robopriest | PC WITH ANAXAGORAS

[ Anaxagoras is admittedly glad he doesn't have to try to explain the concept of an AI...for Hansa's sake he does not start throwing out the heavier terms, too. ]

Hah! Essentially, even a life like my own can be summed up as exactly that, and nothing more, depending on one's perspective. Indeed, with the supercomputer running 'loops' I and the rest lived our various stories for an unfathomable number of times.

[ Yet, no matter how "real" his experiences were, in a sense someone can say that they were things that didn't matter. That the life he or anyone else from Amphoreus lived was a non-entity, despite what they did beyond it.

This fact doesn't really bother him now, though - he is only stating such things so flippantly because he has faith, and immense trust that Hansa wouldn't diminish his existence like that. ]

Although, even before coming here, I was one who essentially escaped the simulation for a little while...because as you can imagine, even a virtual world can't contain someone like myself forever. And because a certain someone was dying to be put in his place...

...but, I digress. Once again, you have the basics of it, and that is the truth.

[No wonder Anaxagoras seemed so...defeated before, acknowledging his fate. In the end, he was data on a divine computer that could be erased at any time.]

[But...something doesn't sit quite right with just summarizing it like that.]

Hm. I want to check something.

[He's actually bending in - sorry, Anaxa, he's wriggling close here - so he can put his ear against the man's chest. Hansa stays there for a moment, eye closed, listening.]

[And smiles.]

You've got a lovely heartbeat. For a virtual guy, you're as alive as alive can be. What a miracle that is.

[ ...Well, isn't that what it is?

Anaxagoras sees no problem in telling it like it is - it's a truth he's faced down numerous times before, he knows. Times he has not even recalled himself, but exist firmly in data linked to that system.

So, he expects this to move along, until the man is leaning forward, to press his ear against his chest. Which, well, it does surprise him, but it isn't bad, and he is about to ask...

Until he says that. For a moment, Anaxagoras isn't certain what to say, nor to think. He feels his face grow extremely hot, and he even bites his lip a little, though it is only brief. He lets out a soft, shuddering sigh. ]

Ridiculous...you didn't have to go and say that.

[ He doesn't sound angry...or even enough. Judging by the tremor in his voice, he is just simply, well - he is touched. He even closes one eye, before reopening as he decies to plant a kiss atop Hansa's head, and then he takes in another shaky breath. He might be the one who cries after all. How embarrassing. ]

Well I did. So you'll have to deal with that.

[The kiss makes him laugh a little - he's nuzzling into the other's upper chest. He can tell by the waver of the other's voice that this means a lot. It means everything.]

[And what does it matter to Hansa if he's data or not? He feels like a human being, so he is. Computer be damned.]

...I can see why that miracle means so much to you. [He now says quietly, his arms offering a reassuring squeeze.] We would be on literal different planes of existence after all is said and done.

[ ...Now that's going to get him to let out a soft huff, even as he allows another shuddering breath to leave him. ]

I suppose I will.

[ Anaxagoras feels a light sting in that one eye, but it isn't unpleasant, either.

The conclusion that Hansa makes is accurate - to the point where it surprises even himself. But, Hansa is truly always like this, warm in his words, and his actions; it all manages to hit home where it needs to, like the gentle, affectionate nuzzle...though, more than that too. ]

But, you are also correct on this matter. As I am certain we would be - and, well, you obviously know how I would feel about that. There are hardly ever any guarantees in life, though I can do what I can to make being by your side one of those.

Not to mention, as you know, I am particularly stubborn.

You are the most stubborn guy I know. Besides me.

[He shifts up, tucking his head against the other's neck. Hansa sucks in a breath, lets it out. His heart, flutters as a happy little butterfly.]

...I hope it works. Your miracle.

[He needs it to work. To lose Anaxagoras...]

I'll build a computer to house you if I need to.

Besides you, hm?

[ Anaxagoras looks now a bit amused, hearing this. He brings one hand up to card through those dark strands of hair, beautiful and dark, but just another part of him that he cherishes just the same. ]

We have to believe it will work - I certainly will not accept anything else.

[ Perhaps it is this stubborn element that comes to play, by him saying as much. ]

...Though, I don't think you'll be needing to build a computer, either. I've also certainly spent enough time living in virtual environments.

The virtual world isn't all that it's cracked up to be. Besides, how will I hug and kiss you? Do you want me to kiss a computer monitor? Nothing against what you are, but that won't fly.

[...]

