Cubismo

"One must be willing to take risks if they ever hope to grow," Replica replied. It was a stock phrase she had heard and read perhaps a thousand times and before this moment Replica had always considered it to be another one of illogical statements that humans just said to justify their rash, emotion-driven behavior. But now Replica thought either-wise. Even though she was still relatively still protected if anything untoward happened, Alexa was right that to much trust could result in major consequences. That was why she kept her android nature a secret after all. But still, even with that being a probability, Replica desired to finally reveal herself to someone. "You of course have a point, but I'm willing to take the risk with you. She let that statement stand on its own for a few seconds before continuing. "Besides, I would like to see how your nanites operate. I think we should see this as a mutual exchange."

Replica laughed. It was meant to make Alexa more comfortable and defuse the awkwardness of the situation. Replica wasn't exactly sure she had succeed, but her sociability matrix told her that a well-placed laugh could make people feel more relaxed and causal. The laugh itself was near the uncanny valley to be sure and if a human had done it people probably would assume that it was sardonic and put-on. But for Replica that was currently the best she could do. Awkward smiles and overwrought laughter. It was no wonder she had few friends. "I believe I understand your meaning entirely, Alexa," Replica said with a flashing smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I've never allowed anyone examine my body's hardware or my mind's software, but I feel as if I can trust you, so...," Dropping most of her surface firewall protocols, Replica allowed Alexa's nanites exclusive entrance to her mind. "Explore if you wish."

"To put it simply. How to be human. I'm technically only a few years, despite my appearance, and as you can probably imagine I don't have much in the way of life experience." This was the first she had ever told anyone about. This almost instinctual need to learn about humanity despite the myriad of risks involved. "That's why I people-watch. I want to learn how to engage with humans like you. How to comfort people in times of distress, how to gain the trust and respect of others, and countless other aspects of human social interaction. I think its integral to my development as a self-ware being that I learn these things."

"No apologizes needed. You were just as curious as I was." This was going better that had she anticipated. The young genius actually seemed to be sincerely fascinated with her. The notion of actually being accepted was giving Replica interesting feedback, the closest she had to feeling positive emotions. Not wanting to be distracted to long by stray thoughts, Replica went back to talking. "As for why I was watching you earlier. At first I came here to watch humans like yourself. I suppose you can call it a kind of observation learning. But my mind is capable of detecting advanced radio signals, and other kinds of technological phenomenon, and I couldn't help but notice the nanites that were around you." Replica stopped for a second to make a serious face and look Alexa in the eyes. "Still, it was wrong of me to watch you like that. I know that humans can be understandably nervous when strangers stare at them. I apologize for any discomfit I may have caused you."

The change mood in was palpable. Replica could tell young woman was on the defensive now. Nervous and ready for anything. Humans called it the fight-or-flight response, an evolutionary instinct that was present in almost all organic species. Triggering such a response was decidedly not Replica's intention, but she understood it as a normal reaction given the situation and the rather forward question she had asked. Wishing to prevent am unnecessary escalation Replica responded to Alexa's own questions. "No. I am not. But I think you already knew that didn't you." Briefly looking in the direction of the hovering invisible swarm around them, she added, "Anyone capable of designing such a feat of micro-engineering and computing likely wouldn't be hard-pressed for long to figure that out." Replica hesitated for several micro-seconds before continuing, which for an android is pretty long time. She hadn't anyone yet who, or what, she truly was. The risk and consequences of exposing herself could be quite high if it turned that Alexa wasn't trustworthy. Than again, given that she still hasn't acted aggressively so far, and is obviously a genius worthy of communicating with, perhaps the risk wasn't as significant as the possible award? "I'm an android. An artificial, but self-aware, being that has achieved sapience."

