#(Hey let's throw Mariko in RGR it'll be like a fun ootome game)

[saiyanandproud]

“Hey, Mari—“ Gamma 2 fumbled to correct himself before he let that diminutive slip out; he was already anticipating a cold reception, better not push his luck any further. “—ko.”

“Your new pal, that ‘Atlas’ guy… “ This conversation was already proving even harder than he’d been imagining. All he could think of doing was just blurting it out, but that probably wasn’t going to work. He stood there, hands on his hips, trying and failing to look calm.

That lasted for about a second before he was throwing his hands everywhere, emphatically gesturing.

“He’s OBVIOUSLY a supervillain! He’s got it written all over him- the way he looks, the way he talks, and I’m pretty sure Gamma 1 told me about an old robot just like him that used to go around blowing up power plants like— how long ago did he say he was made?? He could be the same exact guy!!”

He was right expecting a cold welcome; Mari-ko's eyebrows furrowed as soon as Jiro -- no, Gamma 2 approached her. She folded her arms and stared at him, a cold, mute invitation to speak, and maybe she'd listen.

And listening she did and -- oh boy -- before she could even understand what he was speaking about, Gamma 2 began flailing, yelling, gesticulating incoherently while talking about... Nonsense. At least, that was what it sounded like to Mariko's ears. Utter, complete, idiotic nonsense.

She inhaled sharply, arms tightening against her chest as she waiting for Gamma 2 to be done speaking. When he was, her tone was stern and cold. Eerily similar to Hit's tone when he was tired of her tantrums.

"You know, of all the things you might have hidden from me, I never thought shallowness would be one of those. Clearly, I was wrong."

She unfolded her arms and they fell stiff by her side. She lifted her chin, frown deepening.

"I can't believe you're saying all of these horrible things about Atlas just because of what he looks like. I thought you were better than this. But maybe, I was expecting too much from you once again."

There, a sour smile curved her lips ever so slightly. A quick snort, a mock of a laugh, escaped her nose.

"Or maybe-- You know what? I think you're jealous," she said. "What, you were hoping to be my favourite android around? You're missing me gushing about you, being all head-over-heels about whatever you claimed to be and do? You're missing the attention?" And there, her smile stiffened in a bitter grimace.

"Well, let me tell you something: I'm tired of people realising the miss me once it's too late," she said. "You, Takuma, my parents-- Everyone does this to me, all the time! And this is exactly why I like hanging out with Atlas: he knows very well how it feels, being given for granted."

"In fact, I'll tell you more-- he also knows how it feels being constantly told what to do, and how irritating, unfair, enraging it gets!" She went on, voice raising as she clasped her hands in tight fists. "Because that's what I am to you all, am I right? Someone -- no, something that people expect to stay put, to never do anything, to always act according to their expectations and never take any initiative on her own, because god-- what a nuisance would I be if I ever wished to do something with my damn life while I'm stuck here with you all!"

"Atlas is the only one who hasn't treated me like an issue, a ticking bomb, or an idiot who can't take care of herself. And I don't care if your damn hero complex needs to convince me of his bad intentions just so you can feel useful around me once again, so I can make you feel amazing and heroic once more. This is just your problem! Not mine!" She concluded, her breath short. "... Not anymore at least."

And with that, she diverted her eyes from Gamma 2 and walked away, fists still clenched and a thick knot in her throat. She thought she'd feel better after venting out all of that on him. Oddly, whatever had weighted on her chest so far, it only felt as if it had just double in its size.