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You wake to the harsh buzz of your alarm once again, your pleasant dreams about the weekend tragically cut short. You'd almost forgotten about the alarm thing. You sigh heavily.

Today is a big day and you are both excited and nervous; today is when the android siblings meet for the first time. You've got some minor lesson plans worked out and your fingers are crossed they will get along. Mostly on Pandora's end, to be honest.

You, as always, have options before the main event. You never got a chance to chat with R&D after your arrival, though they'll probably be at the meeting along with your research team. You could go see them first. Or you could head elsewhere, of course. You admit to yourself you'd rather postpone this invitation for disaster.

What do you do?

>>47259180
Research team time.

>>47259249
Gonna wait a smiiidge more for people to show up.

>>47259180
First, panic.

After that, head over to R&D and attempt to socialize with them.

>>47259249
>>47259531
Varying ideas! Tie breaker?

>>47259576
I'll change my vote to R&D.

>>47259605
Gotcha. Writing!

You ready yourself to visit R&D before the meeting, taking extra care to look your best and freshen your breath. You can't help but think you're being silly.

A quick jaunt over to the heavy doors of the lair of cyborgs you so often visit and you arrive to see Mouse grilling There-ah, Babsy (you're going to have to be mindful of that) on what happened while you were gone. She does not look terribly amused, but the little Aussie is persistent.

"-much time you spend attached at the face. At least give me that!" Mouse says, nudging her in the side while Babsy does her best to focus on paperwork and calculations. "Doc! There you are! Little miss tight arse here isn't giving with the juicy! C'mon, I get antsy when I can't see everything goin' on! Did'ja make with the..." she makes a very lewd hand gesture. "Eh? Ehhhh?" the shit-eating, "we both know what was in your pocket" look on her face is getting worse by the second.

You roll your eyes. "Drop it, Mouse. Today's the day the kids meet. Got a lot to worry about. You think we have anything to worry about?"

"Besides the robot uprising?" one of the Bobs says, "Sibling rivalry, but made of metal and one of them could level this compound if he wanted to. I remember one time my brother and I were both after the same girl and we ended up in the hospital. Broke his arm, two of my ribs, my nose, hairline fracture on his jaw and ruined my favorite jacket." his brother lightly hits him in the arm and he laughs, "Oh, yeah, we lucked out though. Turns out she was a nurse there...and had a friend." they high-five.

(cont)

"Siblings will fight." Babsy says, one of her mechanical hands flicking Mouse on the forehead to get her to knock off the kissy faces she's making, "You just need to make sure you're quick on your feet for when it happens and stop it before it gets out of hand. You are, for lack of a better term, a father figure to them. You need to stay in control and be the authority here. They'll listen to you more than anyone else."

You're really hoping that it doesn't come to that, but she's right. You can't take a passive role here. If they get too rowdy, you need to be ready to step in.

"When we startin'?" Mouse asks, rubbing the small red mark on her forehead, "I'm pretty pumped to see this. Nothing like it's happened in human history, so, y'know." she gives two thumbs up.

>We'll begin now, I suppose
>In a bit, I'm gonna go to _____ first (write in)
>Other (write in)

>>47259888
>We'll begin now, I suppose

>>47259888
>In a bit, I'm gonna go to talk to my team first

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>>47259888
>>We'll begin now, I suppose

>>47259954
>>47260013
Straight into the deep end!

Time for everyone's favorite. Please roll 1d100. Best of 3.

Rolled 15 (1d100)

>>47260035

Rolled 36 (1d100)

>>47260035
whyyyyy...

Rolled 76 (1d100)

>>47260035

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AMPM, I've read Ruby Quest now. Am I allowed to be a QM now? Unless you got some other (bullshit) conditions that I need to fulfill to be a good QM?

>>47260071
Ohhhh, no reason.

Writing!

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You and the others (save Snowglobe again, guy just doesn't like going anywhere you guess) head over to Ares' room to collect him, a message to security has the usual circus of guards coming out of the woodwork to watch everything you do while in transit. You wake the mechanical soldier and inform him today is the day. He nods, but you can't help but note of worry on his face. He actually looks a little scared. Ironic, really.

The halls are filled with people as you step out of his quarters, everyone wanting to get a glimpse at the walking armory from behind the safety of a dozen guards. To his credit, he keeps his eyes forward and focused on his destination. Still, you can't help but feel this is a bit much just for him to go visit his "sister".

