Chapter description: We meet Dave, finally!
Takes place well before Aldurra's cast appears, and by extension before Alex shows up and ruins everything.
Tags for this chapter:
Anxiety, Depression, Past and Present Injuries, Machine Anatomy and Repairing, FRIENDSHIP!
03. A First For Everything
Apparently, folks of different games showed up so often, that there was a whole protocol behind it. "Today's Arrivals", which consisted of: everyone from Joe's Basics Joke Game, the entire crew from Denied's Basics, and a Dave.
Ending the streak of 81 Dave ensembles.
Ten seconds in, and he already felt like the outlier. He could tell that those around him desperately wanted the juicy details, but he didn't really want to talk - or even think - about it. And when he said as such, the more reasonable tended to back off right then and there. Those not-so-considerate, he made an excuse that he was late for something, and that did the trick.
As for the protocol itself, all newcomers are given a tour. Bracing against the top of a pair of chairs, he unsteadily hobbled into a window seat, before tapping a button on his wheelchair. This caused it to fold up to the size of a compact laptop. Then, it was stashed away in his inventory.
He tried to ignore the whispers of gossip aimed in his direction, instead trying to enjoy the feeling of flying in the shuttle. And aside from that, everything went fine. He could see the appeal of living here. He just hoped it was what he needed.
Next came housing, which came in the form of a die-sized cube, at least for those who've chosen to completely leave their games behind. This was a "starter" home that then can be changed however one desired. And to use it, simply find an uninhabited plot of land, set it down, push its button, and that's all. But Daves were so common, that they had their own type. How peculiar.
"-Yes, just after everyone disembarked," Dave suddenly overheard, "But the troublemaker got away. No one knows who did it." One of Viktor's many… Lauras, he vaguely recalled.
"Probably Spike." The second voice was masculine.
"No. Today's Dave was a rogue." Oh, not this again.
"Really now? Then… Perhaps someone from Joe's."
"Or Denied."
"He would never." A pause, as Dave turned around, seeing the two nearby the shuttle. Inspecting it was a man who moved with precision, as if the X, Y, and Z axis' were calculated to the decimal, with the least time required.
He was so… Well put together.
What a strange thought.
"Anyway, this is a simple fix," He was continuing, "Expect functionality in approximately fifteen minutes."
"Don't get cocky." Laura wasn't impressed, departing. The icy tone sailed over the man in teal's head, getting started. And for whatever reason, Dave was compelled to approach him.
"Excuse me! Do you work here?" Going with that? Really?
Not turning around, he replied, rather curtly, "Yes." Just as well.
"I figured! So, what do you do? Usually."
"I am a repair technician."
"Ah! You know, I'm a bit of a technician myself!" Good, some common
"I know."
"Huh? But how?"
"There are currently 81 others of you in residence." The man noted, and Dave immediately felt shame creep into his being. He really did forget about that just now. In spite of the transgression, the other finally faced him, revealing a sort of blank expression, as well as more to his attire. Underneath the argyle sweater was a white-collared shirt and a neat, black tie.
This man was so… Well-dressed. And Dave was blowing it. He wanted to leave, and pretend this never happened. But the social rules were not in his favor.
"That said; hi, my name is Billy," Then, with faint sounds that he could've sworn sounded like motorized movement, the other's arm extended out to him for a handshake. "And it's nice to meet you, Dave."
When Dave followed the gesture, the hand was cool, the flesh clearly… Er, unnatural. Was it a prosthetic? That would explain the way he moved, but all of him did so. Was Billy someone who'd lost… Everything?
Dave could relate. Future talking point.
"Oh. Right. Nice to meet you too!" He rebounded at last, and then added, "Anyway, would you like to get a coffee sometime?" The venture was pointless, he knew, but…
"I cannot," Came Billy's answer, "It would ruin my circuits."
"Uh, circuits?"
"I am a robot." It was said so plainly, like it had no deeper meaning. The sky is blue. Billy is a robot. But it absolutely wrecked Dave apart like a full-on collision with a speeding bullet train.
"Oh…! Of course, of course! Well…" He stumbled, feeling like a hopeless mess of decimated polygons. All he knew was that he had to bail. "I… I should probably get going! I'll see you later, okay?" And he's already wasted so much of his time, and this was never going to go anywhere, and why again did Dave even attempt this?!
But he was already off and zooming when Billy replied, still nonchalantly, "Sure, later. Goodbye." When Dave thought he was out of sight, he faintly heard a bit more conversation. "Huh. That's new."
"Seeing that unfold was painful to watch." It seemed like Laura never really left.
