[center][h2]Orb[/h2][/center]


    Orb’s stomach rumbled and they lurched over, grasping it under their thick cloak. Their eyes flickered about -- Orvus had left Orb to themselves after a few hours, convinced Orb could handle whatever thing they wanted to do. They now found themselves under a particular tree that Orb had named ‘Tree number twenty-six’ for being the thirty sixth tree in the local vicinity. Orb tapped their mask, the pattern of count being the chronological order Orb had been introduced to said tree. 

Orb’s stomach protested again and the cloaked figure twisted with hunger; luckily the mind accompanying the body Orb found themselves in was very well aware of hunger and how to solve it. It would seem that despite Orvus’ dismissal of all of Orbs old pre-programmed blueprints and protocols, the blueprint that Orvus had focused on in their creation came with some... well urges, or instincts -- which to Orb seemed very similar to the programed consciousness they used to have. Orb even got to keep a lot of interesting tools, like language and vast knowledge about their own body. The level of detail that Orb could recall made them wonder if perhaps they were a simulation of a real being somewhere, only now having been made a real clone -- or perhaps it really was just a really good blueprint. 

Pinching the bottom of their mask Orb couldn’t help but wonder if the blueprints they had given to Orvus were this detailed or more so -- not that Orb would be able to remember. Their new mind had definitely not retained most of Orb’s past knowledge, which makes sense, Orb supposed, since that knowledge likely wasn’t a part of the blueprint Orvus had focused on. Their stomach twisted and Orb made a hidden face, their raspy voice pounding out in their runic language, “Fine, fine!”

Two hands pumped out of the cloak as Orb did a hopping sprint, remembering the fields of food that Orvus had mentioned during his little tour. The gentle night wind blew through the mossy cloak, but even then it clung close with many folds, keeping the true shape of Orb hidden. Orb pondered it for a moment, thinking about how they looked underneath their clothes and how different that was to their current hosts. A hand came up to pinch the mask and Orb shuddered -- then suddenly froze. 

Coming to a skidding halt, two twinkling eyes appraised a big green bush filled with red spheres -- berries. Orb rubbed their gloved hands together, “Berries.” The runic word announced, “A source of food.” They continued, “For my body.” A hidden smile formed, “So it can continue to be alive.” 

Looking over their shoulder, Orb made sure they were alone. Satisfied, they shifted their mask up on their face, just enough to reveal a gently angled chin that perhaps betrayed a heart shaped face (while still being able to see). The skin was tanned from exposure, or would have been - Orb supposed, if they weren’t a copy of a blueprint. Two lips curled on the face and with a single hand, Orb popped a berry into their mouth, the red sphere landing on an awaiting blue tongue which quickly retreated with its prize. A happy hum vibrated from Orb’s throat, content with the taste. Quickly now, both hands began to quickly pluck the berries, and in a fit of frustration at only having two plucked at a time, two other hands suddenly shot out from the cloak and began to aid in the foraging until the bush was meticulously picked clean. The lower hands retreated back into the cloak as Orb plopped onto the ground by their pile of fruits.

Orb happily danced their shoulders back and forth while they lazily reaped their reward. One after the other the berries disappeared until only the bare grass was left. Orb patted the ground, searching for any stragglers. The mask slid back over their face and they hissed in runic, “What!? Only thirty-nine berries?” They let out a ‘bah’ and pointed a finger at the bush, “Increase efficiency!” 

The bush and Orb shared a silent moment, a gentle night wind blowing between them. The twinkling eyes behind the mask squinted and the bush waved in the breeze. The standoff didn’t last long, with Orb eventually crossing their arms under the cloak. The faceless mask turned up, almost smugly as Orb walked away, stomach not yet satisfied. 

It didn’t take long before Orb found themselves in a rudimentary field of tiny sprouts. With twinkling eyes, the figure squatted down to examine the crops. Unsatisfied with their optical study, a gloved hand exited the cloak and ripped a spout from the ground. Orb brought the vegetable close to their mask and rasped loudly, “This plant is not ready for consumption -- I do not hunger for it.” They frowned and slipped the vegetable under their mask. There was a crunch and a loud spit, a glob of saliva and bits of vegetable falling from under the mask. The runic language came back with a disgusted tone, “Def-definitely not ready for consumption.”

Pinching their mask, Orb let their mind wander with ideas. Slowly they started to rub their hands together, the others likely hoard their ready to consume food, they thought, so they can consume it... whenever they are ready. Orb nodded their head, “Very clever.”

With a hopping run, Orb stifled a laugh at their own genius, running directly for Orvus’ house. It didn’t take very long before Orb found themselves before the porch of the cabin. Orb gave the front of the building an appraising look, eyes falling on the door. Twinkling eyes scanned it up and down before a realizing chuckle left the mask along with an announcing rasp, “Ah, a solid wall hinged to another solid wall but with movable parts. Brilliant!” Orb creeped close enough to poke and prod the hinges, “A toggle of wood pegged between round entryways. I will have to remember this.” 

Content with their impromptu study, Orb slipped through the door... eager to get their hands on some more food... 

[hider=Summary]
Orb goes over their creation in their mind, then decides to go eat things -- and upon realizing the world around them is lacking in ready to eat foods, they decide to go take some from Orvus.
[/hider]