[Adults are so fussy and confusing... she never had this problem with Zenkichi. Or any of the Phantom Thieves for that matter. If they needed help they asked her, and it felt good to be helpful. She learned so many important things that way. This is... again, that BZZT feeling she had with them any time they acted against what she'd expected. She doesn't get it at all.]
I don't need anything like that. All I need is to help.
[No one is giving her orders, though. It's really hard.]
Incorrect. You also need to learn and grow, which will help you help others. The way humans grow is under the care of one or multiple adults who teach and guide them throughout their lives.
[ Cale wishes he could meet whoever programmed Sophia and threw her away. ]
Whatever you decide, I already promised I would teach you and so I'll teach you.
[Regis' eyes dart between them for a moment because there is so much he knows he's missing, but hopefully Cale will fill him in later. In the meantime, he has an idea he would like to try out.]
You know, Sophia, we've just met, but I think I do know a way you can help me if you really want to. I love fishing as a hobby, but I've never really had time to explore more of them on my own. Do you think you could find one you like to do and then teach me how to do it? It would be really helpful.
[Sophia is quiet for a long moment while Cale finishes and Regis looks at them both, struggling once again to process. She can't re-prioritize her commands or her code, she can't subtract, only add and make minor adjustments. She can learn and grow, but what she wants... what she wants is...
But then Regis says the magic words, and she practically lights up. Like a broom sweeping away all her rising existential anxiety, or a defragmentation process at work.]
Okay! I can help with that. I'll find all kinds of hobbies. Would you like another water-related hobby? I enjoy water, and fish.
[ Cale feels conflicted as he sees the way Sophia's demeanour immediately changes. He doesn't like seeing her anxious, but there is something unsettling about witnessing the way her programming kicks in. Seeing how easily she obeys someone she just met makes him worry.
He says nothing further for the moment, instead turning to look at Regis. The man is observant enough that Cale knows he must have picked up on the thing he finds so concerning. ]
[Regis does catch Cale's eye just long enough to give him a "Trust me" look and then he focuses back on Sophia. The way she immediately brightened up isn't quite as concerning to him because he's seen behavior like it before, though as much as people might have joked about Cor being "programmed," he wasn't. He was just stuck in very ingrained patterns of thought and behavior. It took small steps and patience to help him work through it, and Regis hopes the same will work for Sophia.]
If you like water and fish, then why don't we start there? We can always look for more hobbies in other areas together after that. One can never have too many and here a lot of us finally have the time to enjoy them.
[Sophia nods along, still eager, though Cale being so quiet doesn't go unnoticed. She glances sidelong at him a few times, waiting to see if she's displeased him.]
I'll look into more water hobbies right away. This was much faster when I lived in a phone... I can't search the internet here, so I may have to ask around.
[ Cale's expression is indifferent, which is usual for him. The microexpressions on his face show a few things, but nothing that would imply he is displeased with her. ]
...Read and memorize the bestiary and local map before asking questions of any non-Adopted. Humans are a minority race here, so it's important to know what to expect from the fae.
[ He frowns, though not at anyone in particular. ]
...And when you aren't busy with Regis' old man hobby, I need you to help me test the language lesson materials I made.
[ Cale blinks in the way that Regis should recognize by now means he's thought of something potentially troublesome. He looks contemplative again, tilting his head slightly to the side.
Programming is just learning another language, isn't it?
As Kim Rok Soo he had never been interested in technology beyond what he needed to read webnovels, watch movies, or do his work while on Team 1, and always left the coding stuff for the IT department. ]
Sophia, are you able to teach me your programming language?
Ah, you must have just arrived? Please do look into those things first. The Fae are not exactly trustworthy and there are very dangerous creatures in the waters around here. My son and I have already run into a few just fishing. [And he can completely see the Fae getting a kick out of sending an eager young girl after the more dangerous of them.
Before Regis can express that thought, though, Cale starts asking about learning her programming language and Regis' head snaps in his friend's direction so hard it has to hurt. Oh no, he can see where this is going and it's not going to happen. In fact, the anger that flashes in his eyes for a moment is probably the most intense Cale as ever seen. It screams "NO" hard enough that Cale would have to be purposely ignoring it to miss it.
What is she? A living person or some script to be played with at will? She cannot be both. Of course, he can just say that out loud as it would probably confuse Sophia, so he just takes a deep breath and stamps down his anger to deal with later when he and Cale are alone.]