Your research team is already at Pandora's door, waiting for you. They give you a formal greeting as you swipe your ID and head through. You take the deepest breath you've taken since right before you turned Pandora on for the first time and cross the threshold to the waiting android girl's room. There are, once again, people in the observation room, though not many. Richards isn't even there this time. You suppose he's gotten used to your shenanigans by now.

You step forward, putting one hand on Ares' shoulder. "Pandora, I'd like you to meet Ares. Ares...this is Pandora." you motion forward.

Ares fidgets a bit, while his smaller counterpart stands much more rigid, arms crossed as if she's waiting for something. Ares is the first to speak. "Uh...hello." he salutes quickly, stiffening up. "It's a pleasure to meet you, ma'am."

Pandora is utterly confused by his military display. Apparently she doesn't understand what salutes are for, but blows it off as some odd quirk. "Yeah...hi." she says, brow furrowed slightly, but she doesn't seem to be hostile.

They're both standing there, silently. Looks like you might need to kickstart this meeting a little bit.
>Begin the lessons right away
>You both like music
>Other (write in)

>>47260396
>Begin the lessons right away
This isn't terrible yet I guess.

>>47260396
>You both like music

>>47260396
>>47260117
Please, AMPM, I need your guiding opinion that means SO much for anyone to EVER take up the mantle of QMhood.

>>47260414
>>47260416
Tiebreaker?

I have a feeling there aren't too many people playing tonight, eh? Oh well, show must go on!

>>47260396
>>You both like music
Give them something to do

>>47260570
Right! Writing!

>>47260117
>>47260495
>>47260552
Ignoring my plead for advice? That's not very kind nor professional of you. I guess you're not as good of a QM as I thought. You let me down.

"You know," you say, attempting to break the tension, "you both enjoy music. Pandora likes dancing and Ares wants to learn to play."

Ares looks to Pandora, giving his best approximation of a smile. "I haven't tried dancing. Dr. Zheng tried to teach me singing, but I am not equipped for that."

Pandora keeps her arms crossed for now, but her expression softens a little. "She's...she isn't very good at it." she says, unable to look him in the eye. There's a quiet snicker from some of your team at poor Grace's expense. "But...the doctor dances with me sometimes...he's not very good at that either, but it's...it's nice..." she shifts slightly, digging her foot into the floor.

You feel a bit of a blush creeping across your face.

"Do...you...wanna learn?" Pandora asks, still having trouble looking at her brother.

Ares looks to you for help with this. Apparently unsure of how to approach this.

>Go for it! Bonding experience!
>Terrible track record with androids learning to dance! Maybe later...
>Other (write in)

>>47260746
>>Go for it! Bonding experience!
Ready to temp fate again?

>>47260746
>Go for it! Bonding experience!

>>47260774
>>47260796
What's the worst that could happen...again?

Roll 1d100 because I am a cruel man. Best of 3.

Rolled 23 (1d100)

>>47260833

Rolled 38 (1d100)

>>47260833
You're a sick, twisted man, AMPMQM.

Rolled 9 (1d100)

>>47260833

Dancing is bad. Let's not do it anymore.

>>47260857
Some men just want to watch the world burn, anon.

Writing. Dice gods do NOT like dancing. Apparently it is an affront to their divinity.

>>47260857
I-It's not THAT bad of a roll, right? It's more "Two Left Feet" then "Everyone's dead, Dave", right?

Pandora, to her credit, does her best to teach her less than graceful brother. She tries to be patient and goes slowly, but apparently with as agile he is on the battlefield, he has two left feet on the dance floor and falls a number of times. Nothing dangerous, thank god. Just tumbling onto his metal posterior or tripping over himself, a few stepped-on toes here and there. Eventually Pandora gives up with a huff, dropping into a chair and folding her arms again.

"Hopeless..." she grumbles, her hair going a shade of...I guess you'd say maroon? "He's not good at dancing at all."

Ares has a shamed look on his face, his eyes downtrodden and, had he the capability, you're almost positive he'd be blushing right now. He hesitates for a moment, then takes a seat as well. Pandora has her head resting on one hand right now, looking very much like the "pouty, mean girl in school" right now.

You pat Ares on the arm. "You did better than I did my first time. Nothing broken, at least. You'll get into it eventually, I'm sure. Practice makes perfect and all." he simply nods at this.

"No he won't..." Pandora growls, tapping a finger on the table angrily. Ouch.

