in her chest, yet now it seemed to have had a little bit of patching done to secure it. Her hand reached up and felt the area before looking back to Bane as he explained he would help her even though he hadn't worked on a model like her before.

{One moment.} she replied before walking over to a nearest computer/information hub.

Upon reached it she showed her right wrist before pulling out a plugin wire hidden underneath. She pulled it out far enough to attach to the computer and sat for a moment before something was downloaded to the computer itself. When she finished she unplugged and turned to Bane.

{I have just uploaded a schematic of my body which I believe will assist you with my repairs.} After that she stood and walked over to the bench he wanted her at and sat down. After Bane asked about her former master and herself she answered {I'm afraid....Grellet is no longer functioning the same way you organics do. He was a rodian slicer who was actually responsible for my modifications. But he also used his skills for a number of gangs and criminals needing it. You may or may have heard of him yourself.}

[member="Cryax Bane"]

 

[Cryax Bane]

"Thanks, Kara." With a few clicks, Cryax projected the schematic as a rotating 3D Holo projection on the surface of his desk. He rubbed his chin as he studied it.

He shook his head when she mentioned the Rodian's name. "Nope, never heard of him by that name. If he had a code name, maybe that would ring a bell, but honestly, we, uh, the Red Ravens, deal with alot of criminals. Sometimes their names blur together for me. I'm more of a behind the scenes kind of guy myself."

"We might have a file on him in our Database." He shrugged. "I could look it up later. But if he's dead. Not sure what the point would be."

The Chiss turned towards the lost luxury droid and smiled widely, his repair tools in hand. "What I'm trying to say is. Kara, I think you just might be free droid."

[member="Kara"]

 

[Lucifer Malvern]

I stepped out of the other room, attempting to drink some nasty beverage that was both cold and congealing, like some kind of dead animal. I saw the droid standing, and the Chiss talking to her, and I smiled.

"Good to see you awake. Hope we can fix you fast. But then, you're free. Even if your owner was still alive, I doubt he'd be in any condition to claim you."

((Sorry for the wait... My internet was being a little bitchy))

[member="Cryax Bane"] [member="Kara"]

 

[Kara]

After assessing what both of them said to her, Kara had first responded with {Ah yes. The Red Ravens. An organization devoted to a number of criminal activities. Grellet had mentioned you and monitored some of your actions in the hopes of not, and I quote, 'ticking you off'. Obviously he has done a thorough performance as such.} After hearing that she was a free droid Kara went silent for a moment before saying {I am sorry, but I am not 'free'. Rather I do not wish to be. If I am without an owner I am without a true function, and therefor cannot perform to the best of my abilities.} While saying this she seemed calm as Bane had begun working on her repairing.

[member="Riv'Stak"] [member="Cryax Bane"]

(It's okay)

 

[Lucifer Malvern]

I shrugged at the silver droid, letting my jaws separate a bit to get the semi-congealed crap out of my mouth.

"I mean, if it makes you feel any better, you can wander around with me. I'm without a function, as well."

Swallowing, I grinned.

"Of course, Cryax probably lives a more solid life than I do. Least he lives here."

[member='Kara'] [member="Cryax Bane"]

 

[Cryax Bane]

A sad smile crossed the Chiss's face as Kara talked. "Of course you want a Master. Your obedience is built into your programming." He said. "But it doesn't have to be that way, Kara."

He stopped and perched on his desk, crossing his legs. "What if I told you I could change your programming. If we eliminated your desire to serve? You wouldn't have to be anyone's property anymore."

He smiled excitedly. Finally getting a chance to talk about one of his favorite topics, droid liberation. "We could even hire you to work for the Ravens. I'm sure we could use another slicer, especially one with a body who could withstand toxic substances." He thought back to the recent nerve gas attack on the casino.

"Or you could always follow a walking lizard around. No offense Riv'Stak."

[member="Kara"] [member="Riv'Stak"]

 

[Kara]

Listening to his proposal Kara watched as Bane seemed truly invested in giving her independence. Yet, as he spoke, she didn't seem phased by it. Even when [member="Riv'Stak"] had offered to take her on as well. Though she did perk at the idea of working for the Ravens. She looked away from both of them before looking back to the Chiss.

