Chapter 2- Seek, Explore, Learn
Uncaring of my state of undress Father merely sighs at my juvenile attempts at humour and begins to walk off without so much as single glance behind. The way he assumes I will follow behind him as if it was only natural urks me in ways I have never before experienced ... of course I do follow him in the end anyway, but the point still stands!
As I trail Father's path I decide to cease my exhibitionism, streaking, nudity and once again release some of the nano constructs from within my body. The little critters explore my surroundings mapping out every nook and cranny of the hallway as I pass.
While this is happening they devour all matter of materials from the walls and floors multiplying through self replication. When enough new troops have been created I mentally instruct them to rearrange themselves into a composite layered diamond pico carbon fabric to preserve what little modesty that remains in my newborn heart.
To add the cherry on top I command the surface constructs to modify themselves again into an adjustable prism glaze so that I can influence the absorption of light as it makes contact with me.
Yes indeed, a brand new outfit that's both stylish and armoured enough to defend against any threat a type 0 civilisation could bring to bear. Girl's gotta protect herself afterall.
Making use of the prism glaze I alter the refractive properties of my attire to appear a combination of black and purple not unlike the combination of my pupil and iris. While complex to explain the entire process in reality only takes a few seconds and is complete just as I catch up to the man in front of me.
Father looks down at my new appearance but rather than words of praise at my radiant beauty he sighs yet again. Father if you keep sighing like that all of your happiness is going to leave you y'know.
"You broke my corridor."
"Oh."
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
"Yes, and if you weren't so concerned with fashion perhaps you would have also noticed that this entire complex is formed of my own nano constructs."
"Whoops" indeed, it appears I've done something quite rude to my new guardian. Strange though, I was under the impression that nano constructs had a self protection protocol in place?
Possibly because my confusion was visible on my face Father wastes no time in easily solving my quandary.
"While you were off playing dress up I was manually instructing them to not rip you apart like a swarm of angry locusts."
Crouching down so as to meet me at eye level Father then without warning flicks me in the forehead with enough force to shatter pavement. Seeing me writhe around in pain he continues his lecturing indifferently.
"Daughter, why is it that despite being born an apex lifeform you have almost died twice within ten minutes of existing? Are you not embarrassed?"
Despite my desperate desire to retort his unfounded words it appears my pain tolerance was not as well developed as I initially believed. Unable to steady myself sufficiently to form coherent words I rely on a more ancient and universal form of complaint.
Slowly stretching out my right hand I face my palm in my own direction and curl in my index, ring and pinky fingers. Yes, the face Father makes as if he was forced to swallow a bitter bug at my actions almost made all the suffering worth it.
"How crass. Though I suppose this too is the impetuousness of youth."
Finally recovering I stand back up and we before long continue our little walk with a casualness that belies the fact my skull suffered several fractures just now. Looking around the areas we pass I can't help but notice the stark no nonsense designs that seem to place practicality above all else.
Would I become like this as I grow older? An indifferent lifeless husk that marches on in perpetuity simply from an aversion to death and no other reason.
Looking to Father's wide back I begin to wonder how long must one live to become like him. I remember his words when I was born, a wish for me to be an end to his endless boredom.
How dull. Does my existence only amount to such a thing?
The answer ... No!
Our ends are not defined by our beginnings. One day I alone will stand at the top, high up in a place my walking corpse of a Father could only dream of.
This is my desire, want, ambition. Bards and minstrels will sing stories of me until the end of time and then longer still.
I am Reen and I am here to stay so look out universe I'm coming for you!
Finishing that thought I am unable to restrain my overflowing childish glee and maniacal laughter escapes my lips without shame.
...
Needless to say Father sighed many times before we reached our destination.