Scrambled Egg Zone Act II

[reneggadetinkerer]

Type: Video
Sender ID: reneggadetinkerer (Dr. Ivo "Eggman" Robotnik)
To: Public
Subject: A proposition, of sorts
Warnings: Scheming

[Now that Eggman has been here for a few months, he's about ready to make some moves. Specifically, he's been working on a little project. It's taken him some time to acclimate to the magitech of this world, and to gather appropriate resources, but the good doctor is nothing if not industrious.]

Attention fellow riftfarers!

I realize that I have not exactly made the...best impression to most of you. And still, there are others who come from my particular sphere of reality who have warned you that I am not to be trusted.

I readily admit that I have made a great many...missteps in my time. But never let it be said that Dr. Eggman can't shed his shell!

And so, I come to offer my particular brand of expertise. Behold!

[Eggman steps back and procures a small disc. A disc that, with the press of a button, creates a small projection of five, animal-themed automatons.]

These designs might be a bit antiquated but I am offering to construct these automatons for interested parties with custom functionality! They're quite good at reconnaissance and security, but they can also be used as personal assistants and companions! In fact, if you were interested, I could scale them down and make them into fun little toys for yourself or a friend! And I am offering these "Radniks" at a pittance! Whatever you wish to pay, I will gladly accept!

Consider this a peace offering from the great, magnanimous, Dr. Eggman.

And, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask~

[OOC: Step one of Eggman's latest scheme is happening! These bots, while not dangerous now, are part of a long term scheme! If you're interested in getting involved, please feel free to let me know! You can reach out to me on the CR meme where I have some more details or message me on Discord of plurk at bitterbearface]

Comments

video; id: planetwhisperer

[planetwhisperer]

Oh. Those are...kinda cute.

[She smiled warmly. She was new here and had no clue who Dr. Eggman was, but he sounded like maybe he was turning over a new leaf? That was nice.

She hoped. Because otherwise she did not want to deal with Shinra-like creations.]

A little sharp in places though? Maybe you could round out a few spots when you make them?

[reneggadetinkerer]

Aren't they just? These are designs from much earlier in my...er...career. But given the technological level of this world and all of this...nature...I thought I could revive the classics.

I'm not especially looking for notes as they were designed for defense. But I suppose if I'm going to mass market them I could stand to make them a little.

...Friendlier.

[He doesn't like that. But he must grin and bear it.]

[planetwhisperer]

It's not a bad idea. They'll fit in more easily here.

[She almost asks about the technology in his world, but it's not important. From the way he describes them as 'for defense' she begins to suspect they're more like Shinra's creations than anything else.

She'll just...keep up the cheerful encouragement.]

You'd probably sale more of them that way. Lots of people like pets. These could be like mechanical pets.

[reneggadetinkerer]

Yes I admit I'm banking on people's desire to own frivolous mechanical contraptions, whether they be toys or companions.

Admittedly, I find the company of machines far more preferable.

[planetwhisperer]

You do? Hmm. I guess that can be similar to preferring the company of animals to people.

Well, I think this is a good idea and I can't wait to see a few of these little guys out in the wild, so to speak. Maybe I'll get one...?

[reneggadetinkerer]

Animals and people are still capable of acting outside of a reasonable scope. Machines can be programmed. I can make them do what I want and believe what I want them to believe.

Interested, are you? Is there a specific task you'd be interested in having one for? They're quite capable personal assistants.

[planetwhisperer]

Right. [She understands. She'll just refrain from commenting.]

Hmm. I think I'd just want one for a companion for now. Although... maybe one that's good with plants? Especially flowers. Is that a thing? Could it be?

[reneggadetinkerer]

I suppose I have a few models that could both be a companion and tend to a garden. Hmm...

[He grumpily looks through a few schematics before settling on this little guy.]

Motobug. I could swap out the claws on the front for gardening implements to till the earth. Would that suffice?

[Probably one of his 'cuter' badniks, all things considered.]

[planetwhisperer]

Hmmm. He might do!

[She beams at the camera.]

It's cute. Like a little lady bug. Perfect for tending to a garden!

I'll take one please~.

[reneggadetinkerer]

Y...Yes. I'll make the necessary adjustments. Name?

[How dare this person be so...pleasant.]

[planetwhisperer]

[She dare. It's how she wormed her way into even the most guarded of hearts. c: ]

Aerith. Thank you, Dr. Eggman. This is a nice project that you're doing. I can't wait to meet the little guy!

[reneggadetinkerer]

Wh— There's nothing nice about it! I'm trying to make money so that I can properly fund my endeavors! Don't mistake this as some kind of charity!

[planetwhisperer]

[She giggled.]

Well, those two things don't have to be mutually exclusive.

Take me for example. I sale flowers. Flowers make people happy and I want to share that joy with everyone. But they still cost one gil so I can have money for things, too.

[reneggadetinkerer]

For a flower? Pah, what sort of use would a flower even have? If you ask me, you're over-charging!

[Time to make fun of the girl who was nice to him because how dare?? She????]

[planetwhisperer]

You weren't listening, were you?

[Flowers make people happy, Eggman! They're ~magical~ like that.]

Fine. Sooo, I should give you less than a gil for your machine? After all, I can do whatever it can only better and its only value is to make me smile.

[She's not always nice!]

This is not the CR I was expecting but I love it

[reneggadetinkerer]

[Eggman sputters.]

What?! Are you positing you can dig better and faster than one of my creations?!

Listen here, Miss Aerith, I'll have you know one of my Motobugs can till an entire field in the time it would take you to pick out some stylish coveralls.

XD it's beautiful

[planetwhisperer]

I'm a gardener, not a farmer. It needs to be able to dig carefully in a flower bed and be gentle around plants already in place.

And it can't speak with the plants, can it? Tell what they need, care for them, tend to other tasks than digging?

[reneggadetinkerer]

If it's a question of precision, I'll have you know that my Bad— er...Radniks use weapons grade targeting algorithms! Why, they're so precise, I would allow Crabmeat to perform open-heart surgery!

[On someone else.]

If you're looking for comprehensive biometrics, that's child's play as well. Mark my words, you'll have the best gardening companion your precocious little heart could ever dream of!