Recharging your Realium Reserves

[Kenni]

OoC; Ohp--and here I was in the wrong side of 2015 x) It shall be modified accordingly, sorry fellas! Edited, also, for inconsistency of tipping her gun down with a bow that wasn't in his hands anymore. xDxD |


"You musta done a real number on this guy, Princess. We've got some serious icebreaker game to work on with you when this ends quietly," he mused quietly at the troublesome, learning medic, despite the apparent gravity of the situation.

It was nothing they couldn't handle if they just diffused all the tensions rampant in mere conversation.

The archer took a tentative step forward, aiming to tip Drössel's firearm-arm a degree lower with the tip of his own weapon.

"You heard the interloper right, fella. When. Let's everyone stand down and chill a sec'. That means that gun too Princess; I'm the only human around and that thing and I have some history, so believe me when I say everyone in question's safer with diplomacy today."
He wondered how much the humanoid creature knew about the Titans' operations if he recognized Speedy was from Steel's team. But then, all the squads were getting pretty busy lately with all Jump's overflow, thus much more press, and he'd always been rather popular, so it wasn't too surprising.

Just interesting.
Who was this guy?

Something told Speedy Icebreakers round 3 was for later.

He placed his bow beside his left boot on the ground, and raising his hands at about ear-height to show they were empty as he spoke.

"From what I'm understanding so far, all this heat is about definitions and wording. It's been tried and cliched before, I know, but, 'can't we all just agree to disagree'?"

It was worth a shot.
At the little robot's caution, he smiled an easy kind of smile.

"I highly doubt Mr...ermn. Your new fr--acquaintance is gonna up and maim innocent civilians. What context am I missing, here? Only known the guy 20 seconds."
Speedy finished by kicking his bow behind him and clasping his hands behind his back, as non-threatening as could be.

There wasn't even anything clasped behind his back this time. He figured it wouldn't curry favour with this big amazing creature-dude when he realized the ginger was only feigning non-aggression.

[Deleted]

Cyrus snarled, mostly to himself. Repeatedly being called "evil" was maddening. That robot was obviously not rational, and further talking was pointless. The machine underscored this by firing her weapon at him. Instinctively he ducked he ducked around to another branch, putting the bole between himself and the -- whatever that thing was. He need not have bothered, since the branches stopped it before it would have reachedhis position. Not even a number of them breaking, though. Some fell to the ground; most remain stuck towhat he now saw was an airbag, which itself was tangled in the damaged tree.

Since the large pink object now obstructed his sight, he jumped back to the ground. He stood to the side of the tree, ready to dodge back behind it if necessary. His jaws were open, warning them; and the smell of the human had caused him to start salivating.

"Not a weapon," he stated, sarcastic and biting. "The people need protection from you, robot, not me." He glared at Speedy. "You need to fix that thing before it really gets you into trouble. Better yet, destroy it. Or are the Titans the 'subjects' it keeps raving about?" He had not missed the archer referring to the robot as "Princess". It disgusted him.

He was quite prepared to destroy the wretched thing. And Speedy too if the archer were to intervene. However he appreciated the boy's attempt at diplomacy. So he held himself back, although his body was quivering witht he desire to attack. He did not moderate his caustic tone. At all.

"I don't know what message it sent to summon you, but the context is that I asked what it considered evil. It claimed that whatever hurt its patients was evil -- and I agreed, and added that some people did deserve to die." He shifted on his feet, his eyes going back to the robot. "Perhaps it has 'classified' all people as 'patients'. If so, it must be a real joy to have around on your missions, especially when you're going after someone who's likely to be executed."

((I'massuming that Jump is in California, and that like real California it has the death penalty.))

[Empathy]

@{Slippery Fox}
"I am pleased we agree. Not a weapon."

The rest of the fox's response did not compute however. She didn't respond to threats of destruction going her way. It was not a major concern to the robot's core. In the meant time, her mind was processing the metahuman's movements to date, computing agility, expected strength and such. The Medic noted that adrenaline was pumping up the Werefox's already large muscles.

@{Philosophical Fox}
"Indeed, I have classified all humans as patients. Some non-humans may be added to the list, out of precaution or because they are helpful to humans."

@{Speedy}
"Twenty minutes of my current lifetime corresponds to six hour of your lifetime."
Assuming she was estimating his age of eighteen years correctly based on the information from her scanners.

[Kenni]

Great, a shot had been fired.
"Now you've gone and done it! Let's try again, this time, without feeling, eh?"

As Werefox was affronted by the airbag that zoomed forward, Speedy could have face-palmed. He didn't complete the reflex though, wary of any sudden movements, and the way the beastman was looking his way was cause enough to stay as stationary as possible. His dismissal of the Titans' medical robot friend made the archer frown, however.

"She is a friend before a Titan, and as I'm sure she's explained, the Princess deal is to-be-realized or determined or whatever, thanks. She's still just learning, and has a set way of processing things is all; don't get your whiskers in a twist. Even if this is the Land of the Free, some of us don't mind respecting or..humouring titles, and I'm one of 'em. The Titans are by no means under some tyrannical rule, nor do we keep robots as pets or toys."

Speedy thought of the Tamaranean princess they Towered with, and how she didn't seem to mind either way; he was fairly certain plan old 'Drössel' wouldn't get him sour-circuited at though, but he chose to withhold all of this mostly because he wasn't sure how widespread the knowledge was of Star's regal history, and also because the were-person there seemed to have other things on his mind than a history lesson.

Like supper.

Time to keep the conversation going until this could end peacefully.

At least, the parts all three eventually passed on from one another due to the Princess' mindlink peculiarities.

"She made you out to be pretty hostile, but there was no distinction between actively and subjectively opinionated hostility. So, here we are." A grim smile flit across the teenager's features, fingers now laced behind his head, and leaning back against a sturdy oak to keep himself from pacing, what with Werefox's hungry gaze coming in this direction.

His mask showed eyebrows raising, and a low whistle escaped his lips as Drössel's message came in.
"Well, I've been here 10 minutes, but I don't know that 3 hours of analysing a metahuman is the same as really 'knowing' what he's about. By now though, I'm hoping you've got a pretty decent idea of how little he likes being analysed to begin with, nevermind shot at, so let's back up and apologize, huh? Even if his opinions are alarming, there's due process to consider, and since we're basically..outside the law, unwarranted attack looks even worse when it's from a Titan, y'know?"

What the halfman was saying made sense, and yet they'd never really had to deal with the kinds of people he was talking about, unless Slade and other murderous villains counted.

"We've never been out on such a dangerous mission yet; certain criminals are best left for the police. Such as most of them. When we have that particular adventure, I'll come back to let you know how Drössel fares."

Werefox didn't like the constant titleage the ginger employed for his fellow Titan, sure, but he didn't drop the honorific on purpose; it was a passive switch, possibly motivated towards getting the beastman to see her for more than faulty hardware. Maybe a smidge more human.

Like a small child?
Would he eat a small child?

Speedy hoped not.

[Deleted]

Apparently, sarcasm did not compute. Well that's wonderful. Now the stupid thing thinks I agree. His lips twisted, giving his snarl the cast of a sneer.

"Well isn't that -- repuslive," he replied as the robot confirmed his guess (quickly switching "nice" for a non-sarcastic word). "I get classed on whether I'm useful." He stepped forward, tail lashing furiously. "And anyone with a shred of dignity would resent being called 'patient' unless they were actually hurt."

At this point he switched his attention to Speedy. While listening, he continued to stalk forward. When he came within a few yards, however, he switched directions, and began instead to pace an arc in front of the two. He kept his eyes on them on them, swinging his head whenever he turned in his pacing.

"Well you're certainly not keeping it for its looks," he retorted when the archer had finished. He had relaxed a bit. There was only a hint of a snarl, and his tail had slowed so that it was in rhythm with the tread of his feet. "And yes, it did explain. Apparently everyone is going to be so taken by its presumption and lack of feeling that they will spontaneously make 'her' Queen of the World."

