#fnaf eclipse oc | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

amphiptere-art · 9 months ago

Text

Dim story. Greeting the old man.

Dim watched from afar as the trespassing Stranger set up a little stool. Sitting down and settling their ‘instrument’ as they now knew on their lap. They placed the instrument on their lap and as always, settled on the grass instead of the sidewalk. Trespassing on the property. Although they were always a couple feet from freedom. Sun and Moon had gone into rest mode a long time ago. It was just Dim doing his security patrols. ‘Crawling’ and ‘walking’ around the premises. Resting on the rooftop to watch. Honestly it felt like the closest to the hovering from high up that they were used to.

Slowly the old man started to play the music. To whom they could now question. And it still came up with nothing. It was the middle of the night. They could be counted as a disturbance if the property weren't so far from society. The all too familiar buzz to get him off the property rang off in their head. But now there was also something else. Dim wasn't sure what it was. For some reason it fought against their protocols. Yet it still edged them on all the same. So they started to crawl down the building. Leaving the safety of the rooftop to… tell them to get off the property.

They wandered slowly towards him. Their approach was simultaneously quieter and louder at the same time. No longer was there the constant droning of their propellers. Instead there was the pitter-patter of feet on grass. Something that while was supposed to be quieter, even silenced further by special padding, was somehow louder. It is evident they were unpracticed in the act of “sneaking”. As the old man heard him and stopped playing the sounds. Turning around to greet them with a curious, cautious, something face.

It was strange to see him in such clarity. So many times have they flown up to the man to give an automated message about trespassing. So many times had they read him on the sensors. But the animatronic body had much much better visual inputs. They could see him so clearly. Things that a basic research called wrinkles popping out clearly. They could see a fade of gray and white on his head. Hair was fading in color. And yet basic research also revealed it wasn't hair dye. It was a sign of age.

Clothing that had been simplified to basic colors now had similar details. The little cap on his head was a soft brown that was cross stitched with a darker brown tone. He was wearing a simple blue shirt. No, a jacket. His shirt was actually a maroon red. Wearing simple blue jeans, with black shoes on his feet. The instrument rested on his lap. A deep brown with maroon decorations. Gold lines rested upon the maroon colors in intricate movements. Design or marking would be a better way to explain it to humans.

Old man: Well hello there. Are you having fun there, robot?

Dim was suddenly snapped out of his observation. He had been so concentrated on the new visuals of the person he knew so well, that he had frozen in place. He had just been standing there while the man stared. There was another strange thing in their processors. Once again they could not place. Instead they stood up rigidly. Desperately scrolling through protocols to try and help this situation. They had come upon him because he was trespassing. He also left the human in a state of.. awkwardness. That seemed like the best description.

Dim: You’re trespassing.

The words came out simply. And yet their circuits buzzed with something. It was, uncomfortable as Sun would describe it. But what would make it uncomfortable? They were uncertain.

Old man: Oh yes. I always forget this old property is owned by somebody. Usually though I'm stopped by a little flying drone. Then again I'm pretty sure this place went through a renovation of sorts. Are you the replacement for the drone?

Replacement? No. They were the same drone. Plugged into a different body, and thrown into a different existence. Security protocols and safety protocols blended together. There are other AI now in their systems. The stuff they had to share. In every code it felt new. They were not the same. But they were still the same drone. The security drone. They felt Something, something, There was a pleasant rewarding code that went through them. Although they were uncertain of why. Had it been because the man remembered the drone? Because they had done a good enough job before? Again, they realized they were standing there and contemplating. Deciding to quickly respond before the human got more confused.

Dim: I am the security drone put into a new body.

Old man: Oh! Well then greetings again My little flying friend. Although I suppose you're not flying anymore are you.

Dim: Negative.

Old man: I'm sure that's a new experience. Anyways I suppose if I just move my lovely little stool just over here.

The old man got up from his stool. Dragging it into the sidewalk. Sitting back down while facing me. There was something good about this experience. They remember this. Many times would the old man speak to their little flying vestige and scooch the stool over into the sidewalk. They would then give two pleased beeps, and continue their patrol. This time though, they were not… They did not leave. Instead they stood there. Their rays as Moon called them spinned slightly. The man raised an eyebrow in surprise. He was surprised that they stayed.

