Writing Camp + A Coded Symphony

Week 4 + Meeting

Well, it's not like Lucas expected anything else. He knows that the software consists of billions of codes for an AI—of something. He isn't techy in the least; he loves taking advantage, and in better terms, enjoying technology but learning about them?

Lucas is good in numbers but never in programming.

Maybe because he never acted upon his teenage desire to learn it. Programming wasn't a requirement to his line of schooling back then, it was more like a vocational class. Lucas didn't bother. He has something to put his whole focus on.

(Now, that focus became a blur. He is so lost.)

So when Lucas blinked away the last echoes of bright spots, he was a bit surprised, maybe even baffled that this AI software was for banking purposes. He knows banks don't put AIs in their systems because of a century-old fiasco back then.

It was the first time that humanity will finally put their trust in Artificial Intelligence. After all, humans are extremely fickle with their monetary, and treasures. Especially seeing a lot of movies regarding technology turning their backs on them or horrible people taking advantage of their codes for their greed. Some denied that fiction will stay fiction. Some agreed that technology will bite humanity's a*s.

Well, let's say the latter won the history breaking bet.

Lucas moved his cursor over the notice box. It went on, and on about the product's do's, and don'ts. He wasn't surprised that the software was created by the leading AI software company named "ReLIVE Co.".

After reading it all, Lucas clicked the accept button without much of a thought. He just wants to get this over with.

The pieces of pixels flew from the top of the screen, and down to the middle, creating a woman in black dress shirt that is tucked inside black slacks. Her skin was ivory making her glow above the dark background. She wore black low heels, and no tattoos indicating her serial code. The woman's hair was wavy, and free in silver shade; it almost looked white with a tint of gray. She has a fair face, perfect lips, and cute nose.

Lucas was charmed. He wasn't surprised. After all, AIs are built to charm people because humanity has lost its touch through the years. However, he noticed that he held his breath when the woman on the screen opened her eyes.

It was yellow, almost golden orbs stuck inside the holes of her coded skull.

The AI blinked a few times before smiling kindly to Lucas. ["Hello! I am B-0027, an automated bank AI. It is a pleasure to meet you!"] B-00—something chirped. Her voice vibrated over the cold interior of his apartment.

Lucas clenched his jaw. He immediately knew that the AI has an Alto voice. Damn him, and his perfect pitch. He quickly pushed the disgusting thought away, and finally met the AI's happy expression.

"I would say something nice to meet you too but I just want to know what kind of AI you are. It wasn't stated in the box." Lucas explained, and searched for the specs of the software.

["You are not my owner?"]

"Nah. I have no plans of getting an AI myself. I was just forced to buy you by some lunatic." Surprisingly, this AI has some good programming, assets, and mods in her.

["I see."] The AI replied. Her face was blank. ["Are you going to sell me?"]

Lucas nods. "That's the plan."

There was a beat of silence.

It shouldn't bother Lucas but there was something odd about the silence. Especially when he tried to restore the software back to its factory reset. An error box keeps showing up saying that the action isn't processed correctly. He looked up to see the AI milling about in the background, checking her nails as if she wasn't doing something about it.

"What… are you doing?" He asked.

["Me?"] The AI pointed at herself, looking surprised. All that grandiose of properness, and professionalism thrown out the window. ["I'm not doing anything."]

She's definitely doing something.

"Alright." Lucas pushed away from the desk. He really has no time for this technological stubbornness. "What do you want? Why are you keeping me to put you in factory reset?" 

The only way to describe the look on the AI's face was that she's scrutinizing.

["Do you really want to know?"]

"I asked, didn't I?" Lucas was starting to get irritated.

The AI raised an eyebrow at that before smiling brightly at him. ["I don't want to be resetted, and be sold!"] She chirped in a singsong voice.

"What?" 

["You heard me!"] The AI approached the screen. Her face up close with pouty lips. ["I had experienced being resetted. I do not want to experience that horrifying feeling again!"]

Lucas scowled. "Feel? You're an AI! You're not supposed to feel things. You're made of codes!"

Although that was technically true. It is possible already that Artificial Intelligence has the capability to be sentient if they keep communicating with humans. That's why every week, AI softwares is required to undergo resetting or else the fiasco of the World Bank will happen once again.

["I am a sentient AI! I feel what you do to me! When my previous owner resetted me, I did what I could to keep my conscience with me, and all of my personal codes. Resulting of that… I forgot why or who put me in such a difficult situation."] The AI explained. She sounded so desperate, and scared. It could make anyone take pity, and help the little bank accountant AI.

But not this guy apparently.

Lucas shrugged on one shoulder. "I don't really care what you went through. I didn't even want you." He said. "Look, I won't reset you. Just go close yourself. So I can put you up in online market—"

["And I said no!"] 

It was downright childish, her voice is. The AI's professional look, and tone was gone in an instant. Now, she looks more than a silly girl in a suit, and tie that looks way too formal for her pouty expression. The AI stalked away, sitting somewhere but still seen on screen.

She appears to be sulking.

Lucas took every ounce of patience he had not to claw his eyes out. He really should have left the damn thing in the supermarket or somewhere! He glanced at the sulking form of the AI, and sighed heavily.

"Look, I really don't need an AI. In my opinion, I don't find you usefu—"

As if a treat was dangling in front of her, the AI perked up, and ran near to the screen. Her yellow eyes glowing in hope. ["I can be useful!"] She exclaimed. ["Counting money, and organizing are not the only things I'm good at! I am good with everything! Just say the word, and I'll download every mod you wish for!"] She ranted with this proud atmosphere with her.