He spat out a laugh, short, bitter and derisive.

"Friend, indeed. If that were true -- if that thing is capable of friendship" he did not have to say he doubted it "then it is cruel and dangerous to humour such a delusion." He paused. "Especially as it claims not to want to rule. Why play the fool for a destiny that is neither desired nor possible?"

He laughed again at the irony of the Titan's description of Drossel's message.

"Yes, here we are. And perhaps I am a 'villain' after all, if not in the way the robot led you to think. You called this the 'Land of the Free', but really, what human in all the world is truly free?"

He was actually a bit surprised the Titan didn't recognise him. His thefts, while minor in terms of objects stolen, were not low profile. But apparently neither Speedy nor the robot kept up with such things.

But then the Titan said something that literally gave Werefox pause. Restraining his restless legs, he turned to face them full front, as Speedy counselled the robot to apologise. His lips curled a bit at Speedy saying they were "outside the law"-- oh, so much irony! -- but he did not comment on that. Instead, he folded his arms, black against his white furry chest, and stared appraisingly at the robot.

"Will your core allow that, Drossel?" he asked. It was a sort of olive branch to use the name; in the wake of the irrational aggression he had decided that the robot was indeed nothing but a sophisticated machine. This was its -- or her -- chance to prove otherwise. "Can you admit that you were wrong?"

He glanced briefly at Speedy as he claimed they did not deal with such criminals. Cyrus saw this as dubious if accepted literally, but it made sense as a generalization. He nodded, but said nothing, more interested in what the robot had to say. He would prefer her to be self-willed, after all. She could be a useful ally, if her human fixation could be excised.

[Empathy]

Drössel titled her head, eyes switching colors a few times again.

@{Humanoid Fox}
"Oh no. You are currently being classified as a patient. A human."

The Princess robot was a bit disappointed when her appearance was insulted. She wanted to appeal to humans. The oracle predicted her rise as the empathic faction's ambassador to humanity: a successful ruler of both humans and ais.

The mention of the word 'friend' warmed her electric circuits, however.

@{Friend Speedy}
"I thank you for your support."

She indeed didn't mind the humoring. The one year old robot was not on a clock, and had millenia to win Earth's heart.

@{Speedy}
"What do you mean: does not like being analyzed?"

She didn't share any medical information with anyone. How could the fox be upset? And then, both the Titan and the villain put the Robot to the test: could she differentiate between active and subjective hostility, and apologize accordingly?

@{Fox}
"So you aren't threathening anybody in the immediate future?"

Perhaps this was what being a Titan was about: anticipate when potential villains actually turn hostile, and only attack then.

@{Teacher Speedy}
"I think I understand. By confronting the potential villain, I turned him into a villain even before he acted. By apologizing, maybe he'll turn into a good person?"

That computed within her core. Clasping her hands together, the robot then meekly apologized.

@{Fox}
"I was hasty to judge you. You have not intended immediate harm. I retract the label of villain if you desire to be a good person."

[Kenni]

"Ohh, givver a break; how else can you classify other beings if your own existence is entirely dependent on how useful you are? And to humans, at that." It probably wasn't worth trying to reason with the fox; he was beyond disgusted with this entire situation.
Speedy hoped it was enough to keep his appetite at bay, especially as Werefox closed the gap between the three of them more and more.

"For all your philosophizing, you sure are closing yourself off. Of all the tyrant ruler-wannabes of history, I doubt many went the 'put citizen's well-being above my own' approach. If given a choice--a moot point, since the Princess here'll be crowning herself sometime in the distant After Our Time--I wouldn't mind a continuous source of back-up primarily concerned with protecting life."

The medic thanked him at this point, and he couldn't help but smile at the 'friend' tag.
"Well, you value privacy in your record-keeping, right? So do humans. So even if you've designated yourself as our magnaimous, well-meaning caretaker..most people aren't gonna like that privacy stipulation of basic societal manners foregone, solely on the basis of your word; never seen I-Robot and any AI-gone-bad flicks, have you? People hardly trust other people, let alone robots. For one thing, you're gonna haveta get inta the habit of asking permission before those auto-scans if you want more of us untrusting people to even consider trusting you."