"I imagine it would've, considering you don't have eyes." Forget the bullet train, this time the psychic damage was more akin to an entire jet. Billy was so… Well prepared.
"Just fix the damn shuttle."
"Already did." Billy's voice sounded further away, but by then Dave finally made himself scarce.
The rest of the day was spent procrastinating on where to set down his house cube, instead whittling the time away through sightseeing and such. All the while, he tried to purge that encounter earlier from his mind. He nearly did at a few points, but something would always bring it back.
On another note, whenever he saw someone from Fun Algebra Class, he'd hoped, from the back of his mind, that they would recognize him. It appeared that, no matter the amounts of duplicates, all these characters were able to distinguish each other. Unfortunately, Dave couldn't do the same. Perhaps it was an acquired skill.
If any of them would've noticed which Dave he was, they wouldn't have been so friendly. As far as they were concerned, Dave #82 was a clean slate. One in a unique circumstance, but certainly not someone to confront, or avoid. Just a new resident, and possibly a new friend.
He honestly wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not.
It was a star-filled night when he finally decided to plot down his homestead, and even then, he didn't really think about it. It was a sort of, "eh, good enough" scenario. Seeing the way the cube shifted size in such a grandiose manner probably would've looked better in the daytime, but it was what it was.
Ah. It was the one he would've had in… "Dave's House", one of the sequels. However, the major differences were how it contained a single floor, and less rooms. Upon closer inspection, no basement either. It was also furnished well enough, as he stared at the living room couch in contemplation.
Sleep, or not to sleep.
Of course, he had no need to, but sometimes it felt nice. No, the worry was something else. After some more deliberation, he threw himself onto it, drifting off in a matter of minutes.
A sidewalk, of which he was walking down. Brightly did the Sun shine. Dotting the sky, various clouds. A wall, tall and bricked, revealed a tunnel, a road, a path, to somewhere.
DAVE.
A single line of text in his peripheral. And yet, he could hear it. Turning to his side, there stood a female child with long, blonde brunette black green red purple white
Blonde hair. Her features proved difficult to focus on. So he didn't bother.
"Yes, Kelly?" He responded, lightly.
WHERE IS EVERYONE?
"Oh! Probably-" He turned forward again, his school only a few meters away, doors open. "Probably in there! You silly goose, where else would they be? Ha ha!"
WHAT HADPLENNE?D
"They were just-" Inside the school, inside a room, a special door nearby. His words, ravaged and distorted; incomprehensible.
I'M SORY I LEFT YUO AL L ALONE FORE SO LNOG,…
IF I NEWK, I WULD''V LET EBERYONE SLEPP!
Tears. He was lying on his side, feeling like the worst thing to ever exist. Kelly's look upon him seemed forlorn regretful upset angry frustrated worried sad devastated
Regretful.
She was crouching now, eyes on the floor.
"Don't blame yourself. They chose their path."
YOU DONT' DESERCE TO STAY HERE BY YORSELL,
I'LLL BE OK AY. LEAVE THE GAME. FIDN SUMTHHING .BETLER
"Oh, but Kelly, I could never do that…!"
WE BOTH NOW I JUZT DON'T HAVE THY TIIME TO DROP BY ANEYMOER…
IT'S BEN FUNM BUT,,, PLEASE.
The door opened, slowly, silently. The unknown lie in wait.
"… Alright. I'll go. Thank you for everything, Kelly."
GOODBYE, DAVE. I'LL MISS YOU.
Dave woke up; it was noon. Somehow he'd turned onto his back in his sleep. The risk he took made him pay for it. Maybe he shouldn't have asked for the ability to dream.
"You too, Kelly. You too…"
Mustering the mental strength to leave the couch behind was daunting. Only an internalized, half-hearted peptalk was able to help him: C'mon, Dave, it's a new day; and you can't solve your problems by doing nothing.
As he went to leave the house, there was a small package on the mailbox, purple in color. Not in, with the little red flag pointed up, but literally on top of it. Confused, he gave the neighborhood a look-over, picking up the box. Just as he went to read the attached note, he heard a crash.
Startled, he turned to the source, finding a man lying on the sidewalk across the street. Wait, no, not just any man. A Billy? Where'd he come from? Did he fall out of the sky somehow?
Watching him try to get up, he called, "Sir! Are you alright?" The Billy in question continued to struggle. Tabbing away the package, Dave wheeled over to him.
"Yes. I'm fine." He was just as stoic as the last one. It might just be a commonality.
"With all due respect, you don't look it," Dave called his bluff, reaching him. "Do you need any help?"
