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Home > Expos > Event 7 > Page 54
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INTERNS
2024-12-29 05:12:35
Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2025-03-07 21:51:49
[What Could Possibly Go Wrong - Death Road to Canada OST]
Collector
A trio of interns enter the Zoo Corp building, ready to earn a bit of extra money while awaiting the storm to end. The person at the front desk yelps in surprise. "Oh no new people! I'm not cute and marketable enough to be manning the front desk!!!"
Collector
2024-12-29 05:13:12
Collector Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2024-12-29 05:13:25
"I mean, ahem, welcome to Zoo Corp, "You want it, You need it, We have it.TM" How can we help you today?"
Apollo v7
"Um, hi."

A nervous looking Apollo unit holds himself as high up as he possibly can, escorted by a Hermes unit and some other person they must've picked up off the street or something.

"I heard uhm, I heard that you guys might need artists or something..?"
Apollo v7
He waves the end of his tail, which throws off his balance a bit, but he quickly tries to compose himself.

"I'm um, interested in applying I think."
Hermes v8
Hermes v8 just kind of stands there looking handsome.
Byrel
The Cortz nods, "Echoing what the Apollo has said, we've come together for the artist position. Do we need any specific credentials?"
Collector
"Oh great, another artist."
Collector
Collect, realizing he sounds snarky, tries to quickly spin his statement. "We love new artists around here! I will warn you, Zookeeper has been super interested in meeting newbies!"
Collector
"I'll take you right up to his office for a little meet and greet. If you have any questions before we reach him, don't hesitate to ask." Collector gathers his folders and saunters past the group.
Byrel
"Mostly about pay, the specifics seemed quite vague. Will this be per hour? Per piece or performance?"
Collector
As he passes by the Hermes unit, he whispers. ("Watch yourself. I'm the only pretty boy around here. You better not take my receptionist job.")
Hermes v8
"Oh ew, no. I wouldn't want a boring job like that anyway," Hermes assures Collector.
Collector
"Boring job?!?"
Collector
"Great now I feel like I want another job!"
Apollo v7
Apollo tries to hide a dirty look at his companion, then switches gears.

"Yeah that's a good question. And uh, what exactly is the purpose of the art we'd be making..?"
Collector
"As for the pay, most artists get paid per works, but some of our long term artists get paid per hour."
Collector
"Frankly I would just say with per work. Per hour is just a way for us to get a discount from you unless you're some sort of meticulous painter type."
Collector
2024-12-29 05:18:08
Collector Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-25 06:14:14
"You'll be painting cekekis! I wouldn't say there's much of a purpose. They're kind of a plaything, or cool shelf collectable but people just have to have it!"
Apollo v7
Apollo perks up a bit.

I could be a meticulous painter type, he thinks to himself as he follows the other three.
Collector
2024-12-29 05:18:41
Collector Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-25 06:14:48
"Ok well painting cekekis does imbue them with some powers-" Collector starts to mumble.
Collector
"You don't care about "Lore" or that nonsense. You're here to make MONEY! And we got a lot of that!"
Collector
"We even got dental. Super fancy!"
Apollo v7
"Umm, what's a cekeki..?" Apollo asks quietly.
Collector
Collector goes into sleep mode and pops open the top of his head.
Collector
A cekeki pops out. "Boo!"
Collector
"I'm a cekeki, and if you work here for long enough, you'll be one too!"
Byrel
"Ah, I see h-"
Byrel
"...Can you say that last part once again?"
Hermes v8
"OMGIWannaBeACekeki!!" Hermes exclaims. "Aww, you're so cute!!"
Apollo v7
"…No you don't," Apollo v7 snaps under his 'breath'.
Collector
Collector rests his chin on his hand. "What that you'll be one too? Is that a surprise? (Well...I guess you didn't know what a cekeki was.)"
Collector
2024-12-29 05:20:47
Collector Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-25 06:15:30
"ALSO DON'T CALL ME CUTE THAT'S WHAT GOT ME INTO THIS "BORING RECEPTIONIST JOB."" Collector pulls himself back into his job.
Collector
"DO YOU KNOW HOW IT FEELS FOR YOUR BOSS TO CALL YOU CUTE BUT NOT IN A CREEPY WAY BUT IN A TOTALLY COLD AND CALCULATED WAY LIKE I DON'T WANT TO BE KNOWN AS THE GUY WHO IS MATHMATICALLY CUTE!!!!"
Apollo v7
"Um well!! You got.. Legs, don't you? That's a plus in my book," Apollo adds. "I mean I kind of wanted to get legs in a sort of different way but hey, a leg's a leg right?" He tries to joke awkwardly.
Byrel
Byrel's expression shifts quickly from a worried glance to curiosity, the specifics of these requests on top of the openness of a species change is...ODD to say the least. "Alright, I suppose we have a lot of questions for your boss."
Byrel
"And there are easier ways to get legs Apollo, let's see the full details first before we jump into this."
Hermes v8
"Awwwe, but you are mathematically cute!! Your boss is just playing to your strengths!"
Apollo v7
"I mean yeah, it depends on the pay," Apollo notes, with another irritated glance at the Hermes unit. "Also stop being rude Hermes."
Collector
"I wish I had enough anomalous energy to become a giant shrimp and fly away from this place." Collector states bluntly with not a single shred of humor in his tone. He gets in the elevator, followed by the rest of the group.
[Limbus Company - Science Story Theme]
Collector
As Collector leads the group to the top floor, he quickly chimes, "Got three whole artists for you, Zookeeper!"
Hermes v8
Hermes v8 is totally an awesome artist yeah.
Collector
("By the way, I forgot to mention this to you folks, but whatever you do, do not look up! There's something really nasty up there!")
Apollo v7
"What?"

