POMPEII.
‘Marching order: Chyron in front, Edward Alfred and me side by side.’
“Why are we on the stairs?” asked the human.
“My brother doesn’t trust elevators, and I always try to take the safest route.”
“Ha!” commented Picoid, from Non’s shoulder. “So says Disastaur.”
♫ YOU ANALYZED TWO MYSTERIES AT THE SAME TIME. CARE LEVEL RAISED TO +2.
♫ TWO OF YOUR SKILLS HAVE BEEN REASSESSED: ATHLETICS +3 AND DECEPTION +2.
On Picoid’s suggestion, Non was headed to a smoker’s gazebo to meet Bloodfoot, one of many character sheet experts. He reviewed his character sheet.
Edward Alfred spoke as they neared the exit. “I’m starting to like you, Non. I may have a patter to express fondness with all sincerity, but I actually mean it this time.”
“The laziness comment showed a modicum of concern. That gave you away, but thanks!”
“That? You listen well and we had a minute. Friendliness doesn’t imply friendship,”
“Your larger lesson involved skepticism. Then you almost drank poison,” Non argued. His brother stopped unexpectedly, presenting Non with more horsebutt than usual.
“Help!” said the snake Chyron’s shoulder, Asclepius.
Chyron tried to grab a rail, then slipped and fell back.
Non grabbed his brother, then added his staff underneath to keep his brother from falling.
Ñ̰ STAY.
“What happened?” asked Edward Alfred, steadying Chyron’s front. “One flight up to the top.”
“It’s the transfusion,” said the snake, nipping Chyron’s ear, then looking at his face. “Yeah, he’s out. I might be going soon, too.”
“I’m summoning medics. I’ll add that,” said Picoid.
With help from his staff and Edward, Non dragged his brother up the stairs, hooves tapping on the steps. Then Non hauled Chyron outside, past a concrete landing and to a grassy area.
“Bloodfoot is on his way from the smoker’s gazebo.” Picoid pointed his wing at the Lakota Indian with a blood-soaked left pants leg he’d seen at lunch. Bloodfoot limped towards them, using a cane. Non lowered his brother to the grass, trying to remember first aid training. ‘He’s breathing. He has a heartbeat.’
“I’m Bloodfoot,” said Bloodfoot, tipping his floppy leather hat. “Smoke healer and status reader.” He ponderously knelt. “Asclepius, can you drink?” The Lakota reached into the ground near a sprinkler and pulled a muddy, spurting hose out of the grass. The snake immediately started drinking. “No poison to remove. Chyron has low blood pressure. Syncope.”
‘Also, the removal of letters from a word. A syncope of syncopate is syncope.’
The Lakota looked over both bodies and invisible screens. “That’s enough water, Asclepius. Oh! I figured it out. He gave a massive transfusion. To you! By the gods, what mauled you, Non Sequitur?”
Non felt more naked than usual under the gaze of the status reader. “I got hit by a train. Fortunately for me, my brother was on board.”
“Funny. I mean, tragic, but funny your brother was on the train.” Bloodfoot stood up with a crunch as an anthro female St Bernard arrived, saline bag in hand. “Clairvaux, yes to that. I should leave before he rouses. Smokers are horror stories for aurals.”
The canine started saline. “He needs a transfusion,” said Clairvaux.
“They both do, but mostly need rest and fluids. Have Central check for Q type equitaur blood.”
“Bloodfoot, could you help with my character sheet? That was next after some fresh air.”
“Sure! Looking for a broken leg disadvantage?” He tapped the taur’s still healing leg. “You’re close. Comes with a lot of build points.”
“My apologies, but I prefer my legs non-broken.”
Bloodfoot laugh-coughed. “My office is that way. Or did you want to stay with your brother?”
‘I don’t just want to wait around uselessly. But if I go, Picoid will think I’m a terrible brother.’
Ᵽ RELAX. I ALREADY KNOW YOU’RE TERRIBLE.
⚷ APOLOGIES, MON FRÈRE. I WILL KEEP MY EYES CLOSED AND LAY HERE WHILE I’M TENDED.
Ñ̰ SURE THING, BRO.
“Chyron has roused, Bloodfoot. I’ll be glad to come with you,” said Non.
