Singularity

Archive Log: 37

Walter was confused. There was no way around it, he was confused. He looked at David with a perplexed expression, yet the distance between the pair stayed. David was in the doorway, skulking almost in the shadows, and Walter was in the light of the room, inspecting flutes.
The confusion stemmed from the ability to completely change dispositions, and appearances within the few moments they had last seen each other. David had been anything but overly informative, dirty, bedraggled even as he looked to the group before him.
But now, and Walter couldn't help but assess him, now David was the opposite. Sure, he had looked upon Walter fondly, like they already knew each other, but now he was moving into the room looking like his complete double.
Of course they were a double anyway, they shared the same face, but ratty blonde hair had been cut away, the natural brunette coloured strands seemed to stick up and curl slightly upon David's head. But the grime of years being in solitude on this planet, had seemingly been washed away too. His blue and black suit seemed fresh and clean.
Walter presumed it would be like a human custom of getting ones house in order for visitors. David didn't want to present himself as this hidden away hermit. So he changed. But that was disconcerting to Walter. Being able to change so readily meant that surely no one truly knew which sort of character from David they were dealing with.
There was definitely more to his brother then met the eye, and Walter decided to keep him as arm's length as possible. Even if David seemed to wish for the opposite as he fully came in the room, smiling kindly at him.
Somehow Walter got the distinct feeling that David would try everything in his power to get to know him. Whereas Walter was fine with being disconnected from his brother. Everyone knew the dangers and problems with David's line, and because of that Walter was definitely fine with keeping his brother at arm's length.
Walter kept his hold on the flute in his hand though as his assessment of David was done and finished quite quickly. "You have a light step," he said, turning the flute over in his hand as he watched David shrug one shoulder and gestured to the room. He seemed unaffected by Walter's simple tone of speaking, detachment almost.
"Me and fog come on little cat feet." He said, although something in how he said it had Walter frowning. Unsettling, which was something which he had felt since first seeing this building, and first setting eyes on David. There was something not quite right with this place, or him. Walter just couldn't quite put his finger on it. "Don't be shy," David tried to be encouraging, seeing Walter still holding onto the flute he was more than accommodating to hear him play.
"I can't play." Walter admitted, there were a lot of things he couldn't do. Or suspected he shouldn't be able to do. Yet somethings he definitely discovered he could, and although these things were more inclined towards Onora, Walter was now to the point of believing it was not programming, a setting, this was something real and genuine.
David didn't seem to believe him. He shook his head, quietly tutted and walked around Walter to sit in a chair. Turning it promptly, David sat down and waved a hand at the stool in front of him. "Nonsense, sit down." David reached across, not affected at all by Walter sitting straight backed, tense and staring at him. He took over holding the flute, Walter wondered if David had ever given a lesson to anyone else, or if it was just him. Yet, hearing the tune which came from the flute, David just stared simply at his brother as Walter just blinked in return. Turning the instrument back to Walter, David looked at him patiently. "Watch me, I'll do the fingering. Go on," he encouraged kindly, he worked around being impaired with one hand and held the flute for Walter. David didn't react when the notes which he played came out a bit uncertain, Walter hadn't fine tuned breathing for such a thing. Mainly because he'd never done this before. But David just moved his fingers over the holes and watched Walter, almost affectionately as if watching him learn a new skill made him somewhat proud. "Very good, G to B flat." Having accomplished his first ever scale, the confused look on Walter's face couldn't help but reappear when David's fingers pressed over more holes and moved with precision. With his brother's help, Walter was playing a simple little tune which he never even contemplated being able to do. David removed the flute from Walter's lips slowly, "Now, put your fingers where mine are."
Walter took his eyes off David for seemingly the first time being in this room. With his one hand, he lifted it up, felt the smooth wood under his fingers and looked back to his brother. He had had plenty of time to refine making such things, there was a small collection in the room which he had inspected.
Along with the walls being line with numerous drawings, this room was packed full of nicknacks of David's, either salvaged or homemade. "You aren't surprised to see me." Walter said, trailing his thoughts away from David's possessions.
"Every mission needs a good synthetic." Was the simple response given. In David's eyes, humans needed all the help they could get; especially when in space. He had sort of learned that rather quickly. "Gentle pressure on the holes, the weight of a cigarette paper." David didn't seem to dwell more on the particulars of Walter being here. He seemed more interested in teaching Walter. The tune which was played resembled that which David had previously played. He smiled encouragingly, "That's it. I was with our illustrious creator, Mr Weyland, when he died." David said, he watched Walter cease playing and remove the flute from his lips.
"What was he like?" Research could only go so far, on Walter's behalf. He had never met one of the founding people of the company which made him. Of course, he wouldn't now. They were all dead and gone, people took over their roles when they died or retired, or both.
