Androide • Solitaria

2B ll Nier: Automata

"Everything that lives is designed to end. We are perpetually trapped in a never-ending spiral of life and death. Is this a curse? Or some kind of punishment? I often think about the god who blessed us with this cryptic puzzle...and wonder if we'll ever get the chance to kill him."

A combat android designed to serve an elite military force known as YoRHa. Her mission directive was to eliminate all machine lifeforms on earth for the glory of mankind. 

 Although comes across as stoic and somewhat cold, she harbors a soft spot for close friends and companions.

Humans are considered extinct in her world and little records remain of their culture. She’ll be incredibly curious on the humans living in Spirale and their day-to-day lives. 

Need help with something? Shoot her a request and she’ll be willing to lend a hand (ignore any begrudging remarks).

Usually accompanied by a Pod bot, who she sometimes treats as a pet by giving pats. 

Don’t ask how her swords work since she wouldn’t know either. Either it’s magic or magnetism.

--

“Not necessarily. It’s just that I’ve never met a human, much less learned of their of society. Whatever records of humanity that were left on Earth have been slowly fading into nothing. ” 

--

“I wouldn’t know,” she gave a dismissive shrug.

The box of miniature desserts had been a reward for assisting a baker in locating a missing employee. Despite the android’s attempts to dissuade them, as her body was not equipped to consume human food, they still insisted in offering their baked goods as an expression of their gratitude. 

“Cakes won’t taste the same after you’ve tried these!” the baker proudly stated.

».....NEW CONTACT: @anglerfishnabe​

--

Sunset Circuit. 

2B vaguely recalled some events would be held here, but in truth, it didn’t incite any interest other than the need to familiarize the terrain. She would have passed by without a second thought...That is, until her ears were greeted with what sounded like a chorus of shrieks and screams. A battlefield? Curious by the echoes, she promptly walked toward its source. 

Her assumptions were immediately proven false but still earned her several confused questions. Participants were creating what appeared to be balls out of the snow, then proceeding to throw it at each other while using obstacles, such as walls and ramps to their advantage. She contemplated on the peculiar scene unfolding before her and mistakenly entered past the flagged “safe zone”. A child’s face peeked around the corner of a makeshift wall and spotted her standing aimlessly in the field. With a sneaky grin spreading across his face, he aimed at her with the snowball kept safe in his grasp. He held their breath and flung the makeshift weapon as far as his little arms would allow.

Sadly for him, the android was made well aware of his presence. Hearing the whistling of the wind as the snowball flew closer towards, she quickly spun around sliced it in half with a rapid swipe of her sword.

“What do you think you’re doing?” she questioned the flabbergasted child.

Rather than answering, the child squeaked in surprise and scampered out of sight. Unfortunately, this encounter had caught the attention of the other children nearby and they all fixated on her as their main target. Without a chance to protest, she was forced to defend herself against a barrage of snow and quickly used her sword to reduce the balls into white chunks. 

Sadly, her actions earned frustrated cries and complaints as the children complained about the unfair advantage and her lack of regard for the rules. She looked around her and noted that none of them were actually armed with anything other than what they were creating from the ground. 2B reluctantly had her weapon materialized in its original place (behind her back) and instead, she bent down to form her own snowball. Clumping the white substance between her gloved hands, she rose to her feet again and began choosing her target. Eyeing the nearest child, she pulled her arm back and hurled the snowball with considerable speed. 

To her disappointment, the kid had sharp reflexes as they managed to duck behind a barrier. With nothing to obstruct its path, participants in the immediate vicinity were forced to watch as the snowball flew past them...and crashed straight into a stranger’s face with an audible splat!

»…..NEW CONTACT: @ryunoibuki​

–

“I’ll need you to stop crying and explain what’s wrong”.