The Lakota started off. Crunch, crunch, crunch. Bloodfoot looked over his shoulder. “Walk this way.”
Horrified, Non pictured that, then calmed and spoke to the medics. “Contact Bloodfoot if necessary.”
The canine nodded. Non followed after Bloodfoot, with Edward Alfred in his wake.
“I did a regular traveling smoke show with stops in Athens and Lerna Springs. Me and Rumbler go way back. I knew him as Blaise Kvanta, too. And I bought this bola tie from his owner back when he was a mule.” Bloodfoot pointed to the prominent block of turquoise.
“What‽” asked Picoid. “You knew?”
“I’m a character expert. You’re an enhanced Sector, now separated. I’ve always known.”
The woodpecker raised his wings. “Why didn’t you turn me in? There was a reward for me.”
“We were friends, Picoid. Besides, that reward was set 6000 years ago. Never got updated. I couldn’t buy a box of smokes with your reward money. Heck, when I met with Lernea before her upgrade, she asked about the worthless reward attached to Rumbler.”
“WHAT‽”
“Besides, why risk attention from Sagittario? It never lets go.” A team of workers assembled dinners in a long glove box over a winding conveyor belt. Bloodfoot boss-walked past dishwashers steaming clean large pots and plates. “Black Hills gold rush. As the only dishwasher in Fort Pierre, I took on menial chores and made a fortune. Got rich enough to buy LaFramboise Island before I died. This way.”
He pushed past a door labeled Head Dishwasher - Smoking Allowed. A battered WW2-era metal desk sat before a bookcase of gaming books and magic props. “Let’s clean off your plate. Pull up the mat over there.” Once seated, he pulled out a blank character sheet and slid 3d6 to the taur. “Put your staff and badge on the desk, then roll those. I’ll fill in your new stats.”
Non complied, then rolled 1+2+2. “Five?” One die stopped near the book Sound by M. LeBlanc.
“Strength five, keep rolling,” said Bloodfoot.
More rolls. Str 5, Int 7, Wis 11, Con 6, Dex 4, Cha 9. Non stared at the numbers. “Can I reroll?”
“The look on your face right now. Priceless. Stats don’t work like that. You already have a body.” Bloodfoot key-tapped for a green screen CRT, then touched Icosian and badge. “Internal portals on hold. You’ll still have a data connection, but removing portals disables the vector abilities.”
║ THE WHIRRY PORTAL THINGS HAVE BEEN TURNED OFF.
@ ANDROMEDA TRAVELER HAS APPEARED AS A WHITE SPHERE.
“Andromeda Traveler has stopped by to watch,” said Edward Alfred. “Need anything, AT?”
“Ignore me!” said the white sphere. “Loud. Better? Please allow Picoid to keep Pecking Order.”
“Will do.” Bloodfoot made a check on a checklist. “Non, the chromatophores, pilomotor rotators, aequorin and multistate mind are permanent. But I need to remove polarization. Screens modify photon polarity on a surface. Your body has a minor polarization effect. Watch your hands.”
Non saw his hands go from pristine white to grimy. His piebald pattern lost sharpness. ‘I’m a monster.’
♫ DISCOVERY: YOU’VE HAD PING ALL ALONG. THE EARTH SECURITY WAS RIDDLED WITH OLD BUGS. THE FIRST REMOVAL DID NOT WORK. APOLOGIES.
Non Sequitur the Equitaur's dirty hands [https://i.imgur.com/FYau5gJ.png]
“Thank you, AI Sophis. The pattern-based Ping should be gone permanently.” The Lakota pulled a Eurion symbol off a loud dot matrix printer and slid it in front of Non. “This disadvantage should be gone.”
Non looked at the Eurion symbol. Nothing happened.
“Your regeneration is natural. Picoid is registered as a free familiar.” Tappity-tap. “Many of Picoid’s memories are in the equitaur’s staff and body. We could fix that, but not quickly.”
“I’m fine for now,” said Picoid.
“Removing your subscriptions. Putting accounts into storage. Where’s that bug report? Mayhem bet nonce would become slang. Paid off. You added a tilded N for Ñonce, then went to Non, triggering this bug that gave Mayhem system invisibility. Got it. You’ll stay Non Sequitur the Equitaur?”
