[network] @Ecks; In the open [open] [video] evening 156

[ecks]

[She's been thinking about this for days and days now. She's thought about it since House said it was stupid to keep everything a secret and that she'd get more sympathy if she was honest about her age. Since Beckett didn't understand why it was a secret at all. Then since Watson told everyone she was a murderer, but then told Clint she was trying to be a good girl.

Since she ran away from Clint and his people this morning even though he didn't try to hurt her once he knew what she had done to Duster.

She waits until after lockdown just in case they are all wrong and someone will try to find her after this. The video opens with her looking into the camera, her scarf bunched around her neck but her patchwork face clearly on display. Her expression is blank, her voice toneless.]

My name is Ecks and I am not human. I have decided that it is not a secret anymore. I am a golem made out of dead people, but I am a person and that is the part that is important. I am two years old and a few months and I have decided that I do not want to hurt or kill people when I do not have to, and that is also important. Doctor House and Beckett say that it does not matter what I am and I think I would be happy if that is true.

[It seems like there should be more than that to say, but she just stares a moment longer before turning off the camera. She will not bring up the murder if she does not have to.]

Comments

[coyoteking]

Um, right. Yeah. Killing people is generally bad? But like, if they try to kill you first, you're allowed to defend yourself.

[Says the guy who couldn't kill Beckett. But hey, he tried to the first time.]

Oh yeah? Whose home are you wanting to go to? [He definitely won't blame her for trying.]

[ecks]

Yes. That is one of my rules. I can kill people to defend myself, or to defend other people.

I think I would like to go to Frisk's home. There are monsters there that can look like anything.

[coyoteking]

It's a good rule. Not that easy to keep sometimes, but it's a good one.

I don't know much about Frisk's world, but Frisk seems like a good kid, so it can't be that bad. [Solid logic there.

And then a sudden thought:]

Oh, hey, this is unrelated maybe, but I found some of those fake animals you were looking for.

[ecks]

Frisk is a good friend.

[Anything more she might say on the subject is lost, however, in favor of the new topic at hand.]

You found fake animals? How many fake animals? What kinds? I want to see them.

audio -> video

[coyoteking]

[Right, that got her attention.]

I found like, a few. Here, I'll dig them out.

[There's a pause between messages as he fishes them out of his bag. He's had some good luck with these things, actually. When he comes back, it's with a panning video of four stuffed animals: a giraffe, a sheep, an octopus, and a classic teddy bear.]

audio

[ecks]

[LOOK AT -- LOOK AT ALL OF THOSE!!]

Those are good. Those are good fake animals. That is many fake animals. I want those. Where are you? Are you near Zell?

[coyoteking]

[Oh, audio again. Huh, interesting.]

I... might be? If Zell and the others are still down here in the entrance area. I'm in the aquarium, headed south. Got a few things I want to try down here.

[ecks]

Why are all the people with fake animals in the south? Why are you not going to the new tunnels? I want to be in the new tunnels and you are too far away with the fake animals.

[coyoteking]

[That escalated quickly.]

Um, sorry? I mean I'm not gonna stay down here forever. I'll probably head north in less than a week.

[Sooner than later, since he genuinely does feel bad depriving a poor murdergolem of her stuffed animals. He just has to get to that damn door first!]

Will you be in the tunnels then?

[ecks]

[A week is a long time, but she has learned how to be patient when travel is slow - she knows that it is not a very long time in this place.]

Yes, I will be in the tunnels then. I am going to help find the other side and find the center of the spiral.

[coyoteking]

Right, okay. When I get up in the residential area, I'll give you a call. We can figure out where to meet so we can do some business.

[Not that he will probably charge her much for these... God he's such a sucker for kids.]

[ecks]

Yes, you should do that. I will look for cigarettes and condoms. Will you accept cigarettes and condoms in trade for the fake animals?

[coyoteking]

Yeah, I'll take those. Or anything else especially useful. Clothes would be nice.

[Oh how the tables have tabled.]

[ecks]

Clothing also, then. I will look for all of the good things, and I will speak to you again when you are nearby.

[Best. Ever. He can't possibly get up here soon enough.]

[coyoteking]

Talk to you soon, then.