[He still needs to decide what to do with his miracle. In the moment, he can just enjoy this.]

[Also, now that he's still thinking about this-]

So, wait, how old are you? You said thousands of cycles.

[ Anaxagoras lets out another light and amused huff, hearing this from the other man. But, it is one sourced from good humor, than anything else. ]

It certainly wouldn't, not even for myself.

[ On the topic of age, though...that is something that hadn't exactly come to mind in any way. ]

Hmm. Well, counting the previous lives I've lived in the various cycles that I believe number up well past thousands now, to be fair...

...On a technicality, probably older than even I can personally begin to fathom. Though, don't start thinking it's enough for myself to begin growing white hairs or some such nonsense.

[ In a way, Anaxagoras is probably one of the oldest people here? If not the oldest. ]

Thousands....

[j esus h christ]

[He's silent for a moment, before he quip:]

Shouldn't I be telling you to look for someone your age? I mean, I guess you want someone young and handsome by your side, so I can't blame you...

[ ...A small, delicate raise of a brow even if Hansa can't see it right now. ]

Hmph.

Here you go again with your usual nonsense.

[ Anaxagoras allows a small sigh to escape him like he is truly exasperated! When, of course, it is far from the truth. ]

But, I suppose I do want someone young and handsome by my side...perhaps one who has a habit of being quite a bit ridiculous at times. For, coincidentally, that is exactly my type of man. Fortunate for you, isn't it?

Gee, I wonder where you'll find a guy like that. If you do, let me know. I'll point him your way.

[His chest shakes a little with his laugh - and just sits here like this for a moment, taking it in.]

[He's lucky to know Anaxagoras. Perhaps that is also a form of God's providence, to bring them together.]

[Hansa pulls himself up to he can press a kiss against his lips.]

I don't have anything major to confess that you don't know already, I think. But I am an Executor. I kill vampires and scary stuff that goes bump in the night. Maybe I'll rope you into my job.

[ He will roll his one singular eye when Hansa continues this little gag of theirs (as if Anaxa has any right by enabling it!), but the laugh settles warmly within him like always. Like prickles of warmth that spread throughout him.

He even returns the kiss, soft and gentle all the while, because he never resist doing that, even if it's short. ]

...Hmm, If you feel so inclined, assisting you with killing nuisances like those would be a simple matter, and wiping away what you consider scum of the earth is time well worth spent from my part. Though, I am not pledging myself to any sort of holy establishment.

[ There's a brief pause from him, as he considers something, but there's a light smile still on his face. ]

I may have a few more confessions to make, however.

Of course, of course. Though I have the feeling you'd love to debate those members of that holy establishment anyways. Just be careful. Some are quite punch-happy!

[Anaxagoras, causing trouble wherever he goes...he can see it now. Laughing gleefully as some priest goes red in the face with indignation...]

[Hansa perks up at the last statement.]

Oh? Anything more major than "I'm from a computer"?

Don’t be too concerned, I’m accustomed to angering highly religious individuals to the point where they want to strangle me on the spot at least once.

[ Anaxagoras sounds like he is not even bothered by the thought…because he really isn’t. They can throw their punches and he can tell them how bad their aim is when he’s the one with one eye missing!

...he's going to piss out a lot of people, isn't he. ]

First, is the confession surrounding about how much I've actually enjoyed hearing your laugh, before nonsense or otherwise. Though, especially when you're particularly happy.

…Then, well, I doubt it is on the level of being from essentially a 'computer', as you put it. It is more the fact that you’ve never seen what’s underneath my eyepatch, have you?

[ But, he'd seen what was under Hansa's. It's only fair if he gets to see the secret there, right? ]

You know, that's not a thing you should technically be proud of...

[But he's amused all the same. Hansa isn't going to be the pot calling the kettle black. He knows he's a thorn in people's sides, too.]

And...hey.

[What the hell, that's cute? That's too cute?! How dare he say such things. He thought he'd be okay with compliments but here he is getting huffy...how dare he...]

I like your laugh, too. Even your mad scientist one. So there. [SO THERE!] And...huh. No, actually. I never have. What's underneath, then?

It isn't?

[ Anaxagoras asks so lightly, maybe knowing or having a feeling that Hansa isn't really going to necessarily bother in admonishing him harshly at all.