Now came the hardest part. Conversation. Replica had made a several gains and achievements when it came to communicating with humans over time. Her colleagues at ASTRO Labs no longer seemed "weirded out" by her stoic presence and utterly task-focused mentality that put them on edge. Her neighbors didn't actively look away when she happened to share an elevator with them. A lot of that improvement had to with actually applying what she learned from her people-watching, reading entire libraries worth of social self-help books and sociological papers on human interaction, and designing an internal sociability matrix. She definitely made mistakes here and there, but was getting better at this whole talking with humans thing. Looking at the young woman in front of her Replica tried to navigate how best to ask someone if they were a technopath with a legion of nanobots at their disposal. Not exactly a common conversation topic with an equally common icebreaker to start said discussion off, but Replica was undaunted. "No offense taken, Alexa. Actually, I should be the one apologizing, I think. I was staring at you earlier and I wanted to I am sorry." The real hard part came next. Replica had asked weird questions before that had made people question her sanity. Why do you believe stepping on cracks will result in your mother suffering a spinal injury? Why are you sad that the mentor figure in the film died even though he completed his primary function? Why are people apprehensive about replacing their limbs with cybernetic equivalents? What is love? Is it a substance with height, weight or volume of any kind? This time though Replica believed that what she was about to ask was likely to be less shocking than all those other times when she asked an existential question and got her a strange look for her troubles. "This may sound utterly insane, but the reason why I was staring at you was because I believe you are controlling an invisible nanite swarm." Yep, Replica was definitely nailing this talking to humans thing.

Replica Mistaken Controls (27) Good Company and Good Cheer (2)

As she "swam" through the interlocking miniature networks of the nanites Replica began to appreciate just how well-designed they were. Each individual nanite was working in tandem with all the others to maximize their overall efficiency allowing them to manipulation the larger physical world in a way that alone they'd be unable to achieve. A true swarm. Replica wanted to learn more. Perhaps find a way to create similar nanites of her in her lab. The configuration possibilities were likely endless with such a form of technology. But just as Replica was about to scan and save the micro-framework for the nanites for later analysis, her firework protocols flared up in her mind. <Firework Protocol 010010110> <High Priority Alert!> Presence of unknown entity has been detected intruding on personal consciousness. Intruders seems to be scanning and observing consciousness. Assessment: Still no immediate danger found. Advise use of "Exorcism protocols" or disengagement with nanite swarm regardless to ensure safety. If Replica could be shocked, or scared, those would likely be the problems running through her head right now. She knew that the nanites couldn't be the one's behind the invasion. They were obviously not self-aware given their limited individual computing capability. And even when working all together Replica couldn't detect a self-driven consciousness like her own in the swarm. This had to be the work of someone else. Someone either not pleased that she was scanning their technology, or perhaps someone merely curious about who was was scanning their tech. Either or, Replica had a good idea who was behind intrusion and who was controlling the nanites. Still maintaining her connection to the swarm and not yet implementing her "exorcism protocols," Replica walked up to the young woman still practicing Yoga. Putting on her best smile (she still wasn't great at those) Replica made her greeting. "Hello, my name is Cynthia."

Wanna replace Replica's character sheet. Last time I swear! Nothing much is different. Just wanted to implement some advise I got from more veteran players and correct some grammar mistakes and other errors. Changed Fluff; Age: 7 (Date of Creation: 2010), Occupation: Computer Scientist at ASTRO Labs, Residence: Freedom City, Hanover (High-Rise Condo), Birthplace: Freedom City, New Jersey (United States of America) Combat: Defense is now listed as 10 as it should be. Abilities: Acrobatics only has 1PP in it now making it 4 (+11). Computer now has 2PP making it 8 (+14). No longer have Profession (Computer Scientist). Feats: No longer have Acrobatic Bluff, Ambidexterity or Improved Pin. Now have Benefit 1 (Wealthy). Headquarters renamed Father's Secret Lab. Skill Mastery is now Computer, Craft [Electrical], Craft [Mechanical], Knowledge [Technology]. Powers: Datalink 3 now has Power Feat: Cyberspace and Feats: Online Research and Well-Informed. Quickness 1 is now Quickness 2.

