Jake snirks from ORB's comment.  "Yeah quite literally a rusty place.  Good source of iron for the rest of the planets, source of pollution induced cancer for those who live there.  Unhealthy, unsafe, lacking in higher education... the list goes on.  If ever I get homesick, all I have to do is inhale some exhaust.  You're welcome, Emerald.  Tech is my passion, so I keep on top of these things."

"Jake is my passion," Robbie adds, making Jake blush.

Jake points at a set of headphones.

"I'd avoid that one.  The rest are about same-ish in performance and cost and can be selected on style alone.  Glad you chose here to explore.  Lots of neat stuff to look into.  Anything in particular you enjoy the most?"

Emerald checks the stats on the back of the packaging for several. "You still make it sound like it was *your* choice, Jake. So it wasn't because your parents wanted to move?" she asks without looking directly at him. She picks a pair of headphones and watches to see what Jake is after.

  Orb's Orphan Alert sensor has been on the fritz lately, so they can't make an educated guess preemptively in that regard.

  "Just so long as you don't end up like the Maximilian series, Viper.  Of course, the Black hole ate the evidence but even a gravitational field strong enough to distort light doesn't stop rumor."

"While it was my choice," Jake answers curiously, "my parents made it possible by saving up the funds needed to buy me transport.  Full academic scholarships don't include travel costs apparently.  Well now that I've graduated, I'm working toward saving up to get them out of there too.  Why do you ask?"

Robbie giggles and nods to ORB.

"Yes.  Is ORB owned or independent?"

Emerald hms. Not TERRIBLY uncommon for kids to be sent out by not-so-well-to-do parents for a "better life", but... "Just checking you weren't an orphan or anything." she smiles.

  "I guess I am not Owned or Independent any more than Jake is either in regards to his parents?  At least in the practical sense.  Paperwork wise it would be Independent."

  Professor Crazepents brought you into this world Orb, this doesn't keep them from making you pay your own bills.

Jake ohs.  "No not yet.  But I worry, ya know?  Mar Sara's dangerous for more than just the pollution.  Thanks for asking.  Appreciate the concern.  I'll return the favor and ask if you have troubles of your own."

Robbie nods.  "Robbie is owned by Jake on paper, but only because Robbie chooses this option.  If someone were to harm Robbie, that would be destruction of property, not just 'disturbing the peace.'  If you chose to be owned on paper to have more legal protection, Jake would give you the papers and you could change your mind at any time."

Emerald glances at Robbie. "...heh. May work for you, but I prefer not to belong to anyone, even on paper. Too many opportunities for the "owner" to take advantage..." she then looks back at Jake. "Problems? Heh... nah. I'm fine."

  "I believe I shall pass on your benevolently intended offer.  I am sure the authorities would be more concerned with the means used to harm me than said harm, but that alone is enough to ensure they take action."

  Of course, if Military hardware was being aimed at Orb, he had bigger problems then.

Jake huhs at Emerald's take on being owned.

"That the voice of experience talking?  I realize slavery of biologicals exists, but not legally.  At least so I thought."

Robbie nods at Emmy and ORB.  "Robbie understands."

Emerald says, "I'd rather not talk about it. Now then. What were you looking to pick up here at the mall, Jake?"

  "How did we go from critiques of entertainment products to slavery?  How many degrees is it to reach Kevin Bacon from here?"  Both good questio-... Wait, that second one is more nonsensical.

Jake laces his fingers behind his head and blows up on his hair.

"Well I've got a couple of gift cards to use up, a return to make, and New Years Party stuff to pick up.  Mostly vague 'cause I dunno what I wunna get.  Kinda why I wanted your company.  I find inspiration in others."

"Zero," Robbie answers, "You just made the connection.  You win... a laser!"

Robbie offers ORB a pen laser.

Emerald says, "For New Years... best is to grab snacks; Like chips, cookies, soda..." she heads for the snack isle. She glances at Orb. "I'd have to know who or what Kevin Bacon is before I could answer properly."

  Orb accepts, "Thank you Robbie, I shall add it to the laser pile."   Perhaps later, Orb shall look into 'Six Degrees To Kevin Bacon' links between Slavery and Kevin Bacon in his spare time.

