voidtreckernet | [Video] Clearly the most important thing right now.

[She waves gently as the feed comes on. Behind her there is a large sheet, divided into three categories: 'Heard of', 'Not heard of', and 'Variance'.]

[Her name and Della's are written, in perfect letters, in the first column.]

So I was reading, earlier in the month and had a conversation with Della. Interestingly, despite our different universal backgrounds, we had both heard the trope 'The Butler Did It' - though the books on the train have, thus far, not revealed why this trope is a thing in either of our universes.

As a result, I am curious: in how many of your universes in this something known as well, and are there any variants? For those unaware, the trope refers to fictive mysteries, specifically, wherein the murder taking place in a manor house is presupposed to have been committed by the butler, or head servant.

[Because it wouldn't be Guri if she didn't break it down.]

Oh, and I am unsure what to vote for in terms of room. Perhaps something for the arts? Would that not benefit everyone most?

[Later, she adds a text updated:]

My official vote is for 'pool'.

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[She nods.]

I suppose so. I hope you weren't bothered by the idea.

Well, it helps that I know you fairly well, so I already had an inkling that you weren't quite aware of its implications.. [ Though she still did freak out at the mere sight of it.

But ssh, it's ok. Guri doesn't have to know, especially when the very thought of offending Alice is already freaking her out so much, right? The last thing Alice wants to do is make it worse. ]

But it is really alright, Guri. I was.. ah, well, I was hoping that we were close enough to not mind such slight things.

Edited 2021-06-28 19:37 (UTC)

[She nods.]

We are, but...such things can go badly wrong quickly, especially if the receiving party is...rejecting towards that sentiment, intent notwithstanding.

[It's not just the thought of upsetting that's the problem, really - it's all the potential consequences, and the reminder of the many ways in which she feels certain she'll always be apart from humanity.]

Feelings are difficult.

[ She's quiet for a moment, wanting to give a cautious here when it seems that Guri's own feelings are so fragile and delicate at the moment. She presses her lips tightly together, shoves aside her own complicated feelings on Romance, and instead asks as she thinks back on that moment they had together facing that other Guri in the cave: ]

Do you think you are.. unlikeable?

[A question that clearly catches her off guard.]

Well, as a person, no - I can see the evidence this is true, but…

And…I know I was built to be attractive in my galaxy, I have no idea about any other, truth be told. But that’s not…truly liking someone, is it?

[She shakes her head.]

In the long run? I do not think anyone would want a mechanical being, no. Not beyond novelty, certainly.

There are so many different beings out there though that aren't human. [ And not just robots like Guri. ] Even just on this train. There are aliens, other species entirely, other.. er, mechnical beings, as you say.

[ Not to mention that Alice is practically used to being surrounded by non-human beings. It's what happens when you escape to your fantasy land more often than you actually live in the real world. ]

And plenty of them seem to have found someone to care for them in such a way. I don't think you should be so pessimistic about your chances, if you wish to have something like that yourself at some point.

[She nodded.]

Of course I do. I want to explore all those things. Romance, love, passion - but it's hard to shake the old world. And it's harder still to know what divides interest and care from attraction.

[She was quiet for a long moment.]

I was used, before, to present affection to...further my master's plans. Or to keep him company, when he was bored. Much of it is in the memories I deleted, filled with details people could use to great harm, but...enough remains.

I've never gotten to choose. And...I would like to. But it's always hard to see the dawn from the deep valley.

[ Alice is quiet in the face of that knowledge. Because she's stunned by it, yes - but there's a more powerful undercurrent to it. One that makes her hands that are lying on top of the table slowly form into fists as she can feel the familiar anger boil in her stomach. ]

I'm going to murder him.

[ Not.. that he isn't already most likely gone, considering what Guri told him before, but does that matter when the sentiment is there all the same?

Because there's way too many of these people out there, who'd exploit others in such a way. And it hurts even more to know that it happened to yet another person who's important to her. ]

I will absolutely kill him in every single world out there in which he exists.

[The gesture is of incredible meaning, regardless. She reaches out a hand, giving Alice's a squeeze, eyes warm, and thankful.]

[It's a moment that encompasses...a lot. Acknowledgement as a person, as someone cared for - and coming from a universe that treats beings like her, at best, as chattel or closer to family pets as a rule...]

It would be a race, but...thank you. So much.

[ There's plenty of things she could say here. That they can just murder him multiple times, it's fine.

But rather than focusing on how much he deserves that, she'd rather focus on how much Guri doesn't deserve what happened to her. No wonder the other seems so uncertain about these things. Alice allows her hand to be taken without any resistance whatsoever, and she stares at the other. ]

You're free here, Guri. Please.. always remember that, at least.

[she closes her eyes, nodding.]

Here, I am, and I know others will keep it so, even if I myself cannot. And that...means a lot.

[Video] Clearly the most important thing right now.

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CW: romanic and sexual compulsion.

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