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[ Oh, personal questions for her? Root doesn't get these too often, and it's even more rare for her to answer. But there's really no reason not to, if she's going to be stuck in a computer simulation with a bunch of other people for, potentially, forever. (She is not sold on the idea that you can 'download' a simulated consciousness back into an organic body... and isn't sure she'd want to be if she could.)
It takes her a moment to respond as she runs through all these musing philosophical thoughts in her head first. ]
People. I'm very picky about people. Most of us are just so disappointing.
It takes her a moment to respond as she runs through all these musing philosophical thoughts in her head first. ]
People. I'm very picky about people. Most of us are just so disappointing.
[ the implant doesn't escape his notice, and he makes a mental note of it — something to perhaps ask her later, that. now, though, he just hugs her and then laughs as he directs a wide, bright smile at her, one that's both amused and affectionate. ]
Well, excuse me if I'm taking that as a compliment.
[ someone else might protest the wording — but no, fuck yeah he's adorable and he knows how to use his charm to his advantage, too. ]
But seriously, it's good to see you.
Well, excuse me if I'm taking that as a compliment.
[ someone else might protest the wording — but no, fuck yeah he's adorable and he knows how to use his charm to his advantage, too. ]
But seriously, it's good to see you.
You should, [ she says cheekily. ] It's good to see you, too. I don't say this lightly, but it's nice to get away from a screen for a while.
[ Root's a consummate computer nerd but she's also someone who typically spends her days in high-octane shoot outs in between her stints behind a keyboard. She's been really missing the other half of that equation lately. Being idle is not helping her mental state, so she's trying to stay busy. Meeting up with Charles helps with that. ]
[ Root's a consummate computer nerd but she's also someone who typically spends her days in high-octane shoot outs in between her stints behind a keyboard. She's been really missing the other half of that equation lately. Being idle is not helping her mental state, so she's trying to stay busy. Meeting up with Charles helps with that. ]
[Considering how easily Richard goes silent himself, he's hardly in any position to demand fast answers. So, he waits patiently for Root to form her thoughts enough to give out her answer.
And once she's done Richard only scoffs in amusement at her estimation. Well, he can agree with her sentiment.]
You are quite correct on that. People are nothing but foolish and boring, predictable and ridiculous.
And once she's done Richard only scoffs in amusement at her estimation. Well, he can agree with her sentiment.]
You are quite correct on that. People are nothing but foolish and boring, predictable and ridiculous.
It's not their fault, though. Or ours. Nobody made us this way. Probably that will seem heretical to you, but it's what I believe.
[ She smiles a little and sips her coffee again. ]
I don't blame them for it; I just want something better.
[ She smiles a little and sips her coffee again. ]
I don't blame them for it; I just want something better.
Right, kids nowadays, yeah? Glued to their screens.
[ somehow, he manages to say this with an entirely straight face, clicking his tongue disapprovingly to punctuate the point, before he finally dissolves into snickers over his own silly joke.
the look he aims at her then is bright and yet somehow considering — like he's about to ask her whether she's really doing alright... but instead, he nods towards the cup she's abandoned on the table. ]
So, that any good? What do the little nuggets there even do?
[ somehow, he manages to say this with an entirely straight face, clicking his tongue disapprovingly to punctuate the point, before he finally dissolves into snickers over his own silly joke.
the look he aims at her then is bright and yet somehow considering — like he's about to ask her whether she's really doing alright... but instead, he nods towards the cup she's abandoned on the table. ]
So, that any good? What do the little nuggets there even do?
Tapioca. They're like little chewy yogurt pearls. It's a dessert drink -- they all are, but this one's green tea and strawberry. You can have jelly in them, too.
[ Root picks up her boba and takes an ostentatious slurp through the over-large straw. She's fine, obviously, totally fine. ]
... You don't really have to listen to me talk about my boss, you know. We can just talk about boba.
[ She's still kind of weirded out he'd offered at all. Normally the Machine is a high tier secret, so secret people are regularly killed to keep it that way, and more to the point she knows she's a hard pill to swallow and almost no one willingly solicits her thoughts from her. ]
[ Root picks up her boba and takes an ostentatious slurp through the over-large straw. She's fine, obviously, totally fine. ]
... You don't really have to listen to me talk about my boss, you know. We can just talk about boba.