Especially since the both of them are alike in this manner. But also, he looks particularly proud when the other man looks like he got caught up in this revelation. Well worth the admittance, far as he's concerned. ]

It does sound as if I surprised you. Enough for you to drop those genuinely sweet words in my direction in return. [ Hansa thinking 'cute' when he can be actually cute too...but, he's happy the man likes even the sound of his mad joy. ] Well, I'll simply show you. People say an image is worth a thousand words. But, it'll be even more when the truth is staring you in the eye.

So, here.

[ Is the little pun intentional? You decide! Anyway, he's pulling back the eyepatch to reveal a bit of...well, dark with a strange bit of light in there (like in the icon)? The result of which when he sacrificed his eye to see his sister for one last time. ]

I'm always genuinely sweet to you.

[Always will be.]

[And now comes the revelation. He doesn't know what to expect - what does a man who is an AI and a demigod and a professor have under an eyepatch anyways?]

[What he sees, however, is something truly surprising. Hansa blinks, taking it in, before his hand moves up to cup his face.]

...It's like a star. [He sounds awed.] How...did this happen?

Hmph...so you are. Even when you are delivering nonsense.

[ Stop, Hansa, you're going to make him blush again. Though the way he says such words rings through with a pleased-sounding tone amongst the bit of embarrassment that rises to the surface.

...Anaxagoras will just tilt his head into the touch, cheeks having warmed with ease - perhaps from the gentle outreach or his words. Or both. ]

A long time ago, I was a bit more careless when it came to alchemical experimentation.

[ He was even more reckless about things back then. A bit more wild - well, some aspects of that remain but have changed. ]

A desperate act to bring the dead, rended it like this, when I committed an act of taboo. Though, it was not a total loss, having been able to see my sister one last time. I was able to commit it to memory.

...

[To bring back the dead.]

[That's a taboo on all fronts. Religion or not. It seems even from the beginning, he wanted to spit on God and have his way.]

[Hansa's thumb makes a little circle over his jaw, continuing to stare into that brilliant star-like eye.]

I'm sorry about your loss. [The pain must have been unimaginable.] So this was the price to pay for such a precious thing, I assume.

[ It certainly was, though... by this time, Anaxagoras feels it is so distant it may as well have been another entire age - and given how old he knows in the last 'loop' he consciously lived, in a sense perhaps that is not wrong.

Still, as he gives a little smile, tilting his head. ]

Yes, that's right. I was quite arrogant back then, thinking I could achieve something like that...though, perhaps I hadn't changed too much.

[ His smile turns into a little smirk - almost as if defiant, and he nuzzles at even at that hand, that finger making its way around. ]

And by now, the pain has diminished so to be non-existent. However, I appreciate the sentiment.

[He laughs lightly - no. That arrogance will always be present, it seems. He does spare a thought for it, though - if Anaxagoras lived in a virtual world, then his sister, too, was virtual. Just data. Not "real".]

[And the fact that he's here, not broken by that revelation. That everything he did, in the end, was just something in a computer, never to become real.]

[Hansa sighs, but his smile is fond all the same.]

...You're one of the bravest people I've ever known. Reckless, yes, but brave. No wonder you shine like a star.

[ It certainly will be. Anaxagoras may not use it in the way some might, but it does surface in other ways.

He looks at the fond smile, following that sigh, and feels something like satisfaction. Should he? Yes, definitely.

Though, he does flush at the compliment, even all the way to his ears. ]

You...hmph, careful not to be completely blinded, then.

[ The words come out softly, despite his usual tone. The gentle look in his eye is true, and he does enjoy hearing the man say such things. ]

...You're always saying such thoughtful things about myself. I hope you realize I'm not about to forget that any time soon.

I know you won't forget. It's why I have to keep saying it.

[Over and over and over again. That shade, like a crimson blossom, blooms over Anaxagoras's face. How lovely it is.]

Especially if I get to see you turn such a gorgeous color.

[Don't mind him if he shifts to the side to lightly bite at one of those red ears. Hehe.]

[ ...It's embarrassing still to say something like "Yes, I want you to keep saying it," and yet it is a true that resonates within his heart, as clear as the flush spread across his face like this.

Ah, he truly is so weak to this. ]

A constant reminder, is it? Do keep in mind that you're not the only one who can propel compliments as easy as breathing.

In fact, even I can -

[ —and there is a surprised yelp because of Hansa's maneuvering around, with Anaxagoras feeling his face somehow growing even hotter. Despite his next words, he evidently enjoyed that, considering how little annoyance can be detected from his tone... ]

- Hansa! Keep that up and see what happens.

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robopriest - 2025-12-13 04:50 (UTC) - Expand

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