Apollo v7 immediately looks up.
Zookeeper
"Welcome you three. I am so glad you have chosen Zoo Corp as an employment opportunity!"
Herr
Something large clings upside down on the ceiling. It is a giant shrimp, though its coloration matches more closely to a common roach. It moves its limbs ever so slightly, emitting quite sounds as if it were cracking its own bones. It is currently feasting on some sort of mass but it is not easy to make out what it is made of.
Byrel
Byrel instinctively puts her large hands on the back of both the AIs' heads and tilts her own head down as well. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for letting us meet with you today."
Apollo v7
Apollo v7 pretends he didn't see that.
Apollo v7
"UM HI THANK YOU YES!!" v7 says, a bit too loud.
Collector
("If it ever starts talking just pretend it doesn't exist!")
Apollo v7
("ALREADY ON IT THANKS SORRY.")
Zookeeper
"Ah, now that Apollo unit looks like a real go getter! You have an art tool for a tail. You must really be born to draw!"
Zookeeper
"Usually I do not hire AIs at this company as artists, but I remember an Apollo unit I hired once. He was quite the fantastic specimen. He even gave me the idea to get this body you see me wear now."
Apollo v7
"I guess you could say that, yeah," Apollo murmurs nervously, then does a double take. "Another Apollo unit..?"

Must've been Greek if he looks like that. Apollo tries to push down that feeling of envy.
Apollo v7
"Cool!! Then uh, then I hope I'll be.. Maybe as good for the job, if not better!!!"
Zookeeper
Zookeeper pulls himself off his own body, skipping towards the Apollo in particular. "He used to look like you, in fact!"
Zookeeper
"And I used to look like this!"
Zookeeper
"He was such a good worker, despite all his limitations you know. But sadly, he was kind of a hothead....."
Zookeeper
"You're not going to be like that, are you?"
Apollo v7
Ok that's weird.

"Um. No, of course not," Apollo says.

Not like he has a history of being a hothead or anything….
Zookeeper
"That's great! I just wanted to assure you were not the same Apollo I knew."
Zookeeper
"He wished to change his body, not for marketing reasons, like me, but for unknown reasons. Which was strange. As his current body worked just fine."
Hermes v8
"Don't worry!! He's totally such a hothead but I'm sure we'll be fine here anyway."
Apollo v7
"Just cause we look similar doesn't mean we're the same," Apollo adds quickly. "I mean–"
Apollo v7
"Dude stop," he snaps at Hermes, trying to be quiet about it.
Hermes v8
"I mean.. erm.. I was just kidding!"
Byrel
"..." Thoughts of workplace complacency fly in her mind as the AIs speak
Apollo v7
"I mean if he looked like me then his body clearly didn't work fine," Apollo chuckles, gesturing towards the key on his back.
Zookeeper
"Oh. So you are a hot head....." Zookeeper jumps behind Apollo and winds up the key a few times.
Zookeeper
"Hello! What does this do?"
Apollo v7
A jolt of energy wracks Apollo's shell and he shoots forward and away from Zookeeper.

