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... Kahk-kahk-kahk... She hooked up her robot to the message service? Or is it just the likeness...
[she wasn't sure if it was actually recording, but she would at least leave it like it was]
Miss Aura Blackquill? Myriam Scuttlebutt here, we met the other day, briefly? Before the trouble started over new years? And your robot, too... kahk-kahk.
I've started a modest little publication here in Cerealia called The Cerealia Times. I wonder if you've happened to glance at it? The first edition debuted yesterday and a number of respectable businesses stocked it! Feedback has been streaming in ever since!
[the nervousness left her voice, replaced by pride when she started talking about her newspaper]
I'm writing a number of articles on various issues and wanted to ask: would you be interested in being interviewed? Specifically for your opinions regarding science and technology. You're clearly more than qualified, as a roboticist involved with space exploration background, and I'd like to get your viewpoint. More than the network, you can reach a lot of people through the printed word! Sss, sss, sss!
If you're interested, give me a call back with a time and place! I'll come to you, even!
[slight pause, then she added]
--And, bring your robot! I promise I won't touch it, but it'll make for a great photo!
[end message]
[she wasn't sure if it was actually recording, but she would at least leave it like it was]
Miss Aura Blackquill? Myriam Scuttlebutt here, we met the other day, briefly? Before the trouble started over new years? And your robot, too... kahk-kahk.
I've started a modest little publication here in Cerealia called The Cerealia Times. I wonder if you've happened to glance at it? The first edition debuted yesterday and a number of respectable businesses stocked it! Feedback has been streaming in ever since!
[the nervousness left her voice, replaced by pride when she started talking about her newspaper]
I'm writing a number of articles on various issues and wanted to ask: would you be interested in being interviewed? Specifically for your opinions regarding science and technology. You're clearly more than qualified, as a roboticist involved with space exploration background, and I'd like to get your viewpoint. More than the network, you can reach a lot of people through the printed word! Sss, sss, sss!
If you're interested, give me a call back with a time and place! I'll come to you, even!
[slight pause, then she added]
--And, bring your robot! I promise I won't touch it, but it'll make for a great photo!
[end message]
Hoy, Clonco. Tell Aura I would like to speak with her.
Oh, it's you.
[ She considers the request briefly. ]
Fine then, I can do an interview for you if you want. I normally don't do interviews but since you made me laugh, I'll make an exception.
[ She considers the request briefly. ]
Fine then, I can do an interview for you if you want. I normally don't do interviews but since you made me laugh, I'll make an exception.
... [whatever, she'd take it!]
Excellent! Name a time and place, wherever you're comfortable! I'll come to you! Sss, sss, sss.
Someplace science-y would probably be the best. You know of any good... science-y places?
Excellent! Name a time and place, wherever you're comfortable! I'll come to you! Sss, sss, sss.
Someplace science-y would probably be the best. You know of any good... science-y places?
[ And here is Aura, her hair down and looking like she was Not Dealing With The World Today.
She raises an eyebrow to Simon, waiting for him to speak. ]
She raises an eyebrow to Simon, waiting for him to speak. ]
I would say the entirety of Cerealia is rather "scienc-y" but whatever Miss Box. We can meet near the HoloGM. It's the one with the panels that change colour every hour according to the time.
[ Do you really know what you're getting yourself into, Myriam? ]
[ Do you really know what you're getting yourself into, Myriam? ]
Perfect! Would there be any problem if I headed out there immediately?
[No.]
[No.]
... No?
[ This means that poor Clonco is going to be standing out the HoloGM building, wheeling around and trying to spot a cardboard box. ]
[ This means that poor Clonco is going to be standing out the HoloGM building, wheeling around and trying to spot a cardboard box. ]
I'll be there in fifteen-- no, ten!
Thanks again, Miss Blackquill, you won't regret this!
[and, she ended the call, practically sprinting out the door]
Thanks again, Miss Blackquill, you won't regret this!
[and, she ended the call, practically sprinting out the door]
... [to find the robot waiting for her!]
Kahk... You Miss Blackquill's... personal servant-robot, or something?
Kahk... You Miss Blackquill's... personal servant-robot, or something?
Edited 2015-05-18 10:29 (UTC)
[It's an expression he's all too familiar with, and therefore doesn't go ignored.]
... If I've called at a bad time, I shall leave you be.
... If I've called at a bad time, I shall leave you be.
No, you made the effort to call me.
[ She takes a sip from her "I LOVE CERES" mug, trying not to be too conspicuous about it. ]
[ She takes a sip from her "I LOVE CERES" mug, trying not to be too conspicuous about it. ]
I'm Clonco! Hello box lady!
[ The screen bearing Clonco's face distorts and fills with stacking before being filled with a more sinister face that resembles his owner. And when it talks, it is no longer the cheery automated chipper voice but the sardonic drawls of one Aura Blackquill. ]
Clonco is a very, very useful robot, wouldn't you agree?
[ The screen bearing Clonco's face distorts and fills with stacking before being filled with a more sinister face that resembles his owner. And when it talks, it is no longer the cheery automated chipper voice but the sardonic drawls of one Aura Blackquill. ]
Clonco is a very, very useful robot, wouldn't you agree?
Aaaaaagh!
[she jumped a mile! Well, more like a foot or so, but the sudden change had definitely scared her.]
