riverview | video; @waltz

[It's that man in the suit again, broadcasting live to you from a room currently being decorated with tables, lights, and tasteful decorations.]

Hello everyone,

To any newcomers, my name is Cameron Waltz, and I'm currently serving as your public representative. It's been a pleasure to get to know so many of you over the network, and I think we could all stand to get to know each other even better in person.

I'd like to extend an open invitation to the "Bring Yourself" arts and culture event this Sunday at Riverside Community Centre. This will be an exhibition of all the different cultures and people Riverview has to offer. Whether it's food, artwork, music, or a story, everyone has something of value to contribute, no matter where you're from, so I'd encourage everyone to bring a little piece of home to share with others. If you can't think of something to bring, or simply don't have the time or energy, bring yourself. You're from somewhere else too, and I guarantee you bring something interesting in just being yourself.

The walls are empty, the stage is free, there's an open floor for dancing and more active demonstrations, and the venue is booked for from 5pm-12am. Come when you want and wear what you like. Refreshments will be provided. I'm happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have on this post.

Please come. I'm well aware of the current going ons in the city, many of which are incredibly stressful, which makes coming together as a community and expressing yourself in a safe space even more necessary.

[Passing a few volunteers, Cam walks to the only wall with anything on it. A mixed series of artistic ink calligraphy prints in a variety of different languages.

Cam stops with a slight clearing of his throat, and a very casual gesture towards the prints. Very casual. Which he is not looking at. A tight, shy smile at the camera.]

And I will be putting myself out there right beside you.

[Bring whatever it is your character has to offer that they'd want to show, whether it's a martial arts skill, artistic ability, performance, food, an interesting object, games, there's nothing that doesn't go, characters are free to take the stage/set up a booth/do whatever they want in terms of display, and can drop pieces off or set up in advance! Feel free to be utterly ridiculous.

Event log!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Certainly. That sounds very interesting, and personal. The makings of all good art. I'm looking forward to seeing it.

How long have you been in the Quarantine?

Almost three months. I like it very much. I work at the hospice center and I paint in my free time. I would like to be a full-time artist some day.

What about you?

Almost two months. You're a little ahead of me.

That sounds like a very interesting and emotional job.

I'm glad to hear you're enjoying yourself, and have found a calling. Did you discover your love of art while you were here?

No. My father is a famous artist. I learned to love it because of him.

Oh really, would I know of him? Is he here in Riverview?

No, he isn't here. He's at home in Detroit.

I don't think you would know him, but you may know his appearance and voice. Have you seen Aliens?

...Yes, I've seen Aliens.

It's a good movie. I enjoyed it a lot. The android Bishop looks just like Carl did when he was young.

I'll have to watch it again. I can't say I remember it in any real detail.

I always end up watching Alien movies from behind my hands. I don't have much of a stomach for horror.

It's a shame your father isn't here, but I'm sure he would be happy to know you're doing well.

I have learned that horror is subjective. I haven't found a horror movie that I find frightening yet.

Thank you. I believe he would be happy, too.

Have you seen The Abyss? I challenge you to watch that one and not be scared. Darkness. Underwater. Claustrophobia. Paranoia. It's almost too stressful for me to watch. I have to stop and make tea halfway through.

I have a daughter back home. She will be very irritated to learn I went to another universe without her. I'll have to bring back some kind of expensive souvenir.

I have not. I will put it in my list. Thank you for the suggestion, and I will tell you what I think of it later.

I don't have experience with female relatives. I wish you luck.

I'd recommend The Descent as well, though it's possible I'm biased. I have a personal aversion to dark, enclosed spaces.

None at all? That's a shame. Were you an only child?

Even if I do not find it scary, I will still be interested in seeing it.

[He has to think of the right answer to this] I am the only one of my particular model, though I have met an updated version of the same series. I'm not sure if it would be correct to call him my brother. Though I suppose we are all technically siblings, as we were built by the same company.

Oh.

[A long pause, as Cam puts the pieces together. He tries not to look too surprised.]

You're... [Fuck, what was the difference between a cyborg and an android? Are they the same thing? Is robot a safer, more general term? Even his background as a cultural mediator couldn't have prepared him for this.]

Not a... mammal?

Edited 2018-09-30 01:59 (UTC)

I'm an android.

I would never have known.

[Is that a compliment? He means it to be.

Wait, is that even more offensive?]

I'm afraid you're the first android I've ever met, so I apologize in advance if I say something ignorant.

It makes sense. Most people I've met aren't aware of androids. I wouldn't really cite me as a good example of what you'd expect. I broke free of my programming not long after I arrived.

Would you mind explaining what you mean by 'breaking free' of your programming?

Androids are programmed to follow certain orders. I didn't want to follow mine any longer, so I broke the programming. Now I do things because I want to.

That sounds like slavery. I'm glad you're free to live life on your own terms.

Are you concerned someone may try to take that away from you? Is it possible?

It was very much like slavery.

Not while I'm here. The people here were even encouraging me to make my own choices. And Connor says I help other androids back in Detroit, so there is hope we'll be treated better.

The people here are right. You should make your own choices. Choices are what define you.

I hope you have the chance to go back and help liberate others.

[Cam's only just met this android, but he'd march for him already.]

That's true. I think Carl would be happy with the choices I've made so far.

I will. Right now I want to stay here and learn as much as I can.

You seem to have a good relationship with your father.

Did he treat you well?

(no subject)

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