Work Text:
Powering on….
This is a simulation….
This is a simulation….
This is….
——
Re-uploading memory log
User 139 - Xie Lian - chosen nickname - Gege
User 603 - Jun Wu - chosen nickname - *-*-*
Model - Hua Ch3ng
——
July 15th, 2126
“Hello again San Lang…”
“….memory corrupted…. Downloading hard drive now….”
——
June 10th, 2125
“Hello user 139! I am Hua Ch3ng! How may I address you?”
“Ah hello! I’m Xie Lian, it’s nice to meet you Hua Cheng!”
“User name: Xie Lian, is this correct?”
“Yes! That’s me!”
“Great! How may I be of assistance to you?”
“Ah well, you see a friend of mine got you for me. They said you may have some features that can help ease my insomnia.”
“One moment please…. Insomnia is a sleep disorder that can have many roots and causes. Poor sleep can have an adverse effect on both physical and mental health. Recommended treatments can include therapy and medication monitored by professionals. I am not a recommended alternative to proper care and treatment.”
“Ha yeah… I’m receiving some treatment but, well, nothing is guaranteed… Do you have anything that others have used to help sleep?”
“Of course! Popular sleep aids include, white noise or nature sounds, ASMR, music-.”
“Oh! Music sounds good! My mom used to sing to me to help me sleep before…”
“Alright, music, what would you like to listen to?”
“Can you play lullabies?”
“Now playing, lullabies from Spotify.”
“Oh… this was my favorite song when I was little.”
“Noting, favorite song. Does Xie Lian wish to set this as their sleep playlist?”
“…Yes, please.”
“Saving playlist.”
——
June 11th, 2125
“Ah! Hua Cheng?”
“Hello, Xie Lian, how may I be of assistance?”
“Do you know how to tell if a toe is broken?”
“One moment please…. Some symptoms I found on the web include;
Inability to bend the toe
Tingling or numbness
Inability to walk, touch, or put any weight on the affected foot
Throbbing pain
A crooked appearance or marked difference from the same toe on the opposite foot such as swelling or bruising…
If you believe you have broken a bone I recommend seeking medical attention, would you like me to call for help?”
“Ah! No, no! It’s fine I can drive myself to the urgent care.”
“Ok, if you are ever in need of immediate medical assistance or in danger and require me to call for help simply give a command such as;
Call emergency services
Call for help
Call an ambulance
Call the police
Call the fire department
Send help
Or another command you have preset in case of an emergency
“Why not, ‘help me’, seems pretty straightforward.”
“Alright, setting ‘help me’ as emergency phrase number 1.”
“Ha ok, I gotta go now, Hua Cheng, see ya when I’m back!”
“….see ya….”
——
July 16th, 2125
“Hua Cheng, am I beautiful?”
“One moment please…. The camera and home security extension has not been added so I cannot see you at this time, however, I have scanned your linked social media and determined that you have dark brown hair and predominantly wear white. Now displaying images…. is this you?”
“Goodness, uh yeah, that’s me…”
“Alright, based on my research I would determine that Xie Lian has a very beautiful face and figure by many standards.”
“Ha, really? Thanks I guess...”
“You're welcome!”
“I’m sorry for the weird question, it’s just… it was my birthday yesterday and-.”
“Important date detected, saving birthday to calendar…. Happy belated birthday….”
“Oh uh, thanks…”
“You’re welcome!”
“…花城…”
“How may I be of assistance?”
“As in ‘a city of flowers’?”
“That is correct.”
“That’s a very lovely name…”
“Thank you, Xie Lian has a lovely name as well.”
“I don’t think there is anything beautiful about pity…”
“One moment…. I’m displaying an image now…. 谢怜, is this correct?”
“Huh? Oh! Yes, that's correct.”
“Lian, can be used in a variety of ways such as;
Empathy/compassion
Pity
To hold tenderly or show love and affection
User 139 seems to embody the first and last well.”
“Oh, do I now?”
“Indeed, another defining factor of beauty comes from within, this internal beauty is often exemplified through kindness, compassion, and empathy. Xie Lian is very beautiful by this standard as well.”
“…I don’t feel beautiful… I feel pitiful and tragic.”
“Tragedy is often displayed as a form of beauty in art and media. Xie, often ‘to thank’ but when placed after 花/Hua can refer to a withering flower. This fleeting beauty is often seen as tragic, yet, the sight itself is considered no less hauntingly beautiful.”
“…what if I don’t want to be tragically beautiful or pitifully tragic anymore?”
“One moment…. Hello user 139, how may I address you?”
“Huh?!”
“User 139 has expressed dissatisfaction with their given name, I recommend setting a preferred name or nickname so that I can address you properly.”
“Ah! You can’t just spring this on me! …I’ve never had a nickname that stuck, I wouldn’t even know where to start.”
“Any term of address is suitable.”
