steampunk-tennis-ball

[steampunk-tennis-ball]

TRICK OR TREAT! FREAK!!!!!!!!!

They throw a bag of candy corn at your head and poke you with a metal hand.

"Happy Halloween to you too, fa-"

[This post has been canceled by the ARCHIE YOU CAN'T SAY SLURS police]

[steampunk-tennis-ball]

TRICK OER TREAT BECAUSE IRS HALLOWEEN

HALLLL:OPOWWEEDHB

HOLLLEWEWEEn 

TJRHFDZGFGJz

@festive-tennis-ball

The lock on the door clicks. The sound of gears turning and machines whirring rings loudly through the hall. A clock begins to tick.

The lights that previously illuminated the door frame begin to flicker. The door creaks open, and a sharp metal hand creeps out.

It drags down the length of the door, scrapping against the wood with a sickening noise, before coming to a halt by the door handle. The lights stop their flickering, and all at once, the room is plunged into darkness.

A second passes.

Tick.

And then another.

Tick.

On the third tick of the clock, the lights power back on.

At the door stands Archie, covered in metallic body paint. Their makeup is done to look as if they were made of brass, soldered together with golden wire. They wear a top hat with their goggles and a rose perched on the rim. There seems to be a hole where their heart should be.

They smile and hold out a small bag of candy.

"Happy Halloween."

[steampunk-tennis-ball]

ask game!!!!

28, 17, 18, 14, 38, 44, 45, 31 (dont have to do all of them if you dont want to!!)

How important to you are your morals? What would it take for you to break your moral code?

"My morals? There are few things I refuse to do on principle, but I'd rather not cause undue harm without reason. Morals only serve to cause guilt and appease others."

Archie hums.

"They aren't something I hold in high regard. I'd break my moral code at any point if it meant achieving my goals. Yet, I respect those who do have such convictions. The lengths they'd go to avoid violating their moral code is a marvel to witness."

What's a secret that you have that you're willing to share?

"I once set The House kitchen on fire. In my defense, I had never used an electric stove."

What do you like/dislike about yourself?

"Categorizing traits in such a way is so trivial. It's not nearly that simple. Identities are a machine. You are the sum of all your parts, each gear turns another and contributes to the whole. There is no single trait that isn't affected by another."

They stretch as they sit.

"I like my drive."

What kind of people do you tend to gravitate towards?

"I enjoy the company of those who are honest. Not many people are forthcoming with their feelings or their desires. I've had enough mincing of words and manipulation to last me a lifetime. As I mentioned before, passion and conviction is an attractive thing."

Do you believe the Gods are real?

"Religion and spirituality have never resonated with me. I find the worship of Gods a frivolous endeavor. If they are real, they don't care for us."

He smiles.

"That being said, I wouldn't disregard the possibility."

Do you have a good sense of memory? Would you rather remember or forget unpleasant things?

" I can't say I have the best memory. Memory is a fickle thing. I have no issue with remembering events, no. I remember them clearly and, to answer your question, would like it to stay that way no matter the subject."

Archie leans back in their seat.

" My memory is...fuzzy around the edges. I have a hard time placing events to form something linear. Days, weeks, months, years, they all bleed together."

Archie chuckles.

"I'd say that isn't what most would call a 'good sense of memory', hm?"

Do you think you'd be able to get away with murder?

"It wouldn't be difficult, I imagine."

What is the most important thing in the world to you?

"..."

They sit in silence. They think of sticky notes and picture frames. Of bright smiles and loud concerts in the summer heat. They think of twinkling lights and snowfall. Of metal parts and unfinished projects. They think of...

"No specific thing comes to mind, I'm afraid. The art of creation, I suppose."

[steampunk-tennis-ball]

32, 34, 36

Have you ever killed or seriously hurt anyone?

Archie pauses in tying their hair up. They look down at the accessory lying on the counter. The red lenses border on orange in the low, warm lighting of their bedroom. The scuffs on the edges stand out more than they ever have before. They stare at their reflection, glinting off the metal.

"No."

Archie blinks.

"I've gotten myself into a few altercations, but I'm sure none of them have caused any real damage. On their end, anyway."

If you were stabbed in a dark alleyway, what would you do?

Archie finishes tying their hair. They forgo the gloves and goggles as they straighten out their shirt.

"Talk them down and run, mostly likely. Contrary to popular belief, darling, I know how to avoid setting someone off."

