lifeaftr | *insert witty title here*

( The Knight is quick to meet them there, and at first it seems like there's nothing special to this meeting.

Then they produce an old, rusted lockbox with a flourish, popping it open to reveal...a collection of colourful wires, which they present to Legion carefully, box and all.

They know little about machinery, but they're almost certain that these belong to the robot they had cleaned up. Legion will know what to do, surely? ]

[He's not incredibly happy about making it back to the island. He's only been up again for a couple of days (and having not left camp in that time), but after speaking about his desire to help Arum-25 at the Storytelling, he's been informed the memory pieces have already been found. Even though he doesn't know The Knight that well- and knows the companion he's now seeing as he approaches even less- it doesn't change his desire. He told Arum he'd be back when he found them. He intends to see that promise though.

He does look a bit worse for wear- his face and neck are littered with still-healing cuts and badly recovered scars from where flowers pushed through and overcame him, but he doesn't seem too keen on talking about any of that. Instead, he quietly approaches, peering over the Knight into the open box.]

Is that-- are those it, then?

[If the Knight turns to see them, he'll give a little wave to finish announcing his presence.]

(At the sight of the box and its contents Legion's headflaps flare in startled surprise. They chatter to themselves, ignoring the Knight almost entirely as they lean down to get a better look.)

(They're so preoccupied, in fact, that they jolt in surprise at Kravitz's words, straightening and whipping their head around to stare at the unfamiliar organic.)

[ The Knight gives Kravitz a little wave back before quickly patting Legion on the leg at their startled reaction. They raise their free hand to sign to them, keeping a tight grip on the box with their other one. ]

is-ok
cares-about-arum
invited-him

[ IT'S FINE THIS IS ALL PLANNED, NOTHING BAD'S GONNA HAPPEN probably ]

[As soon as Legion shows any kind of distress, Kravitz' hands fly up, palms out and arms tucked in close against his chest.]

It's-- I'm not going to hurt you! I'm sorry, I, uhm, I didn't realize there would be. More people.

[He looks down at the Knight hurriedly explaining, eyes darting between down and up to accomodate their wildly different heights.]

I, uhm-- I'm one of the people who found Arum, originally. I had wanted to make sure they could have their memories restored. I, ah, promised I would help.

...Acknowledged.

(They're just startled. They startle easily since they arrived here after receiving a knife in their back.

They look Kravitz over.)

Designation?

[ The Knight, after looking between the two of them for a moment to confirm things aren't going to escalate into some kind of unpleasantness, relaxes.

They open the box again while Legion and Kravitz are getting acquainted, peering into it inquisitively. Whatever they're seeing in the wires, it's enough to keep them sufficiently interested while their companions get used to each other, at least. ]

[He takes a second to think of the question- he really hasn't interacted with synthetics back home- but decides the best course of action here is to hold out his hand for a handshake.]

Oh, sorry, I-- I'm Kravitz. Is there something I can call you, as well?

[At least in this situation he's awfully polite.]

(They stare at the hand, but do not shake it. Perhaps they're still a little too bitter over how the whole thing with Shepard turned out.

...Or they're just distracted by the name, given the way their headflaps lift.)

Your name is familiar to us. It was suggested we inform you we are not "a pile of angry ghosts inhabiting a robot body".

We are Legion, relict of the Geth.

[ The Knight just sort of...headtilts...in the background at that description, clearly puzzled but also filing it away in the not going to ask about this category.

Now that they've been sufficiently introduced, they bring the box over to Legion again so they can continue their inspection, insistently holding it up so they can look (which is..not very high, but they're trying okay). ]

[As soon as that description is given, he sighs, looking for a moment like he's just going to entirely deflate.]

So you've met Lucas, have you.

[He says it in the most flat tone imaginable, the weight of a man who now cannot even picture the glut of bad things that have been said about him.

But oh well, let's just-- let's just not. He tucks his hand back since Legion doesn't seem to want to interact with it and moves forward.]

I'm not going to do anything to you, and I can plenty tell you're not a ghost. It's nice to meet you.

[He looks down at the Knight, still concentrating on that box and trying to hand it off.]

Are you ready to go? You can lead the way.

(Except they haven't actually heard anything bad at all.)

