Long time, No see (Beep)

What Beep just said… Did she just call Naomi her friend? That’s what it sounded like. So Beep thought of her that way too? She would smile through the tears that were still falling, “I’m a good guy, and I won’t leave you alone.” She did care about Beep. She put her hand up to Beep’s, “I’m sorry that I scared you. I didn’t mean to. I’ll get better about that, I swear. I was just worried.” She didn’t know how to respond to things in this world and she wasn’t always sure what to do, but she would try. She wiped the tears away from her eyes, “I’ll always come back so long as you don’t mind having me here. I won’t leave forever.” She still had to go back home at some point. She wondered if there was a way to show Beep her world. She thought the AI would like to see it, plus it meant Naomi could talk to Beep in more places than this world. But she knew that the moment she stepped through the portal, Beep would vanish from her tablet. She could stay here a little longer. She didn’t want to go just yet.

She tapped her chin while she thought. She didn’t have the same goals the others did. She wasn’t looking for this world’s angel, so she wasn’t keen on finding it. Maybe she should at least try, but what would Beep know about Angels? She didn’t doubt the AI knew a lot, but that seemed like something else in the realm of the supernatural. She could think of a few things she wanted to ask, but thought better of some of it, “How about you teach me about something you like.” She finally thought of something, “You know what the best places in town are and you have lots of experience, so I trust your judgment. Just tell me where the best places to be are. I want Beep to teach me a lot.” She smiled. She wasn’t sure where to start, but this way she could learn about this world, and learn what Beep really liked.

She wasn’t sure why there was no internet in the Slums, but Beep appeared to want to see it, “Well, maybe someday we’ll be able to see it together.” It didn’t matter where she was. As long as she was in a world, she could access the internet. That meant that even if Beep normally couldn’t go there, Naomi could bring her there if she wanted. She would nod, “I remember you telling me about body modification the first time we met. Well, you didn’t tell me so much as it was on the timeline. There was somebody else I met here who told me more about it.” She remembered the time she went to the club. That was a strange experience. It was her first time being drunk, too, “You seem to like upgrading. Why is that?” She didn’t understand what it meant. If people were always getting the best parts, didn’t that mean they were losing something? She wanted to understand Beep’s side. She was open to anything and wouldn’t make a stray comment until she was done.

It made everybody unique? That was the exact opposite thing Naomi had heard from Helen. She had claimed it made everyone the same… More or less. They were two very conflicting ideas, and she didn’t know where to start, “So, even though you see it all the time, you think it’s unique?” She hadn’t been exposed to androids or AIs and modification until recently, so this was still a novelty to her. Beep must have seen it all the time though, yet she still thought it was a wonder. That was a really cute way of thinking. She put her finger up to the screen once more, “I’m sure we can stop this. I won’t let anyone hurt you, Beep. If you’re ever afraid, just tell me, and I will come running to protect you.” She didn’t want Beep to be afraid, “We’ll figure out what’s going on. Okay? You have to be strong though. I believe in you…” She smiled at her friend. She had to keep Beep safe and not make her worry, but have her be on her guard, “Just make sure you watch out for yourself, too.” This was all getting so complicated.

She tilted her head back as she thought about where they could even start, “Places that are weird… The club, because the site makes you act up; the slums, because you can’t reach there normally and there could be something happening out of sight; and anywhere that seems overly suspicious seems like a good call.” She tried to think a little harder on the matter, “Can you give me a list of any place you can think of. I can try to check them out on my end and see what comes up.” Although she wasn’t sure she would even be looking for. Voices didn’t have a physical form, and whatever she found would probably be based off a hunch at best. This was not going to be easy, but she wouldn’t give up, “In the meantime, you need to take care of yourself and, even though it may be scary, you may have to figure out what the voice is trying to say and what it wants. If it ever seems like too much though, back away. I will help you as much as I can.” She had no idea where to start, really. She could only look around and try to find the answer. This would require thought and methodical planning. She just hoped she could do it.

If it was just those two places, it would be easy enough, “I could try starting with the Slums and then head to the club.” She wasn’t sure how she felt about heading into a building filled with people that could gang up on her if she slipped up. Plus, there was probably a portal in the Slums she could use as a quick escape if she needed it. She didn’t remember if there was one near the club, and she couldn’t guarantee she could reach it if she got in trouble. Naomi would blink in complete shock when her tablet turned off. How was that possible? When Beep came back on, she would have a slightly worried face. That definitely wasn’t from her end. She would wave her hand when Beep talked about getting a new tablet, “That’s alright. I’m not even sure if they would work back home.” She had business to get down to though, “Make sure to send me a message if you ever get worried. I’ll coming running to you.” She had to go home now. She had be here too long and she needed to get ready for her investigation, “Take care.” She would say one last time before she headed through the portal back home.

{EXIT}