They tilt their head.

"Maybe afterward, I'd call Sol for assistance."

[steampunk-tennis-ball]

7, 9, 13, 36

>:3c

Do you remember anything from before you came here?

"Depends on what you consider 'before', darling. But yes, I do. I have...mixed feelings about the way things were. I wouldn't say life was unpleasant, by any means, but what I wouldn't give to—."

Archie coughs into their hand, interrupting their train of thought.

"Those are older feelings, however. Ones I'd rather disregard. I don't dwell on the past much these days. Experiences will never feel the same as they did in the moment, wouldn't you say?"

Do you know how to fight/are you able to defend yourself?

"I'm fairly certain I could hold my own if someone were to come at me, hammer and tongs. Self-defense is necessary in a new environment. Although, I've had quite a peaceful time here, so it hasn't been necessary."

What diseases do you have?

"I- What?"

They furrow their brows.

"None that I am aware of? I narrowly avoided an encounter with typhoid a while back, if that helps?"

Do you believe in the multiverse? What are your thoughts on it?

"Hm. That's an interesting question."

He rests his chin on his hand, tapping their fingers against their desk.

"It wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility, especially in my field of study. I knew a couple of people who'd been interested in that sort of thing when I was still working at...my previous place of employment."

Their tapping stops for a moment as they adjust the goggles on their head. They gently run their thumb along the rim of the lenses, as if memorizing the feeling.

They smile to themselves, the gleam in their eyes slightly manic.

"I can't say I have any strong opinions on the matter. I've always been...taken by the concept of time, so to speak. Time is such a wonderfully confusing thing, isn't it?"

They resume their tapping, staring at the wall, his mind somewhere far, far away.

[steampunk-tennis-ball]

tbcu in-character ask game:

reblog if you'd like to participate!

Favorite character you've interacted with?

Least favorite character you've interacted with?

Are you planning on doing a halloween costume this year? If so, what will you go as?

If you had to pick one character to go out with, who would you pick?

Fuck/kiss, marry, kill out of everyone you've interacted with.

Have you ever been in a relationship?

Do you remember anything from before you came here?

If your life depended on it, would you let @elongated-tennis-ball operate on you?

Do you know how to fight/are you able to defend yourself?

What kind of hobbies do you have?

Are you LGBTQ+?

Smash or pass @elongated-tennis-ball @husband-tennis-ball.

What diseases do you have?

What kind of people do you tend to gravitate towards?

Are you a more emotional or logical person?

What are your deepest fears?

What is a secret you have that you're willing to share?

What do you like/dislike about yourself?

What would you do if you found a dead body in a hotel room?

Would you rather know the date or cause of your death?

What is your biggest regret?

What is your favorite childhood story?

Who do you think you are most similar to?

What are your thoughts on @i-want-tennis-ball?

How did you get your name?

What is your relationship with your parents like?

What type of people do you have no respect for?

How important to you are your morals? What would it take for you to break your moral code?

Have you committed any crimes?

Do you want to change anything about your appearance?

What is the most important thing in the world to you?

Have you ever killed or seriously injured anyone?

How easily do you trust people?

If you were stabbed in a dark alleyway, what would you do?

What are your opinions on the last person you interacted with?

Do you believe in the multiverse? What are your thoughts on it?

What are your thoughts on @i-hate-tennis-ball and @i-want-tennis-ball being on good terms now?

Do you believe the gods are real?

What is something about you that people would not expect from a first glance?

Are you attracted to anyone at the moment?

Are you afraid of death?

What type of music do you like to listen to?

If you had to get rid of one of your five senses, which would you choose to live without?

Do you have a good sense of memory? Would you rather remember or forget unpleasant things?

Do you think you would be able to get away with murder?

[steampunk-tennis-ball]

"I've found headphones don't really capture the scope of what what I need."

They study Cress as they explain. Besides the admittedly above average looks, Cress is entirely unremarkable. He's solid, confident, and open enough to be convincing but not enough to give anything away. He's pleasant, but not overly so.

It's fascinating, really. How quickly one's demeanor changes once you push the right buttons. Mention a thing or two about time and its intricacies, and he gains an edge you're sure wasn't there before. He has depth, I'll give him that.

" Market headphones are designed for less...sensitive subjects. They work fine, for most people. However, most people can't hear very far."

