( Basil was on his way to his garden when he hears a quiet voice call for him. He just barely had put Marigold down, letting the kitten run in front of him when he looks around for that source of that voice--
... Oh.
Despite his curiosity, he can't help but feel anxiety begin to form in the pit of his stomach. She had been really terrifying the last time they had spoken... )
Ah... Uhm... H-Hello....
W-Why.... ( Are you here...? He thought that she'd never want to see him again.
Marigold walks to BB, sniffing at her. Basil quickly moves to scoop her up again. He doesn't want BB to get hurt. ... Or Marigold to be hurt by BB's hands, either. )
Aw little meow, meow, maybe you can play with me and Izutsumi later. BB plans to use this form to play cat and mouse with them. [ BB seems to give a little chuckle at the kitten, very aware that staying in this size would excite the cat into potentially hunting for her. ]
Ah... That is well.... [ BB takes a moment, her tiny chibi-like figure turning around into a full circle very slowly. When her movements come back around she holds her hand in the air, looking very serious compared to the expression she had beforehand. ]
BB wants to have a serious talk with Basil-kun, and apologize for the things that she said that night before. Ne, ne, is that okay?
( Was Izutsumi possibly a mutual friend...? It's a question that can be asked later. Marigold curls up against Basil's chest easily. The purring is enough to help calm some of his nerves. )
Y-You... wanted to apologize...? Ah--
( He tries to swallow, but his anxiety is making it hard to do so. He almost feels frozen in place. )
You were... upset, right...? I should have listened....
( She warned him, after all. But, it's difficult not to be scared of her at this point. )
Regardless of whether or not you listened, Basil needs to understand BB is not a human but an AI. [ Convoluted truth, she is a girl at heart. However, this complexity is too much for someone like Basil to understand, and BB gets that. It would be one thing if Basil was from a Magus Family, but he wasn't. Anything otherworldly was truly different for him, he was but a babe facing a new frontier. ] Basil made the mistake of trying to humanize her, [ She doesn't want to feel vulnerable, and although Basil did the sweetest thing. It was also the wrong thing, to her. ] and that is where you failed.
That said, BB must apologize because she did hurt your feelings and Maruki-san said that was the right thing she had to do. [ Deflecting her feelings and using Maruki's name as a front as to why she apologizes. Insinuating here, that she would have never apologized if Maruki did not tell her to. The importance of this, is for her to continue to play up the value that she is not a girl and an erratic AI. ] If she wants to help humans understand her better.
BB still meant everything she said, but she is sorry she hurt Basil. There is no point in causing pointless suffering. Especially if they have nothing to gain from it. Otherwise, it's just twisted and cruel. [ She has that capacity in her, she enjoys being cruel but also... Knows it's not right. BB also enjoys being affectionate too. ] BB still thinks you have a lot of growing to do, but it's not for her to bully you like that.
( If not for holding Marigold, Basil would more than likely react as he usually does when confronted -- he'd cling onto himself in anyway that he could in what felt like instinct at this point. It's what he did at home when kids would often call him different names. He never knew how to respond, except to call for help.
I meant everything I said. His heart sinks a little at the memory of what she had told him before. He doesn't dare blink, if only because he doesn't want to cry in front of anyone, muchless BB.)
I.... t-thank you. I want to understand you... b-but, it's... only if you want me to do it.
( He knows better now than to push anything with BB.
Was apologizing difficult for her? Maybe it was, considering how she had come here... )
I... I want to be a better friend -- for you, too.
BB thinks you are a good friend to other humans, and there is nothing wrong with that.
[ The attempt to continue to draw the boundary between them weighs heavily on her mind, humans were always so finicky when it came to this. The need to make things more human that they maybe do not understand, or want to. Often always presented problems for humanity and their inability to distance themselves from problematic situations such as this. Her mind is calculating and feels it is inappropriate as a healthcare AI to subject Basil to any more stressors that would be catastrophic to his person. ]
You are not the only one who wants to be close to BB, and she appreciates this, [ In a lighter note she would have chirped: After all, she has so many fans ~ ✰! ] but she wants you to know that you should look at BB less as a person and more just a thing.
BB is sorry she hurt you and acted out emotionally.
( He... doesn't completely understand, but he wants to. She's not human, and it seemed like the thing that triggered her rage was the fact that he tried to confront her like she was... from now on, he had to try to approach her differently than he would any other friends.
