Stones of farspeech; within a day of the intro log

[conscientiousobject]

This is very sudden, and perhaps badly timed, for which I apologise.

[He really hopes he's not wasting the time of people trapped in rockslides or something, but--well, he would also hope someone trapped in a rock slide would be focusing on that and not. This.]

But I've just... returned to this place after a long absence and I've been informed there are other robots here now?

Is this true?

My name is Epsilon, and I am--was? Am. A robot myself.

So if anyone who can hear me has any kind of AI, or a similar form of existence... at your convenience, I'd like to speak with you! It's been a long time since I've known any others.

.... also, if you do need help, Ginko and I are able to move a great deal of earth between us, so please say something.

Comments

[deathfindsaway]

Yes, I-- I think I can see that.

[Despite not being able to see it, really? They're on the stone??

He silently runs his hand down his face and wills himself to say something that isn't entirely stupid.]

It's jarring to be thrown anywhere and made human, or well-- mortal. I had a similar experience coming here. This place does not handle the the abnormal perfectly well.

[conscientiousobject]

[Human, or at least mortal.

Luckily for Kravitz, Epsilon doesn't think that digression strange. The logic goes something like this: all humans are mortal but not all mortals are human.

Regardless, what he says assumes nothing Kravitz said was out of the ordinary. And really, at this point? It isn't.]

I wonder about that.

Every form of reality has rules, right? I'm not programmed to take that to its conclusion, I'm not a super-AI or even an especially science-oriented one, but I'm certain there's a relationship.

[He sounds slightly rueful.

It's a programming limitation, effectively. He was the result of a great deal of research--intended to demonstrate and embody a new form of energy--and while his existence and powers facilitated a more advanced understanding of that energy.... he was not intended to study any sciences himself.]

[deathfindsaway]

[It probably depends on how you define mortal. Animals are of course mortal, but Epsilon probably figures Kravitz isn't a talking dog or something, but come to think of it, he probably has an idea of what it feels like to be thrown somewhere and made into a dog. Universes are bad sometimes and he'd like to stop thinking about this as soon as possible.]

Well, it... yes, it should. But not all rules are absolute. Many have to be upheld consciously for it to be respected. I... had an idea of what rules were supposed to exist, but I'm afraid I may not know as much as I once thought.

[Mmm, he's afraid he's making a bad impression of himself here.]

What I mean is, yes. Every universe has rules. But I don't believe any two are the same in all respects, even if they may match in some or many.