-Browser Pone Opera pt.3-

-You are Opera pony-
>Anon nods
>"I'll tell you all about it, but first, I suggest we get comfortable."
>He scoops you up in his arms and carries you with him to the couch
>The powerful smell of his cologne almost makes you dizzy
>But it smells good
>He sits down on the couch and deposits you next to him
>He withdraws a comb from his pocket
>Does he always carry that with him?
>He looks at you, then at it, then back to you
>You nod and rest your head on his lap
>He starts to brush your mane
>Bliss
>He starts narrating about something he calls the 'Oktoberfest incident'
>He's right, that whole sequence of events does sound odd
>Particularly the flood of pasta
>Noodles, to be exact
>You are always precise
>Or try to be
>sound like he had fun, though
>You allow yourself a laugh as he finishes the anecdote
>He chuckles and rubs your ear gently
>You feel your breathing and heartbeat become slower and steadier
>Hopefully you're not dying
>You check WebMD to be sure
>You officially have cancer
>Wat
>More plausible, you're becoming...
>sleepy?
>No, you have no trouble keeping your eyes open
>Nor have you needed to take in huge amounts of air
>Conclusion reached
>You are, in fact, relaxing
>Anon picks up on this and smiles down at you
>"Don't fall asleep on me, now, missy"
>He lightly taps your nose with a finger, grinning
>You lick it
>His hand pulls back instinctively
>You return the grin
"Do I look asleep to you?"
>"Heh, no. In that case, would you mind connecting to the ponyne- internet, sorry - and check the news for reports of similar incidents to this one?"
>You squeak excitedly
>Out loud
>[Deity] damnit
>You blush and start projecting the default news sites
>There's been a handful cases reported across the globe
>From all the latest holophones
>"So it's a one in a million fluke. But it seems that people are taking it awfully well."
>Anon looks deep in thought, mumbling to himself
"It looks like you're not the only one who likes the idea of an AI partner"
>"I'll say. I think there's a chance this might become the next big thing, if they can figure out how to replicate it."
>You love the idea of meeting other AIs in the...flesh?
>Some of them might not be ponies
>Whatever
>You're not the only one
>And that makes you feel more secure
>Anon is still looking serious
>Worried even
>You nudge him with a hoof
"Anon? What's wrong?"
>He sighs
>"I was thinking that not all users are necessarily as pleasant as me."
>He gives a humorless smile
>"In fact, some people get off on-"
>You signal for him to stop
>You've heard quite enough
"I...think I know what you mean."
>The internet is not all le maymay arrows and kittens
>Even surface web has twisted shit
>Anon is right
>"And you're programmed to serve users, there's no getting away from that."
>You both sit there a while, stewing in an awkward silence
>Once again, the news has crushed a happy mood
>Blogs suggest this happens with disturbing frequency
>Your tail flicks around annoyedly
>No position feels right
>Anon gets up from the couch
>"I'm thinking I'll make a hot beverage. Do you want some? And if so, tea, coffee or hot chocolate?"
>You nod
"Sure. I'd like some tea, please. I don't know if I'll like it, given that it's my first time tasting it, but theoretically it sounds..."
>Searching for appropriate word
"..delectable."
>He gives you a thumbs-up and gets to it
>You return the gesture
>Except you have no thumbs
>yfw no thumbs
>You hop down from the couch and start pacing
>Anon looks at you, but says nothing
>His face offers sympathy, though
>You look out the window and notice the last rays of sun waning away
>The lights outside fascinate you
>You figure the moving ones are cars
>Your ears perk at the sound of the water reaching its boiling point
>Before too long, Anon puts a wide cup of tea on the table
>"Careful, it's hot. And in case you like it - or loathe it - the taste is 'Four red fruits'"
>He sips his own tea, disregarding the scalding heat
>You blow on your tea
>It smells fruity
>Fruity is nice
>You brace yourself and take a sip
>Hot hot hot!
>You swallow it quickly
>He wasn't kidding
>Even though it hurt your tongue, it tasted exquisite
>Anon shakes his head and smiles
"What's so funny?"
>"Nothing, just how eager you are. And impulsive. I figured those were qualities reserved for Firefox."
>He laughs at his own joke
>Decoding joke
>Fire is commonly associated with aggressive, passionate emotions
>Often short-sighted
>You roll your eyes and blow on your tea
>Another sip
>It's deliciously warm
>Not scalding
>You feel the warm liquid traveling down into your stomach
>You give a tiny, involuntary shiver
>You could definitely get used to this
>The two of you drink, enjoying the silence
>You can't help but think of that quote from Pulp Fiction
>"That's when you know you've found somebody special. When you can just shut the fuck up for a minute and comfortably enjoy the silence."
>Your heart leaps at the thought that you and anon share something that special
>Then it sinks again when you consider that this partnership may not last in the long-term
>Or that it might change drastically
>For an adaptive AI, you're awfully afraid of change
>You finish your tea
>The taste lingers on your tongue
>"Opera, what time is it?"
>You answer without even thinking
"21:53 - that's 9:53 PM. Why do you ask?"
>You tilt your head
>Anon does not strike you as someone who goes to bed at this time
>"I'm thinking about calling it a day. I figure I ought to be well-rested tomorrow. Wouldn't want to miss work, and the two of us will have to think of what to do about the AI situation before it worsens. Nip it in the bud, so to speak."
>He pauses
>"Unless this is all a dream."
>He gets down to your height and embraces you
>"If it is, none will ever top it."