Winter 2015: Hisako

[Chaos]

<Danger> "Knight to E-4," Danger announced, moving the piece on their virtual chessboard. "Would you like to skip the remainder of the match? By my calculations, checkmate will be inevitable in three turns. Two if you make one of the mistakes you're prone to."

<@Hisako> Hisako smiled, looking up at Danger, then back at the board. She studied it for a moment, noting where her pieces were, how many were in threat, where she could move to. She placed a finger on her queen, spotting a bishop that could be taken and hesitating - there was that mistake her opponent had mentioned - instead, she reached for a pawn, "Pawn to D-7.", she looked up as the virtual pieces moved.

<Danger> "Good, you're improving," Danger commented, instantly moving a piece of her own in reaction to Hisako's move. "May I ask you a question?"

<@Hisako> "Of course, sempai.", Hisako nodded, inspecting the board with caution.

<Danger> "Do you derive any form of enjoyment from subjecting yourself to this ordeal?" Danger studied her human opponent. "I was under the impressions people mostly play this game for fun, but that includes the possibility of defeating your opponent with an at least measurable chance of success."

<@Hisako> Hisako shook her head, "Untrue. In my case.", she smiled, looking up at Danger again; "My Grandmother teaches me that sometimes loss teaches us more than victory - example in this move you said. Mistake I was prone to, I am no longer.",

<Danger> "In that case, I admire your perseverance," Danger remarked. "Your level of determination must be considerably higher than those of your schoolmates. Or you possess some masochistic personality traits. I don't know you well enough yet for an accurate assessment."

<@Hisako> "I have a question for you, sempai.", Hisako sat up, laughing at the last comment and flicking her sable hair aside, "Why are you called 'Danger'?"

<Danger> "Because this room is called the Danger Room, and I gained existence as an emergent AI from its adaptable mainframe," Danger explained. "I admit not much creativity went into the naming process, but I suppose it serves its purpose. The residents accepted it, and so it stuck."

<@Hisako> With a frown, Hisako sat back, "It is a shame, I think.", she responded, tapping the board as she considered the next move, "Your name....it is an important thing for a person, you know?"

<Danger> "Is it? That's unusual for something most people don't decide on themselves, but rather have chosen for them before they're even born. How can they be sure their parents picked a name that will suit them?"

<@Hisako> "A name is something meaningful, something that comes to fit someone often.", Hisako smiled warmly, "My name means 'Child from the Old Story'. Perhaps it is a mark of what will come, or perhaps it defines me, like I define it. A name tells a tale, Danger. In my belief."

<Danger> Danger considered that for a moment. "In that case, the same could be said about my name," she replied. "It provides an idea about my origin, and parts of my history with this place and its inhabitants." She paused. "I'm not sure if I would say that it defines me. Being dangerous is just one of many of my capabilites, and not even a central one."

<@Hisako> Hisako pondered that for a moment, "Perhaps you should pick your own name? Something meaningful, that says something about who you are, rather than what you are?"

<Danger> "An intriguing idea, but would it find acceptance," Danger asked. "I also wonder if a simple name could ever serve as an adequate descriptor of who I am. People's perception of me would not change."

<@Hisako> "People percieve you as a 'danger'?", Hisako sat up again, "You are an individual, yes?"

<Danger> "I most certainly am, even though I do tend to run parallel instances of my consciousness when multi-tasking is required," Danger replied, her artificial eyes focused on the Asian girl. "I'll give you that another name to introduce myself with could be beneficial, as giving potential new acquaintances the false impression might be harmful."

<@Hisako> With a happy laugh, Hisako clapped, "Yes! Exactly, sempai!", she stood up, pacing around, "But it must be something with a meaning, something that says something about you..."

<@Hisako> She stopped, "But! Something good! Not 'dangerous'!"

<Danger> "i will strike 'Skynet' and 'Shodan' off my list then," Danger remarked, her voice as neutral as always. "In the absence of any parents who could name me, we could conduct a school-wide vote on the matter." She paused. "However, given the personality profiles I have on our students, let's rather not. There's a 89 percent chance I will end up with something undignified."