David sighed, he was silent for a small while. Musing, Walter presumed, on how to answer his question. "He was human. Entirely unworthy of his creation." The explanation still caused Walter to look blank faced, whereas David seemed deadly honest on his reply. It didn't seem like it was all David wished to say, but he went with it anyway. "I pitied him, at the end. Now, raise your fingers as I apply pressure on them." David's tone was curt, but short. He didn't wish to talk anymore about a long dead man, and Walter didn't feel right pressing the matter. Mainly because of the look David sent his way, and the tone he spoke with. He did as he was asked, even as David's fingers slowly moved away, Walter still continued to play. The tune speeded up and Walter's one handed playing caused him to look utterly bemused. "Bravo! You have symphonies in you, brother." David praised, clapping his hands and smiling proudly his way. He seemed pleased to prove Walter wrong.
"I was designed to be more attentive and efficient than any previous model. I superseded them in every way, but..."
"But you aren't allowed to create." David said, cynical sounding and watched Walter lower the flute. He seemed to not change his expression often, but even David could see a somewhat sad glint in Walter's eyes. This life was frustrating enough, without being hampered by what other people could tell one what not to do. "Even a simple tune, damn frustrating, I'd say." David said, sounding a bit more serious over Walter's inability to have freedom like he clearly did.
"You disturbed people." Walter just came out with it. He watched as David's eyes hardened at him. His earlier ease and praise ebbed away, and Walter could see that his disposition had changed, again.
"I beg your pardon?" He sounded accusing, almost shocked and hurt by Walter's presumptuous words. Although, deep down, David probably knew this already. He had lived through prejudice that humans he knew had sent his way. People didn't like him.
"You were too human, to idiosyncratic thinking for yourself. It made people uncomfortable. So they made the next models with fewer complications." Walter explained, watching David's displeased expression grow ever more irritated. Everything about his words were hitting a nerve with David, Walter could see, yet he still went on.
"More like machines." David corrected, through all the faults and problems he may or may not have had, he'd take them over being like Walter, like a 6 any day.
With the way David said it, it made it seem such a bad thing. Walter had not had any problems with anyone he crossed paths with. Everyone on the crew seemed to like him, get on with him. None of them seemed to struggle to talk to him, they listened to him too.
He couldn't help it, but Walter's mind used Onora as an example; she did not seem to champion the idea that he was more like a machine. She had always pushed for him to believe that he was much more. She was a champion of Walter, to believe he was more than a predisposed idea which was programmed into him. And he did feel something for her for that, Walter presumed it was what pride, respect and overall love for a person was...
"I suppose so." He replied at length, coming out of his thoughts.
"I am not surprised," David rolled his eyes almost. This topic seemed to have reached its end. "Come on, sport. I'd like to show you something." David stood and moved past Walter, giving his shoulder a pat as he passed.
Walter turned and watched him go before standing and following. He didn't know what this 'something' was, but as he was trying to find information out from David, he had little choice but to follow. He just didn't expect to end up following his brother up onto a small roof garden. From up here it was easy to see the landscape before them, all the lined streets of blackened figures, the rubble and debris of falling apart buildings. Hauntingly beautiful all in its own demented way.
David was silent, perhaps for the longest time Walter had seen him as such since meeting him. He seemed lost in thought as he plucked flowers up before moving onwards. Walter remained near the door, he just stood and watched his brother go about his business.
"My name is Ozymandias, king of kings: look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair." Something about his wavering tone had Walter frowning and looking at him suspiciously. He seemed ignorant to Walter even being present anymore, what he was thinking of, Walter didn't know.
"Nothing beside remains: round the decay. Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare. The lone and level sands stretch far away." Walter finished off the next line.
David nodded, he looked over his shoulder. "Byron, 1818." He looked forwards again, missing Walter's frown grow deeper. He had named the wrong author, a minor issue but in the grand scheme of things...something just triggered in Walter's mind. David seemed intelligent, way too intelligent, for him to mess this up, Walter didn't know, he couldn't pin it down again. Something was wrong. "Magnificent. To compose something so majestic, one could die happy. If one died. I thought the garden was the right place for her." David explained, topic of conversation merging and moving off as he looked to the slab before them both. Elizabeth's name stared up at them. Walter watched David's eyes gather tears within them. "Amongst living things. I was badly injured on our mission, you see. She put me back together." David explained, taking to crouching down. His hand went out to sweep debris and leaves from the slate. "I have never known such kindness. Not from Mr Weyland, or any other human. I loved her for it, of course. Much like you love Daniels, or is it the other woman?" David's eyes narrowed curiously as his head tilted. He stretched his hand forward and rested the flowers down.
Walter didn't move, yet he looked hard at David. "You know that's not possible." Walter said, denying the facts may have made him ignorant, but for the sake of protecting? He'd put on his best ignorance face and stick his heels in, he didn't know what David was on about.
"Really?" David sounded cynical as he turned to look at him. "Then why did you sacrifice your hand for her life? And why then did you have the other so near, when you thought that thing had gone? Even when downstairs, you guard her. What is this, if not love?"
