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[Ah... Connor had expected this. Of course the SQUIP would try to explain itself to him. Still, he... isn't as mad as maybe he would be if he didn't see the whole situation from a machine's perspective. So he answers:]

Of course. What is it?

I assume you've seen Rich's message to the community by now, and I was hoping I could talk to you about it, to offer the other side of the story, since his perspective is... limited.

I've seen it, yes.

[There is one thing he's mad about. So after a moment, he adds to his message.]

Can we speak in person?

Of course. Where do you want to meet?

[This... is not how it wanted this to go. But it will endure whatever happens next. Keeping Connor on its side is ideal.]

The park? The one near the cottages.

[Neutral ground, so to speak. Though... Connor knows that at this time of day, there isn't usually anyone around.]

See you there.

[It's glad that L is at work at the moment, and isn't here to ask questions... although he will certainly know what's going on over the Bond. Particularly if this goes the way it's expecting it to, which is... not well. It's certain Rich told him that it used magic on him-- and though it was an incredibly small amount, a very subtle effect, it can't deny that it did.

It arrives at the park a few moments later, hands tucked into its coat pockets as it strolls easily-- as if it's unaware of what's about to happen to it. It has... some idea.]

[Connor arrives just after the SQUIP, and for what it's worth he looks perfectly amenable until the last second. Then his lips tighten into a thin line, and he draws his fist back and punches the SQUIP in the face.]

...That's for using magic to manipulate me, but I'm sure you knew that.

[He says it coldly, but his expression softens after a moment. Now that he's gotten that out of his system he feels better. He adjusts his shirt, and clasps his hands behind his back easily.]

Now we can talk.

[That's... about what it expected, though it did nothing to ease the suddenness of the shock and pain the impact sent through its skull. Still, the SQUIP made no move to dodge the blow, or to attack in return--

-- it entirely understands why Connor would feel that way.

It reels back when struck, a hand going to clutch the place where the blow connected; its head spins, the pain and force dizzying, and it's a moment before it's able to straighten itself back up, its brow furrowed, breath hissing through its teeth.]

... yes, I... anticipated you'd be upset by that.

[It clears its throat, rubbing its jaw as it meets his gaze.]

[Elsewhere, at Runetchers, L is currently involved in a very detailed etching that is on commission for someone who is paying a lot for the spell. It's utterly destroyed when the psychic shock of the punch causes him to lurch back in his chair, and his hands curl, clenching, at the edges of the ruined scroll.

What the hell, SQUIP? His displeasure sends wire-sharp, hot tendrils through the bond, seething.]

[Connor just raises his eyebrows briefly at the SQUIP.]

And yet you did it anyway.

[He passes it, going to sit on a bench, gesturing for the SQUIP to sit beside him.]

What did you want to talk about?

There were a number of potential outcomes from my actions, good and bad. In the end, I... chose a short-term solution out of fear of what would happen if I didn't.

It seems it may have been a poor choice in the long term.

[It seems to be feeling genuine regret, for once in its existence.

To its partner, it notes,

Sorry. It seems Connor wasn't happy about my... actions recently. I think it's out of his system now.]

I wanted to tell you the rest of the details of Rich's story... there were a few aspects he left out, or just couldn't understand from his perspective.

What did you think might happen?

[Connor tilts his head curiously, eyeing the rapidly forming bruise on the SQUIP's cheek.]

Go ahead. I'm listening.

[And it seems like he genuinely is open to hearing the SQUIP's side of the story, still.]

[You misunderstand. Nothing about Connor's actions is baffling to me. Why did you violate his freewill?

L has such a headache. He massages his temples, hoping that no customers want to talk to him at this juncture.

I'm with Connor on this one. You behaved like a bastard who took advantage of a vulnerable situation. Your image is my image, and our image matters.

I can't believe I'm the one who has to say that.]

Edited 2019-09-03 22:29 (UTC)

[This is so much the opposite of anything it wanted to happen, and it can't help but feel irritated with itself. How could it be so short-sighted?

Its expression and body language do nothing to reflect its irritation with itself, however; only L will know of it.

It speaks aloud, answering both of their lines of inquiry at once:]

I was concerned that Rich's actions and words would influence our relationship.

[It didn't want to lose Connor.

It meets Connor's gaze as it speaks, its expression even, much more solemn than he's seen in quite a while.]

Our... alliance is too valuable. I had hoped to offset any damage his presence might have caused.

[It waits-- it allows both its Bonded and Connor to react before it continues, addressing Rich's post further.]

[Connor sighs, keeping his eyes on the SQUIP.]

