David 8
- Ingenious Pilot -
big things have small beginnings%\0\%
Posts: 176
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Post by David 8 on Nov 21, 2013 19:44:40 GMT -5
David now owned more interchangeable sets of clothing in the same four colors than a cartoon character, and more personal responsibilities than monitoring life support systems. He was tasked with performing all the services of a personal assistant, but in Veidt's case this was fairly stimulating work; he still went about his business as unobtrusively and diffidently as possible, but Veidt did not treat him like a piece of furniture, which suited them both well enough. Perhaps he was under the impression that David only saw what he was supposed to be seeing. The nature of Veidt's personal philosophy on synthetic intelligences was unclear; there was Bubastis, whom David rarely encountered and who was as carefully coordinated to the man's personal brand as anything else he surrounded himself with. Except for his bipedal assistant, who was handled at arm's length but afforded a reasonable amount of personal confidence and equivalent privileges to human personnel. Dignity, even. This was all in all pretty uncomfortable, and David stewed about it more than a little, but the opportunity had not afforded itself yet to pick Veidt's brain over what it all signified. There was still something he could isolate as absurdity about bringing the man coffee he himself had no reason to partake in.
He had been cherishing the novelty over receiving pay stubs he'd earned over the past month. Money, after all, could be exchanged for goods and services.
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Post by Adrian Veidt on Nov 21, 2013 21:30:04 GMT -5
"If you're uncomfortable with the prospect of travel," Adrian was saying over a cup of coffee, "I'm quite all right with your staying here on paid leave. I'm afraid it might seem a bit confining for you- the island isn't terribly large."
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David 8
- Ingenious Pilot -
big things have small beginnings%\0\%
Posts: 176
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Post by David 8 on Nov 21, 2013 22:30:47 GMT -5
"I'm fully accustomed to small spaces," David said, eyes respectfully lowered.
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Post by Adrian Veidt on Nov 21, 2013 23:16:45 GMT -5
"A different sort of small space than I think you're used to, David," Adrian replied, with a comfortingly eye-crinkling smile.
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David 8
- Ingenious Pilot -
big things have small beginnings%\0\%
Posts: 176
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Post by David 8 on Nov 21, 2013 23:18:38 GMT -5
"Is it a private gathering? I think that given the chance I would very much like the opportunity to travel."
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Post by Adrian Veidt on Nov 21, 2013 23:58:57 GMT -5
"Well, yes and no. Our little party will be fairly small, but it's a research station, with housing for a rotating staff and their families."
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David 8
- Ingenious Pilot -
big things have small beginnings%\0\%
Posts: 176
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Post by David 8 on Nov 22, 2013 0:00:45 GMT -5
David's face brightened.
"Oh, even better."
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Post by Adrian Veidt on Nov 22, 2013 0:03:42 GMT -5
"Mainly astronomy and alternative energy," Adrian continued, sitting on the edge of his own desk. "You're welcome to look around, of course."
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David 8
- Ingenious Pilot -
big things have small beginnings%\0\%
Posts: 176
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Post by David 8 on Nov 22, 2013 0:05:16 GMT -5
"Thank you for the opportunity, sir."
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Post by Adrian Veidt on Nov 22, 2013 2:24:19 GMT -5
"Are you certain? You don't need to feel obligated, David."
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David 8
- Ingenious Pilot -
big things have small beginnings%\0\%
Posts: 176
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Post by David 8 on Nov 22, 2013 2:26:57 GMT -5
"Yes. I'll have to arrange for someone to take care of the plants," David said, smiling both shyly and slyly.
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Post by Adrian Veidt on Nov 23, 2013 20:40:19 GMT -5
Adrian smiled at this, the way a man who was better with children might upon hearing about a favorite nephew's school activities.
"I just wanted you to be aware that you do have a choice in the matter," he said, not unkindly. "You're an employee here, not an appliance."
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David 8
- Ingenious Pilot -
big things have small beginnings%\0\%
Posts: 176
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Post by David 8 on Nov 23, 2013 21:10:28 GMT -5
"If you hadn't offered, I would have made the request myself," David said.
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Post by Adrian Veidt on Nov 26, 2013 2:25:35 GMT -5
"Ah, well. Good to know. Thanks for the coffee, incidentally."
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