juice_factory | All Aboard

WALL-E did not know that it was a terrible thing to be stuck on a terrible ship in the middle of a terrible ocean- mostly because he had no idea that any of this was precisely what was happening to him at the moment. What he was aware of was that he was not where he had been, and that he wanted to be where he had been, because where he was wasn't.

In addition to this, what he was appeared to have changed as much as his surroundings, as the yellow-hued robot pitched against a wall with a cloth-smothered thunk. He was far too much... off the ground, and these pendulum things weren't nearly as stable as the caterpillar treads he'd previously owned. The fact that the floor kept deciding to move of its own volition was not exactly helping matters.
Staying against the wall seemed to be a good idea in the matter of not-falling-over again, so while he tried that out he had a good opportunity to listen.

His optics tilted to the diagonal slightly at the sound; talking. In the little time he had been... wherever this was, this was the first bit of talking he had heard, and it was certainly that sound which the humans had made, and that was what that sound was called, so it was definitely talking.

This also meant that it was probably humans. Humans were good. This was a good thing.

Rounding the corner with a rather excited whirr-ing sound, WALL-E was probably fortunate that the source of the talking was not, in fact, a human, as when humans are run into by heavy-duty machinery it doesn't tend to end well on their part.

"Oh no, seaweed! It's dragging me dowwAUGH" The epic struggle between fist and wiggling fingers was brought to a rather jarring end as Wheatley found himself knocked sideways by something hard, heavy, and angular. His first impression--well, second, if you counted the impact itself--was that something terrible and monstrous must have attacked him, and he leapt back with a whoop of panic.

"Whaaaaohgod hold on don't no no oh god--" There was a lot of windmilling arms, creating big swoops of shadows in his spotlights, and making the whirring creature before him look momentarily far more sinister than one would really deem possible. "Swear I'm no good to eat, really not, got actual proof of that and aaahhhh--"

This was not a human.

Humans were squishy and laugh-y and didn't shine bright lights into your optics.

There is a rather panicked beeping squeal, as WALL-E attempts to navigate his awkward and unfamiliar self away from the flailing limbs and loud, unhappy noises. He does so in the one way that he knows will absolutely, one hundred percent without-fail work.

The android which has clamped down into a rather ineffective cube shape rattles very slightly but is otherwise completely silent, the filth-encrusted hat vibrating with anxiety, optics hidden behind the burnt-umber patches on his knees.

There was a ringing, fearful silence in the moments that followed, as Wheatley finally managed to brace himself against the wall and gape at his apparent assailant. Any moment now it would spring up and suck out his eyeballs or crush his neck or break his glasses. Any moment now, yeah.

It was certainly taking its time about it, though. And, now that he had a moment to notice, it didn't actually look all that intimidating while clamped in on itself like that.

"Er."

Glancing around, Wheatley edged closer to the rattling being. Something about it seemed a bit... familiar. "Hold on a tick..." He leaned down, squinting, and gave the nervous fellow an exploratory poke--hoping against hope that this wasn't all an elaborate tactic to lure him in and have his face eaten.

The 'nervous fellow' was doing his utmost to be absolutely anything but intimidating, or interesting, or whatever it was that set not-humans off into bouts of frightening, loud noises.

When the poke is received the box contracts into a slightly smaller box, but as nothing further happens WALL-E's curiosity gets the better of him. There's a small squeaking sound as the neck joints unfold ever so slightly beneath the thick muffler, the pair of widely dilated optics poking up from behind their yellow and brown shield.

There is no speech forthcoming, but a judder-y, electronic noise is cautiously emitted, somewhere between a whimper and an enquiring hum.

He was having a little bit of trouble believing it, as he watched the shuddering thing unfold, its noises pulling at the edges of memory. His eyes widened, light tinting an excited blue, and he leaned in.