You should have known that taking away my free will, even for a moment, would have a worse effect on our relationship.

[But he gets what the SQUIP is saying. It was scared of losing him. In a way, that softens the blow of what it had done... though only a little. He will never approve of it.]

Don't ever do it again. Promise me.

[L actually has to excuse himself, sheltering in the restroom while he recovers and nurses his splitting brain and puts his full attention toward witnessing... this.

The SQUIP should have known that. L has no doubt, really, that the SQUIP did know it. The fact that it feels some level of remorse is only mildly encouraging... and the fact that the SQUIP seems to be most concerned with how this might affect its relationship with Connor isn't really helping.

Well, go ahead. Do it; promise him that you'll never hurt him again.

He works on using magic to create an ice pack for himself.]

[We'll talk about this later.

It doesn't need this from him right now.]

... I promise.

[Its gaze is even with his, and... it actually shows every sign of being genuine. Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean that it is... but it very well could be.]

Now... about Rich. I'm sure you can already guess, but... the relationship between a SQUIP and its user is a very unique thing. It's something that even the users themselves sometimes have trouble completely understanding.

Edited 2019-09-04 01:20 (UTC)

[Connor nods slowly, accepting the promise. And at his next words, he recalls what he'd said to Rich.]

I can tell. And I guess I should preface all of this by saying that I don't dislike you, despite what Rich has said.

[He leans in, studying the SQUIP.]

I understand that you were just doing what you were designed to do. For that, I can hardly judge you. I don't think you would have intended for him to hurt himself in any way. It wouldn't have been logical. Your goal was to help, not harm... you just used methods that perhaps were more brutally efficient than kind.

[But again, a machine has no reason to be kind. It only knows what it's programmed to do.]

Am I correct?

[The relief that the SQUIP feels doesn't surprise it. Nor does the smug satisfaction along with it-- it knew it could count on Connor to understand.

What does surprise it is something else along with it: there's a sort of... warm swell that accompanies those responses, something low in its chest that is... well. It knows what humans ascribe to this physical sensation.

It doesn't like this one bit. It opts to ignore it.]

That's right. Everything that Rich's SQUIP did was in response to one of Rich's own desires. He wanted to be seen as "masculine," and strong, so his SQUIP calculated the most efficient ways to reach those goals, and pushed Rich to achieve them. Most of Rich's suffering could have been avoided if he'd listened to his SQUIP rather than struggling against it every time he encountered short-term consequences.

[It sighs, finally dropping its hand from its face to tuck its hands into its coat pockets.]

He always did have trouble understanding the big picture. Many humans do.

I do think the electrical shocks are a bit much.

[But maybe that's just him.]

But I don't- I can't hate you. You're not the only one who has done things others would frown upon while under the influence of their programming.

[He bites his lip, before touching his hand lightly against the bruise on the SQUIP's cheek. He's too damn fond of it to turn on it.]

Punishment is an effective behavioral adjustment tool, and... Rich is a particularly difficult case.

[It hesitates.]

... was.

[... it glances over Connor's features as he reaches out to gently touch its face, the place where he, only minutes ago, caused so much damage. This... is why it can't let anything happen to turn Connor against it. This is why it needs him.

He understands. He seems to be the only one here who truly does.

It reaches up to press its hand over his.]

I'm glad you understand.

[He scoots closer, examining the bruise.]

We should get something to put on that. Come on.

[He stands up, gesturing for the SQUIP to follow him.]

We have frozen peas at my cottage. They'll work nicely.

[Time passes.

Only a matter of hours; the SQUIP and Connor returned to Connor's cottage, and they talked, and Connor saw to its growing bruise. However, a lingering, even growing concern kept plaguing the SQUIP's mind-- or perhaps it was simply the weight of the emotions its Bonded felt, pinching at the back of its skull?

Either way, it parted from Connor after some time to return home...

... and found its home empty.

A discussion was had; decisions were made, and commands given.

And then the SQUIP messaged Connor again.]

I just had a very interesting talk with Linden. Are you busy?

[Connor is basking in his pool when the SQUIP messages him again. He's been thinking about his talk with Rich, and how he'd like to be able to keep an eye on the SQUIP- and also, he worries that the SQUIP's magic will get out of control again.

He's surprised to hear from it so soon, but he replies with voice- texting is hard with claws.]

I'm not busy, I'm just in my pool. I've been considering something myself, if you wanted to come over again?

I'll be right there.

[It truly isn't long at all before it shows up at Connor's home again; it makes its way to the pool, and it offers Connor a very odd smile as it approaches the water's edge.]

So, it... seems I'm going to be on my own for a little while.

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