They pause, scowling at the circumstances.

"Those with heightened sensations would find them as nothing more than a glorified piece of plastic. Be it what it would, I intend to make something that is actually effective."

And that, perhaps, she won't hate me for.

{ @husband-tennis-ball )

Cress jumped slightly, and then frowned at the noise. While explosions weren't exactly... uncommon in Cress's life, they hardly ever meant good things. Cress sighed and stood up from his couch, setting his book down as he did.

Explosions usually meant the Rizzler. Cress pulled his hair back in a quick ponytail and went to find the source of the noise.

He wandered a bit, until he saw the small trails of smoke puffing out from underneath a door. He knocked, forgetting to check the name plate.

"Everything okay in there?"

Cress leaned back, waiting a moment, his eyes finally settling on the engraved name.

Steampunk Tennis Ball Archie

Cress sucked in a quick breath, wondering if it was too late to leave and pretend he hadn't heard anything...

Archie pushes themself off the floor. They cough, rapidly slamming their fist against their chest to get ash and smoke out of his lungs.

They stand on sore legs and rub a hand against their hip. It's likely going to bruise if the floor tiles (Have they always been that hard?) have anything to say about it.

He eyes his burning desk warily and heads towards the door.

"I'm alright!"

They turn the door knob, opening it just enough to see Cress in his entirety and give him a polite smile. Though, the effect is ruined by the soot covering their face and torso.

"Nothing to worry about, dear," they focus their attention on getting the fire extinguisher off the wall, "just a technological malfunction."

[steampunk-tennis-ball]

Archie plays idly with his brooch as they walk.

"Well. They're not so much hearing aids as they are inhibitors."

They tap the side of their head with their finger.

"My hearing aids weren't too much of a challenge. Not a single explosion!"

They laugh lightly to themselves. They tuck a stray strand of hair behind their ears.

"Reversing their function, by the by, proves difficult. My blueprints err on the side of theoretical on a good day. Some materials don't mix well with heat or electricity under certain circumstances."

He turns to Cress, half shrugging.

"That is to say, one small spark can cause catastrophe. Cut or heat the wrong wire and," they mimick and explosion with their hands, " Boom, your hard work is gone."

{ @husband-tennis-ball )

Cress jumped slightly, and then frowned at the noise. While explosions weren't exactly... uncommon in Cress's life, they hardly ever meant good things. Cress sighed and stood up from his couch, setting his book down as he did.

Explosions usually meant the Rizzler. Cress pulled his hair back in a quick ponytail and went to find the source of the noise.

He wandered a bit, until he saw the small trails of smoke puffing out from underneath a door. He knocked, forgetting to check the name plate.

"Everything okay in there?"

Cress leaned back, waiting a moment, his eyes finally settling on the engraved name.

Steampunk Tennis Ball Archie

Cress sucked in a quick breath, wondering if it was too late to leave and pretend he hadn't heard anything...

Archie pushes themself off the floor. They cough, rapidly slamming their fist against their chest to get ash and smoke out of his lungs.

They stand on sore legs and rub a hand against their hip. It's likely going to bruise if the floor tiles (Have they always been that hard?) have anything to say about it.

He eyes his burning desk warily and heads towards the door.

"I'm alright!"

They turn the door knob, opening it just enough to see Cress in his entirety and give him a polite smile. Though, the effect is ruined by the soot covering their face and torso.

"Nothing to worry about, dear," they focus their attention on getting the fire extinguisher off the wall, "just a technological malfunction."

[steampunk-tennis-ball]

"Hearing aids."

Archie walks back over to the wall and remounts the fire extinguisher. Next to it is a clear plastic case containing a red button. They flip the case up and press down on it.

On the ceiling, the vents start whirring loudly. Items along the wall tremble slightly with the force.

They cough and turn towards the mess.

"Hm. It'd be best if we left the room."

Archie pulls off his gloves, tossing them somewhere on the floor to pick up later. They bend down to stretch their legs. The soreness is a little inconvenient.

Oh, well. Nothing to be done, I suppose.

"Walk with me?"

They crack their knuckles and saunter towards the door.

{ @husband-tennis-ball )

Cress jumped slightly, and then frowned at the noise. While explosions weren't exactly... uncommon in Cress's life, they hardly ever meant good things. Cress sighed and stood up from his couch, setting his book down as he did.