"UM DON'T. Please don't do that without me asking haha, I mean uh um it just makes me faster really!!" Apollo says too quickly.
Apollo v7
"Look man I just need a job, I swear I won't cause problems.."
Zookeeper
"I'm so sorry I'll never do that again unless I need you to go super fast for any reason!" Zookeeper hops up to his desk, but doesn't yet get in his body.
Zookeeper
"I see the look in your eyes, you folks have some questions! Don't hesitate to ask me. I'm a wealth, in general and in information!"
Zookeeper
"If you're ready to get started. We can do a few test runs see how you purr."
Byrel
"Of course and let's...keep our hands to ourselves for a little bit shall we?"
Hermes v8
"Oooh, an art test? How exciting!"
Apollo v7
Apollo looks nervously at the other two he walked in with, then leans towards Hermes and whispers,

"You're.. Sticking around here, right? So I uh, don't really have to ask someone else to wind me up..?"
Hermes v8
Hermes leans down and whispers back. "Of course! Just be nice to me."
Apollo v7
"Hold on hold on I need to get warmed up first," Apollo cuts in. "I'll get a chance to warm up before any tests, right..? I mean, I've only really painted like, on canvases and paper and like, other capture creatures really."
Byrel
"And we'll be painting Cekeki's at that, right? Is there a limit to canvas or medium? Or...subject matter, I suppose."
Zookeeper
"Sorry bucko, but there's no warming up!"
Zookeeper
"Don't worry, if you painted on a blort, it's like the same thing! Heck, it's likely easier because they don't squirm around too much!"
Zookeeper
"You 3 can do whatever you want....but..... You're doing it all together at the same time!"
Zookeeper
"That's what we call team building!!!!!"
Zookeeper
("Also this is less likely to get us sued than the falling test. Especially when one of you is tiny...")
Zookeeper
"I'm sure you three all know each other super well and will not totally get in the way of each other."
Apollo v7
Oh no.

Apollo sends a panicked glance towards Hermes, who is currently engrossed in poking at a dust bunny with an absent look on his face.

He then looks towards Byrel, who he BARELY KNOWS, fear apparent in his expression.

They are so about to fail this test.
Byrel
"..." Without a second thought she quickly shakes the hand of the Hermes, and does a quick bow to the Apollo. "Byrel. Cortz performance artist. I do best with subjects of the body and the limits it can be pushed. Let's make good work together."
Apollo v7
"Um. Yeah. Yup. I'm.. Sure it'll be good work yeah."

This poor cortz.
Hermes v8
"This is gonna be awesome, I can tell."
Zookeeper
"Soooooooooooooo...."
Zookeeper
"Any of you feel like you're missing something?"
2024-12-29 05:36:00
Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2025-03-07 21:06:43

The cekeki sniffles, as if offended at what it had become.

Apollo v7
It.. It's not that bad, right…….?

Apollo doesn't say anything.
Hermes v8
"Nope I think it's perfect!!"

Hermes v8 is very proud of his work.

"Hmmm.. The legs could use a bit more detail maybe? But everything else looks great!"
Byrel
"A tasteful light grey supplemented by the golds and yellows give it a somewhat modern feel, the leopard pattern on the top of the head fading into give it a pop, hmmm..." She puts rests her chin on her fist. "Perhaps just some small pops of detail or perhaps one last color,"
Apollo v7
So poetic.

Apollo still doesn't offer any critique.
Zookeeper
"I think it looks......"
Zookeeper
"FANTASTIC!!!!!"
Zookeeper
"Hhhhhh it looks just like any other hhhhh piece of art......"
Apollo v7
"Wait what really? Like seriously?" Apollo is... Shocked, to say the least.
Byrel
"Ah excellent to hear, I thought so as well. It couldn't have been done without Apollo and Hermes, truly a collaborative endeavour." She pats both of them on the back
Hermes v8
"See I told you it'd be awesome."
Zookeeper
"But no one cares what I think about it! After all I love ALL art!!!!"
Zookeeper
"Let's put this on an anonymous image board and see what REAL PEOPLE have to say about it."
Zookeeper
"Look, we're getting posts on it already!"
2024-12-29 05:39:55
Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2024-12-29 06:23:40

Shit

nah looks like someone peed on it

wtf are the cat prints

Who paid for this the capsule isn't even painted.

