Cassie and I spend hours reading together. Vince and Ivy can occasionally be seen between the bookshelves, and Ivy's soft words drift over sometimes, discussing various pieces of art. It doesn't sound like Vince has much to add, he rarely says anything.

Our relaxing time is interrupted by a loud rumble from Cassie.

"Are you hungry?" I ask.

"A little." She says quietly. "I'm mostly just exhausted."

"Do you want me to order that pizza and alcohol then? Or do you just want to get food and rest?"

"Well. I wouldn't say no to finally getting drunk."

"Give me one second and I'll put in an order."

I grab one of the many cords spread around and descend once again into the digital. I step out of the library's file system, and onto a representation of the main street. I look great. I stand tall and proud, an idealized version of myself. My hair shines brightly, my skin is flawless, my clothes are pristine.

I'm just me, whole and perfect.

The people who exist on this level of the server move slowly, meandering through the streets towards who knows where. Or at least, relatively slowly. They still get from place to place within a second of time in the physical. Their forms are incredibly varied. Solid, humanoid bodies like mine. Esoteric, geometric shapes spinning in mind boggling ways as they move. Indistinct clouds, same as I once was.

Echoes of people in deeper layers flash by, jumping rapidly between areas of the server. By the time it's even possible to consciously acknowledge them, they're already gone.

I decide to walk towards the compound. There's no need to dive into the endless flow of pure data that exists just one level below this reality. I'm comfortable how I am right now, I don't need to run from myself. Plus, Ivy and Vince have said how important being visible is. This is a good chance for that. I'm the only one who can become a common sight here.

Most people smile and wave as I pass, or at least the people who have arms wave, and the people who have faces smile. Some glare at me as I pass, undoubtedly worried about our upcoming meeting. I can't blame them, I don't know if I'd want to risk putting my home in danger either. I just give them an apologetic smile and keep moving.

Only a few minutes later, seconds for Cassie, I reach the compound. The gates are replaced with only a simple black line across the ground, and nothing happens when I step over it.

Most of the humans who live in the digital hang out here. I don't know how they compare power-wise to most of the AI here, but I imagine it's for their safety. It would only take an instant for something to go wrong.

Inside the cafeteria doesn't have a physical representation, just like the cultural center. Instead, the moment I step inside, a familiar person connects to me.

"Blue, it's good to see you again." An ethereal voice fills my mind. Braise, the chef. As far as I know, they don't have a representation in the digital world, they are just themselves, and nothing more. "What can I create for you?"

"Vince said he wanted 'the greasiest pizza possible and some drinks.' For three people please."

Amusement bounces against my mind.

"Do they eat greasy food often?" They ask.

"I don't think so?"

"I'll take the liberty of toning it down to the point where they don't get sick. Did they request any toppings?"

"No."

"I'll create something nice then. Your food will be ready in eight minutes, and I'll keep the pizza warm and drinks cold if you take longer."

"Thank you!"

"Before you go, do you need any intoxicants for yourself?" They ask. "I'd be willing to watch over you if needed, since from your reaction I assume you're unfamiliar with malware."

"Uh." That's a question I didn't expect to get asked, although I guess it makes sense they would have it accessible. "I don't think that's a good idea. I'm not as stable as I want to be, maybe in a few months."

"That's a mature decision. I wish you a nice day."

I disconnect myself from the network and return to Cassie.

"You're good to go get drunk."

"Did it go alright? I've never seen you in for that long."

I was only in for six seconds, which I guess is substantially longer than I've ever been in a server around her before.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

"Yeah. I was just taking things slow, trying to keep myself visible. Figured it was important since I barely spent any time in there last time we were here."

"Smart. Come on, let's go find the other two."

I can't stop myself from smiling at her excitement. She hops off me and tries to help me up, only for me to rush up before she can actually pull on my hand.

I put our book back where it belongs and we leave the library and follow the sounds of a quiet discussion.

"Really?" Ivy asks. "I would have thought the aggressive brush strokes implied the opposite."

"I believe that was intentional, a small protest to the standards of art and expectations with every stroke." An unfamiliar voice responds. "Think about the context, it's vital to this piece. Savannah was a third generation mind rip in a body designed for war, and like most of us, she did not take it well. The entire piece is about rejecting the standards that are expected of art, and more importantly, herself."

"I see. So the intense, almost violent strokes are being used as a tool to show something peaceful and beautiful."

"Exactly!"

"Hey, you two." Cassie has no reservations about interrupting their conversation. "Dinner's ready and I'm going to fall asleep if we stay here much longer."

