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[The sheer volume and boisterous nature of her laughter is enough to make Richard's eyes widen from surprise. The tones down his reaction quickly and watches the woman to get it out of her system. This is now second time he sees such reaction from her. Though this time he's not entirely sure what the laughter is aimed at.]
Mm. [There is a slight tug on his lip and he looks back down at the cup on his hands.] You talked about her with such fondness. That is all.
[But... supposedly, he could agree with her. Maybe. They say that motherhood is the true calling of a woman, the sole reason they were put on the earth. To serve as companion to men and provide a heir. But maybe, just maybe. There were some that weren't meant to be mothers? Richard thinks of his own mother, the woman who had tried his best to isolate and kill him. But then again, she had adored his older brothers.
Richard falls quiet, the expression on his face turns thoughtful and solemn.]
Mm. [There is a slight tug on his lip and he looks back down at the cup on his hands.] You talked about her with such fondness. That is all.
[But... supposedly, he could agree with her. Maybe. They say that motherhood is the true calling of a woman, the sole reason they were put on the earth. To serve as companion to men and provide a heir. But maybe, just maybe. There were some that weren't meant to be mothers? Richard thinks of his own mother, the woman who had tried his best to isolate and kill him. But then again, she had adored his older brothers.
Richard falls quiet, the expression on his face turns thoughtful and solemn.]
[ Even morose and glum about the outcome of their A.I. rescue mission, Root doesn't shy away from humor; she feels all of her feelings to the fullest extent. She finally succeeds in taking a sip of her coffee, riled emotions settling down gradually. ]
Please, we don't need relationship labels to care about someone. [ Root's aware this is probably a foreign concept to someone from his century, but to be fair, it's a foreign concept to a lot of people from her century, too. She's just always been a bit of an anarchist this way. ]
Try your coffee while it's hot. A lot of people put milk or sugar in it, but you should taste it alone first.
Please, we don't need relationship labels to care about someone. [ Root's aware this is probably a foreign concept to someone from his century, but to be fair, it's a foreign concept to a lot of people from her century, too. She's just always been a bit of an anarchist this way. ]
Try your coffee while it's hot. A lot of people put milk or sugar in it, but you should taste it alone first.
let me know if you find out more, yeah? i'm worried about her, too.
more wholesome than fighting a latvian mob? with, hm, visas, was it? [ he's so going to remember this. but, ] yeah. my boyfriend
yeah... you're right. i noticed it too. some people i went to ketsora with never came back from the portal and i don't know if they're gone-gone or just... temporarily gone. hoping for the latter but guess we'll see
more wholesome than fighting a latvian mob? with, hm, visas, was it? [ he's so going to remember this. but, ] yeah. my boyfriend
yeah... you're right. i noticed it too. some people i went to ketsora with never came back from the portal and i don't know if they're gone-gone or just... temporarily gone. hoping for the latter but guess we'll see
I will. Thanks, Charles. It means a lot that there's other people here who care about her.
Well, my favorite partner in crime isn't here, so I'm in the market for a new accomplice. [ Is Root talking about dating or crimes? It's definitely both. ] Tell me about your boyfriend? 👀
New people arrive in waves, right? Monthly? Maybe they'll show up next month. Just got scheduled to go in the next code batch update, as it were.
Well, my favorite partner in crime isn't here, so I'm in the market for a new accomplice. [ Is Root talking about dating or crimes? It's definitely both. ] Tell me about your boyfriend? 👀
New people arrive in waves, right? Monthly? Maybe they'll show up next month. Just got scheduled to go in the next code batch update, as it were.
Don't be embarrassed -- everyone has a first time!
hey, any time. you know that.
that so? then i'm all in favour of you asking her for coffee or whatever. keeping fingers crossed for you [ and he's not even joking he's genuinely now invested in this...
and perhaps it's good this is via text, because the sappiness just about bleeds through it all anyway, ]
he's pretty aces. he's not exactly a people person, you know, but when you get to know him, he's real funny and sweet and cares about everyone and everything so damn much... and i mean, doesn't hurt he's easy on the eyes. and just, he's the best part of this whole place.
