Fulmen

a shrimp? am i to accept, as god's own truth, that the sea's very own abominable and chittering roach was the one who took wok into hand and fried this rice?

-


"You are a good man, Viator; saved my sorry aft out there, and as much as I dislike the old doctor here, I know he must do his job. May I ask a personal question, sir?"

Viator stretched somewhat, gesturing for the smaller robot to do so.

"Do you ever miss that life? Anything about it?"

"Well, yes," he admitted. "It was a simple life, befitting a simple mind. One only ever had to worry about two things... the stress of Alea's command, well, I didn't know what stress was then. As a concept. I really didn't know what anything was. It was, in its own cruel way, peaceful."

"I can see that, in its own way," Avus said. "I do not think I could live such a life but I can see how one may find some form of peace within it."

"But if you were to send me back there now, I would be miserable. I have tasted freedom. I have felt the wind under my wings and the ground beneath my feet... and I have felt kindness. I would never be able to return to that life."

Avus grabbed his hand. "Aye, we are glad for you. With all the stress here it brings its own reward. Friendship, unfortunately loss, but there is so much too the world out there...it is quite lovely"

Viator gently took the robot's hand with his free one. "Avus, tell me. How is your life? How do you feel?"

"My life? Oh I quite like it here! I am safe here! Comfortable here! It is much better than my old one." Avus said, cheerily.

"I am happy to hear that. That is good. I mean, if something gets you down, you know you can talk to me."

"Aye sir! I know I can! We all know we can count you!"

He gave a sigh. "You do not have to call me that."

"Sir!" Avus insisted, laughing.

"It is merely Viator!" the lieutenant protested in earnest, his eyes almost crinkling in their expression of joy.

"Sir..." Avus chuckled. "All right, Viator."