You look to the others for a bit of help and they simply urge you on, Babsy giving you a "remember what we spoke of" look.

>Pandora, apologize to Ares
>She's just frustrated, get on with the lesson
>Other (write in)

>>47261122
>Pandora, apologize to Ares

>>47261122
>Other (write in)
Some people just have two left feet, Pandora. Pretty sure you told Ares I'm not very good at dancing, either.

Anyway, let's get started.

>>47261122
>Pandora, apologize to Ares

>>47261122
>>Pandora, apologize to Ares

>>47261144
>>47261207
>>47261211
Spare the rod, as they say.

Writing!

You clear your throat to get Pandora's attention, who glances over at you, but her expression doesn't change.

"Pandora, that wasn't very nice." you say, doing your best to sound like the one in charge, "Ares was doing his best. In fact, I'm pretty sure you told him I'm not very good at dancing either. I want you to apologize."

Pandora gives you an incredulous look, her hair gradually reddening. "What?! But I didn't do anything! He's the one who-"

"Pandora." you cut her off, "You were rude to him. He was doing his best, you should be thankful and supportive. He wants you to two to get along. So, I want you to say you're sorry."

Pandora scowls at you, but eventually mumbles out a half-hearted "sorry", though she doesn't look at you or him when she says it. She's in a pretty sour mood.

"I..." Ares looks lost and a little uncomfortable, "I didn't mean..."

You stop him. "It's alright, this isn't your fault. She's just...having trouble with you and your...built." Pandora says nothing to this, but the way she shifts you can tell you hit the nail on the head.

Roll 1d100 to get the lessons underway. This will not be easy. Best of 3.

Rolled 2 (1d100)

>>47261351
Why do you hurt us, AMPM? Why?

Rolled 74 (1d100)

>>47261351
Yikes...

>>47261371
I am but a humble storyteller, anon.

Rolled 30 (1d100)

>>47261351

>>47261371
So close. So very, very close.

Writing.

>>47261395
You say, as you jam the bamboo shoots of character conflict under the fingernails of your readers.

But I still love you, regardless of all the feels you inflict on me. I suppose this is what Stockholm Syndrome feels like.

You take out your supplies and hand out some simple work for the two to do. You tried to make sure it wasn't too challenging for Ares, while still engaging enough for Pandora. Some word puzzles, simple shapes and colors to differentiate between. You didn't bother with anything math-related, though. Being that they are computers, there's really not much point to it.

Pandora, seeing questions she's been used to for some time, gives a smug look to Ares, who is still figuring out how these things work. She finishes hers quickly, then leans back in her chair triumphantly. Ares takes considerably longer, something that doesn't go unnoticed by his sister.

"...You're doing that wrong" she says after a short while of him struggling, "...No, not that way. Do...ugh..." she gets fed up once again, scoots her chair next to his and starts showing him how to do things. It's not quite the loving sibling helping her little brother with school work and more "sick of watching him do it wrong", but at least they're working together. Funny enough, Ares doesn't seem to notice and is simply enjoying this with her. He thanks her for her help repeatedly, which she brushes off, but it does help to soften her somewhat.

Before long, the two are actually being pretty amicable. Well, moreso than before. She's doing much less chastising and much more helpful informing. She actually smiles when he gets some of the tougher ones.

After a short time, they finish. She nods, accepting his work as passable. However, there's once more some tension. Apparently Grace showed Ares how to hug and it's uses. He's not the best at it, as he has Pandora's arms pinned to her sides, but it's a genuine hug. He looks pretty happy, in fact.

(cont)

Pandora, however, does not. It's hard to pin down her exact emotion, her hair is flipping between a vibrant display of colors, but her face looks absolutely incredulous. She might be having difficulty processing this and just needs a moment...or she could be about to scream at him. Sometimes she's just too hard to predict that way. Much like a real adolescent girl, now that you think about it.

>Let them hug it out
>Break it up before they start to fight again
>Other (write in)

>>47261666
>>Let them hug it out
At least, hope they hug it out...

>>47261666
>Let them hug it out

>>47261703
>>47261696
Time to give love a chance! Writing.

>>47261499
You know, anon, if you enjoy moral minefields and horribly difficult social situations involving character conflict, you might like my other quest, Beast in the Sky Quest. There's loads of it there. And there will be even more in the future.

