Do Programs Dream of Synthetic Snow? [OPEN AND IN THE RIGHT COMM NOW]
who ; Gem and YOU~
what ; Gem and her little darling dog, too, are out in the Snow. And enjoying themselves.
where ; Garden Zone 5
when ; Thursday December 15th
warning(s) ; None? ALSO: Action or prose is fine.
( It's too bad she won't live. But then again, who does. )
what ; Gem and her little darling dog, too, are out in the Snow. And enjoying themselves.
where ; Garden Zone 5
when ; Thursday December 15th
warning(s) ; None? ALSO: Action or prose is fine.
( It's too bad she won't live. But then again, who does. )
Comments 75
And he actually likes the snow. Or-- perhaps, more specifically, his sister likes the snow, and he's... learned to tolerate it on her behalf. Even though she isn't here, she would want him to enjoy himself. So. He's out for a walk. Not at anything approaching his usual speed, but a genial, passably human walk.
Which is quaint unto itself, but hardly spoils his mood. It's enough so that when he sees the woman, registers that faint glow of circuitry, he doesn't actively scowl at her so much as simply raise one hand in greeting. It's snowing, and he can almost imagine he's back home in the Balkans.
Whoever said happiness is a warm gun is a lying liar that lies.]
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Even as Pietro starts to wave, Pino starts to bound towards him, barking happily. Gem moves to stand, tilting her head in small acknowledgement, even as she lets out a light, high-pitched hum. The dog stops immediately in it's tracks, and moves back to heel at his owner.
For being a Program who knows little of creature behavior, Gem is still infinitely pleased she's learned to make the pup behave. Like Users, and other Programs--all seem to respond to her systems. It just is a matter of finding the right frequency.]
Sorry about that. He gets overly excited...spends too much time among the other mongrels in this station.
[She likes Dug, truly--but Pino has picked up horrible habits from the talking dog ( ... )
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It's nothing that requires apology.
[Dogs will be dogs, as they say. And he doesn't mind animals. At times, he finds their company better than humans. They make be a notch down the pole as far as intelligence is concerned, but they're simpler for it. And they tend not to judge.
As for the owner, now, she's an entirely different story. She's obviously inhuman in one respect or another, the glow puts him in the mind of the other Programs he's seen on the network. But the way she moves reminds him of Wanda.]
The name's Pietro.
[... a slight pause. He's been actively preventing his name from becoming publicly known in this place. So far the only people that are aware are Rogers, Agent Carter and-- his father ( ... )
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He's something different.
Something Gem likes so much more.
It isn't that she means to judge, to decide that some are better than others. But all her life she has been treated like a secondary creature. To be used. To be useful. She found a way to break that so early on, but never completely. No matter how brilliantly she shined, others always saw her as something less.
But here, well. Her new circuitry, her new coding. She's embarked on a true freedom like no others. One that makes her simply care less what others think. She's an equal now.]
You say that now. But he did chase a young elf up a tree a few weeks ago.
[A tilt of the head, a flick of eyelashes down and up. It had been amusing, she had to admit.
When he gives his name, her smile turns from coy to something a bit more genuine. She likes it.]
Gem. My name is Gem.
[She takes a few steps closer, watching him with some curiosity.]
And can I ask where home is?
[So many ( ... )
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She stops walking when she spots the other woman and her dog, grinning behind her scarf, though she's careful to keep a little distance. Dogs don't usually much like fae - they can smell that there's something off about them - but that doesn't mean fae don't like dogs. Or at least, May thinks they seem fun. ]
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He won't bite, I promise.
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After a moment, she flicks a glance up to Gem and grins. ] I'm not really used to dogs - I've only ever had cats. He's really cute, though.
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Thank you. He's...different. He's more comfortable around non-humans.
[Since his previous owner, and Gem, are not anywhere close to being human.]
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Still, it's good to rest his eyes on a landscape that's all one color. That's relaxing in a way he hadn't counted on, with the light filtered through it, almost blue.
When a small...canine creature bolts out of a mound past him and dives yapping over the nearest pile of snow it can find, tongue flashing pink-red between grinning bites of frozen water, Clu looks around for the source of the laughter and finds]
Gem! ['Waving' hi made its way into Program lexicon back with mohawks and Members Only.] Is this yours?
[Little guy is definitely energetic.]
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[Gem stands, moving over to place a hand on Clu's back, rubbing slightly. She doesn't hug, but this is her version.]
I had given him to Pino as a birthday gift...but when Pino left, I took him back. Named him after her.
[There is warmth in her voice, affection. She truly cares about the damn thing. But she is a Siren. Protecting and loving the weakest is part of herself. Even with the changes.]
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Pino. I like it. [What has two thumbs and is an inch away from Who's a good boy? Who's gonna bite a chunk outta that nasty, mean old mail-drone, is it yoooou?
THIS PROGRAM. Not that he'll ever admit it.] Kinda small for a guard function...He's a companion?
[Oh. Hi. Clu senses that non-hug and leans into it, aligning his weight with hers in an easygoing, friendly push. I see what you did there. Back atcha.]
It can get to you, sometimes, the come-and-go. [Where had that come from? Still, it's true, softness for softness] Glad to have you with us.
[Which, under the studied imitation of User speech, means I'm glad you're still here.]
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[She lets her fingers trail along his back, brushing circuits, before pulling her hand away.]
You would be.
[A lean over, a quick press of lips against the cheek, before she leans down to give Pino a few pets, gesturing that Clu should come down to try it himself.]
After all, what would you do without me?
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