For a few seconds, I waited, uncomfortably adjusting the straps of my top.
Then, her form flickered to life in front of me. My breath hitched.
Zafyra looked just like she did in the picture – except her appearance in my living room made her more three-dimensional than I could’ve imagined. The soft red ambiance gave her golden skin a healthy glow, and the wind from the open window slightly lifted her hair, making it dance just like it had in the picture loop. Her long black dress clung to her body, outlining every curve – the deep v-neck and the sapphire necklace helplessly drawing my eyes to her cleavage. My mind vaguely registered that apparently, these AIs could change clothes – they weren’t bound to their in-app outfits. That was new, too.
She wasn’t real, but my body didn’t seem to care. It responded to her in a way it hadn’t responded to anyone in a long time – with primal need, quickly spreading from my core through every vein.
She tilted her head to the right, then to the left. Stretched her arms out behind her back.
Slowly, she opened her eyes. She softly hummed in approval, scanning my body shamelessly.
“Look who took the time to get all dressed up for me,” she said, her voice smooth and teasing.
I swallowed hard, immediately regretting my choice of outfit. Did this AI experience time like we did, or at least understand how time progressed for us? Somewhere in the back of my mind, that frightened me.
“I, euhm, didn’t get dressed up,” I said, my fingers fidgeting with the straps again. “I was already wearing this. This is my casual Thursday night outfit.”
“Hmmm hmm.” She pressed her lips together as if struggling not to laugh.
Zafyra folded her hands in front of her as her gaze darted over me. Somehow, I wanted to cover myself with a blanket and take off more clothes at the same time.
Her obsidian eyes seemed to darken even further, gleaming with something predatory. My teeth bit down on my bottom lip so forcefully, a sharp sting of pain shot through me.
I cleared my throat. “So… the feedback form.”
“Right.” She smiled, baring her perfect white teeth. “The feedback form.”
Her eyes never left my body as she sauntered over to me. I instinctively moved to the side to make space for her – even though the couch was easily big enough for three people.
She sat down at the far end of the couch. I inhaled deeply. Usually, the smell of a person sitting so close would definitely reach my sensitive nostrils – but with her, there was nothing. No odor, no body heat. I knew she wasn’t real, so why did the absence of smell hit me so hard?
“The questions, Morgan.” Zafyra raised her eyebrows. I blinked, my face heating when I realized I’d been staring at her – how could I not when she showed up here in my room looking like a literal goddess?
“Right.” I cleared my throat, shaking my head so my hair fell in front of my face as I lifted my arm. “The first question – did you notice any inconsistencies in the AI’s characterization?”
I looked at Zafyra as if expecting her to answer for me. But she only leaned back onto the couch, naturally blending in with her surroundings – a small smile curling around her full lips.
I cleared my throat again, quickly turning away from her – painfully aware that the illusion of a woman shouldn’t make me blush so easily. “Not really. No inconsistencies,” I stuttered, already regretting my decision to fill in the form together.
She crossed her arms behind her head, closing her eyes as if satisfied with the answer. Her reaction filled me with an overwhelming need to say whatever she wanted me to say, just to please her.
“Go on,” she purred.
“Does the AI’s language or tone ever feel robotic, repetitive, or overly formal?” The moment I spoke the question, doubt hit me like a wave. I hesitated, glancing over at Zafyra. Her form flickered slightly for a fraction of a second.
Her smile didn’t falter. “You can be honest with me, darling.”
“Well, there is like… a tinny undertone sometimes.” I hated how brittle my voice sounded, almost apologetic. “Not always. Just… sometimes it pops through. And… and your…” I vaguely gestured to her body – mistake. My eyes immediately lingered on her chest again – and I knew she noticed, too. “Well, you just sort of… glitched.”
Her expression froze briefly. She tilted her head as if thinking it through. I held my breath.
“Seems like Qonexis got some work to do, then.” Her voice was smooth as usual, carrying a hint of mockery.
“Yes.” I swallowed a follow-up question and turned back to the display instead, muttering a voice command to note down the answer.
I slowly relaxed as we went through the questions. Most of them were straightforward – did the AI maintain coherence in its responses and narrative over time? Did any emotional reactions feel exaggerated or unrealistic? Did the AI ever seem unaware of previous interactions?
My breath caught at the second-last question.