Old man: My my you usually fly off. Things have changed for you my little friend. Although I must ask why you stick around. If I remember, it is not something you usually do.

They tried to process why. Why had they not left? Their duty with the Trespasser was over. He had left the premises. Yet they were still here. Was it because they had done their patrols over and over? Moon had once said it was useless to patrol an area constantly. Was that it? Had they simply somehow added that into their protocols? It seemed strange and unlikely. Yet it was the only thing they had to explain it. So they explained it as such.

Dim: I have already performed sufficient patrols of the area. I have no reason to continue as of current.

Old man: Oh. So are you just keeping an eye on me so I don't come back into the property?

They thought about this too. No. That had not been the reason. They did not have a reason. They did not. Why did they? Why do they stay here? They did not have to stay here. They could return to the comfort of the rooftop. Yet they were here. Why were they here? Their posture was stagnant. The human would certainly get confused if he did not answer soon. Yet they did not have an answer. So they forced their body into a position. Something less ‘freaky’ as Sun and Moon put it. They settled on this strange position with their hands reaching out in front of them. Their eyes off towards the ground. Their position slightly slouched. What was this?

Old man: Oh. Do you just like me, old friend? I wouldn't be surprised. You wish to hear my melodies in the night?

Did they want to? Is that why they had stayed? To hear the sound that came out of the instrument. To listen to that dancing sound. It felt like an appropriate response. Although incorrect? That would be appropriate for a human to respond in such a fashion. A sentient AI to respond in such a fashion They were a non-sentient AI. That should not be the response. Yet it came out as the closest explanation. So they took it.

Dim: Affirmative. The sound coming from the instrument is- is- interesting.

Interesting? Nothing could be interesting to them. It simply was not how they were programmed. Nothing could be interesting. Simply yes or no, one or two. Why had they given that answer? It was an appropriate wording. Perhaps that was it? But how would it be appropriate if they could not-

Old man: Oh! Of course the little drone would love to hear my music. Let me sing a little ditty for you. Entertain you while we sit in the dark.

Their processors were stopped as the man started to play the instrument. Rotating the crank as it made a buzzing sound. A distant humming. A part of it reminded them of their propellers. The droning sound. Something that always seemed so quiet. It sent a pulse of good despite them no longer having the ability. They continue to sit and stare. The position they had locked themselves into slowly gave. Although it also didn't. It simply, rested? It was not taking as much power yet their hands were still crossed in front of them. There was something good about that. They were uncertain of what.

Old man: Hahaha. I'm sure you've heard my songs over and over. Perhaps there was a part of your little brain that wanted to play the instrument as well? Do you want to give it a shot?

Suddenly the man stopped playing. reaching over his shoulder to grab the strap that held up the instrument. Maneuvering his hands so they were no longer holding an instrument in the position they always had seen him in. Instead it was reaching out. As if they were asking him to lift a box. They had lifted boxes before. Something the owner wanted them to do now that they had a more proper body. Yet this wasn't a box. It was an instrument. The old man's instrument. There was an odd feeling in their processes again. One that wasn't quite good yet wasn't quite bad.

Old man: Well come on. I know you robots and things can usually learn things quite easily. You've been watching me for so long you are bound to have some information. Although maybe you need a bit of a buffer? The instrument is a hurdy-gurdy. You spin this little handle and it rubs against the strings. And you push these little buttons in order to change the sound. Certainly you can learn more through memory though.

They still did not take the presented instrument. The hurdy-gurdy. Something still registered it as wrong, But it wasn't? They had compiled knowledge of the instrument before. Although being able to search up the word hurdy-gurdy guaranteed much more results. A part of them knew how the sound machine worked. They had indeed learned quickly what fingers were placed where, and what spinning speed would result with the correct sounds. It is not as if they could not play the instrument. Even if it was simple in its sounds. But for some reason it felt wrong?