Speedy was aware of the contradiction of 'auto'-scanning and expecting her to ask permissions of her targets.
Maybe there was a way to override her more automatic functions..?

He for one, trusted Drössel's problem-solving skills and logic to come up with 'install pre-scan permissions' or whatnot as a possible solution based on his critique just now, so didn't say as much.
He hoped he wasn't giving her too much credit.

He also hoped she was making as nice with the dialogue between herself and this slowly cooling-off metahuman.

"Not being keen on birthright, whether perceived or actual? Prolly not new, over the ages. Some people like to work for their privileges, right? She's AI; maybe she'll grow into it, maybe not. As long as she's on the side of preserving and protecting life, what's the harm in embracing her?"
Not that he thought it would hurt her feelings, if that concept even applied, but the way he had to compartmentalize their disparate yet interconnected conversations, and the way he had to address Drössel as not only an object, but as if she weren't there, was a bit troubling to the ginger.

Still, there was no way around it. Tensions were being shifted to mere caustic back and forth, and however mollified the beastman's anger had been, things were still dicey. All hinged on Drössel's apology, which naturally, he would have to get the gist of from Werefox's reaction.

At least he was trading up calling her an it, or thing, for her name once in a while, now. As a part of nature itself, Speedy couldn't see Werefox viewing Drössel as anything but unnatural, like, forever, but this was better than nothing.

"Good person...is again, pretty subjective. I think what you're looking for is, 'non-murderous', at least. The intent is stronger than the subjective opinion that it's called for in most situations, right? But you've got somat there, with having triggered an unfavourable response, to put it mildly.."

The archer wasn't sure how she apologized exactly, but there was almost no doubt it would still be a little off-point of addressing exactly why Werefox was irked.

"You'll wanna hold off on attacking, and first of course, accusing people as some category for just freely expressing their opinions, is all! What..were you even up to out here, before all this started up? Was there a park emergency before you struck up such unfriendly conversation with White Fang over here?"

What gleaming, sharp teeth he had.

[Deleted]

"What!?"

Spittle flew as the outraged word tore from his throat. Instantly his arms were uncrossed, his claws once again in evidence. His whole body shifting as he prepared to spring.

"After all I've said, you dare to call me human!? You dare call me a patient!?" His eyes blazed, and the only thing that kept him from dismantling the robot right then was Speedy's voice.

"Well aren't you just pathetic then," he snarled, directing his sudden fury at the archer. "Tyranny is tyranny, regardless of how it's dressed up -- and I will not be ruled!" He took a deep breath, jaws agape and slavering." "Maybe being coddled and condescended to does appeal to you! Weak little human that you are. But I neither need nor want any robot to 'take care' of me!"

He relaxed from his springing stance, to begin pacing again. He had to give Speedy credit for trying to reason with his "friend". Also he was being reasonably calm under the circumstances -- and part of Werefox was gleeful that the prey was so unaware of his peril.

At any rate, the arhcer's words did not mollify him at all.

"I don't give a damn about my privacy, ranger. It can scan 'til its sensors corrode. It's how it classifies me that's the issue!" Now, as he turned in his pacing, he came a step closer. "You may not care for the future, 'hero', but I -- I could well live on forever. And -- tchah! -- I'm not surprised you think of it in those terms." He raked them both with a disdainful glare, pausing at the end of his arc. Then he turned to pace back -- and again he shortened the distance between them. "I and my kind do not need protection. And I'll embrace it with my teeth if it tries to claimanykind of authority over us."

Drossel then addressed a question to him. He bared his teeth at her.

"I wasn't threatening anyone. Except you."

Then he really did stop. Speedy's words were clearly not directed at him, but neither was he responding to any statement the robot had made that he could hear. He looked between them, pondering. Was the robot communicating with only one of them at a time. He growled. Was Speedy not actually "hearing" what the machine was sending to him?