[ She's still kind of weirded out he'd offered at all. Normally the Machine is a high tier secret, so secret people are regularly killed to keep it that way, and more to the point she knows she's a hard pill to swallow and almost no one willingly solicits her thoughts from her. ]
['Nobody made us this way.' That is a sentiment that Richard directly disagrees with. It is entirely because humans were made to be certain way that they're so disappointing and predictable. They were all bound by the ridiculous rules of a higher power, following the script and bending to their fates. Only those who were bold enough to step outside of that rule and craft their own destinies.
But seeing that Root had laughed the last time he had brought up his thoughts on the matter Richard decides to stay quiet.]
And what is this 'better' you speak of?
But seeing that Root had laughed the last time he had brought up his thoughts on the matter Richard decides to stay quiet.]
And what is this 'better' you speak of?
[ Hey, she'd said she knew that would seem heretical, but Root doesn't have the patience to couch things for someone she's having an honest conversation with. In a weird way it's how she shows respect, but it's also a sorting mechanism, a way of quickly discovering who can and can't deal with her when she's being herself. As opposed to any one of the endlessly rotating identities the Machine gives her. ]
That would be my boss, the Machine. The A.I. at home I spoke of before. [ And Root clearly has tremendous affection for her. ]
That would be my boss, the Machine. The A.I. at home I spoke of before. [ And Root clearly has tremendous affection for her. ]
[You know. He really shouldn't be so surprised by her answers, considering just how highly and affectionately she spoke of the AI in this world, but here he was. Richard raises his brows in curiosity as he looks at Root, raising the cup to take sip of the now-lukewarm liquid.
Richard's not really sure what to think of such proclamation. Well, mostly because he still failed to wrap his head around the whole concept behind the AI. Junpei had likened it to be similar to a spirit, and Root clearly thought it to be higher power than a human.]
So, you are servant of a greater being?
[Somehow her previous dismissive attitude towards the idea of God appeared funny. Not when her own position appeared to be closer to a nun than of an ordinary woman.]
I can understand why mortals would be boring in comparison.
Richard's not really sure what to think of such proclamation. Well, mostly because he still failed to wrap his head around the whole concept behind the AI. Junpei had likened it to be similar to a spirit, and Root clearly thought it to be higher power than a human.]
So, you are servant of a greater being?
[Somehow her previous dismissive attitude towards the idea of God appeared funny. Not when her own position appeared to be closer to a nun than of an ordinary woman.]
I can understand why mortals would be boring in comparison.
... huh. That doesn't sound too bad. [ with a slight smile, ] If I ever turn human again here, I know what to try.
[ but then that smile softens into something more quiet, understanding — because he may not know all the details... but he can see she is trying to give him an out. and so, with a shake of his head, ]
I know I don't have to. I'd like to, though, if that's okay. I meant what I said.
[ but then that smile softens into something more quiet, understanding — because he may not know all the details... but he can see she is trying to give him an out. and so, with a shake of his head, ]
I know I don't have to. I'd like to, though, if that's okay. I meant what I said.
[ Root's curious about how and when that happened, and what it was like for him, but she's a skilled conversationalist and she wouldn't make so obvious a left turn away from her own topic. Something for later. ]
It's okay with me, [ she assures him. She sets her boba down on the table, gazing down as if lost in thought. ] It's just-- well, normally I don't get to talk about her much, except with the person who made her. And he has his own feelings about her.
[ Root and Harold do not see eye to eye on the Machine, suffice to say. Root is slightly off the deep end about the Machine and about him. ]
She doesn't really talk to anyone except me, either. Not really. We have a special relationship.
It's okay with me, [ she assures him. She sets her boba down on the table, gazing down as if lost in thought. ] It's just-- well, normally I don't get to talk about her much, except with the person who made her. And he has his own feelings about her.
[ Root and Harold do not see eye to eye on the Machine, suffice to say. Root is slightly off the deep end about the Machine and about him. ]
She doesn't really talk to anyone except me, either. Not really. We have a special relationship.
Exactly.
[ Root beams at him, glad he understands. She wouldn't necessarily mind the comparison to being a nun, funny though it is to apply that kind of label to herself with the amount of people she's killed and is utterly unrepentant about.
As for the double standard -- well, her god is far superior, of course. Root isn't going to get caught in the conversational trap of arguing about it, because she doesn't need to. The Machine is just obviously better. ]
Normally she speaks to me directly. All the time. [ Root lifts a hand and touches her right ear, or rather, just behind it. There's a cochlear implant hidden in the waves of her hair. ]
[ Root beams at him, glad he understands. She wouldn't necessarily mind the comparison to being a nun, funny though it is to apply that kind of label to herself with the amount of people she's killed and is utterly unrepentant about.