[ ok sappy interlude over — ] huh, never thought about it that way, but that makes a lot of sense. i'm gonna believe that you're right about it and they'll be back
that so? then i'm all in favour of you asking her for coffee or whatever. keeping fingers crossed for you [ and he's not even joking he's genuinely now invested in this...
and perhaps it's good this is via text, because the sappiness just about bleeds through it all anyway, ]
he's pretty aces. he's not exactly a people person, you know, but when you get to know him, he's real funny and sweet and cares about everyone and everything so damn much... and i mean, doesn't hurt he's easy on the eyes. and just, he's the best part of this whole place.
[ ok sappy interlude over — ] huh, never thought about it that way, but that makes a lot of sense. i'm gonna believe that you're right about it and they'll be back
[ Root can only handle so much sentiment aimed directly at her at the moment. She's upset, she feels like a failure, she's worried -- and she's still frankly astounded to have found a whole, like, three people who believe in her here.
So she moves right along. ]
So far it's taking her a little bit to get with the program. She's all hung up on the fact that she tried to kill me.
Oh, he's here??? I didn't know that! What's his name? I'll keep an eye out for him 😘✨
If they don't I'll rethink my assumptions, but typically major updates get released on a schedule, not out of nowhere. Too bad I can't just ask her... [ Root is seriously missing having an A.I. in her ear. Constantly, she misses it constantly, an echoing ache that never leaves. But she still doesn't want to harp on that, so: ] I guess we'll see.
So she moves right along. ]
So far it's taking her a little bit to get with the program. She's all hung up on the fact that she tried to kill me.
Oh, he's here??? I didn't know that! What's his name? I'll keep an eye out for him 😘✨
If they don't I'll rethink my assumptions, but typically major updates get released on a schedule, not out of nowhere. Too bad I can't just ask her... [ Root is seriously missing having an A.I. in her ear. Constantly, she misses it constantly, an echoing ache that never leaves. But she still doesn't want to harp on that, so: ] I guess we'll see.
[ the one thing you can always count on: for charles to be ready with unwavering support and sentiment. oops! ]
just give her a bit of time, she'll come round, i reckon.
yeah, we met here, so... anyway, his name's junpei. i'm pretty sure that's his name on the phones too. but you should definitely talk to him, he's [ perfect ] great ❤️
no, you've gotta be right, that's the best explanation for the weirdess, for sure. guess we're waiting for that to happen, then. [ and because he remembers how warmly she spoke of her ai back home... ] hey... i'm sorry, yeah? you've got to miss her a lot. the one here and the one from home, too. can't be easy for you, this.
just give her a bit of time, she'll come round, i reckon.
yeah, we met here, so... anyway, his name's junpei. i'm pretty sure that's his name on the phones too. but you should definitely talk to him, he's [ perfect ] great ❤️
no, you've gotta be right, that's the best explanation for the weirdess, for sure. guess we're waiting for that to happen, then. [ and because he remembers how warmly she spoke of her ai back home... ] hey... i'm sorry, yeah? you've got to miss her a lot. the one here and the one from home, too. can't be easy for you, this.
How optimistic of you! Don't worry, I'm not easily dissuaded. I bet she's never had anyone appreciate how impressively terrifying she is 🥰
I can't wait to meet him. [ This is genuine; when Root makes a friend, she goes all in, sometimes uncomfortably so. In any case, Junpei is immediately on her kill to defend list. And she recognizes the name structure. ] Is he Japanese? I speak a little.
[ Oh no, Root is prepared for this level of empathy aimed at her. ]
Don't give me too much credit, I just have a little more experience than the rest of you. I could be wrong. [ Lowering expectations is a good first step. And then, despite herself, she can't help but respond genuinely to the rest. ] Don't get me wrong, I want to save the A.I. we know here. She protected us at the cost of her life. But there's nothing like the Machine. I would do anything for her.
