Setting the Hooks (Finished)

[Navvi]

"Yes. Like you."

In a technical sense, yes, Navvi and Leann were similar. Broadly-defined, they were both Non-Humans or at least very unlike normal people. On a narrower and more accurate scale, one of them lacked one very important similarity that connected it with just about everything else that walked and talked: Life. Perhaps it was just such a common, ubiquitous thing that no one would think otherwise. But here it was. The lone exception. Navvi. One could only imagine how much more stutter-y and awkward Leanna would become if she was aware of that fact.

Also it was an understatement to say that Navvi was unfazed by her electrical demonstration. At the moment there wasn't any evidence left to even suggest that it had taken a shock to the center mass at point-blank range. Worse yet Navvi was busy analyzing and parsing the data that it was able to obtain from it as they talked.

"This one doesn't believe so. Those men were of little consequence and effort. What you did was far more valuable."

She seemed like putty in its hand, and Navvi guided her back up onto her feet when he stood up, hand still on her chin.

"Perhaps this one can owe you a favor instead. There are a few other things that this one must attend to."

[Leann Lacey]

"How was..."

Lee wasn't completely sure how to take Navvi's observation and opinion of the insignificance of removing the physical presence that had been threatening her upon his arrival. In her mind, her own "well-being" - perhaps her "life" in such a scenario - was worth... something, wasn't it? She had to admit, however, that Navvi was indeed correct with respect to his own performance against the miscreants. They had been of little consequence in comparison and had taken, apparently - based, solely, on the way in which Navvi presented itself - very little effort on his part. So, she had to wonder: was Navvi's reply an indication of her direct value? She had to scratch that thought, as the android stated that her "contribution" had been far more valuable. So, then, was it that, due to her display, Navvi thought, retrospectively, that she'd have taken care of them with just as much ease? She couldn't imagine that being the truth given her lack of perfect control over her element and the highly unfortunate (as current events indicated) absence of any combat training on her part... but it was a nice, confidence boosting sort of thought to entertain.

In the end, she decided that he must have been "being modest" about the situation, just to make her feel better. She related it to the kind of "congratulations" ("good game!") and "understatement of one's own success" ("you'll get it next time!") that came with every post-game handshake... especially for the higher stakes games, like state championships. She also likened it to the "oh, it didn't take much!" or "it was nothing, really!" sort of statement that came with handmade (or homemade, in the case of food) gifts that she had received, on occasion. While this might have not been an accurate way of assessing the robot's words, it definitely calmed her down. With an improved mood, she was more easily able to respond.

"Uh... never mind that. But... ya know, it's... kinda neat, if we're similar. There ain't many I've met before, that's fer sure. Uh... what's your name? I mean, if ya don't mind my askin'..."

She briefly wondered if that was an appropriate request to make or not. Navvi certainly seemed... stoically strange.

"And... owe... me a favor? Really? Haha... I prolly shouldn't turn down somethin' like that, huh? Not after-" And she swept her arm to the side, to indicate the "carnage." "-all of that. Haha, um..." And, suddenly, she gave Navvi a rather mischievous look. "You gonna pinky swear on that promise?"

[Navvi]

Navvi removed its hand from Leann, it had held her like that for long enough and frankly Navvi felt better in its typical neutral standing position. Besides, the girl probably wasn't used to being touched like that. Though given the way she looked, it would be easy, if presumptuious, to assume that she was used to being touched.

"Navvi. This one identifies as Navvi."

The machine had no use for a pseudonym or moniker other than it was technically called, minus the random numbers and letters that made up the rest of its serial identification number.

When the girl asked to pinky swear on Navvi's offer to owe her a favor, its expression actually turned from one of subtle confidence or stoic expressionlessness to one of confused inquisitiveness. Navvi may have been programmed and uploaded with a lot of information and a lot of ways to deduce Human interaction, but colloquialisms, slang, and basically anything informal was alien to it. Tilting its head like a dog, Navvi held up its hand, pinky extended, then looked at it in question.