Explosions usually meant the Rizzler. Cress pulled his hair back in a quick ponytail and went to find the source of the noise.

He wandered a bit, until he saw the small trails of smoke puffing out from underneath a door. He knocked, forgetting to check the name plate.

"Everything okay in there?"

Cress leaned back, waiting a moment, his eyes finally settling on the engraved name.

Steampunk Tennis Ball Archie

Cress sucked in a quick breath, wondering if it was too late to leave and pretend he hadn't heard anything...

Archie pushes themself off the floor. They cough, rapidly slamming their fist against their chest to get ash and smoke out of his lungs.

They stand on sore legs and rub a hand against their hip. It's likely going to bruise if the floor tiles (Have they always been that hard?) have anything to say about it.

He eyes his burning desk warily and heads towards the door.

"I'm alright!"

They turn the door knob, opening it just enough to see Cress in his entirety and give him a polite smile. Though, the effect is ruined by the soot covering their face and torso.

"Nothing to worry about, dear," they focus their attention on getting the fire extinguisher off the wall, "just a technological malfunction."

[steampunk-tennis-ball]

Archie dismounts the fire extinguisher from the wall.

"No, no. I, ah-"

They pull the pin off the fire extinguisher with their teeth and start towards their desk.

"I was working with the wiring on a new project. These things are a little finicky, I'm afraid." He grimaces at the heat from the flames.

"You think you've reached a breakthrough, but next thing you know, your room is on fire."

They aim the extingusher nozzle at the fire. They squeeze the handle and sweep the fire extinguisher across their desk. They watch, mildly ashamed, as the powder snuffs out the flames.

{ @husband-tennis-ball )

Cress jumped slightly, and then frowned at the noise. While explosions weren't exactly... uncommon in Cress's life, they hardly ever meant good things. Cress sighed and stood up from his couch, setting his book down as he did.

Explosions usually meant the Rizzler. Cress pulled his hair back in a quick ponytail and went to find the source of the noise.

He wandered a bit, until he saw the small trails of smoke puffing out from underneath a door. He knocked, forgetting to check the name plate.

"Everything okay in there?"

Cress leaned back, waiting a moment, his eyes finally settling on the engraved name.

Steampunk Tennis Ball Archie

Cress sucked in a quick breath, wondering if it was too late to leave and pretend he hadn't heard anything...

Archie pushes themself off the floor. They cough, rapidly slamming their fist against their chest to get ash and smoke out of his lungs.

They stand on sore legs and rub a hand against their hip. It's likely going to bruise if the floor tiles (Have they always been that hard?) have anything to say about it.

He eyes his burning desk warily and heads towards the door.

"I'm alright!"

They turn the door knob, opening it just enough to see Cress in his entirety and give him a polite smile. Though, the effect is ruined by the soot covering their face and torso.

"Nothing to worry about, dear," they focus their attention on getting the fire extinguisher off the wall, "just a technological malfunction."

[steampunk-tennis-ball]

{ @husband-tennis-ball )

Cress jumped slightly, and then frowned at the noise. While explosions weren't exactly... uncommon in Cress's life, they hardly ever meant good things. Cress sighed and stood up from his couch, setting his book down as he did.

Explosions usually meant the Rizzler. Cress pulled his hair back in a quick ponytail and went to find the source of the noise.

He wandered a bit, until he saw the small trails of smoke puffing out from underneath a door. He knocked, forgetting to check the name plate.

"Everything okay in there?"

Cress leaned back, waiting a moment, his eyes finally settling on the engraved name.

Steampunk Tennis Ball Archie

Cress sucked in a quick breath, wondering if it was too late to leave and pretend he hadn't heard anything...

Archie pushes themself off the floor. They cough, rapidly slamming their fist against their chest to get ash and smoke out of his lungs.

They stand on sore legs and rub a hand against their hip. It's likely going to bruise if the floor tiles (Have they always been that hard?) have anything to say about it.

He eyes his burning desk warily and heads towards the door.

"I'm alright!"

They turn the door knob, opening it just enough to see Cress in his entirety and give him a polite smile. Though, the effect is ruined by the soot covering their face and torso.

"Nothing to worry about, dear," they focus their attention on getting the fire extinguisher off the wall, "just a technological malfunction."

[steampunk-tennis-ball]

"I feel so...sigma?"

Am I doing that right? In what context could "sigma Σ" possibly make sense here?