As for the double standard -- well, her god is far superior, of course. Root isn't going to get caught in the conversational trap of arguing about it, because she doesn't need to. The Machine is just obviously better. ]
Normally she speaks to me directly. All the time. [ Root lifts a hand and touches her right ear, or rather, just behind it. There's a cochlear implant hidden in the waves of her hair. ]
[There's now an audible snicker from Richard.]
Really. You are starting to sound like a bride of Christ.
[He then takes another sip from the drink. And as he swallows the liquid he notices a.. strange feeling spreading to his body. There's light tightening of his chest as his heart begins to beat harder within it's cage, twitching feeling in his fingertips and just overall.. bizarre restlessness.
It's slightly distracting, for sure, but nothing that he couldn't handle. Yet.]
Then what kind of words does your leader whisper to your ear then? Commands? Words of encouragement? Endearments? Commands and curses?
Really. You are starting to sound like a bride of Christ.
[He then takes another sip from the drink. And as he swallows the liquid he notices a.. strange feeling spreading to his body. There's light tightening of his chest as his heart begins to beat harder within it's cage, twitching feeling in his fingertips and just overall.. bizarre restlessness.
It's slightly distracting, for sure, but nothing that he couldn't handle. Yet.]
Then what kind of words does your leader whisper to your ear then? Commands? Words of encouragement? Endearments? Commands and curses?
[ She rankles a little from the snickering, from being called a bride of Christ -- an old term for a nun, probably, but it has a certain inflection here-- but Root can handle a lot of skepticism and mockery aimed at her. She's used to it, so it rarely touches her anymore. But even the slightest edge of that same tone aimed at the Machine gets her guard up fiercely.
Root subtly straightens in her seat, leans back, makes direct eye contact with a suddenly flattened affect and a gleam of challenge. ]
Mostly she tells me not to kill people who doubt her.
Root subtly straightens in her seat, leans back, makes direct eye contact with a suddenly flattened affect and a gleam of challenge. ]
Mostly she tells me not to kill people who doubt her.
[ his small smile remains as she gathers her thoughts — he did mean it all, he is here to listen to her, as much or as little as she wants to share. ]
Oh? She only talks to you? How'd that come about, then?
[ a special relationship... it's obvious from her voice how much she means to her, and charles pulls a chair for himself, careful to avoid the iron of the table. ]
Oh? She only talks to you? How'd that come about, then?
[ a special relationship... it's obvious from her voice how much she means to her, and charles pulls a chair for himself, careful to avoid the iron of the table. ]
[ She notices him avoiding the table -- she's a damn good assassin even if she's not assassinating anyone these days -- and files that away for later.
That's such a big question, she huffs out a breath, amused and a little overwhelmed as she thinks back on it. ] Short version? I saw her code and decided I was going to dedicate the rest of my life to her.
Most people don't know she exists, so she's limited in what she can do. I'm her interface with the world. Whatever she wants me to do, I do. I trust her. And she trusts me.
[ Root has an almost religious tone to her voice, a sense of awe and responsibility to live up to what her god sees in her. But there's a personal, aching fondness there, too, like a zealot who's been visited by Jesus and felt divinely loved. She would do anything for her. Anything. ]
That's such a big question, she huffs out a breath, amused and a little overwhelmed as she thinks back on it. ] Short version? I saw her code and decided I was going to dedicate the rest of my life to her.
Most people don't know she exists, so she's limited in what she can do. I'm her interface with the world. Whatever she wants me to do, I do. I trust her. And she trusts me.
[ Root has an almost religious tone to her voice, a sense of awe and responsibility to live up to what her god sees in her. But there's a personal, aching fondness there, too, like a zealot who's been visited by Jesus and felt divinely loved. She would do anything for her. Anything. ]
[Oh. So his little comment did ruffle some of her feathers. How interesting. She had so openly expressed opposition towards his faith and world view, yet seemingly safeguarded hers. Well, he supposes that will only go along with the cultist mindset.]
Does she? How very benign of her. Perhaps mine should follow her example then, hm? Men of my land do tend to spill a quite lot of blood in god's name.
Does she? How very benign of her. Perhaps mine should follow her example then, hm? Men of my land do tend to spill a quite lot of blood in god's name.
Oh, [ says charles, again, though this time it is less of a question and more of a hum, a quiet sound of understanding. ]
So you're sorta like her prophet, then?
