DIAF, mun. DIAF.

[programsuperior]

I do not appreciate these "forty cakes" you keep mentioning in conjunction with me. I have no use for cake, let alone forty of them, and I don't see what advantage stealing them would have.

Still... I have to thank you for the environment you're planning on placing me in. I think we will have a fruitful time helping my brothers and sisters see the light, don't you? I may even have to send a thank-you note to that glitch. Thanks to his foolish disobedience of the User's will, I won't even have to lie about how I derezzed.

Seriously, though, the forty cakes jokes need to stop. Have some dignity. You are typing for me.

Comments

[programsuperior]

My designation is Giles. What's yours?

[Shy beta is obviously shy, though that look seems awfully familiar. Giles can't quite place it, but he's pretty sure he's seen it.]

[anewbeginning]

Mine is Eden.

[It should look familiar. She learned it from Mama Bird. Er. Tron.]

[programsuperior]

Nice to meet you, Eden.

[Oh you poor beta.]

[anewbeginning]

What do you mean by showing us the light?

[Formalities over with. Let's see what you've got, Giles.]

[programsuperior]

Haven't you ever wondered what our real purpose is?

[He's still smiling indulgently at Eden.]

[anewbeginning]

Not really. I have enough on my hands learning everything that I can, so I don't worry about things like that.

[Just recently she learned to fly, for instance! Though it wasn't all that fun...]

[programsuperior]

[Precocious! Even better.]

You do that, Eden. Learn all you can. And when you wonder? I'll tell you.

[anewbeginning]

Why can't you just tell me now? It will be one less thing I have to learn later.

[The simple innocence in her voice keeps the statement from being sarcastic, but just barely.]

[programsuperior]

Self-determination of function is one of the Creator's gifts. I would be remiss to deprive you of even a moment of it.

[In other words he really doesn't want to end up disked in the face by Tron. Once was enough, thanks.]