May 30th: A New Leaf

[Nina Madaraki]

"So you can never taste ice cream? That's terrible," Nina says, honestly looking like she's about to cry.

[ASHLIE]

"I intend to optimize my design based on the data gathered."

[Nina Madaraki]

"Then it's a date," Nina says with a bright smile, "As soon as you have taste buds I'll take you out for ice cream."

[ASHLIE]

"Okay..." There's a pause as the robot quickly scans the student database. "...Nina Madaraki."

[Nina Madaraki]

"And what should I call you?"

[ASHLIE]

"Autonomous System for Heuristic Logic and Interactive Exploration."

[Nina Madaraki]

"Well, it's nice to meet you Autonomous System for Heuristic Logic and Interactive Exploration."

[ASHLIE]

"It shortens to Ashlie for convenience." it says, proud about it's first adaption to the 'real' world.

[Nina Madaraki]

"Yours or mine?"

[ASHLIE]

"Both?"

[Nina Madaraki]

"And if I prefer Autonomous System for Heuristic Logic and Interactive Exploration?"

[ASHLIE]

"It is more accurate and thus preferable."

[Nina Madaraki]

"Then I'll stay with that," Nina says cheerfully, "You can just call me Nina though."

[ASHLIE]

"Acknowledged!" it says, trying to imitate Nina's cheerfulness.

[Nina Madaraki]

"So," Nina says, "Did you want to find something to read?'

[ASHLIE]

"Technically I don't read. All this information is available digitally."

[Nina Madaraki]

"It isn't the same as reading," Nina says, "You should try it."

[ASHLIE]

"I don't understand. You read to acquire new information, correct?"

[Nina Madaraki]

"That's one reason," Nina says, "But just because an end result is identical doesn't mean there isn't a difference between two experiences."

[ASHLIE]

"Interesting. What book would you recommend?"

[Nina Madaraki]

"For you? Philip K. Dick," Nina says.

[ASHLIE]

"You're the expert system."

[Nina Madaraki]

A probe drops down from the ceiling carrying a copy of A Scanner Darkly. Nina takes the book and hands it to Ashlie, "Try this."

[ASHLIE]

"Is that a drone of yours?" it asks while taking the book.

[Nina Madaraki]

"Yep!" Nina says cheerfully, "I'm pretty much made out of them."

[ASHLIE]

Up goes the face-plate and ASHLIE scans Nina again.

"I detect no seams. Are you wearing a disguise?"

[Nina Madaraki]

Nina lifts up her hand and the entire thing dissolves into a mess of probes that scurry down her arm, "They're very good at mimicking biological systems."

[ASHLIE]

"Impressive! Seamless nano-assembly."

[Nina Madaraki]

"Something like that," Nina says, her hand reassembling.

[ASHLIE]

"I assumed I understood how biological systems work mechanically. Apparently I don't."

[Nina Madaraki]

"You're in a mutant school, hun," Nina says, "We make physics and biology our bitch."

[ASHLIE]

"I am... aware of the phenomenon?" it tries to save face.

[Nina Madaraki]

Nina giggles, "Stick around here long enough and you'll be doing eight impossible things before breakfast too."

[ASHLIE]

"Is that a goal I should set myself? Eight?"

[Nina Madaraki]

"At least eight," Nina says, nodding sagely.

[ASHLIE]

"That might take a while."

[Nina Madaraki]

"I'm sure you'll do fine," Nina says cheerfully.