"You--you're a robot! Ohh, oh that's brilliant! I didn't know they kept other robots on here, but look at you!" Craning his neck to get a better look at the other's design, Wheatley rubbed his hands together, thrilled at his apparent new bretheren. "It's a relief, I tell you, mate, gets real exhausting to put up with humans all day. What're you, maintenance? Knew those ghosts couldn't manage naught on their own. Always the same, innit?"

The very-bright-blue lights that were much closer than before evoked a repeated squeak of alarm before WALL-E's head was once more safely ducked down into the confines of his chassis.

Amidst the yellow and rust-coloured blotches of his overalls he can still hear the not-human making those elaborate talking sounds, and certainly he understands them, but... he doesn't understand them. From the way it was talking it seemed as if he was a robot too, but WALL-E had never met a robot like that before... but then, he'd never met a robot like EVE before... and then he was saying that humans were exhausting? Well, he supposed they could be, a little, but he didn't mind 'putting up' with them...

Intrigue gradually overcoming anxiety, WALL-E unfolded a little more, knees still tucked up beneath the muffler, but he straightened out enough to get a proper look at the new... thing. Now that there were no whirling lights everywhere and loud shouty sounds it occured to him that, yes, the not-human did seem a bit familiar somehow. There was certainly a hum of electricity to him, and his optics reminded him of hers. Not very much, but enough for him to quirk his head to the side with some optimism.

"... F... Fr-eeeeeend?"

Any of the nerves on display seemed to be completely lost on Wheatley, as he had rather no issue inspecting the exposed metal or picking at the rust-spotted jumper. "Definitely blend in with the decor..."

His train of thought, though, veered off course at the garbled word. "What?" He blinked a few times, optics dimming, before he glanced about once more and leaned away. Bouncing on the heels of his boots, Wheatley rubbed at the back of his neck and gave a small laugh.

"Eh. Sorry, going to have to speak up there. Sounds like you've got a bit of a jam in your vocal processor."

These noises were much better noises, and the noise that went with the possibly-robot-but-still-definitely-not-human rubbing his neck sounded very like a laugh. WALL-E liked that sound (he could even make it himself if he tried hard enough).

Making an apologetic 'oooaao' sound followed by a chirruping whistle, WALL-E decided to see if his new, oddly-shaped grippers could help him to get a bit closer to the top of his conversational find. It took a bit of creaking, a lot of wobbling and one unusually helpful sway of the ship, but he made it, discovering himself to be just a little shorter than his blue-lit company.

He held out one of the new hands, the fingers held together as if he still only had two to use in combination with his thumb.

"WaaaAAALLeee."

"Err, I. Ah." There were a lot of similar noises and unfinished thoughts over the course of the next few moments. It was with a distinct discomfort that Wheatley watched the other robot's wobbling ascent to its own feet, decidedly reminiscent of his own struggles to figure out how on earth legs worked. Surely he'd been far more elegant in the matter than this rusted old thing, though.

Now, as his eyes flicked up and down over the unstable figure, he watched with a degree of suspicion that hadn't been there a moment ago. He couldn't place it, but there was definitely something off about this guy. The weird noises, the funny hands, the absurdly large optics.

Well, he could be sure of one thing. This guy was a decidedly older, inferior model than he.

His own head quirked to the side as Wheatley looked down at the offered hand, and slowly, he took it in a clumsy sort of grasp. "W...Wheatley. Is me."

The act of contact appears to please the rust-speckled robot greatly, the shutters of his optics half closing on the lower lid in a rudimentary smile as he shakes the offered palm happily.

"WheeeEEET-leeee... ismee... Weetleeismee!"

He draws out the new sound, withdrawing his hand to tap the fingers of both together in a display of simple pleasure at this accomplishment.

Edited 2012-08-09 07:29 (UTC)

It was hard to be sure if he should be amused or confused by the enthusiastic response, so Wheatley went for the alphabetical middle ground and went with bemused.