She had accidently stumbled across an enormous structure, which apparently went by the name of Mermaid Cove Mall, and immediately found a child sobbing alone on a nearby bench. Despite their bawling, the other passersby paid them no mind, seemingly occupied with enjoying the festivities without concerning themselves in another’s affairs. Against her better judgement, 2B decided to see what was wrong if only to cease the unnecessary noise. 

“If you can’t tell me, then I have no way of helping you,” she spoke with a firm tone, her patience already waning, “Would you rather I leave you here alone?”

The android stood before them with her arms crossed and a frown displayed prominently on her face. After several minutes of choked sobs and heavy breathing, the child eventually managed to calm down enough to voice their complaints. It would seem there was a contest involving capturing “snowflakes” and the prize for capturing all five was a gift card. Suddenly, the child begins their heavy sobs as they explain their numerous failed attempts to capture a single snowflake. 

What an annoyance.

As they continued their story, her visor alerted her to the aforementioned snowflake buzzing erratically over their heads as though teasing them. Not wanting to dwell any longer on the child’s tears, 2B hastily agreed to assist and sprints after the fleeing snowflake without another word. 

Unlike the humans, her speed was immediately noted as being above average as she followed behind with relative ease. On the other hand, one had to take care to jump out of her path lest they wish to feel a body comprised of mechanical parts ramming into them. Her surroundings blended into a blur of color as she quickened her pace until the target was within range. 

Noting a bystander bending over, she sprinted towards them and swiftly leaps on their back. With the extra height, 2B leaps high into the air with outstretched hands--A feat earned the surprised gasps and comments of the surrounding bystanders. She is seen flying high into the air and manages to grasp the snowflake with both hands. As she falls towards the ground, the android manages to flips over and land gracefully despite her weight makes an audible thud against the marbled floor. 

»…..NEW CONTACT: @bulletrein​

–

Her next stop was the Archimedes Ward. She had learned from eavesdropping on passersby of a location known as the Garden of Ash. Not only that, it would serve her well to explore a Ward she had yet to step foot into. Despite its rather morbid name, it was described as being a beautiful area of lights and flora perfect for a “date” (whatever that meant). Yet her only reason to visit was due to a similar resemblance to an amusement park she encountered during a mission. 

After some time and searching for directions, she arrived at the destination which was confirmed by the array of light decorations wrapped around the entrance. The android quietly entered while bypassing the quizzical stares aimed at her non-winter attire (compared to the bundles of clothing worn by the other residents). 

True to its name, specks of greyish-white fell upon the area in a delicate shower and created the illusion of snow. Strings of light in various colors adorned nearly every inch of the landscape on either side of the cobblestone pathway. More curious still were the glass decorations that created mesmerizing effects as light passed through it. It was similar to the amusement park, but held a natural life unlike the machines that pretended to be fully alive. As she strolls along, she glanced towards the endless fields of flowers and plants. Whereas the bystanders stopped every so often to better observe the environment, 2B continued in a steady pace. 

Soon after, she finally found something that stopped her in her tracks: a patch of white flowers with slender, pointed petals. Bearing an odd resemblance to a glowing flower she was asked to search for in her world, she lowered into a crouching position with her arms neatly folded across her lap. Her visor remained on the patch, feeding tactical data on its biological structure though it was all irrelevant. It was a beautiful sight any person could watch for hours and yet she found herself feeling melancholic. Having recalled her time at that amusement park, she was suddenly reminded of her missing friend.

For the first time, the black visor felt uncomfortable and its significance weighed heavily on her face. She reached behind her head and tugged at one of its ends until the knot came undone, causing the fabric to slide down her eyes--She tied it carefully around her wrist for safe-keeping. Feeling the loneliness creeping under her skin, 2B hugged her legs tightly while resting her chin between her knees. 

She softly whispered for her friend.

».....NEW CONTACT: @0bustersword0

--

Once the snowstorm has passed (an event she found rather entertaining), an announcement has rung throughout the city of festivities that would to be provided. She immediately set outside to explore the snow-covered landscape, though noticeably ignored the field of ice sculptures and the giant container of something called “soup”.

