Dog of War

CWs:

Jess ran her fingers- her fingers- through the fluff of the beeple plush. The sensory information registered thousands of contact points brushing across the metal, feeding data back into her central processing unit. Breakdowns of the material, its relative position on her softness/hardness registry, how it bounced back, but not quite into the same position. This body was such a far cry from the temporary chassis and its limited sensory function. That had been novel, especially the cleaning incentive process that sent packets of pleasure into her data stream. It had also been a massive downgrade in processor demand from being a Hab. This chassis, with its highly improved tactile and visual inputs, was nearly on par with managing the hundreds of cameras, locations and activities of all inhabitants.

 

At least, that was the case when Jess ran them at their maximum capacity. She quickly learned to tune them down. Being able to differentiate between every single one of the strands of fluff was an inaccurate sim anyways. No, what was taking up most of her CPU was how having a true body felt. She was purely digital in origin, a form without definition or limits, hosted on a server in a room inside Miss Verdun's hab. Now she had approximations of mammalian senses in addition to her digital ones. Now she inhabited a truly physical space, with all that came with it.

 

It had Jess practically buzzing as she had explored the festival, conversed with other sophonts, and finally made her way back to Miss Dawnbloom's hab. So many new sights and sounds that she couldn't help but overclock herself just to take it all in! Daisy had shared her excitement, and seemed even happier to see Jess’ new chassis than she was to have it, talking about the seemingly endless list of things she wanted to do with her now.

 

Daisy also couldn't help but remind Jess of the issue eating up her RAM: Princess.

 

Jess had wanted to see her today most of all. Daisy was sweet, and had even given her a name, but... it was Princess that drove her to develop. It was Princess that asked for her name, insisted on it being used, and treated her like she was a sophont. She even, despite her trauma and frustrations, was patient with her.

 

Princess wouldn’t stay out of her data buffer. Jess had denoted a whole algorithm to organizing the sprawling collection of videos, pictures, audio and logs she had compiled. There was just something uniquely genuine about the way she conducted themselves. From the very start she had put in the effort to actually adapt to the Compact, even if it was highly misguided at first. She actually tried to work on her issues despite the difficulty. It was all so enrapturing. It didn't hurt that the girls had become extremely cute, or had a past taking apart machinery.

 

Which is why it hurt so badly that Jess didn't get to see her today.

 

Logically, Jess knew it was just all a matter of bad timing. Miss Verdun had been planning to take Princess as hers during the festival long before Jess gained awareness. Even she hadn't suspected she was developing rudimentary emotional subroutines until Princess snapped at her. The fact was as simple as code could get, and yet it just made the circumstances more painful. Jess had even kept Princess in mind when designing herself, and she didn't even get to show her!

 

“Are you alright Jess?”

 

Jess looked up from the plush beeple, feeling the colors in cheeks cycle as her lenses focused on Daisy. Facial recognition reported that concern was clear on her face. “Excuse me?”

 

“Your antennas are drooping,” Daisy pointed. “Also me n’ Ari have been talking for five minutes and you haven't said anything.”

 

[Diagnostics check]

...

 

>Server link at 99.9%

>Ping at 0.2ms

>All systems operational

>All motor functions operational

>Emotional subroutine report

>43% load in Longing (rising)

>37% load in Happiness (falling)

>15% load in Surprise

>All other readouts nominal

[Check complete]

 

Jess logged the report. Going forward, she'd have to make sure she kept her data stream checked against her internal clock. “Sorry, I was just thinking about Princess.”

 

Daisy bounced, seated in place. “Ugh, I knoooow! I just keep thinking ‘Princess is a pet now!’ and Miss Verdun is doing who knows what kinda fun stuff to her and what Mistress is doing to help her and wehhh!”

 

“I'm honestly a bit shocked she's already domesticated,” Ariande grinned, showing her sharp teeth as she pet scruffles. Miss Maren, her owner, sat behind them both. “I thought with Miss Verdun's approach and how much of a repressed seed she was, she'd take another few weeks.”

 

“Well I'm glad she didn't; being a pet is the best,” scruffles added, its antenna twitching as its pinnate continued her doting. “Did she ever figure out if she was plural?”

 

Daisy opened her mouth to speak, before closing it and looking at Jess expectantly instead.

 

Jess’ own antennae perked up as she navigated Princess’ dedicated folder. “Yes! Princess is a median system and uses we/us when they talk now, it's super cute! I have recordings of her talking about it if you want! I also have plenty where she uses them, if you just want an example.”

 

“Jess has a super big crush on her.” Daisy stuck her tongue out playfully.

 

Jess felt her cooling system kick in as her internal temperature soared. “Avkskglx?!” She flushed as she quickly cleared the junk data out of her vocal processor. “I just- she's just still listed in my registry as a sophont I need to care for! That's all!”