But, that... doesn't sit right with him. )
I... I can try. But... I care about you too. Even if I treat you differently, you're still my friend.
( ... )
I... I forgive you, Mrs BB. Thank you for coming all this way.
[ The audible mirror cracking in the universe hearing him say Mrs. BB - ]
BB-chan is not married, please stop saying Mrs!
[ BB attempts to rear herself together after that fast curve ball Basil served her, and she manages. Clearing her throat and looking up towards the other once again. ]
You do not need to forgive BB if you don't want to, but she is sorry and she is glad to be able to express this concern to you! Now, BB is still going to be the best senpai that she can be for Basil. So that he can maybe understand non-humans more too!
As long as Basil-san understands BB is BB, [ An important notion that many people seem to overlook, it is the main thing that makes her different from what it means to be human. Unable to change, and always ever going to be the same. Something that is not ordinarily an issue, nor a problem for the AI but clearly as she has come to understand with her time here. Or otherwise, humans struggle to drink that in. ] and if you can accept that then she supposes a human can be her friend in the long run. Though BB is humanity's friend and enemy! So it's best that you do not forget that!
O-Of course. I'm a little confused, but... I appreciate you as you are.
( How can someone be an enemy and a friend? It doesn't really make sense to Basil, but he's going to respect those words. He just hopes that that never means that she'll end up being dangerous or anything... )
For now! [ She adds to his sentence, stressing what it means to want to be her friend or even understand her at most. Whatever it is that makes Basil want to know her, despite how obviously open BB is about the potential dangers. Does make her want to laugh since it is something humans always seem to tentatively do. ] BB thinks Basil is very perfect the way he is, and shouldn't have to change.
The words make his heart jump, and Basil blinks away some tears that start threatening to fall. Those are words that he would never expect to hear from... well... anyone. He looks down to the ground, mouth pressing together tightly before he speaks.
It's weird to think that their friendship might be temporary, and it makes him sad, too. He's already said good bye to too many friends. Losing anymore... would surely leave a larger emptiness than he already felt. )
T... That's... really kind of you... But, there's a lot that I want to do to change...
I'm... really happy if you can think of me in any sort of positive way...
Of course, BB accepts you just the way you are! [ Why would she otherwise? This is the case for any human being really, even if they are disgusting individuals who would truly destroy the world if they could do it. Basil is nothing by comparison, and if anything, leans towards the side of humanity that BB loves the most. ] And if Basil changes, BB will accept you the way you become too.
( How does she know? Is what he wants to ask, but he stops himself. )
That... That makes me really happy. I promise that I'll work hard to become better for everyone.
( She's far kinder than she gives herself credit for. )
E-Even if we don't get along in the future, I'm glad that we have this time now. I think that... any good memories that you can make are the most important.
Memories are all that you humans have after all, your history is what becomes you in the moment but it does not define your future! [ At this point, she is just filling the air with commentary. ] BB has watched humanity for many years and knows that this is the most true.
B-Before, I... used to take pictures of the memories that were really important. I don't think that you're wrong. When we lose something important, all we have are those memories.
Technically? Like a few years maybe, but because my mind is hyperlinked in conjunction with the Moon Cell, my age is more or less undetermined. It is mainly because of my personality which is unable to change or be altered in any way, that is reflective of my age as a teen - ya know?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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... Oh.
Despite his curiosity, he can't help but feel anxiety begin to form in the pit of his stomach. She had been really terrifying the last time they had spoken... )
Ah... Uhm... H-Hello....
W-Why.... ( Are you here...? He thought that she'd never want to see him again.
Marigold walks to BB, sniffing at her. Basil quickly moves to scoop her up again. He doesn't want BB to get hurt. ... Or Marigold to be hurt by BB's hands, either. )
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Ah... That is well.... [ BB takes a moment, her tiny chibi-like figure turning around into a full circle very slowly. When her movements come back around she holds her hand in the air, looking very serious compared to the expression she had beforehand. ]
BB wants to have a serious talk with Basil-kun, and apologize for the things that she said that night before. Ne, ne, is that okay?
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Y-You... wanted to apologize...? Ah--
( He tries to swallow, but his anxiety is making it hard to do so. He almost feels frozen in place. )
You were... upset, right...? I should have listened....