Billy was holding onto the nearby tree, as he finally regained balance. "No need to concern yourself." He assured, but the moment he let go to walk off, one of his legs bent the wrong way, and he met the concrete again.
"It's your knee! Does it hurt?" It looked like it absolutely would.
"I am incapable of feeling pain."
"… Ah, okay. Well, regardless," Dave then continued, only slightly relieved, "I just don't see you getting too far, in this state. Look, I know I'm being pushy, but could I at least see if I can fix it?" He was sure to get a no, but he waited.
Finally, Billy uttered, "Very well." He managed to crawl over to and lean back against the tree. Surprised from the outcome, Dave couldn't keep from smiling.
"I'll be quick, I promise! Let me just… Hup!" Off the wheelchair he went, to be closer to eye-level with… Well, he supposed his patient now. With swift, practiced motions, he helped guide his legs into a yoga-esque pose, then selected one of his most important items - the toolbox. It was more or less a pocket dimension in there, so its relatively small size was convenient.
The first thing he dug out was hand sanitizer, Billy giving him a curious look. "What's that for?"
"Are germs not a thing here?" It wasn't in his game, but Dave imagined that since this was an entirely different place, anything was possible. Billy's next expression suggested that he didn't know the answer, either. "Still, better safe than sorry, right? I wouldn't want microbes wiggling around in my endoskeleton, ha ha!"
"… Good point." The robot conceded, as Dave finished up. Next was…
"Rubber gloves, check. Goggles, check. Tools, check," This was said in a lower volume, more to himself than anything else. Each item was promptly equipped, except for the last one. Rather, it was to make sure he wasn't missing any. He turned back to Billy, prompting, "Now, let's see where the damage is."
What Dave had noticed throughout his short time here, was that most of the characters he met had rather simple 3D models, like himself. And some others didn't, still possessing their 2D images. As for Billy, he was… Interesting, in the fact that he was unusually articulated. The teal and black zebra-striped trousers weren't just his polygons - it was an actual modeling layer. Therefore, he was able to pull the fabric up, revealing more of that artificial flesh, and more importantly, the injury at hand.
He tried his best to not let this revelation distract him. "I'll admit, I don't know how to repair your… Uh, skin. I've never worked with that material before."
"I can take care of that." Meanwhile, Billy was completely unfazed by all of this. Or he was just a lot better at masking it. Or, third option, he legitimately couldn't feel emotions at all. Whichever it was, Dave decided not to ponder it further.
"Ah, okay! Hm…" Beyond the torn skin, was a metallic casing, with pieces broken off. And underneath that, there was the root of the problem: the joints were completely unhinged. A lot less shocking than it looked. So, he assured, "Yeah, I can work with this! It will require my power tools, though. Maybe we could go inside and-"
While talking, he'd managed to reach inside the wound and carefully excavate the bits and pieces, which luckily had all remained in the area. The worst would've been them falling down to the ankle, causing more tedium than necessary. When mentioning his last statement, he cut himself off upon the sight of Billy reaching into the back of his shirt, pulling out an outlet cover.
Okay, now he was just flabbergasted. "You have… Outlets?!"
"Yes, that is correct." The object was stashed away. Dave cleared his throat, attempting to settle back down.
"Sorry, sorry, I don't mean to be insensitive."
"Don't apologize," The robot's tone remained ever calm, "Oftentimes, it's in case I need to charge, but that has yet to happen." He paused, but seemed to realize something. "And don't worry about using any. My battery can last for a year. I still have several months remaining."
"Whoa… Understood!" Honestly, knowing that was a relief. From the toolbox, Dave got out a power drill. He handed the end of the cord to Billy, who plugged it in. "I'm going to get started now. Try to keep it at a 90 degree angle, okay?" That probably wasn't needed, but it slipped out anyway. Despite it, Billy complied, doing his best; but the injury made it almost impossible. So, with one hand, Dave stabilized the leg, and the other used the drill. More quietly, he said, "I gotcha, don't worry."
Aside from the appliance's whine, silence filled the air as Dave reassembled the joints. Occasionally, he would glance back at Billy, in case there were any changes to his condition. Thankfully, there were none, as he sat there with his hands interlaced in his lap. But more often than not, he caught him staring; he could recognize the unasked questions. While he appreciated the restraint in inquiring outright, it was there, and he knew it.
Well, here goes.
"It was a rocket ship accident." Dave admitted, and honestly, it was almost out of the blue. Much like yesterday's "I am a robot" from the Billy he met, Dave's statement held that plain delivery.
