Filling the Void [Dale Investigation]

Dale seemed surprised at the admission. Ninevee? Afraid? Of what? There was so much that would scare him, but what was there to scare them? The only thing he knew of that was stronger than her was Ninetee...and as much as they terrified him, from what he knew, Ninetee would not hurt Ninevee.
So what was there to fear?

And then...more. Strange words. Strange concepts.
He struggled to decipher them, pulling on the interactions he'd had since he had come here, but even when he deciphered the meaning of them, he still couldn't wrap his head around the meanings that he was faced with.

They didn't make sense to him. They didn't gel with the reality he knew.
Why would they?
They didn't belong to the reality he was once part of.

In what reality did people care for anyone outside of themselves, outside of what they got from them or stood to lose to them? How could someone be for more than just them?
What did they mean when they talked of a home? He had just thought one a place to live, but the way they talked, it sounded like something else. Something different...or maybe something more?
Advancement, disorder, purpose, uncertainty, solitude and knowing what you are...
Loneliness. Being lonely...






"What does 'lonely' mean?"

...
.....
.......

So that was what being lonely was.
He wouldn't have even understood that if it wasn't for that grey junc-son.
Still teaching him things now, it seemed.

Taking a moment to crouch down, Dale took Chip into his arms, and help him close. "Company...companionship. You're the first one...so you probably give me the second."
He rises, setting Chip on his shoulder, nuzzling his head against the robotic pup as it reciprocates in kind. "...I think so. I never knew there was a name for it before." He pauses to look over to his oldest and only friend, petting him as he leans into the attention. "It was so bad...so bad, without Chip. It's still bad, but lots, lots less. He's not very warm, but..." Dale pauses. "Being warm isn't why I like him anyway."

"Friend..."
He paused.
"I think I like that word."

As Ninevee started to reach, she'd find Chip's eyes on her. Or rather...Enkidu's. They were definitely the eyes of the persona, rather than the little lights that formed Chip's normal display. They give her a warning look, before fading away.
The moment is brief, but the message is clear. Dale isn't comfortable enough with Ninevee to let her do that. Not yet. The way he lavished attention on the little robotic canine...he cared for him more than anything else. Perhaps even himself.
It wouldn't be just anyone that he'd trust with Chip...not to get close, and certainly not to touch him.

Dale seems to tense as he comes back to his surroundings. There were things around that would attack if they stood here too long. There was Ninetee to find, as well.
Giving Chip one last pat on the head, Dale turned his gaze to Ninevee. "We...shouldn't stay here."
He turned around to face the path deeper into the tunnels, and reloading his weapon...he went in.

Action:

Dale crept forward. Already, these tunnels felt like they twisted and turned more...if he knew them, this would be great for getting away and getting people while they didn't notice him, but right now he didn't. This place was where the creatures of black goo hid, waiting for him, for others, for whoever they could reach. Even if he knew the place, it wouldn't change that.
He had to be careful.

Action:

Somehow, this part of the tunnels felt smaller. More cramped. Less space to cover...but with all the twists, there were more places something could be hiding.
Dale's grip on his weapon tightens.

Action:

...there was something there. It looked like it might be helpful...
But...there might be something nearby.
Careful does it.

Action:

Nothing he could see...nothing dangerous anyway. Nor did he hear anything that would put him on alert. If there was anything there, it wasn't something his senses could perceive.
...a scary thought, but he trusted his ability to notice these things coming. He'd had to for a long time in order to stay safe.
So...what was this...?

Action: