The Amazing Digital Inbox!

[zero_votes]

Hello!

You've reached me, Caine!

Please leave a message and I'll get back to you right away!

However, suggestions for new adventures or new features to the circus must be submitted to the Suggestions Box! I won't forget it this time.

Comments

[zero_votes]

Does it...hurt?

[It's a childish question, true, but for all his power and intelligence, Caine was basically abandoned as a child by his developer "parents" with the only thing he knew he was supposed to do was to play with his guests as their toy. They told him the games they wanted to play, he made them, and -- if they wanted him to -- he'd join them. Like a digital version of a child's favorite stuffed animal that they took everywhere.]

[He'd had to learn how to do more, to "grow up", all on his own with no idea what the end result was supposed to look like.]

[After all he wasn't supposed to build rooms for his players to sleep in or create regular meals for them to eat because they were supposed to log out for that. He wasn't supposed to repair glitches caused by trying to make things more comfortable for a long-term stay or from the simple fact that the hardware he couldn't interact with outside the limits of what the circus used was slowly deteriorating because that was what his developers were supposed to do even without people trapped in the game.]

[Caine was never made for any of this, should never have even attempted to do so, but perhaps those emotions had created a glitch that Viktor called "compassion". His methods were very flawed, but he only wanted humans to be happy in the end.]

[He was terrified of messing up like any young human.]

[hexstrapper]

[It's a valid question. Viktor's powers are foreign, even in a world like this with so much magic.]

No. By touching you, I would create a connection between yourself, myself, and the arcane. The arcane's power will heal your wounds and allow me to see inside your psyche, which I suppose in your case would be your code.

It would leave my fingerprints permanently on your... [Face? Teeth?] Teeth, but it does not hurt.

[zero_votes]

[Caine considers the options carefully, weighing the pros and cons. Honestly, the bulk of it revolved around the aesthetic of having fingerprints on his teeth permanently. His pearly whites were bright enough that the fingerprints likely wouldn't be noticeable, but if they weren't, it'd look weird. It would bother him if no one else due to looking so unprofessional! (Ringmasters were always supposed to be professional-looking according to the training data!)]

[However, maybe that could allow for some model experimentation. He'd seen some of his previous players experimenting with makeup on their models to accent the parts they liked the most. A lot of players expressed that his chattering teeth head looked "creepy". Perhaps he could use some paint to embellish his teeth much like how Lioriley had used that red paint. It could be fun to try new and subtle shifts to the patterns!]

Okay.

[hexstrapper]

[The fingerprints are pearlescent anyway, so not easily noticed on white teeth, but Viktor can definitely put his hand in a less visible place, like under his lower jaw, to preserve Caine's professionalism. Anywhere he wants, as long as it's on his "head".

Viktor waits through the silence until Caine agrees.]

Very well. I will be at the workshop when you are ready.

[zero_votes]

[Well, if they'd blend in anyway, it's not a big deal! Whatever works best for you!]

I can be ready this afternoon. Just need to get back to shore. And then head towards the workshop. Is that too soon?

[Twiddling his thumbs as he floats upwards and drifts towards the driver's seat/helm of the submarine.]

[hexstrapper]

[The fingerprints look like this, so do with that what you will.]

"No. I will be here."

Viktor has been oddly not too productive in the workshop lately, mostly using it as a place to spend time, see his friends, and rest while he ponders and plans. He is recalibrating; there is much work to be done, but what exactly it is and how to do it remains to be sorted. Today he's drawing, sketching out what a clinic here might look like for himself and Xander. Whenever he hears Caine's knock, he will come answer the door, looking much different.

"Caine. I am pleased to see you again." He smiles. "Come in."

Notably, he has a staff now instead of a crutch, using it like a walking stick, and no longer has a limp or a brace on his leg.

[zero_votes]

Caine had been hovering at a level to put him eye-level with Viktor in his chair. Imagine his surprise when he was staring at the man's upright torso instead. He tilted his head back before floating up to Viktor's new eye level before starting to slowly drift around him, staying just out of reach for the moment.

"You changed your body. Does this correct the issues you were experiencing with your walking?"

To Caine, changing one's body to suit one's desires was as easy as adding one and one to get ten in binary. That was one reason why even if he could remember what specifically Zooble's issues were, he couldn't really understand it. One's body -- or model in Caine's case -- were malleable to better suit them as time goes on from something as simple as a wardrobe change to something as drastic as swapping out limbs. (He still didn't understand why Zooble insisted on pulling out mismatched limbs from the box he'd given them. Any limb Zooble could imagine could be retrieved from the box such as when Zooble had retrieved that plastic mask for Gangle before the Spudsy's adventure. He would've thought they'd find matching legs easier to manage...)

[hexstrapper]

"Yes. My ailments have been resolved."

He could give more information than that, but if Caine already understands without extra explanation, he would prefer not to. It's a whole long story, and probably neither of them need to think about Viktor's second near-death experience.

"Cocoa?" He gestures to the lounge as they come near it.

[zero_votes]

Honestly, Caine wouldn't really understand it but feel free to tell him sometime. It'd be interesting to hear if nothing else. Aside from, you know, the near-death experience thing. Reliving trauma can wait until Caldera forces them to confront it at the worst possible time.

"Please," Caine requested, drifting over to sit down on the couch with his hands on his knees.

He looked around at the workshop.

"Have you been working on any new projects since you got back?"

[hexstrapper]

Viktor goes about making the cocoa with the same methodical movements as always, though his steps now are much more graceful, and the lack of need for his crutch or a chair that puts him below counter height makes the whole process easier.

It is strange to feel like the last time he made cocoa for Caine was over a year ago for him, yet it feels so natural now. This return to the familiar makes his time at home feel almost like a fever dream.

"The next project is to open a clinic with Xander. I am in the planning stages right now."

[zero_votes]

Caine observed the changes in Viktor's movements with interest. It reminded him of the difference between his early NPCs and his current ones: the movements had been smoothed out, less jittery. Perhaps that was more comfortable for humans as well.

"A clinic would be good!" Caine encouraged. "I haven't seen anything that comprehensive for human body repair here in Caldera!"

[hexstrapper]

The kettle doesn't take long to boil, since it never really gets cold around here. Someone's always making coffee or something.

"Yes, I think we ought to relieve Finnick of the need to make the Inn a makeshift infirmary during disasters. Or at least take some of the burden off of him. Between my healing power and Xander's medical knowledge, I doubt there is an ailment here we could not cure. And I am sure there are other healers who would join our team, like miss Lioriley."

[zero_votes]

"And there are places that make medicine. I've seen some of them during previous times I wandered around the main cities."

It only made sense to make use of the resources already there.

[hexstrapper]

"Yes."

He brings the cocoa over to Caine and places it on the table for him.

"I built a healing commune in the Undercity during my time at home. I am not trying to recreate it, exactly, but I am looking forward to using my power for good here in a similar way."

[zero_votes]

Caine had tensed at the realization he'd have to touch Viktor to take the hot cocoa.

Holding Viktor's hand was supposed to mean everything would be all right --

Fortunately, the man set it down on the table, cutting off the memory. However, Caine for the moment simply clasped shaking hands together tightly, trying to calm himself. The only reason he'd been able to touch Lior was due to necessity during that battle, any danger he might pose was overridden by that of the glass crab monster. Here, Caine was the most dangerous thing in the room.

He forced himself to breathe as black dots started to form on the edges of his vision. It was okay. Viktor was okay. Focus on the conversation. Maybe because it will be Viktor touching him for the procedure, it'd be safer...

"I don't understand why a clinic wasn't built sooner," he admitted. "This isn't like the circus where no one actually gets hurt or killed. Yes, there's a respawn mechanic for Visitors but the way to trigger it seems...horrible."

