-Browser Pone Opera pt.7-

>You weren't kidding when you told Opera that traffic tends to be a headache in the mornings
>So many assholes in SUVs
>You thought living in the city would be convenient
>It has been up to now
>When you need to save a life
>Why can't you have a siren?
>Okay, no use in getting riled up and doing stupid shit
>Getting arrested would only further the delay
>As you drive as fast as legally possible through traffic, taking risks to get to you destination faster, you ponder
>Opera is, indeed, a computer program.
>An internet browser.
>But she seems to function wholly and seamlessly as an organic being
>So what the fuck happened?
>She was acting weird
>More like when you first met her
>But less warm
>Was she mad?
>She hadn't indicated that anything was wrong
>But she did faint right after...
>After she opened that damned rickroll
>Oh divine arabian zombie carpenter
>A fucking virus!
>Shit, these script kiddies have suddenly been granted the power to mess with lives
>Possibly end them
>You now have a need to choke a bitch
>You look over at Opera
>She looks peaceful, at least
>You've never been tech-savvy past the basics
>You decide to turn on the radio
>Maybe the stars will align and there'll be some useful news, or at the very least some good music
>The Darkness wants to let you know about a little thing called love
>Haha, fate, u so funeh
>You channelsurf, but find only braindead, vapid radio hosts with nothing to say or dubstep
>The Darkness it is
>You realize, as cheesy as it is, it kind of describes your feelings for Opera
>For a little pastel pony you've known but for a day
>yfw
>Finally you pull into the store's parking lot, and you grab opera and run inside
>A quick push of a button locks your car
>The guy behind the counter doesn't even get out his greeting before you start explaining
"AI! Materialized from my phone, might have gotten some sort of virus while browsing please see if there's anything you can do to fix her!"
>The store clerk takes a moment to absorb what you just said, then nods and heads into the back
>He gestures for you to follow him
>You bring Opera with you and hurry after him
>"I'm not sure what to do with an AI, as they've only just started materializing in the last 24 hours. But as you've probably figured, they work as both programs and organic beings. So we're gonna have to work out a way to interface them with computers."
>He grabs the end of a USB cable connected to the store computer
>And gently puts it in her mouth
>Wat
>Both of you are even more shocked to see that it worked...probably
>Something's happening on the screen.
>He looks over it, then clicks rapidly here and there
>"I'm running a diagnostic on all connected units. If we're lucky, we might be able to figure out what's affecting her."
>You nod
>Now the two of you wait
"Th-thank you...for doing this. And even more so for succeeding this far."
>He shakes his head
>"I pulled something outta my ass and it worked. 's a lucky shot, hernando. But I'll be glad if I can save a life. That'll be my good deed for the day."
>He smiles at you
>You smile back and look at the screen
"It's done"
>You jerk your thumb at the screen
>He nods and gets to it
>"Oh, that's it...? I think that'll be manageable."
"What is it she's got?
>"Have you heard of 'LOLOOP.xzz'?"
"No, but it sounds like I could make out what it does from the name."
>"Maybe. It sends a computer into a locked loop which is annoying, but manageable if you know what it is. Kind of like the computer flu, I s'pose."
>He withdraws a tiny plastic bag of little SD cards
>No, they're so tiny, they're...(micro)chips?
>He hands it to you
>"Think of this as the medicine. Let her rest for a bit, and give her those, and she'll likely make a full recovery. I think. I'm not a doctor."
>You nod and thank him, then run back out into the car and head on your way home.
>Opera is still asleep
>She's making soft sounds
>Either she's snoring
>Or she's talking in her sleep
>She's cute as hell no matter which it is, though
>You listen closer
>You can't quite make out words, but she doesn't sound like she's experiencing anything pleasant
>Do browser ponies dream of electric sheep?