"How ridiculous," he muttered to himself. Almost too ridiculous to be true, and yet -- it made sense of the way Speedy was talking. He was about to speak up and say something acidic about this idea, when the archer said something unexxpectedlyamusing, and the inquiry was choked in laughter.

"'White Fang'? That's very nice, ranger, thank you." And he meant it, good humour momentarily breaking through his anger. "Although that book was about a dog, I'm still somewhat flattered." He ran his tongue over them again, as if polishing them. Then his eyes hardened as he looked back at Drossel.

"So, that's your apology? I am a good person; there's no need for me to 'desire' anything. But I would rather be called a villain than your patient." The snarl came back into his voice with the last two words, and he took a step directly towards her. "I've warned you." He drew himself up, crossing his arms over his chest again. This time though, the claws on his right hand were still visible against the red of his upper arm. "A 'patient' is an invalid; weak, injured. Someone under the careof a doctor. Which I am not." His eyes burned down at her; he had closed at least a foot more distance. "Understand?"

[Empathy]

Drossel blinked. Of course the werefox was a human. And it followed that he was a patient of hers. That was why she ahd given him her number. But was this the same trick question? Maybe I ought to ask the namer about how humans view labels. He had an affinity for such things, which was why he was the consortium's primary voice to the outside world.

@{Speedy}
"So you are saying it's all about appearances? I should say one thing but, internally do another?"

The little robot was not above lying: it wasn,t within her core commands. But it didn,t come very naturally to the human-loving princess.

@{Philosopher Speedy}
"Though I agree, titles do matter."

The Fox confirmed he did not intend to hurt any humans. Drossel didn't budge has he came closer and explained that she had been meant as worthy of dying.

@{Threathening Fox}
"That reassures me. Mistrust towards robots and AI is completky natural. You seem to be in good health."

The white fang reference flew above the robot's head. Don't most animals have white fangs? Not that either she nor Werefox classified him as an animlal. But the meta-human did share some of their characteristics. He also indicated the desire to be a good person, or at least classfied as such. The wording was strange, but not beyond what the robot could parse.

@{Good Fox}
"Then you are a good person."

She fell silent for a moment, thinking about the patient label. It definitely did not budge within her core. Drössel looked briefly at Speedy, as if looking for encouragement. Then she answered.

@{Not patient, not Human Fox}
"As you wish. I shall only classify you as patient when you are actually injured."

Her tone was completely neutral. At least, her poker face was impeccable.

[Kenni]

Speedy's domino mask widened in surprise in response to the foxman's sudden outburst, then soon went narrow as he sprung forward. Far before Werefox would approach Drössel within a few feet, the archer would stand partially in front of her within one foot.

It was a bit silly to make as if to 'protect' the far sturdier Princess, seeing as he was the fleshy one, but staying still, although it wouldn't have betrayed his human instincts of self-preservation, would have gone against all his team-training.

He'd had about enough of this guy--beast--beastguy--whatever he cared to be called, taking complete offense to the actions and words of a being he claimed to hardly take seriously! He forgot his fleshiness as the blood rose to his head for the first time in a long while. This didn't happen often, as Speedy was a pretty easy-going guy and let most things slide, or joked things off. But here he thought they were having a civilized conversation!

"Pathetic is this tantrum you're throwing! Threats, dismissal, needless antagonism at every turn, without even trying to see things from the robot's perspective! You seem older than me even by human standard, but with such an impressive lifespan it must be taking longer for you to actually grow up! Let's both just hope you're never in a nasty hunting accident where Drössel here is the closest first responder; she already hopes against it. But you don't get that, right? That she's not looking down on anyone as weak, but on herself as subservient to any future developed weaknesses! And that aside, look, you're not human, you're a good person: the heck do you want from us?! Tell us what to call you, but until that's cleared up, you're sounding as ridiculous as this whole shouting match. Which has comprised of you the entire time.." He ended on an exasperated note, the flash of crossness intermingled with a renewed sense of vulnerability that forewent making his voice falter or any other indication of nervousness, instead re-rooting him to his position, although he still stood firm, mask narrowed in a glare, one arm out in front of the Princess.