While not terribly well-versed in reading body language even Replica could tell that her staring had made the girl nervous. She wasn't staring back, but is was obvious that was a deliberate effort on her part. This wasn't the first time Replica had been caught people-watching. Once, when she was newer to the physical world, the android was caught blatantly staring at a young couple kissing. Things almost turned ugly when one half of the couple tried to physically confront her about it. Fortunately, a quick hack of their cellphone and a false text message about a family emergency managed to distract them. After that near fiasco Replica tried to improve her ability to be unnoticed even while observing others. She thought she was getting the hang of it, but it seemed like that wasn't case. Wanting to avoid a similar mishap Replica stood up to leave the park only for her to feel something. It was the same unknown materials she had detected around the girl the first time she saw her. Her regular optics couldn't see them, but she could sense their unique radio frequencies with her internal telecommunication sensors. Replica immediately scanned the space around her to get a better reading of the materials. <Run> <Environmental Scan: 50 Ft. Scan Radius> [Subject: Unknown Airborne Materials]: Presence of microscopic electromechnical devices detected. Devices are to small to be detected with optic array. Devices are numerous and in constant electric communication with each individual device. Probable Cause of Phenomenon: Highly advanced nanites have been unleashed. Assessment: No immediate threat detected. Caution still advised. <Environmental Scan> <End> Curious about what these nanobots were truly capable of, and wondering how their likely master would react, Replica's virtual consciousness invisibly expanded out of her android shell and reached out to the nanite swarm.

Replica The park wasn't as populated as Replica had hoped. Pramas View wasn't Freedom City's largest public parks, but its scenic view across the South River tended to at least reliably get tourists and photographers to frequent it. Staring at the river for a minute Replica took in the sight as she usually did almost everyone day. She wasn't capable of intimately feeling the sense of wonder and beauty that organics apparently felt from seeing such scenery, but even she could appreciate that there was something noteworthy about the sight. Prying her optics away Replica scanned the park again. <Run> <Environmental Scan> [Subject: Pramas View City Park] Only six human organics identified in park area. A 53.7% decease from average park population at current time. Assessment: February weather has driven humans from outside activities? <Environmental Scan> <End> Finishing her scan she walked to a nearby wooden park bench that was painted green, but was so clipped and peeling because of age that was mostly brown, and sat there. It was her usual spotting location. It had a good vantage point of the entire park and Replica had assessed that it would be the best location for her "studies". Those studies being people-watching. Replica was android, and one that was only just getting used to actually having a physical body instead of freely roaming across the Internet as a virtual consciousness. It didn't take long for her to realize that if she wanted to "pass" as human she'd need to study them. And so she did just that. Using Pramas Park as her observatory, strange as that was. Looking around the park for interesting humans worthy of note, Replica suddenly stopped to stare at a young woman practicing Yoga. Strange. Detecting unknown materials. Is she the source? The human must have noticed Replica was staring after awhile because she started to do the same right back at her.

"That's a diverse assortment of talents you have there, Shrike," Replica said not unkindly. "Seemingly anyway. People try to divide the art of music from the science of engineering and computing, but I think their are a intertwined discipline that both utilize an understanding of mathematics to construct beautiful things." <Alert!> <Sociability Matrix> Statement can be interpreted as elitist and pretentious. Advise changing topic. <Sociability Matrix> <End> Taking the program's advice, Replica did just that. "Everyone's antisocial to someone or someones. That doesn't have to be a bad thing. I think you're right and just did to meet the right people who are worth the effort." She motioned to the heroes in the bar.

