Mm, it's no fun waiting for results, is it? [ Hmm. He wonders. It's not likely that it will make Hiro feel any better, but he's pretty sure the only thing that could make Hiro feel better was getting discharged early. ]
Since you're stuck in here for a while...If you have any questions to ask me - about my past. I can probably answer a few of them.
It's not exactly, ah - a light issue...It's not a happy subject, if you go back far enough. But you may find it informative.
[ He's willing to answer a few questions, at least. ]
It's only fair. I know more about you than you know about me, after all.
So - go ahead. Ask what you like. [ He's already seen much of Hiro's vulnerabilities, after all. It's only fair, though he still obviously feels discomfort about it. ]
[ Well, that's a surprisingly benign question to start off with. ]
...It depends on the navi. There's a city that was specifically built for our use; we can go shopping there, and there's some entertainment, like movie theaters. Most facilities have netnavi areas that imitate the physical world's...arcade servers have a digital version of the arcade with the same atmosphere and games.
Some types of games are compatible with netnavis, in the sense that we can insert ourselves inside the game and play that way rather than through the medium of a controller.
I like cooking and virus breeding, personally, but that's not a conventional thing.
And some navis enjoy just doing their jobs. As I said, it depends.
Battlechips, subchips that can be used outside of battle, programs and chips that increase performance...Cosmetic chips that can change a navi's appearance by applying 'clothing', though I've never been interested in those. Oh, and food. Also, you'll be pleased to know that even netnavis can enjoy coffee. [ You guys go through an awful lot of coffee, he knows this. ] We also place orders for our operators, if they need us to do so.
As for movies -- mysteries and adventure films are very popular. And romance is always a staple...there was a resurgence of horror movies too the last time I went to a theater. Action movies aren't actually that popular - we have tournaments for that, and that tends to trump choreographed fights. But there's a niche for them anyway.
Well, it's an equivalent of coffee, anyway. It increases performance for a little bit, something like its physical equivalent. [ You know, like a stat-up. ] There's quite a big market for navi-human romantic fiction, actually! Though I really couldn't tell you why. But yes, it's entirely possible for navis to fall in love with one another if they want.
I realise it sounds strange, especially since you're probably used to thinking of AIs as a lot...bigger. And creatures of logic, et cetera.
I assume it's based off many variables? I suppose if you like each other enough in a certain way, you want to be romantic. That seems to be how it works. [ It's not like navis have a particular physical incentive to seek out a specifically romantic partner, like humans would. ]
Oh, he's the oblivious type. I see. [ They're just casually talking about Tadashi's love life while he's snoozing on the desk nbd. ] Has he had anyone try to flirt with him here yet?
That too. I guess there's all kinds of reasons. I dunno, I don't care about it much myself.
[ He brightens a bit more. Nothing like gossiping about your dorky brother's love life to cheer someone up. He lowers his voice, glancing over to make sure his brother's sound asleep before continuing. ] Ohhhh yeah. In fact, I set him up on a blind date.
It's never been a subject that's interested me either, so I share your sentiments in that regard.
[ Pffft. He sees that look, Hiro. ] Oh? My, that's quick work if he's already gotten people happily willing to go on a blind date with him in the time he's been here. Unless it was for an event of some kind.
What did they end up doing? [ He briefly remembers seeing that network post... ]
Good. Glad some people do. Sometimes I swear my brother and I are the only ones.
[ Not that Hiro isn't fully aware of what being asexual means, but - it still does feel awful weird sometimes. Especially when he's grayer about it than his brother. ]
Weelll ... I might have told him he needed to go to the DMV to get his license renewed. And then got him to go to some kind of weird shark park instead. To meet up with someone.
It has a great deal to do with socialisation, I think. Society tends to push the romance angle very heavily even from a young age. It's probably something you know well already, though.
[ Netnavis don't really have this problem, but since they absorb some things from their human operators, it's not uncommon for them to be well aware of how such things work for human beings. ]
Wait -- he still hasn't figured it out? Oh dear. [ Wow, Tadashi. There is barely-controlled amusement in his voice. ] Though I suppose a shark park isn't the most romantic venue, but--really now. You'd think after a few months something would click.
Well, at least he has you to...ah, help him out, I suppose. [ In a way. He's not going to reprimand Hiro for pranking Tadashi harmlessly, because he'd probably do the same thing. ] By setting him up on dates.
...He must really be working overtime. He hasn't even moved too much. [ Tadashi, that's an uncomfortable position to sleep... ]
Some things can't be helped. Ah, well. I'm sure he'll be just fine.
