-Browser Pone Opera pt.2-

>"Yes"
>Phone makes noises you rather it didn't
>Something's happening
>This could be perfectly natural
>Something materializes from thin air and falls onto your desk with a crash.
>It's a pony
>With Opera's colors.
>2 + 2 = something has gone horribly wrong
"O-Opera?" you ask, looking at the little thing, who's scurrying to her fee- hooves.
>"A-anon..?" She responds, then freezes at the sound of her own voice - which by now is unmistakeable.
"Is...is this standard procedure for browsers these days?" You manage to stammer through your intense disbelief
>The poor little thing looks over herself, then surveys the room
>"I...seriously doubt it. L-let me try to see if I can find the answer." With that, she stands still while her eyes glaze over and glow with a bright light for a few seconds.
>"There didn't seem to be any results - no previous accounts of incidents like...like this..."
>She looks nervously up at you
>You're not sure if browsers count as animals
>Still, you lower yourself to be on eye level with her
>You reach out and gently touch her mane
>It's soft as fuck
>"A-anon...wh-what are you doing?"
>she's blushing
>Hard
"Well, I had to make sure this was actually happening - plus, you looked uncomfortable. I figured I could try and bridge the gap between, well, us. No sense in being strangers, given the situation." You conveniently leave out that she's the cutest thing since...well, since the show that started the whole thing.
>"Oh...I see." She nods thoughtfully, then nuzzles her head into your palm much like a cat "I didn't say stop" Her voice is laced with a playful, trusting tone.
>Well, that was quick
>You figure she probably got the details for the appearance based on your previous browsing experiences
>Damn Cloud
>Oh well
>You smile whilst scratching behind her ears
>If this happens to other people, you're expecting to hear the 'It's a feature, not a bug' speech quite often
"So...Opera, I know neither of us has experience with this, but if we found a way to fix this, would you?" As soon as the words leave your mouth, you mentally facepalm.
>Implying this needs fixing
>Implying she's an unwanted bug
>On the other hand, she might want to go...home?
>And what would you tell people if she stayed?
>"I have to say, if you don't mind having me around, I don't see a reason to do so. Scans suggest I can still perform all my tasks." She demonstrates by projecting a website holographically from her eyes, giving a slight, victorious smile.
>Looks like you have a new companion
>You tell her as much
"Now...we need to figure out what makes you tick, so to speak." You put a hand over where her heart should be, eliciting a slightly bemused look and a sound that indicates enjoyment.
Much to your surprise, there's indeed a thumping under that soft, silky coat of hers.
>"I could've just told you I had a heartbeat" She points out.
>This is true
"Point. I wasn't sure if an AI would know what it felt like, though. Anywho...you seem to be functioning as a true blue biological being - with some exceptions - so...are you hungry?" you ask.
>She does that glowy eye  thing again
>Probably looking up the definition of hunger
>And there her eyes are back to that lovely red
>She nods
>"I believe so-"
>You put a hand on her abdomen and start rubbing
>What the fuck brain
>She takes it well, rolling onto her back
>She melts under your touch
>She gives an occasional giggle, but mostly contented sighs and groans
>"Anon, I have an inkling this isn't how you alleviate hunger" she gives a sly little smile
"No, you're right, I was merely experimenting to see if you reacted like regular animals do." You chuckle and scoop her up
>You head  to the kitchen
>Deposit her on the table
>You check the refrigerator for things horsies eat
>There's a bit of lettuce left over
>It's something
>You try to hand her the lettuce, before realizing she has hooves
>So you feed it to her
>she munches away happily
>The cucumber disappears quickly
>She seems content
>She smiles at you
>Hnnnnng
>"Thank you Anon! That...tasted? Yes, tasted - very good. And my hunger seems to have been greatly reduced."
>She tries to nuzzle your chest
>Forgets gravity
>You manage to catch her
>Suddenly your ring finger and pinky are warm and moist
>Most awkward catch ever
>Her cheeks redden
>"A-A-Ah...Anon..Please remove y-your fingers"
>Her voice betrays confusion, arousal and a hint of pain
>You nod and put her on the table
>Well, she's more anatomically correct than barbie
>The two of you share an awkward glance
"I'm sorry" you say
>Her cheeks are now the color of ripe tomatoes
>"N-no, it was...was my fault, I should've been more careful..watched my step"
>She stirs the ground - well, table - with a hoof.
>You can't say you disagree
>But that would break her tiny little heart
>Besides, she's not used to gravity or being...alive
>You realize your fingers are still moist.
>You discreetly wipe the accidental mare juices on your pants like an unwanted booger.
"Opera, don't be so hard on yourself. This is completely new to you, isn't it?"
>She nods hesitantly
>"Yes, that is correct. It's also my first...actually, second time feeling something that corresponds to the dictionary definition of embarrassment." She sits down on her haunches and looks at you, before continuing "For the record, the first time was when I almost caused cardiac arrest and death in my first-ever User."
>She chuckles half-heartedly
>Not even trying to mask the fact that today's been a pretty lousy day
>You pull up a chair and sit down by the table
"I suppose more sudden and unusual physical contact from me wouldn't exactly make the situation better, but..." you spread your arms.
>There's a quick shimmer in her eyes, and she leaps into your awaiting arms.
>She smells of...cinnamon?
>Dafuq?
>Nevermind that
>You hug her tight and ever so gently rub the base of her ear
>Do ponies purr?
>Because this kind of sounded like it
"Opera, I just wanted to let you know that, given the situation, you've handled yourself exceptionally well. I'm proud of you."
>Okay, so you've known her for like 20 minutes
>But you do have strong feelings for her.
>She looks up at you
>"This is the part where I ask 'do you really mean that?', isn't it? But...I feel secure in saying I know you do."
>She reaches up and drapes her front hooves around your neck
>And kisses you on the cheek
>At this rate, she and you are going to be a pair of tomatoes forever more
>"I'm sorry if I overstepped my boundaries, anon, but what I found about human signs of affection suggested this was in the top 5 most favorable ways to proceed"
>At this rate, she and you are going to be a pair of tomatoes forever more
"I'm sorry if I overstepped my boundaries, anon, but what I found about human signs of affection suggested this was in the top 5 most favorable ways to proceed"
>You give a chuckle
>Then you gently stroke and scratch her chin
>She stretches and tilts her head back
"You are the sweetest little thing, do you know that?"
>She gives a little giggle
>"I do now"
>You continue for a bit, then set her down on the table again
"Actually, I've been meaning to ask you...How, well, old are you?"
>She blinks, then grimaces
>Then, her eyes light up and she puts on her 'teacher' voice
>"Hmm....Well, my base programming was produced about 12 months ago - that is, the finalized version - but each AI is meant to learn and grow as they interact with their user, and that process starts...well, much like today; I.E. When a unit containing...well, us, is activated by the consumer. We're awfully quick on the uptake, though, if I may say so. Access to the internet doesn't hurt either."
>She flicks her tail and does the best imitation a pony can of a shrug
>"I guess you might call me a newborn."
>She mulls that over for a second
>"Which is, admittedly, pretty odd."
"Not saying that isn't odd, but I'm finding that 'odd' is par for the course with you"
>You smirk
>She stamps a hoof down on the table
>Hard enough to shake it
>Either she's angry
>Or she doesn't know her own strength
>"I'm not odd! I think. Okay, so I'm an artificial intelligence who ended up as an anatomically correct miniature pastel horse in the physical world and am now talking to you, face-to-...muzzle...I..."
>She sighs and lays down
"Hey, the best experiences of my life have been odd, so chill out."
>She raises a questioning eyebrow
>"Really now?"