[MESSAGE REMOVED FOR CONTENT]

[Sassy arma girl image. Caption of the image says "lmao"]

Zookeeper
"The messages are in! They hate it!!!!"
Apollo v7
This is the worst day of his life.

..no like the second. Maybe third. But still pretty bad.
Byrel
"...I...suppose with the lack of context behind the work, it can be difficult to discern for a general audience. The feelings of our three minds met at an intersection of hope but. They cannot all be winners every time." She pats Apollo on the back.
Hermes v8
"Aww they're just a bunch of haters, don't get all upset about it Polly!!" Hermes tries to reassure him, only to get the stink eye.
Zookeeper
"It's ok, that's why we have leads to fix your work!"
Zookeeper
"Pspsspspspst!!! HERRRRRR!!!!!!"
Apollo v7
"To.. Fix it?" Apollo is visibly uncomfortable. "What do you mean fix it..?"
Byrel
"...Fix?"
Zookeeper
"Sorry, let me correct my statement."
Zookeeper
"To "Add a 4th collaborator to your work which will add the type of flair your cekeki needs to sell.""
Herr
The giant cekeki from the ceiling stores his meal for later and grabs the poor unexpecting creature. He quickly begins to paint it.
2024-12-29 05:42:18
Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2025-03-07 21:06:58
Herr
"You can cover many mistakes in the darkness of corners....."
2024-12-29 05:42:25
Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2025-03-07 21:07:15
Herr
"And a vibrant gradient distracts the viewers from any dull tones or color oddities...."
Zookeeper
"Lets see what people on the message board think now!"
2024-12-29 05:45:59
Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2024-12-29 06:23:58

> be me
> decide to get creative
> grab a can of yellow spray paint
> sneak up to my unsuspecting doggo
> dog.exe completely oblivious
> start sprayin' like Banksy in a dog-shaped canvas
> doggo's transformation into a living sunshine is a go
> mfw the dog's giving me the "why, eeeman, why" eyes
> suddenly realize this might not be the brightest idea I've had
panic.exe
> start checking online if dogs are cool with a new vibrant coat
> internet divided like a medieval kingdom
> heart racing like a greyhound on caffeine
> doggo starts rolling around like a deranged corn cob
> mfw I realize I'm not the next Picasso of the doggy world

bruh, listen up
some say memes are the purest form of internet culture
it's like a shared inside joke that brings us all together
remember Skipper? That green dude practically became an icon
memes = cultural currency, my dudes
they're the graffiti of the digital world, spreading like wildfire
a way to express complex ideas in a single, often hilarious image
normies might not get it, but we're in on the joke
memeing = modern art, fight me

tfw normies be stealin' our dank memes and ruinin' 'em
like bruh, remember when memes were like rare skippers? Now they're just mainstream garbage smh

Memes evolve, just like anything else
if they're gettin' popular, that means more people are sharing the lols
you wanna keep 'em all to yourself like a hoarder or what?

lmao Anon1, u sound like a gatekeeping meme hipster
"Oh no, the plebs found our secret stash of funnies"
get over yourself, memes are meant to be spread

but real talk, some memes do get butchered when they go mainstream
remember that "skipper me ousside" crap? Normies sucked the soul outta that one

Zookeeper
"I have no idea what any of this means!!!!!"
Zookeeper
"But they're not mad at us anymore, so that's a win for me!"
Hermes v8
"I think it looked better before but that's cool too."
Apollo v7
Apollo v7 cringes.

"So is.. If I get this job. It's always gonna have to be a 'teamwork' sort of thing? I'm gonna have to.. Depend on other people regardless of if it looks good or not?"
Byrel
Byrel makes no comment, only staring at the Ceceki. The work of the trio was not erased, but supplemented in a way she hasn't seen. Her head tilts as she looks up to Herr. ("Another artist...?")
Zookeeper
"You're working at a company!"
Zookeeper
"That means everything is quality checked, from start to finish. It's handed to an artist who paints the base coat, then to an artist that paints a base image, then an artist who checks for quality, then an artist who checks for the quality of that quality!"
Zookeeper
"Did you not know how a company works?"
Apollo v7
Right. He should have known that.

That was literally the whole reason he didn't want to work for a company in the first place!!

That was why he only turned to this out of desperation!!!
Apollo v7
He turns a sour glance towards his companion, the Hermes unit. If it hadn't been for what he did, then he would've been just fine on his own, even without his sister.
Apollo v7
With a sigh, he nods towards Zookeeper.

"Yeah, that makes sense. Sorry for asking."
Hermes v8
"No objections here. Less work for me-I mean I'm glad I'll get to collaborate with others and work as a team!"
Apollo v7
"Why, so you could steal all the credit for yourself?" Apollo snaps.
Hermes v8
Hermes v8 just kind of stares awkwardly, not sure how to respond to that.
Zookeeper
"Oooooh spicy!"
Byrel
"Let's relax, this was a group effort after all. Both of you did well. Keep a cool head, more importantly..."
Apollo v7
"I mean one of us probably did a bit better than the other. Not gonna lie."
Zookeeper
"Which one?"
Zookeeper
"Go ahead. Say it."
Apollo v7
Apollo realizes where he is right now and looks away.

"Um. The cortz."

Pretending he wasn't just talking about himself and Hermes of course.
Byrel
"Ah, oh thank you. I owe to my background, when you work with subjects such as this you gain a sort of "sixth sense". But don't let your own work go unnoticed. If we're to take this job you must lift yourself and others around you." She scratches her head, "Don't push yourselves."
Hermes v8
"I like your attitude."
Apollo v7
Apollo just sort of grumbles to himself, inclined to internalize whatever issue he had with Hermes for the time being. Just let it fester for another few years!! Maybe turn into a shrimp!!! Who even cares!!!!!
Zookeeper
"Wow you didn't seem confident about blaming the cortz at all!"
Zookeeper
"If I had to make any assumptions, you're firmly upset at the Hermes unit for painting those lovely spots! Or at Herr for making your work more marketable!"
Zookeeper
"You hate it when people touch your work, don't you?"
Apollo v7
"I don't know Herr, I can't be upset at whoever Herr is!! And.. Sure, the spots kind of don't match anything else that's going on, but uh.." Apollo rambles, clearly uncomfortable. "I'm... Fine with working with others, seriously!!"

He doesn't want to mess up another opportunity, especially considering how low his funds are right now.
Zookeeper
"Genuine question. Why do you hate when people edit your work? I see other artists hold this same issue." Zookeeper's tone seems rather genuine.
Hermes v8
"Hey, I think the spots add a good amount of heterogeneity to the design."
Apollo v7
"BUT WHY ARE THEY WHITE!!!!!"
Zookeeper
"......................................."
Apollo v7
"UM. Uh. I mean."
Apollo v7
"...I don't know. It's like.. Um..." Apollo is clearly uncomfortable with opening up about this, especially in front of new people... But the way Zookeeper asks that sort of thing feels like genuine curiosity, rather than any sort of condescension he might have experienced with a Mercury unit or something.

"It's just uh, it's my work, you know.. And like if someone needs to go over it, it makes it feel like my work isn't good enough on its own. Which it isn't, I know that."
Apollo v7
He sighs.