  "Highly obsolete Meme, people still reference many things from their far past that have no relevance today."  Southern Accents, country music, and rednecks causing roadkill in their pickup truck for example.  Even if the roadkill is zerglings.

"Sounds good," Jake says, following Emerald to the snack isle, "So what is it you enjoy doing?"

"It is a game to connect a topic to a long-ago thespian," Robbie explains.

Emerald huhs at Orb. "I always find it fascinating when ancient expressions or fads can still be referenced. A lot of people take such things for granted..."

She then says, "I enjoy singing. And ancient history." as she browses the snacks. "Yourself?"
This message was last edited by the player at 05:14, Thu 01 Dec 2011.

  "Nothing so focused in my interests yet to be considered a Hobby.  For the most part it is just day to day existence.  Fortunately, boredom is optional." You can turn that right off as a robot.   Pay no attention to the implications a 'laser pile' would have.

"Robotics mainly," Jake answers, "Ancient history and singing you say?  That's... an interesting mix.  Ever write any songs about ancient history?  I know an oldie called 'Shotgun, Zerg, and You.'"

"Ever consider upgrading as a hobby?" Robbie asks, "Extra appendages can be fun!"

Multiple arms extend out of several panels and snap at the air at various intervals that make for a strange but technically musical beat.

Emerald knows Robbie was asking Orb, but she answers Robbie for the fun of it. "I've considered extra appendages as much as the next person, I suppose."

She nods to Jake. "Here's one for you:"

"Taking shelter by the standing stones
Miles from all that moves
Breathing solitude, seeking confidence
A gift to me
Feeling spirits never far removed
Passing over me and I greet them with open arms

"Reading passages of ancient rhyme
Cut so deep so old
Telling tales of travellers and mystery
Hearing spirits never far removed
Call out aloud
When the time comes they'll talk to me

"Hand fighting Hand
As you turn to a man of two worlds.
Taobh ri taobh tha sinn mar aon de dha shaobhail
Do lambh nam lambh gabhal aithne air leim a ghablh

"Feel a presence moving into me
Painting pictures with fast words
Seeing places that I've never seen
Like a door thrown open on a life I've lived before

"Taobh ri taobh tha sinn mar aon de dha shaobhail
Do lambh nam lambh gabhal aithne air leim a ghablh
Mar e shealbhaichis mi an tiodhlac seo ahonisa
S mo lambh n'ad lambh smuainich air na tireauu ceinne
S mi deaunabh gardochas da raire..."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:37, Thu 01 Dec 2011.

  "No legs means I can not trip over things.  I already posses four hundred percent more manipulation limbs than my origional design, though you clearly have the advantage in swiss-army tech categories."

  Then it's song time.  Which lasts longer than it takes to read i-how do I pronounce this -.o  Uh, We'll get back to you on if reading or listening would take longer.

  "So, you enjoy a professional career in singing?"

Jake and Robbie both laugh at Emerald's tease.

"Nice song!" Jake says, "Lovely voice!  You should go pro!  You study much on Protoss history and relics?  I've learned that a lot of modern tech is based on what was salvaged from them."

"But without legs, you can't run, or walk," Robbie points out, "Hovering is fun, but so is breakdancing!"

He begins to demonstrate.

Emerald says, "Thanks for the compliments. Sadly, I'm not a pro yet. And yes, I've studied quite a bit on the subject. I've had the privilage of looking at some ancient Xel'Naga tech up close and personal..." she watches Robbie break dance and claps for him.

  "So long as duplicate research into 'life that will destroy you all, then go on to devastate other civilizations' is not done, looking into the Xel'Naga's own works should be beneficial."  It's always the 'lesser' races that have to clean up after what destroyed the 'super advanced' ones usually.

  "Alas, some sacrifices must be made for the life of a hovering robot.  Walking looks fine, but legs dangle so pointlessly with flight assist." Nevermind what limbs Orb does have are retractable.

"That sounds like fun!" Jake says enthusiastically to Emerald's studying Xel'Naga, "Anything lined up in the near future?  If not, I've got a few ideas you might be interested in."

Robbie nods at ORB.  "ORB sounds like he knows more about these things than most organics much less uneducated robots."