When We're Rollin Through the Wild Wild West

[geonomy]

Who: Everyone! EVERYONE!
Broadcast: IF YOU WANNA
Action: Everywhere! EVERYWHERE!
When: Mid-September - Mid-October

[How's your ship doing, pardners? Is it still pretty damaged? Is it glitching out hardcore? Well, there is one place to land to take care of all that, and that's on a dusty old moon in front of a planet that no one wants to go to. On this moon, you'll find a civilization that looks a lot like one's stepped into a wild west movie, hardened cowpolk and mutant horses and all. Will you become a vigilante, hunting bounties and stopping gangs from doing their dirty work? Will you go exploring planetside, with a cowboy hat and a stalk of wheat in your mouth to complete the look? Good luck with that; there is no wheat. This town ain't big enough for all you flooters, but make it so! For the ratings!

In other words, it's a planet mingle! Get 'er done!]

[September Planet info here]

Comments

[faithfulwisdom]

[Someone picked a poor target]

[Have you ever seen an elf in a cowboy hat? Well now you have, complete with a sword hanging from his belt. It's a rather ridiculous combination, but it's practical in a strange way- the sun isn't in Finrod's eyes anymore and it's a slight protection against sunburn.

The locals seem distinctly unimpressed, however, especially the less lawful among them. As Finrod made his way down the city street, a few rather shady individuals stepped out of a dark alleyway. With a few taunts ("pretty boy" was the most common) and mocking whistles thrown in, they kindly 'suggest' that he hands over his valuables.

Finrod looks more annoyed than anything else.]

This is a rather poor decision on your part. There is time still to change your mind. [ Brawling in the street wouldn't have been his first choice of action, but he'll do it if he has to. But at least he offered a way out of this with dignity.]

[At the Saloon]

[Later, after he has rented a room and squared away his belongings, Finrod sits at the bar, drinking and talking pleasantly with the locals. Making friends seems to come easily to him and it's not long before he's got a few people hanging on his every word. But if he spots someone he recognizes from the Fleet, he'll likely wave them over with a grin.]

[Out in the desert]

[It's been quite a while since Finrod has ridden a horse. And while the creatures on this planet aren't exactly right, they are close enough. It's comforting, in a strange way, and a bit of a reminder of home.

So one night, he rents one of those creatures and rides out into the desert, without real thought as to his destination. He travels far enough that the lights of the town grow dimmer and the stars stand out even more in contrast.

Perfect.

He dismounts and speaks a few quiet words to the horse, then spreads a blanket on the ground. There, he lies on his back, staring up at the stars.]

[thezerothlaw]

[It's anyone's guess what Daneel is doing wandering around in the desert, but when you don't sleep, and everyone else does, you have to find way to occupy yourself at night. An exploration of the surrounding area is as good as any.

And when he finds someone lying on the ground, well.]

Are you all right, sir?

[faithfulwisdom]

I am quite all right. [He smiles and sits up, propping himself up on his elbows.] It is simply too pleasant of a night to spend indoors.

[thezerothlaw]

[Well, that's vaguely worrying. For no good reason. Are there dangerous animals here he doesn't know about.]

If you're comfortable. Are you quite certain it's safe to be here?

[faithfulwisdom]

[With that, he pulls himself up into a sitting posture and gestures to the sword beside him.]

I am capable of defending myself, if need be. But what of you? Are you not here also?

[thezerothlaw]

If there are predators, they wouldn't find me palatable.

[He glances at the sword rather uncomfortably. Weapons have a tendency to be used against humans, after all.]

I was attempting to map the surrounding area.

[faithfulwisdom]

Oh? [Finrod arches an eyebrow. Now that is a curious statement. From most, he might take it as some sort of odd jest, but something tells him that isn't the case here...]

Were you? [This also piques his interest.] Have you made much progress?

[thezerothlaw]

I am a robot, and as such, not edible to these creatures. Presumably they might attack me for other reasons, but not predatory purposes.

[Robots. They don't taste good.]

