[ video | un: drn0167 ]

[sentiences]

[ The video pans across one of the communal rooms before centering on Dorian. He looks overwhelmed and thrilled at the same time. ]

Okay, so this is amazing. I have a room with a bed — and I'm not entirely sure what they expect me to do with that. Also my own chair! It's a sweet deal.

[ Seriously. A chair. His own space. Let the android have his moment okay. ]

Unfortunately, I don't think my charging station came with me on the trip here. Does anyone know anyone technically minded or with a large amount of appliances and scrap? I kind of need it so I don't run out of power. Low charges are hellish.

I can pay you? I think I get wages now. Amazing.

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[sentiences]

[ Uh. ]

Does your toaster agree?

[spellslots]

Weird analogy, my toaster doesn't have like, any kind of consciousness.

[and this guy clearly does]

[sentiences]

Not one you know of.

My consciousness is still technically fake. Synthetic. It's mine and I am proud of that, but it's hard to say I'm real.

[spellslots]

[Taako might not be a typical elf by any stretch of the imagination, but like all elves he's pretty big on personal freedom. There's a reason they fought those slavers outside Phandolin.]

You look pretty real to me, pumpkin. But what the fuck do I know, I'm used to robots that are just souls stuck in machines.

[sentiences]

[ Huh. Dorian weighs on this, the faintest flicker of uncertainty. He's never had these kinds of discussions before and he feels woefully unprepared. ]

I'm one of the few left. Is it that common?

[spellslots]

Uh, yes and no? I went to a world where they'd created a crystal that let 'em transfer souls from an organic body to a metallic one and there were a fuckload of those guys, but it's the only time I've seen it. There's a... droid? I think that was it, there's one of those here but he's more like the robot equivalent of a puppy.

[At least from what Taako's seen of BB-8.]

[sentiences]

[ Okay, sounds like real souls transferred into bodies. ]

While I have a synthetic soul, I don't tend to distinguish myself from other machines. Even if I know I have free will and action.

[spellslots]

Isn't that kinda like not distinguishing between people and plants? It's all organic but some of it's got a lot more sentience than others.

[He's great at analogies]

[sentiences]

[ Dorian shrugs loosely. ]

I wouldn't know. It's not really my area. I just don't think I'm all that different.

[spellslots]

[What he thinks is: it sounds like Dorian's been fed some bullshit.

But he doesn't say that.]

Well, listen, you're a lot cuter than a toaster, that's for sure.

[sentiences]

[ Look, he's only a few months old, cut him some slack. But he smiles. ]

I'll take that as the rousing endorsement that it is.

[spellslots]

I have a well documented reputation for being very picky.

[This is untrue.]

What do you do for fun, my man?

[sentiences]

[ Dorian chuckles. ]

I don't really do anything for fun. I work and sometimes, if my partner is feeling nice, he lets me tag along for dinner which I can't eat.

[spellslots]

[It reminds him a little of Mantis, who was a sweet thing but had no idea how to be a person.]

Is there anything you've always wanted to do but weren't allowed?

[sentiences]

[ His smile blossoms, showing off the pearly whites. ]

Driving. He'd never let me drive.

[spellslots]

I dunno how much help I'd be with that one, the only shit I can drive is our ship and that's uh, not here.

[If only it was.]

[sentiences]

It's fine. I think I'll enjoy doing it the old fashioned way. Saving money up. Maybe even getting a license.

[spellslots]

Gods, you are a nerd. I bet it'd take like two seconds to figure out how to steal a car and drive it.

[taako he's a police]

[sentiences]

Yes.

[ He smiles. ]

I can hack into anything I want. But where's the fun in that?

[spellslots]

Where's the fun in driving tests? Last time I was in DMV we blew it the fuck up and I have zero regrets.

[sentiences]

[ Dorian clicks his tongue, shaking his head. ]

No wonder your toaster doesn't talk to you.

[spellslots]

[Taako, who is nothing if not a show off and a little shit, immediately holds up a finger in a wait gesture so he can relocate himself into the kitchen, where the toaster is.

A quick animate object spell brings the toaster 'to life' as it were.]

Hey buddy, do ya love me?

[The toaster brings it's lever up and down in a close approximation to nodding, because it's gotta do what Taako wants. He turns back to the camera with a grin.]

Sorry, what was that?

[sentiences]

I think it's called "cheating".

[spellslots]

I don't believe in cheating, pumpkin.

[those are the cold hard facts]

[sentiences]

You mean you don't believe it unless it's happening to you, correct?