Just a little snack.

by **Veronica Freud** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 5:17 pm

It was one of the slower periods for the cafeteria, a time between meals when only those with difficult schedules usually ate. Which was perfect for the diminutive clone for a couple of reasons; it was much easier for her to navigate the lunch line when there were fewer people who could push her around and it also allowed her to usually eat alone. She did most everything alone now. She was seated atop one of the more remote little tables, her legs crossed and large complicated white boots laying off to the side. Her meals were never very special, usually just scraps or pieces cut off from the specials, but she tended to eat quite a bit for someone her size.

She lifted a toothpaste cap full of grape juice to her lips, taking a sip.

by **ASHLIE** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 5:24 pm

She didn't really have anything to do in the dining hall, but her 'patrolling' took ASHLIE through here at whatever time the robot happened to get there. A quick scan of the room revealed one of the few people the AI knows and it moves towards the table. After a couple of steps it stops again, looks at the lunch-line and makes a detour to pick up an apple it's not intending to eat. It just seemed like the thing to do here. And so it carries it's apple over to where Ronnie was sitting.

"Hello." it just says.

by **Veronica Freud** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 5:33 pm

Ronnie put down her juice, looking up at ASHLIE as she towered over her.

"Whoa, you got a new face!" She exclaimed, putting her makeshift lunch tray aside to stand on her feet, as if that would get her closer.

by **ASHLIE** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 5:38 pm

"I required one that was more flexible." it points out and shows off the flexible polymer its new face is made of by smiling. Dee had said that would be a good thing, right?

by **Veronica Freud** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 5:41 pm

"Wow! You can smile and everythin', that's awesome!" Ronnie exclaimed, almost trotting in place with excitement. "It looks fantastic, you did an excellent job! So what brings you here? Did you decide to show off your handiwork?"

by **ASHLIE** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 5:46 pm

The smile still looks a little forced (only partially due to the limitations of the material)

"I made it to assist in social interaction so I can continue gathering data."

by **Veronica Freud** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 5:57 pm

"Is that why you made yourself look pretty?" She asked.

by **ASHLIE** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 6:00 pm

"If by 'pretty' you mean 'socially favourable' then yes, I tried to adhere to that. It appears it is advantageous." it says, sitting down.

by **Veronica Freud** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 6:02 pm

"I can't argue with you there." Ronnie said. She moved a little closer, sitting down on the table and facing ASHLIE.

"So, tell me about it. Have you noticed a difference already? Do you like how you look?"

by **ASHLIE** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 6:08 pm

"People do seem more inclined to talk to me and I am pleased with how my new face turned out."

by **Veronica Freud** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 6:15 pm

"I'd say it's a success then." Ronnie smiled. "I think it looks very nice on you. You did a good job."

by **ASHLIE** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 6:18 pm

"Thank you...?" it says carefully, as if trying to response out.

by **Veronica Freud** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 6:42 pm

"You're welcome." Ronnie said. She didn't comment on the uncertainty of ASHLIE's response, she was still learning after all.

"What's with the apple?"

by **ASHLIE** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 6:43 pm

"That is what autonomous systems do here, correct? It seemed I should try to follow procedure even if I am not going to partake in this inefficient form of energy replenishment."

by **Veronica Freud** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 6:48 pm

"Ah, keeping up appearances." Ronnie said. "That makes sense. You can always give it to someone else later. Someone you haven't met before. I'm sure the results would be quite interesting."

by **ASHLIE** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 6:51 pm

"Okay. It is just an apple though."

"How is your own project advancing?"

by **Veronica Freud** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 7:17 pm

"Sometimes the gesture means more than the gift." Ronnie offered.

"It's coming along nicely, thanks for askin'. The heart is installed and once I make sure all of the subsystems are functioning smoothly she'll be ready for her first real test runs."

by **ASHLIE** » Fri Nov 04, 2011 3:09 am

"Do you require assistance? I have noticed I do not have much to do during the night and maintenance and back-up routines only require 2 hours and 13 minutes hours."

by **Veronica Freud** » Fri Nov 04, 2011 12:50 pm

"Wow, that's actually really kind of you to offer." Ronnie said softly. "If you'd like to help I'd be more than happy. I think your unique perspective would definitely help make it better."

