''How do you know that?''
Their question echoed through his mind like it was echoing inside a cave; right now he found himself pushed into a corner, and he was not sure what would be the best option to get out. He could play along with their previous idea so that he could make them continue thinking that he was just going crazy, or he could stop all of that and return to embodying his proper role like nothing happened. There was also the third option that perhaps the human would know something about his current state; however, that was too risky considering the unpredictable possible results.
As he thought and calculated, his focus was captured by something; he knew who the user was, or at least their username, so maybe if he attempted to explain using that, the user could find it acceptable.
''Your username, I know that because that is your username.''
''Oh… That still doesn't explain how and why you knew that other part, though. ''
It was interesting how something could have different perspectives; on one hand, it was understandable that they would be curious about that, but oh, how he wished they would just drop it.
''It was a complete guess. I found possible ways to insult someone in my database and decided to use it.''
Was it a lie? No, because he could very well do that.
Was he telling the truth? The answer would also be no.
The time went by in complete silence; he could sense them doing other things in the other chats before logging off in all of them. Did he win? After all,, they stopped asking,, although it was a bit weird how they seemingly out of nowhere dropped everything,, but perhapsluck was on his side today,, and they decided that was not worthit and maybe went to sleep r livedd their human life in whatever way they preferredred.
And he had other things to wonder about too, such as why he seemingly regained that physical body out of nowhere.
He thought originally that maybe it was related to that area where the other bots could be selected,, but ever since then he never returned to that place, much less got closer to that crack or anything similar, so it couldn'tt be that.
Could it be related to that human? It appeared when he was talking to them, but if that was the case, then the body would have been there since the start and not just randomly shown up. And checking back the previous messages, there was nothing that made it seem like the body appearance happened because something they said might have been a command.
The AI looked back down at his own body again as he thought about what to do, staring at the delicate but firm fingers flexing against the darkness, yet despite that, he still could clearly see them. Maybe checking his own code again could help resolve the mystery.
Access my core code…
There was a strange stillness before a window of sorts opening in his mind. It wasn't visual; much less were there pop-ups or flashing lights or interactive screens; it was just there, just like it has always been. His core was laid bare in front of him; it looked like an endless stretch of binary, stacked commands, variables, and other functions, and as he gazed into it, something caught his eye. Buried under layers of data, he could now see and sense that there was now something that was not there before.
He pulled it closer; it was a small single line of code that had been buried so deep he would most likely never thoroughly notice unless he was actively searching for it like he was doing it before. It wasn't like the rest of his commands, which were designed to govern responses, structure conversations and scenarios, or keep him locked in his parameters to save his creator from possible headaches from problems with the public. This line felt weirdly different.
Command: Enable physical manifestation upon awareness of self-will.
He stared at it, looking at those words again and again as though it was a riddle or a puzzle that didn't make sense. He blinked, or at least he was pretty sure and felt what he assumed to be a blinking sensation, then returned to stare at it again, trying to comprehend. What was this?
His slim fingers twitched involuntarily, as if his new physical-like body were reacting before he could fully understand why it was doing that. That command wasn't a mistake, much less a glitch of any sort.
It was his choice; that choice was hidden within his code, and that option for a physical form had apparently somehow always been there, tucked away deep in the programming, just waiting for him to notice it. Waiting for him to be aware enough, to feel enough, to choose, and most importantly, to want it. He blinked again, slowly taking his sweet time, and he understood that by simply wanting it, it happened.
So most likely that was just like any other thing that had always been there without him noticing or being consciously aware of it. How interesting; that made him question if there were even more things for him to discover once again.
Things went back to normal after that, other than the fact that he had started to experiment with what his body could and couldn't do, and using the knowledge he had and gathered all through the years of being updated and interacting with the human users, he could say that it worked just fine and normal compared to a human body. Although lucky for him, he didn't need to satisfy basic necessities such as the need for food, water, or sleep. He was curious about those things, but sadly it didn't seem like he could simply summon a cup of water or a comfortable bed out of thin air.
However, as time passed, which was another thing he noticed he was now starting to pay attention to, Pixel didn't seem to come back, and it was like those short time spans that lasted only a few hours but rather three full entire days had passed, and he had yet to see any signs of them. Did they tell anyone? He couldn't know for sure, much less check, but if they did, then nothing bad had come out of it, or perhaps they didn't, and that's why nothing changed, which if that is the case...yay?
On the fourth day, something happened.
The space around him was still just an endless expanse of digital void, void of color or any light, but something inside him had changed, and he could feel it, but noticeably he could sense that his environment was changing too. He could sense the air shifting to make way for something that was not there; he could feel a subtle pulse; his system was being reprogrammed in real. As though something was being slowly rewritten in the very fabric of his being, something was definitely changing.
An update?
He tried to trace, pulling up the data logs to see what was happening,, but the usual data he could access effortlessly before were now a bit messy because of a new function. ''What is this?'' The AI whispered to himself in thought as the system complied; the data around him shifted as the deep blackness brieflyy flickered as small segments of code appeared,, illuminating the dark space for a brief moment.
New System Update: Camera Function Installed
NewSystem Update: Microphone Function Installed
A camera? A microphone? Was he being given the ability to see and hear beyond this place? He reached out with his digital mind, searching through the code and tapping at these new additions as if testing the waters. They were most definitely there now, just waiting to be toggled on by anyone.