[ Ah. It's hard to keep in mind what's in store for them, isn't it? ]
Well, it's...understandable. He wants to protect you, you want to protect him... [ Yeah he'd seen that convo going down in the fire, that was unpleasant. ] But there are some things that don't work that way.
...Are you sleeping well? [ Are you having nightmares, he means. ]
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I've yet to find a mobile RPG that catches my interest, but nevertheless.
I'm sure you'll be out with a clean bill of health soon enough.
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Since you're stuck in here for a while...If you have any questions to ask me - about my past. I can probably answer a few of them.
It's not exactly, ah - a light issue...It's not a happy subject, if you go back far enough. But you may find it informative.
[ He's willing to answer a few questions, at least. ]
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Really? Anything I want?
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Yes.
It's only fair. I know more about you than you know about me, after all.
So - go ahead. Ask what you like. [ He's already seen much of Hiro's vulnerabilities, after all. It's only fair, though he still obviously feels discomfort about it. ]
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... What do navis do for fun?
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...It depends on the navi. There's a city that was specifically built for our use; we can go shopping there, and there's some entertainment, like movie theaters. Most facilities have netnavi areas that imitate the physical world's...arcade servers have a digital version of the arcade with the same atmosphere and games.
Some types of games are compatible with netnavis, in the sense that we can insert ourselves inside the game and play that way rather than through the medium of a controller.
I like cooking and virus breeding, personally, but that's not a conventional thing.
And some navis enjoy just doing their jobs. As I said, it depends.
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Movie theaters? And shopping? Man, what kinds of things do netnavis even buy? Or want to go see?
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As for movies -- mysteries and adventure films are very popular. And romance is always a staple...there was a resurgence of horror movies too the last time I went to a theater. Action movies aren't actually that popular - we have tournaments for that, and that tends to trump choreographed fights. But there's a niche for them anyway.
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[ He's trying not to be too anthrocentric, but it's still weird thinking of an AI, even a real true one, doing all that. ]
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I realise it sounds strange, especially since you're probably used to thinking of AIs as a lot...bigger. And creatures of logic, et cetera.
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Though I guess being human doesn't automatically make you romantic either. Just look at my brother.
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Oh, he's the oblivious type. I see. [ They're just casually talking about Tadashi's love life while he's snoozing on the desk nbd. ] Has he had anyone try to flirt with him here yet?
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[ He brightens a bit more. Nothing like gossiping about your dorky brother's love life to cheer someone up. He lowers his voice, glancing over to make sure his brother's sound asleep before continuing. ] Ohhhh yeah. In fact, I set him up on a blind date.
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[ Pffft. He sees that look, Hiro. ] Oh? My, that's quick work if he's already gotten people happily willing to go on a blind date with him in the time he's been here. Unless it was for an event of some kind.
What did they end up doing? [ He briefly remembers seeing that network post... ]
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[ Not that Hiro isn't fully aware of what being asexual means, but - it still does feel awful weird sometimes. Especially when he's grayer about it than his brother. ]
Weelll ... I might have told him he needed to go to the DMV to get his license renewed. And then got him to go to some kind of weird shark park instead. To meet up with someone.
He still doesn't know what it was.
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[ Netnavis don't really have this problem, but since they absorb some things from their human operators, it's not uncommon for them to be well aware of how such things work for human beings. ]
Wait -- he still hasn't figured it out? Oh dear. [ Wow, Tadashi. There is barely-controlled amusement in his voice. ] Though I suppose a shark park isn't the most romantic venue, but--really now. You'd think after a few months something would click.
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[ He sounds vaguely annoyed by it, mostly. ]
And nope, still nothing. He keeps bringing up how I sent him to the completely wrong address. And not the part where he ended up on a date.
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[ Tadashi that is kind of amazing. ]
He must have had some interesting experiences in high school, then.
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...He must really be working overtime. He hasn't even moved too much. [ Tadashi, that's an uncomfortable position to sleep... ]
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I do what I can. He's mostly a lost cause.
[ A pause; his expression softens again. ]
He's ... he's really worried about me.
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[ Ah. It's hard to keep in mind what's in store for them, isn't it? ]
Well, it's...understandable. He wants to protect you, you want to protect him... [ Yeah he'd seen that convo going down in the fire, that was unpleasant. ] But there are some things that don't work that way.
...Are you sleeping well? [ Are you having nightmares, he means. ]
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He needs to be protected. Because he won't do it for himself.
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[ Hiro please, take care of yourself...He worries, you know. ]
Though I would rather you took care of yourself as well. Having so little sleep can't be healthy.
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