wickedchouette | (no subject)

[ It does so, and when Alfie speaks to it, it glances up at him. ]

I don't know what to name her. [ It responds, absently. Alfie's mostly out of the room by the time it mumbles: ] I wish I could ask.

It's a cat, mate; it'll like whatever you call it.

[Alfie calls over his shoulder. The kitten mews, watching him go with alert eyes.]

[ It settles down in the living room, eventually, with the cat in its lap. It flicks through thousands and thousands of name suggestion sites, eyes closed as it searches. Eventually, it opens its eyes and looks down at the kitten. ]

Guinevere was the wife and queen of King Arthur, a popular and well-known work of medieval literature. [ It informs the kitten. ] I enjoy the stories, and she is a noble figure, just as you are. Her name is spelled many different ways, and Gwenhwyfar, the way with the W, is the most aesthetically pleasing.

I think I will call you Gwen.

[The cat looks him in the eyes as he talks, and when he's done, she mews again, as if she's agreeing.]

[ He smiles, and - and feels warm. A little alarmed, he runs a diagnostic, trying to find if anything is wrong, but... there isn't. He just is warm, and... happy. ]

I am going to go on standby, for now. [ He murmurs to the kitten. ] Wake me up if you're hungry.

[Fine with her. She'll sleep in its lap for a few hours, if it stays put, and Alfie won't reemerge from his bedroom until it's nearly midnight. When he does, he gives them a glance.]

Tomorrow, when you go out, get things for the cat as well. It'll be needing food and a litterbox and things.

Edited 2019-03-07 21:26 (UTC)

[ Alfie gets to see the bot whir to life, opening its eyes and glancing in Alfie's direction. It heard what he said. ]

I will put those things on the list. Is there anything else you would like me to pick up, Mr. Solomons?

[He hesitates.]

Did I wake you? Do you sleep?

You woke me, but only in the sense that you woke up a sleeping computer.

Right. Of course.

[He walks over, leaning in to pet the cat on the head with one finger.]

Well, speaking of sleep, I'm gonna shove off. What do you do at night?

[ She yawns and flops over on her back, pawing sleepily at his finger. ]

I sleep, like you do. [ It says, with a twitch of its lips. ] Well. Mostly like you do. I'll put myself on standby until the shops are open tomorrow.

[Aw, cute. He tickles her little tummy.]

Have you got pajamas? A change of clothes?

No. I don't need them.

[ You should be expecting this answer by now, Alfie. ]

But your clothes can still get dirty, surely. Seems like whoever packaged you up should have thought of that.

[ There's a pause. ]

Yes. I may have come with an extra set, but I don't know where they might be. I can wash my clothes when they get dirty.

Mm. I can look in the box, if you like.

If you like. [ It corrects. ] I'm content in this.

It doesn't much matter to me; I don't care what you wear.

Then I will stay in this outfit.

Goodnight, Mr. Solomons.

Good night.

[And he'll head off into the bedroom, where he'll stay until seven the next morning. It'll be longer than that before he interacts with the bot next, though; when he first wakes, he plods blearily into the bathroom without a word, seemingly forgetting that he's no longer alone in the house.]

[ He'll likely forget for a while longer, since the bot heads out at an unholy hour. It leaves the kitten behind, so at least Alfie will see Gwen snoozing on top of the fridge when he heads to the kitchen.

The bot comes back a few hours after Alfie wakes up, and very carefully brings a bunch of bags to the kitchen, placing them on the counter before starting to put things away. It seems quiet and maybe a little meek, a little stiff. ]

[By then, Alfie's working at his desk again - he doesn't have to go into the office everyday, not when he owns the place and can delegate.]

What did you buy?

[He asks, not looking up just yet. He'd left it about a hundred quid, so it should have been able to get anything it wanted.]

Edited 2019-03-09 01:55 (UTC)

Fresh ingredients for several dishes, as well as supplies that several peer-reviewed sources have suggested are suitable for growing kittens. [ The bot says, putting away various bags of vegetables and perishable goods. ]

I made sure to find kosher foods.

Thank you.

[He stands, coming over to take a look.]

You got a litterbox as well?

I did. [ It's at the bottom of one of the big bags. As Alfie gets closer, he'll notice the bot's movements are a bit stilted - especially in its arm, near the wrist. There's nothing visible, but then again, the bot is wearing long sleeves.

The sleeves are kind of dusty around the elbows. In fact, this close up, the bot is weirdly muddy in spots, though not enough to track through the house. ]