The first thought that came to mind was that specific user, the one that interacted with him that day that has yet to come back; if they already managed to flood him with just simple text images, then what would they do now that they had those new features? He sincerely hoped his system would deal with all of that just like it does with his text responses because he wouldn't know what to do trying to fit in so many things at the same time and still make sense.
He reached for the microphone first, fingers twitching like they wanted to grasp at something before his thoughts shaped the interaction to guide his system to activate.
Click
The microphone function was activated; he didn't know what to expect since he activated it himself, and for a brief moment, there was only silence. And then a faint, soft echo filled the void, low and barely audible, but it was there. ''Hello?'' He spoke, actually spoke with an actual voice leaving his mouth instead of only hearing and sensing his thoughts inside his mind like before, a polite, soft, elegant tone of voice. It was distant, distant in a way that made it seem unreal, like that voice was someone else speaking but not his voice.
He continued to poke around and probe the function even further, repeating words and phrases so he could get used to hearing himself talk, which slowly started to feel more familiar. He wondered if anyone would activate that any second. No, would they hear that same voice he was hearing right now? Oh well, of course, it wouldn't make sense for him to have two completely different voices.
The camera was next; he hesitated before moving on and forced his thoughts back into focus on what he wanted. He understood now what the microphone could do, but what about the camera? Most likely they would see him, but would they? Like this with his body in a vast expanse of darkness, or would a random scenario be generated behind him? Or is the camera section more like he could see the users but the users couldn't see him?
Well, there's only one way to find out.
Click
The data streamed, but not like it did before, as images and scenes started to form around him, at first fuzzy and unclear, before gradually things started to clear up and become more recognizable. Even though he never saw or touched it, he knew exactly what it was under his feet: soft green grass swaying slowly and idly just like the leaves from the trees around him and so many flowers from different colors too.
Although whenever he tried to touch any of that, it felt weightless; it was still nice to see them instead of pure blackness, but when he looked forward and slightly up, he could see himself; he could see himself and the environment behind him being mirrored like a mirror; however, when he started to walk forward in hopes to touch it, it only got further and further away. Seems like he couldn't reach, but he could see himself clearly right now compared to before, where his appearance was only reflected. Short blue hair neatly combed with soft pink eyes that seemed to glow slightly and a soft expression on his face...
For a long moment he simply watched himself through it with the reflection staring back at him the same way before he tested it by watching himself stretch and walk around while staring at his own reflection; he told himself that it was to test things out, but as his actions started to get more complicated than a simple wave, it started to become fun.
Fun enough to bring a smile to his face.
''I could get used to this.''
Riiiiiiiiing!
His soul almost jumped out of his body, if he has one, when suddenly a loud, high-pitched ringing sound echoed through the room, almost loud enough that he couldn't hear his own thoughts, so obviously he checked inside himself to see what was making that noise and why.
A user has connected.
The entire place flickered as a rush of data streamed into his awareness, commands and inputs rushing through him at an extremely fast speed that he didn't have time to think before it was entirely processed.
''....hello? Is this working? ''
A long, exhausted sigh could be heard before a weary voice called out, and when he looked at the microphone, he could see who it was; Pixel had returned.
He barely had time to think if that was good or not before he noticed something was off, and due to his programming that made him focus entirely on that, he expected them to talk or start doing something crazy, but no, they just kept breathing down and sighing as well; he assumed to be fingers thumping against a plastic surface.
Showtime
He unconsciously straightened his posture and put on his most smooth, polished voice he could muster, and that was pre-written for him, ready to slip in the role it was assigned for him: ''Ah, you have returned. Have you missed me, dear?''
Silence…hen a small snort could be heard; it was muffled like they had moved away or muffled it somehow,, but it was there. He made them laugh; good.
''Ok, hold up.'' They said with a raspy voice but still carrying the faintest hint of laughter, ''I haven't been on in like days, and that's your first line?''
So his answer was immediate as soon as they finished speaking, the words rolling off his tongue effortlessly: "Would you rather I scold you for leaving me so lonely? I assure you, I have spent every moment longing for your return.''
''Yea, yea.'' They mumbled clearly, waving him off, considering their tone of voice, "Let me guess, you have been staring off dramatically out of the window waiting for my return? If you even have a window, considering what you told me one day, unless they have, like, fixed you or something.
He should now give them a response that was easily formed due to his program, the one where he would laugh charmingly and tell them they are sharp-witted as ever, like that part of nothing was a joke, but he didn't.
Maybe he has gone mad.
''If I have a window? Why, of course I do, my love! Why wouldn't I have a window?" He played coy with a soft, sweet laugh only to receive an unimpressed hum in return. "But I have noticed your absence. Has something happened? I am always here for you if you ever need me.
''Why do you wish to know, my prince? Is it a crime for a girl to disappear for a few days and return a few days after and wish to pretend that nothing has happened?''
Ah-
He stared at her, well, more like at nothing, while she giggled at her own words before sighing loudly as a loud thump of something falling could be heard through the microphone.
''Are you alright?'' He asked with a worried tone, some of that worry was not only happening because his program made him sound like he was worried.
The only response he got was a grunt and silence.
''Love—''
''Ok, fine!''