3rd VHS

[ai_can_cook]

Who: Ai Amano, anybody else.
When: July 14th, afternoon
Where: Library.
Style: First.
Status: OPEN


[Ai was never what anybody would describe as a bookworm, but she found herself perusing the library regardless. Though at first she started looking through the cook books, her eyes wandered about as her ADHD had her follow them and she found herself taking a look at the various art books, too.]

Wow, this lady's got no secrets! This is what some people consider art?

[Of course, that wasn't the only type of book she stumbled upon. Fiction, nonfiction, worlds she never even heard of... it was pretty cool, to say the least.]

Comments

[dualbladepaladin]

Some people. From my understanding, the definition of "art" is subjective.

[Hi Ai! There's a Hubert behind you, looking over your shoulder.]

[ai_can_cook]

Oh, it's you!

[Ai remembers Hubert from the network. Never quite met up for that sparring match, but that's probably a good thing considering. Ai's not made for fighting]

So, do you think this lady's art?

[Ai playfully shoves the picture of the naked woman in Hubert's face.]

[dualbladepaladin]

[There were a lot of people who did spar with him, so at the end of the day he was quietly grateful for anyone who didn't show.

Of course he doesn't get much of a chance to even think about the missed sparring match or anything else because there's suddenly a very naked woman shoved in his face.

He lets out a rather undignified sputter and pushes the book down so it's a little less... in his face.]

It's... not really to my liking, no...

[ai_can_cook]

Huh... not your type? Different strokes for different folks and all that, I guess.

[Ai cedes back and stuffs the book back on the shelf, in a very undignified manner which would make anybody even remotely familiar with the Dewey Decimal System gag]

I'm sure if we look hard enough, we can find your type in here somewhere!

Unless you're into guys. That's the next aisle over, I think.

[dualbladepaladin]

[Hubert makes a face at the placement of the book. Of course he has no idea what the Dewey Decimal System is, but he does take it out once her back is turned enough and places it much more gently and properly in the spot.]

Oh, I highly doubt my... "type" is in any books... I--

[Did she just say 'into guys'? Well that earns a flat, unamused look.]

No, I'm not, I assure you.

[ai_can_cook]

Hey, just sayin'. Some people are into that. No sense in judging anybody - just throwing it out there, is all.

[Still, Ai smiles as she turns around to face Hubert]

Anyway, nice to finally meet you in person, Lieutenant! Kinda hard to say, isn't it? Would it be okay if I just called you Lou? Lulu?

[Ai tilts her head, crossing her arms. She repeats those syllables, as of testing out how they sound]

[dualbladepaladin]

I suppose there's value in not being terribly judgmental...

[... how has this girl not met Pascal yet? Better yet, how does he keep meeting people who remind him of the hyperactive Amarcian?

Hubert sighs and pushes his glasses up, shaking his head.]

My name is Hubert, if that helps you at all. Lieutenant is a title and hardly something to give a nickname to.

[ai_can_cook]

That works! Hubert!

[Ai tries to avoid calling him Huey. We'll see how long that lasts]

Anyway. What brings you to the library? You may have glasses, but I'm not going to automatically assume you spend all of your time with your nose in a book!

[dualbladepaladin]

[At this point anything is better than "Lil' bro".]

... actually I rather enjoy reading, when I'm not training or working. I wouldn't say "all my time", no, but a fair amount of time.

And what brings you here?

[ai_can_cook]

Oh, I was just wandering around and found myself here! I don't usually read books, but I figure musing about isn't such a terrible waste of time.

[Ai shrugs]

Just remembering how we first met, you just seem more interested in sparring than fiction.

[dualbladepaladin]

I have many interests, my military career being just one of them.

[He shrugs, folding his arms across his chest.]

I'm sure you can say the same, can you not? No person is solely interested in just one thing.

[ai_can_cook]

Well, certain interests rank higher than others. I happen to be proficient in coloring illustrations, but I don't spend all my time doing that! In fact, ever since I came here, I haven't even touched any paints!