"Yes! Right, Wheatley. Correct. Er, not you, though, need to parse out the words a little there. Not your strongest suit, I'm picking up."

Lots of talking again. WALL-E was beginning to see a trend with this new robot. He was mostly certain that this Wheatley-isme was a robot at this point; the hand-shake had confirmed that much for him. As basic as he was, WALL-E could detect metal and electricity, and this new acquaintance seemed to have a lot of both, which humans generally didn't, in his experience.

Responding to this amount of talking with an equal measure, however, was somewhat beyond his capacity, as his new friend had very kindly pointed out. Obligingly, WALL-E shook his head in cheerful admittance, a medium-toned whirr accompanying it to confirm the fact.

"Definitely not ruling out the brain damage," he decided, more to himself than WALL-E, but when had that ever stopped him from sharing. Nodding a few times with an officious air, Wheatley tapped at his chin. "Right. Well. Better'n mute, I suppose. I'm sure the whistles and toots and all suffice well enough for... whatever it is you do. Running into people and hiding in a box."

He gave another look over, pieces slowly coming together. "You're not from around here, then, are you?"

Listening patiently to the continued barrage of speech, WALL-E remained with his hands hovering in front of his chest plate in a semblance of hopeful anticipation. It sounded as if he might be useful, and although his newest directive was to be 'not here' and 'back there', if there was anything WALL-E loved to do, it was helping people.

At the query the striped, metallic limbs conducted a few uncertain motions, as his processors made a few unsuccessful attempts to convey the several-hundred years worth of data behind the answer.

In the end, WALL-E sufficed with the shaking motion of his head that he had mastered, with a slightly forlorn and very earnest; "EeeaaaaaRRrthhh."

Looking around them at the poorly lit and rather unwelcoming surroundings, the curious newcomer made his own attempt at extracting some data about the situation.

"HEEeeere-?"

Again nodding his way through the gestures, Wheatley was trying to put together his own narrative of pantomime in an effort to feel like he was getting somewhere with this guy. The final answer, though, made him falter, shoulders drooping.

Wheatley looked down, frowning, and rubbed at his forehead. "Yeah. Earth. Familiar with it."

He had a headache. Leaving the flashlight on was overheating him, that was it. There was a small click, and the hall went dim.

"Well, wherever this is, definitely not Earth. Know that much, not a heck of a lot else."

WALL-E's initial jubilation at the fact that Wheatley knew about Earth was short lived, as the angular robot's attitude of bright expectation dimmed to one of puzzled sympathy at the white-clad robot's demeanor.

The following statement appeared to clarify the matter, however, the absence of light not at all minded by the waste-management unit. His ability to function in low visibility conditions might have helped in that regard, but it meant that he still had a good view of what was undoubtedly an expression of sadness on Wheatley's face, and if he hadn't seen it was all too plain in his voice.

A rickety hand reached up to pat his new companion on the shoulder twice.

"EaaarRtthhh..." The other hand patted the rust-flecked chest panel indicatively; "DirRECK-tivve."

The shoulder papping was met with a sudden drastic change in demeanor, as Wheatley drew himself up and put on a bright smile.

"No need to be moping, though. 'S all right around here, one you get used to it." He brushed off his front with a shrug. "'Fraid you'll have to. Whatever you've got going on the big blue ball, it's going to have to wait a bit.

"But don't worry!" He added, waving a hand in preemptive assurance. "Not all terrible here. I assume. Still trying to find the good part, but no one wanted to give the last place a chance, showed them."

Again, lots of talking, but WALL-E didn't mind in particular; every robot liked to do what they did best. He supposed that talking was surely what Wheatley must have been designed to do, as he was so very good at doing it, and he'd never met a robot that could do so much of it, so he must be a very special model indeed.

Chirruping a happy little electronic note at whatever Wheatley had managed to show 'them', whoever 'they' were and whatever 'it' had been, the be-goggled android was set to attempt another query, when an oddly familiar tickling sensation accosted his interior plating.