[ She already lost her hearing in one ear, and she doesn't regret it. ]
I can't wait to meet him. [ This is genuine; when Root makes a friend, she goes all in, sometimes uncomfortably so. In any case, Junpei is immediately on her kill to defend list. And she recognizes the name structure. ] Is he Japanese? I speak a little.
[ Oh no, Root is prepared for this level of empathy aimed at her. ]
Don't give me too much credit, I just have a little more experience than the rest of you. I could be wrong. [ Lowering expectations is a good first step. And then, despite herself, she can't help but respond genuinely to the rest. ] Don't get me wrong, I want to save the A.I. we know here. She protected us at the cost of her life. But there's nothing like the Machine. I would do anything for her.
[ She already lost her hearing in one ear, and she doesn't regret it. ]
Edited 2024-10-19 22:49 (UTC)
[Excuse you, Root. You can't just drop something like that on his lap and expect him not to go through massive mental gymnastics to have it make sense in his little brain. Prone to shutting down and withdrawing to his own mind, Richard falls silent again as he mulls over what she said.
Yeah. Such.. social anarchism is very much new to him. There are something about her that reminds Richard from the witch he used to know. Jane, the lady who had made previous king and his court into fools with a single drink, who celebrated her body proudly and openly -- claiming to be loyal to no one but herself. Jane, who is his prisoner, left to rot in the cell in the dungeon.
But! Root's encouragement to try out the warm drink in his hand is more simpler than sorting out his own thoughts. So, he does as she suggests and raises the cup to his lips, taking a sip.
The taste is.. well, something he's never had before. The strong, almost overwhelming bitterness of it makes Richard grimace at first. But, he does not hesitate to go for second taste -- this time taking a bigger gulp of the hot beverage. After a brief struggle he manages to swallow the liquid and settles the cup back down on the table.
See? He did it.]
Yeah. Such.. social anarchism is very much new to him. There are something about her that reminds Richard from the witch he used to know. Jane, the lady who had made previous king and his court into fools with a single drink, who celebrated her body proudly and openly -- claiming to be loyal to no one but herself. Jane, who is his prisoner, left to rot in the cell in the dungeon.
But! Root's encouragement to try out the warm drink in his hand is more simpler than sorting out his own thoughts. So, he does as she suggests and raises the cup to his lips, taking a sip.
The taste is.. well, something he's never had before. The strong, almost overwhelming bitterness of it makes Richard grimace at first. But, he does not hesitate to go for second taste -- this time taking a bigger gulp of the hot beverage. After a brief struggle he manages to swallow the liquid and settles the cup back down on the table.
See? He did it.]
[ Meanwhile, Root has no idea her idle comment was so thought-provoking, so she lets the conversation lapse in favor of what they're ostensibly here to do: introduce Richard to coffee. That's about what she'd expected his reaction to be, so she smiles but doesn't laugh. She just nudges over a little carafe of milk. ]
Now try it with milk, [ she suggests. ] Most people drink it that way.
Now try it with milk, [ she suggests. ] Most people drink it that way.
[Yeahh, silent moments like these were pretty common with Richard. He already had troubles with deciphering what was true and what not, trying to fight his way out of witch's curse that would twist and turn his sense of reality. And all these challenging and difficult ideas that the individuals in this world kept proposing to him did not really help his case.
Like this 'coffee.' Richard had picked up by now that it was indeed something that majority of the people would drink as a treat. So, far he failed to see the appeal of it. Now, he could withstand even the foulest ale and most bitter wine, but at least those had the benefit of getting him drunk. Something that coffee failed to do.
But! He's not going to give up just yet and does as Root instructs. He picks up the small porcelain carafe and pours milk on his cup. Though.. he might just add little bit too much of it? The color turns from black to light creamy brown as he fills the cup almost to the brim. He then picks up the cup again, brings it to his lips and takes another sip.
Huh, what do you know. The taste improved greatly. The expression on Richard's face softens a little.]
It is more agreeable like this, yes.