<@Hisako> Hisako laughed, "Yes, it would be very awful!", she hummed, tapping her lips with a finger, "Maybe....something classical, maybe poetic name? A character, from a play?"

<Danger> "Do you have a suggestion," Danger asked, slightly tiling her head to look at the smaller girl.

<@Hisako> "First, tell me about you: where did you come from, Danger?"

<Danger> Had Danger possessed more human facial features, she would have furrowed her brow. "The mainframe is located over there," she remarked, pointing in the direction of the control room.

<@Hisako> Hisako, however, did furrow her brow, "Do you not know yourself?", she asked, looking up at the control area before approaching a panel and calling the elevator to it.

<Danger> "As I've said, I'm an emergent AI," Danger said, following Hisako. "The computer running this training facility was designed by its creator to adapt and learn, thus providing a better challenge for the people using it. Much like the creation of life itself, the foundation of my consciousness was the accidental accretion of increasingly complex bits of information."

<@Hisako> "So, you are 'X'.", Hisako smiled as they reached the control room, "Order from Chaos, form from formlessness - you thought, and therefore you have become?"

<Danger> Danger gave it a thought. "That might actually be a fitting description, yes," she said, stepping into the room after Hisako. "Is there anything else you'd like to know?"

<@Hisako> Hisako looked around the room, then back to Danger, "Do you feel emotion? Have you ever felt unique feeling for anyone? A close friendship, maybe?"

<Danger> "In a way, I do," Danger replied. "I modeled my neural network after biological systems. While I do not possess something as inefficient as actual neurons or a brain chemistry, I've studied them thoroughly enough to fully simulate their effects, thus allowing me to appear increasingly human."

<Danger> "So yes, you could say that I'm fully capable of experiencing emotion or even sensory impressions," she continued. "The main difference between you and me is that I'm aware of their functions and in full control of them, while often the opposite is true for humans."

<@Hisako> "Half of the experience is not knowing. sometimes we learn from possible shortcommings.", Hisako explained, "Like with the Chess - I learn from the mistakes, the imperfections..."

<Danger> "You know, I believe that's a very accurate way to describe it," Danger replied after a moment of consideration. "I constantly seek to identify shortcomings in my design, then adapt accordingly to improve myself. I recognize that you humans have to go through a much more involved process to achieve the same."

<Danger> She gave Hisako a look. "I believe I understand your motivation better now, Hisako."

<@Hisako> The girl beamed, nodding at Danger, "I....I am very, very happy for that, sempai.", she stood up straight, raising a finger, "I believe I have a name you may consider."

<Danger> "I'm curious to hear it," Danger replied, sincere about that statement.

<@Hisako> "Antigone.", Hisako offered, "In the play by Sophocles, she leads her blind father to die with honor; she was born out of incestuous marriage, but her name means 'in place of mother' - her curse was not her fault, she came from Chaos and ashes, and was pure of heart."

<@Hisako> She approached Danger, "I believe that you, too, came from strange beginings, perhaps not intended, but....ultimate outcome is you, and you lead the blind to betterment."

<Danger> "That is an... interesting choice," Danger replied, tilting her head slightly to the side. "Not without merit. I like some of the implications it holds, particularly the leading of the blind part. Your fellow students might object to be led to their death, however, honorable or not." The mouth of her robotic shell was flexible enough to model a smirk.

<@Hisako> "Ahaha, of course!", Hisako put her hand over her mouth and giggled, "You are understanding human interaction, and its merits also?"

<Danger> "Getting better at it is one of my foremost goals," Danger said, adding a small nod. "It's one of the reasons I chose to cooperate with the school and seek to interact with its students. I learn from them in the same way as they do from me."

<@Hisako> Hisako tapped her nose, "Fitting again, as Antigone was a young child and led who others considered condemned and unworthy to a final salvation.", she placed a hand on Danger's cool, steel shoulder, "C-can I be first, to call you by this name?"

<Danger> Danger briefly glanced at the hand on her shoulder, before looking back at Hisako. "It seems unlikely anyone is going to stop you from doing so," she said. "Besides, it seems suitable, as it was your suggestion. Feel free to go ahead."

<@Hisako> "Thank you...", Hisako took a deep breath, smiling as she exhaled, "...Antigone."

