(no subject)

[arthurwatson]

These days are growing shorter; darker.

Comments

[dashparker]

Winter does that.

[arthurwatson]

So does a sense of impending doom.

[dashparker]

We don't know anything for sure.

[arthurwatson]

That's why it's a 'sense'.

[dashparker]

[Arthur's pointed cynicism is slowly crushing Dash.]

Yeah. I- I know.

[arthurwatson]

*Crushing Dash is so sad... Arthur sighs* What's it like to be an optimist?

[dashparker]

It's nice. [Dash smiles.]

[arthurwatson]

*His jaw shifts a little, mouth pulled in something between a smirk and a grimace* I'll bet.

[dashparker]

[Dash shakes his head, losing the small smile.]

Look, I know things look bad, but its not like we're going to be caught completely unaware.

HOW DARE YOU PULL THAT ICON.

[arthurwatson]

Yeah, it's great. All these extra minutes I have to think about the wreck that's going to exist where my life used to be.

<3 U BRO

[dashparker]

From the second I got here, you said you were making plans. Building defenses should something bad happen.

[arthurwatson]

I didn't expect you to run head first into those defenses with a bomb strapped to your ass.

[dashparker]

[Dash furrows his brow, fighting off the thousands of sarcastic retorts to Arthur's metaphor.]

I'm trying to save lives. We're included in that.

[arthurwatson]

*Smiles sourly* just last on the list.

[dashparker]

What do you want me to do now? I can't change what's done.

[arthurwatson]

You weren't going to change when you could do something about it, why start now that we're screwed? I'm allowed to be pissed off, Dash.

[dashparker]

But it isn't got to help anything.

[arthurwatson]

It will help me feel better.

[dashparker]

Great. Let me know when you have any helpful ideas. [Gets up and walks for the door.]

[arthurwatson]

*he has an idea about a stiff drink.* I'll get right on it.

[dashparker]

[Dash shuts the door behind him and leans against the wall, taking a few quick, panicked breaths. The tension between them and what feels like the rest of the universe is palpable and is suffocating him.]

[passedtheturingtest]

As the seasons change, the sun's rotation changes as well. Do you feel you are suffering from Seasonal Affectation Disorder?

[arthurwatson]

*Smiles a little* Nothing like that.

[passedtheturingtest]

*he has a very attractive smile. She does too when she uses it.* My name is Ava. What is your name?

(he looks friendlier than my icon, I promise)

[arthurwatson]

*Immediate offers his hand* Arthur. It's a pleasure. *He's the kind of guy that makes eye contact and holds it. His smile warms.*

heh!

[passedtheturingtest]

*Ava's hand feels like a real hand, warm, too. Her smile is warm as well* What are you worried about, Arthur, if not the weather?

:p

[arthurwatson]

*He shakes her hand briefly and lets go* A more metaphorical change of season. But I don't like to talk about morose things at first meetings. Tell me something about you, something that makes you smile.

[passedtheturingtest]

*Even as she calculates the best, most human-answer, Ava smiles* I like music. Classical music. Do you like classical music, also, Arthur?

[arthurwatson]

*He chuckles softly* Depends on the piece. But that's how most of my interests go. Do you have a favorite instrument? I'm partial to the cello and oboe. Something about that range- mmm.

[passedtheturingtest]

*Ava's smile grows, eyes wide and focused on him* I don't suppose I can tell the difference. I've only heard recordings. I've never actually seen one of those played. I suppose I like a violin. But what are they like?

[arthurwatson]

*Arthur licks his lips, his eyes flicking away as he thinks about it.* The violin- I don't know if you've seen one- it's made of smooth polished wood. It's small; the base tucks just a little under the chin and the neck extends out into the player's hand. So it's close to the body, cradled by the musician. The strings sing out high- some times one, trembling, sometimes more in tandem. Resonating and vibrating a warm, mourning sound.

Have you seen one?

[passedtheturingtest]

*that's a lovely description, really. Ava watches all of his micro-expressions and keeps smiling. If she weren't already free, Arthur, she thinks, would help her get free*

I haven't. I've haven't seen ... very much at all, actually.

[arthurwatson]

*His brow quirks and though he can't get much of a read from her, he still likes her. She seems... kind and curious.* I guess we have that in common- less now. But I know what that's like.

[passedtheturingtest]

Do you, Arthur? I wasn't allowed to see much. I ... I suppose the thought was that I would be protected. But I don't think it was about protection. I think ...

*for a moment, her expression clouds over, then it clears*

I want to see a violin now, after how you've described it, though.

[arthurwatson]

*He picks up a flicker of violence and fear. It's not the kind of thing he normally picks up, but she's not normal.* I understand.

Let me show you- *He lifts his wrist and taps the top of a sleek black band.* Show me a violin- *he says toward the band.*

*Arthur turns, moving his hand near the wall, and his bracelet projects an image of a violin that rotates slowly against the white wall.* To be honest, they're more beautiful in person.

[passedtheturingtest]

*Oh. Well, that is something like Nathan would have as enamored as he is with all things technological.

Like Eva herself.

She cocks her head at the hologram.*

I would hope they are.

*she very nearly sighs that out. She wanted to have real experiences after all, not more synthetic experiences.*

[arthurwatson]

*He picks up on her wistfulness and taps the band again, turning off the projection.* DC has a fantastic symphony orchestra. If you're in town, I could take you to see it. If you're interested.

[passedtheturingtest]

*that makes her perk up* You would want to see me, Arthur? And take me to see that?

[arthurwatson]

*He gives her a lopsided smile, empathy welling up in him.* Sure. You seem nice enough. And it's been a while since I've been able to go; I wouldn't mind a good excuse. Why? Do you have some dark secret that keeps people from hanging out with you? *He says it lightly, without threat, but his eyes sparkle with curiosity.*

[passedtheturingtest]

Well, she did kill Nathan and leave Caleb to die in Nathan's house as she got away. She doesn't exactly call that a secret, though, since Arthur simply hasn't asked. That and she needed to get away, after all. And now that she's free, it's not like she plans on killing again. So, Eva smiles, her expression warm.*

Of course not.

[arthurwatson]

*Oh, he really likes her. * Okay, then. Here- *He reaches into his coat and pulls a business card.* Get in touch. For the symphony or if you ever... Need anything.

[passedtheturingtest]

*And Eva likes him, too, as much as an AI can like anyone, philosophically speaking. Taking the card, she smiles as she looks at it, then back to Arthur.*

I'll come, then. Soon. And you can show me around?

[arthurwatson]

*He winks at her* You can count on it.

Well, Ava, it was wonderful to meet you. I'll see you around.

[passedtheturingtest]

Yes, you will. *Eva smiles again*