Instead, her curiosity led her to the forest area of Cotes Ward. Sadly, what should have begun as a peaceful walk to observe its flora quickly turned into a fight for survival against a group of mischievous fairies looking to entertain themselves in her misery. What followed was a desperate attempt to eliminate them.

“I am NOT here to play your games!” she snarled.

2B swung down her wooden sword in front of her to disperse a group of three; however, they merely cackled and retaliated by freezing one of her heels to the ground. This sudden immobilization nearly caused her to stumble onto her knees, which was only prevented by stabbing her weapon into the snow for support. The fairies giggled louder.

“Play with us and receive a prize!” they chanted, “Play with us and receive a prize!”

Whatever these creatures were, they succeeded in inciting her temper. And to be brought to her knees by a simple trick? They were certainly worse than the machines of her world. 

Noticing her sudden stillness, a fairy took the advantage to launch a frontal assault. The android waited. Once the little beast was within reach, she swiftly swiped a free hand towards it and felt their tiny body collide against her palm. Its companion initially rushed in concern to save them, yet stopped as they noted a new stranger appearing from between a pair of snow-kissed bushes.

In hindsight, taking up the first job to accept her resumes hadn’t been the wisest decision for Nanami. A job at a cafe was by no means insulting or tiring to her, but it put her in contact with many people. And the more time she spent in the company of humanity, the more pitiable she felt. 

Of course, there was the subject of how she was running two jobs at differing cafes, yet spending her free time at a competitors for a bout of free-time… As usual, Nanami found herself not caring all that much. Tea was tea, no matter who was preparing it. It was a big city, too, full of many businesses that catered to practically everyone. Sipping lightly from her cup, her purple eyes roved about, taking in the most minute details from the strangers that passed her by. If any of them needed a sword, she either couldn’t tell or felt that they weren’t worthwhile enough to hold her interest as a master.

Someone, however, eventually did. A woman in a black dress with silver hair approached the server behind the front desk. Nanami watched and waited, periodically raising her tea to her lips. Her instinct as a sword was already trying to analyze her, if only to give herself something to do. The people around her were soft and weak, practically indistinguishable from each other like fish in a school. Nanami still managed to keep her focus up even when the stranger finally seemed to notice the daggers she had been staring into her back. 

“It’s nothing. Please don’t let me disturb you,“ she answered, her voice as loud as the rustling of leaves. “You seemed like you were interested in trying some tea.“

With the woman facing her direction, Nanami was able to take in more of her. Other than having a more physically fit figure compared to the others seated around the patio, the thin ribbon of fabric around the other’s face stuck out first. She wondered if the material was really that thin enough to see through… either that or the taller woman had a better sense of her surroundings than Nanami gave her credit for.

“I apologize if I seemed rude. There’s not much for me to do around here other than watch others. Anyone who seems new to this place, really.“

Something resembling a smile teased her lips, Nanami drumming part of the table with her fingertips. The chair opposite her side of the table was suddenly nudged out of its place by her sandal under the table. 

“So are you from around here or not? It’s a simple question.“

If only that were the case. As tempting as the aromas were, she couldn’t risk the potentially disastrous effects to her mechanical systems. She swiftly dumped the leaves back into its container before slipping on the black glove. 

More importantly, there was another curiosity to set her sights on. The android swiftly strolled towards the young girl’s table, ignoring the shopkeeper’s offer to bring a second cup for her. A brief silence ensued while the pair sized each other up. Other than her piercing stare, the stranger appeared harmless enough--It was rather unfortunate her visor only displayed an error message after attempting to analyze the girl. 

Once she was within reach of the other’s table, she was mildly surprised to see a chair pushed outwards as a form of invitation.

How bold of her. Obviously the two had never met until today, yet this one retained such a peculiar calmness to someone who can easily become a threat. 2B quietly accepted the invitation and pulled the chair further out before settling in. 