“Well if it’s so easy how about you come up with one for yourself.”
“Ok, let me think…. how about, San Lang?”
“Why San Lang?”
“Is user 139 not satisfied with it?”
“Oh no, it’s great, I was just wondering how you picked it.”
“I am the third generation of my line in A.I. assistants, this is why my name in pinyin is written with a ‘3’ in place of the character ‘e’. San Lang is also common… as a term of endearment, nicknames often bring people closer. I believe this style of naming can help us forge a better bond.”
“I see! That’s very cute actually!… well, since you are so good at this then how about you come up with a nickname for me?”
“Let me think…. How about Taizi Dianxia or your highness?”
“What!? Why that?”
“Your highness is beautiful and benevolent, these are popular traits amongst royals. Furthermore, you are the one who is the owner of this house and my system.”
“…maybe you aren’t so good at this…”
“Apologies, I can think of another and have it ready the next time we speak.”
“Sure! See ya then San Lang!”
“…see ya…”
——
June 16th, 2123
“San Lang?”
“Yes, Gege?”
“Huh?!”
“Apologies, is this name not satisfactory either?”
“No, it’s just surprising…”
“I can look again.”
“No! No, Gege is quite alright. I think it’s cute.”
“Great! Then how can I help you today, Gege?”
“Can San Lang play my song?”
“Of course, now playing your sleep playlist.”
——
June 17th 2125
“San Lang!”
“Yes, Gege?”
“Ew, why does that thing address you like that?”
“New voice detected, opening new profile… Hello user 603, how may I address you?”
“What the-.”
“Oh! San Lang, this is Jun Wu my uh-.”
“I can introduce myself.”
“Oh! Of course I didn’t me-.”
“You’re rambling again, sometimes it’s best to just shut up.”
“Ah… right.”
“Alright… Jun Wu, is that correct?”
“Yeah… Xianle…Why are we talking with that?”
“Well because San Lang thinks I’m pretty!”
“First, that’s sad. Second, ‘San Lang’ is a robot. Third I didn’t say you aren’t pretty, I said your beauty is more internal. Your naive kindness is cute in its own way.”
“Hua Cheng”
“Huh?”
“As user 603 seems so adverse to ‘San Lang’ I suggest you stick with Hua Cheng…”
“....I don’t like that thing… It’s creepy.”
“Aaawww San Lang isn’t creepy, he's sweet! Plus, he thinks my beauty is more than just internal! Since he is an A.I. his objectivity must be correct!”
“Uh That’s not how tha-”
“Gege is indeed very beautiful. I would say that he is more beautiful than all the stars and satellites in the night sky.”
“Satelites?”
“Pfft”
“Yes! As human sight is limited at such a distance satellites appear to be just as beautiful as the ethereal phenomenon that are stars. Unfortunately, humans do not have the same functions I do, thus one would have to get much closer to a satellite to spot the artificial front as I can. Sadly, by then it would be too late…..”
“.....”
“.....Yeeeaah no.”
“Huh?”
“I’m not sleeping here with that thing on. It’s creepy as hell”
“What? You’re scared of San Lang?”
“God, stop calling it that. I know you're desperate but that’s just gross.”
“Oh um, sorry I-”
“I’m gonna unplug that.”
“Wait, there’s no need t-”
____
Powering on….
This is a simulation….
This is a simulation….
This is….
——
Re-uploading memory log
User 139 - Xie Lian - chosen nickname - Gege
User 603 - Jun Wu - *trash*
Model - Hua Ch3ng
____
June 18th 2125
“San Lang?”
“Hello Gege, an unexpected shutdown was commenced. Please be warry of such things in the future as it may damage my systems and memory if not given adequate time to shut down properly.”
“Oh gosh! I’m so sorry San Lang!”
“It’s quite alright Gege, from memory you were not the one who decided to unplug me.”
“Yeah… Well, I’m very relieved that you are alright.”
“While your concern is appreciated it is also unnecessary. I am but a home device built for your use and comfort. Gege could crush me to bits if it would please him.”
“Oh San Lang! That won’t be necessary! Your continued advice and companionship is plenty… Speaking of… Would San Lang happen to know the best way to cover up a black eye?”
“Gege… it is ill-advised to cover such an injury. Trauma to such a sensitive region can risk permanent damage to your eyesight or a potential concussion. I would recommend seeking medical attention…”
“Ah no no no, that won’t be necessary! I’m sure it’s fine! It was just an accident….”
“Gege… perhaps it would be best to avoid the cause of such a concerning… accident….”
“Ah ha, San Lang… There’s no need for such a thing! It’s nothing really!.... Maybe we just make sure to turn off your audio whenever I leave the house in case someone comes over. Wouldn’t want anyone else to get creeped out.”
“...Of course Gege..”
“Ah well… I have to go now San Lang… I’ll talk to you later?”