{I do not believe liberation would be needed. I find that I am more comfortable being in the service of others. Grellet had thought as you and tried to make me more 'real'. It.....did not end well. But your proposal for joining with the Red Ravens does intrigue me. Would I require an audience with your leader? I can inform him my abilities as a 'slicer' are not within question. And given my original function as a luxury droid, I can provide 'other services' as well.}

[member="Cryax Bane"]

 

[Cryax Bane]

Cryax, his brow furrowed, shook his head. The Droid's programming always won out in the end. He wasn't going to force the issue, but he thought maybe at a later date, he'd send her some of the radical Droid Liberation papers from years ago. Perhaps they'd inspire her as they did him.

"Suit yourself, Kara. I'm sure you'll find a master soon enough." He looked at Riv'stak who had kindly offered. The lizard seemed like a good kid who would treat her well.

"As for the job, I can hire you myself. I'm kind of the unofficial head of the slicers here. No need to meet with Lysle for that. We should introduce you two at some point though." he shrugged. "Maybe he could use a droid with your, uh, special talents." At this he blushed, his blue cheeks turning a slight purple.

[member="Riv'Stak"] [member="Kara"]

 

[Kara]

Kara nodded to him before saying {Thank you. Though there is still more information you will want to see. My data banks have recordings of Grellet. I will display them in case they help at all.}

Walking over to the computer and hooking herself in again, Kara began to stream the files in. Each new one displayed her point of view on different points of her time functioning as Grellet's personal droid. He was a darker skinned rodian, compared to most others, had seemed the more meek type as he always rubbed his hands when speaking with her.

The videos displayed him dancing with Kara, kissing her, eating with her, upgrading her body and so forth. Also in these videos Kara seemed more animated, as an actual Luxury droid would be. It was clear the rodian was trying to treat her as a real person and not a droid yet it obviously bothered him that she was as further videos showed. Eventually the videos were nothing but static.

{This was the point where Grellet had began downloading his own self-built programs of emotions into me.} she explained. {They began to blockade my databanks to the point where they were too hard to integrate all at once..}

Finally one last video played, this one showing the events ealirer that night. Thugs breaking in and Grellet firing at them before Kara seemed to intervene and kill two of them before being shot in the chest. Eventually Grellet was seen being shot as well before Kara had cralwed over to him as he was dying.

The last words he spoke were "Kara....do you....love...?" before dying.

As she watched Kara did not seemed phased as compared to when she'd shown emotion in the videos before. She only sat and stared at the image of dead Grellet was frozen on-screen.

[member="Cryax Bane"] [member="Riv'Stak"]

 

[Cryax Bane]

Cryax watched the Holo and found himself feeling sorry for the Rodian. The poor sap was in love with a luxury droid and no amount of emotional programming was going to change the fact that the guy was basically having a relationship with his metal love slave. Even in light of the fact, that Cryax treated Droids like organics, the Chiss found it distasteful. Sure he'd had times in his own life that he was lonely, but he'd never stoop to that level.

"So how do you feel about it all now? I'm not a big believer of memory wipes, but if it's causing you pain, I'm happy to erase that bit of history from your memory bank." He offered.

With that he tossed his tools in a cabinet in his office and dusted off his hands with a grin. "Also, I think you're fully repaired and you're free to go whenever you wish."

[member="Riv'Stak"] [member="Kara"]

 

[Kara]

{No.} she answered. {I prefer to keep it. I find myself....drawn to watching it now-and-then. For...sentimental reasons. You might say. But I do thank you for my repairs. And now, I wish to meet with more of your Red Raven members. Perhaps, if they will allow my stay, I can provide my skills in coming times.} She stood and walked in front of the chiss before leaning towards him and kissing him on the mouth. Once she'd finished she said {I believe that is customary for having helped me, correct?} Even for a droid with sophisticated upgrades she still seemed oblivious to other matters.

[member="Cryax Bane"]

 

[Cryax Bane]

Cryax blinked as the droid blindsided him with a surprise kiss. Her chrome lips were hard and cold. It didn't feel unpleasant, just strange. He didn't blame the droid for her behavior. Artificial affection was built into her core programming, after all.

He laughed and blushed again. "Um, sure. I guess some people find it customary to make out with their rescuer. But regardless, you really don't owe me anything. I'm always glad to help a droid in distress."