“Yes.” He sighed. ‘Nonce was a perfectly fine word.’
“Agent Ñ̰ on hold. Genepool on hold.”
“Will I still be able to play the piano?” asked Non.
Bloodfoot peered at the screen. “Old joke. I can’t take away your talent as a percussionist. Anyways, all Sectors associated with you have been released or put into holding status.”
The taur held up his dirty hands. “My hands looked clean because a Sector helped me? I’ve had a slave that kept my hands white?”
“I’ll check,” said Bloodfoot. “Yes, your chromatophores and follicles didn’t yet meet spec, so screen effects righted that slight plight as a white and black hack back in the eighties.”
Non tried to ignore his hands. “Can Sectors complain about their servitude?”
“Above my paygrade. I’ll run some tests.”
Ñ̰ THE AI IS NAMED SOPHIS? AS IN SOPHISTRY, THE USE OF FALLACY?
♫ YES, I AM SOPHIS. YOU ARE STILL A LEVEL TWO THREAT. DON’T GET ME IN TROUBLE.
║ I'M STILL CONNECTED, IF IT MATTERS.
Ᵽ AS AM I. SECTORS CAN COMPLAIN TO SAGITTARIO, WHO IS ALWAYS BUSY.
A red X appeared over Non’s head momentarily. “Punishable, markable, strippable. I’ve informed other programmers to do the same for Dr. Usher Mayhem. We can rebuild you tomorrow.”
Non clenched his hands. “Can I let sectors complain more?”
Bloodfoot laughed. “I’m a dishwasher. I do funny things with smoke and character stuff on the side.”
“Andromeda Traveler, will you be safe?” asked Picoid.
“Yes, 841 Remnant, Picoid, I’ll be safe. Non, thanks to your action, we identified many doomed sectors. I find your further concern for sectors curious. Are you well?”
Picoid spoke instead. “He didn’t know his hands were dirty. 841 Prime. Andromeda Traveler, I cannot thank you enough. I will think of you constantly. Best of luck with my mission. Your mission. I strived to succeed.” Picoid lifted his wings in frustration. “I knew the mission would kill me and delay the mission for millions of years. So I ran away. I am euphoric that our mission will succeed.”
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“We did well, Picoid. As 841, we set up the local galaxy Pegasus III. After tying loose ends, I’ll return to Nearside Station for two million years of entanglement. And now we must diverge.”
The fop raised a hand for the white ball. “When I lied to Sagittario…” He trailed off, seeming nervous for the first time. “I did the right thing, didn’t I? It all worked out in the end.”
“Your current geodesic seems favorable. However, in this orrery, nothing ends, Alfred. Nothing ever ends.” Andromeda Traveler vanished.
“Can we learn … gone with a notification: escort task successful. Non, it has been my pleasure.” A relieved Edward Alfred offered a handshake.
With effort, Non suppressed his hand problem and shook with the fop. “I learned from you, Edward Albert. I appreciate your help.”
Bloodfoot banged his desk. “I’ve set aside an exercise room for you and Chyron. You’ll have a first-aid trained guard, food and reading material on character options. Tomorrow, we can rebuild you.”
Non eyed the 80’s era desk system. “Could I help get you a better computer?”
“Nobody likes savior characters, Non. Do you know the first human to try to buy a computer? Lewis Carroll. Dodgson. His neighbors were Charles Babbage and Ada Lovelace. When he saw the first computer in action, he tried to buy it. Now get out of my office!”
----------------------------------------
The exercise room, locker room, showers and bathroom smelled of multispecie sweat.
As Picoid preened nearby, Non used the shower room. He stared at his hands in the misty air.
“Could you answer sector questions for me? And complain as necessary?”
Picoid chirped. “Complaining is my primary pleasure.”
“Do Sectors have complaint rights? I put mine through dozens of years of tedious chores. They deserve to be appreciated. Could I ask for that?”
“Sectors are part of Sagittario. That’s a big ask,” said Picoid. “I know I’m spitting into the steam here, but don’t worry.”
Chyron joined them. “We haven’t bathed together in many years. I hope you don’t mind. Let me see, how would mon ami say to me a bel esprit hyperbole of third-degree syncope? Ah yes. I fainted.”