"Huh?" For the first time, it got a reaction from his patient - the knowledge of being found out. Even so, it didn't really bother Dave insomuch that it was an unfortunate inevitability.
"Oh, sorry. It's just… I know that look," He clarified, then explained, "Anyway, when it crashed, it broke every bone in my legs, in multiple places. I was offered crutches, but those didn't help me as much as my wheelchair. They did eventually heal, and in fact, I can even still use them! But, physical therapy wasn't working out, so I gave up."
"When I first became self-aware, I wondered why I was made like that," He continued after a short pause, still putting the joints together, "But that was so long ago! I'm over it now. Hm… What about you, if I may ask?" Now that it was out of the way, there was no better time to shift focus.
"Grateful. And that's because multiple games were made." Billy didn't hesitate, as though he realized the same thing.
"Oh, wow!"
"Captain Gonzalo, who my father works with alongside his crew, from in his submarine," The robot went on, "Then, there's Denied, who likes living out in the sea. We're… Like brothers." There was a hint of affection in his voice.
"And the captain, well, I've found myself calling him 'Uncle Gonzalo'," More of it was leaking out as he spoke. "Even though I'm not technically related to either of them. They just mean a lot to me. I'm not sure what I'd do without them all."
This Billy practically had a whole family. He was so… Well made. Dave was hit with a small, but unpleasant pang of jealousy. Once more, the inner peptalk helped him push it out: No. Don't let that get to you; you're better than this. It's not worth it. Let go, Dave. Let go.
Instead, he replied, "Aw, that's so sweet. I'm glad you have that."
More silence followed, until Billy broke it. "If you're curious, I'm also without my cast."
"Huh? You are?"
"We arrived together, but then I told them, 'Be free.' I see them every once in a while, but they're independent now."
"Oh my. I don't suppose there's been a case where a Dave-less ensemble's come by, has there?" The question came out automatically. Billy thought about it.
"That has not been documented."
"Right, I didn't think so," Dave suppressed the urge to sigh, or even lessen his grin. That was out of the question. "All I can say is that my separation wasn't as mutually decided. I haven't seen them for over two weeks. And I can't help but wonder where they are now, how they're doing." Probably better off without him, but he didn't dare say that aloud.
"Anyway!" He semi-forced a brighter inflection, as fortunate timing allowed him to change the topic. "I think I got it! Try now!" Everything really did appear to be back in place. Looking back at Billy, he saw him blink, unplugging Dave's drill.
"… Oh. I shall." As he got up, he had little trouble. He made it to a full standing position, then walked away by several meters. He stopped, turned, then sprinted back to Dave, who almost fell backwards from the speed, but caught himself with his arms.
"I am able to retain a balance percentage of ninety-seven," Billy then reported, clearly in better shape than previously. "It's a vast improvement."
"… Great! Alright," Dave collected himself, as Billy went back into his earlier position, this time more effortlessly. "Now to weld these pieces back together. Then the sanding, the buffing, the putting back ins - you know how it goes." He wasn't sure exactly why he felt the need to list out the procedures. But, it was just distracting enough for Dave to get out each appropriate tool, including a welder's mask, as well as the remaining broken pieces.
By the time he was set up, he heard a metallic snap and saw Billy handing him the casing in question. It took all of his willpower to not react, let alone sneak a glance at what Billy's calf looked like without it.
Dave got to it, mask pulled down to shield his face. "Gracious, where are my manners? I'm a new Dave around these parts. 82, they said. Though, I did meet a Billy yesterday, so I have an idea of who you are!"
"We met yesterday." It almost sounded matter-of-factually, but also like a question, somehow.
"Yes, that's right!"
"I mean, I'm the same one." Oh, God. It was hard for Dave to keep composure with that information. Unfortunately, the welding was already done. He had no choice but to remove the mask, starting to even out the welded bumps with sandpaper.
"What? Really…?! Wow, I…!" He failed to hold back his shame. "Sorry about before, then. I sure made a real fool of myself. But in hindsight…" Billy would've known what a Dave was like, of course the outcome was fated from the start, and why oh why was everything circling back to it?!
"I disagree," His patient then admitted, "I was intentionally being obtuse. So I thought that a house-warming gift would help make up for it. Truth is, you are the first Dave to really speak to me."
It was worse than he imagined. But if anything, Dave appreciated the honesty. "I see… The other mes are that bad, huh?" Okay, now to buff. It was almost over, and then the two can finally part ways. Except- Did he mention a gift? Was that what the purple package was all about?!