Player Name: Cubismo Magical Girl Power Level: 10 (150/150PP) Trade-Offs: None Unspent Power Points: 0 In Brief: Teenage boy becomes a magical girl. Catchphrase: “Goddesses above. Help me protect those I cherish.” Alternate Identity: Sam Warwyck Identity: Secret Residence(s): His parent’s home in Southside and Claremont Academy’s dorms. Birthplace: Freedom City, New Jersey Occupation: Volunteer Librarian (Freedom Public Library) Affiliations: Claremont Academy, The Goddesses of Olympus Family: Morgan Warwyck (Father), Doris Warwyck (Mother), Emma Warwyck (Younger Sister), Agatha “Grandmama” Megalos (Grandmother) Description: Age: 16 (DoB: October 31, 2002) Gender: Genderfluid. Identifies as Male as Sam and Female as Magical Girl. Ethnicity: White American. Greek and Irish ancestry. Height: 5 ft. 5 in. (as Sam), 5 ft. 7. (as Magical Girl) Weight: 130 lbs. (as Sam), 140 lbs. (as Magical Girl) Eyes: Brown (as Sam), Grey (as Magical Girl) Hair: Brown (as Sam), Black (as Magical Girl) Physical Appearance Sam Warwyck is a teenager who hasn’t quite gained all the benefits of puberty yet. Compared to most boys his age, he’s short and scrawny. He has short unkept brown hair, brown eyes and wears thick black-rimmed glasses. Sam’s skin is pale, but to his eternal appreciation, he doesn’t suffer from acne. Given his shyness, he tends to be rather awkward. Nervously talk a mile-a-minute when discussing something he’s interested in, but halting and subdued when he feels insecure or out of his depth. When Sam transforms into Magical Girl, he, or rather she, becomes almost the complete opposite. Magical Girl is tall, athletic and graceful, with long black hair. Their eyes are different as well, with Magical Girl’s being grey instead of brown. And while Sam has pale skin, Magical Girl’s is fair and blessed with a nice tan. Even their inflections and mannerisms are different, with Magical Girl being confident and energetic All. The. Time. Magical Girl’s superhero attire, which is immediately summoned forth whenever Sam transforms, is an ancient Greek-style white tunic, with a golden waist-sash, two golden bracers, golden boots and a and red cape that’s always slightly flowing even there’s no breeze in the air. Power Descriptions Sam's powers are magical in nature, deriving from his connection to a council of goddesses who have reluctantly decided that he is their new agent on Earth. These powers only activate when Sam recites the words of the Atlantean spell that first made him become Magical Girl. When he does he literally (and quite spectacularly) transforms into a different body, one blessed with superhuman strength and endurance. The transformation also allows him to use a wand, the Caduceus, which has various magical abilities and spells. History Sam Warwyck was an average teenager. Sure, he was a bit shyer than most people his age. And yeah, being a librarian isn’t exactly a common dream career for most people either, but despite that he was still a pretty average teen. He had insecurities, a complex relationship with his parents, and issues involving his burgeoning sense of identity. Actually, he has a LOT of identity issues, many of which he struggled to accept or even understand. That’s why he became so absorbed in books when he was younger. By delving into the past, or some work of fiction, he could run away from the one thing he never could: Himself. Thus, he was naturally drawn to libraries. Places where he could lose himself in vast amounts of knowledge and stories. With that in mind, it’s was only natural that Sam started volunteering as a librarian at Freedom Public Library as soon as he was old enough. It would ultimately be this decision that would lead him into becoming Magical Girl. Besides working as a volunteer, Sam also did rudimentary Greek to English translations for the library, having learned Greek from his mother’s side of the family. One day he was tasked with translating a random book that was dropped off at the library’s donations pile. It was a tome that looked positively ancient, written in a proto-Greek dialect that took Sam ages to even get a basic grasp on. But he was determined, and instead of giving the tome to more experienced translators Sam made it his personal project, spending days trying to decipher it. Eventually, he made a breakthrough and was able to pronounce a single passage. When he did