video; un: markus

[compartmentalise]

[Markus has been busy. Since the festival, he's been working through some things. The humans here are so nice to him, so accepting. A few he's spoken with even encouraged him to try things for himself just like Carl did. It turns out that art is a good way of working through his feelings.

Most of what he's been doing are just recreations of scenes from the festival: the food carts and the various people working them, the float from the children's parade, people wearing body paint-- and here he included himself, wearing the android-appointed uniform instead of the scrubs he actually wore while attending. He did, however, include the face paint one of his new human friends did for him.

But that's not really the focus. He centers the camera on a portrait of an elderly man]

I was missing Carl, and so I painted this.

Comments

video;

[neversurrender]

[The paintings are reminiscent of the type of artwork Steve likes to do as well. Although he uses a different medium, sketch, he likes to capture the environment and moments around him. The buildings, the people, the celebrations. These paintings draw him in with their vibrant colors and details.

After a long moment of staring at the screen, trying to capture a glimpse of everything, he finally starts recording his own reply.]

They're all very lovely. I think you really captured the energy and life of the festival.

[The portrait of the older man has clearly been done with some care as well.]

Carl looks great too. I'm sure he'd appreciate the gesture.

video;

[compartmentalise]

[He tilts his head as he considers the paintings again. He finds himself feeling pleased that someone likes what he did]

It's a way for him to be here. I don't know if he'll ever come, but he can be here in spirit.

[He knows it's not logical, but it's the way he wants to think of it]

video;

[neversurrender]

[Steve nods, understanding the sentiment completely.]

It does make him feel closer, doesn't it? I've done something similar for people that I miss back home. Not paintings though. Just sketches.

They help me remember what I still have beyond this place.

video;

[compartmentalise]

I haven't tried sketching. [He could, though. He was never taught how, but he could certainly try it on his own]

video;

[neversurrender]

It's convenient for on-the-go purposes. I carry a sketchbook and pencil with me usually, just in case the mood strikes. Can't do that with paints and an easel.

[He smiles, his tone light and joking.]

video;

[compartmentalise]

[He can understand that, but he can't really see him needing such a thing. Even if inspiration struck while he was away from an easel, he could hold the image in his mind]

I think I like painting more. Feeling the brush move over the canvas is nice.

video;

[neversurrender]

It does feel nice. Especially when the colors blend and begin forming into the picture you had in mind. It's an accomplishment. I did a little bit of painting back in school.

[And then the war came.]

Once I enlisted a sketchbook and pencil became my close companions. They were cheap and easy to carry wherever I had to go. I've thought about branching back out into other mediums, but I think I might be set in my ways.

video;

[compartmentalise]

[Talking about art with someone other than Carl feels a little strange, but nice at the same time. Markus likes listening to this person. That last comment has his lip moving up in amusement.

Something else this person said has gotten his attention, though]

You enlisted in the military?

[He didn't even know there were any humans left in the military. Different world, different times]

video;

[neversurrender]

I did. I even made Captain.

[There's amusement in his expression, as if there's a joke in there. People back home would understand immediately, knowing him as 'Captain America'. But one of the perks of the Quarantine is being relatively unknown.

Even if it means people are subjected to his lame humor.]

video;

[compartmentalise]

[The humor is lost in this situation. Have a robo response to that, Steve]

A captain is the highest rank a soldier can achieve while remaining in the field.

video;

[neversurrender]

[We'll work on your sense of humor Markus.]

It is. I led a great group of men. I think...I might have a sketch of them somewhere...

[He disappears from the screen for a moment leaving only a chorus of shuffling papers to filter through the feed. Finally he returns, a sketchbook flipped open. He holds it up to the screen. The sketch is a detailed portrait of a group of men standing together, arms flung over each other.]

They called us the Howling Commandos. My team was known for having some of the craziest guys on it. And the bravest.

video;

[compartmentalise]

[He's silent, listening with that still patience that comes with being an android. His LED glows yellow as he learns this new information. He has no records of any group called the Howling Commandos, but he wouldn't if they're from another world.

He isn't sure if he's expected to say something, but he tries anyway]

It looks like a strong team, captain.

[ video | un: drn0167 ]

[sentiences]

[ It's the LED light on the side that catches Dorian's attention. Another robot. Like himself? But Dorian can't just come out and say that, can he? ]

It's very well done. Who is Carl?

[compartmentalise]

[The username catches his interest. It reads a little like an android model, and he was told there were more like him. But it could just be random letters and numbers; humans did that sometimes.

Markus takes a moment to think of the answer to that question]

He taught me about painting.

[sentiences]

[ Dorian smiles. ]

That tells me what he does, yes. But not who he is.

video; un: yakyuu.luvr

[yakyuuman]

Waaaah, you're super good at this! Your friend would be happy to see it if he was here!

[ Jyushimatsu is as much of an expert about art as the next person, but he can tell that portrait looks real just like a photo and how the heck can this guy pull it off???

But more importantly, that LED looks awfully like what Connor's got on the side of his head, too... ]

Hey, are you an android too?

video;

[neversurrender]

[His smile is small. He doesn't really have any expectations for Markus' response. If had just felt right for him to share something personal through his art in return.]

They were. I know the sketch isn't much to look at though. Not in comparison with your portrait. You and he must have been close. Carl I mean.

video;

[compartmentalise]

Yes, we are close.

[Markus can say this without explaining how close they were]

[compartmentalise]

[He gets the sense he's being asked who Carl is to him specifically, which is why he hesitates in answering. It's hard to mask the fondness he has for Carl when he tries explaining]

Carl is a kind man and wise. The public love his art and often send him fan mail. He doesn't always like the attention, though. He cares very deeply about art, not the fame or the fortune it brings him.

[compartmentalise]

["Friend" is an adequate word to describe Carl, but it's not completely accurate in the way Markus feels. He does not mention this. Besides, the question is what gets his attention. A person who recognizes he's an android right away]

Yes, I am an android.

[sentiences]

He sounds like a true artist.

[compartmentalise]

Yes, he is. He would have enjoyed the festival very much.

[sentiences]

Did you enjoy it too?

[compartmentalise]

I think I did.

[He was told to by the lady he was caring for at the time, so it's hard to say if he was just following her orders or truly enjoying himself]

[sentiences]

[ His smile goes a little soft. ]

It's hard to tell when you're on your own, isn't it?