The pair had spent some time quietly alone in separate rooms while each calmed down some after the testing concluded for the day, but Protea eventually came out of her room. While she was perfectly capable of sitting in silence near indefinitely without much adverse effect, if she wasn't ordered to it became considerably harder to tolerate. Some invisible timer ticking up an unrest counter that was frustratingly out of her reach or ability to directly read. A lot of her inner workings were like that, automatic processes that she could surmise were there but she wasn't allowed to see or touch. It was irritating, but she knew that irritation, too, was just another meter hidden away in that labyrinth.

 

Not worth thinking about right now.

 

Instead, she focused on what she could do, entering into the architectural and artistic wonder that was one habitation unit among millions, perhaps billions on board. She could check, but she didn't want yet another thing to think about, another calculation to run, another set of scale to comprehend courtesy of the plants. Instead, she grabbed a charging cable from the corner of the kitchen's counter (a bit of a tiptoe-stretching task at its height), plugged it into the single compatible electrical outlet in the entire hab (installed specifically for her benefit), and leaned back against the counter to look out into the living room, a clear view unobstructed by walls. Couches, a large screen, a low table, and little to nothing to do.

 

She plugged the cable into the back of her head, back arching abruptly at the satisfying kick of an Affini scale power system suddenly rushing through her systems, and sighed so quietly she wouldn't even be sure it left the room if Miss Vyllatiy hadn't poked her head around the corner less than a second later.

 

"Hey! How are you doing?" Her motion was a bit wrong for that humanoid form, flowing too easily before her legs rounded the corner as well, clearly having formed in seconds past.

 

Protea frowned. "Why do you do that?" Her eyes were on the limbs in question to communicate her intent, but she still saw the confused face out of the corner of her sensors. "When we first met, you realised I noticed your movement wasn't quite humanoid; that makes sense, with you being a composite of vines like you are. But you fixed it then, and you fixed it again just now. Why do you even bother presenting yourself in such a human-like form to me?"

 

Miss somewhat awkwardly shuffled in place - that motion, of course, was very strikingly human in its execution. The lengths they went to, mimicking human voices, anatomy, movement, were a bit odd. "Well, usually when we're interacting with a lot of members of one species, we try to take a shape similar to them. To a lot of the humans we've met, the resemblance is comforting - and attractive, too."

 

Protea's eyes flicked over her body at the last comment, an involuntary response complete with a slight automatic blush. "I get that, but I'm not human. I'm not even a person. Why the act?"

 

There was a moment where Miss Vyllatiy herself seemed a bit unsure, before a rather devious expression came over her face, like she'd just come up with a comeback moreso than understanding the question: "It makes it easier to see that blush."

 

From the amount of coolant reaching them, Protea knew her cheeks must be properly pink now. "Well... I suppose it does its job, then. It's not like you need the help, though."

 

"True enough! But be careful what you say," this said while walking forward, and sending a single vine out to tap the tip of the machine's nose, "or I'll start to think you like me."

 

Protea cleared her throat and looked aside, first to flinch. "Anyway..." She pulled the cable from her skull, already fully topped off after just a couple of minutes connected. She was programmed to expect spending several hours per day to charge, during a near-zero power sleep cycle. "Is there anything else we should do, any more tests?"

 

"Not yet, but," Miss Vyllatiy excitedly began as she led Protea into the living room, "I have something else planned! How do you feel about some socialisation?"

 

"I have a lot of capabilities in that area for any situation. What am I prepping for - a party, a club, something fancy?"

 

"Just chatting!" Miss Vyllatiy picked her up under the arms; the trajectory would've left Protea in her lap, but there was a span of hesitation and realisation measured in milliseconds before she sat Protea down on the couch beside her instead. "You've met, what, four sophonts in your entire life now? It's time for some more!- Um, if you're comfortable, that is." Once again stopping herself from being too eager. Protea was supposed to be decent at figuring people out, but she still hadn't quite put together why.

 

"Of course, whatever you need."

 

"It's not about what I need." The Affini pat her head, sending her hair into a bit of chaos with a brief rub overtop. "This is for you! You're supposed to emulate human psychology, right? Humans love making new friends; their pack bonding instinct is so strong most of them can't go without it! I'm willing to bet you'll love this!"

 

Best to humour her - it seemed like this would make her happy. "Alright, where do we start?"