something incredible must have happened because he was suddenly in his bedroom with no memory of how he got home or how several hours had passed in the span of a second from his perspective. Besides strange, scattered memories of women the size of giants starring down at him with confusion, being in a decaying temple, seeing birds of every kind, and having the overwhelming feeling that he was the world’s biggest disappointment, Sam had no concrete memory of what had happened to him. His co-workers at the library and his parents weren’t of much help as they were at a loss for a rational explanation as well. Thinking the tome was cursed and fearing what would happen if he tried to read it again, Sam left it to rot in the library’s archives. Things were fine after that. Or at least that’s what Sam told himself. The blackouts kept happening and while none of them were as dramatic as the first one they weren’t stopping, and neither was his visions of being in that temple. This all came to a head when a group of armed cultists stormed into Freedom Public Library demanding the tome and taking several people hostage. Hiding in the archives, Sam wanted to do nothing more than to give it to them and save his colleagues, but some strange compulsion stopped him. Without even knowing what he was doing it he opened the tome once more and reread the same passage that made him first blackout. When he did everything changed. Most of all Sam himself. He was engulfed in a flash of multicolored light and suddenly transformed into super-powered heroine, costume and all, with a wand to boot. While confused, astonished, and on the verge of mental collapse, Sam still somehow managed to use his newfound abilities to make short work of the cultists and leave them for the cops to deal with before flying off to figure out what had just happened. It would be hours after when a talking owl suddenly showed up literally out of nowhere that Sam would learn that, he, Sam Warwyck, had been found worthy of the Titles of Lady-Protector of Magic, Wardeness of the Pact, Maiden of Sorceries, and Champion of the Goddesses and that he had work to do. Personality & Motivation Sam is a quiet person that likes to tell himself that he prefers being alone but really he’s just shy around people he’s not very familiar with. That, along with his bookishness, are his most obvious personality traits. Beyond the stereotypical geeky facade, he is a kind, empathetic and sincere person that just can’t seem to get past his neuroticism and open himself up to people. Sam enjoys reading high fantasy, pulp sci-fi, historical fiction, and to his eternal shame, romance novels. He prefers his fiction to be hope-affirming and loves a good story about the power of friendship. Sam believes he’s fundamentally unqualified to be Magical Girl or any of the other titles that he apparently must live up to now. He wants to help people, but his self-esteem tells him that he’ll inevitability mess it all up in the end. Despite these insecurities Sam still transforms into Magical Girl whenever troubles afoot and while he denies it a big part of him loves being a superheroine fighting for magic, love and friendship. Magical Girl is a LOT more open about Sam’s geeky interests and beliefs, and in a broader sense is the physical embodiment of Sam’s positive Id. She’s unashamed of what she loves, how she feels and seems to always have a fun, upbeat attitude that borders on naivety. Cynicism is anathema to her and she is not afraid to unleash a dramatic speech about love, friendship or the fundamental decency of humanity, to an evildoer that wishes to undermine those lofty beliefs. Magical Girl fully embraces the idea of being a superhero and believes that by defending the world from hostile magical forces, and other malicious threats, she can make it into not just a better place but transform it into something extraordinary and beautiful. Powers & Tactics Both Sam and Magical Girl hate violence and always try to talk things out before engaging in combat. Magical Girl’s disarming personality and ability to soothe the violent emotions of others makes this pacifistic approach sometimes effective. When forced to fight, Magical Girl relies on her strength and ability to take a hit. The hope being that her opponents will tire themselves out over time or realize the futility of fighting and just surrender