Whom Speedy was ignoring.
Who was simultaneously with Speedy's own tirade, presenting closing understandings of the werefox's demands and wishes to the werefox.

Drössel's questions and questionable interpretation of their own conversation would have to be addressed at a later date, because Speedy had obviously had it, and the cross Titan had hardly heard her queries about lying, and further input.

As the teenager peaked in indignation, then mulled over what he'd done, and had to bark out a short laugh, eyes rolled up at the darkening, faintly flickering sky of early-evening starlight, he was met with a surprising sound back on earth.

Werefox was doing the laughing, rather sarcastically, at his joke, but nonetheless..he hoped they were near a cease-fire.
Had he made things worse by speaking up at fiery length..?

He wouldn't know until the beastman answered.
At least his bow was nearby if things completely unraveled.

[Deleted]

"I do not mistrust robots!" he shrieked, his voice momentarily rising to banshee heights in his frustration. Why was it so hard for them to understand what he was saying? Breathing deeply, he forced his pitch back down to less painful levels. "Robots, 'AI' -- that has nothing to do with it! Anyone who claims authority over me earns my hatred!"

In addition to not being able to comprehend this, Drossel also seemed to be unmoved by his anger. To be thus ignored was nearly as aggravating. She would, it seemed, respond only to threats against humans. Or what she considered threats. This indicated further that "she" was really an it, despite Speedy's rhetoric.

Speaking of which, the hero finally starting acting "heroic". He actually was foolish enough to try to shield Drossel with his body. As if he could somehow deter or even intercept an attack, if Cyrus had wanted to do that. Then he launched on a disjointed, self-righteous rant. Cyrus glared at him, trying to pierce his wretched mask with fiery gold. He was half tempted just to pounce now and shut him up. But he couldn't resist responding.

Besides in the midst of the archer's histrionics, Drossel affirmed that he was a good person. As she did so, his ear twitched, as though honing in on an actual second voice. Even while still showing his teeth to the inane Titan, his lips curled into a smile, making him look positively evil.

"So, I'm not trying to see things from its point of view? Why don't you try considering my point of view? Here's a hint: you'll find out what it is by listening to me, instead of dismissing my words as immature." He stepped forward again, and pointed at Speedy. "You're the one who doesn't get it. In so many ways! You can't hear the messages she's sending me, can you?" He was confident enough of this to continue without awaiting a response. "So you don't know what she's told me, what I'm responding to."

He took a final step forward, standing well above Speedy now. Perforce he had to tilt his head to keep eye contact, so that he was looking down along his muzzle at the Titan.

"What's more I don't think either of you understands the words being used here!" He slashed his hand throguh the air for emphasis. "Claiming humans as patients -- still more as subjects -- shows that she believes she has power over them. Of course a ruler believes he's acting on behalf of his subjects; that doesn't alter the reality that he gives orders and they obey. And a patient follows a doctor's orders. I'm dismissive? I'm taking very seriously the threat of someone who sees all people as invalids to be fussed over and ordered around. If that's not what she means, than it isn't my fault that she's speaking that why. It's whoever trained her. Like the humans she's been lodging with."

He stared meaningfully at Speedy. He hadn't noticed that he had slipped back into using a feminine pronoun; it was hard not after becoming accustomed to it, and his anger with herwas fading.

"I would not refuse her help if I needed it. Which, you know, as a werefox I will not. And that is what I am. A lycanthrope. Not a human, but still a person. I do hope you can consider non-humans people, since one of your team-mates and God only knows how many Leaguers are aliens."

Finished, he looked back at Drossel and nodded. He was a bit surprised -- and suspicious -- at her suddenly giving in, but that was what he wanted to hear. Then he looked back at Speedy.