>Maybe she's having a nightmare because of the virus
>Or just a plain vanilla nightmare
>You've had nightmares about vanilla ice cream after you read somewhere that artificial vanilla flavoring comes from the anal scent glands of beavers
>You doubt she's having that nightmare though
>Or maybe
>Just maybe
>She's upset, and her subconscious is doing something related to that
>The store clerk did say it was a loop virus
>Crazy theory time
>Perhaps the loop is forcing Opera to have a Groundhog day experience with unpleasant memories
>Fuck, you don't even know
>The roads seem to be less congested now
>The drive home feels quick and uneventful
>You park at home
>You bring Opera inside
>Tuck her into bed
>Debate whether or not to wait with giving her the medicine
>Decide to give her some
>If not, maybe she'll stay locked in that loop
>You withdraw the bag of chips
>You open Opera's mouth as carefully as you can
>Put a few on her tongue
>Close her mouth
>Tilt her head back
>Massage her throat
>It always worked in the movies
>They eventually seem to go down
>Her body jerks a bit
>Then calms down
>She seems less tense
>She's not making as many unhappy noises
>You decide to monitor her for a bit, see if she gets better
>Might as well get some tea while you wait
>You brew up a cup of 4RF
>Already it brings back memories
>You sit there, watching her, blowing on your tea
>She's an odd pone
>Well, only pone - and AI - you've ever met
>Maybe she's perfectly normal by their standards
>No matter
>You find her quirks endearing
>And it's surprisingly easy to bear with her whenever she's being....quirky
>At least she has character
>And you're falling in love with her
>Some arcane part of your brain apparently has no problem with the fact that she could just as well be your pet
>She's still giving you boners
>And feels
>So many feels
>Maybe you're not showing it enough
>No, you're not some kind of unemotional golem
>Are you?
>Perhaps that's how she views you
>And that causes her to feel unloved
>It's a possibility, you suppose
>You blow on your brew again
>Opera's nose twitches
>Her eyelids flutter
>Wat
>Was she just cured by the power of tea?
>You're not some mountain boddhisatva, brewing nirvana juice
>But fuck it, you're not gonna look this gift horse in the mouth
>Well, maybe at some point it will be necessary to see if she's brushed
>Her eyes are open now
>She looks like she has the world's worst hangover
>She eyes your tea
>You nod and put the cup to her lips
>She drinks deep
>Then lets out a satisfied sigh
>She's not dead, and in fact, seems to have made some recovery
>You decide to explain the situation
>As you do, you feed her some medicine chips and chase those down with tea
>So far she's awfully quiet
>Listening
>From the look on her face, she feels like shit
>As you finish, you ask
"Opera...what was it like when you were unconscious?"
>Her eyes glaze over in that usual way they do when she's looking up something
>"It was a nightmare, I believe. Surreal, frightening audiovisual stimuli."
>She looks down
>"I dreamt of losing you. I dreamt that you didn't like me, and wanted me gone. And it doesn't help that...that I've been an unprofessional, emotionally messed up nuisance." Her voice cracks and chokes as she bursts into tears
>She's sobbing now
>Great going, fucko
>You embrace her firmly, but gently
"Opera, I..."
>Fuck
>Your voice is cracking too
>You feel sobs coming on
>You let it all out as you hold her
>She must be really fucking confused right now
>You wouldn't blame her
>You're pretty fucking confused too
>But you know for sure you won't let go
>Not right now
>She means too much to you
-You are Opera pony-
>Anon is currently hugging you tight
>You've both been out of tears for a while
>Neither of you seem particularly willing to let go, though
>That's fine with you
>You must look like a mess
>You feel like one
>And have probably landed yourself in one
>No...you thought you could make out something between his sobs
>Something about not believing that nightmare
>Or maybe you just wanted to hear that
>But even so
>His actions...
>You don't mean to be presumptuous
>But it seems like he doesn't mind you
>In fact, you think he might..
>Might..
>Want to have you around
>You can hope
>And you will
>The thought lifts your spirits
>You gently push away from him, breaking the embrace
>He lets go, looking at you
>His eyes are puffy and red
>And still moist
>He gives you a confused look
>But he looks relieved when you give him a coy smile
"A-Anon...did you say what I think you said?"