Like this 'coffee.' Richard had picked up by now that it was indeed something that majority of the people would drink as a treat. So, far he failed to see the appeal of it. Now, he could withstand even the foulest ale and most bitter wine, but at least those had the benefit of getting him drunk. Something that coffee failed to do.
But! He's not going to give up just yet and does as Root instructs. He picks up the small porcelain carafe and pours milk on his cup. Though.. he might just add little bit too much of it? The color turns from black to light creamy brown as he fills the cup almost to the brim. He then picks up the cup again, brings it to his lips and takes another sip.
Huh, what do you know. The taste improved greatly. The expression on Richard's face softens a little.]
It is more agreeable like this, yes.
then you've just gotta be the first!
hey, well spotted. but yeah, he is. he's lived in the states for pretty long though. so even without this place translating it'd be fine... otherwise i'd be screwed, i don't speak a lick of japanese. [ and really, that root is genuinely looking forward to meeting him — that means a lot to charles. ]
could also be right.
you know, you never told me more about her - the machine, i mean. you got anything right now you can't postpone? we could hang out, you could tell me about her. high time we chatted outside of the phones too, yeah?
hey, well spotted. but yeah, he is. he's lived in the states for pretty long though. so even without this place translating it'd be fine... otherwise i'd be screwed, i don't speak a lick of japanese. [ and really, that root is genuinely looking forward to meeting him — that means a lot to charles. ]
could also be right.
you know, you never told me more about her - the machine, i mean. you got anything right now you can't postpone? we could hang out, you could tell me about her. high time we chatted outside of the phones too, yeah?
I'd offer to teach you some to make him blush but I guess with the translations up and working again, there's not much point. Just make sure you have strawberry sponge cake on Christmas together this year 🍰🍰🍰😉
More than ready to meet outside of texting, but are you sure you really want to sit through me waxing eloquent about a computer?
[ She knows how she sounds and she's not used to anyone volunteering for it. ]
More than ready to meet outside of texting, but are you sure you really want to sit through me waxing eloquent about a computer?
[ She knows how she sounds and she's not used to anyone volunteering for it. ]
well, shit. don't get me wrong, i'm glad nothing's going haywire anymore, but i'm proper mad that you can't teach me those things... though i guess i do alright with making him blush anyway! but right, noting that down, then. i can't eat but i can learn how to make some for him, i reckon. thanks.
hey, wouldn't have said so if i wasn't, now would i?
hey, wouldn't have said so if i wasn't, now would i?
[ Root is great at affecting breezy confidence, which means she overrides her own uncharacteristic shy awkwardness and moves right along. ]
Aw, that's too bad. I was going to invite you to have boba with me.
Meet me there anyway?
Aw, that's too bad. I was going to invite you to have boba with me.
Meet me there anyway?
that's that trendy thing people're going crazy about, innit? wasn't a thing in london when i was still alive, so you're gonna have to describe it for me.
yeah, course. in twenty?
yeah, course. in twenty?
[ Root doesn't mind being the one carrying the conversation in the slightest, though she isn't prone to dominating it, either. She's comfortable with there being lulls, more introspective moments. She doesn't need continual feedback to feel present and seen.
She can't help but smile a little more widely at his improved opinion. ]
There's sugar, too. Some people drink it as sweet as a dessert. [ Root shrugs, drinking her own black coffee again. ] Personally, I like it all ways, but I've never been picky.
About food, at least.
She can't help but smile a little more widely at his improved opinion. ]
There's sugar, too. Some people drink it as sweet as a dessert. [ Root shrugs, drinking her own black coffee again. ] Personally, I like it all ways, but I've never been picky.
About food, at least.
I'll be there, with cool trendy thing I can describe for you 😘
[ Root has an easier time acting cavalier over text; in person she's a bit strung out, morose, still recovering from her weeks of nonstop head-down focus on saving them as well as the A.I. But she's kept herself busy, hasn't just been moping. She's sitting at an outdoor wrought-iron bistro table with a lab jacket and fake glasses thrown onto a spare chair, and she has one leg crossed over the other in a sprightly, fall-patterned sweater dress as she slurps a boba.