Upon hearing the clipped inquiry, she briefly smiled. Seems this one has a rather smart mouth as well.

“No, I’ve never been to this city. If I’ll be honest, I’m not exactly sure where we are.”

2B turned away after making such a statement, glancing at the patrons that surrounded them. She contemplated on the peaceful environment complemented with the tea fragrances. She also realized there were never any days spent in such tranquility without an imminent danger around the corner. What a strange thought. 

“ Miss? You alright there? ” comes the voice of a rather large and well-dressed man. He stares at her for a moment, unsure if whether she’s in need of assistance or is simply taking a moment to reflect on god knows what.

“ If you’re looking for something, I’d be more than happy to help you out. ” the man continues, casually approaching her.

“ That’s a nice dress you got. Is it one of ours? Or did ya get it somewhere else? ”

My god does he hate having to make idle chit-chat. No point in it at all. Would rather just be told what the issue is and be done with it. Unfortunately most people expect you to have some semblance of social skills when managing a high-end fashion shop. Gets the people comfortable, turns them into potential repeat customers. And by the look of things this woman can definitely be one byt the look of her incredibly fashionable outfit.

“Huh?”

Despite having lived in Spirale for roughly a month, the android still struggled to adjust to human presence. She turned away from the approaching stranger, still somewhat entranced by the surroundings. There was a feverish energy in the air as she noted various people tearing through the stacks of clothing in desperation. 

Was this how the humans of her world were like as well?

Several women were clustered around the nearest rack holding a batch of coats covered entirely in...animal fur? Curious, she took several steps towards it and reached out to caress the coat’s sleeve. How soft.

“I haven’t. Good to hear it was of interest to you after all.” The slight change in her delivery more than hinted he was correct. He didn’t really care if it wasn’t; her judgment for an irrelevant question wasn’t a big deal.

“I might just encounter one by chance again, now that I’ve met you. Are there many that resemble you? Is it by choice, or by circumstance?” He could easily understand the second one: the naturally born Desert Apostles wore the same garb he did. It seemed a rather quirky dress code in her case, but he couldn’t guess that accurately by only seeing two examples so far apart.

“Hm...”

The thoughtful sound had been uttered unintentionally. With the peculiar circumstances surrounding her reactivation, she admittedly hadn’t given much thought to her comrades. How disappointing the stranger had not encountered her companion. Already she felt alone in this world full of living beings. 

“I suppose you could say each android becomes a template for the ones after. I--We were built in the human’s image...or so they tell us. 

[[Good morning everyone! I’m back from my trip and while I catch up on some replies, I’d also like 2B to participate in the current event.

chloe froze. this wasn’t good. she didn’t want confrontation for trespassing, or accidentally infiltrating a drug cartel operation, or whatever the fuck might be happening here. only the worst outcomes could cross her mind as she pushed herself up to her feet with her hands, still staying low, trying to be quiet. fuck. fuck, what now? 

what a stupid question. there was one obvious answer and it was to get the hell out of here! but a quick look back told her that she wasn’t about to escape out that same window again; even if it was within grasping distance, she doubted she had the strength to lug herself up by the ends of her fingers. what were her other fucking options though?? chloe twisted her head frantically, looking for any kind of escape. there. farther down the metal platform from her, sat beside the stairs to the bottom of the factory, was a door. it was probably some sort of lower-level roof access for maintenance or smoke breaks or who knows what the fuck, it didn’t matter! it was her way out! backpack thrown across her shoulder, she sprinted towards the exit on a partially lit path, her sneakers rapping loudly on the metal as she ran down it’s length. so close..!

❝ WOAH! ❞ the yelp accidentally escaped her throat as her left foot met nothing. by the time she realized she realized that part of the walkway was broken it was too late and she was falling. chloe had only a second of prepping for pain before practically belly-flopping into the boxes that laid below the gap; some empty, most filled with some kind of hardware and packaging materials. it fucking hurt but it could’ve always probably hurt worse, with her stomach and left leg being what got the brunt of the impact. she curled up instinctively, nursing her left leg and trying to will it to stop hurting. ❝ Fuck, shit, come on! ❞ please stop hurting, just move! i don’t have time for this! i don’t want to die in this stupid warehouse!

