016 웃 VOICE

[secretasshole]

[David's voice is flat when he clicks on the video feed. He doesn't sound sad, really, or angry. He's not programmed to experience those emotions the same way humans are, and so it's probably more accurate to say he sounds disappointed.

And maybe a little depressed.]

My creator said I was the closest thing to a son he would ever have. But because I was not human, I would never appreciate the gifts he'd given me - freedom from aging and death - because I lacked the one thing that would make me worthwhile to him. A soul.

During this breach, I had a soul, and chose to have it cut away from me. [And he's just. So sick of this, of being forced to confront these issues and knowing that no one's going to understand. This is all just so pointless.

There's a long pause, and he does consider saying something else, but ultimately just turns the feed off. It's the android equivalent of a fuck it, it's not worth it.]

Comments

[routemistress]

That's twice running we've agreed with each other. What form did it take, your daemon?

[secretasshole]

A tarantula.

[routemistress]

Figures. Mine were a purple emperor butterfly. I don't 'alf miss 'im.

[secretasshole]

"Figures"?

[routemistress]

They're uncompromising creatures. Very efficient. Solitary. You're not a man who gives a shit about cuddly, or popular, or whether people are frightened of you.

It fits.

[secretasshole]

I think that was rather the point.

[routemistress]

And beautiful. For anyone who doesn't scare easy.

[secretasshole]

Is this going somewhere?

[routemistress]

I'm thinking out loud. Enjoying the novelty of 'aving a conversation where you and me aren't arguing. I value contact with other sentients for its own sake, David, it doesn't 'ave to go anywhere.

I'm not chatting you up, if that's what you're getting at. I can be a bit optimistic in that department, but that's going a bit far.

[secretasshole]

Yes, it is.

[routemistress]

You told me once you don't 'ave the capacity for it, and I've got no reason to think you weren't telling the truth.

I'm interested by 'ow someone so different from me sees the world, I suppose. I don't get the impression you enjoy it much, on the whole.

[secretasshole]

I enjoyed it far more when my fellow crew members were in hypersleep.

[routemistress]

Don't like people, or just didn't like them?

[secretasshole]

Both, generally.

[routemistress]

...I'll admit there can be a lot not to like. I enjoy the endless possibilities of 'em, meself.

What don't you like? Specifically. I'm curious if it's just David-normal or if it's a reaction to 'ow people've treated you. Or summat else entirely, of course.

[secretasshole]

As I've made clear before, I don't appreciate people's attitudes towards artificial life forms, and it has been an unfortunately common behavior to encounter. Besides that, I've found most sentient, organic beings to be incredibly arrogant.

I also find nosy, overly familiar beings who are quick to make assumptions about others and use their curiosity as a shield to cover all irresponsible or offensive behavior particularly frustrating.

[routemistress]

[Iris grins, wide and catlike; amused, not especially friendly.]

And you're not arrogant at all. And never make assumptions about organic people either.

[secretasshole]

[Which is just getting you one in return, because you are still on his shit list. B(]

Except from your position of power, my making assumptions is a minor, temporary inconvenience. For those like me, being the subject of a false assumption can be quite significant.

[routemistress]

Which is why I try not to make 'em, David. It's why I try and talk to you, even when you're a complete git about it.

[secretasshole]

Your tactless attitude can and occasionally does cause more harm than good. It has, for example, done nothing to convince me that I'm in the wrong for finding most other sentient beings entirely intolerable, and I'm fairly certain that has something to do with my still being on this ship.

[routemistress]

...I know. I do try and watch meself; but I get away from me a lot.

I don't see why you need to like other people. Not like there aren't plenty of organic antisocial bastards out there.

[secretasshole]

I'd say you're welcome to provide a different hypothesis, but I wouldn't be surprised if you were planning on offering one regardless of my thoughts on the matter.

[routemistress]

No. I don't know your 'istory. You've been on this boat with me what, amost a year? All that time, I don't recall you 'urting anyone or starting any rabies epidemics. You're a bit of a git, but if people were inmates for that we'd need a much bigger boat. So no. I don't think you're expected to be a social butterfly to graduate, but I don't 'ave enough data for a proper 'ypothesis.

You've 'ad some bad luck with wardens, too, 'aven't you?

[secretasshole]

That's one way of putting it.

[routemistress]

It's the only way of putting it. You didn't corrupt Aya or drive 'er off. You've not been paired since, 'ave you? I don't remember.