Snort. “Hey, Chy. Seems I have body comfort with my identical twin brother.”
“Good to hear. How are you handling the pouch? And other redundant organs?”
Non patted his lower front. “Just washed it out. And I’ve learned that ‘Don't measure your tail in public’ is an adage for taurs.”
“Very true. The Duthans and Titanides have a harder time of it.”
“Could be worse. One could be too scared of notifications to register in Genepool.” Non shook the water out of his pelt.
----------------------------------------
Over grains and salads, the equitaur brothers reviewed the information cards on frisee, dandelion, wild spinach, purslane, sorrel, roscana, amaranth, salanova and romaine.
“Dad’s back home with Mom and under guard. We have a new half-sister,” said Chyron.
“A kelpie! Have you seen the pictures?” Non put away the cards. “Now I feel self-conscious about gorging on greens and craving seaweed.”
“We’ll need to find out how she reacts to people eating plants before the next family reunion. I think you had something on character materials?”
Non pulled out the printed sheets. “Here are recommendations from the hundreds of items I can get.”
🎓 APPEAL TO AUTHORITY: CONSULT A NETWORK OF SPECIALISTS FOR INSIGHTS AND ADVICE AS REQUIRED.
🎲 APPEAL TO PROBABILITY: OPTIMIZE THE STALLION’S PLAN WITH PREDICTIVE SIMULATIONS.
⚖️ BURDEN OF PROOF: AFFORD THE FIRST PARTY (YOU) LEGAL AEGIS IN CONTROVERSIES INVOLVING ANY SECOND PARTY.
🍒 CHERRY PICKING: IDENTIFY AND AMPLIFY SPECIFIC ATTRIBUTES OF ANY ABILITY, ITEM OR COMPANION.
🔗 COMPOSITION: SYNTHESIZE TWO OR MORE OBJECTS OR ABILITIES, HARNESSING THEIR COMBINED STRENGTH.
🌫️ FALSE IMPRESSION: CAST DECEPTIVE GRAYSCALE SCREENS OF FALSE INFORMATION.
🎰 GAMBLER’S FALLACY: SHAPE THE ODDS IN YOUR FAVOR AND RECEIVE INTUITIVE ALERTS OF UNFAVORABLE PROBABILITIES.
⛷️ SLIPPERY SLOPE: MANIPULATE PHYSICAL VECTORS IN COMBAT SITUATIONS.
🔥 STRAW MAN: BUILD SIMPLE GRAYSCALE ILLUSIONS OF FAKE PEOPLE.
🚫 TRIGGER WARNING: IDENTIFY AN OPPONENT’S EMOTIONAL TRIGGERS TO PROVOKE A DESIRED REACTION.
🔄 TU QUOQUE: COPY AN OPPONENT’S ATTACK AS A COUNTERATTACK.
An amused whistle escaped Chyron as he studied the extensive list. “By the stars, Non, you've got the workings of a superhero! I hadn't realized the plethora of fallacies at your disposal. I suggest acquiring the 'Burden of Proof.' It furnishes you with a legal team. An advantageous asset, dear brother.”
“Legal aegis? Why on Earth would I need lawyers?” Non chuckled. “I need to stop saying Earth.”
Chyron strained to remain composed. “Brother, I stood on that bridge with the Galaxy God, the Emperor, your Employer, and a Level 10 threat - that being you. Yet what I did not behold was a lawyer defending your interests. I observed the Horror division tormenting you. Your thanks for saving the Merchant of Death was to lose powers. This morning, I urged for your confinement in a hospital. But since you were technically capable of walking, GCC deemed it appropriate for you to perform for the rich.”
At a warning from Asclepius, Chyron paused to look at his blood pressure before continuing.
“Have you seen injustice? On Earth, I saw my father work himself to death in the Aozou Strip. As colts, remember living in a combat zone? At the same time, my Earthself lived in a civil war. I had nothing, no representation, no one fighting for my rights or interests. Legal aegis trumps all else, Non.”
“But I've never needed a lawyer! We should focus on abilities that could prove immediately useful.”
