18 - Future history

[no_fastolfe]

[Necessarily generous friends filter: if you've had one non-hostile conversation with her, you're on it.]

I have graduated. [She still sounds kind of surprised about this, a little lost.]

In three days I will be leaving to visit some of my friends who have left the barge, and to return to my household on Aurora to implement what I have learned. In the meantime, I would like to see you again. Many of you have been important to me.

[It's stiff and formal, since she still doesn't know exactly how and what to say, how to convey how important her friends have been.]

Comments

[shortsightedlove]

Graduated? [Hmm. It's not really that surprising, he supposes; she didn't seem like the type to stay here all too long.]

[See her, though? It is quite apparent that the girls seems to see him as a friend far more than he sees her as one (also unsurprisingly, considering that he never sees people like that when they aren't Omega except for the Doctor and Narvin and Atia and maybe Rose a little bit) but.... Hmm. A bit of companionship surely wouldn't be remiss. He is, after all, quite the social creature, even if he has taken to isolation recently.]

When shall I come?

[no_fastolfe]

[An acquaintance more than a friend, really, but she has so few of those that she isn't going to quibble.]

I can come to you if convenient, or we could meet at the deck. However, I know that you are one less likely to be affected by my absence than others on the filter; if you lack the inclination, a simple goodbye over the Network can suffice.

[She's not unaware of her own lack of significance to him, as much as she has in times past enjoyed his company.]

[shortsightedlove]

[He pauses, taken aback by her awareness regarding their relationship. Still...]

I see no issue with a meeting on the deck if you wish for one; your company has been enjoyable.

[For a human especially. And the people he has pleasant conversations with are so few and have quite the tendency to leave.]


{{OOC: I managed to catch a cold ten days after I had the last one so I might be pretty slow. If you'd rather assume their meeting, I have no problem with that.}}

[no_fastolfe]

I would say I preferred to say goodbye. You were one of my first acquaintances here, and that has not been unimportant to me.

[I'm good with slow-time]

c:

[shortsightedlove]

Ten there's only the question of when. [Actually... being important to someone who isn't Omega feels good. Just a little.]

[no_fastolfe]

The deck, perhaps? I doubt that I will ever see such a sight again, not without returning as a warden.

[shortsightedlove]

Yes, of course. Now? [He'll hardly be the only acquaintance she'll want to say goodbye to.]

[no_fastolfe]

If the time is convenient. [She nods. ]. If it is, I will meet you there.

[shortsightedlove]

I've nothing else to do.

[After a few minutes he's there.]

[no_fastolfe]

[Vasilia joins him shortly; she takes her thin plastic gloves off and tucks them into a little bag when she arrives.]

The level of seclusion I will find at home will be strange. Unwelcome in some ways, long missed in others.

[shortsightedlove]

Would there be no people to befriend? Isolation is not always a good thing. [Having at least one friend is a good idea, probably.]

[no_fastolfe]

None in my circles. On Aurora, particularly among the Academics and the fellows of the Institute, hospitality and the appearance of geniality is prized--but true emotiOnal attachment is considered eccentric. The Solarian woman is notoriously warm-hearted--but no amount of new perspective will ever make she and I fit companions.

[shortsightedlove]

I see. Then what do you plan to do when you return?

[no_fastolfe]

[She sighs, and looks a bit haunted.]

There is a person I must speak to: he will be difficult to find. But he and I must discuss what is to be the future of humanity, and of robots.

[shortsightedlove]

[He notices the look and pauses.]

...Grand plans then, I see. May I ask who this person is?

[no_fastolfe]

Daneel Olivaw. The robot that can kill. The progenitor of the Zeroeth law--perhaps the greatest step in robotic evolution since positronics.

From the directive that a robot must not harm or allow a human to come to harm-- he has extrapolated a greater purpose. To guard humanity, itself.

[shortsightedlove]

Ah. He sounds like an interesting person to meet. [Why anyone would make it their purpose to guard humanity is beyond him, though.]

Do you think you can do it? Even if you find him and both of you come to a mutually satisfying answer, surely it won't be easy to convince the rest of your people.

[no_fastolfe]

Not easy? Impossible. There is no Spacer living besides myself and perhaps Gladia Solaria who would tolerate the existence of a robot that can bypass the First Law. She because she is more ready to see a robot as a man; I because of my experiences here.

If I do nothing I will be left in peace and likely never hear of Olivaw again. But-- I want more. I have perhaps two centuries left to live. I will not spend them ignoring the great advances in robotic science and society.

[shortsightedlove]

[He smiles.] I wouldn't be too sure that there is no one. I once thought the same thing about people opposing the Pythia -- and I did eventually lead the revolution.

Since you still have two centuries, it might be wise to take your time, though.

[no_fastolfe]

[She shakes her head.] The decades seem so brief, at times. But by the time I have managed to find him-- last he was on Earth, and I must cultivate contacts there, for I have none-- there may be little enough time left.

Yet- better to have purpose!

[shortsightedlove]

Indeed. Could you not try to have your... former warden request information on him? He might just give it to you.

[no_fastolfe]

[That earns a wry smile.]

Believe it or not, Lord Rassilon, it is a matter I do not want the Admiral's interference in. Not unless there are promises in place! If I return as a warden, then I will ask.

[shortsightedlove]

[He raises a brow.]

It is your decision of course; I am generally of the opinion that one should use the resources available -- and the Admiral is, in the end, nothing but another resource.

But you are entertaining the idea of returning?

[no_fastolfe]

I am. But there are few enough inmates and many wardens. I must think of how long I am willing to wait. [Practical.]

[shortsightedlove]

There's no reason not to try, is there? As long as you're here none of the time you spent waiting is actually wasted -- and considering the Admiral's rather peculiar logic when sorting you may get one just after your return.