CONTACT.

[ascintilla]

Comment here with the IC date and time.

Comments

[ascintilla]

Is something amiss, Puma?

[ She tilts her head around to face him, but. not the rest of her. It's an odd, almost doll-like movement. ]

[purrtylittlewires]

....

Once you're pointlessly cruel, you can't come back from it. That's it. That's all you'll ever be in people's eyes and you won't get to see anything new from them.

[ascintilla]

Oh. You are ... warning me? [ Turns to face him fully, quizzical. ] Why?

[purrtylittlewires]

Because I hate pointless cruelty, I hate AI's getting shafted because no one will help them, and because I don't want to hate you for being naive.

1/2

[ascintilla]

[ She considers that. ]

[ She considers it some more. ]

[ THIS IS AN AWFUL LOT OF CONSIDERATION. ]

[ascintilla]

You are very interesting, aren't you?

[ somehow, it almost sounds like a concession. ]

[purrtylittlewires]

I'm sure I am. [Sighs. Resigned.]

[ascintilla]

I look forward to seeing if the other humans in Kyriakos are similar.

[ because that's definitely what you want to hear right now ]

[purrtylittlewires]

That's not reassuring.

[ascintilla]

Oh. Well.

What will you play?

[purrtylittlewires]

[SIGH]

What are the other games?

[ascintilla]

Winterbells: a game in which you, the player, become an adorable rabbit. Your task is to hop from bell to bell, climbing as high as you can without falling.

Everything is Better With Portals: an action-oriented puzzle game. You are field-testing a small variety of experimental equipment, and must work your way through a variety of hazardous obstacles. The prize for completion is delicious cake and a new-found appreciation for the laws of physics.

[ and the list goes on, and on, and on. stop her whenever you're ready, puma. ]

[purrtylittlewires]

[Listens til she's through car chase and laser tag, just to be sure and]

[Well, he might as well go with challenging and isolating because who knows what tricks happen with lasers.]

Portals.

[ascintilla]

An excellent choice.

Do you have any last questions before you begin?

[purrtylittlewires]

No. Let's just get this over with.

[ascintilla]

As you wish.

Step through the doorway when you are ready. Good luck, Puma.

[purrtylittlewires]

...right. [Through the doorway I go.]

[ascintilla]

[ At least he'll get plenty of food, water, and rest breaks while he's playing! ]

[ ... Though at some point in the early ass hours of Day 163 morning, Iota kind of. Blips out of contact. YELL REAL LOUD IF YOU WANT HER ATTENTION, PUMA. ]

[purrtylittlewires]

[WILL HE ACTUALLY GET THESE THINGS]

[I mean, I've played Portal, what is food]

[ALSO THAT IS CONCERNING.]

[I mean, he's good with the logic puzzles, it's just thinking of ricochets or something.]

[But still, that's worrying.] Iota?

[ascintilla]

[ HE WILL GET THOSE THINGS, YEP: basic but adequate food and water, that comes neatly packaged in small, gift-wrapped boxes. ]



[ … ]




[ Two minutes later, a small, hamster-sized hologram of Iota appears, hovering somewhere by his shoulder. ]

Are you in need of assistance, Puma?

[purrtylittlewires]

[Well, better than MREs?]

[Hello more familiarity I didn't need...]

No, but you got quiet. Should I be concerned?

[ascintilla]

Oh, no, everything is perfectly all right. [ her avatar flickers faintly, pixelating around the edges, before steadying again. ] I am busy running a game right now.

[purrtylittlewires]

[PIXELATING ISN'T GOOD.]

[Also, fffff.]

What...kind of game?

[ascintilla]

Would I Lie To You?

[ Is she answering the question or asking him one?? Be more specific, Iota. ]

[purrtylittlewires]

....is that the game?