"...do I have to? Fine, I'll do it, just stop bothering me. Ahem."

{ ... }

"I feel so sigma!"

[steampunk-tennis-ball]

I am well aware.

Archie plasters another smile on their face, only slightly miffed by the nurse's tone.

"I'll be more wary of that in the future."

They flex their palm, testing the new range of movement. It's wrapped just a little too tight, so it doesn't close all the way.

Now that's inconvenient.

The edge of their smile twitches slightly, and their brows furrow. They smooth their expression out as quickly as it came. He looks up at the nurse.

"Say, how long have you been working here? I'm new, admittedly. Having just moved in recently, I only now noticed we had infirmary at all."

Archie shoulders open the door to the infirmary. They're cradling their right hand to their chest.

Blasted machine. If only I didn't leave my gloves at her house.

"Hello?"

- @steampunk-tennis-ball

"Hello!"

The nurse smiles at Archie.

"Do you require assistance?"

[steampunk-tennis-ball]

Archie smiles at the nurse.

"Funny story, actually."

They watch intently as the nurse applies the salve. They stare in wonder as the action brings virtually no pain.

"I happened to be working a project that required some heat. I couldn't find my gloves, but I've worked on projects without them, so I assumed it wouldn't be an issue. Heat guns aren't the hardest thing to handle."

They shrug.

"It was going swimmingly, an amazing time, all things considered. Once I was done, I unplugged it from the wall to clean up. Before putting it away, however, I was sure to check its temperature."

They lean their head against their shoulder, grimacing at the memory.

"I suppose I should have thought before approaching. The damned thing must have had plans, as it decided to end our little rendezvous with a kiss to the palm."

Classy, really, but one must have some decorum and ask first. Not even power tools know proper romance these days. It's a miracle I don't get rid of it entirely.

Archie grabs a pair of gummies and shoves them thoughtlessly into his mouth the moment he finishes speaking.

Archie shoulders open the door to the infirmary. They're cradling their right hand to their chest.

Blasted machine. If only I didn't leave my gloves at her house.

"Hello?"

- @steampunk-tennis-ball

"Hello!"

The nurse smiles at Archie.

"Do you require assistance?"

[steampunk-tennis-ball]

Archie gladly takes the gummies but hesitates at the salve.

" Aww, aren't you a dear? Thank you for the snack."

They tear the packet open with their teeth.

Eat? Alright then.

They struggle slightly, trying to maneuver the gummies out with only one hand. He somehow manages to get a one out without spilling the rest.

" Though, pardon me if I'm wrong, the salve is for my hand, not consumption, correct?"

They pop a green gummy into their mouth. It's sickeningly sweet. He eats it anyway.

Still not used to that.

Archie shoulders open the door to the infirmary. They're cradling their right hand to their chest.

Blasted machine. If only I didn't leave my gloves at her house.

"Hello?"

- @steampunk-tennis-ball

"Hello!"

The nurse smiles at Archie.

"Do you require assistance?"

[steampunk-tennis-ball]

They raise their brows at the nurse's speech.

How peculiar.

"Very well, then."

Archie walks over to a bed and sits down with as much grace as they can muster. They take in their surroundings for a moment before turning to the nurse.

"Are you able to assess this for me?"

He puts his right hand out. They wince at the action. There is a large, circular burn in the center of his palm. It has started to blister at the edges. The damage is worse than they’d previously thought.

Hopefully, this is over with soon. There is work I'd like to get back to.

"My heat gun has taken quite a liking to me."

They explain, chuckling lightly.

Archie shoulders open the door to the infirmary. They're cradling their right hand to their chest.

Blasted machine. If only I didn't leave my gloves at her house.

"Hello?"

- @steampunk-tennis-ball

"Hello!"

The nurse smiles at Archie.

"Do you require assistance?"

[steampunk-tennis-ball]

"Ah!"

Archie startles slightly at the nurse's proximity. They slip a smile onto their face.

"Greetings. Would you happen to have any burn treatments?"

He glances down at his hands.

"I seem to have found myself in a...situation of sorts."

Archie shoulders open the door to the infirmary. They're cradling their right hand to their chest.

Blasted machine. If only I didn't leave my gloves at her house.

"Hello?"

- @steampunk-tennis-ball

"Hello!"

The nurse smiles at Archie.

"Do you require assistance?"