It is a question we have been asked by multiple individuals. We are assuming they also likely originate from your universe?

(Legion attempts to take the box from The Knights hands.)

Reintegration of this circuitry is likely to be tedious, but not impossible, provided Arum-25 still wishes to be repaired.

[ They easily relinquish their grip on the box, and once that task has been successfully passed to someone who knows Much More About It Than Them, they turn to Kravitz with a confident nod.

They're happy to lead the way to the laboratory that houses what they've come to think of as their robot friend (though what ARUM thinks of them, they really have no idea). Someone with an actual voice can do the question-asking, though. Consent is important. ]

[Well, that's a nice surprise. He kind of figures Lucas is slamming him across the board, which, while (probably) deserved is an annoying prospect.]

Yes, he does. Don't worry about it.

[That's certainly not what they're here for, and he'd much rather discuss ARUM.]

I believe they do. It may simply be enough for them to have the circuits, though... I confess to hoping they'll remember. They're the only one who can really tell us about everything that happened here.

[Which, aside from promising help, is something his nagging curiosity won't let him drop.]

Well! Shall we?

Affirmative.

(Though curious about Kravitz' world of origin, they are more concerned with ensuring Arum is properly repaired.

Thus, they will allow themselves to be led to the laboratory.)

[ It doesn't take too long for the three of them to reach their destination, the Knight running along in front (but careful not to leave their companions behind) with apparent eagerness.

They walk up to ARUM-25, gently reaching up to tap their hand and turn their attention to the people who can actually talk. ]

[ARUM-25 is the same place they have always been. They whir to life softly, turning to regard their visitors with the same sort of displaced curiosity as always.]

It is good that you are not dead.

[No, really. They're genuinely grateful for this. Relieved, even.]

[Even if they did not succeed in saving anyone, they are at least happy that they did not need to watch everyone die - relive a memory they do not have.]

Hello.

[It's probably better that Kravitz just doesn't bring up the whole dying thing; he looks scarred enough to have plausibly been infected and then survived. We're just not going to worry about all that.]

ARUM, it's good to see you again. I wanted to thank you for the warnings you gave us about the infection and being quite helpful in it's tracking. And well, it's not really a reward, but... I believe we've found something that belongs to you.

[He'll gesture Legion's direction, since they're the one currently in possession of the box with the circuitry.]

The cure for the disease known as "Overgrowth" was discovered to be honesty.

(It is, after all, useful data, even if Arum-25 will hopefully not actually end up needing it.

Legion steps forward to present the box.)

Does this circuitry appear likely to contain missing data?

["Honesty." Surely it could not have been that simple. But unequipped with the memory of the emotionally repressive environment from which the people of Umui originated, ARUM-25 cannot confirm or deny. They instead focus on the box, and its contents.]

[The tip of metallic fingers brush the frizz of wiring. Then, slowly, they reach up to the back of their neck to run them across the place where those wires were once torn out.]

Yes.

It looks like my primary memory circuits.

[He feels a smile pull at his mouth as ARUM reaches over, compares the two. It's the confirmation he needed.]

ARUM, it's to my understanding that Legion here repaired you previously. Would you be willing to have them do it again? I'm sorry I can't be of more direct help, but-- I did say I would find some, so I hope this is sufficient.

[He's rambling. A bit nervous. Mostly just scared of what they might find.]

I would be willing.

Though I do not know what we might find.

[Nonetheless, they do not hesitate in issuing their answer. It is not uncertainty that holds them back; it is concern that they might be inconveniencing those who have already gone so far out of their way to help.]

Acknowledged. We will work on reconnecting your primary memory circuits.

(And well, they're just going to try to get a good look at the back of Arum's neck.)

[ARUM-25 angles their head to allow Legion better access to the back of their neck. There are several frayed wires there that, with careful inspection, will clearly line up with the circuits torn free. All one has to do is reattach them.]

Thank you.

[They're all apprehensive, he thinks. But that thought doesn't do anything to quell the nervousness as Legion gets to work, crossing his arms so he can grip and fiddle with the sleeves of his shirt.]

It's alright. This is for you more than it is for us.

[Even though he's hoping they find something more than nothing.]

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whoops i didnt realize it was my tag here im sorry

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