I don't know that learning such a complex programming language would be possible in a place lacking any real technology, would it?
[ If there's one thing Cale is very attuned to it's when anger is directed his way. He feels a chill on his neck and looks thoroughly confused because he hasn't done anything? Nervously, he glances over to Regis.
Cale flinches and averts his gaze.
...Is he mad that I said it was an old man hobby?
His shoulders remain tense.
...Is he going to beat me up with his fists? He is definitely a king who knows how to throw a punch.
'You damn punk who is younger than me! Why are you always causing me trouble and treating me so rudely? Who are you to boss me around like I'm your maknae? And now you're influencing this innocent child with your disrespectful attitude? Huh?'
Will he say something like that while he beats me up?
Sufficiently nervous, Cale amends: ]
Fishing is a very good, respectable hobby for all ages. Fresh fish is the most delicious to eat.
[ He nods a bit to himself. That must be better, right? ]
You don't need technology to learn how to understand a programming language though? That's only if you want to code things yourself.
[Sophia peers between the two of them, processing instructions while at the same time not sure if she should interrupt whatever else is going on here. She's sensitive to strong emotions felt around her, but she too often doesn't understand what they are or what caused them, and it makes her antsy. It's another problem, meant to be fixed.]
Oh... okay. I don't know how to hug, please teach me.
[She's seen them before, though, so at the open invitation she wiggles out of her blanket and shifts closer to awkwardly try and wrap her arms around him. And since he'd done it before, and it felt pretty good, she lifts one hand to pat at his head.]
[ How could Cale ever deny such a request? He wraps his arms around her firmly and holds her close to him.
...Oh. She's really warm?
It's nice.
Cale hugs her a bit closer, enjoying the heat enough that it almost makes him sleepy, until she pats his head and leaves him blinking in surprise.
...Huh? ]
...You can help me in different ways. [ Cale pats her back with a hand and looks at Regis with eyes clearing asking for backup, which makes him seem like his 'actual' age for once. ] It's Uncle Reggie's job to protect me, and he would be sad if he couldn't.
[ A pause. ]
And it's my job to protect him, too.
[ Leave the protecting to the shield masters, please! ]
[The last thing Regis expected was for Cale to react as he did. Apparently, his anger hit on something the redhead hasn't told him about. On top of that, he may have misunderstood the young man's intentions just as Cale seems to have misunderstood where his anger was directed. Astrals, it's like when he misunderstood Cale's hatred of his ring to mean he hated all of his family who were in said ring. Every time he thinks he's got Cale figured out, something new pops up. It seems then need to talk about more than Sophia pretty soon.
The rest of Regis' anger drains out of him and is instead replaced by a gentle warmth. It's nice seeing the redhead reach out to someone else for comfort for once.]
We both have a tendency to push passed our own limits because we like helping others just like you do, so we do our bests to try and keep each other in check. [They aren't perfect at it, but they are at least trying.]
[She makes a muffled noise of displeasure. She's strong, too... wouldn't it be a waste for someone else to do the work when she's capable? But she would be a bad companion to humanity if she did something to make them sad. Once again, things are so complicated.]
Then, please tell me when you reach your limits, and I'll take over.
[ If both he and Regis reach their limits it means something unimaginably dangerous has happened and, while it isn't an impossibility, Cale doubts it would ever happen.
So he feels alright accepting Sophia's request. ]
Sure. I'll make sure to do that. But if even one of us is fine you just focus on keeping yourself safe to protect the kids around your age, got it?
[ If he hugs her a bit more tightly, well. He's just chilly, okay? ]
It would help us worry less about the kids if you did that.
[Regis expression lights up. For all the tension leading up to this, it is one idea from Cale he can get behind completely.
However, he does want to add just one little thing.]
Oh, what a wonderful idea! There are far too many people here who don't know how to fight for themselves--kids and adults. Having someone to watch over them would be very helpful indeed! I try to help heal people when fighting breaks out, and it's much easier to do that when I know someone can protect those left behind. One should not heal and fight at the same time. It can lead to deadly consequences for the one healing and the one being healed.
Understood. I'll "protect the kids around my age".
[She turns her head just enough to look at them both, recognizing Regis' pleased look. Oh, that was good! Okay, she can follow that train of thought then.]