>He merely nods
"Then...I know this sounds like I'm full of myself, but...do you accept me for who I am? And still want me around? Because nothing would make me happier~"
>Your stomach is simultaneously full of butterflies and knotted up in a tiny little ball
>It feels like a cold, heavy liquid is sloshing around inside you
>This is it
>"Are you kidding?! Of course!"
>He leans down and kisses your nose
>"Opera, I...I think I'm developing feelings for you. Not just friendship - although I consider you a lovely friend - but also romantic. And I know that's silly, considering we've known each other for less than a day. But...life's not always logical. I'm not saying we have to enter into a relationship - in fact, doing so is probably a bad idea, at least at this juncture - but my point is, I want you around."
>You sit there, baffled
>Your grin threatens to consume your entire face
>"I..I'll go make some more tea"
>You flop back down onto the pillow
>You are so incredibly relieved
>And happy
>Anon...
>Anon loves you!
>You love him too of course
>But...you're not entirely sure if it's romantic, sexual or platonic, or even a mixture
>Right now, you can't bring yourself to care
>Too happy
>Anon comes back with two cups of tea
>He sets one down on the nightstand
>He sips his own
>The two of you sit in silence for a while, sipping your tea
>Neither party seems to know how to start off
"So...how do we do this thing?" You surprise yourself by taking the initiative
>He shrugs
>"I figure we could live together and just take one day at a time. No grand plan, just living life, and then we see how that turns out."
>You nod
"I'd like that. A lot."
>You both sip your tea
"So...weren't you supposed to work today? I mean, I know I kinda crapped out, but isn't your boss gonna be like, super-mad that you're not there?"
>"Not at all. I thought I told you, but apparently not: I called her and said that I too had experienced the materialization of an AI into my life. She said I could have the day off to deal with it."
>You laugh
"She sounds nice. A bit firm, but nice."
>"Yeah. But anywho, that means I've got today, saturday and sunday off."
"Aah, so plenty of time, then. That's good."
>"Yep. Now, would you kindly check the news for any updates about this whole situation?"
"Can do!"
>Your search yields no new results
>You inform him of that
>"Figures. There'll probably be more news the next days, though, so be vigilant."
>You give him the military salute
"Yes, sir!"
>You giggle
"So, what are we going to do today, Anon?"
>He looks thoughtful for a moment
>"Well, the only time you've been outside the house, you were unconscious and sick, so I was thinking maybe you'd enjoy going outside for a bit. And seeing as you just moved in, we're gonna need a few things. So we'll head to the mall for a bit, if that's alright with you?"
>You nod furiously
>You didn't want to admit it, but you could see yourself getting understimulated pretty quickly when confined to the house
>"One thing, though...as we've established, we should probably be a bit on the down-low, seeing as how people might not entirely know how to deal with AIs yet. I'm not saying we lie or anything, just that we don't draw unnecessary attention to ourselves."
>You give a curt nod
"Understood."
>You spring excitedly out of bed
>By some miracle, you stick the landing like a pro, instead of faceplanting
>You trot towards the door
"What'cha waiting for? Let's get going!
>To your own ears, you sound almost smug
>You're just excited and happy as hell though
>He gives a sigh that turns into a laugh and follows you
>You exit the house
>Lock the door
>Get in the car
>Fasten seatbelts of course
>And head off to the mall
>You try to take in everything that's zooming by
>Actually seeing things is a very different experience to just reading about them
>Anon seems to note your excitement with amusement
>You eventually reach the mall and go inside
"So where do we head first, Anon?"
>"The pet shop."
>Right
>You are an animal after all
>Speaking of
>You're getting weird looks
>From everywhere
>Oh dear
>Don't panic, don't panic
>You reach the pet shop without deciding to run off and hide somewhere
>Funny, you hadn't considered yourself directly shy before
>Anon purchases a litterbox and some specialized brushes, then you leave
>And head to a convenience store in the same mall
>"So, Opera, can you think of anything we need?"
"I would appreciate anything in the realms of vegetables and fruits, considering that's what horses eat."