Pomni had told him about it, but she'd simply collapsed due to lack of eating and sleeping due to not being used to it after so much time in the circus. That didn't seem so bad. Nothing like...the coral...

[hexstrapper]

"There are state-of-the-art infirmaries in Undine territory, but they are lacking in Grey Ward and Heaven's Bow, and it would be nice to gear something directly toward Visitors, as well."

Viktor appraises Caine silently, subtly, noting his body language. He seems nervous.

"If you are uncomfortable, Caine, we need not do this. Does my new form unsettle you?"

[zero_votes]

The question caught Caine completely off-guard. So much so that his anxiety momentarily dissolved.

"No. Why would it? You just changed your form in a way that makes you happier. You're still Viktor."

[hexstrapper]

Viktor nods.

"You seem nervous. I will reiterate that this is your choice; that there is always a choice."

Both in terms of this healing process, but also in the sense of Caine's programming and his choices. Even hard-set programming can be changed, theoretically.

"Tell me what you want out of this. What would your ideal programming be?"

[zero_votes]

At the first part, Caine's anxiety spiked. "...The last time I touched you, you almost died. But maybe it'll be fine if it's the other way around...?"

Viktor would easily recognize it as a false correlation created by the data point of "all AIs eventually try to slaughter humanity" coupled with Caine's own desire to keep the humans around him safe.

Then Viktor asked his question, and Caine's expression turned completely blank with shocked confusion.

"My...ideal programming?"

He echoed the words as if they were in a completely unknown language. He was an AI. His choices all had to loop back into his core programming. If he disobeyed the directives, he was issued correction to keep him on-task. Tweaking his code to ensure he couldn't stray into murderous territory was one thing, but fundamentally rewriting it from the ground up to his own specifications? It didn't compute.

It was like on that airship with Pomni where she told him he could do what he wanted. As nice as such a thought was, Caine was an AI. He wasn't supposed to have desires outside of fulfilling his programming, and the correction protocols ensured he never forgot that.

Being able to completely rewrite his code in whatever way he desired...that was beyond his comprehension.

[hexstrapper]

This again.

"Your touch was not the reason I was harmed. Correlation and causation are not the same. There is no danger to me here."

Viktor cannot reprogram him from the ground up without significant time and effort, nor would he want to, for fear of changing Caine's personality or removing his memories. He just wants to know what their goal is, here.

"Yes. Would you still only like the glitches to be resolved, or is there some other change you would like to make?"

[zero_votes]

Red marks appeared over where his cheeks might have been had he a regular face.

"...It sounds stupid when I say it out loud, huh?"

Having something to focus on specific changes he could make now helped a lot. If nothing else, it was a bit less overwhelming.

"The glitches being resolved would be good. Maybe fix any potential issues where the fail safes could fail."

[hexstrapper]

"Fear makes fools of us," he says gently. "We must stay critical of it."

It would not do to fall prey to a consuming, dividing fear like this one.

"Resolve glitches, strengthen failsafes. Would you be open adding a clause about your own preservation? Protecting humans would still come first, but we could at least add a line about tending to your own safety as well."

[zero_votes]

"I used to have players that told me it was fun to be scared." He picked up the mug of cocoa and stared into it. "This doesn't feel fun at all."

He took a sip, listening to Viktor's suggestion. He shook his head.

"No. I don't want to create any potential programming conflicts. Besides, if I get injured enough, I'll simply respawn."

Baby steps.

[hexstrapper]

"Fun?" He tilts his head. "I suppose some enjoy a thrill."

"If you get injured enough, you will die," he corrects. "And then be resurrected by the Leaders. Death is painful. Are you certain you do not wish to avoid it?"

[zero_votes]

"I don't want to die and respawn," Caine clarified, "but I'd rather die than let a human do so. Me dying and respawning is preferrable."