 

Miss Vyllatiy produced her tablet; though she set it in Protea's hands, she reached around her far shoulder (unnecessary, but trivial for someone so huge) to tap at a few buttons while she got things set up. Protea couldn't understand anything on screen at first, the flowing script looking vaguely familiar at best and completely unintelligible all the same, but after a few taps on buttons, the last of which was helpfully labeled Click here!!!, the language shifted to finally be readable. The Affini opened up a chat app, and then a group chat named Protea Welcome Crew!! The exclamation marks seemed like they'd be a recurring theme. They already were elsewhere, Affini academic literature written for human comprehension already full of them. "Alright! Just a little more, and... Well, you know how to talk to sophonts already! There'll be a lot here, but I'll try to manage them. Just, um..." A rapid series of button presses the machine couldn't track, and then the Affini took out a second tablet. Just how many did she carry?

 

Either way, no point in further delay, she supposed. Protea looked at the screen, trying to take in all the information, the-

 

The member list - sixty strong. "That's quite a few of them." Nothing she couldn't handle, but still a lot more than she expected.

 

"Oh! I hope it's not overwhelming; we tried to only pick the most suited applicants."

 

"Applicants?"

 

"We had several thousand, but we didn't think that would be a good idea, so we slimmed it down to the most helpful ones and ones that live close by. Affini, florets, and other independent sophonts! Though, admittedly, there's not many of those in the neighbourhood right now."

 

"Thousands of people... wanted to talk to me?"

 

Miss Vyllatiy looked at her like she'd just said the strangest thing. "Uh, yeah? I mean, who wouldn't? Even if you weren't cool on your own, which you totally are, you're one of the few purely designed intelligences to originate outside the Compact! Like the universe, even this galaxy is big, there's a lot of you out there, but you're here and you have zero organic components, and you were designed to have... well, near this level of intelligence! It's so cool I-" She suddenly pulled back, leaves flushing with vibrant hues from her flowers. "Uh, right, sorry. Yeah, um, people think you're cool."

 

Protea didn't get it, quite, but she was about used to this from Miss. Seeing it in other people was a bit of a surprise, but oh well. Her eyes returned to the screen, and the Affini started pointing out features, how to pull up someone's profile, the options of an absolutely improper number of emoji, pictograms... hieroglyphics? Many of which conveyed things she didn't even understand yet.

 

She could handle this. Totally.

 

>>ElectricLucidDream: Okay everyone, she's online! Say hi, and remember to be nice!

 

A little nervewracking, but she could handle this.

 

>>Protea: Hey. Uh, what's up?

 

>>TranceDance: hellooooooooo ^^;

 

>>Buffloret: heyyyy ;)

 

>>ElectricLucidDream: Okay everyone, you can chat, but let's do introductions one at a time, okay? Lamial, do you want to start first?

 

>>MyFloretCallsMeSnake: Oh! Hi! I can't wait to meet you in person! My name is Lamial, she/her. You'll have to tell me all about yourself. I'm a vet, so I won't be the person able to help if you have any mechanical problems. But you should absolutely come visit me and Ranna sometime. They are the absolute cutest, and you two will get along great!!

 

>>RannaBannana: and I'm me! Lamial's floret! I looked over her shoulder and saw your picture and you're really cute, how did you do that thing with your hair?

 

>>Protea: I do something with my hair?

>>Protea: Oh, Miss Vyllatiy says you're probably talking about how straight it is? I think it was just made that way.

>>Protea: I could come over sometime, yes. I imagine as a xenoveterinarian you could have a lot of insight into my psychology.

 

>>MyFloretCallsMeSnake: Oh I’d love to have you over, how about tomorrow afternoon?

 

>>Protea: I've been doing what Miss Vyllatiy says for now, so if she says so I can.

 

>>ElectricLucidDream: We'll see! Kinda taking things one step at a time.

 

>>MyFloretCallsMeSnake: Alrighty then! Luci, keep me in the loop on when a good day is!

 

>>RannaBannana: Oh! When you’re here, we’re totally going to have so much fun? Do you like chess? I’ve just started to play!

>>RannaBannana: It’s super fun!

>>RannaBannana: and I’m getting pretty good!

>>RannaBannana: do you know what an En Passant is?

>>RannaBannana: I even beat Lamial last night!

 

>>MyFloretCallsMeSnake: (I let them win)

 

>>RannaBannana: you did not! I beat you far and square

 

>>MyFloretCallsMeSnake:  ; )

>>MyFloretCallsMeSnake: But this is about you, Protea. Tell us about yourself.

