Ian In The Wrong Place? - OTA

[ubuntu_programmer]

Open/locked?: Open
Who: Ian and whomsoever encounters them
What: Ian arrives in Auradon
Warnings: Some angst, maybe?


There was a figure slumped by the wall, their white and black hair disheveled, their glasses on the grass beside them. Their small suitcase was over their legs, their backpack dangling from one arm. After a moment they groaned and lifted a hand to their head. "Did I get hit by a truck or something...?" They mumbled.

Eyes opening, they looked around. "Well that's not good. I can't afford to be hallucinating now." They picked up their round lensed glasses and checked them before putting them on, then fished a phone out of their pocket. "No bars. Of course. I need to write an algorithm that will allow my phone to find signal from anywhere in the world. Of course, I should still be close enough to get signal anyway, hallucination or no. So... what is actually going on here...?"

Comments

[under_the_raptors_wings]

When Æn'kae blanched, the green undertones to his skin became more visible briefly. He'd forgotten how crude medicine was at this point. The idea of actually needing to cut open someone's brain churned his stomach. He might have been okay normally, but he was already rattled by the idea of anyone messing with his head at all. Even knowing it wouldn't happen. "I uh, I should... kitchen's this way," he mumbled after recovering enough to do so.

[ubuntu_programmer]

"Right. Are... you going to be okay?" They asked, concerned.

[under_the_raptors_wings]

Æn'kae waved the concern off as he resumed the path to the kitchen. "It was just a jarring reminder of how different medical procedures must have been. I'll be fine." Of course, this entirely failed to address that the reaction started before said reminder.

[ubuntu_programmer]

"How would it be done by your people?"

[under_the_raptors_wings]

"I think that slips into territory I can't talk about. But suffice it to say, no actual incisions are involved." And now he was getting a headache. Ie, after he had passed this person off to Rren, he was going to go find something entirely physical to do.

He gave a weak smile as he opened the door, holding it open for the newcomer.

[ubuntu_programmer]

"Thank you," they said, entering and looking around. "Trust me, I understand NDAs. I won't push. No mater how insanely curious I might be right now."

[under_the_raptors_wings]

Æn'kae shrugged, following them inside. He wouldn't exactly have wanted to share his own experience even if he weren't worried it was sharing too much. So hopefully they kept their word and didn't push. "Do uh, you need something to drink or anything?" Might as well make sure they were comfortable until Rren made it.

[ubuntu_programmer]

"I could go with an energy drink if you got one."

[under_the_raptors_wings]

"Huh. Um. I'm not sure what that is. The um...refrigerator is over there if you want to check for yourself though." Æn'kae nodded towards the large fridge before getting himself a cup of water from the faucet.

[ubuntu_programmer]

An odd look. "And here I thought you'd be more advanced," mild teasing as they went for the fridge. "If you say you've never heard of coffee either, I might just die of shock on the spot."

[under_the_raptors_wings]

Æn'kae chuckled, leaning against the counter. Well this told him that it probably was something else with caffeine as opposed to some other stimulant? Maybe. Honestly, who knew. "I've heard of coffee. I'm not terribly fond of the the terrha variety, the flavor profile is just... strange to me? But it's still nice to have a hot drink. They have some here if you want that instead."

[ubuntu_programmer]

"What is your version like?" Something new with caffeine they could inflict upon the team once Ben was back? Yes, please.

[under_the_raptors_wings]

Æn'kae wrinkled his nose as he continued how to describe it. "It's a lot richer? And has a bit of a different flavor profile. I uh, I don't know how to describe it."

-------

As the two spoke, the door to the kitchen opened and Rren tilted their head faintly as they spotted a newcomer talking with Æn'kae. Right, they could scold him for his horrible texting habits later. They wore a tunic style shirt, predominantly teal colored with accents in pink with black leggings. "Oh. Hello."

[ubuntu_programmer]

"First off, love the colours," Ian said. Having not found what they wanted in the fridge, they were digging through their bag, to see if they had packed anything. Sadly given the very well stocked fridge at work, all signs pointed to no.

[cheep_soongbird_knockoff]

Rren looked between the newcomer and Æn'kae. Had he really called them in just to pawn a newcomer onto? No, even if he didn't like it, he wouldn't do that without some other reason. They were still annoyed, however, since knowing the reason in advance would have made life so much easier. "Thank you. I am Rren and while it is nice to meet you, I am a little stuck on figuring out why this one," they nodded at Æn'kae, "sent a text saying 'Meet in the kitchen' with zero details."

Æn'kae flushed, but shrugged it off, more focused on the fact the newcomer didn't seem to be finding what they wanted. "I uh. I do know we have coffee or tea if you want I can make one of those?" Now that he at least had indication that they wanted something with a similar property.

