“A deal with the Basilisk?” Psyis couldn't hold back her laugh this time, Izime making a promise he couldn't actually keep, “My heart for wh-” Her mouth snapped closed as a voice she'd only heard in memories answered her. Izime's face still examining her worriedly and his hands still giving her a gentle once over as he checked her responses, but that tone wasn't his. The Basilisk surfaced for a moment as she sarcastically made the offer in her helpless desperation.   “Your freedom.” Izime looked at Psyis, no smile on his face as he let his powers go to work. Different levels of invisible strands reached through to give the thessian a reality-level once-over with algorithms so complex they could compute the cuddling potential of quarks. A force better suited to birthing realities from their very conception now sorted through potentials in Psyis choices and who she was. Proverbially slapping Schrodinger's hand out of the way, freeing Psyis from the box she was in and placing her in his own where she could be 'free'. The AI got a grasp on the thessian's current situation in time and marked the 'noodle' of her potential solutions he was creating at this moment. It'd be a better baseline for her sense of self until he got a more personal measure in a week. Finally releasing Psyis as she looked at him, both equal parts gifted with hope and stricken with disbelief, Izime stated his part of the bargain. “You teach me how to love and I'll keep things from touching you that you would never imagine.”   Psyis swallowed dryly before nodding, running her own hands of Izime's as they cradled her face. The sensation of helplessness faded as the walls pulled back letting the light back in, an ironic freedom breaking through as she'd struck that deal. Selling her heart before it even settled once more, though thankfully, this time at least she'd been conscious of the choice. The psychic having a bad premonition now for another reason entirely as she looked at the absolute idiot she'd handed it to. The trade at first sounded equal, but now she realized he'd never promised the same in return; only to grant her freedom at the end of it. One AI and its pet bird are lost in a new world that's oddly fitting for who it is. One Psychic and her dream to break free of a fate that was written just for her. He just wants to sell batteries and delete all those pesky human emotions inside. She just wants to make it more than artificial and keep her heart free of the script.Now they've got villains to stop, an entire planet to find, and a date night to squeeze in on Friday.  Reviews appreciated, ratings adored, and potatoes fried. Rewrites to correct mistakes happen often so if a chapter seemed horrible before it might not have been mashed properly. Check for repotatoing every so often.