You silently cross your fingers and wait, hoping that Pandora's love for hugging outweighs her disdain for Ares. However, the longer it goes, the angrier she seems. All things considered, he is holding it for a little too long, but he might not understand when you should let go.

However, whatever divine being is looking down on you is apparently smiling and a small miracle happens. Slowly and with obviously a large amount of conflicted emotions, Pandora's hands reach up to wrap around the military android embracing her to return the gesture. Granted it's difficult considering his gusto for it, but it happens.

"Thank you." Ares says quietly, still refusing to break contact.

"...Shut up." Pandora says in return, her hug tightening somewhat. Her head only comes up to about his chest, but she still does her best to seem fierce and in control.

There are some soft "aww"s from the people with you. Babsy even looks like she could start crying. But eventually the show ends and the two unhook from one another, Ares beaming (as best he can) and Pandora looking suitably embarrassed now that she's remembered she had an audience watching her hug her dorky little brother. You almost wish she could blush just for how adorable it would be.

Now that things are a little more friendly, you realize you don't have much else prepared for them beyond work. Though you realize that a little competition brought them together. Maybe more would help that along? You do have some video games here. Or you could go to the gym for sporting activities.

>Stay inside, video games!
>Go out, sports!

>>47261906
>Stay inside, video games!

>>47261906
>Stay inside, video games!

While I think it might be good to give Ares a way to show off that he can be cool, I'm worried Pandora might get frustrated if she loses badly.

>>47261925
>>47261935
Physical activity is overrated anyway! Writing!

I'm getting better at remembering my trip.

You figure since Pandora seems to enjoy video games so much, maybe Ares will too. Plus it'd be a nice change of pace from you getting your ass kicked for a change.

You spend a little bit explaining the concept to Ares, getting him familiar with the controller and how to interact with things in the game. The smug look on Pandora's face never leaves the entire time, though. You can't help but roll your eyes at this.

You have that racing game she loves so much booted and ready to go before long and the contest begins. It goes about as well as you expect for quite a while; Pandora wiping the floor with the poor, confused android. She's having the time of her life and he's just struggling. But then something happens...

Ares starts winning. Hard. Not just some lucky breaks here and there. Not just learning the game well enough. He is destroying her. it's like the roles have completely switched. Then it dawns on you why; Ares is designed for combat. His hand-eye coordination, speed and reaction time are all worlds ahead of Pandora's. She's basically a child in comparison to what he's capable. Once he figured out how it all worked there was no way she could have competed.

Pandora is floored. She has no idea how this is happening, and while she's doing her best, she is forced to admit defeat time and time again. Eventually she gives up, sulking.

"He cheated." she says grumpily.

"Cheated?" Ares asks, confused.

"Your...your dumb...weapon stuff. You cheated somehow! You must have!" Pandora says, pointing an accusing finger at him.

"I...I just learned how to play..." Ares says dejectedly, studying the controller in his hands, "I just did how you said to do it..."

"Cheater!" Pandora repeats, hitting her knees with balled fists in frustration.

"Panodra." you say, warning her.

"...S'not fair." she mumbles. "He's got stuff I don't..."

(cont)

"And you have things he doesn't." you say in retaliation, putting an arm around her, "It's not fair to blame him for what he does naturally. He can't help what he is and getting mad at him for it isn't fair to him. There's nothing wrong with being different. Focus on what you have in common instead."

"But he's laaaaaame!" she whines. Ares looks a little hurt.

You give her a stern look again and she begrudgingly apologizes again.

You realize a little heart-to-heart might do them some good, though it could just cause even more strife. Ares isn't exactly emotionally mature and Pandora is pretty stuck in her ways.

>Tell them to sit down and talk out their differences
>Save it for another time when they're both in a better place
>Other (write in)

>>47262211
>Save it for another time when they're both in a better place

>>47262184
>"Panodra." you say, warning her.
This stupid typo made me laugh.

>>47262226
I didn't even notice it, but now that I did I laughed too.

>>47262211
>>Save it for another time when they're both in a better place

>>47262274
>>47262226
Writing!

>>47261395
>humble storyteller
I remember that guy.
He ran the first quest I ever participated in.
It was my first time. It was very painful.

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>>47262307
Sorry i'm late by the way OP.

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>>47262307
Also I'm still working on pic related.

How have things been for you OP?

feels like its been a while.

