deernet | un: eudaimonikos; video

[Well, this is Michael's username, for sure. He seems to be looking rather different, though. Still dressed the same despite it!]

Hey, this is Michael. Just curious - is this a thing that's happening now? Are we all doing this?

Don't get me wrong, it's not a huge deal. I honestly never liked all the weird dangly bits. Not sure about the hair... [He runs a hand through it, holding it briefly up against his head; does he want it short again, or is this good?] ...but I can cut that. Guess now I have to get used to everyone calling me "she", too...

[That one, he sounds mildly irritated by. It's not the word itself, necessarily, it just took him long enough to get used to answering to the first one. Why do humans have to change their language rules every two seconds? But, he's using their language and that's how it works. His usual body was the only reason he ended up being "he", so...well, he'll just have to manage.]

Except the locals, maybe. Why do they call everyone "they", anyway? What is that? [Seems rhetorical, though; he flaps his hands dismissively.] Well, anyway. If anyone else is suddenly changing size or shape, and your wardrobe isn't working anymore, let me know and I'll just run off some new clothes for you for free. Might as well make these things a little bit easier, right?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[A familiar robot pops up; it's Scorponok. At least he has the same shape, but some details feel off. Colors are different, his arms have changed shape, and he has an entirely different voice.]

It's common among organic species, particularly those with a degree of sexual dimorphism. They have a set of intrinsic assumptions on what type of gendered language to use in reference to a person, mostly based on appearance.

From my experience, you fit a many criteria that would have Earthlings label you as "female", but the locals must know better than to assume which set of pronouns apply to you.

[A shrug.]

I'm just saying, some groups default to neutral pronouns. I've been confused by alien gender systems before, and I'm not the only one.

Oh...oh, no, I just started looking like this today. I was a man this morning.

[Though really, humans are the only species with sexual dimorphism he's had extensive experience with. And....yeah, all correct points? He guesses? This post was primarily about offering to make people clothes, in his mind, why are you telling him this]

My species didn't use pronouns, before humans. Our language wasn't really...a language, I guess. Just kinda thought at people.

[Organic species and their conventions are so interesting, though.]

So something based on impression rather than words. [But he's not a linguist so he cares less about this line of discussion.] My kind does have variation in pronouns, but it's not a clean division. Most of us, when auto-translated into an Earth language, use the "he" pronoun, but there's intricacies with social standing and frame type and the like.

And then there's the Cybertronians who start picking up organic-based gender systems after living among them for long periods of time.

It sounds like you preferred being perceived as a man when among humans.

[Michael hums thoughtfully. Did he prefer it?]

I'm used to it. If I'd had this form from the start, I'd be used to that. But our starter physical bodies are assigned randomly, so it's not like I chose either way.

There's a bit of rank involved in that for us, too - once you get important enough, you can commission a custom skinsuit. Sometimes people'll use that to swap genders or whatever. But once you're at that level, it's really more of a cosmetic thing.

There's some philosophical discussion to be had about what form we were provided and how that impacts our preferences...

But I can say that there are similarities between my species and...whatever you are. [Some kind of long-living creature he doesn't bother much about.] Those with the resources can have our frames reformatted to something different, usually to get a a cosmetic upgrade or to add an additional alt-mode. Before the war, you had to be important enough. Now, it's about if you have the right contacts.

Demon.

[Off-handed, like - well, easier to have the word.]

I guess I could have done that. Just didn't see the point. Is it something you'd want to do?

Demon. [Strange term, but okay.]

Not personally. I was forged with this scorpion alt-mode, and I will accept myself as I am. It’s been useful in combat without much renovation.

What does that mean, "alt-mode"?

[Are you a scorpion like he's a squid, or]

The other form a Cybertronian can take, as opposed to the bipedal mode you see me in.

[So, kind of.]

I can give you a live demonstration.

Oh - I mean, sure, if you want.

[He definitely wants to see this, it sounds neat, but he doesn't wanna like. Pressure anyone.]

[No answer, but Scorponok lays the camera on a table as he steps back. He rolls his shoulders as if warming up for an exercise, then transforms. Pieces of his armor smoothly move around as he loses his bipedal form and drops to the floor, revealing a mechanical scorpion where he once stood.]

[Michael applauds...politely? A little? He's not sure but it feels polite.]

Oh! That's so cool! Do you have venom, or do you just stab things?

[A stinger - though with a trident-like tool at the end instead of a regular needle - pokes up from behind.]

I wish I could create venom. But that's a waste of Energon.

Depends how potent it is.

[Not that he knows what Energon is but like, you can get a lot done with a little venom if it's the good shit.]

[He transforms back into his bipedal mode.]

Or I can just stab them. Most of the creatures here are organic, anyway.

Fair enough. That's basically what I do - not that I'm a hunter or anything, but stuff happens.

[Even if you aren't seeking out fights, he figures you'd best be prepared for one.]

un: eudaimonikos; video

video; un: headmaster

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject