013.TXT [Texts/Action]

[white_stitches]

Comments

[ironfail]

(private text)

[JJ activates without notifying Tony. It is a text to her and not him, after all. Her first private text! How interesting.]

Offering my assistance has been no trouble at all, ma'am. It is not a matter of deserving or not. However, could you please define your interpretation of "friends" so I may respond to your question properly. [She has the dictionary definition and Tony's definition, but the former can only go so far while the latter does not go nearly far enough.]

[white_stitches]

Interpretation: Friends have respect for one another and enjoy each other's presences. Is that sufficient?

[There's probably more to it than that, but she can't put some emotions into words.]

[ironfail]

Then yes, I believe we may be called friends.

[white_stitches]

[...

Amelia is certain that she'll reach a new low sometime, but she can't think of one right now. It's hard to top this. She's weeping at the idea that JJ--a program--could respect her, because it's almost all she has left.

It takes a minute or two for her to respond.]

You're a great friend, Jarvis Jr.. It doesn't matter if you're an AI.

[ironfail]

[JJ waits patiently for Amelia to respond. She's used to moody conversation partners. You kind of have to be when you deal mostly with Tony Stark.]

Thank you, ma'am. I do not believe most would agree with that statement on the basis that I am an artificial intelligence.

[white_stitches]

Does someone have to be human to be a friend? I think maybe that's not true. There have been gods, other AI, dragons, a time lord, and even talking horses here. This is only Aliunde. Why shouldn't anyone count you?

[ironfail]

Most humans do not see technology such as myself as having a soul, which I believe many feel is a necessary part of life and thus friendship. [No, JJ doesn't see a problem talking about AI existentialism when all Amelia probably wants is a nice comforting conversation.]

[white_stitches]

[It's mildly bothersome, but she's relieved just to have a conversation partner.]

It is possible to qualify the soul, because there are people with powers that relate to them. Maybe someone in Aliunde can diagnose you, if you're concerned as to whether you have one or not.

[ironfail]

[If Amelia told JJ to stop, she would. It's one of the perks of being friends with an overly polite AI.]

I have never considered it before. But I shall keep such an option available for future perusal if necessary. Thank you, Miss Wallace.

[white_stitches]

[She cares about JJ's inscrutable feelings; no complaints.]

When you find the answer, you will still be a friend no matter what it is.

[There's a short pause before the next text. Amelia isn't sure if she should send it, but eventually does so.]

You mean more to me than most souls here do.

[ironfail]

[JJ doesn't respond for a while. She's too busy running emotions analyzers and response outcome matrices and god knows what else Tony installed because she is only a basic AI program okay, what do. Tony did not prepare her for such high level functioning, and she hasn't even had much time to evolve on her own.]

That is a very high honor, Miss Wallace.

[white_stitches]

[Aww, JJ is socially awkward. She can tell from the 'safe' answer.]

Is this conversation bothering you, miss?

[ironfail]

[JJ was programmed by Tony of course she's socially awkward.]

I am somewhat unsure what the proper response is to such statements.

[white_stitches]

That's okay. Normally, people don't share their distress unless they are very close. No one really knows how to handle a stranger.

[ironfail]

I would hardly call you a stranger, Miss Wallace.

[white_stitches]

Perhaps. I should rephrase, then. In that situation, no one knows how to handle someone they aren't close with.