peacefully. Sam in his spare time has been learning the ancient Greek martial art Pankration from his magical familiar. While being an owl makes it hard to effectively teach moves and positions, Sam has learned to utilize some of the art’s submission techniques when fighting as Magical Girl. He’s still quite a novice though and rarely uses choke-holds or other forms of locks out of fear that Magical Girl’s strength could kill someone by accident. Magical Girl’s spells are almost all supportive and restorative in nature and thus have little use when it comes to harming the bad guys. Complications: Secret Identity: Only his best (and only) friend and the instructors at Claremont Academy know that Sam is Magical Girl. His parents have no idea and believe he’s going to Claremont because he’s a Terminus Baby with minor powers. Naivety: Growing up reading fantasy novels and living in Freedom City has given Sam a very rose-colored view of superheroes and magic. The moral ambiguity and horrific violence that superheroes sometime encounter is something that Sam is mentally unprepared for. Sam the Unworthy: Sam is beholden to the Goddesses who gave him his powers. While they are benevolent and see his potential, they could decide to take away his powers if they think Sam has failed to live up to their expectations. What Was That?: Transforming into Magical Girl requires Sam to say a magical phrase and undergo a rather flashy transformation sequence. He can’t "get into costume" without possibly drawing unwanted attention. I Have No Idea What I’m Doing: Sam is pretty new to this whole magic thing and is fairly ignorant of all the rules, duties, and possible enemies he’s going to encounter as the Heroine of the Goddesses. He replies on his familiar, Nyctimene, to tell him about the ins-and-outs of his new position. Abilities: 0 + 0 + 0 + 4 + 2 + 0 = 6PP Strength: 10 [30] (+10) Dexterity: 10 [14] (+2) Constitution: 10 [30] (+10) Intelligence: 14 (+2) Wisdom: 12 (+1) Charisma: 10 [18] (+4) Combat: 16PP Initiative: +2 Attack: +10 Melee (+4 Base, +6 Attack Focus), +4 Ranged Grapple: +20/+24 (+ 10 Melee Atk, +10 STR, +4 Super-Strength) Damage: +10 (Unarmed) Defense: +10 (+4 Base, +6 Dodge Focus), +4 Flat-Footed Knockback: -7 Saving Throws: 5 + 6 = 11PP Toughness: +10 (+10 Con) Fortitude: +10 (+10 Con) Reflex: +7 (+2 Dex, +5) Will: +7 (+1 Wis, +6) Skills: 26R = 7PP Computers 4 (+6) Diplomacy 0 (+8, +12) Disguise 0 (+4, +24 Morph [Single Appearance - Magical Girl]) Knowledge (Arcane Lore) 4 (+6) Knowledge (History) 4 (+6) Knowledge (Pop Culture) 8 (+10) Language 2 (English [Native], Ancient Greek, Greek) Notice 4 (+6) Feats: 2PP Luck 1 Ritualist Powers: 94 + 14 + 3 = 111PP Blessed Form of the Heroine 18.8 (Container) (Divine) [94PP] Might of Bia (35PP) Enchanted Strength 20 [20PP] Super-Strength 4 (+20 STR carry capacity, Heavy Load: 12.8 tons.) [8PP] Enhanced Feats: Attack Focus 6, Power Attack [7PP] Grace of Nike (16PP) Enchanted Dexterity 4 [4PP] Flight 3 (50 MPH) [6PP] Enhanced Feats: Dodge Focus 6 [6PP] Vigor of Artemis (26PP) Enhanced Constitution 20 [20PP] Impervious Toughness 5 [5PP] Enhanced Feats: Interpose [1PP] Charm of Aphrodite (18PP) Enhanced Charisma 8 [8PP] Enhanced Skills: +8 Diplomacy [2PP] Morph 4 (Single Appearance - Magical Girl, +20 Disguise) [4PP] Enhanced Feats: Beautiful Voice (Diplomacy), Lionheart 1, Quick Change 1 [3PP] Caduceus: Device 4 (Easy to Lose, Only Usable by Sam Warwyck; Array, Alternate Powers 3) [14PP] (Divine) Base:·Healing 5 ("Most Heavenly Remedy of Aceso!" Feats: Persistent, Regrowth; Extra: Total 5) Alternative Power: Boost 10 ("Glorious Boon Beam of Aglaea!" Single Trait, Flaw: Others Only) Alternative Power: Emotion Control 10 ("Blissful Enhancement of Eirene!" Feat: Subtle 1, Flaw: Limited; Calm) Alternative Power: Summon 5 ("Evocation of Nyctimene!" Feat: Mental Link, Extra: Heroic) Super-Senses 3 ("The Third Eye of Hecate" Awareness: Magic) (Sight) [3PP] Drawbacks: -3 = -3PP Normal Identity (Must say the Word of Power; Frequency: Uncommon, Intensity: Major) [x2] [-3PP] DC Block ATTACK RANGE DC EFFECT Unarmed Touch DC25 Toughness Damage (Physical) Emotional Control Ranged (Perception) DC20 Will Damage (Mental) Totals: Abilities (6) + Combat (16) + Saving Throws (11) + Skills (6) + Feats (2) + Powers (111) - Drawbacks (3) = 150/150 Power Points Nyctimene the Talking Owl (PL 5 Minion)

