Scenario 2 [Action/Video]

[alchemistsquery]

[The vine catches Alfimi approaching the lake. Next on her "do something I've never done before" agenda is "swimming." She takes a moment, just staring at the water from the shore. She walks a little closer and stares some more. Eventually she moves her leg and puts a toe in the water. She pulls back almost instantly, looking surprised. After

Comments

[action]

[lovelikelight]

Hello. [She smiles at the girl she hasn't seen before as she approaches her. She glances out at the lake, the ripples on its surface glittering in the sunshine.]

It's quite beautiful, isn't it? [It would be hard to miss the young woman's unfamiliarity with the lake.] Are you from a world without bodies of water like this?

Re: [action]

[alchemistsquery]

Hello. I'm Alfimi. [Alfimi returns her smile, but her look of worry returns when she glances back at the water.]

The land of beginings had them, but I always saw them from above. I never got to see one up-close.

[action]

[lovelikelight]

It's very nice to meet you, Alfimi. My name's Epsilon.

I see. Did you live in orbit, then, or in space? [She's familiar with space stations and the like.] The water here is quite safe. I've seen people swimming in it before. You could wade in, to acclimate yourself.

[action]

[alchemistsquery]

Nice to meet you, Epsilon.

I was in space a lot there. When I came closer to the land I could see the water. Sometimes the waves in the ocean.

I have never swam before. Do I just... lower myself into the water?

[action]

[lovelikelight]

I've never been up into space. It must be a wonderful sight, to see the world from above.

That's a good start. It shouldn't be too deep just there. You'll be able to stand on the bottom.

I can stay and make sure you'll be all right. It's a good idea to have a lifeguard, if you haven't been swimming before.

Re: [action]

[alchemistsquery]

It is very pretty. The land is made of many colors and shapes. [Alfimi's pretty backwards. Born in space, it is life on land that is new and strange to her.]

O-okay. [There is fear in her voice, but she lowers herself into the lake. She stops when only her head remains above water.] Ah. This is... this is actually... kind of nice.

[action]

[lovelikelight]

It does sound lovely. I've seen the earth from the sky, many times, but that's as close as I've come to being in space. Did you always live there? [She keeps talking calmly to Alfimi so she can relax.]

[She smiles.] You'll be all right. Wait until you feel comfortable in the water. There's nothing to be afraid of.

[action]

[alchemistsquery]

Yes. I have been in space... for a long time.

[Alfimi seems to be getting calmer.] There are so many neat things here. I want to do many things I've never done before.

[action]

[lovelikelight]

What did you do, in space?

[Epsilon seats herself on the lakeshore, gazing out at Alfimi.] I like it here, too. What other things do you most want to do?

[action]

[alchemistsquery]

[Alfimi looks down. There may be a note of shame in her voice.] It mainly involved... fighting. [She had done many things that she now recognizes as "bad." Kidnapping her "other self," for example...]

I want to do as many different things as I can. Xion said that if I do that, I can find out who I am. I am not sure what actions are most important, however.

[action]

[lovelikelight]

I understand. I've known people who spent their lives fighting. [Epsilon herself doesn't fight, but she understands why others do.] You don't wish to fight anymore?

I think Xion had a good idea, and swimming's a good start. What actions are most important to you depends on you. That's how you find out who you are. You learn what actions have the most meaning for you.

I didn't always know who I was, either. It can take time.

[Action]

[alchemistsquery]

I don't wish to hurt anyone anymore. If I have to fight to protect someone or help someone, then I will. But I will know why I'm fighting.

Hmm. Then I think I will do many things. It helps that I am making friends now. I never had any before.

I am glad to have time now. I'll try my best. Maybe I can find out. Just talking to people seems to help some.

[action]

[lovelikelight]

It's important to know why you're fighting. That's the only way you can wisely decide whether you should fight. I only fight to protect people. I don't want anyone to be harmed.

Making friends is always a wonderful thing, and your friends can give you ideas for more things to try.

There are a lot of different people here, so it's an excellent opportunity to learn about yourself. [A young person who only knows fighting and doesn't know herself is unusual, even to Epsilon, so she asks:] Were you constructed as well?

Re: [action]

[alchemistsquery]

Yes. I will always make sure to know, from now on. I must make sure to think about it and not be fooled.

Yes. Can we be friends? If it is too soon to ask, can I ask later?

Constructed? I am organic, not mechanical. I was copied from a human.

[action]

[lovelikelight]

It can be difficult to know. I've had to struggle with that issue many times in the past.

I'd very much like to be friends. It isn't too soon to ask me.

I was unclear. I didn't mean what you're made of, as I can sense your life signs. I wondered if you'd been made to fight. I'm a robot, but I'm familiar with the technology for organic constructs as well as mechanical ones. But you're a clone, I see.

[Action]

[alchemistsquery]

I will try hard, then. To know.

Thank you! I love having friends! It is good.

I was made to fight among... other things. [Alfimi looks down.] But in the end I was considered worthless... not good enough. It was decided that I'd be destroyed along with the humans.

You are a robot? That is neat!