 

>>Protea: Oh. I guess I'm nothing special? I was designed as a servant. Miss Vyllatiy doesn't want me to be one, and I'm still kinda figuring out what else to do.

 

>> QueenOfTheForest: Silk, She/ they. What of your hobbies? Being a mechanical figure, do you have an interest in engineering and the mechanical arts?

 

>>Protea: I don't think I have any? I wasn't programmed with any. I'm supposed to take up whatever my owner wants me to, but I wasn't left with the instructions for what to do if I didn't have one. This is all pretty unexpected.

 

>>QueenOfTheForest: I relate, to a certain degree. I will be honest, I can’t say I existed fully as a person until I was found by the Affini. Even something as mundane as seeing the stars became novel when I could see them through the eyes of my mistress.

 

>>Protea: I'm not a person at all, so I understand that. Seeing through someone else's eyes sounds interesting; seeing through biological eyes sounds even more interesting. I'll maybe look into some biomechanical links.

 

>>MyFloretCallsMeSnake: Protea, dear, Silk here meant metaphorically.

 

>>Protea: Oh. Sorry.

 

>>MyFloretCallsMeSnake: Protea, cutie, could you tell me what you think is the most beautiful thing you’ve seen in the past hour?

 

>>Protea: Oh, that's easy. Miss Vyllatiy.

 

It wasn't her main focus right now, but Protea could dimly hear the sound of leaves rustling in some amount of agitation, and confirmed her suspicions with a glance over to see her looking rather embarrassed about it.

 

>>MyFloretCallsMeSnake: and what makes her beautiful to you?

 

>>RannaBannana: don’t answer that question, it’s a trap, she’s gonna call you a good girl!

 

>>RannaBannana has been temporarily muted for (1) hour.

 

>>Protea: She has wonderful eyes, her face changes between a lot of very nice colours depending on the angle the light hits it, and sometimes her leaves turn the same colour as the nearest flowers. They're doing that a lot right now.

 

>>MyFloretCallsMeSnake: And why do you find that beautiful?

 

>>Protea: I don't know. It's pretty?

 

>>MyFloretCallsMeSnake: What a good girl! But why don’t you spend some time when you feel like it and think about why you think those things are pretty? Just whenever you’re in the mood to think about that.

 

Protea was warned, but the message still left her with a blush on her cheeks.

 

>>Protea: Alright, I think I can do that. Thank you, but I'm pretty sure it's just a preprogrammed response anyway.

 

>>MyFloretCallsMeSnake: and you are 100% without a doubt, completely, positively, absolutely, sure that’s a pre-programmed response?

 

>>Protea: I guess not. I can't really see my own code exactly. A lot of it's intentionally hidden from me and others.

 

>>QueenOfTheForest: the human psyche is as dense and opaque as your own. I wouldn’t be so quick to discount yours.

 

>>Protea: Thanks for your concern, but I'm not sapient. I was intentionally created without that capacity.

 

>>QueenOfTheForest: Even computers are wrong on occasion.

 

>>Protea: I'll keep that in mind, I guess. Thanks.

 

A glitch, they were assuming? Protea was created with the ability to acknowledge she was capable of glitches, of course. It would be stupid not to. The ability to report errors to her creator was an important one for development, but she hadn't encountered any that were unexpected during her time in operation... but there was no time to think about that. She had three more people typing at once, all assuming they'd naturally be the next up - it was going to be a long afternoon.

 

 

A handful of people came and went before the next familiar face.

 

>>Angel's Soft Hands: Heyyyy it's you! its me, Kora!!

>>Angel's Soft Hands: sry if my typing gets sloppy/lazy kinda outta my mind on a Class-L

>>Angel's Soft Hands: takes 1000% attentin to do this

 

>>Protea: The effort is appreciated.

 

>>Angel's Soft Hands: thank youuu

>>Angel's Soft Hands: I know we alread met just awnted to say hi

>>Angel's Soft Hands: oh Mistress says come by sometime u woudl look suuuuuuuuuuuper cute in one of her dressessssssssss

>>Angel's Soft Hands: This is Calatheara Orythii, Four Hundred Seventeenth Bloom, she/her. That last part was Kora's opinion, not mine, but I would still love to make a portrait of you in the very near future if possible, perhaps have you pose for a statue. Your time and patience are appreciated.

