#not exactly forcefem but figured BT figured herself out somewhere during Lastimosa's run

[azureoctahedron]

Cooper had to get one of his queer colleagues to explain this entire situation to him with closely-connected dots. And even then he had to go back to BT and ask--wait, not him. Her. Ask her what was going on.

"So how the hell did Lastimosa assume you were a guy this entire time? The voice kit didn't have a female option, and he didn't bother to ask?"

"Exactly, Pilot. I did try to put feelers out, but it was one area in which he was rather...un-receptive. The gender-identity of most Titans is generated by a carefully monitored randomizer to produce a population-equivalent variety of identities to better relate to the diverse Pilots in the Militia's ranks. Some are female. Some are male. Some are bigender. Some are non-gender or you would say, nonbinary."

"But they don't account for someone who uh, is trans?"

"Yes. Due to the obvious fact that for a transgender individual identifies differently to the outwardly-applied identity. In this case, there's no way to account for which Titans may see themselves or make themselves differently over time."

The gigantic Titan shrugged with both arms and shoulders, indicating the enormity of that situation.

Cooper nodded. "So they basically didn't bother to acknowledge it or...what?"

"A little of both, Pilot. They acknowledge it can happen, but they did not supply a suitable transition tool for those of us who need it. In which case I am female but sound in a manner most people would consider to be male. I rather like this voice. I would prefer not to change it, or if only to shift its register slightly."

The Pilot tilted his head with a slight squint. "I like your voice too, BT. Okay so uh...what do you need that would help with this, then?"

"You seem surprisingly calm about this."

"Well, one of my friends in the Riflemen transitioned to male right before the War broke out. He's a bit of an old salt now, but he told me about this. I asked him, and a coupla my gay and nonby friends about all this. I didn't wanna come off as ignorant to my best friend."

"I see. I didn't realize you were already aware of such things. Most people I've encountered are only passingly knowledgeable. Thank you, Pilot. I feel...relieved."

"Anytime, BT."

Cooper shrugged. This was one of the areas in which the Militia had come out ahead of the enemy. The IMC preferred conformity and strictly enforced the concept of a simple gender binary, just like anybody with fascist behavior had a tendency to do through all of Human history.

Resistance comes in many forms. One of the ways the Militia increased their recruitment - aside from reasonable healthcare and education costs was the freedom to declare whatever gender or sexual identity you had.

But in the case of treatment towards its sapient war machines, the Titans, it was obviously a bit lacking. Cooper suspected it was just one of those blind spots some education and experience would remedy over time.

"As for things I would like to better acknowledge my identity..." BT paused a beat. "Perhaps a new icon or marking? I recall we were discussing some custom detailing earlier."

"Pink, white, and blue? That's still their flag colors. Old history, straight from Earth." Cooper smiled up to BT's glowing blue-green optic.

"That's a good start, Pilot. But there's something else I would like to try."

"Hit me with it."

--

"Why the fuck is your Titan wearing a froofy pink skirt and a flower crown, Coop?"

Cooper shrugged. "She's trying things out. She wants to look at punk goth stuff next."

"You do realize the IMC're gonna make a real walking target out of BT now, right?"

"Let 'em try. We got 'em on Typhon." He shrugged again, his grin shifting from fondness for his partner to an ominous display of teeth like a predator showing their fangs.

:3

see mechs are just cute girls guys, that’s all :3