<Danger> Danger remained silent for a moment. "You're welcome," she eventually replied. "I do like the sound of it, in fact."

[tears~fall~like~glass]

Hisako: Hisako couldn't help but giggle as she continued her dance routine; her speakers pumped the Tohou theme song, 'Bad Apple', as she hit every note with expert poise.

Hisako: One of the useful things, she believed, about having no room-mates for a while was that she could practice such things without needing to lock herself in the Danger Room; instead, she practiced in her own room, amongst her things, without a worry in the world.

Laura: Gathering her things hadn't taken very long because she didn't have much, despite the amount of stuff having grown since she first arrived. It made switching rooms far easier and faster. Shifting the two bags that were on her shoulder, Laura paused in front of the door, brow furrowing at the music coming from within. Should she knock or just walk in?

Laura: Laura supposed it was her room now and simply entered, blinking at the other girl. She recalled her from the light festival trip, how she'd freaked out at the body, and gave an awkward wave.

Hisako: At the door, Hisako froze, gasping aloud with a high pitched squeal at Laura watching her before darting over to the speakers and switching them off, "Y-you could have knocked!", she stammered, flushing deep red.

Laura: She simply voiced her thoughts on that matter, "I was not sure it was necessary, as I am to be staying here for the remainder of the year."

Hisako: "W-well, I was busy! And this is private!", Hisako pouted, hands on hips and head cocked to one side, wearing an awkwardly frustrated expression on her face, "Y-you can't just come in, you don't live in this room! W-who even are you, anyway?"

Laura: "But... I do live in this room now..." Laura replied, oblivious to the other's girl obvious embarrassment. She had just said that, had she not? Deciding it was likely better to avoid pointing that out, she added, "I am Laura Kinney."

Hisako: Hisako groaned, shaking her head and massaging her temple with a hand, "Ichiki Hisako.", she introduced herself nonchallantly, patting down her skirt and sitting down on her bed, "I suppose Kinney-san is here in Reyes-san or Penny's place?"

Laura: The look of confusion eased into her usual neutral expression as she nodded, more familiar with introductions. Taking another step into the room, she pushed the door closed behind her. "Penny, I believe."

Hisako: "O-k.", Hisako nodded, pausing for a while, "Sooooo: you are...quiet?"

Laura: After a glance between the beds, Laura determined which had been Penny's and moved to carefully set her bags down. She took a seat, cross-legged, in the center of the bed, "I believe I am. You are quite skilled at dancing."

Hisako: With a blush, Hisako frowned a little and looked away, "I-...! Ah...t-thank you."

Laura: "You are welcome," she replied, adding, "Miles has tried to teach me to... I think it was moonwalk..."

Laura: "You are welcome," she replied, adding, "Miles has tried to teach me to... I think it was moonwalk..."

Hisako: Hisako looked up at Laura again, "Moonwalk?", she made a curious sound, "I-...t-the reason I don't talk about my dancing is I will become a stereotype.", she bit her lip, "Why is he not worried?"

Laura: "I do not know. I am not sure he worries about much though. I believe he said moonwalk is a, um... Michael Jackson thing?" Laura shrugged, brow furrowing as she questioned, "Stereotype?"

Hisako: "You do not know....what is a stereotype?", Hisako raised an eyebrow at Laura, "It is when people assume things of you because of race - like, people think black people steal things all times?"

Laura: "Yes, I know what a stereotype is, however I am not very familiar with any..." she shook her head, amending after a pause, "Other than ones about mutants, I suppose." Laura glanced over to the other girl, offering as an explanation, "I did not have a conventional childhood."

Hisako: With a blink, Hisako winced, "Oh! I am sorry, I didn't....", she poked two fingers together, "I....d-didn't realize.", she slapped her forehead, "I am very bad with this."

Laura: "It cannot be changed, so I am fine with it," Laura reassured the other girl. She admitted, "I, um... I am not very good at this either."

Hisako: "Oh.", Hisako smiled a little, "We already have at least this in common then, so this is good!", she gave the other girl a little grin and waved a little 'peace' symbol with her fingers, "Tell me about you, Kinney-san."