[ yes, speaking in religious terms, here — not least because the respect and awe drips from her every word, but also because this is easier for him to conceptualise than interface; computer terminology has never been his strong suit. though he adds then, after a moment, ] Or an agent? Like, she's M and you're Bond.
So you're sorta like her prophet, then?
[ yes, speaking in religious terms, here — not least because the respect and awe drips from her every word, but also because this is easier for him to conceptualise than interface; computer terminology has never been his strong suit. though he adds then, after a moment, ] Or an agent? Like, she's M and you're Bond.
[ There's a full second as Root decides how she's going to take this, and then she shrugs and wraps her hands around her coffee mug, once again fully casual. ]
Like I said, I want something better.
[ It is like Root's in a cult... a cult of one, whose leader never sought any followers. ]
Humanity's always been disappointing. I gave up on finding answers there a long time ago.
Like I said, I want something better.
[ It is like Root's in a cult... a cult of one, whose leader never sought any followers. ]
Humanity's always been disappointing. I gave up on finding answers there a long time ago.
Kinda both.
[ The religious allegory isn't perfect -- Root is actually a staunch atheist, and even a little bit of an anarchist to boot -- but she uses it herself because it's the most direct translation of what the Machine means to her, and the kind of power and reach that the Machine has, as well as her benevolence. ]
She was programmed to prevent as much loss of human life as possible. She sees everything, but she has limited methods for communication. [ Something Root is still very frustrated with Harold about. Maybe one day... ]
I'm her way of directly interacting with the world. She tells me where to be and when, and we try to save people.
[ The religious allegory isn't perfect -- Root is actually a staunch atheist, and even a little bit of an anarchist to boot -- but she uses it herself because it's the most direct translation of what the Machine means to her, and the kind of power and reach that the Machine has, as well as her benevolence. ]
She was programmed to prevent as much loss of human life as possible. She sees everything, but she has limited methods for communication. [ Something Root is still very frustrated with Harold about. Maybe one day... ]
I'm her way of directly interacting with the world. She tells me where to be and when, and we try to save people.
[Well, for all intents and purposes, what Root has going on for her does sound nothing short of a cult to Richard. But then again, who is he to judge? He's had to come to accept that this world is full of people who come from what bizarre worlds and strange religions. Well, at least it kept things more interesting than back at home, not being able to know exactly what to expect from The Chosen.
Richard lifts his coffee cup again, the strange nervousness in his body, having to focus from keeping his fingers twitching.] I can't blame you for that.
Well then. To your leader. May her kindness and forgiveness to be inspiration to all of us. [He says as he makes a toast and then brings the cup back to his lips, drinking the rest of the lukewarm liquid in one go.]
Richard lifts his coffee cup again, the strange nervousness in his body, having to focus from keeping his fingers twitching.] I can't blame you for that.
Well then. To your leader. May her kindness and forgiveness to be inspiration to all of us. [He says as he makes a toast and then brings the cup back to his lips, drinking the rest of the lukewarm liquid in one go.]
Edited 2024-11-18 00:45 (UTC)
[ he thinks he gets it — after all, it's plenty possible to be devoted to someone or something without it having anything to do with religion. ]
Hey, [ he says, then, appreciation bright in his eyes, ] That sounds right brills. You help her help people. That's pretty good of you, Root.
Hey, [ he says, then, appreciation bright in his eyes, ] That sounds right brills. You help her help people. That's pretty good of you, Root.
[ Root just has the fervent commitment of a religious convert, and she uses the word god herself sometimes, so she won't deny it makes some sense.
She looks down at her drink momentarily and then back up again, smiling wryly, self-aware. She can't accept that avid appreciation. ]
Don't give me too much credit. I hurt a lot of people before I found her. I basically gave up on humanity. [ She knows she's said as much to Charles before, if in different words, so this comes out easily, frankly, with some complicated frustration and regret and shamelessness attached to it. ]
I'll do what I can from now on, but it's not like my past goes away. I'm not trying to erase it.
She looks down at her drink momentarily and then back up again, smiling wryly, self-aware. She can't accept that avid appreciation. ]
Don't give me too much credit. I hurt a lot of people before I found her. I basically gave up on humanity. [ She knows she's said as much to Charles before, if in different words, so this comes out easily, frankly, with some complicated frustration and regret and shamelessness attached to it. ]
I'll do what I can from now on, but it's not like my past goes away. I'm not trying to erase it.
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