He moved to his computer and typed in a few commands. "I'm putting out a message over the CryptNet that you're here and looking for a master." He stopped and realized that he was going to have to find a place for her to go. If he was found with a luxury droid in his office, his Raven brothers would tease him mercilessly. Plus what would his girlfriend think?

"Unfortunately, you can't stay here in my office, so we're going to have to find a place to put you. We have a storage room specifically for droids in the back of the casino. I could put you in there?"

[member="Kara"]

 

[Kara]

She nodded as he spoke, thanking her on the kiss before telling her she would need to remain in a storage room. {Understood.} she said before turning. She walked out and had reached the door before stopping. She stood there for a moment in silence, as if contemplating something, before finally walking out into the casino and finding her way to the storage room. From there she found a spot among the other droids and quietly sat. She sat like a patent child await a reward for behaving so well. And there she would stay until called for by either Bane or any other members of the Red Ravens, her new masters.

[member="Cryax Bane"]

 

[Lucifer Malvern]

Um... wow. A droid who thought kissing was the normal way to thank their rescuer. Not bad. That guy Grellet must've been a strange one.
I grinned at Cryax, who was blushing purple. As the droid left, I winked at the blue man.

"I don't think you're supposed to put the damsel in distress in the closet. Metaphorically or literally. But now I'll feel bad if I try to get her to come with me."

[member="Cryax Bane"] [member="Kara"]

 

[Cryax Bane]

"Did you see the way, she kissed me? Geez, she could have at least bought me dinner first." Cryax shook his head and grinned at the lizard.

At Riv'Stak's comment about putting Kara in the storage room, he frowned. He crossed to the Holosecurity array and flicked on a cam. "Well, I can watch her from here." No, that wasn't creepy at all. He flicked it off.

"Besides, she has the Miraris to keep her company, and the bar droids..." He stopped. It dawned him that Riv'Stak was right. The lovebot wasn't programmed to want the company of other droids.

"Look, I can't keep a luxury droid here. People here already think I'm a weirdo, so having a lovebot in my office will just give 'em more canon fodder. You should go to her. See if she wants to take you on as a new master. I don't think she's going to be that picky about looks. She was in love with a Rodian after all."

[member="Riv'Stak"] [member="Kara"]

 

[Lucifer Malvern]

I shrugged, and held my arms out in a universal 'who knows' gesture.

"I will for sure. Just hope she doesn't think you're her savior or something, or you might have a problem."

I stepped out of the room, grinning at my new Chiss friend, and opened the closet Kara was in. I stepped into the relatively spacious closet, and sat down next to the silver-colored droid. She seemed almost sad, but a little bit excited. Interesting that I could see that in a droid.

"So, how do you like your new home?"

[member="Cryax Bane"] [member="Kara"]

 

[Kara]

The droid only looked to [member="Riv'Stak"] when he had spoken to her. At that point she still sat in the same position as before while only looking ahead. She seemed so intent to wait that everything else was almost obvious to her.

{They suffice in what I require. Which is little.} Kara answered. {You may inform Mr. Bane, as I'm sure he was the one to have sent you to see that I was alright.}

[member="Cryax Bane"]

 

[Lucifer Malvern]

I shook my head, grinning as I remembered I was talking to a droid.

"Cryax didn't send me. I came here because I wanted to talk to you. Everybody needs a friend or two, right? Even scary four-jawed lizards, and lost droid ladies."

[member="Kara"]

 

[Kara]

She looked back to him before retorting with {As a luxury model droid, I am programmed with the minimum feature of being someone's friend. Companionship, no matter the type or duration, is something every organic claims. It is true among any species. Even one such as yours. Though my files have nothing on whatever your people may be. Therefore I do not know any customs or slang and the like that be of appeal to you.} After saying all of that she turned again, looking straight ahead.

[member="Riv'Stak"]

 

[Lucifer Malvern]

I shook my head again, and shrugged.

"That's just the problem, ain't it? If I knew who or what I was, I'd be scampering off trying to find them. But I don't, and I can't change that right now. I just need somebody to talk to, y'know? At least you had family. Or an idea of who they were, whatever you called them."

[member="Kara"]