Nonetheless they wished to do as the man instructed. So they did. Reaching out and grabbing the instrument. Their hands quickly went to the right places. The strap was thrown over their shoulders. Even if it did not fit correctly due to their unique body. At the same time, suddenly it felt so wrong. Their fingers felt as if they weren't in the right places. Their hands feel as if they weren't in the right positions. Suddenly their knowledge of streaming buttons fell in the wrong places. Attempting to calculate the reverse image So they could understand the self perspective. Outwardly though they probably looked like an idiot.

Old man: You're struggling there, little drone friend? You look like you're buffering. At least given that your poor little rays seem to be pulsating like those funny symbols.

Suddenly their processors filled with a strange sensation. They could only describe it as a bad feeling. As if they have done something wrong. Their eyes suddenly shot to look at the man. Although they quickly reoriented them back towards the hurdy-gurdy. Quickly attempting to figure out what was so wrong. Why could they not just play the instrument? Why is suddenly observing something and cataloging it over and over again so hard to translate into this perspective?

Old man: Haha. It's okay my friend. I suppose you were a little thing with propellers before. Hands are a little different. Plus it's a little different looking at it in your lap than somebody else's. Here let me help.

Dim could not agree more. There was something definitely different with this perspective. It wasn't the same. This body wasn't the same. Never once in their lives did they ever think they would be able to hold things. The most they would ever be able to do before was to land on objects. Whether or not it would cause them to topple onto the ground was another thing. They watched as the old man explained what every button did. Pointing out this and that. They were quickly linking together what they could see, and what they had seen before. The benefits of being an AI.

Old man: All right. There you go. That should help. Now how about you try and play something. It doesn't have to be any actual music. Just some sounds that sound harmonic. Well, go on.

Go on. Suddenly they couldn't go on. This feeling too complete what had been asked was suddenly gone. They quietly played a couple notes. But none of it was music. Or even harmonious. Something had gone. What was it? They had the drive, the order, the item, and instructions to use it. Yet they simply stared at the hurdy-gurdy. There was something wrong.

Was it the fact that they were even trying to do this in the first place? There was surely something wrong about that. It was just something they shouldn't do. It was not their programming too. It was Sun and Moon's programming as well. They were the ones who were supposed to learn how to entertain the masses. They were simply an extra AI to help cover their safety and security protocols. Perhaps this wasn't good. Yet they had to supply something to the human. So they did.

Dim: I am not- It is not within my protocols or objectives to play music. I should not be playing this instrument.

The old man simply looked at Dim, sad. Disappointed. There was something somber. A part of them told them the human was reacting as such because they had failed what they had set out to do. They had said no. That's not something an non-sentient animatronic would do. Especially one that was just mostly a program.

Yet they were also fighting against what they should be doing. They should be patrolling. They should be maintaining the property. They shouldn't be talking with the Trespasser. The processor stopped though as the man straightened up and looked at them. Forcing their eyes that had somehow drifted to look into his. His face looked happier now. Not quite happy though. More knowledgeable?

Old man: Let me ask you a little question, drone friend. Do robots dream?

Do robots dream? Only the sentient ones did. At least according to all the sentient animatronics they had seen. They described it as memories. Or perhaps idealized interpretations of the future. Others expressed it as wants. They would dream to do something. The answer was yes, But for them no. They do not dream. Or at least they shouldn't. They had no wants. Perhaps dreaming could be explained as them hoping for an outcome through doing certain actions. Although it is almost always expressed that they are in rest mode. So perhaps not. It was a convoluted and nuanced question. But they would answer the best they could.

Dim: Some sentient animatronics can dream. Sentient animatronics can also want things like dreams.

Old man: Well then what is your dream?

Dim: I am not a sentient animatronic.

Old man: Well you surely are now. So what is it?

Dim: I'm not- I cannot have dreams. I am not built to be sentient.

Old man: Well surely you are sentient. You decided to stay here for no other reason other than listen to music. You have an instrument in your hands that you're fumbling with. You clearly want to play. isn't it wanting what you described a dream as? Did you not want to stay?

