[ 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.

Comments

[dancingmd]

Sometimes. Other times he simply calls himself an android. Why? Would you rather I not use that terminology? I'm happy to use whatever you're most comfortable with.

[sentiences]

No, it's fine. I've just never heard it before.

[ Cybernetic usually refers to artificial limbs and parts. ]

I'm really fine with anything.

[dancingmd]

How about your name? [She smiles.] That seems like the very best thing of all to call you!

[sentiences]

[ He smiles. ]

They call me Dorian.

[dancingmd]

A reference to the novel or...?

[sentiences]

Uh, no. It's just the name I have. If it came from somewhere, I don't know where.

[dancingmd]

Oh, I just thought... [Thought perhaps it was a play on android agelessness.] Well, nevermind, it doesn't matter. It's a lovely name either way!

[sentiences]

[ Dorian chuckles. ]

I don't think my creator was that thoughtful or deep.

[dancingmd]

[Look, Dr. Soong named his android son Data so we can only judge Dorian's creator so much.

And oh! Dorian laughed, a laugh that was natural, unforced and not experimental in the least. Normal enough, no doubt, for him, but that little bit of expression delights her and she laughs too.]

In any case, I'm happy to be of service to you, any way I can - and at no charge.

[The very idea of charging anyone money for medical care, whether they're Human or Android, is loathsome to her.]

[sentiences]

[ Well Dorian has mixed feelings about his creator these days. Who doesn't? ]

You sure? I'd be happy to lend my assistance to whatever you need.

[dancingmd]

Positive. If anyone else went to the hospital here, they'd be taken care of free of charge, so why should it be different for you?

[sentiences]

I don't think this is a hospital issue so much as a battery one.

[dancingmd]

But what happens if you run on a low battery? You don't function as well, right?

[sentiences]

That is correct. A low charge does mess me up emotionally.

[dancingmd]

I see it then as analogous then to a organic being getting sick.

[sentiences]

[ Hmm. Dorian is less sure. ]

I would not consider it a state of being ill so much as a sense of fatigue that affects my operating system.

[dancingmd]

[She laughs softly and throws up her hands in surrender.]

All right, I feel like we're going to go in circles here! The point is, I know both robotics and medicine and I've had to treat Data many times before when his systems have malfunctioned.

[sentiences]

What kind of malfunctions?

[dancingmd]

Overload of his positronic matrix, exposure to a high concentration of ions, memory loss, viruses.... the computer kind, obviously.

[sentiences]

[ Dorian nods. He's lucky not to have suffered much in terms of malfunctions. There's always the ever-present fear of what a malfunction would mean for him. Still it's impressive they kept Data with all those problems. Dorian would be seeing a junk heap by now. ]

And none of those posed major problems? Safety issues?

[dancingmd]

Sometimes, but it's nothing we couldn't handle!

[sentiences]

Well. I'm glad it was.

[ Dorian probably couldn't handle it. He might panic or worse. ]

[dancingmd]

Me too. There have been a few close calls, admittedly, but... he's crew. There are few things we wouldn't do for each other.

[sentiences]

[ His expression softens. Dorian can't say he belongs anywhere. Not really. ]

I'm sure he knows that.

[dancingmd]

I hope so. I know he'd do the same for us. Has done the same.