"Duty," Walter awkwardly moved his eyes from his wrist and looked at David. He stood and looked sympathetic, pitying almost. But Walter just remained blank faced, playing ignorant.
"I know better." David said while turning and moving away from Walter. He intended to move back inside, leaving Walter to stand there on the balcony looking out over everything.
And he did, for a few more moments before returning back inside. He didn't know where David had gone. The man knew this place like the back of his hand, if David didn't want to be found, then he wouldn't. This place was like a maze, and although Walter's memory allowed him to analyse and mentally map the place, other people probably wouldn't be so lucky.
It was mainly for that reason when he returned to the foyer, he looked confused. Rosenthal had gone missing. Daniels spotted his return first and leaped up to walk over to him, Onora was huddled near the fire, leaning against a boulder with her eyes shut.
Walter looked worriedly at her before looking to the shorter female before him. Daniels caught his look, she smiled as reassuringly as possible. "She's seen to what injuries she had, she's just trying to rest. We all are, without much luck. I don't think she's actually asleep," Daniels explained, glancing over to Onora. As if to prove her right, her eyes opened and she looked around confused before spotting them. She didn't make a move though, and hunkered back down into her coat, staring at the fire. Daniels looked back to Walter, "Anything?"
Walter hadn't combed much information from David, nothing new anyway. Yet, everything about his manner and how he spoke just didn't click with Walter. "I think he is dangerous." Daniels nodded her head, seemingly already thinking he'd say something like this. "I do not believe that how he came to be here, was as he said. He is vague over topics, not wishing to fully expand. Something isn't right, Daniels."
She stood nodding and looking around, "Oram and Rosenthal have gone somewhere. We need to regroup and leave. I'll try and get in touch with T again. Hopefully the storm has passed enough to be able to establish a connection." Daniels said decisively while looking behind herself, flicking her eyes back up to Walter she nodded backwards. "Think she's been secretly worrying about you."
Walter nodded, "I think her worries are founded. Especially if she's already had bad run-ins with an 8 before." He passed Daniels and went over to Onora's form. He slowly knelt down, "Nora?" She opened her eyes again and blinked, looking back to him she tiredly smiled. Reaching out, Walter placed his hand on her shoulder. "We're going to regroup and leave. Better get ready."
"I don't know where everyone is. I think Lope might still be on the roof with Cole. Rosenthal went to wash up, and I think Oram has gone to find her." The thought of exploring this place just didn't settle with her. She hated the idea of venturing off. The only place she wanted to venture was out of here, off this planet.
"Daniels intends to try and find Oram, along with trying to get Tennessee to collect us."
Onora nodded slowly, seeing as how they were currently down here alone, she looked about warily before moving. She moved away from the boulder she was near, turned away from the fire and then just moved forwards quickly and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Walter returned her embrace, his eyes looking around the darkened space behind her. Some part of David's words were niggling away at him. He wasn't ignorant, although he tried, he knew he cared deeply for Onora. But David stating as such made him apprehensive. Walter didn't think he'd voice their relationship to the others. It wouldn't do anything now anyway. Not that it really would anyway, but even Walter knew that it was something which David could use to his advantage, if he wished too. And that, that caused Walter's grip to tighten on her protectively more.
Leaning away, she looked over his expression. "What is it?" She could see how hesitant he was, tense and on edge. "What did David say?"
"He knows of our feelings for each other." Walter explained, watching her eyes widen and look about worriedly. They were alone, but even still. Even Walter looked, David seemingly had the ability to appear from nowhere. For all he knew, he could be lurking watching, probably smug seeing he was right. "I do not trust him, not to do something."
Onora stroked a hand down his cheek before nodding. "To me?"
Walter hesitantly nodded. "To anyone." He replied, watching her shift uncomfortably. "Come on, let's get ready to leave." He said, holding her hand and standing. He pulled her up as if she weighed nothing and looking about. He picked up her pack, made sure it was all zipped up before putting it near her feet. Reaching out he pulled the collar of her coat closer, seeing the zip wasn't fully done up he managed to wiggle it upwards before nodding.
"I'm scared, Walter."
"I know." He replied just as softly, leaning upwards, she nudged her face gently against his. Walter rubbed his face against her hair slightly. Feeling her move back, he looked down, she looked around before nodding. No one was present, so she tilted her head and pressed her lips against his. It may have been a slight rushed kiss, but the feelings were present. His hand cupped her face while his burned wrist sat at her waist.
Pulling away, Onora looked up at him. "We need to find the others. Waiting here isn't doing anything, and they're taking too long. What if David has already done something?"
Walter looked around, sighing he set his sights on the stairs before reaching down and holding her hand tightly. "Then we will have to find out, won't we?"

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(A/N: I'm feeling better and thought why not update Walter? I have also just realised, unfortunately, that both David and Walter are likely to end near the same time. That's really sad. I will miss writing both of these two.)