I suppose I have made progress, though it's yet to be shown if there is a purpose to this. Pardon me. I am Daneel Olivaw.

[faithfulwisdom]

It is a pleasure, Master Olivaw. [He bends a little at the waist- not quite a bow, but reminiscent of one.]

But I am afraid that I am not familiar with the term 'robot." It is how your people refer to themselves, I gather?

[thezerothlaw]

In a sense.

[Oh, hm. How to explain.]

A robot is a mechanical creation in the rough shape of a human being. I was made by humans and to look human as possible.

[faithfulwisdom]

[If Finrod's jaw could hit the floor, it would have.]

Extraordinary. [It's hard to resist the urge to circle around, to examine him like he would any other magnificent creation. But created or not, this is man. He speaks, he thinks, presumably he feels- Finrod will not degrade him by treating him like an object.]

Are there many robots where you are from? Or are you unique? [A brief pause] Do you mind if I ask? I have no wish to be rude.

[thezerothlaw]

I'll gladly answer any questions you have. I find no offence in curiosity.

[Or in most things, really.]

There are many robots where I'm from, though most are obviously made of metal or plastic. I am unique in that I do look human, but that is the chief difference between myself and others.

[faithfulwisdom]

It seems a great advantage on your part. I imagine most find it much easier to relate to you.

[thezerothlaw]

Many do. I appreciate that advantage, certainly. It also allows me to pass as human, though there seems no reason for me to do that, here.

[faithfulwisdom]

No indeed there does not, save for a few of the planets on which we have stopped. Have you had cause to disguise yourself as human before?

[thezerothlaw]

On several occasions. In fact, the first serious task I was set was to assist in the investigation of the murder of one of my creators, which involved going into one of Earth's Cities. A robot would have attracted unwelcome attention, much less a robot of Spacer manufacture.

[faithfulwisdom]

I can see how that would be the case. It still seems strange to me, to hear people speak of the need to seem human when they are not. Where I am from, Men are but one race among many,

[thezerothlaw]

Interesting. There are humans where I am from, and the robots they have made. There has long been speculation about species on other planets, but the only life found has been very simple -- mosses and algaes, simple animals. Perhaps it is different in other galaxies. I am... not accustomed to having to think of other sentient species. The Fleet has been a change, in this respect.

[faithfulwisdom]

[A wry little smile] I suspect the Fleet is a change for us all, in one respect or another.

[thezerothlaw]

Indeed it is. There are a number of pre-industrial individuals here, for example. I have difficulty imagining adjusting to this reality, though so far they seem to be doing quite well, from what I have observed. Of course, humans are very... flexible.

[faithfulwisdom]

It is something I have always admired of humans, in fact. But what do you mean by pre-industrial, may I ask? I have not heard the term before.

[experiencepoints]

[If Finrod was expecting someone to come to his aid in the imminent brawl, it probably was not a small woman in weird purple clothes. Still, she walks over pretty fearlessly to stand near him.]

You want a hand? This looks like it could get bad.

Wrong elf, whoops

[faithfulwisdom]

[His initial instinct is to tell her to keep out of it- she's so small- but he's been around here long enough to know that if someone thinks they can handle themselves, they probably can, regardless of size.]

I will not say no to an extra hand, but do not injure yourself on my behalf.

is galadriel ever really the wrong elf though

[experiencepoints]

I'm a mage. If I've let an enemy get close enough to injure me, then frankly, I deserve it.

[She's suddenly holding a tall wooden staff, one end flowering off into a cloud of branches, that most definitely was not anywhere on her a minute ago.]

If you want to get some hits in, you should start while I cast.

As her big brother, Finrod rather thinks she would be in this case

[faithfulwisdom]

[Alright, then. That's enough for him. Finrod gives one final nod to the girl and then turns back to the brewing conflict- and just in time, apparently. One of the would-be thieves grapples to take hold of him, but he neatly ducks out of the way, grabbing the man's arm and twisting it behind him.]

Apparently the choice has been made for me.