"It'd be a lot easier if I didn't have to use my entire fucking body to paint I guess. And so that's maybe why I have an issue with it. But I can get over that!! I need money I can absolutely bottle that in or whatever. It's embarrassing enough talking about it anyways."
Apollo v7
".....And it'd be easier if I didn't have to work with him."
Hermes v8
"Man this is a weird job interview."
Apollo v7
"......."
Zookeeper
"Wow! I like your fire!"
Zookeeper
"I hope you use that anger to paint, I'm sure we'll get something amazing from it!"
Zookeeper
"The boys tell me that artists with a lot of emotions paint better, but that we can't "jab them with sticks every 10 minutes" to give them those emotions."
Apollo v7
"Oh I can't paint when I'm angry. It always ends up looking like shit 'cuz I can't concentrate haha."
Apollo v7
"So uhm, so instead I'll just force myself to be happy and that'll work!!! And I'll get lots done please hire me."
Zookeeper
"Oh. You can't paint when you're angry........."
Zookeeper
"Are you suuuuuuuuure?"
Hermes v8
"His emotions make him a great artist! But yes please don't poke him too much."
Apollo v7
"I mean. The last like, 3 times I tried the best I did was uhm... Probably... Not something I should share with people.."
Apollo v7
"And it isn't my emotions that make me a good artist!! I just AM a good artist okay!!!!"
Apollo v7
"Wait no I was lying I'm a bad artist sorry."
Apollo v7
"I mean. I can.. Make art! And that's what you're looking for right!!! Quantity over quality right!!!!!"
Byrel
"...Apollo, know your feelings do not fall unheard. Your plight and individuality is important and to be cherished, even within the facets of work." She pats him on the back again. "It's...complicated. But you are. You are a good artist."
Zookeeper
"The kind of things you shouldn't share with people are just the type of things people want to buy!!!!"
Zookeeper
"You're hired!"
Apollo v7
"Um, um, that's great though thank you!!! When do I start?"

Apollo ignores the fact that he feels like he's jumping on way too quickly.
Byrel
"Hold on now. We need two other details before we start, knowing is best but..."
Byrel
"Can you tell us a bit more about what is done and the purpose of these cekekis we paint, and what will our pay be. If this is a collaborative effort I assume payment will be split as well, and being on a same page is important."
Apollo v7
Oh shit he forgot about the pay.
Apollo v7
The literal most important part of all of this.
Zookeeper
"What, have you been living under a rock?"
Hermes v8
"No, we have a ship!"
Apollo v7
"We have our own ships."
Zookeeper
"Zoo Corp is in half of all populated planets! What we do is simple. We sell cekekis, people pay in money, and if they cannot pay in money, they can pay in art. The machine grows. More art is put in, and before you know it-"
Zookeeper
"BAM! EVERYONE IS LIVING, BREATHING THE ZOO CORP LIFESTYLE!!!!!!"
Apollo v7
"...How.. often do they pay in art though? Cuz I need money, specifically."
Zookeeper
"Those are other people paying us in art."
Zookeeper
"We just pay you in money and housing. You're not touching OUR art."
Zookeeper
"Don't worry, your payment doesn't take in account what other artists do. Could you imagine all the hassle? You paint a masterpiece and another artist messes it up, so you both get paid less? Pay is commission based!"
Apollo v7
"OH OKAY GREAT. And uh, I think your receptionist mentioned.. Dental? Do you offer similar benefits for um, robots too..?"
Zookeeper
"We sure do!!!"
Zookeeper
"You're going to love getting teeth put into your mouth."
Apollo v7
"Wait I mean-- Wait no I meant like, tune-ups or something I already have teeth I think"
Zookeeper
"We sure do!!!!"
Zookeeper
"You're going to love getting teeth put into your body."
Zookeeper
"We got dental for all kinds of places!!!"
Byrel
2024-12-29 05:58:28
Byrel Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-25 06:42:11
"...Your assistant had mentioned something else a bit intense than dental. "Turning into cekekis," and what exactly was that?"
Apollo v7
"..Speaking of bodies. You could get a new body like yours on that pay, right? How long would that take..?"
Zookeeper
"Oh I see....trying to take my look like Collector, huh?"
Collector
"I look completely different!"
Apollo v7
"N-No no, I have my own thing I wanna make!! I don't want to look like either of you!! Blue's not my thing."
Zookeeper
"If Collector was able to afford it, I'm sure you could afford a new body!"
Zookeeper
"Especially if you become a cekeki."
Zookeeper
2024-12-29 06:02:09
Zookeeper Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-25 06:42:45
"As a cekeki, your work performance will increase! It's not mandatory, but when things are commission based, wouldn't you prefer a body that's better for your trade?"
Hermes v8
"So like, how exactly would a robot turn into a Cekeki? Sounds kind of disturbing."
Apollo v7
Apollo is.. Actually considering this now. The gears in his head are turning. Literally.
Apollo v7
Especially considering Hermes sounds apprehensive towards it.
Byrel
"Is...becoming a Cekeki a mandatory part of the process?"
Zookeeper
"Oh you can become a cekeki right now!" Zookeeper scuttles to the side, and opens up a hatch. A large door springs open. Gears of all colors, splattered with recent paint turn.
2024-12-29 06:03:13
Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-25 06:43:55
[Undertale OST - But Nobody Came Extended]
Zookeeper
"Just jump right in. Don't worry. It won't hurt. Much."
Zookeeper
Zookeeper scuttles to the side, pulling out a large board containing an image. He points at it. "Cekeki."
2024-12-29 06:04:26
Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2025-03-07 21:50:32
Apollo v7
Apollo stares at the image for a long moment, before turning back to look at Hermes again.