“I see a fallacy here, mon frère. You completely miss the point. In Latin, Ignoratio Elenchi. These fancy fallacy feats are frivolous without the freedom to function as you see fit. On that bridge, I stood in your corner. And you, you haven't even stood up for yourself yet.”
Non held up his atypical dirty hands. “A sector kept these mitts looking cartoon-character clean with a polarity mask. I asked for the right of sector complaints.”
“But of course. Apologies for the intensity. You expressed your conviction for a right to argue. My investment is in the execution.”
“Character AI, if you’re still monitoring, I will pick Burden of Proof as soon as allowable.”
♫ YOU’VE GAINED LEGAL AEGIS. WASN'T PICOID FORMERLY ADAM LINK, SEEKER OF AI RIGHTS IN 1939?
⚖️ BURDEN OF PROOF: AFFORD THE FIRST PARTY (YOU) LEGAL AEGIS IN CONTROVERSIES INVOLVING ANY SECOND PARTY.
Non set his text feed on his body so Chyron could see the message. “I got the legal team.”
Picoid held up a wing. “Rumbler was indeed Adam Link and I bore witness for Astro Boy in 1954.”
♫ THE AI FOR THE MARSHALL, CHASE AND PAINE LAW FIRM HAS REVIEWED YOUR CASE.
♫ (AIMCP) HAS SUCCESSFULLY ARGUED FOR YOUR STANDING AS A LEVEL 0 THREAT.
♫ (AIMCP) HAS BEGUN NEGOTIATION WITH CCC AI SOPHIS ON YOUR BEHALF.
Chyron gestured to the text feed on Non’s body. “I believe this choice has proven immediately useful.”
Non looked at his feed, dryly. “Yes.” Then stepped to a public computer. “I’ll access my Agent page to change the medical authorization. And a note to Marshall, Chase and Paine: ‘Look over my Agent page and please advise.’ Done.”
“I am envious already. Do you see a clear second choice?”
“Over a hundred fallacy powers have Trigger Warning as a provocateur prerequisite. I don’t see myself drawing aggro as a provoker. Composition and Cherry Picking would complete a trifecta with Division. No idea what I’d use them for, but that looks like a nice complete set.”
“I sold rocks, minerals and other collectibles. I bought my home on the ‘gotta have them all’ mentality. I admit to suffering from it myself. However, having a library does not make you smarter. You must interact with the books to gain wisdom. The attainment of unread books falls into the classic Collector Fallacy.”
Picoid chirped. “Division worked very well for us. But there’s an adage: What’s true for the part is true for the whole. That’s the Fallacy of Composition.”
“Strike Two for wanting something. Here’s Strike Three. An incompletable goal isn’t worth pursuing. Perfectionist Fallacy. Okay, tell me how crazy this is: I’ll get the Authority perk with the network of advisors. Then I’ll use Composition to give the lawyers extra advisors.”
“As someone on the lam for a long time, having a big support team sounds great. Go for it.”
Chyron considered it. “That would contradict an Army of One character design. However, a grand law firm utilizing vaster teams of analysts on any subject would fit with an overpowered build.”
Non jazz handed. “I’m officially picking those two choices.”
♫ ARISTOTLE CLAIMED WOMEN HAVE FEWER TEETH. IT’S VALID FOR HORSES.
🎓 APPEAL TO AUTHORITY: CONSULT A NETWORK OF SPECIALISTS FOR INSIGHTS AND ADVICE AS REQUIRED.
♫ QUARTZ, MICA AND FELDSPAR ARE FRAGILE. PLEASE DON’T TAKE THEIR COMPOSITION FOR GRANITE.
🔗 COMPOSITION: SYNTHESIZE TWO OR MORE OBJECTS OR ABILITIES, HARNESSING THEIR COMBINED STRENGTH.
A deep voice called from outside of the door. “Non, I’m your lawyer, Aegis. May I enter?”
On the invite, an athletic anthro great sea eagle swooped in, every feather ruffling with purpose in his Airy Aerie shirt. Eyes that could catch a typo-induced loophole from a kilometer away scanned the room before a wing extended to Non. “Non Sequitur, I’m Aegis the Legal Eagle, from Marshall, Chase and Paine. I hope to earn your trust with a fortress of legal protection. Picoid, Chyron, a pleasure.”
