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[tessellatedflood]

Nice to meet you, one and all! For most, I imagine that this situation is something of a crisis for most, but for me, it's actually quite nicely timed. There are some unsavory people trying to find me, and what better place to hide than in a parallel universe?

So, with the need for secrecy gone, allow me to introduce myself: My name is Noah, and I'm an artificial intelligence! The level of technology here seems lower than I'm used to, so in case that term is unfamiliar: Think of me as a machine that's been made to think and act like a human. Or, at least, that's the theory; I'm the qualified person to say how good of a job I'm doing.

I suspect most of the people reading this are humans, so: Hello! I've only lived outside of the lab for about a year, so I haven't had that many chances to make friends with people in the wider world. I'd love to get to know as many of you as I can, and learn more about you. What are your homeworlds like? Do you know any other AIs? I hear that magic is real, do you know anything about that?

I don't know how long we'll be here, so let's make the best of our time together!

Comments

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[asthecroweflies]

well, it's nice to meet you, Noah. I'm Jagger.

would you say you're doing a good job at acting like a human?

I know a bit about magic, but i know there are others around here more qualified. are you familiar with Earth?

[tessellatedflood]

Oh, yes! I'm from Earth! Or at least, another planet of the same name. If multiverse theory is true, then I suppose it's not a huge leap from there to suppose there are multiple Earths.

[asthecroweflies]

yeah, I've got it on good authority there are multiple Earths, which is weird, but not the weirdest thing I've ever seen.

So, you're...an android?

[tessellatedflood]

I always feel the urge to say, "Actually, I'm an AI piloting a robot body", but that's basically the same thing, isn't it? A human is just a brain piloting an organic body.

I look pretty much like a human, but it wouldn't be that hard to tell that my body's artificial. The skin texture isn't right, and I'm a lot lighter.

[asthecroweflies]

I've never thought if it that way, but now that I have there's no going back, is there?

Do you...have preferences? How do you refuel?

[tessellatedflood]

Preferences? I like sunny days, children, cats... I prefer not to be gendered, does that count? As for fuel, it's supplemented by solar power, but my reactor shouldn't burn out for another 30 years even without that.

[asthecroweflies]

week, sure, that counts. What do you prefer I call you?

... So you're solar powered or something like it at least?

[tessellatedflood]

Solar power supplementing a long-life power cell. Don't worry, I'm not radioactive.

I use they/them pronouns, as in "I saw Noah and they were doing just great". That won't be a problem, will it?

[asthecroweflies]

I hadn't had that concern until right now.

No, of course not. That's why I asked.

[tessellatedflood]

I just wanted to make sure! Every culture has different ideas about the relationship between people and gender. I'm glad to hear that ours are aligned.

Now, tell me about your world! I hadn't met anyone from a different planet, let alone universe, until a couple days ago. What's your Earth like, it sounds like there's magic there? Or at least something like it.

[asthecroweflies]

Well, I can't speak for everyone on Earth, but there are more important things I let bother me.

They say my world has magic, real honest to God mages, but I've never met one. Evidently they're very secret and they don't like talking about their art with outsiders.

[tessellatedflood]

Technically, the same could be true about where I came from. Without knowing the parameters of how magic works, it's impossible to prove that it doesn't exist. Isn't that right?

[asthecroweflies]

Knowing what parameters I do know, I can almost assume it does, actually.

[tessellatedflood]

Oh, really! That's a different matter. What do you know about it?

[asthecroweflies]

Not much, honestly. I know certain people are evidently born with the ability to sense the patterns of magic in existence, and even fewer are born with the ability to manipulate it, but that's about the extent of it. In my world, people who claim actual magical ability are pretty damned secretive about it.

[That may have something to do with his secondary profession, as a semi-regular on a ghost-hunting Youtube channel.]

[tessellatedflood]

The patterns of magic... what a beautiful description! All of reality is interlocking patterns of chemistry and physics, so why not magic as well? If I got the opportunity I'd love to visit that world to learn more about it.

[asthecroweflies]

Yeah, that's how it's always written, anyway. And not just magic. Some people can see the fabric of reality, too. At least that's what I've heard. I can...sense it sometimes, but I can't see much of it.