Kahk-kahk-kahk... You... you really got me there, Miss Blackquill! Nice trick, ha ha ha ha...!
[she feigned a round of fake nervous laughter]
[she jumped a mile! Well, more like a foot or so, but the sudden change had definitely scared her.]
Kahk-kahk-kahk... You... you really got me there, Miss Blackquill! Nice trick, ha ha ha ha...!
[she feigned a round of fake nervous laughter]
[That... sure is an interesting mug.]
I won't badger you with small talk. [Heaven knows they both detest it.] I merely wanted to check on you. How are you adjusting to Cerealia?
I won't badger you with small talk. [Heaven knows they both detest it.] I merely wanted to check on you. How are you adjusting to Cerealia?
[ She's not turning down free stuff at work, okay. ]
I'm adjusting as well as a woman can to a techno wonderland. I'm enjoying the sheer automation of the place.
[ There is the other issue that she doesn't have many friends, but we'll get to that later. ]
I'm adjusting as well as a woman can to a techno wonderland. I'm enjoying the sheer automation of the place.
[ There is the other issue that she doesn't have many friends, but we'll get to that later. ]
You said you wanted science, I figured you wouldn't object to this method of interview.
[ She's been on the witness stand this way, and she thinks it's cool as hell. ]
[ She's been on the witness stand this way, and she thinks it's cool as hell. ]
Even when those same automations go haywire and begin terrorising innocent people? Or when the climate control fails and we're plunged into a blizzard?
[It's a rhetorical question, but it illustrates his point well enough. The technology here, however enjoyable to her, isn't trustworthy so long as it remains out of their control.]
[It's a rhetorical question, but it illustrates his point well enough. The technology here, however enjoyable to her, isn't trustworthy so long as it remains out of their control.]
Kaaaahk kahk-kahk. W-well... I suppose interview-via-robot isn't exactly too outlandish a concept.
[it had definitely knocked her off her stride, that was for sure. Focus, Scuttlebutt, focus!]
...
Um... to start... Miss Blackquill, how are you? Was it any trouble to take time out of your schedule like this?
[it had definitely knocked her off her stride, that was for sure. Focus, Scuttlebutt, focus!]
...
Um... to start... Miss Blackquill, how are you? Was it any trouble to take time out of your schedule like this?
Tsch. Did any one tell you that this is why you have no friends?
[ Though it is swiftly followed by a stifled laugh. Simon, always correct and always on point with these things. ]
I admit, those worry me. I'm just trying to live my life as a polite older woman who loves technology and cats, looking for a suitable spouse to take her away from all of this - not looking to divert the apocalypse.
[ She's trying so hard to keep her face straight. ]
[ Though it is swiftly followed by a stifled laugh. Simon, always correct and always on point with these things. ]
I admit, those worry me. I'm just trying to live my life as a polite older woman who loves technology and cats, looking for a suitable spouse to take her away from all of this - not looking to divert the apocalypse.
[ She's trying so hard to keep her face straight. ]
No, not at all. The great joys of being a programmer is that your schedule is flexible. If I wanted to code at 4AM or 4PM, I can do that.
I do have a friend, and he would appreciate it if you did not forget him.
[From somewhere off-camera, Taka screeches and flies over to land on Simon's shoulder. Predictably, he has no shame in implying his only friend is a bird.]
In any case, I should have realised you were getting old enough to settle down in marital bliss and start picking out a retirement home. [wait when did she say that last part...] Are you now too old, say, to help me with some important undertaking?
[From somewhere off-camera, Taka screeches and flies over to land on Simon's shoulder. Predictably, he has no shame in implying his only friend is a bird.]
In any case, I should have realised you were getting old enough to settle down in marital bliss and start picking out a retirement home. [wait when did she say that last part...] Are you now too old, say, to help me with some important undertaking?
[ mental note: Miss Aura Blackquill is always available for an interview. If she declines, it's because she's avoiding you! ]
Freedom to set your own pace must be very refreshing. Tell me, compared to the technological levels we know from 2027 Los Angeles, how advanced is the technology here? Also, are there any areas that you would estimate Cerealia is actually inferior, compared to our own?
Freedom to set your own pace must be very refreshing. Tell me, compared to the technological levels we know from 2027 Los Angeles, how advanced is the technology here? Also, are there any areas that you would estimate Cerealia is actually inferior, compared to our own?
Anything for my darling brother.
[ A pause. ]
No really, what is it? If it involves indulging your samurai fantasies, then no.
[ A pause. ]
No really, what is it? If it involves indulging your samurai fantasies, then no.
[ or she may actually do her work. or be a hermit. ]
The technology here is far more advanced. We're in a colony in space! We barely began breaching the orbit of our own Earth!
[ Can you believe that, Myriam? Clonco is appropriately spinning his arms to mimic the rotation of the Earth. ]
They've found a way to sustain life in an environment which has nothing to do with the environment of the actual planet we're based on.
The technology here is far more advanced. We're in a colony in space! We barely began breaching the orbit of our own Earth!
[ Can you believe that, Myriam? Clonco is appropriately spinning his arms to mimic the rotation of the Earth. ]
They've found a way to sustain life in an environment which has nothing to do with the environment of the actual planet we're based on.
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