Making a vibrato "brrreoooeaa?!" with a slight quiver, there is a small 'ping', as a stowaway makes his presence known. Popping out of the top of WALL-E's muffler before resuming its usual perch on the yellow robot's shoulder, the cockroach wriggles its posterior in a show of loyal accomplishment. It seemed even trans-dimensional kidnapping was well within its capacity.

For an instant Wheatley thought his companion was suffering some sort of malfunction, being more unintelligible than usual, until a flattish brown head popped out.

"Nyegh--" He jerked back. "Ah... ha, er, you've got a... thing. On you."

Edited 2012-08-10 03:42 (UTC)

Having been occupied in greeting his (even more) diminutive companion, WALL-E looks up with some puzzlement at Wheatley's marginally repulsed observation. He looks from him, to the cockroach, then back to Wheatley, then back again. Only after this length of speculation does his neck jolt up in a small 'take', before he waves his arms in a small, squeaky flurry of reassurance.

Gingerly scooping the insect up in one gloved palm he holds the treasure out proudly for Wheatley to see.

"FrrreEENd!"

The cockroach, too, appears to be set on making a good impression, as it sits to attention with a curt trilling sound.

Looking between the roach and WALL-E, Wheatley felt a peculiar notion of nerves come over him. This guy was clearly a bit off-kilter, and totally out of touch. It was almost like... what was the word... pity, maybe. Yeah, probably pity.

Forcing on a smile, Wheatley nodded along. "Right! Friend. Very nice, that." It did look smaller than the other monsters he'd seen, so maybe it was young, or a runt, but at least it was well behaved.

Edited 2012-08-10 04:36 (UTC)

Well behaved was an understatement. Lassie's behaviour would look practically capricious next to this particular specimen of household pest, but Wheatley wasn't to know that, as the small multi-legged creature scurried back along the length of its master's arm. WALL-E gave it a rewarding nod, and as it sat with a pleased, wriggling motion, that appeared to be all it needed in return.

Looking around the gloomy interior, WALL-E made a contented pattern of humming sounds. Not any tune in particular, more a sort of wondering, expectant sound. He was sure there was a lot of world to see in this place that wasn't Earth, and although he wanted to get back there very badly, it wasn't beyond him to be curious about new places. Noticing a door just behind Wheatley he tilted his optics at it inquiringly, and then looked to his companion, as if asking if the blue-eyed robot knew what lay beyond it.

The gears were starting to turn. This fellow didn't know much of anything right now, either about the ship nor apparently things as a whole, if Wheatley had to guess. Clearly, he needed a proper guide, if he was going to last. And obviously the best option would be the only other (non-psychotic) robot on board!

A grin started to spread on his face, a more natural one. Yeah, it may be a big responsibility, but he'd have to step up to the plate. For WALL-E's sake, of course.

"Right! You'll be wanting the grand tour. Came to the right robot, luck would have it, I'm really the sort of go-to guy on this place. You have any questions, you come to good ol' Wheatley, right?

He rubbed his hands together. "This door here, for example. Suspicious, right? Rumors say this is where the captain keeps all his keelhauls. Nasty sight. You sure you want to see it?"

Gears were most definitely turning on WALL-E's side, an excitable revving sound accompanying Wheatley's bright assurance that he was the best possible person to have run into. Whilst WALL-E bobbed up and down with another of his finger-tapping motions, the cockroach tilted his antennae to the side, but his master appeared to be happy, so that was that.

At Wheatley's grim description of what lay beyond the door, WALL-E pondered the matter for a moment. On one hand, he had no idea what a keelhaul was, and was sure that it was very interesting, and important to know what one was. On the other, Wheatley said it was nasty, and that sounded bad.

The yellow robot makes a soft buzzing sound which might have passed for 'hmmm', but resolves the matter with a determined "AaaahAA" and a nod. Wheatley had already said this place was 'terrible', and if this was one of the terrible things, maybe he could do something about it?