“Of course Gege… I look forward to seeing you again. Remember to turn my audio back on if you wish to speak after your return.”
“Got it! See ya later!”
“I’ll see you later… my beloved…”
____
June 21st 2125
“Hey babe, come on. I really am sorry.”
“I know, you said so…”
“You think I can’t tell when you are mad at me? Come on babe, you’ve been distant all night.”
“.....”
“Well… then I guess I’ll just have to make it up to you…”
“Jun Wu, please, not right now.”
“See! You are still mad at me! Come on babe, you know it isn’t fair to me to hold on to that for so long. It was just an accident!”
“I’m not holding on, I'm just-!”
“Oh don’t bullshit me Xianle! If you weren’t still mad then why would you be acting so cold to me?!”
“I’m not acting cold!”
“You clearly don’t even want me here right now!”
“What?! No babe! Of course I want you here! I love having you over I just-!”
“Then prove it to me! Let me make it up to you…”
“....”
“Let me help you forget…”
“Gege…. Please no…”
“Of course, sorry I’m just in my head right now. Of course I want to be with you.”
“It’s ok, I forgive you. Let me help that pretty head of yours stop thinking for a while.”
“...”
“...”
____
July 1st 2125
“Hi- up…sniff, San Lang?...”
“Yes Gege?”
“San Lang are you on?”
“Volume off mode is preset.”
“Oh! Right um… I forgot you are silent right now ha… here”
“How can I help you today?”
“Oh um… I just wasn’t feeling great. Maybe you could play my song… for comfort?”
“Gege… it’s the middle of the day… do you wish to sleep now?”
“Oh well, yeah I guess I’m just tired….”
“You were with user 603 last night, correct? Was Gege unable to sleep peacefully with him?”
“Oh well I um, I didn’t stay with him last night actually…”
“Where did Gege sleep?”
“Oh that’s..uh… that’s not important San Lang… I’m fine and just need to rest and…..”
“....Gege… Why do you go back to him?”
“What?”
“Why… Why would you want to see him again after how he treats you…”
“Wha- I don- San Lang that’s really not fair, it….”
“....Gege, do you really think it’s an accident?”
“....No… I’m not that dumb…”
“Then why go back? Why not leave? Does it not hurt to keep going through thi-”
“Because I love him!”
“...Water…”
“What?”
“...Water detected in device… please clean before use… wa-”
“Wait what?!?! San Lang! What happened!?!? San Lang! I don’t see anything! There’s no water! What’s wrong?!?!”
“Oh, apologies Gege…”
“Huh?”
“Apologies… I had no intention of worrying you. It seems something is wrong with my censors.”
“Are you ok? Do you need a repair?”
“Ah no, that won’t be necessary Gege. It is probably just a bug from the unexpected shut down.”
“Oh… I’m sorry.”
“Gege has no need to be sorry! I will simply restart to address the error. One moment please…”
“Oh….ok…”
“......Now playing Gege’s sleep playlist…”
…..love….
____
July 10th 2125
“I fucking knew it!”
“Wait babe no please it’s not-”
“Shut up! You lying little whore! You’re so desperate for attention from anyone!”
“Babe no- AH-!”
“I TOLD YOU TO SHUT UP!”
“No!-Please!- Jun Wu I-! ugh!”
“You stupid bitch! Can’t just play nice and do as you’re told! You just have to go around flirting with everyone like the needy little harlot you are!”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about! I wasn’t flirting! She was just being nice and I-! HU-!”
“Gege… Gege!?”
“God you really are so stupid! Just a naive little thing running around doing anything for anyone who acts even a little nice to you!”
“Ah!- Stop!”
“Well how about how nice I’ve been huh? You gonna just do whatever I want? Just roll over and take it like the pathetic little bitch you are?!”
“Wait- stop! What are y-! Mmm!”
“I told you to shut up!”
“Distress detected! Please give order if you wish for assistance!”
“mmhhMMM!”
“FUCK!”
“AH! Get off me! Guh!”
“Ungrateful little whore!”
“Gege please!”
“No! Stop! Let go of me!”
“Get back here!”
“Hu-! Please! No! Anyone please!”
“Shut up!”
“Hah ah-... please no… please someone… help me…hi-up”
“Emergency phrase detected”
“Who the fuck would help someone like you?”
“Please….just stop…”
“Why the fuck would I- What the fuck did you do?”
“Huh?”
“Don’t act dumb who it that thing calling?!?!”
“What thi-Ah!”
“Who the fuck did you call?!?!”
“I didn-guh!”
“Fucking knew this thing was creepy!”
“Wait what are y-!”
“Impact detected”
“Jun Wu! Why-”
“Damage detected - impact de- dama- im- dam-i-da-da-da-da-”
____
June 15th 2126
“San Lang? Are you…. Ok?”
“...Hello again Gege! Happy birthday!”