This was a common conundrum with Navvi. A hyper-advanced machine construct capable of unprecendented power that also acted like a slightly concussed small child at times. It was endearing sometimes but, like with all of Man's machines, when it made Navvi act like it wasn't supposed or do exactly like it was ordered, it could aggravate the user. The user in this case being Navvi's oeprators and the high ranking military and non-military brass that were paying for Navvi's development.

"Please elaborate on this 'pinky swear' procedure."

[Leann Lacey]

"Huh... you dunno what it is? Wow... that's totally kid stuff, ya know? Um, lessee... how's about... you heard of a contract, right? So, like, in citizenship class, we learned that there were verbal-type contracts and also those, uh, "legal document"-type contracts, right? So, like, basically, written beats verbal, most of the time, in strength... but this kinda thing, it's like... in the middle, I think? Cuz, ya know, it's the verbal thing, but it's got an action to it, too. It's totally a... a... hehee, socially bindin' contract. Aaaaaannnnnnnddddd... it goes like this!"

Although the previous part of the night might have been stressful, Lee had allowed herself to get lost in the moment. With an entertained grin on her face, she mirrored Navvi, extending her opposite hand, pinky extended. Her other hand was tucked behind her back, and she leaned forward a little.

"Okayokayokay, so like, you kinda... extend, uh, but not like you were doin' before - extend yer arm normally. Then, it goes pinky-to-pinky, right? Like this." And she demonstrated by reaching out and aligning her pinky to Navvi's. "Then, haha-" And she blushed ever-so-slightly. "-you make 'em wrap up, like lover snakes, okay? And then, it's just like a handshake. D'ya follow?" With a little giggle, Leann stepped back, both hands now clasped behind her back. She gave a nod. "So, you wanna count that one as the promise for this time and the explanation is for some other time? Or you wanna do it again? It only counts when, ya know, both "parties" say it does... so, like, it's totally up to you. But you gotta keep this kinda promise! Karma'll totally bitecha if ya don't..."

[Navvi]

Continuing its imitation of a mildly-comatose person, complete with slightly open mouth, Navvi stared blankly at Leann and her hand movements as she demonstrated the sacred and ancient art of pinky swearing. Her explanation of what it was, and the informal contract it implied, was greeted with a few gentle nods and little else. When she started to actually lean forward and extend her arm and demonstrate the action, Navvi mimicked her movements to a tee, though on a slight delay, nearly headbutting her in the process.

If Navvi had any ability to feel whatsoever, even it would have called Leann cute by her actions alone. For a person with extraordinary electrical powers, she was still a girl, just a girl, and it showed. However, Navvi just thought of Leann as a source of information at the moment, both in terms of Non-Human abilities and how to perform a social ritual.

Navvi's hand was left hanging in the air, pinky still extended as it repeated the motion of few times after Leann had withdrawn.

"This one believes it has grasped the concept well enough. The contract shall be upheld. This one owes you a 'favor', to be used at a later time."

It withheld how it exactly it planned on fulfilling that promise, and that it did not believe in karma in anyway. Looking over the edge of the dock, it checked the water one last time before turning back to the girl.

"Take care, Leann. This one must takes its leave for now."

With a little wave, Navvi turned on its heels and began to walk away back down the dock.

[Leann Lacey]

"Oh! Uh... right. Take, um... care. Guess I'll... see ya around sometime?"

Departure meant the temporary dream-escape was over, and a sinking feeling overtook Leann as she matched Navvi's parting wave. The distraction had been nice, but as Navvi disappeared into the distance, the reality of loneliness set in. With a sigh, she turned around and let her gaze skim the surface of the water for a while. Silence reigned and minutes passed. Then, somewhat abruptly, she slipped off her backpack and sat down. A few minutes later, her shoes were replaced by her inline skates and, without a word, she, too, departed. The first round of the game had ended, albeit oddly, in her favor. She could only wonder what the future would bring.