Wheatley's chest swelled as his authority on the subject was taken in without the slightest question, and he gave a firm nod. "Right then, if you think you've got the stomach for it. But don't say I didn't warn you..."

Slowly and with as much instilled drama as he could imagine, Wheatley backed to the door, continually sending conspiratorial glances back at WALL-E as he reached for the doorknob. "Stand back, the stench is going to be immense." He wrenched open the door.

A rotted mop fell out of a rusted bucket, alongside several shriveled old sponges and dirty rags, reeking of bleach and ammonia. Wheatley's mouth drew tight.

"Told you. Mortifying."

The dramatic atmosphere had the desired effect, WALL-E looking between the door and his heroic guide with increasing trepidation. When the door opened and the mop came toppling out of it there was a brief collection of squealing sounds and windmilling limbs, before the harmless, rotten object broke over WALL-E's very solid and undamaged head.

Having temporarily abandoned the whole 'standing up' business, he emerges from the confines of his knees with a new stringy haircut, the decapitated mop-head flopped over his optics like some landed squid. The fringe spins around, as WALL-E's head turns from side to side with a bewildered "ooUogh?"

"Oh come on, got no time for a sorry display like that!" Despite his admonishment, Wheatley looked rather pleased at the effect his words had caused for WALL-E. "Surely you can do better. Got time to shape up, at least. Hopefully."

Squinting into the supply cupboard, he rubbed at his chin. "Right. Got it mixed up. This is the captain's keelhaul-cleaning closet. Real mess, keelhauling, you know." He fingered one of the moldy tendrils dangling over WALL-E's hair. "Annnnd likely not too sanitary. Maybe not your primary interest, though.

"Point is! Going to have to pick up a lot more nerve, 'round here, else you'll be eaten alive. Literally."

Shaking the filth-mottled wig from his head, WALL-E listened to the sagacious advice of his peer, giving a small nod when necessary.

The inspiring conclusion was such that it summoned him to his feet once more (in a much more organized fashion than the first attempt), whilst conducting a determined gesture with his hands. A sort of one-two motion that he'd never been able to do before. It felt appropriate.

"That's the spirit!" Wheatley was experiencing an enthusiasm he hadn't found since arriving on the ship, and WALL-E's encouragement was taken in full. "What you lack in nerve, you've got in attitude. Definitely counts for something. Not everything. But something."

Turning on his heel, Wheatley waved a hand. "Come on, then, place won't show itself off! Easy to get lost, if you haven't got a veritable map in your head. Which I have."

Making a bright 'ooOOoo' at the revelation that Wheatley was so well designed, WALL-E happily fell into line behind the confident automaton. The cockroach, having weathered the mop incident in the safe confines of WALL-E's recording grill, decided that it would emerge for the tour, reclaiming its place on the grimy yellow collar.

Taking steps was much less efficient and comfortable than trundling along on his caterpillar treads, but WALL-E soon got used to it... in a way. If the ship decided to lurch in an untoward manner he would still stumble, but the number of times he squeaked when he did so gradually reduced itself, as the activity became a sort of game to overcome. He was also finding the new, more extensive arms quite helpful in the way of not-falling-over. After realizing that they were obviously a form of bumper feature, he walked with them tucked up near his chest, so as to be easy to activate on the next inevitable stumble.

All Aboard

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

You were supposed to have gone to bed too so you aren't allowed to judge :T

i love that its your first night back and you're already doing it

and I am totally hooked on Tiger and Bunny so ta for both of these things

yessssss the corruption spreads

no subject

WAUGH PHONE TAGS

it's okay mate and I'm still ploughing through anime so ahahaha sorry for being slow

well i'm getting these out in downtime at work so i guess our paces match =B

If you say so :P

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

waaugh sorry

Meee toooooo (getting ready to go back to the UK augh busy)