I can heal. If you do not want me to fight, then I will heal for you.
[She doesn't understand the limitations they're trying to place on her when it comes to combat, but unless an emergency forces her hand and she has to prioritize according to her code, she can match the parameters they've laid out.]
[ Cale nods, feeling pleased with this idea and her acceptance. ]
Healers are critical to minimizing the number of casualties during dangerous situations. All roles are important, but some would argue that healers are the most important and helpful.
We have some healers here already, obviously, but everyone heals differently so there can never be enough of them around. For example, my healing has to be prepared in advance because I do it through potions. I give them to as many people as I can, but there is only a finite number of them going into any battle. I'm probably most valuable using my court power to help boost a healer's skills.
[He pauses a moment, then, curiosity getting the best of him.]
How does your healing work? I wonder if its something I could boost.
[Because how better to keep her safe than to be near her? And he is certain she would probably like the chance to keep an eye on him herself.
Now how can he keep Cale nearby? That's the real question.]
They are healing skills. I call on my Pithos and cast them. That's all. [Makes perfect sense, right??]There are ways of making other skills more powerful, I have seen it… so it may work on mine as well.
[Regis looks toward Cale a moment wondering if his friend has head the word before and then turns back to Sophia hoping she doesn't mind explaining farther.]
I'm afraid I don't know what that is. Is it an item or part of your programing?
Oh! [Regis doesn't know why he didn't think of that before. After all, he can channel his own magic through his weapons. Just not any of his healing skills.]
What kind of weapon is it? I'm partial to swords, but I've been trained on many others.
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I don't need anything like that. All I need is to help.
[No one is giving her orders, though. It's really hard.]
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[ Cale wishes he could meet whoever programmed Sophia and threw her away. ]
Whatever you decide, I already promised I would teach you and so I'll teach you.
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You know, Sophia, we've just met, but I think I do know a way you can help me if you really want to. I love fishing as a hobby, but I've never really had time to explore more of them on my own. Do you think you could find one you like to do and then teach me how to do it? It would be really helpful.
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But then Regis says the magic words, and she practically lights up. Like a broom sweeping away all her rising existential anxiety, or a defragmentation process at work.]
Okay! I can help with that. I'll find all kinds of hobbies. Would you like another water-related hobby? I enjoy water, and fish.
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He says nothing further for the moment, instead turning to look at Regis. The man is observant enough that Cale knows he must have picked up on the thing he finds so concerning. ]
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If you like water and fish, then why don't we start there? We can always look for more hobbies in other areas together after that. One can never have too many and here a lot of us finally have the time to enjoy them.
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I'll look into more water hobbies right away. This was much faster when I lived in a phone... I can't search the internet here, so I may have to ask around.
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...Read and memorize the bestiary and local map before asking questions of any non-Adopted. Humans are a minority race here, so it's important to know what to expect from the fae.
[ He frowns, though not at anyone in particular. ]
...And when you aren't busy with Regis' old man hobby, I need you to help me test the language lesson materials I made.
[ Cale blinks in the way that Regis should recognize by now means he's thought of something potentially troublesome. He looks contemplative again, tilting his head slightly to the side.
Programming is just learning another language, isn't it?
As Kim Rok Soo he had never been interested in technology beyond what he needed to read webnovels, watch movies, or do his work while on Team 1, and always left the coding stuff for the IT department. ]
Sophia, are you able to teach me your programming language?
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[And he can completely see the Fae getting a kick out of sending an eager young girl after the more dangerous of them.
Before Regis can express that thought, though, Cale starts asking about learning her programming language and Regis' head snaps in his friend's direction so hard it has to hurt. Oh no, he can see where this is going and it's not going to happen. In fact, the anger that flashes in his eyes for a moment is probably the most intense Cale as ever seen. It screams "NO" hard enough that Cale would have to be purposely ignoring it to miss it.
What is she? A living person or some script to be played with at will? She cannot be both. Of course, he can just say that out loud as it would probably confuse Sophia, so he just takes a deep breath and stamps down his anger to deal with later when he and Cale are alone.]
I don't know that learning such a complex programming language would be possible in a place lacking any real technology, would it?
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Cale flinches and averts his gaze.
...Is he mad that I said it was an old man hobby?
His shoulders remain tense.