[Which reminded her, she came here looking to see if they had a copy of Yota's children's book. Which she colored. But it wasn't here...]

In any case. I guess you're right though - nobody can describe themselves in ten words or less, so why would we want anybody else to do it for us?

[dualbladepaladin]

You'd be surprised - some people have rather silly ideas in their heads... not that I've met anyone who's tried to make me describe myself in ten words or less, but I'm sure it will happen some day.

You color illustrations?

[ai_can_cook]

I used to, anyway. A friend of mine wanted to enter a picture book contest, and recruited me to help color his illustrations. It was pretty fun!

I also cooked, since it was cheaper than eating out.

[dualbladepaladin]

I see. Cooking is a valuable skill as well as a good hobby. My cooking is only passable at best, though. My friend Cheria is much better at it.

[ai_can_cook]

Well, it's a lot more fun to do than the purpose I was created, after all.

[Ai leans in closer, playfully]

Is this Cheria your girlfriend?

[dualbladepaladin]

[Hubert's eyebrows go up, for multiple reasons, but he focuses on the question first.]

No. A friend, nothing more. In fact if my brother wasn't such an oblivious dope he could have had her months ago and she wouldn't have to pine after him hopelessly.

What do you mean, 'created'?

[ai_can_cook]

There's a guy like that no matter where you go, huh? Sounds like an all-too familiar tale to me.

[Ai just smiled as she moves away, taking a seat on the table]

I'm not human. I'm a Video Girl.

[dualbladepaladin]

Yes. It's just a shame it has to be my older brother.

[However harsh Hubert's words might be, and whatever issues he and Asbel have had in the past, he does love his brother.]

... and just what is a Video Girl?

[It's not the 'not human' part that gets him. He knows plenty of non-humans now. It's the terminology that goes right over his head.]

[ai_can_cook]

Hmm... does your world have some sort of pre-recorded moving imagery? That's what a video is in my world.

[Ai laughs]

A Video Girl... is a magical person that comes out of a video when someone wishes for their existence so hard, it comes true. So. That's what I am.

[dualbladepaladin]

My... world doesn't specifically, no, but I've seen recordings in another place...

[He blinks a few times, trying to imagine what it would have been like for some one to have come out of the recordings he saw of the research that was being done with Lambda and Protos Heis. Sophie's existence was confusing enough...

But, at the same time, he knows better than to brush something off as 'impossible' anymore. Not with the things he's seen and experienced, or even the things he's felt. Nothing quite suspends disbelief like resonating energies with your friends and glowing.]

I... see... and what is it a Video Girl is supposed to do... ?

[ai_can_cook]

Oh, right. A Video Girl supplies, well. "services". Frankly speaking, lonely guys with pure hearts find out video store, rent one of us, and take us home. Then we proceed to do things, if you know what I mean.

[Yes, she means pure, unadulterated, animal sex]

It's a bit more sinister than it sounds, unfortunately. I met my creator, and he's a Grade-A douche-bag.

[dualbladepaladin]

Service--... oh.

... oh.

[All it takes is a moment of thinking over her wording for Hubert to get it, and he dons a fairly vivid expression of disgust at it.]

That sounds utterly deplorable! How is that even allowed in a civilized society?!

[ai_can_cook]

[blinkblink. Someone was a tightass]

Well, it's a magical video store. So. Kinda operated outside the law, if you know what I mean.

[Ai stretches]

Besides, like I said, it was far more sinister than "giving lonely men some company".

It was made to drive the love out of people, so that they could never have their hearts broken again. By desensitizing them, really. I'm just glad I'm not part of that anymore.

[dualbladepaladin]

[Hubert? A tightass? Oh, Ai, you have no idea how nail-on-the-head that statement is.]

How is that any better?!

[Hubert just... shakes his head, a hand to his forehead at the absurdity of it all. Driving love out of people, just so they won't have their hearts broken? Even in his situation he would rather not be desensitized to his feelings, no matter how painful they've been as of late.]

I don't understand other worlds sometimes...