( She warned him, after all. But, it's difficult not to be scared of her at this point. )
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That said, BB must apologize because she did hurt your feelings and Maruki-san said that was the right thing she had to do. [ Deflecting her feelings and using Maruki's name as a front as to why she apologizes. Insinuating here, that she would have never apologized if Maruki did not tell her to. The importance of this, is for her to continue to play up the value that she is not a girl and an erratic AI. ] If she wants to help humans understand her better.
BB still meant everything she said, but she is sorry she hurt Basil. There is no point in causing pointless suffering. Especially if they have nothing to gain from it. Otherwise, it's just twisted and cruel. [ She has that capacity in her, she enjoys being cruel but also... Knows it's not right. BB also enjoys being affectionate too. ] BB still thinks you have a lot of growing to do, but it's not for her to bully you like that.
cw bullying mention
I meant everything I said. His heart sinks a little at the memory of what she had told him before. He doesn't dare blink, if only because he doesn't want to cry in front of anyone, muchless BB.)
I.... t-thank you. I want to understand you... b-but, it's... only if you want me to do it.
( He knows better now than to push anything with BB.
Was apologizing difficult for her? Maybe it was, considering how she had come here... )
I... I want to be a better friend -- for you, too.
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[ The attempt to continue to draw the boundary between them weighs heavily on her mind, humans were always so finicky when it came to this. The need to make things more human that they maybe do not understand, or want to. Often always presented problems for humanity and their inability to distance themselves from problematic situations such as this. Her mind is calculating and feels it is inappropriate as a healthcare AI to subject Basil to any more stressors that would be catastrophic to his person. ]
You are not the only one who wants to be close to BB, and she appreciates this, [ In a lighter note she would have chirped: After all, she has so many fans ~ ✰! ] but she wants you to know that you should look at BB less as a person and more just a thing.
BB is sorry she hurt you and acted out emotionally.
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But, that... doesn't sit right with him. )
I... I can try. But... I care about you too. Even if I treat you differently, you're still my friend.
( ... )
I... I forgive you, Mrs BB. Thank you for coming all this way.
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BB-chan is not married, please stop saying Mrs!
[ BB attempts to rear herself together after that fast curve ball Basil served her, and she manages. Clearing her throat and looking up towards the other once again. ]
You do not need to forgive BB if you don't want to, but she is sorry and she is glad to be able to express this concern to you! Now, BB is still going to be the best senpai that she can be for Basil. So that he can maybe understand non-humans more too!
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( He can see the way she seems so alarmed... And here she was, doing her best to really apologize to him. )
I really do forgive you... Maybe... we can learn from each other? A-At least... I'd like to learn more about you, if it's okay.
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( How can someone be an enemy and a friend? It doesn't really make sense to Basil, but he's going to respect those words. He just hopes that that never means that she'll end up being dangerous or anything... )
Ah... I'm glad that we're still friends, then.
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The words make his heart jump, and Basil blinks away some tears that start threatening to fall. Those are words that he would never expect to hear from... well... anyone. He looks down to the ground, mouth pressing together tightly before he speaks.
It's weird to think that their friendship might be temporary, and it makes him sad, too. He's already said good bye to too many friends. Losing anymore... would surely leave a larger emptiness than he already felt. )
T... That's... really kind of you... But, there's a lot that I want to do to change...
I'm... really happy if you can think of me in any sort of positive way...
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That... That makes me really happy. I promise that I'll work hard to become better for everyone.
( She's far kinder than she gives herself credit for. )
E-Even if we don't get along in the future, I'm glad that we have this time now. I think that... any good memories that you can make are the most important.
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B-Before, I... used to take pictures of the memories that were really important. I don't think that you're wrong. When we lose something important, all we have are those memories.
( But, he does wonder: )
How... long have you been alive for...?
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[ Totally will make any sense to Basil. ]
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( Really confused? It didn't make any sense, but he's trying. )
I-I guess that sort of makes us close to the same age, but... we aren't at the same time.
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But... you're aways learning, aren't you? So, you'll get older in your own way.
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If humans grow vertically, then BB grows horizontally. She can be more than what she was before, but she can't be different.
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I-I see...
Would you change that, if you could?
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[ She seems to give a huff, as if it were that simple to understand. ]
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wrap 🎀