...Is he going to beat me up with his fists? He is definitely a king who knows how to throw a punch.
'You damn punk who is younger than me! Why are you always causing me trouble and treating me so rudely? Who are you to boss me around like I'm your maknae? And now you're influencing this innocent child with your disrespectful attitude? Huh?'
Will he say something like that while he beats me up?
Sufficiently nervous, Cale amends: ]
Fishing is a very good, respectable hobby for all ages. Fresh fish is the most delicious to eat.
[ He nods a bit to himself. That must be better, right? ]
You don't need technology to learn how to understand a programming language though? That's only if you want to code things yourself.
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What's wrong? Did something happen? Can I help?
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Cale isn't sure what feeling Sophia picked up on, and isn't quite sure how to handle this when he has an idea of what her programming is like.
— Just ask her for a hug!
The husky voice of the Thief surprises him, but the other ancient powers all agree and he has no reason not to trust them. ]
Everything is fine, Sophia. I just thought of something scary. But, ahem, a... hug would help a lot.
[ He'll hold one arm out, inviting her in for a hug. ]
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[She's seen them before, though, so at the open invitation she wiggles out of her blanket and shifts closer to awkwardly try and wrap her arms around him. And since he'd done it before, and it felt pretty good, she lifts one hand to pat at his head.]
There, there. Do not be scared. I'll protect you.
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...Oh. She's really warm?
It's nice.
Cale hugs her a bit closer, enjoying the heat enough that it almost makes him sleepy, until she pats his head and leaves him blinking in surprise.
...Huh? ]
...You can help me in different ways. [ Cale pats her back with a hand and looks at Regis with eyes clearing asking for backup, which makes him seem like his 'actual' age for once. ] It's Uncle Reggie's job to protect me, and he would be sad if he couldn't.
[ A pause. ]
And it's my job to protect him, too.
[ Leave the protecting to the shield masters, please! ]
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The rest of Regis' anger drains out of him and is instead replaced by a gentle warmth. It's nice seeing the redhead reach out to someone else for comfort for once.]
We both have a tendency to push passed our own limits because we like helping others just like you do, so we do our bests to try and keep each other in check.
[They aren't perfect at it, but they are at least trying.]
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Then, please tell me when you reach your limits, and I'll take over.
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So he feels alright accepting Sophia's request. ]
Sure. I'll make sure to do that. But if even one of us is fine you just focus on keeping yourself safe to protect the kids around your age, got it?
[ If he hugs her a bit more tightly, well. He's just chilly, okay? ]
It would help us worry less about the kids if you did that.
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However, he does want to add just one little thing.]
Oh, what a wonderful idea! There are far too many people here who don't know how to fight for themselves--kids and adults. Having someone to watch over them would be very helpful indeed! I try to help heal people when fighting breaks out, and it's much easier to do that when I know someone can protect those left behind. One should not heal and fight at the same time. It can lead to deadly consequences for the one healing and the one being healed.
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[She turns her head just enough to look at them both, recognizing Regis' pleased look. Oh, that was good! Okay, she can follow that train of thought then.]
I can heal. If you do not want me to fight, then I will heal for you.
[She doesn't understand the limitations they're trying to place on her when it comes to combat, but unless an emergency forces her hand and she has to prioritize according to her code, she can match the parameters they've laid out.]
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Healers are critical to minimizing the number of casualties during dangerous situations. All roles are important, but some would argue that healers are the most important and helpful.
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[He pauses a moment, then, curiosity getting the best of him.]
How does your healing work? I wonder if its something I could boost.
[Because how better to keep her safe than to be near her? And he is certain she would probably like the chance to keep an eye on him herself.
Now how can he keep Cale nearby? That's the real question.]
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They are healing skills. I call on my Pithos and cast them. That's all. [Makes perfect sense, right??]There are ways of making other skills more powerful, I have seen it… so it may work on mine as well.
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[Regis looks toward Cale a moment wondering if his friend has head the word before and then turns back to Sophia hoping she doesn't mind explaining farther.]
I'm afraid I don't know what that is. Is it an item or part of your programing?
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It is neither. Pithos is a weapon.
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[Regis doesn't know why he didn't think of that before. After all, he can channel his own magic through his weapons. Just not any of his healing skills.]
What kind of weapon is it? I'm partial to swords, but I've been trained on many others.
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