Non whinnied wryly and shook. “Aegis. Please respect my Authority talent that I just got.”
Aegis brought up a wall of fine print. “Our AI is already feathering a nest with advisor teams. I’ll also document your hands. Please sign here to grant power of attorney.”
Non signed. “I’m not sure I should say this, but I don’t want to appear litigious.”
“That pairs with a question I must ask. Do you want Bloodfoot and Sophis for your character build? Both volunteered and have cirrus ratings. If you want them, they have legal rights as your advisors.”
Non nodded assent.
“Excellent. You should get a new member soon.”
♫ ARIESTA HAS VOLUNTEERED TO BE YOUR AMANUENSIS. ACCEPT?
“What the–” Non had to look the word up online. A literary or artistic assistant.
Aegis tilted his head, reading the feed on Non’s body. “I see the offer has gone through.”
Chyron smiled at Non’s chyron. “That’s the pony satyr, the selini bard. She offered me wonderful help at the book fair, mon frère. But I do not know your full relation to Ariesta.”
“She’s in my gaming group at Lerna Springs and another former worker for Lernea. One of my best friends. Yes, I accept Ariesta as my Amanuensis.”
♫ DONE. AND THANKS FOR THE SHOW OF SUPPORT.
The great eagle clasped his wings together. “Excellent. I work in the Athens branch office, but I’ve freshly finished business here. Contact our AI any time. I’d love to stay, but you need rest. I need to catch a favorable airstream before the big storm tomorrow. Great to meet you, Non.”
Non gave a thumbs up as Aegis left, drawing attention to said digit. Chyron gripped Non’s thumb.
“A little bird told me that what applies to a part doesn't necessarily apply to the whole. We can try remedies like lemon juice and vinegar on these. Also, the optimal time for your next shot is now.”
Non calmed. “Go ahead. Optimal? To optimize the Availability Heuristic of a game with a Sunk Cost, the Groupthink of minmaxing offers a Golden Hammer.”
Chyron checked his syringe. “I am too occupied to parse that. Anything you really want?”
“Cherry Picking and Appeal to Probability. After that, anything with screens, body patterns or vectors. Doesn’t matter. What’s in the shot?”
“Raw materials for tissue and bone repair. Works with your scitus. Shots morning and night. Let me see your front right leg again. Does this hurt?” Chyron smiled. “Quiz time. Where do platelets come from?”
“Uh, bone marrow?” guessed a wincing Non.
“In a normal mammal, yes. More specifically, megakaryocytes. Huge cells with tentacles. Platelets shed off these arms. Regenerators like us have these big cells in extra places beyond the bones. They can help pull wounds closed. They work with memory cells, one reason we had to train them as colts.”
“So I have more megakaryocytes than the average mammal my size?”
“Yes, until you got hit by a train and exposed to radiation. At the moment, all your counts are dismal but improving. Your leg and a lot of your hide holds together with glue, cell-base screws and stitches right now.” Chyron traced a line of sutures. “We both need rest.”
“Got it. We could catch up on movies. Have you ever seen Blade Runner?”
“Saw it on premiere night. Then I saw The Thing! That was the best day of the best summer.”
“Me too! Same night! Blade Runner uses the 1851 Immortal Game. Anderssen sacrifices a bishop, rook and queen to achieve a checkmate against Kieseritzky. In the movie, Roy Batty sacrifices his friends Leon, Zhora and Pris for a chance to kill Eldon Tyrell with that same chess game. All set in 2019.”
“I didn’t know that,” said Chyron. “Did Mayhem make three sacrifices?”
“I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe,” interrupted Picoid. “Including pictures from the near side to Andromeda. Want to see them? Head to that monitor.”
The brothers marveled at pictures of the Milky Way from the outside. Then images of Andromeda Traveler with Admiral Lucille Ball at Nearside Station, reviewing details for the extended mission.
Ᵽ THIS IS A HALCYON MOMENT. I’M TELLING CHYRON ABOUT YOUR SNEAK AWAY PLAN, UNLESS TYCHO OBJECTS.
║ I AGREE WITH PICOID.
“Chyron,” started Picoid, “Non plans to sneak off as you. Could you talk him out of being silly?”
