Farspeech stones

[forwearemany]

(It's an abrupt decision to voice the question that has been plaguing their thoughts over the stones.)

How is synthetic life treated in your universe of origin?

Comments

[prettypurpleparlor]

[Muffet pauses for a long moment, quietly considering what to say- or even whether to say anything at all- before she answers. It's still something of a bitter topic for her, but... from what little she knows of their past, Legion has a right to be interested in that.]

If by synthetic life you mean any artificially created life at all, I believe there have been experiments into cloning non-sapient beings, farm animals and the like. But as far as I'm aware, there's only one known sapient artificial lifeform on my planet at this time.

[She sounds... reluctant, as she continues. As polite and calm as ever, but there's some hesitance in her tone that hints she's ever-so-slightly uncomfortable on this particular topic.]

His name is Mettaton. He's a robot, an Artificial Intelligence built by the former Royal Scientist of our kingdom.

[forwearemany]

Acknowledged. Asgore has spoken of him.

He is treated well?

(It seemed so, but they'll try and confirm.)

[prettypurpleparlor]

As far as I know, certainly. We... are not precisely close, at the moment.

[There may be just a very slight tinge of bitterness, in that last phrase. "Not close" may be an understatement.]

But yes, I've never seen him treated as less than a fellow monster- and he's quite popular for his celebrity career, besides.

[forwearemany]

Acknowledged. This corroborates data already acquired.

Your society is unusual: synthetics are not commonly treated as equals.

[prettypurpleparlor]

[A quiet sigh. She nods briefly to herself, though they can't see it.]

I'm sorry to hear that. It sounds a heavy and undeserved burden for you to bear.

[Even Mettaton doesn't deserve that, she feels. After all, she dislikes him for his actions, not his origins.]

[forwearemany]

It is the same for many others like us.

[prettypurpleparlor]

Has anyone been unkind to you about that matter, here?

[She asks in the interest of polite, neighborly understanding, and also because she needs to lecture some people if they say yes.]

[forwearemany]

Negative.

(People are wary, sometimes, but even then, they're nice about it.)