On second thought, maybe it'd be better to let them hash it out when they're both in a better place. Besides, you're getting a little tired of the fighting. Granted it's mostly Pandora, but still. You'll have to focus on fixing her attitude. She's getting a little selfish at times. You hope you haven't spoiled her.

Ares, however, takes both of you by surprise. "I don't hate you..." he says quietly, "You're my sister. You can't hate you-"

"I'm not your 'sister'!" she interrupts, "He's not your father! Those are human things! We're not...we don't have that! We don't...we're not related because we're not living!" she stands up, glaring down at him. "Why do you have to pretend like we're people?! It's annoying! He's not your father! You can't have him! Stay away from him before you hurt him!!"

So that's it. She's jealous. There was selfishness there, but not the way you thought it was. She didn't want to share you with another android. In an ironic twist, she is exactly like a daughter not wanting to share with her baby brother. She's trying to push him out of the picture so you can devote all your attention to her...

>Scold her
>Hug her
>Other (write in)

>>47262453
>Hug her

>>47262453
Hug them Both.

Holy shit that is some mean "You should never have been born" shit she just pulled. that's gonna hurt though.

>>47262337
Everyone's first time is a little painful, anon. The first quest I ever participated in died about an hour after it started. Which sucks, because it was a really promising idea. I even got permission from the QM to take it up myself, but I didn't want to take his thing.
>>47262409
>>47262434
Always glad to have you! I've been dandy, just been juggling tugging on heartstrings here as well as in BitS as well as personal life stuff. I love the crossover stuff! I plan to read through Mech's archive soon. We both run quests at the same time I think, so sadly I can't really follow it in real-time.

>>47262453
>Scold her
>Hug her
Why not both?

>>47262481
>>47262494
You gonna get hugged tenderly. Writing!

>>47262495
What color best expresses amazement and or curiosity? >>47262434

I ask since i've been meaning to finish it up for a while.

>>47262495
It was particularly traumatizing.
Like the slightest mistep wound up getting someone sent to hell... then rescued. then killed again, then rescued again. Then someone lost an eye, and skinned. and... yeah

Weirdly intense for something on /co/.

>>47262520
I want her to know what she said was really mean though. God especially in front of ares....

You walk up to Pandora in mid rant and put your arms around her from behind, hugging her tightly. She freezes suddenly, her body stiffening up and her angry words grinding to a halt. Her hair is flipping between red and blue and her hands are twitching. You hold this for a moment, keeping her close. Finally she relaxes, turns around and returns it, burying her face in your chest.

"Pandora," you say softly, gently stroking her hair, "I'm not going anywhere, you know. I'm here for both of you. You can't hate him for what he is, be it a weapon or another AI or your brother or whatever. He's doing his best and you should too. He wants your love just as much as you want mine and to deny him that is cruel. I'm not saying you have to see him as a sibling or anything, but you need to at least see him as an equal. As someone to respect and care for. There's a lot he doesn't know about how things work, so he looks up to you for guidance and advice."

"But..." she tries to speak, but you've cut all the fight out of her.

You wave Ares over. He complies, though a little uncomfortable and unsure. You quickly pull him into the hug with you. Pandora is about to resist at first, but she gives in, in no state to be angry right now.

"You're both like my kids to me, you know." you say, smiling down at them, "We're all like family here. Sure, there might be some issues here and there, but we still love one another, right?"

Pandora nods slowly, Ares following suit.

"We'll get through this together then." you say, releasing them, "Okay?" they both nod again.

Babsy is currently a sobbing mess and the "aww"s are getting more and more frequent. You're pretty sure you've defused the situation for now at least, but there will most certainly need to be more discussion later.

>>47262666
And with that I think this is a good place to stop for now. I hope you guys enjoyed it as much as I did running it! If you did, please vote for it on the archive and follow me on Twitter for future updates! I can stick around to answer some questions for a bit, but otherwise, thank you and good night!
>>47262566
Yellow = surprise, shock, amazement
Pink = delight, joy, awe

>>47262672
Thanks for running Mr. AM.

>>47262689
Thank you for playing! I hope you had fun!

>>47262672
Good night, AMPM. Thanks again for running.

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>>47262714
It was fun. I felt bad I could only come in at the end but hey such is life.

for some reason i didn't get notified the thread was on. But such is life.

Have the glorious meeting of the minds that is Pandora and Lesath meeting.

>>47262672
Holy sweet patooty this thread. Thanks for running AM. Have a good weekend!

>>47262887
CUTE
U
T
E