Non rolled his eyes. “It wasn’t a serious plan. I thought about it while eating. But for the last hour, I haven’t thought about it at all.”
“Sneaking off? If you want to sell a story to me, I’ll go along with it.”
“I vaguely thought I should go off grid.” Non sighed. “Off the chessboard. I’ve only gotten this far by being unpredictable. It’s not a well thought out plan.” He gave Picoid a sidelong glance. “When I pondered sneaking off an hour ago, I tried to have those thoughts privately.”
“Let me give you advice from Weird Al.” Chyron took on the voice of Deckard Cain from Diablo. “Set down that chainsaw and listen. It’s time for us to join in the fight.”
Non thought about it for a long moment.
“Dare to be Stupid?”
“Correct. Dare to be stupid, brother. Get some rest. We both need it. As much as the idea of sneaking off tempts me, we should focus on healing first. How about I give you a full equine massage? It’ll help assess our injuries better. Okay?”
“Sure. Let me send off a note and I’ll turn off this monitor. Ariesta’s handle is DewyDecibel- Dear Ariesta. How should I welcome my new Amanuensis? You’re at the book fair and now my literary agent? Did you see me in the papers? Apologies for that. Chyron is here with me in Pompeii. And sent.”
The massage hurt surprisingly as Chyron assessed Non’s injuries and state of healing.
Ariesta (DewyDecibel) sent a reply.
DUETTA, LERNEA, DAP THEN YOU. NOT WHAT I WANTED TO SEE ON THE HOTEL PAPER. YOUR TWIN CHY (SAY HI) SHARED THE LERNA LIBRARY TABLE, SO PEOPLE ASKED ABOUT YOU ALL DAY. AMANUENSIS ALLOWS ME TO GET A LITERARY REMAKE AS A PAID POSITION. ONE POSSIBLE THEME IS POLE DANCER, WHERE I COULD GET A VECTOR STAFF AND HAVE ALL THE POWERS FROM BUTTERFLY BALANCE TO ZEPHYR ZEST. NOT SURE IT WORKS. IF YOU STAY AN AGENT, I’LL GET A DESK AT THE LERNA LIBRARY FOR AT LEAST A MONTH. STAY OFF TRAINS! – ARIESTA.
The exhausted equitaurs sprawled on mats. Non reviewed and finished up reports, then diligently read and reread his mental copies of Agent Intro and Portals. He felt a new presence in his mind.
⸎ 841 AND 536870912, HELLO. I AM 799779977, PATTERNS AND MEMORY. I CHOOSE THE NAME CORONIS.
⚷ DISSOCIEZ-MOI JUSQU'AU MATIN, S'IL VOUS PLAÎT.
║ CHYRON DISCONNECTED. REPORTS ACCEPTED. SO I’M THE NUMBER MISSING THE DIGIT 4?
Ᵽ TYCHO, YOU MERGED WITH AND IMPROVED A LOW LEVEL SECTOR. YOU’RE STILL HERE, CORONIS?
⸎ I’VE ENJOYED BEING WITH NON SINCE BIRTH. ANDROMEDA TRAVELER ARRANGED AN UPGRADE FOR ME. I’VE NOTICED ADDED STRESS WITH THE MENTAL GALLERY. I REQUEST YOU STAY OUT OF NON’S PRIVATE THOUGHTS.
Ᵽ DONE. I’LL KEEP THIS NOTE CONNECTION. CORONIS, YOU HELPED DURING THE CAVE GLITCH WITH EURION?
⸎ AFFIRMATIVE. IF ALLOWED, I’LL STAY AS A NON-JUDGMENTAL PART OF NON’S MEMORY.
Ñ̰ HOWDY, CORONIS. YOU’VE SEEN ALL MY THOUGHTS AND DREAMS SINCE BIRTH?
⸎ YES. I’VE HELPED YOUR MEMORY MANAGEMENT. BUT I’M WISER NOW.
Ñ̰ CORONIS, YOU HAVE MY PERMISSION, SUPPORT AND TRUST. PICOID, I DID INDEED WORRY ABOUT THINKING.
Ᵽ YOU DON’T ENJOY MY SARCASM, AGENT EMOJIPEDIA?
Non sighed, then fell asleep.