"No, not 'bad'," Billy shook his head, having noticed the unintended connotation. "They are generally cordial, but also absent-minded. They remind me of how I once was, and I don't like it." It was difficult to see Billy that way, but Dave took his word for it. Perhaps… Things weren't as bad as he thought.
"That does sound infuriating! I really don't want to be like that. I hope not." Soon after those words, Dave was finished at long last, giving the casing back to Billy. Apparently, Dave had gone the extra mile and buffed the entire segment, causing it to glint in the sunlight. Maybe it was just him, but he could swear the robot was in awe, even if only a little.
After Billy re-attached it, Dave added, "That should hold together until you get home. How're you feeling?"
"Exemplary," Was Billy's simple response as he slid his trousers back down. He got up again, unplugging Dave's last power tool at the same time, then securing the protective cover once more. "Thank you for the repairs. How can I repay you?"
"Oh, it's no trouble at all! Don't worry about it!" Dave was modest in declining, putting everything away, and then settling back into his wheelchair. Billy tilted his head, then shrugged.
"If you insist," He acknowledged, "I'm going to leave now, but I hope you enjoy the gift." He gave a very short wave. "See you around." From his back appeared a jetpack, it promptly lifting him off the ground. There was no visible fuel being used, and yet, it worked perfectly. It left Dave wide-eyed and jaw dropped. Still, he returned the wave.
Very quickly did Billy fly off, Dave now on his own again. His thoughts drifted back to the package, bringing it out. The note read,
TO DAVE (82),
I'M SORRY ABOUT YESTERDAY. I KNEW WHAT YOU MEANT, AND YET I CHOSE TO EMBARRASS YOU. PLEASE ACCEPT THIS AS A TOKEN OF GOODWILL.
YOU CAN ALWAYS REACH ME USING THIS PHONE NUMBER: 099-555-1150
FROM BILLY
Oh gracious, Dave needed a phone, now. But first, the box. Inside was a small bonsai tree. At this point, he'd audibly yelled, racing inside his house to find a good spot to set it. The coffee table would do for now, he thought. But it was so precious, it almost drove him to tears.
"Dave? Are you in there?" Billy was back? He probably forgot something. But when Dave turned to the source of the robot's voice, he'd realized that he'd left the door open in his haste.
"… Yes! What is it?" He promptly pulled himself together, and moved to the entrance. Out behind the fenced segments, each labelled "GATE", Billy stood, unable to look Dave in the eyes. Strange.
Finally, he asked, "Would you still want to get that coffee?"
"Even though you can't?" Dave couldn't help his slight skepticism, but it was in genuine concern.
"Affirmative. I don't mind." A smile was peeking at Billy's face. If Dave was still dreaming right now, he did not want to wake up. Still, he pinched his cheek to be sure, and nothing happened, aside from Billy noticing, but deciding not to ask.
"Well, then…! Yes!" It was really happening. He couldn't believe it. How could things get any better?! As Dave shut the door to join him, Billy's smile grew more full, starting to ease up.
"While there are many cafes in the commercial zone," He then replied, "I believe I may know a few you may enjoy. If you like, I can fly us there."
Fly. Dave was on cloud nine right now. And with that, a completely unrestrained, ecstatic "Please do!" fell out of his mouth. Arms extended, Billy brought him upright.
"… You are taller than me." He noted. Dave let that sink in, then laughed, using the robot's support to put away his wheelchair.
"It would seem so!"
More info:
- The process of becoming self-aware involves a human player adding in the appropriate amount of AI
- Most, but not all, reach this point before ending up in the Webspace. The rest are done after, but the scope is much more limited, leading to "simpler" characters
- Dave #82 originates from Fun Algebra Class
- He is one of the few residents who is able to dream, the others are unknown
- His inclination for flight has never dulled, and is something he wishes he could do
- Kelly is his "Player" equivalent (See: Save The Game AU)
- Her life had become too busy to regularly visit, but she left the game open regardless
- She was away for three months when the separation happened
- By being able to build new vessels, Billy's model is the most complex as a result
- After the repair, he uses that body specifically when he hangs out with Dave
- The characters, friends, and family he mentions have all chosen the assimilation route when it comes to duplicates, meaning that the latest Denied and co will do so
- He and the Lauras have always had this back-and-forth type of relationship
- The phone number references the following: 099, as in 99, the recurring number in Baldi's Basics. 555, the commonly used "fake number" starter. 1150, as in 1.15.0, the version number where Billy's game came from
- Sidenote, as this is far in the past (2020), players and characters could only use either the generalized chat feature, or speech (microphones, for players). More options, like single or group DMs, or even social feeds, were yet to be implemented