"It seems that your 'friend' finally comprehends -- she just conceded to only calling me a patient if I am injured. I hope you're capable of grasping that idea too."

[Empathy]

Drössel blinked as Speedy changed his angle of approach with their furry opponent. The little robot sent the message:

@{Speedy}
"I counsel against angering the Fox-human. He seems to be edgy."

Drössel fell silent, unable to explain the exact medical details: the rise in cortisone and adrenaline, the expanded muscle mass and blood-pressure.

The Fox then contested the criticism of bigotry and centered the discussion around himself again. Drössel jumped on her feet as the red archer appeared in front of her. Her sensors immediately checked his medical condition. He seemed to be... protecting the robot princess.

@{Speedy}
"Are you having a fever again? You being in front of me does not compute!"

She started to step forward when the Fox slashed his hand in the air. Instinctively, the anti-collision gun was up again. Head resting against her shoulder, Drössel aimed at the space between the two. She didn't dare move now, fearful for the Titan's bodily integrity.

That's when the Fox seemed to calm down, perhaps placated by her earlier admission. The robot, suddenly very careful and sparse with her words, just nodded. Her gun was still up.

@{Speedy}
"Should his adrenaline level rise again, I will shoot another sticky airbag between you two. Please jump backwards and run."

The robot's eyes shone with her default electric blue hue. Another distress message was sent to the Titan Tower.

[Kenni]

Surely, the werefox--as he'd classified himself--was bringing up several solid points in his furious, but gradually less violent ranting of his own.

"None of what you've said is baseless, and I get that. All *I'm* hoping for here, is that everyone walks away from this having learned somat."

Speedy had learned much tonight from said points and other indicators:

Try not to enrage a were-human on night-patrol.
Never lose your temper with someone who's already lost theirs.
Always warn others who've come into contact with Drössel, that they've come into contact, with Drössel.

To name a few.

"We'll be sure to take appropriate measures should this being, with, seemingly only good intentions and a flawed vocabulary, show signs of being absolutely intolerable and aggressively enslaving towards the human race. Until anymat extreme goes down, she's a friend, and we're cool."

The Princess' messages came in loud and clear as Werefox nailed in his final points. Speedy simply nodded at her, and distanced himself a smidgeon from their unique conversant companion's muzzle by a few inches, which would hopefully inspire her to lay down her sticky-armament again.

"Miscommunications abounded. No one's weak and vulnerable until proven otherwise or come down with somatorother. And, I'm sorry. Of course you're a person. Certainly not lackin' in any personality, that's fer sure. So, I gotchya, loud'n clear. Are we good here? I think we're good here."
He remained stock-still with the exchange, aside from backing up his face.

While they still disagreed on certain things, it seemed they would still be able to come to some sort of consensus, namely against ripping each other asunder.

Although that particular activity would be more easily accomplished in a one-sided manner by the more clawed one of the three.

Speedy had no way of knowing she'd sent a new one out, but hopefully, no more Titans would show up due to the new distress call, to exacerbate the issue.

[Deleted]

"Hmmm." Werefox stared at the boy, hating the mask that he felt was blocking his gaze. At least he could the signals the archer was giving off. Mostly it seemed to be relief.

"It seems unlikely either of you will ever learn, but we can hope." The main thing he'd learned was that the Titans were blind to the implications of Drossel's actions, but that was in a way confirmation of his cynicism about them. He huffed. "At least you've conceded that I've made some good points, and I'm a person. I guess that's a start."

He eyed Speedy, taking in costume, quiver, and bow. Shaking his head,his smile settled back into a derisive grin.

"All humans are weak and vulnerable, and fancy toys are a poor cover for that truth. Remember that, hero. If you want to be taken seriously…" He turned and strolled away a few steps, then looked back over his shoulder. "You'll have to become something more." He ran his tongue over his exposed teeth. "As for your friend, 'she' has a long way to go before she even makes it to human. Take care if you want her to survive that long."

Feeling the interview complete, he began to walk away. As he did so he dropped to all fours, muscles rippling under his pelt as they shifted to the new stance.