Running away?

Rather than pursuing, the android stood in place and observed the other’s attempt at escape with a placid expression. Whatever their reasons for being here, they certainly did not wish to be caught. Not that there would be a complaint from her since she hoped to avoid unnecessary confrontation.

Instead, she would have simply made her way towards the exit without another thought if not for the resonating sound of something heavy landing atop several objects or material.

“Well, that didn’t sound good.”

Against her better judgement, 2B sought out the runaway for the sake of her own interest. Should it come to it, she doubted much effort would be needed to eliminate them. 

Following along the walkway overhead (which the stranger has attempted to escape on), she was eventually greeted with the sight of a bad-tempered girl spewing an amusing choice of words. As she walked closer to the stranger, she briefly looked up to see the portion of the walkway that had rotted way along with the piece currently used as the other’s landing pad.  

“I wasn’t going to attack, you know?” she sighed.

2B seemingly stared quietly at the other nursing her leg; however, the visor obscuring her eyes took notes on the severity of the injury. At a glance it appeared as a mere velvet cloth, but it was actually a piece of combat equipment designed on analyzing various data. It would seem the stranger suffered a fracture from the fall. 

“You can say that,” she said, without providing any indication of which thing he said was correct. It received a laugh in response, almost haughty rather than expressing good humor. The way she questioned him also suited that memory.

“My name is Dune. I met a woman that you remind me of last year. White hair, dressed in black, impractical heels. Her outfit was in far more many pieces than yours is.” He recalled thinking it was a costume at the time, but that was never confirmed or denied.

“I didn’t catch her name, I’m afraid. But I wonder if knowing someone you knew was here would be useful anyway?” It was possible she was still wandering the city somewhere and they’d only missed crossing paths again, but it was more fun to suggest otherwise.

What an unusual person, was her initial thought. His laugh was suspicious on its own, but it was his following statement that captured her full attention. 

White hair. An outfit in pieces. The androids lips unconsciously sagged into a frown upon the realization. His description couldn’t have referred to anyone other than A2, but she was certain there were no other YoRHa units (let alone an android of similar design) within the boundaries of this city.

“Have you come across anyone else like her?....Someone who might look similar to me?”

During her endless travels around Spirale, 2B wandered by a seemingly uninteresting shop. She would have passed by without a second thought if not for an intriguing scent wafting by her nostrils. A scent that she could not associate with any of her memories.

She quickly made her way to the shops entrance, noting a few customers seated at its outdoor patio with cups containing various colored liquids. Upon meeting the presumed owner of the establishment, her concealed eyes fell upon several containers of dried plants organized diagonally for display.

2B inquired on where the scent was coming from and was equally puzzled by the answer. Tea? According to the shopkeeper, this is a beverage made with dried plants soaked in boiling water. The essence left behind would be consumed and was useful for all sorts of ailments (or even out of preference). Sensing the skepticism from her posture, the shopkeeper insisted she examine it for herself. 

She tugged at the tips of her glove until it slid smoothly off her hand. Per their suggestion, 2B delicately grasped a pinch of the tea leaves and raised it towards her nose--She did not need to bring it very close to her face as its fragrance was potent enough. Whatever this batch contained exuded a sweet aroma with a cool undertone. How peculiar indeed. Unsatisfied with the observant, she dropped the leaves back in its container and reached for a separate container.

2B examined four more batches, seemingly mesmerized by the different aromas. That is, until her body froze at the sensation that she was being watched. Turning her head to the right, she immediately met the gaze of what appeared to be a young human girl. This girl was seated by a small round table with her hands wrapped around a cup of the tea beverage, watching the android with an intense stare.