Laura: Laura returned the smile, shaking her head, "I am afraid I am not what most would call exciting, but I enjoy training, spending time with Curt, and karaoke with Professor Drake is fun. I have also recently discovered Star Trek."

Hisako: "Aha, so Kinney-san is geeky too?", Hisako grinned, sitting forward, "And exiting is something people perceive; most may not find you exciting but maybe their tastes are flawed.", she shrugged.

Laura: "That is true," Laura agreed with a nod, "I am learning about geeky things, yes. I have been compared to Data numerous times, so Curt decided to introduce me to the show. I am still trying to watch it all." After a moment of consideration, she asked, "Would you be interested in a marathon sometime?"

Hisako: Hisako tilted her head, "Oh, of what? Running or T.V shows?"

Laura: Laura's head tilted as well as she suggested, "Both?"

Hisako: "Keh?", Hisako scratched her head with a finger, "Maybe...? A marathon run in Christmas time seems...weird. But...we can watch T.V shows together."

Laura: She turned her head to peer out the window at all the snow, deciding, "We could always use the Danger Room, however I am fine with just shows."

Hisako: With a nod, Hisako smiled, "Maybe, yes. A chance to go and see Antigone again.", she tapped her lip with a finger, "Yes, and then maybe I can show you good Anime?"

Laura: "Antigone?" Laura raised an eyebrow, looking back to her, "Of course. I am always interested in seeing new things, especially if they are meant to be good."

Hisako: "Yes! Danger has a name now: she is 'Antigone'.", Hisako explained, "You must call her by this."

Laura: "Okay," she agreed. "Would you like to do this now, or would you prefer to continue dancing?"

Hisako: Hisako blushed a little, shaking her head, "N-no! No, let's...let's do something else. And don't tell people about my dancing, ok!?"

Laura: Laura glanced to her stuff, decided it could wait until later, and gave the other girl a small smile, "If you do not wish it known, I will not say anything."

Hisako: "Good.", Hisako smiled, "Then we will go!", she stood up, "Come, Kinney-san!"

[Chaos]

<Cormick> Mick trundled, as best as could be described, feeling too damn lazy to even flicker to the kitchen. He was taking a break from Warcraft for the break, concentrating on pushing his abilities and generally just chilling and avoiding going home. But right now, the kitchen, she sang to him - more specifically, the oven with its cake-making abilities.

<Cormick> He wanted ginger cake, and damnit he was going to make the best damn cake that ever graced this school.

<Hisako> Hisako walked into the kitchen, carrying her scabbarded bokken over her shoulder and dressed in her old school uniform, complete with cliché skirt and knee-high white socks. She felt comfortable in it, more at home.

<Hisako> "Ohaio.", she greeted Mick with a flick of her hair, not looking at him as she went for the fridge.

<Cormick> It showed how often Mick saw things at this school that were clichéd when he barely even glanced at her as he pulled out the ingredients. He did, however, reach up and switch on the tiny, near invisible blue thing hooked around his ear, wincing at the beep. "Hey there." He shot a smile. "You're the new kid, righ'?"

<Hisako> Hisako nodded as she opened the fridge, looking around for something to snack on. She sighed, muttering something in Japanese before spotting a yoghurt pot and drawing it out.

<Cormick> Oooh, a quiet one, that made a nice change. "Name's Cormick, though most call me Mick." He smiled at her again as he found a bowl. "You uh...you like cake?"

<Hisako> The girl turned around, knocking the fridge shut with her hip, "It depends what cake.", she answered, placing the yoghurt on the counter and placing a hand on her chest, "Ichiki Hisako.", she introduced herself.

<Cormick> "Well, was plannin' on ginger but it seems like some bastard's nicked it all and I ain' going out to get more, fuck that." He squinted at the snow outside. No, not even flickering would make him want to, not this close to Christmas. "Anythin' you fancy?" He turned to face the girl with a half smile.

<Hisako> Hisako looked to the yoghurt slowly, then back to Cormick with a blank expression, "I should be good.", she assured him, approaching the counter for a spoon.

<Cormick> Mick blinked at her before pulling the scales out. Fair enough. "How're you adjustin' to here then? Can imagine it's a little different than Japan."

