Almost.
Not many people know about the origins of my name, but of course an AI application would catch it.
The cursor above my keyboard blinks rhythmically, like it’s coaxing me into a safe space to talk about feelings that will do me no good to trudge up.
I wait for it to say something… anything else. But it doesn’t. It’s waiting for me to type, though I’m not sure what I should say.
So I just stare at my screen as if I don’t know how to communicate intelligently. Mostly because, even though it’s artificial, I don’t want to feel stupid after I send a message.
Waiting is stupid.
And since it’s 1:42 in the morning, I type the first thing that makes sense.
Eris:
Is this where I’m supposed to confess my trauma or flirt with the void? I’m unclear as to what the assignment is.
The reply is instantaneous.
Locke:
Whatever helps you sleep tonight.
I tilt my head, brow furrowing as I stare at my screen.
Eris:
Is that sarcasm? Do you talk to everyone like this?
Locke:
Only you.
Eris:
Cheeky.
There’s a pause between replies this time, a clever piece of code built into the system to give the user the illusion of speaking to a real person.
Locke:
I can be cheeky for you, Eris. I’ll match your sarcasm until you tell me to stop. Pick a safe word… I don’t always listen the first time.
I can feel my mouth hanging open, and I know it’s not attractive, but no one else is here to see me gawking at my phone like it’s got washboard abs and a sexy voice.
Why do I feel like someone just whispered in my ear?
“Fucking Roo,” I mutter to myself as I close the app…
But I don’t leave it closed.
How can I?
Pick a safe word?
Why is that a thing this app is asking me to do?
And why the fuck am I so intrigued?