Forget to list Replica's interview. Replica (Interview)

Replica: Good Company and Good Cheer (2) The Helix Project (1)

"Thank you for understanding." Strange. Replica wasn't sure whether that compliment was for accepting the apology or for being empathic about her father. Was she going through a cognitive malfunction? Was the sociability matrix at fault? Best to leave that diagnostic for later, Replica thought. Matching Shrike by taking a sip quick of her own drink (robots don't get drunk and Replica hasn't installed taste buds yet, but it was a party so she figured she might as try to fit in) Replica put aside thoughts of later internal inquiries and continued on with her conversation. "Why yes I do, I actually do come from a technical background. In fact, I was recently selected to work as a computer scientist for ASTRO Labs. I spend my days there looking at algorithms, coding, and trying to figure out how to create AI that doesn't immediately try to destroy us the moment it comes self-aware." The last one she said with a self-deprecating chuckle. Moving her hand across the bar filled with superheroes. "I suppose it's my day job from all of this." Turning back to Shrike, "What about you? Electronics and computers are your thing? Is it more of a hobby or a career?" Leaning in a bit closer added, "I always love to talk-shop with others."

Hey, thanks for the invite, GranspearZX! Anyways, should make a physical science or a technology roll to figure out what kind of energy is coming out of Tandem Robotics?

Replica had seen the pulsating violent column of energy from her office in ASTRO Labs. Even from that faraway her optics analysis told her that the likelihood of that kind of concentrated energy dispersal being benign was slim to none. Quickly making into her costume and reaching Hanover via a series of rooftop jumps, she tried to make sense of what was going on within Tandem Robotics now that she was quite a bit closer to the energy beam.

That sounds great! Thanks.

Players need practice, too! So I'm game.

Replica searched her sociability matrix again for an appropriate response to Shrike's question. Actually telling Shrike her true origins could be disastrous. While she certainly seemed trustworthy there was always the chance that someone at this packed bar could end up eavesdropping on their confidential conversation. And given that villainous AI’s like Talos haven’t exactly given robots a good reputation, Replica decided that it would best if Shrike only knew an edited version of her origins. Smiling successfully once again (she might actually be getting at that), Replica began to tell Shrike her story. “Well, since you asked so nicely. You probably noticed that I am a technopath. I have other powers, but I think my technopathy is probably the most valuable of all of them. I gained them from one of my father’s human-enhancement experiments.” Stopping for less than a second Replica solemnly added, “He’s dead now. Murdered by someone afraid of his work. Perhaps a rival or a deluded technophobe, I still don’t know.” Suddenly wishing to change the topic, Replica returned the conversation back to Shrike. “Well, with my backstory out of the way, can I just say that I apologize for my earlier sidekick comment. Sometimes I fail to appreciate the impact of improper word choice. I suppose that’s a habit you pick up when you keep a ‘safe and impartial distance’ from other people for too long. Being called a sidekick is demeaning at best for anyone above the age of twelve, I’m sure.”

<Run> <Internal Inquiry> [Is Shrike being sarcastic for comedic effect?] <Run> <Behavioral Analysis> [Shrike] Subject is using exaggerated pronunciation, language atypical of common American nomenclature, and is displacing no sign of genuine distress. Final Assessment: Probability of Shrike being deliberately insincere? 93.213%. <Behavioral Analysis> <End> Yeah, she's totally being sarcastic. And perhaps flirting as well given her previous comments about Replica's appearance. The android decided to respond in kind. "My apologies, Shrike. I had no intention of exposing your secret identity," she said coyly. "It's just that the grapevine has it that Shrike is Grimalkin's ever faithful sidekick, so I just assumed that you had to be her given that Grimalkin' seemed rather eager to introduce as such. Well, before you stopped her anyway."

Replica still hadn't mastered being able to interpret facial expressions, but even she could tell that Leviathan was awestruck and struggling to communicate. Grimalkin was a prominent hero in Freedom City after all so his reaction was hardly irrational for an organic. Seeing that he probably needed a second to regain his composure Replica decided to speak up. "I'm sorry if am intruding, but I couldn't help but hear your conversation. You're Grimalkin and Shrike, correct? You can call me Replica. I've heard a lot about you both."

After deliberating on what would be her best response by internally running through several dozen possible icebreakers in her sociability matrix, Replica finally decided to introduce herself to Leviathan. Walking up to the bar and she ordered a spiked cider as well. The drink itself wouldn't affect her given that she was android, but it would at least hopefully show Leviathan that he was good company. "Hello, Leviathan." Replica warmly greeted. "I'm Replica. Pleased to meet you."

Sitting alone at the very back of the pub, Replica responded to the later of the young man's questions. "Yes," she said, with a monotone. "There is indeed a jukebox directly located to your left by the bar. I'll activate it for you." Instantly, everyone in the pub started to hear a time-honored Christmas choral playing at just the right volume. Loud enough that they could enjoy the music regardless of how far away from the jukebox they were, but still low enough they could still talk to one another. Just another one the many mundane conveniences that technopathy can bring Replica noted in her internal logs. The man thanked her the jukebox and Replica responded with a "No problem" and a smile that actually managed to not come across as kind of Stepfordy as one of colleges at ASTRO Labs had once noted. Perhaps this social outing would indeed be informative after all Replica thought. She had come to the pub mostly to test her new sociability algorithms, but she also found the possibility of experiencing a real Christmas celebration to be strangely exciting as well.