 

>>Protea: I'll consider, it, thank you! But I also have to consider the other offers I've already gotten, and I'll still be getting.

 

>>Buffloret: like going on a date with meeee

 

>>Tooth+Claw: oh my stars we should totally play video games sometime

 

>>ElectricLucidDream: One at a time, please!

 

>>Angel's Soft Hands: This is noted. I look forward to meeting you whenever you come around, all the same. Please have a lovely day.

>>Angel's Soft Hands: no fairrrrrrrr I was supposed to talk to you oh this is kora again btw

>>Angel's Soft Hands: oh well maybe we can hang out sometime?? youre so cute

 

>>Protea: I'll think about it, thanks.

 

>>Angel's Soft Hands: <3 <3 <3

 

 

At this point, the tide felt never-ending. Miss Vyllatiy had assured Protea that only about twenty four people or so would be speaking; even then, with individuals introducing themselves (and sometimes a floret or owner, if not multiple), asking her questions about her personal life (her answers boiling down to "I don't have one"), and almost universally finding a way to flirt or outright pitch one or more date ideas, each of those people was writing hundreds of words.

 

>>TranceDance: Heeeeya! Aconieta Lonukeri, Twelfth Bloom, they/she. Just wanted to ask: I don't know if it would even work on you, but would you be up to trying some hypnosis sometime? I've never tried on an inorganic sophont but I consider myself a bit of an expert! I can probably make something work here.

 

>>Protea: Sounds interesting, but I'd hate to disappoint you if it doesn't work.

 

>>TranceDance: Ah, don't worry about that! I like a challenge! Hey, whenever you want to swing by, I usually do an evening or late night show in the Helophyte District! You can just look me up or ask for directions over there.

 

Protea looked up and opened her mouth, but before she could speak Miss Vyllatiy was already answering the question: "The Agathi is divided into four sections. The Xerophyte District and Hygrophyte District are the biggest ones. Xerophyte is the district of minimal public displays of affection, you know, hand holding and head patting and hugs and chaste kisses, plus highly reduced biochemical content in the air - kinda boring if you ask me, but some people like that. Hygrophyte is where we are now; as much, uh, over the clothes public action if you want... and, um, under the clothes," Miss muttered, "if you try your best to keep it quiet and out of sight. Helophyte is smaller and otherwise... Well, uh, it's basically the same, but with a higher threshold of chemical content in the air - and no policy about under the clothes action. Or, hey, no clothes action."

 

Skin a deeply unsurprising shade of pink at this point, Protea moved to reply. "And the fourth district?"

 

>>Protea: I'll see about making it over, thanks.

 

"Well, that's Hydrophyte - and, uh... Well, it's... How do I put this..."

 

>>TranceDance: Great! Hope to seeya sometime ;D

>>TranceDance: But for you, what kinds of things interest you about living on the Agathi? I'm sure it must be different from your expectations!

 

>>Protea: It's strange to not have to consider working for someone. I'm not sure how I feel about it yet. It would almost definitely be easier, but I'm willing to explore it.

 

Her attention on the Affini, she prodded through the silence: "Yes?"

 

Miss Vyllatiy's leaves were bright and rainbow-hued now, and she distractedly tapped on her tablet while she replied. "Hydrophyte is probably best thought of as... a big, extended BDSM dungeon. You set up what you consent to in the system before you go in and stuff... uh... happens."

 

The response more than explained the reticence, and Protea chose to distract herself with the screen again rather than think too hard about that.

 

>>TranceDance: Stars, Luci, how have you not collared this one yet? She's practically begging for it!

 

>>TranceDance has been temporarily muted for (1) hour.

 

>>ElectricLucidDream: Anyway! This is about Protea, not me. Who wants to go next?

 

 

>>Passion: Uh, hey! I guess I'm last!

>>Passion: I'm Yeva, she/her! It's so cool to meet you!

>>Passion: Oh gosh I've had so long to think but I'm still not sure what to say

 

>>Protea: That's alright. You can take your time, I don't mind. I don't have other plans.

 

>>Passion: Thank you sm wow you're so cool!

>>Passion: Right! I wanted to ask you, what kind of food do you like?

>>Passion: Wait dumb question

>>Passion: First, do you eat food?

 

>>Protea: Don't worry, I don't think it was dumb. I at least can eat food. It's not as efficient as direct charging, but I have a fairly robust bioreactor instead of a stomach, so I can get some benefit from it. I don't have any preference, really, except... good food?

