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Home > Expos > Event 4 > Page 40
EMPTYING MACHINE▼
EMPTYING MACHINE

The alleyways of the town outskirts only became more difficult to navigate after the eruption. Shadows cast by the hollow skyscrapers necessitated a personal light source, refuse from shredded houses littered the streets.

What a dire sight.
If only for the fact they'd already been situation in an alleyway, the small machine still stood, now overshadowed by a corrugated sheet of metal and twisted rebar. It had been caught and firmly wedged on the walls of the surrounding buildings before falling into the alley. The metaparxi guesses it's... kind of like a roof. Small victories.

Bones
"............"
Bones
"....."
But the gacha machine was almost empty now.
Bones
Aside from the labeled capsules, the meta reached inside and pulled the last few stragglers and inspected them. At least, through all this nonsense, they and their small crowd were still safe...
Zookeeper
"Ooooooooh halfy!~"
Bones
....Oh, bother.
Zookeeper
"Guess who is now taller than you!!!!!"
Zookeeper
"Try kicking this into the trash can."
Zookeeper
"Hey....aren't you a little tired of being out in this storm?"
Zookeeper
"I happen to have a nice, dry place you can go."
Bones
The metaparxi furrows its brow as they look the machine up and down.

"???"
Bones
"...."
...They sigh. And stiffen their back, un-slouching.

They are now taller than Zookeeper.
Zookeeper
"....................."
Zookeeper
"Fuck you."
Bones
"~!"
Zookeeper
"Whatever! Height doesn't matter. You tricked me anyway."
Zookeeper
"What does matter, is that you're poor and in the rain, and likely smell like a wet rat."
Zookeeper
"How horrible. If only some brave business man would save you."
Zookeeper
"I happen to know one."
Bones
"?!?"

The metaparxi huffs, gesturing, forcefully, back up at the skyscrapers littering the landscape.
Bones
The zookeeper's presence catches the attention of the stragglers using the makeshift metal 'tent' that's become the alleyway.
Too clean, too out of place, especially against the ratty metaparxi. They cross their arms, offended.
Zookeeper
"Look, all I'm saying is that if we're going to keep bumping into each other like this-"
Zookeeper
"-you might as well make some money off of it."
Zookeeper
"You're basically living in a god blessed trashcan right now when you could be living in a pent house right on the top of the world!"
Zookeeper
"And all I need from you is..."
Zookeeper
"Your.....hhh......"
Zookeeper
"Just gotta have a bit of your......"
Zookeeper
"Give it to me and the world is yours...."
Bones
The meta forcefully shoves their way past the zookeeper.
Bones
"!!?..."

They gesture, arm outstretched, at the small alleyway, covered wall-to-wall in their artwork. To the small crowd who have come to accompany them through the storm, artists or not.
Zookeeper
Zookeeper follows behind, putting his hand on the meta's shoulder as they walk.

"I'm just trying to help! Why would you rather be a starving artist than with me?"
Zookeeper
Zookeeper eyes the hallway of art.
Bones
Shoving their hand into the overall pocket, they hesitate, and just... shrug. The meta shakes their head, managing a smile.
Bones
They gesture, first to their paint-stained, graffiti'd clothes, and then to the rest of their surroundings.
Zookeeper
2024-12-14 23:14:15
Zookeeper Profile
Posted by ID #3
Last edit: 2024-12-14 23:14:24
"Already drawing on my walls, aren't you....."
Zookeeper
Zookeeper snaps out of it for a moment.......he thinks.....

"So what you're trying to say is....."
Zookeeper
"Is that you are......."
Zookeeper
"A work of art."
Bones
"!!!"

The meta takes a full step back.
Bones
Their free hand hovers closeby their hip.
But they stand their ground.
Zookeeper
"Ohhackhackhack!!! Come on, don't be ridiculous. I'm not going to do anything to you."
Zookeeper
Zookeeper casually walks forward.

"You've done so much for me."
Zookeeper
"I just want to do this one little thing for you. Come on. Get out of the rain.~"
Zookeeper
"If you come with me, I can give you anything you want!"
Bones
2024-12-14 23:16:48
Bones Profile
Posted by ID #3
Last edit: 2024-12-14 23:18:46
Enough.

In one swift motion, the metaparxi retrieves a capsule from their back pocket.
2024-12-14 23:19:39
Profile
Posted by ID #3
Last edit: 2024-12-14 23:20:35

And hurls it towards the machine, at full-force.

Zookeeper
"...................."

Zookeeper catches it midair.
Zookeeper
"Pssssssssst, little secret for you."
Bones
"!!"
Zookeeper
"Robots are amazing at catching."
Zookeeper
Zookeeper grabs the Meta.

".........................................................................."
Bones
2024-12-14 23:22:53
Bones Profile
Posted by ID #3
Last edit: 2024-12-14 23:23:13
"!!!"

The metaparxi thrashes, trying to work their way out of their cloak...
But it's little use. They're far less dexterous than the Zookeeper.
They vocalize, faintly, but only scared, hoarse air escapes their lung.
Zookeeper
"Dawww, I'm not going to hurt you."
Zookeeper
"You just don't know what's best for you."
Zookeeper
"I can't have you poor, starving, and all wet."
Zookeeper
"You're going to live in a pent house and take a shower for once in your life."
Zookeeper
"And then after that....."
Zookeeper
"You're going to make me all the art I want."
Zookeeper
2024-12-14 23:24:39
Zookeeper Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2025-02-27 16:23:24
("Pssssst, it's called having a job, and you really need one.")
Zookeeper drags the meta away, using his hands to wave away the crowd that has gathered.
Bones
2024-12-14 23:25:33
Bones Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2025-02-27 16:23:16
They tug at their shirt collar, trying to shake themselves free, but the Zookeeper's grip is too firm. Pulled just outside the alley and into the storm, there is no more crowd to watch when they do finally relent.
The newest piece of art by the metaparxi catches the eyes of the crowd.
2024-12-14 23:27:36
Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2025-02-27 16:22:35
Perhaps, just for now, play along.
No one is typing.
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