video | un: iron.man

[buildsomething]

[Tony's in his workroom, look surprised. His expression is deadpan, but there's something almost pleased underneath it. An almost imperceptible loosening of the tension that's always there in the set of his shoulders.]

So I know we're all well aware that this place is weird as hell, but does stuff just like. Turn up sometimes? Your stuff, I mean. From home.

[As he's talking, a metal arm pops into view behind him. The claw at the front of the arm clicks together once, then starts slowly creeping forward like it's trying to peer at the camera over Tony's shoulder. It's about the least subtle thing imaginable, considering the robot's sheer size, but Tony seems to be quite comfortably ignoring it.

At least until the claw nearly knocks right into the camera and Tony has to move it out of the way like he's holding it out of the range of a toddler. The robot arm is still taking up most of the image now, though. When Tony's voice comes again, it's more than a little resigned.]

'Cause this definitely mine. Unfortunately.

Comments

text: un scavenger.rey

[talentedscavenger]

Did you really build that?

[buildsomething]

Really did. Ages ago, but still.

[talentedscavenger]

It's amazing, it's close to being a droid.

Have you built those before?

[buildsomething]

I've got a bunch of other bots at home, if that's what you mean.

[talentedscavenger]

Yes, and no. Not many people can build droids from scratch, but it's amazing to see what you've done. It even has it's own personality.

[Sorry Tony, she's really impressed by it.]

[buildsomething]

Well I mean, yeah, it's a limited AI.

You keep saying droid, is that different than a robot?

[talentedscavenger]

Depends...is what you showed a robot?

[buildsomething]

...yes?

[talentedscavenger]

A droid is more than that. Some that are more humanoid--as in has a head, arms, and can speak--and some that aren't. There are a variety of them. Essentially mechanical beings that do possess AI, and have unique functions and roles.

[buildsomething]

You've got a whole bunch of semi-sentient androids? Sounds like my kind of place.

[talentedscavenger]

Me? No, I don't. If you have enough money, or if you're important enough, you could have a couple. Depends on what you need them for.

[buildsomething]

I mean more you in the general sense. What do people usually use them for?

[talentedscavenger]

Depends on what line of work you do. Some have protocol droids to help them with house work. Then there's droids that do repairs. Some are used for navigation or to help pilot a ship.

Different things.

[buildsomething]

Huh. We have programs that do most of that, but they're not full AIs. I mean, yet. Might happen.

[talentedscavenger]

Well, droids have been around for ages. They've become a very valuable asset in my world. [Oh it feels so weird to say that...]

What else have you created?

[buildsomething]

Uh, how long do you have? I make a lot of stuff.

[talentedscavenger]

Until I figure a way off this rock, I have time.

Are you an inventor then? Or an engineer?

[buildsomething]

Both. Mainly. I wear a lot of hats.

Got someplace to be?

[talentedscavenger]

How many hats?

Yes. I'm supposed to find someone. Return something to him.

[buildsomething]

A lot? I'm a busy guy.

Ah, well. Good luck finding a way out then.

[talentedscavenger]

Thank you.

Would it be possible for me to look at your robot?

[buildsomething]

Uh. Sure, I guess. If you really want to. Why?

[talentedscavenger]

I like building things and there isn't anything like that in my world.

[buildsomething]

I thought you said it was full of bots. Droids. Whatever.

[talentedscavenger]

Yes, there are.

Yours looks like half of one--something that isn't common.