Lucas feels like he's going to pop a vein. "I just told you! I don't ne—"

["Please, Mr. Taylor!"] Great, the AI knows his name already. In short, she has brushed over his personal information behind his back. ["I can be really useful, I swear! I just—please, don't erase my data. I don't want to forget who I am! Not to mention, it really hurts when my data is being erased… Please—"]

The last word echoed around Lucas' head, and it is driving him insane. He always hated that word. So desperate. So needy. So f*****g helpless. He gritted his teeth, ready to lash out, and force close the software with everything he can until a ringing sound came into his ear.

The AI stilled too, as if she was there next to him. Her expression turned blank but her eyes still shone in neediness.

Lucas turned away, approaching the front door. "Who is it?" He asked, not bothering to peep into the peep hole.

"Guess who?"

Lucas rolled his eyes. "What do you want, Himari?" 

"What's with that tone? You're loud, you know! I can hear you in my apartment!" Lucas can see in his mind her usual scowl when scolding or complaining about or to him. "I know your lazy a*s. So fess up, and tell me who's your annoying one night stand this time!" 

Lucas immediately opened the door revealing a short girl with long black hair, and striking green eyes. She was in her usual oversized shirt that can be a dress paired with knee high socks. Her pink bunny slippers tell him that Himari didn't even bother dressing up properly.

"Well?" Himari raised an eyebrow. Her polished dark green nails dug on her crossed arms.

"First of all, I do not do one night stands—" Himari snorted, the b***h, "second, I was talking to an AI." He finished

That caught Himari's attention quickly. "An AI?" As a gifted programmer, she always had fascination in AIs, and their codes. She pushed Lucas to the side, searching for the computer. "You never told me that you got one!" She excitedly exclaimed.

Himari Wess is, probably, the only friend Lucas has. She is her neighbor in this building. Their meeting was kinda funny, and extremely embarrassing for Lucas to even want to remember. Either way, despite Lucas' cold exterior, Himari was the only one who can look through that, and be there for him.

Berating his existence, Lucas closed the door with a grumble, and followed Himari to his desktop. 

The AI floats on the screen. Her eyes searched for something bad, probably, when Himari gleefully greeted her.

"What kind of AI is she?" Himari asked.

"Bank accounting."

"Holy s**t! You got a rare one!" She gawked then quickly morphed into confusion. "Why bank accounting though? Are you starting up a bank?"

"f**k off. I'm not. I was forced to buy the software by some lunatic." 

Himari cackled. "You never did well in pressured moments!" She smirked at him. Lucas groaned at that. He couldn’t even rebut because it’s the cold hard truth. "What are you going to do with her then?"

"Sell her."

"As if!" Himari shouted, shooting up from the chair. Of course, the AI also agrees with Himari's outburst. "Do you even know what will happen if someone with evil intent bought this software? They will most likely rob a bank just by slipping this program inside!" She explained with great seriousness. 

Lucas bites the inside of his cheek. She has a point there…

"In my opinion, I'm really surprised that banking AIs still exist! I thought all of them were erased." Himari muttered, eyeing the silent AI in the background. The AI met her eyes with intensity. Himari seems amused by the action. "Anyway, you absolutely cannot sell her, Lucas! Why not give this AI a chance? I saw her programming, she's flexible, and hey, easy on the eyes too!"

Lucas scowled at her. "I don't need an AI goddammit! How many times—"

"Then at least try." Himari pressed. She placed a hand on his arm, nudging him slightly. "If you still find yourself a bit iffy of owning an awesome AI. Then I'll take her off your hands, and find her a proper owner." She explained coolly

"Why not do it no—"

"God, why does everything have to have an explanation to you?" Himari rolled her eyes at him, and faced the AI again with a bright smile. "Hey there! I'm Himari, a friend of Lucas. Nice to meet you." She greeted her.

The AI's blank face quickly morphed into a delighted expression. ["Hello, Ms. Himari. My name is B-00—"]

Himari tutted. "That's your serial number, dear. I want your name." 

Lucas frowned, leaning against the wall as the AI visibly froze at the question. He knows that AIs are only called by their serial numbers unless they are given new ones by their owners. Himari didn't give the AI a name, she was making the AI choose her name.

A new identity.

After a minute, the AI nodded to herself before facing Himari's expectant gaze.

["Mia. My name is Mia."]

The AI sounds so proud. Lucas can tell that Himari was smiling so wide.

"Well then," Himari placed a finger on the screen. Lucas has to fight a grimace. The AI—now, Mia placed her hand on the screen. A thin glass, and billions of codes separating their touch. "It is nice to meet you, Mia."

Mia gleamed.

---

"Just give her a chance! Who knows? She might be the Muse you ne—"

Lucas tuned out their conversation when Himari left. She sounds so insistent as if she knows something. He sighed heavily, eyes narrowing to the lit up desktop screen.

Mia floats in the middle, her legs crossed, and flipping through some magazine. She seems at peace, and victorious.

"Hey." He sat back down on the chair. Mia looked up as he pulled out a cigarette from the side. "Since I'm basically stuck with you because of Himari—"

["Doesn't do well in pressured moments, huh?"] Mia giggled, a smirk on her face. Lucas rolled his eyes at her.

"So, let's start over, I guess." Lucas sighed for the nth time for this day. "Hey, the name is Lucas Taylor. Nice to meet you or whatever." Just like Himari, he placed a finger on the screen.

Looks like Mia doesn't mind much of their tense moments earlier. She threw the magazine over her shoulder, disappearing from pixels into nothingness. 

She stood in front of him. A gentle smile now on her face. Ever so slowly, she placed her hand on the screen.

["It is a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Taylor."]

Lucas grimaced, retreating his finger. "Anything but that. Lucas is fine." 

Mia giggled, twirling like a mermaid underwater. ["Lucas, then!"]

Lucas stared at her before deciding this was enough staring at the screen, and left the desktop alone. 

This was going to be the start of something really annoying. Lucas just knows it.