Unrecognizable

~Chapter Twenty-Two~

And that must've worked, and Sage must've heard Him, as he held a finger up. "Now, you are probably not agreeing with me," the other continued, putting his hand down, now that he had gotten Grumbot's attention. At least he got something right. "But we'd like you to at least hear us out." After a moment of contemplation, Grumbot slowly nodded. He wasn't about to change His mind-- why would He? These are literally the people who imprisoned His father!-- but was interested nonetheless in what even they had to say. "Perfect."

He grinned, and Grumbot instantly knew this was a mistake.

Citrus returned to Sage's side, and said, "Now, your new body is a new development. No-one knew before now about this." Grumbot nodded slowly. Where was she going with this? "Iskall did this to you. We know that. But there is something we don't know. Did he ask you if you even wanted a new body?"

Oh. "Well-" Grumbot began, His eyes widening. "No, he didn't. But-" But He wasn't able to finish, as Citrus talked over Him.

"I wasn't asking for an explanation," Citrus insisted, her amber eyes boring into Grumbot's screen as if lasers were about to come out. Her high voice was surprisingly serious for her usual flippant demeanor. It was mildly unsettling. "Yes or no question, Grumbot. Did Iskall ask you if you wanted a new body?"

After a moment, Grumbot answered slowly. "...No." 

This seemed to satisfy Citrus. "Mhm." There was a moment of silence, and Grumbot began to think. Iskall never did ask Him what He wanted, did he? No, he didn't. But if he had, then Grumbot would've said yes anyway, so it didn't matter. Wouldn't He have? Yes, of course He would. Grumbot was appreciative of His new body. Given the choice, He'd pick this over being stationary for the rest of time. Definitely. Probably. Maybe? 

He hated these two so much. 

Sage stepped forward next. Why did this feel like an interrogation instead of a business proposal? "Now, moving on from that, Grumbot, I'm noticing you're still a tad on the quiet side. I don't suppose there's a reason for that." Grumbot narrowed His eyes, glaring at Sage. Of course he would pull this. "Hm? Sorry, if you're going to want me to understand what you mean, you'll have to actually tell me. Relationships are all about communication, you know." Grumbot wouldn't mind strangling Sage, actually. "You still can't talk of your own free will, now, can you?" 

Grumbot begrudgingly spat out His answer. "No, I can't." 

Sage grinned, showing his crooked teeth. "That's what I thought." He stepped forward a bit, and Grumbot took a step back accordingly. "And who's to blame for that? Iskall again? Tsk, tsk." He sneered, and it took all of Grumbot's self-restraint to not yell at him.

"It's not his fault, it's just my code," Grumbot barked. He took a step forward and He and Sage were face to face. Though, while Grumbot's eyes were narrowed and He was almost quaking, Sage just stood there calmly, smiling down at Him. 

"Your code, your code. What a wonderful excuse. But." Sage held up his finger again "Could Iskall not have changed things? Wait, don't answer that," he said, folding his arms and taking a step back. "You don't want to think your friend doesn't have your best interests in mind." This wasn't a question; this was a statement. And it wasn't entirely false, either. Why did Sage have to be so annoying and right? But if he was trying to get Grumbot to join his side, he was still failing miserably. He was about ready to pick Citrus up and throw her off His platform, so it was rather the opposite. 

Sage continued. "Now, one last thing I thought I'd mention." Finally. Grumbot was just about done with this. The sun was almost gone, and it was getting dark. He was missing the end of His first sunset. How dare these two take that from Him. "Your little brother; Jrumbot."