Did they want to? They shouldn't want to. They can't want to. They reevaluated their previous expressions to stay, to hold the instrument. Surely they did not want. They wanted. No. Why did they want? They wanted to stay. They wanted to hear music. They wanted to hold the instrument. They wanted to play the hurdy-gurdy. They can't want. Yet they had. Is it a dream? They are not sentient. Sun and Moon had said this over and over. Yet this man does. Sun and Moon should be smarter. Yet this feels smarter than anything Sun and Moon have said. Is this?

Dim: I should not want to dream. I should not want.

Old man: But you are. So what has been your dream?

Dim: My- my want. I wanted to greet you.

Old man: Did you?

Dim: Yes. You are a Trespasser. Yet you were never a bad Trespasser. I liked the sound like dance.

Old man: Sound like dance? Oh. Music. So you wanted to say hi. And you wanted to hear the music. Do you want to make that sound like dance?

Dim: … Yes. You will not always be here. I will not always be here at night. It would be nice to hear the music often.

Old man: Well then you can't play music without playing the instrument. So go on. Do what you've always been dreaming too.

Dim stood there still stranger to what was happening. This felt better. It felt good. Suddenly that bad feeling vanished. They liked wanting. It meant they could do something different. So they readied their hands on the hurdy-gurdy. Again testing out the notes. And then they started to make the sound like dance. It hummed out into the night. At first it was sloppy. Incorrect. The man did not correct them. They simply let them continue to play. So they did.

They felt something stirring. Yet they did not care. They simply let the sound fill the air. Rhythmic movements of their hands quickly happened. They're higher, quicker, AI intelligence letting them play the instrument easily with little research. Memories became stepping stones that they could easily reach out to. The world started to feel as if it was not there. There was no ground. Just their hands on the hurdy-gurdy. Time didn't seem to be calculating. There was only the sound. And it was-

Sun: What the hell! What are you doing!

Everything seemed to crack. Their hands flew off the instrument as they backed off. They could hear the confused yelling from Sun and Moon. Always internal yet so so loud. They were so loud. Louder than their footprints. Louder than voices. Louder than sounds. Precedent words pushed into their processor. They scramble to get the strap of the hurdy-gurdy off of their shoulder. The old man simply stood there surprised. He did not know of their internal struggles. He did not see the world in numbers.

Old man: Hey, what's happening little drone? Are you all right?

Dim: I must return to my patrols. I have been vacant for too long.

Old man: Oh. Well alright.

They could barely hear the old man over the yelling of their body sharing companions. What, why, where, when, how, who. So many questions filled their head. There is no way they could possibly answer everything at once. Finally they got the strap of the hurdy-gurdy off of their shoulder. Much too abruptly swinging it out towards the Trespasser. He could have caused harm if the old man didn't back away. He quietly grabbed the hurdy-gurdy. Although it felt so slow.

Once the man had it securely in his hands Dim turned around to scrabble back towards property. To focus more wholly on their companion’s constant yelling. And yet they were cut off by the old man's yell. Everything was going by so fast, so loud, They did not hear. They quickly turned around to face the old man. Somehow losing their voice as they could not communicate that they did not hear. Their body automatically ticking to the left. Tilting ever so slightly in what humans would have said looked questioning.

Old man: I said what's your name, little drone. Surely you have one with that fancy get up?

Dim: Designation: Dawn, Dusk, combined designation: Dim.

Francis: Well it was nice to meet you Dim. I'm Francis. See you some other time.

Dim: Affirmative.

They did not give the man what would have been a better goodbye. Simply turning around and running towards the warehouse. They ever so loud stomping of their feet filling up alongside the

yelling of their internal companions. Everything was so fast, so loud, their processor couldn't keep up. Despite the confusion they somehow skillfully ran towards The entrance door and opened it. Running inside and slamming it behind them.

They had probably accidentally broken the door in their hassle. They were supposed to use the roof exit. So perhaps they hadn't processed it correctly. They stumbled towards the front desk. Something that was supposed to be occupied but wasn't in the middle of the night. They attempted to slow down calculations. Yet one thing just kept screaming.

Sun: There's no way you're sentient!

#warehouse au #dim #fnaf eclipse #dca eclipse #daycare attendant Eclipse #fnaf sb eclipse #fnaf eclipse oc

5 notes · View notes