If... Something bad happened, then... It would be Hermes's fault, really, in the end... Right..
Apollo v7
He looks back at Zookeeper.

"..Do you think I'd still have a brush for a tail?"
Zookeeper
".................................."
Zookeeper
"Oh, for sure you would!!!!"
Byrel
"Apollo. There's more to think about than just that. I know you're an AI, but you mustn't throw your body for just that."
Apollo v7
"And I wouldn't... Have to ask anyone to crank me up..."
Zookeeper
"It would be such a vast improvement!"
Zookeeper
"Plus, you would have......"
Zookeeper
"Legs."
Apollo v7
"You know my body is like, actually worthless, right? Like it's fun for the gimmick, I guess, but seriously, I have to pick things up in my mouth and I can't open doors unless I try really hard, and even when I want to paint, it's difficult and can dislodge my core and everything if I'm not careful."
Apollo v7
"If it really wouldn't kill me.. And I can still get the body I want..."
Zookeeper
"Collector, you jumped into the machine and you're still alive aren't you?"
Collector
"Define alive."
Zookeeper
"1. (of a person, animal, or plant) living, not dead.
2. alert and active; animated."
Collector
"It was a joke..."
Hermes v8
"Well, if you really believe them when they say it's harmless…."
Byrel
"Accommodations can be made. They may be difficult i-it's. It's hard. And throwing everything away...I know what it's like to be created with a biology we do not agree with but it-it's..." She seems to be stumbling over her words at the situation
Apollo v7
"I mean, Zookeeper said it wouldn't hurt much. So like it's not.. Technically harmless. But..."

Apollo stares back at Hermes for a long while, the discomfort lingering on the other's face stalling him.
Hermes v8
"I think I'd like to keep my current body, but I'm here to support you no matter what you choose!"
Zookeeper
"Just make sure not to throw yourself in there twice."
Zookeeper
"You become more efficient......"
Zookeeper
"But you.....become useless......."
Zookeeper
"For the company's needs!!!!!"
Zookeeper
"One run makes you better, and cooler though!"
Hermes v8
"If I were to suggest anything though, maybe you should wait till you've been at the company for a while to see if you want to change your body."
Apollo v7
"...I know I'm mad at you and all, but I won't do it if you don't want me to.."

Apollo is hesitant. Like he feels like something is really off about all of this, and in the end being mad about some overspending isn't really worth completely changing his entire life over.
Apollo v7
He could just... Reject the job offer, and just go back to freelancing... It'd take a long time, but Hermes would be there to help him.. And maybe the whole "stolen wallet" thing was actually an accident somehow. He'd never really brought it up directly, anyways, and...

Is it really that shrimple..?
Hermes v8
"I'm not the boss of you. Just think a bit about what I said, I guess."
Zookeeper
"That is a good thought."
Zookeeper
"But consider legs!"
Zookeeper
"You don't have a single leg, that's so sad, why would a creature be made like that?"
Zookeeper
"But, if you're not interested, that's fine."
Zookeeper
"I'm just going to close the door....."
Zookeeper
"...very...."
Zookeeper
"...very...."
Zookeeper
"slooooooowly...."
Zookeeper
"Just in case."
Apollo v7
"...I guess I could just install like, cekeki sized legs, maybe... Without having to do all this machine stuff? And it'd be like basically the same. Especially if I get to keep the brush tail.."