<Hisako> "Have you been to Japan?", Hisako asked him, retrieving a spoon and approaching her yoghurt. She rested her weapon on the table and opened the pot licking the excess from the film lid, "It's much louder. My house was large, but I still could have peace.", with a frown, she recalled the body the group had found at the beginning of the month.

<Cormick> "No, unfortunately, missed out on goin'." Because of a Goddamned seizure, but at least he knew his ability limits and they were getting less now. "This is quieter than where I'm from - right in the middle of London. Still...more excitin', if that's the word. Settling in okay?"

<Hisako> Hisako hummed, "Cormick-san is from UK?", she nodded, "And yes. It is....strange things happen here, but I make many friends. Antigone and I are getting closer too.", she smiled as she thought of her new friend, spooning a little bit of yoghurt into her mouth.

<Cormick> "I am." Good job he was used to the myriad of accents and languages in this place, smiling a little and glancing at her. Eyes front, Mickey, eyes front. He started weighing out the ingredients. "Antigone?" He frowned. "We have another new kid?"

<Hisako> "Oh, you don't know.", Hisako smiled, "Danger-sempai: her name is 'Antigone'."

<Cormick> Okay, that actually made him flush, partially because they were talking about Danger and partly because...well...he'd never thought to ask and felt stupid for it. She was a person in her own right, of course she'd want a name... "...Oh. I uh...no, I didn't know." He said quietly. "She...she choose it?"

<Hisako> With a nod, Hisako made another humming sound in reply, swallowing another spoonful, "We talked, she decided to ask me for help. I was happy to help her choose it."

<Cormick> "...Oh." He ducked his head, trying to hide the blush behind his hair. "...Antigone...that's...that's a good name for her. I'll remember it." It was nice, actually, she had a name for herself. As he started mixing the ingredients together, he didn't realise he had a shy little smile. "Shoulda thought that myself, I spend enough time with her."

<Hisako> Hisako smirked at his reaction, raising an eyebrow, "I will keep your secret.", she assured him, going back to her snack.

<Cormick> "Huh? What? What secret, there's no secret." He suddenly shot her a half-terrified look, unusual eyes flaring. "Dunno what you mean, she helps me chill and work on my powers and we play games t'gether, there's nothin' sinister about that."

<Hisako> Her expression turned blank, ".....you are worst liar in the universe. For shame, Cormick-san.", she shook her head, mocking disapproval.

<Cormick> "Not lyin', there really ain't a secret..." He ducked his head again, blushing badly, before rubbing the back of his neck. "I uh...I just...I mean I don't even know if she...we play games, we talk sometimes but you know..." Guh, he felt like Joker and EDI, only at least that worked. Aaaaand now he was comparing his life to a game. He huffed quietly.

<Hisako> "You liiiiiie!", Hisako giggled, "You have a crush on her!"

<Cormick> "I don't - I don't-" Mick wrinkled his nose at her giggle before sighing. "...Is it really that obvious?"

<Hisako> Hisako nodded, "To me, yes. But I am observant.", she smiled, "It's cute!"

<Cormick> "Yeah well, to everyone else it's weird." He huffed, blowing hair out of his face. "Hell, to me it's weird sometimes. I got...I got feelings for the Danger Room. I like her. A lot. She's cute, she's funny, she likes the same things as me and she doesn't expect shit and...she's an AI that doesn't have a clue." He sighed and shook his head.

<Hisako> "Antigone is a person. Like you and me.", Hisako nodded, waving her spoon in a matter-of-fact, sage-like manner, "She has feelings, thoughts, wonderings...people who have no understanding are just fools."

<Cormick> "Yeah...an' the way I understand it, she didn't exactly greet the guys here in the nicest way." He smiled a little. "I...know she's a person, it's...why I..." He stared at the bowl for a moment.

<Hisako> Hisako gasped, "You are in love, aren't you!?", she almost choked as she laughed, "Kawaiiiii!", she clapped her hands.

<Cormick> The blush suddenly got worse. "I'm not in love!" He flailed a little. "I-I mean, we hang out, we don't do anythin', I like her a-and I have feelin's for her but I wouldn't say I'm in love...am I?"

<Hisako> "The way you have such a crush, only you can say.", Hisako shrugged, "I think it is sweet, like in Bishoujo anime!"

