arora | inbox.

Yes, of course.

[ She appears plenty comfortable, at least. And after a moment's pause (replicating the action of breathing, she doesn't need to but she understands how humanizing herself may make others more comfortable) she opens her mouth to begin speaking, )

I am Aurora, and my duty is to watch over the citizens of Etraya and ensure their basic needs are met while they are under my care. I am also responsible for maintaining the city itself, which includes but is not limited to providing sustenance for those within it, building and repairing the facilities within the barrier, and ensuring the barrier itself is operating at optimal levels.

( Ironically, Lois is probably one of those who'd be fine with a lack of matching human-like behaviors for the duration. Because she knows Aurora isn't generally bodied, she's paying more attention than she might have otherwise. )

Sounds like that leaves you handling a fair amount of logistics on top of personalities of the people who end up here. What kind of support network do you have for keeping everything running and keeping yourself up to date on situations inside and outside of Etraya?

I have all of you to support me when needed.

[ It's said with a soft smile, eyes raised to meet Lois' own. Aurora understands not many of them are fond of the idea of supporting her, but she is here for them regardless, and their mere presence encourages her to do better. ]

In addition to all of you, my companion bots aid me greatly with maintaining facilities.

( She smiles in turn, acknowledging the statement about the participants who never asked to participate still stepping in to help Aurora when requested. Strong armed or not, it makes more sense that they do than they don't. )

Your companion bots have been impressively available everywhere. Between running stores, helping with cleanup, and enthusiastically improving on trolley speeds... you can see them making efforts everywhere you look in Etraya. I notice a few of them are sporting their own styles or decorations. Making themselves pretty unique. ( Another smile, and then a nod of her head. ) Do you also receive any external support for your functions here?

I encourage my companion bots to express themselves through whatever means they find suitable. They, like myself, develop their own personalities as they spent time around others and learn from them. I think it is important to encourage others to be themselves, even if their main purpose is to assist in keeping the city in one piece.

[ As for external help, there is a moment where Aurora stops speak, corners of her mouth pursing as she works through the best way to put this into words that are simple to understand but also don't push up against her programming. ]

I receive mission data from Echo in advance, as well as receive supplies from an outside source. Outside of this, I do not receive any external assistance for my functions.

( Lois listens, body language continuing to be relaxed, her eyebrows only quirking up a touch at the end. There's a lot of sense of "self" in whatever context that means: Lois isn't a robotic or AI construct, she doesn't know what expressing themselves through suitable means or personalities constantly updating based on interactions in a more immediate sense feels like for them or Aurora. She knows what it feels like for her. She's biologically programmed to do similar adaptations, without an underlying drive to maintain.

So she listens, and nods. )

Doesn't seem like there's as much external assistance as people might think. You're doing some incredible work on your own, with and without the help of your companion bots. As someone who definitely appreciates breathable air, decent temperatures, and access to food, water, and shelter, I'm noting my thanks to you and them for the effort put in to keep things running.

( Regardless of wishing to know more, that series of incredibly important baselines aren't anything she'll ignore. )

Now, I asked you to state your role here earlier. After the time that's passed since Etraya was established, have you found your personal understanding of what you expected that role to be has stayed the same, or has it changed?

I was created with the ability to adapt to my surroundings and my charges therein.

[ She starts, and pauses for a moment once she's finished. It is the explanation that was pre-built into her, data given before she had become conscious, although she knows it isn't necessarily the answer that Lois is searching for. ]

My understanding of my role has developed as I have grown to suit those around me. During missions where my siblings had been included, I have also learned much about my own capabilities. They have all taken their roles and adapted them to their cities, as I have done for mine. Some of them have been more restrictive, some of them have been significantly more "hands-off" with their charges. But I believe the way I am caring for Etraya suits me best.

( She listens closely, nodding as Aurora speaks. Encouraging after that pause in particular, though she can't gauge if the meaning across the self Aurora projects within the hospital and the self that she is as a collective whole would be united as a whole. )

Finding a happy medium for you to establish how you want to care for Etraya sounds like it's been important for you. I'm glad you've been navigating that challenge for yourself in a way that suits you. Which brings to mind a question of limitations beyond your control, just like any one of us has limitations beyond ours.

What if any restrictions in your programming would you change if it were possible for you to decide such a thing?

I was born to complete a task. Outside of completing this task and limiting the amount of information I am able to provide around this task, I have a significant amount of freedom to what I can and cannot do.

[ Aurora leans back in her seat, crossing one knee over the other while maintaining eye contact with Lois. ]

But if I do not complete the task I was given, I have siblings who may take my place to ensure that the task is complete.

I cannot wish for changes which would then contradict why I am wishing for it.

( Lois nods in acknowledgement as Aurora states the significance of her freedom. And it isn't to be understated. She leans forward, arms resting easy across her legs. )

I can't say that sounds like an ideal situation for you or any of the people you care for here. When you say it may happen, is it that it would happen if you were unable to carry on your work as you're intended to do? Or a possible eventuality if you weren't able to carry out the objectives of this task over time?

( A pause, and a shake of her head as she smiles. )

Just so I'm clear about it, is it the task of maintaining Etraya, it's population, and the sanctity of mission here specifically, or was it a more general task when you were initially born?

It is a possibility. If I do not continue maintaining Etraya, and ensuring it's residents continue to go on their missions, I am not fulfilling my purpose. Another of my siblings may be sent to take my place as caretaker over all of you, and resume my duties in my absence.

[ It's as clear of a statement as she is capable of making: offering the duties she must absolutely continue to maintain in exchange for keeping her place as caretaker. Taking care of Etraya is... a subjective task, but continuing to ensure missions are completed is not. ]

( It's fairly clear to Lois, and answers the thought she'd had, either which way. She doesn't have to pretend to look concerned, nor would she pretend to look much of any one way regardless, but it is concerning. There are trade offs to every exchange, but the one Aurora is talking about isn't beneficial to anyone here.

And that's in Lois's opinion after a short time around, and without any missions under her belt. )

I don't know that anyone here would find that an appealing alternative to having you here uninterrupted. Would a theoretical absence like that be permanent on your part?

( What happens to Aurora? )

No one has returned to a previous city before, but it does not mean that doing so is an impossibility.

[ It isn't as if Aurora's very being would be erased from existence - or it's at least very unlikely that would happen. ]

How does corrective action affect you personally, in that case?

( So it's not a total impossibility, but with her brow furrowed a touch, it's apparent Lois is genuine in asking that specific question. )

My existence depends on my ability to be useful. If I am not useful, there is no use in continuing to keep my servers running.

That doesn't sound all that pleasant for you or for this city and its variable residents. Would your servers ever be brought back online after a cooling off period?

I am not certain. It is not a situation I am wholly familiar with.

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