CONTACT.

[ascintilla]

Comment here with the IC date and time.

Comments

[purrtylittlewires]

...I'm human. There's no reason for me to be an artificial intelligence program. [Why did she ask that. Why did she ask that?!]

I...had complications with my partner.

[ascintilla]

"No reason." Interesting.

[ Leans up slightly on her tiptoes, peering intently into his eyes. ]

The implant is perfectly serviceable. The fault, then, was with programming or compatibility?

[purrtylittlewires]

Why is that interesting?

[Leans back slightly.]

...it's....also complicated.

Does that matter?

[ascintilla]

Why would it not be?

[ Another smile. She lingers briefly, still peering, like she's looking for something ... before she steps back, letting him have his space. ]

Why would it not? I'm curious.

[purrtylittlewires]

...you make it sound like an AI should be in control of me?

[There is that feeling of so much DO NOT WANT.]

It's kind of personal.

[ascintilla]

[ That is such a strange expression you're wearing ... and by "strange" we do of course mean completely fascinating. ]

You seem to find the concept alarming.

[purrtylittlewires]

Yes, a human should control their own body! I'm not an empty robot.

[ascintilla]

I'm not sure I understand.

Do you find me alarming, Puma?

[purrtylittlewires]

[...]

[There is no answer, just suddenly grabbing her wrist to feel for a pulse.]

[ascintilla]

[ He finds one easily, thrumming strong and steady beneath his fingers. ]

... Yes. This body that I wear is human.

[purrtylittlewires]

Nope.

[Nope nope nope NOPE NOPE NOPENOPENOPE]

[He turns and walks for the door.]

I'm leaving. Right now.

[ascintilla]

[ ??? ]

The initiation sequence has already begun. [ the glimmering lights on the walls are getting brighter. ] The door will not open until you have played your way through the calibration trials.

[purrtylittlewires]

I'm not doing anything for you. [Voice tight, controlled, but his hand are already shaking.] What system has no emergency override?

[ascintilla]

You misunderstand.

While under ordinary circumstances I would be perfectly willing to abort the sequence and release you, I currently lack the power to do so.

[purrtylittlewires]

What do you mean lack the power?! [Hello squeaking.]

[ascintilla]

[ … are human voices supposed to do that?? Iota slowly drifts closer to him. ]

You are my first, Puma. My first interaction. My first game. [ and then, because there's no reason not to be honest: ] I do not feel that I can stop without losing more energy than I have to give.

[purrtylittlewires]

[WOW, I want precisely none of this?]

[But for all AI's trigger him, for all what she's done is horrifying, and making him think Maine and Carolna, and how Iota was supposed to be assigned to him...]

[He's also protective of AI's]

[He groans, presses his forehead against the wall of the door.]

[He points back at her without looking.] What's her name.

[ascintilla]

...

[ This silence sure is dragging. ]

I. Do not remember.

[purrtylittlewires]

[He laughs. Kind of bitterly.]

...why me? Out of everyone in Kyriakos, why am I your first game?

[ascintilla]

You were there. You were the closest.

[ Another step closer. ]

… I do not want to disappear, Puma. Will you help me?

[purrtylittlewires]

So bad luck. [Of course.]

[Of fucking course.]

[He holds up his hand, still not looking at her.] Do not get any closer.

[Breathe. Breathe.] I'll help you. On one condition.

[ascintilla]

[ She stops! ]

Name it.

[purrtylittlewires]

You try to remember her.

I know its hard, but she was a person and she deserves to be remembered as one.

[ascintilla]

[ all she says is: ]

"Was"?

[purrtylittlewires]

Can you talk to her? Wake her up at all?