🔴 HAPPY TDOV BITCHES!!!!!!!!!!!

( Ballade trails off, scolding himself for sounding so scared. But at the same time, he /needs/ to tell someone about this; he's been holding it back for years. )

... I get reminded of it every time I see 'em. It feels like I'll float off into space again, and no one will find me this time.

( He doesn't say that with his typical boasting demeanor; he sounds /desperate,/ as if he's trying to cling to this idea. )

But every time I look at the night sky, I just /freeze./ I keep remembering those few seconds, when I was surrounded by all those stars, and it was all silent, and I...

🟣 Astro... phobia...?

( He squints, trying to process the word. He looks back up towards Comet. )

I've heard the others say that word before, but... I'm not supposed to have a phobia of /anything!/ I'm supposed to be the strongest robot there is!

( nc ) 🔴 man I really need to not fumble this— oh shit a distress call.

- THE VAST WHITE POKEMON .

( 💭 WHAT THE FUCK DO I DO )

🔴 ( 💭 Oh she really does actually think I'm pretty holy shit )

🔴 Anytime! Be safe in there, y’hear?

( She watches Iris leave, standing casually until she’s out of sight. )

( … And Punk is left to process her thoughts, with her face still red. Holy /shit./ )

( She doesn’t let go, either. )

🔴 Sounds good. I’ll, uh… stick around outside, just in case. Y’never know if someone might need you.

( She’s definitely finding excuses… )

🟣🟢 ( both staring like that one dog ) ( they know what punk is )

( The darkened red shade on her ‘face’ reappears, deepened this time… )

( A few seconds later, she mimicks the sound of clearing her throat, despite not having one. )

🔴 … S-So how far is it to the HQ?

🔴 Gotcha, I’ll remember that. I’m sure he isn’t far.

( Punk squeezes her hand a little to help comfort Iris; after all, that kind of grounding contact is what works on herself, too. )

🔴 If I see him, I'll send him your way. I promise. I'll make sure he drops /everything/ to go and see you.

( There's just a bit of humor behind it; but Punk is being pretty serious. )

( Oh. That's a little concerning... but everything should be fine, right? Hell, Enker's gone missing a few times and he's always come back. )

🔴 Yeah, you'll find him, I'm sure of it!

🔴 Heh, you've got that right! He sounds like a great guy, Iris.

🔴 Oh, for sure you won't, haha. Honestly, they'd adore you.

What's your brother like, Iris?

And Kirin... well, they're technically Enker's partner, but still a part of us. Gentle, meek, /really/ shy, but persistent as hell with their kindness. I don't think there's a single robot that they've made an enemy out of.

And then there's Quint, who was /technically/ built before me, but he's still the youngest out of all of us. Kinda shy, but kinda mischievous, too. And he's got a support robot, Sakugarne. If you put a purse dog into the body of a jackhammer, they're kinda like that.

( Punk laughs again. )

🔴 Well, Enker's the oldest. Short guy with an even shorter temper, but he's damn brave, 'n' will do pretty much anything to protect us.

Then there's Ballade, who was built after me. He loves fighting more than anything, and he trains a lot, mostly to prove he's the strongest.

( She gazes away for a second, the area in between her eyes turning a slight shade of dark red. )

🔴 D-Don't mention it. And yeah, I've got several.

🔴 Yeah. My older brother's scoping things out. He usually lets us know what's up, but I think we're fine right now.

( She takes Iris' hand; surprisingly, she's as gentle as she can be, considering the size difference. )

🔴 Need someone to walk with 'ya? It's kinda tense out there, so I've heard.

( It's a legitimate reason for wanting to come with, at least. Though Punk seems very much interested in just... speaking to Iris more. )

🔴 Really, you've barely heard about us? I guess we're both confused, huh...

( She shrugs her shoulders. Weird... )

Not a big deal, I'm sure we'll figure it out. You said you were on your way to some sorta "HQ," right?

🔴 Nope, I'm a Robot Master. An intelligent robot not based on anyone.

( There's a small laugh at her own humor. )

Seriously, though, that's weird. I've never heard of this 'X' guy, either.

🔴 Oh, gotcha.

... what's a "reploid"?

// punk, enjoyer of fashion, also a lesbian,

🔴 Yeah, they still look great on you.

( Uncrossing her arms, Punk puts a hand to her hip instead. )

So what're you doing out here? I've never seen a robot like you before.