[Voice]

[gaveherwings]

In the light of current events, as well as an increasing awareness of our dependency on electronic assistance, it begs the question...

Humankind really is over-reliant on our own technological advancements, aren't we?

My own city of Romdeau fell in part because of the Cogito Virus, which gave rise to the revolt of artificial intelligence. We could not function in our day-to-day lives without entourage and other service autoreivs handling menial operative tasks within the dome. People went mad, lost sheep- it was really quite humbling, how easy crippled we were. How childlike and helpless. Myself included. This world has changed me even in the simplest ways.

Three years ago, prior to my arrival, I'd never really done any cooking for myself, or cleaning for instance, or... so many things. Blackouts would render even the modern day hospital effectively paralyzed, if not for our backup generators.

(This is an awfully ironic conversation to be opening over NV, isn't it?)

All the same, my curiosity is piqued-

Some of you are from ages before the development of computers, androids, networks, lights, motorized vehicles, electronic devices and appliances, digital media, etc, etc...

I'd really like to know- what was it like? How did you live? What was the adaptations necessary, living "hands on", and without tools? Reliant on only face to face communications.

How is it for you now? Improved? Or do you feel as we're all inadept and talentless by comparison, as drone-like as the binary accessories which support us?

Comments

[discretion]

I'm not talking about now anyway, Daedalus, I wouldn't want to do it unless we'd been married for awhile.

[And that's also an awkward subject, so, barreling onward:] No one is ever one hundred percent safe anywhere. A child can grow up just fine missing a parent. It's the risk we'd take anywhere.

[Maybe more so here, true, but Paris was no picnic for him either - or, more importantly, his father.]

We shouldn't be afraid to do something we want out of fear of what could happen. [A pause.] Like I shouldn't be afraid to tell Raul I want to quit, I suppose.

[gaveherwings]

Yes, but all risks taken on behalf of a younger person carries an added weight of responsibility, and ought to be considered carefully - its determining the fate of child, Franz, not a decision strictly between two adults, like you and I.

We've seen the rate at which most people come and go, here...

We've been exceptionally lucky.

One day, I hope it is possible that the core is stabilized in our favorite. That's why Ido believe in backing its research- carefully, and with every precaution taken.

[discretion]

It's been this way for decades, though. [Franz sighs.] It's a bit weird to think we've been lucky at this.

[Of course it brings to mind the stabbing. He wishes he could stop looking over his shoulder, but it seems even more dangerous that he doesn't know when someone might show up.]

Eat your soup.

[gaveherwings]

We're in a relatively... stable position, all things considered?

[Which feels strange to say. Daedalus stirs with his spoon and takes a noncommittal mouthful or two, watching the sky outside the windows darken, knowing the sirens will be going off soon. He ought to shower.

But he sips at his wine, and decides to just stay in his pajamas and wait till morning instead.]

I'm glad you're not working tonight.

[discretion]

It thrills me that you've rushed home to see me. [Franz chuckles. What a domestic sight they both pose like this. His gaze follows Daedalus's out the window.] I'm going to run a bath. Care to join me?

[gaveherwings]

We really do need to install a bigger tub, one of these days.

[he sighs, looking down to find his bowl mostly still full. Well. It would be a few minutes before he'd be joining.]

...why don't you go ahead? I'll finish here.

[discretion]

Okay, but you need to actually eat all of that soup. [Franz shakes a playful finger at Daedalus before heading to undress, get into his bathrobe and quick-shower before filling up the tub.

He does so love relaxing in the steam.]