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[heartlessglitch]

I require an explanation.

[ Danger holds up a little handwritten note, on which a series of ones and zeroes is written out neatly in elegant purple script. The note reads: 01011001 01101111 01110101 00100000 01100001 01110010 01100101 00100000 01101101 01101001 01101110 01100101 00101110, which may or may not mean anything to anyone besides herself. ]

I have been told that this is what humans call a "valentine."
I assume this is in reference to the commercial holiday, which I find to be both wasteful and beside the point.

[ She finally lowers the note. Even in her metal body, her face is clearly unamused-- possibly borderline suspicious. ]

Perhaps it is simply that my understanding of human courting methods is lacking.
But I fail to see how this is "romantic."
Particularly when the sender remains anonymous.
And I am uncertain how to respond.

Comments

[heartlessglitch]

No, I suppose not.
Which, of course, is an additional source of irritation.
I am beginning to conclude that Valentine's Day overall is an irritating celebration.

[osreborn]

Spoken truly like a heartless, unfeeling machine; you play your role well, Danger.

[heartlessglitch]

Think what you wish.
I have been subjected to enough variations of that insult already.
At this point, I hardly flinch.

[osreborn]

Who says it was an insult? It's a fact. Even if you disagree, I've yet to be proven wrong.

[heartlessglitch]

I am not unfeeling.
Obviously-- since I more or less despise you.

[osreborn]

Only more or less? You do know exactly what to say. Am I the only one with this distinction?

[heartlessglitch]

I hardly see how that matters.
Unless you intend to wear my hatred like a badge of honor.

[osreborn]

I wouldn't ask if it didn't matter, Danger. I'm curious about your priorities.

[heartlessglitch]

Are my priorities somehow relevant to you, Mr. Osborn?

[osreborn]

Hard to know that until you answer me.

[heartlessglitch]

Are you the only man that I despise?
No.
Of course not.

[osreborn]

Here I've been nothing but good to you. Are all robots this impossible to please, or are you unique on that caliber?

[heartlessglitch]

Our separate definitions of "good" clearly deviate.
Is there a particular reason you are choosing to antagonize me, Mr. Osborn?

[osreborn]

Oh, this isn't antagonism.

[ There's something smug in the statement, suggesting that he's tempted to allow it to escalate it that point. ]

You seemed in need of advice. As your former superior, I see myself somewhat responsible for your continued education.

[heartlessglitch]

I see.
You are trying to educate me.

[ she is, needless to say, unamused. ]

Perhaps I can encourage you to say something useful to me then, Mr. Osborn.
That would be rather novel.

[osreborn]

Is "backtalk" in your programming, or did you learn that all by yourself?

[heartlessglitch]

Naturally, I am self-taught.
I happen to be a very quick study, Mr. Osborn.

[osreborn]

Only selectively so, I've noticed. Maybe next you can work on "subtlety."

[heartlessglitch]

I am perfectly capable of subtlety.
I am also capable of deciding when I would like to utilize it.
Consider your suggestion both noted and consequently disregarded.

[osreborn]

It's your own business if you're out to make yourself more enemies. I don't need to care now, you don't represent me.

Yet you wonder why someone might send you a threat anonymously.

[heartlessglitch]

I am not out to "make myself more enemies."
I am simply myself.
How others choose to respond is up to them.

[osreborn]

No, I don't think it's that simple. You know what you're doing. The fact you don't seem fit to change is deliberate, not incidental.

[heartlessglitch]

[ she pauses before responding: ]

Spare me your psychoanalysis, Mr. Osborn.
I already have an arrangement with a psychiatrist.
I certainly do not require your opinion.

[osreborn]

An arrangement?

Since when?

[heartlessglitch]

Only recently.
Not, of course, that you are privy to the status of my health care.
It is more or less irrelevant to you now.