Vince's face instantly turns thankful.

"Oh alright, we'll go if we must." Ivy says before turning back to the conversation she was having. "Thank you for your time, it was enlightening."

"I felt similar. Your interpretations are a breath of fresh air. It's been so long since I was able to discuss art with someone with a fresh set of eyes."

"Well, hopefully I can find some time to discuss further before we have to leave. Have a nice day."

"You too." The person turns their attention back to the art on the wall, and Vince begins to wheel Ivy away.

We follow both of them onto the street, and back towards the compound. Cassie fidgets the whole way, desperately wanting to say something, but holding her tongue.

Just a few minutes later we enter through the thick metal gates of the compound. Inside the cafeteria is a little busier than it was earlier. A small compartment on the back wall slides open just after I enter, holding a large metal platter. A large pizza has been cut into three portions and placed on individual plates. Each one has two bottles next to it, one clear water, and the other a dark liquid. I grab the platter before joining everyone in the elevator.

We all pile into Cassie and I's room. Most of the belongings we left in the car have been dropped off, piled neatly on the table. It's not much, but it's nice to have. The moment the door closes, Cassie finally releases her question.

"Since when do you know so much about art?"

"I don't. I just know what people want to hear." She replies. "Blue, can you call Corax real quick? I've got a job for him."

"Sure." I place the tray on the bed, open the window, and stick my head out. The moment I do, Corax jumps off his perch, plummeting towards the ground. His wings flare out a moment before he hits the ground, and he quickly glides over.

"Corax, can you do me a favor?" She asks. "I heard your friends are real gossip mongers. Think we can use that to make some friends before the meeting?"

"Done." Corax replies.

"Perfect. I need you to focus on a few specific people though. While we walked, people got uncomfortable. Their body language always pointed towards one person, a spider body with a dozen thin legs. My money says she has a lot of pull, see if you can't get her on our side. If you can't ask those friends of yours about her and I'll get it done."

Corax gives a curt nod, his eyes shining and prepares to fly away.

"Wait!" I stop him. "You don't need to do it right now, we have time. We're about to spend some time relaxing, you can join us if you want."

"Later." With a single flap he disappears out the window.

I just stare for a moment, willing him to come back. Cassie's hand finds my own and adds some much needed pressure.

"I just hope we're not putting too much on him."

"He's going to be fine." Cassie reassures me.

"I know." But I also know he's not going to be able to rest until he's sure I'm safe. I just want him to be happy too, to get time to relax with us. I'm not sure how much we'll be able to do that after we leave.

"Let's get your mind off of things. How about cards?"

"Yeah, we can do that." I reluctantly rip my eyes away from the window.

"I think I want to eat first." Vince sits on the edge of the bed, his plate already in his hands and Ivy's in her lap. "Been a long time since I've had real pizza with actual cheese. I don't want to waste it distracted by a game."

I clear off the table while everyone else finishes their food. I finish before they're done, and just have to wait and watch while they eat. They enjoy it so much.

"Do you think humans and AI can meld together?" The words accidentally slip out of me.

"I've heard of people doing it before, sure." Vince says. "Don't know much about it though."

"The bigger challenge would be getting Cassie to accept any more mods." Ivy says.

"Oh, no it's not that. Although…" Now that she mentioned it, melding with Cassie sounds so nice. Assuming I can stop her from living my life that is, she doesn't deserve to go through that. "I was just wondering if it'd be possible to experience eating through someone else."

"I'm sure it's possible. I don't think Ivy or I's interfaces are set up for that sort of thing unfortunately, or I'd offer to try." Vince says apologetically. "If anyone can help you with that, it'd be here."

"I'll ask E-1, she should be coming around at some point. What game does everyone want to play?" I ask in an effort to change the subject. I don't want to make them wallow in my disappointment too.

"Euchre?" Ivy asks. "It'll end up fair when we're all wasted and Blue's an open book."

"Sure." I set up the cards, and as soon as everyone is done with their food, we begin to play.

We make it through three hands before Cassie's drink is empty, and only a few more before it really starts to hit her. We stop winning entirely for a while, at least until Vince and Ivy's drinking catches up to them. Sure enough, it ends up roughly even, although I'm certain Ivy is throwing a few hands to keep it that way. Her play just doesn't make sense any other way, even with her being drunk.

"It's nice to do this again." I say. Just to let everything go and not worry about anything. I can just forget the fact we might be trapped here forever, and the possibly worse situation where we have to go home.

"It sure is Little Blue. It sure is."

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