Rren narrowed their eyes at him. Yeah. He was going to get an earful later.

[ubuntu_programmer]

"Ah, that's my fault," Ian said, standing and brushing their hands off on their sides, lightly. "I had wanted to meet you, I hope that is okay? I'm Ian. Doctor Ian Wright, with a specialty in... well a lot of fields, but the one that is relevant at the moment is artificial intelligence. I was hoping you would be comfortable speaking with me." Then they added quickly, "If you are not, I completely understand. Who you are is who you are and that matters so much more than what. If you have anything you'd rather not discuss or get into, I will do my utmost best to respect that."

[cheep_soongbird_knockoff]

Rren gave Æn'kae a very intense look. They were more than willing to share something like that freely, but they didn't expect it of him. They weren't letting him off the hook yet. "I am happy to meet you," they said to Ian, and then as an aside. "But it does not change the fact that 'a new person wants to meet you' would not have been that hard to add."

Æn'kae shrugged, making coffee now, regardless of a lack of answer. "I mean um... you know now?" Was he deliberately irritating Rren, or was he just that oblivious? Both? Well, he certainly wasn't giving any indication.

Rren shook their head, giving that up as a lost cause (For now) and focusing back on Ian. "I do not mind speaking with you at all." They were already making mental notes of the things they were willing to share and those they had no intention of sharing, no matter that the only people who really ended up here were overall good people.

[ubuntu_programmer]

"Perhaps once I get a connection to the local network established, we should exchange contact info to make sure we don't need to go through someone else again?"

[cheep_soongbird_knockoff]

Rren tilted their head slightly but then nodded. "If you do not have one of the phones yet I can pick one up for you." They pulled themself up onto the counter to sit down, sparing a glance Æn'kae's way as waited for the coffee. He seemed to be done talking for now. And then they returned their focus to Dr. Wright. "What did you want to talk about?"

[ubuntu_programmer]

"Thank you, we got a little waylaid. And honestly... I want to learn as much as I can. I'm something of a genius, but from what has been said so far, the two of you are well beyond anything I could even begin to dream up. I understand if you're not allowed to tell me certain things, but anything that you are able to tell me could help tremendously."

A hesitation, and then...

"If I had to pick a place to start... do you know if an AI can be programmed to act against its own wishes?"

Look, they needed Ziggy back online.

[cheep_soongbird_knockoff]

Rren was about to explain that it wasn't a matter of not being allowed. It was a lot more complicated than that. But then Ian asked their question and they paled, freezing up entirely.

"If um, if the answer isn't obvious. Yes... and it uh, we'd rather not go more into it." Æn'kae said softly trying to redirect the conversation. He gently put a hand on Rren's arm, broadcasting calm to try and break into the panic response.

"Why do you want to know?" Rren asked then, voice tight as they pushed Æn'kae away. They were grateful to have been broken out of panic enough to function but they didn't want any further influence. And besides, they wanted him to be able to put some focus on the doctor. They very much needed to know what had made that question so pressing, and they needed to know if the answer was honest.

[ubuntu_programmer]

A deep breath as they weighed what they could - and could not say. Finally, "It has been... theorized... that an Ai I've worked with could be potentially used against us in the future. I disagree. But if the Ai didn't have a choice... maybe with your help I could learn how to protect against that possibility. If you're willing and able to help."

They were going to save Ziggy and prove Ziggy would never harm them. Ever.

[cheep_soongbird_knockoff]

That earned a shared look between the two, and finally Rren shook their head. "I cannot guarantee I can prevent it entirely, someone with sufficient skill and tools can even influence organics, much less synths. But, if I know whether or not your AI is sentient and if you can share a bit of what they would be up against. I can certainly try to help safeguard them."

[ubuntu_programmer]

"Well I think they are, but others disagree. And I'm not allowed to share the code. For a number of reasons. But if you can teach me what to look for and how to help... I'm willing to learn. More than willing."

[cheep_soongbird_knockoff]

Rren frowned in spite of their best effort. "It will be pretty tough to determine what would help without knowing more specifics, and I... do not think I can blindly share everything that might help. Not without risking severe damage to your timeline." Assuming they would even remember any of this, but for now they were acting as though they might. Otherwise sharing anything would be both harmless and pointless.

Rren shrugged then. "It's not that I am unwilling to help it is just... going to be a fine line, I think." They did not comment on the fact that Æn'kae grabbed a cup of coffee and made himself scarce the moment it was ready. They might have stumbled into the one topic regarding Synths that was as sensitive for him as it was for Rren.