originally posted in:The New Dojo
<Only that I do not entirely trust it. In this city good things are often “too good to be true.” Inside and outside of the Dojo many people have some sort of agenda that could lead to others being harmed.>
*She stayed still, sitting with perfect posture. Apart from the flashing fins, not even her exposed fur seemed to move in the breeze gave off a hint of life. After a couple of seconds, her chest began to raise and lower as if she was breathing and her tail swished around a bit. Her head tilted every once in a while and she adjusted a bit too. It was as if she had just remembered it was unsettling to be completely still.*
English
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"I am aware of what you mean. Looking back at the fanatic ego maniac that called himself the Speaker..." Malcolm visibly shuddered at the thought, shaking his head. "You're the first to raise your concerns regarding this. I don't believe you will be the last either. I will tell you what I have told all others... My family has rebuilt the village time and time again after each attack. They repaired and saved lives. We built a small fortune from it... I only wish to return that fortune to the people. By being the man they need me to be. I cannot dishonour my family, and I cannot dishonour those that have already lost so much..."
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<I will still be watching you. Do not take it personally, you seem well aware yourself that past events both here and throughout history give us plenty of reason to be concerned. But if your cause really is just and you are truthful about what you say, then I admire your actions.> *She paused and looked away, putting her hand on the part of her head that resembled a chin. She turned back and leaned forward a bit.* <I do have a question, now that I have thought about it.>
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"Oh please." He gestured, acknowledging that she should speak. "By all means, ask away."
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<What’s your motivation? Why do you do what you do? What do you feel? It’s easy to see that I’m an android, and I’ve taken it upon myself to study people and these things.>
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" For too long have we allowed the dojoites to run this town... When none of them have any business doing so. I've lived here my entire life, and all that time I was surrounded by death. By destruction... The cycle cannot continue. I will not allow it. That is my motivation... " "And as for how I feel... I feel a great many things Miss Alice. I feel desperate, desperate to know what the future holds for us all. I feel hopeful, I hope that I can change this place as I truly wish. I feel... Well I'm not sure. I just know I feel like I need to take action. Because I feel like no one else will... "
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<This desperation and hopefulness... Can you describe it? How you actually experience it?> *She leaned a bit closer with interest. Though she had failed to acknowledge she had heard and begun analysis.*
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"I feel hope when I speak to the people. I swell up at the thought that I have a voice for them, that they want me to be someone they can look to..." "But alongside that feeling, my stomach is a pit. I am desperate to know what the future holds and I lie awake at night considering what it means... What it will lead to..."
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*[i]This guy is really preachy... I wonder if he thinks about anything other than this,[/i] thought Alice.* <Okay, thank you for the analyses. Tell me, what do you like?>
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"I greatly enjoy cakes. Hamburgers and fries, perhaps some pizza every so often. Unless... You meant something else? '
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<No, that is correct. What else?>
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"I enjoy watching films, especially fantasy. Game of Thrones was an excellent show on earth... A shame we can't recreate it." "I enjoy helping the people..."
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<Interesting...> *It sounded like she was going to continue speaking, but five seconds of silence said otherwise.*
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"Was there anything else, Miss Alice? Or will that be all?" Malcolm sipped at his coffee and finished it.
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<I believe that is all, unless you had anything to ask as well.>
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"I simply wish to ask why you why you are asking me these questions?"
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<I do not have exact likes or dislikes, apart from whether something conflicts with my morals or not, I am neutral about most things. Therefore, I am studying the likes and dislikes of others, as well as their motivations and how their emotions are felt. I wish to be seen as more [i]real[/i].>
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"Then why did you ask me questions about my political career as well as those likes and dislikes?"
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<I thought you understood that I do not trust that you have good motives. Many people in the past have done the same thing you are doing, but have turned out to be monsters.>
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"Of course, it was just that I was not anticipating that part of the question to turn into my likes and dislikes. It was... An odd direction to say the least." A soft chuckle escaped his lips as he shook his head.
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<I apologize. I am still learning to behave like organics. Sometimes I’ll freeze up or I’ll ask questions out of nowhere.>
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"It's quite alright. If you're going to try to behave as an organic, you might as well learn how true ways."
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*She nodded.* <That is why I asked those other questions. I have learned body language, I just sometimes forget about it. Thought processes and emotional responses are different.>
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"So what's it like... Being a robot and all? Don't believe I've truly ever met one."
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<Well, I don’t have any experience being anything else, so it is hard to describe. I don’t eat, drink, sleep or get tired. I cannot see the way others do either, I use echolocation.>
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"Huh..." Malcolm looked off, seemingly lost in thought. "So how do you see me? Now? In this large, open space?"