first match | accidental voice → text

[mouthbreathing]

[The microphone rustles on to a light hiss of breeze and distant city sounds from an open window. One can just about hear fingers skidding across buttons, manipulating the NV. And then, almost from nowhere, it begins:

Ko… ho…

Ko… ho… ko… ho…

A slow, heavy, mechanical breathing- air forced across metal vents and through steely chambers, released in a guttural rush.

It’s difficult to imagine it coming from anything living, but there’s also something off-puttingly human about it in its steady regularity, like the pulse of a heart. The sound continues for around a minute before catching, just for a second, and then being suddenly and unceremoniously switched off mid-breath.

Around twenty minutes later, a text message appears on the network.]

Where would a robo-choujin go for repairs?

Comments

[video]

[surgicalshot]

Are you... are you okay? You said repairs, I guess that means a hospital is out of the question?

[text]

[mouthbreathing]

I don't know. I was recovering from relatively serious injuries in hospital when I arrived here, but I'm not sure how well the hospitals here are equipped to deal with robotics.

[text]

[surgicalshot]

I guess it depends on what kind of robotics? I know we've helped a lot of androids before...

[text]

[mouthbreathing]

['What kind of robotics'... it's an interesting question, and not one Warsman has ever really considered before. He's always been aware of his body and the way in worked in the ways that mattered- his training, his diet, his limits- but usually balked before thinking about the specifics.]

I'm not sure. I was born this way rather than altered into it; in the past I've just taken it for granted that I could be helped at hospital.

[text]

[surgicalshot]

Well, if you want, you could come to SP General and get checked out! I can't promise anything, but I know we'll try to help as best we can. And if we need to, we'll send you to a specialist. I'd hate for you to go somewhere and not get the right help.

[text]

[mouthbreathing]

[The man's enthusiasm is startling, though Warsman isn't sure why he was expecting otherwise.]

Are you sure? I wouldn't want to burden anyone unnecessarily.

[After a moment's thought, he adds:] Also, you keep saying 'we'. Does that mean that you work there?

[text]

[surgicalshot]

You wouldn't be a burden! That's what we do. I do work there, I'm a doctor!

[text]

[mouthbreathing]

Then I'll try to get there as soon as possible. Should I ask for you directly, or would just about anyone be free?

[text]

[surgicalshot]

Sure, you can ask for me! I'm Doctor Kenzo Tenma, just come in and say you're there to see me, and we'll see about getting you squared away.

[text]

[mouthbreathing]

Thank you- that really does mean a lot. It's Warsman, by the way.

[text]

[surgicalshot]

It's nice to meet you, Warsman! I can't wait to meet you in person.