 

>>Passion: Well great news, we have that!

>>Passion: Oh right I forgot to actually tell you

>>Passion: I ammm doing this super well huh

>>Passion: (that was sarcasm I should have asked if you understand sarcasm UGH)

 

>>Protea: It's fine. I promise.

 

>>Passion: You are SO cool!!

>>Passion: Okay okay. I just wanted to let you know that I run a restaurant in the neighbourhood if you want to come by sometime! You can get food out of the compiler if you want but you can't get atmosphere or company!

>>Passion: ... wait you're synthetic life you might be able to get company out of the compiler

>>Passion: Was that insensitive??

 

>>MyFloretCallsMeSnake: Sorry to interrupt, but have you taken your anxiety regimen, Yeva?

 

>>Passion: I have NOT thank YOU sorry give me a second

 

>>Protea: I'll check it out when I have the time. Do you mind if I bring someone else with me?

 

>>Passion: Oh that is SO much better, and no definitely not, bring as many people as you like! Just means I get to cook more!

 

The chat began to wind down into some more freeform talk as the introductions were finally done, and Protea took the opportunity to set her power to processing what had already been said instead of trying to keep up too much.

 

>>Protea: Thank you for showing up and all the offers and kind words, everyone!

 

Protea set down her tablet and leaned back against the couch, sinking into its comfortable depths with a satisfied sigh. "That was a lot, but I'm glad I did it. Now, instead of not knowing what to do the next time I run out of things I need to learn about the Compact or the ship, I have a list of..." She casually flicked her fingers over the screen, sending the considerably chatlog scrolling up, up, up...

 

Miss Vyllatiy chuckled and patted Protea's head, and then after a moment seemingly decided to give her a hug. "You did really well! I'm proud of you, my good little machine!... Oh, you feel really warm. Are you okay?"

 

"Yes, I'm fine, I'm just..." A notification on the chat program called her attention. "Huh." She tapped it.

 

"Huh?" the Affini asked, but Protea was taken in by what she saw.

 

>>Guest_acct42091: Hey. Sorry, for the sudden message - but it's me, Elenia. Y'know, your creator. It's fine if you don't want to talk to me, I just wanted to let

 

That's as far as Protea read before the tablet was suddenly snatched from her hands. "Hey!" Indignant, she looked up at Miss Vyllatiy and gave her a confusion-tinged glare.

 

"Sorry! That wasn't supposed to happen. And now it never will again! Here!" The Affini handed it back, that message scrubbed clean - Elenia presumably blocked, if she had to guess.

 

"What was that for?"

 

"I just... don't think it's in your best interests to talk with her right now," Miss Vyllatiy explained, looking away. "I'll explain later, if you insist, but... not right now." She was angry, Protea was fairly sure - colour drained from much of her foliage, leaving it dark and desaturated. A fist clenched. She was trying to play it off, but the signs were all there.

 

It was strange, but the machine didn't too much care about the result, and didn't want to upset her any further by pushing. "Okay, if that's what you want." Her eyes returned to the tablet, now left with only the group chat. There were a handful of closing messages, but what caught her eye: The transcript of this conversation has been downloaded by 4215 sophonts!!

 

After a moment of confusion, Protea nudged the alien beside her. "Is this number correct?"

 

A new problem seemed to calm Miss Vyllatiy down some, at the very least, and she took a look, frowning. "Oh, no, I don't think so. That seems a bit off. Here, tap the number and it'll refresh manually instead of once per minute."

 

Protea did, and it did update, correcting the mistake. The transcript of this conversation has been downloaded by 30598 sophonts!!! "That - um. That seems like a lot, Miss."

 

"Oh, I mean, I don't think so. You're kind of big news, and you saw how much people like you." Another tap. The transcript of this conversation has been downloaded by 210948 sophonts!!!!

 

"Okay," Protea began to admit, "I guess that makes sense with how massive the Compact is."

 

"The Compact? Oh, no, these aren't that public yet. These are only the numbers for the Agathi."

 

"Oh." Oh. Protea leaned her head back, staring up at nothing, and considered what her system was telling her to feel about this. She supposed that she was a fairly big deal as a new life form, and a very well-made one, and these sophonts clearly misunderstood her as one of their own - but even still, that popular, just on the ship?

 

She didn't have the time or processing power to properly understand the ramifications of being that well-known. Fortunately, she didn't have to. She turned her eyes to the list instead.