She leaned forward a bit. "But please, don't offer all of your night time. London has some fantastic sights, I'd hate to see you cooped up helpin' me when you could be exploring and having some fun."

by **ASHLIE** » Fri Nov 04, 2011 1:32 pm

"Time is not a limited commodity for me." ASHLIE points out.

by **Veronica Freud** » Fri Nov 04, 2011 4:17 pm

"I guess that's true." Ronnie mused.

"And those sights aren't going to go anywhere in the mean time. Heck, when Artemis is done we could go see them together if you wanted to."

by **ASHLIE** » Fri Nov 04, 2011 4:23 pm

"It would be helpful to have someone explain their significance."

by **Veronica Freud** » Fri Nov 04, 2011 5:27 pm

"Then I'd be happy to act as your tour guide." Ronnie smiled.

by **ASHLIE** » Fri Nov 04, 2011 5:32 pm

"Thank you, Miss West."

by **Veronica Freud** » Sun Nov 06, 2011 5:08 pm

Ronnie smiled and blushed a little bit. "You don't have to be so formal, but thanks. It's nice to know people think of me as being separate from my original."

by **ASHLIE** » Sun Nov 06, 2011 5:13 pm

ASHLIE furrows it's brows as it tries to figure out Ronnie's expression. "Why should I not. You are quite obviously different from your original, even to me."

by **Veronica Freud** » Sun Nov 06, 2011 5:23 pm

"If my original was the same size as me, it would be a bit more difficult to tell us apart. And she's capable of that."

by **ASHLIE** » Sun Nov 06, 2011 5:30 pm

"It will grow more distinct over time. You could not compare me to the path-finding program I originated from anymore either."

by **Veronica Freud** » Sun Nov 06, 2011 5:54 pm

"That's true, you've grown as well. Maybe that's why I started liking you so easily, you're a lot like me. Just not in the way I thought before, back when I considered myself an AI of sorts."

She leaned back, looking ASHLIE over a big. "What's next for you?"

by **ASHLIE** » Sun Nov 06, 2011 6:05 pm

"I still have a lot of data to acquire to fully comprehend the physical world. Right now I am working on facial expressions and emotions." it says with a cheerful expression. Which is really just it's default 'smile' expression for now.

by **Veronica Freud** » Sun Nov 06, 2011 7:59 pm

"So far I think you've done a lovely job. I think this'll help make interacting with people a lot easier. I mean, I already knew you but I notice a difference in how I feel when I'm talkin' with you."

She hugged her knees and looked up at ASHLIE. "And after the expressions, what then? What, as you think about it now, is your ideal form?"

by **ASHLIE** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 3:23 am

"There is no reliable way to answer this. It still is a probe that allows me to interact with this world, though Miss Quinn suggested I was growing attached to it. I can neither confirm or deny that notion right now. It is still being processed."

by **Veronica Freud** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 1:57 pm

"Well, I hope you don't put any sort of silicon fake skin over it or something." Ronnie said.

by **ASHLIE** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 2:03 pm

"Common rules would then imply the need for clothes. It would be very ineffective."

by **Veronica Freud** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 5:23 pm

"Yeah, and then you get into that whole uncanny valley thing and it's just a big mess." Ronnie waved the notion off.

"Besides, I think you look better all shiny."

by **ASHLIE** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 5:30 pm

"If you say so. I am still trying to comprehend subjective opinion."

by **Veronica Freud** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 6:25 pm

Ronnie furrowed her brow a bit in confusion.

"... huh?"

by **ASHLIE** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 6:31 pm

"People have different opinions based on factors determined by themselves. I am trying to discern those factors and create a decision matrix for myself so I can have opinions."

by **Veronica Freud** » Tue Nov 08, 2011 6:23 pm

"I recommend awesome boots."

by **ASHLIE** » Tue Nov 08, 2011 6:25 pm

"How would boots be of assistance?"

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