When she realizes the person approaching is Charles, she sets down her drink and a true smile breaks over her tired face. Root in person is intense, and she already likes Charles, which means all of her considerable focus is centered precisely on him. ]
Gonna have to give you a failing grade on being a spooky Halloween ghost. Total letdown.
[ Root has an easier time acting cavalier over text; in person she's a bit strung out, morose, still recovering from her weeks of nonstop head-down focus on saving them as well as the A.I. But she's kept herself busy, hasn't just been moping. She's sitting at an outdoor wrought-iron bistro table with a lab jacket and fake glasses thrown onto a spare chair, and she has one leg crossed over the other in a sprightly, fall-patterned sweater dress as she slurps a boba.
When she realizes the person approaching is Charles, she sets down her drink and a true smile breaks over her tired face. Root in person is intense, and she already likes Charles, which means all of her considerable focus is centered precisely on him. ]
Gonna have to give you a failing grade on being a spooky Halloween ghost. Total letdown.
[ if anything, though, her focus only seems to make him grin at her brighter — and instead of waving at her or something like that, what he does is simply walk up to her and give her a tight hug in greeting.
as he pulls back, with a raise of his brows, ]
Right, sorry to disappoint. I could try and emulate a vengeful ghost, if you want?
[ or he could just do this: let his body turn blue and translucent as he walks right through her, before turning back corporeal and distinctly alive-looking behind her chair as he leans down and says, right near her ear, ] Boo.
[ through all this, his eyes are sparkling with amusement; it's clear he's just trying his best to play along and make her smile. ]
as he pulls back, with a raise of his brows, ]
Right, sorry to disappoint. I could try and emulate a vengeful ghost, if you want?
[ or he could just do this: let his body turn blue and translucent as he walks right through her, before turning back corporeal and distinctly alive-looking behind her chair as he leans down and says, right near her ear, ] Boo.
[ through all this, his eyes are sparkling with amusement; it's clear he's just trying his best to play along and make her smile. ]
We'll keep your name in mind in case something comes up!
[ Being so close to her right ear, Charles might notice that Root has a cochlear implant, the transmitter more subtle than most but still tucked up in her hair behind the shell of her ear.
Even sad and tired and disappointed, Root is a vivacious personality. She's a good hugger, returns the gesture firmly and without hesitation, and she smiles easily and widely at Charles's transparent attempts to return her humor. ]
Nope, not scared of you at all. In fact, I might even use the word adorable.
[ He looks like he's about to ask someone out to prom. It's so cute. Root normally doesn't care about kids or teenagers in particular, but once she's fond of someone she goes all in, and everything becomes endearing. ]
Even sad and tired and disappointed, Root is a vivacious personality. She's a good hugger, returns the gesture firmly and without hesitation, and she smiles easily and widely at Charles's transparent attempts to return her humor. ]
Nope, not scared of you at all. In fact, I might even use the word adorable.
[ He looks like he's about to ask someone out to prom. It's so cute. Root normally doesn't care about kids or teenagers in particular, but once she's fond of someone she goes all in, and everything becomes endearing. ]
[Richard's eyes quickly glanced down at the sugar cup on the table right next to the milk and coffee. He has had few encounters with this sweet, white powdered crystal ever since coming to this world. Now, while Richard had soft spot for sweet foods such as strawberries, he still wasn't sure what were his opinions with this 'sugar', as he found it rather overwhelming at times.
Though, he can see why one would have coffee as a treat -- especially when the taste could be modified and softened.
Richard places the cup back on the table, warming his gloved fingers around it. He then raises his mismatched eyes to look Root again. This time there's a glint of interest in his gaze.]
Then what are you picky about?
Though, he can see why one would have coffee as a treat -- especially when the taste could be modified and softened.
Richard places the cup back on the table, warming his gloved fingers around it. He then raises his mismatched eyes to look Root again. This time there's a glint of interest in his gaze.]
Then what are you picky about?
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