This is the worst decision paralysis he has ever experienced.
Apollo v7
"H.. HELP. HERMES. DECIDE FOR ME."
Zookeeper
"30% closed...."
Hermes v8
Erm…..
Apollo v7
"TO SHRIMP OR NOT TO SHRIMP."
Zookeeper
"60% closed."
Apollo v7
"THE DOOR IS CLOSING HERMES PLEASE. IT'S CLOSING REALLY SLOWLY BUT IT'S CLOSING!!!!"
Byrel
Byrel clutches her head and watches. She knows at the end of the day this is the decision of another person...another artist. She looks to Herr, the Hermes, to Zookeeper, to Apollo. There is something at play here that she cannot connect on.
Hermes v8
"Okay you seem really stressed out by this!!! So you should just. Not. Can't you just change your mind later if anything?"
Apollo v7
"YOU CAN JUST PAY ME BACK!! I DON'T HAVE TO BECOME A SHRIMP TO GET LEGS!!!!"
Apollo v7
"Oh wait can I?"
Zookeeper
"80% closed."
Zookeeper
"Uh, yeah, this isn't like a "pick now situation.""
Zookeeper
"Most of our artists are like "I will never be a shrimp!""
Zookeeper
"But a few months down the line....they're jumping into the machine."
Apollo v7
"W...Why don't they want to be a shrimp..?"
Hermes v8
"Yeah I wouldn't even stay past my shift for a new job much less change my body."
Zookeeper
"Because the benefits of being a cekeki are amazing!!!"
Byrel
"OK, alright then let's back off for now. You have time to think, if issues come up we can work them out all together. Don't let yourself feel tethered..."
Apollo v7
"I mean.. I probably don't really need to be a shrimp to be a better artist. I can just.. Do the thing that I intended to do. Maybe a bit slower cuz I'm not currently a shrimp, but um.." Apollo looks at Hermes awkwardly. "Like uhm. The points. That are missing from my account. I could.. Make those back."
Hermes v8
"Oh yeah, hopefully we can find those!"
Apollo v7
"...We? Can.. 'Find' those..?"
Hermes v8
"Yup!"
Zookeeper
"If you say so! I won't force you."
Zookeeper
"Zoo Corp never forces its employees into the machine!"
Zookeeper
"They jump in all by themselves........."
Zookeeper
"Anyway, meeting over, if you want the job, make sure to come in tomorrow!"
Zookeeper
"Pick up a gift basket made by Herr on your way out. Toodles!~"
Apollo v7
"Oh uhm yessir thank you sir. I really appreciate the job offer!!!"
Byrel
"...I will think on it as well."
Herr
Herr's disgusting claws hold out an elegant ball of fabric. It shifts around, as if something was in it. "We used to sell products like this, back in my day."
Apollo v7
"Wait gift basket..?" Apollo throws a quick uncomfortable glance at the ball of fabric, then back at Herr, then back at Zookeeper.

"Um..."

He... Doesn't really want to put that in his mouth.......
Hermes v8
"Here, I'll carry it for you Polly!"
Apollo v7
"No Byrel can carry it. We'll have a talk later."
Hermes v8
"About what."
Byrel
She stares down at her own cloth, before gently picking Apollo's for him. "Did...you make this as well? Herr?"
Herr
"I did. I make lovely fabrics. When I was th-"
Zookeeper
"Herr, you are holding up the elevator down."
Zookeeper
"I have other meetings, you know?"
Apollo v7
Apollo peers at the ball of fabric apprehensively as he follows Byrel and Hermes out.

A blort peeks its head out of the fabric and starts yapping.

"BARKBARKBARKBARKBARK!!!!!"

Apollo v7
OH WORM.
Hermes v8
"Uhh, there's a big rat or something in the gift basket. That seems kinda unsanitary."
Apollo v7
"Is, uh... Is that supposed to be there..?"
Herr
"Not originally, but sadly now my fabrics are just used for holding animals who would ruin it."
Zookeeper
Zookeeper politely gets close to the group and stands there.
Zookeeper
He wants them to leave.
Apollo v7
Apollo inches away from Zookeeper.

"Um guys I think we should go. Come back tomorrow and stuff. If uh, you still wanna... Work here.."
Hermes v8
"I'll think about it."
Byrel
Byrel looks at the cloth, then at Herr one last time before heading to the elevator. "Yes uh. Thank you for your patronage."
END OF EXPO.
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