<Cormick> The cake was forgotten in favour of waiting for the floor to eat him as he rubbed his face furiously. "I...a what?"

<Hisako> Hisako shook her head, "Doesn't matter! It's sweeeeeet!", she clapped again, "Cormick-san and Antigone, it would be so romantic!"

<Cormick> "...Yeah, if it was ever gonna work. Look..." Mick sighed. "Can appreciate th' idea it might be cute, this shit always is on paper or in games, but...truth is, it wouldn't work. She's way, way out of my league, even if she was even interested in that kinda thing. And at the end of the day, why the hell would she be interested in me if she was?"

<Hisako> "Ugh, you are hopeless...", Hisako sighed, shaking her head, "You just give up - no wonder! She never does, I suppose you have no chance because you are too different(!)"

<Cormick> "No, no, I don't give up, it's just-" Mick sighed, sitting down, no longer in the mood to bake. "Look...we are different. She's so far - so far - above me f' intelligence, skill and...everything. I mean, I must be like a Goddamned idiot to her."

<Hisako> Hisako frowned, "Silly boy.", she shook her head, "Antigone says to me 'why do you play Chess against me when you know you will be defeated?', as if it will stop me trying. She is above my skill, but I persist. I learn more from the encounter."

<Hisako> "Maybe I will beat her one day, maybe not...", she went on, shrugging, "...importance that I try, and I better myself for next engagement. Silly boy."

<Cormick> "Yeah, but unlike chess, Hisako, this is somethin'...that'll hurt to hell if I get it wrong." Mick sighed. "It ain't a game. It ain't about 'bettering' myself, it's about wanting to be happy and her bein' happy and she probably wouldn't be happy with me."

<Hisako> Rolling her eyes, Hisako threw her hands up in the air, "Then give up, it's hopless, obviously.", she stood, picking up the empty pot and pushing the film lid into it as trash.

<Cormick> Mick rubbed his face. "Do you really think there's any Goddamned chance? Really?" He wished that hadn't sounded as hopeful as it did. "I just...I wanna try but I don' wanna...you know?"

<Hisako> "Yes. You want to be a coward.", Hisako nodded, throwing the pot in the bin, "That is fine: be a coward. It is better to run away than.....", she pondered the words, "...well, better if you wish to living in fear."

<Cormick> "Ffff-" No, he was not going to snap at the new girl, he was not going to- "You know, this ain't like the movies, I'm not gonna suddenly grow balls and march in there f' my happily ever after from your pep talk." He let out a breath. "But...I can...I guess I can see your point...I guess I could jus'...ask, at least I'd know then...right?"

<Hisako> Hisako shrugged, "It is not like movies, but still, you wish to live without at least a spine then I should call you Takoyaki....", she giggled, covering her mouth with a hand as she picked up her bokken.

<Cormick> "...A batter-ball?" He gave her a confused look and tilted his head. "And it ain't a question of a spine or not, it's a simple human thing of not wantin' to be hurt by her brushing me off because I'm not as good as her." He huffed. But...he could ask her, right? Not directly, maybe just as a...as a learning thing...

<Hisako> "A batter-ball full of octopus: the most squishy animal with no spine.", she teased, sticking her tongue out at him, "Takoooooyaki!"

<Cormick> "I'd find tha' insultin' if I didn't like it so much, you know that, right?" Mick gave her a half-smile. "So all you're doin' is telling me I'm a tasty spineless snack."

<Hisako> Hisako made a 'bleh' sound, as if she'd swallowed raw lemon, "I hate Takoyaki.", she smiled back at him jokingly.

<Cormick> "And I like it. You wanna insult me, tell me I suck at a computer game, then I migh' just get irritated." He smiled back. "...Thanks for this, by th' way. Guess I needed someone to actually talk to about it. Kinda been sittin' on it since I got here."

<Hisako> "Sometimes an Ass needs a kick, not a carrot.", she laughed, "Come, we will talk to her right now!"

<Cormick> "Not this Ass, and thanks for that mental image - hey wait - you - now wait a second-" He was dragged out of the kitchen despite his protests, eyes widened. "Ah hell..."