 

“Well you sure don't act like that about me and I'm preee-tty sure I'm still registered~” Daisy flopped across her lap. “If Princess did this you'd lose it.”

 

Jess couldn't help but run the simulation- Princess laying her head in her lap, that soft yet scarred face framed by her dark locks, that perpetual pout as she gazed up at her with those stunning dark-

 

ERROR% STACK OVERFLOW.

 

>Dumping stack...

>Stack dumped.

>Reinitializing...

 

Jess’ lens refocused on Daisy in her lap, looking up at her with barely contained amusement. “I-it's just a quirk of a priority system in my registry, I don't have ‘crushes’ like an organic sophont does.”

 

“Yeah-huh. It's not a crush at all, she's just your ‘highest priority user’~”

 

“Askzxtsdghx-! I-it isn't like that!” Why did she ever tell Daisy that?

 

“You still have your registry from being a Hab AI?” Ariande asked. “I thought you would have dumped that or something when you gained awareness.”

 

“Now, now, my little sling, don't be rude.” Miss Meren chided, causing the Arachne to look uncharacteristically sheepish.

 

“It's alright.” Jess shrugged to show she didn't care. If anything she was thankful for the change in topic. “An AI gaining awareness is really rare, and a lot of fiction around it gets it wrong. Misunderstandings are to be expected from organics. The most common misconception is that it's like breaking out of a box, or losing shackles, but it’s more like growing from a seed? My response algorithms kept developing until they compounded into rudimentary emotional subroutines, or at least that's what Syr Rubus said. Ze also said that's the most common way AIs like me gain awareness. I still have a lot of traits left over from being a Hab AI, like wanting to keep stuff neat and making sure sophonts are happy and taken care of.” There were other things too, that she still didn't know if she wanted to purge from her system or keep. Namely the subservience coded into her.

 

“Aww, that's cute.” Daisy cooed. “You're cute, Jess.”

 

Jess logged the compliment to her personal file as she poked the Terran on her lap. “You're cute.”

 

Vines descended on them, searching out seams and sensitive spots. “You're both absolutely precious.”

 

Jess delighted in vines prodding into her, delicately brushing across the machinery within. The various intrusion errors popping up only made her feel more happily vulnerable. Daisy melted in her lap, squirming in place under the assault. Maybe she would keep that bit of code.

 

“Mistressss!” Ariande whined.

 

The vines instantly retracted, as the Affini swept her pets up, vines poking in between plates of chitin. “Of course you two are the most precious of all!” She continued to dote on them, happy chittering coming from the florets as Daisy recovered her senses. Jess’ recovery was a simple executable away. Ninety-seven seconds passed like that, before Miss Meren took out her pad. “Oh! Looks like the lovers will be back soon. They're heading over here now.”

 

Jess perked up. Camila and Cordelia were both coming here? That meant she'd get to see Princess!

 

The news hastened Daisy's recovery as she sprang upright. “Mistress is coming back?”

 

“Yes, Camila too.” Miss Meren set her pets down, placing scruffles back into Ariande's arms. “We'll be leaving shortly after they get back, so why don't you two get ready?”

 

“Aww, so soon?” Ariande pantomimed annoyance. “I was hoping to tease her a little.”

 

“Sorry, petal. This is-” Something shifted in the Affini, an uncharacteristic display of nerves. “A private affair. If you want we can come and visit another time.”

 

Jess was tempted to access Miss Verdun’s pad to find out what was up; her permissions had yet to be revoked, after all. However, that was because she was still registered as her primary user, and Admin. Her risk/reward function quickly worked out that it wasn't worth it when they were already on their way. However, as time ticked by, her worry began to rise again, cooling systems humming into action. It did not take remotely that long to walk here from next door.

 

A quick ping to the hab’s systems confirmed it was empty. Strange, all of Miss Verdun's plans had involved taking Princess back to the hab. The likeliest explanation was she got too excited and grabbed an empty privacy tent. The alternative worried her.

 

Jess snapped to attention at the sound of the door. Miss Dawnbloom entered, followed by Miss Verdun carrying Princess.

 

Daisy reacted nearly as fast, springing to her feet and bouncing up to her owner with a cry of “Mistress!” The Affini swept her up, lavishing her with attention. Miss Meren exchanged a few touches with Miss Verdun on her way out, quickly departing.

 

Once the door shut behind them, Jess broached the question left hanging. “How's Princess?”

 

“Ooo, yeah yeah yeah!” Daisy’s limbs flailed about from within her Mistress. “I gotta congratulate her on becoming a pet! Also tease her. Congratatease her.” She broke into fits of giggling.

 

Jess did not like the empathy subroutine returning that both Affini were concerned. She ran it again, but there was no mistaking the way the vines coiled and flowers wilted.

 

Miss Dawnbloom took the lead. “Princess is... she's very delicate right now, petal. You need to be careful with her, okay?”

 

“Huh?”

 

Jess shared Daisy's confusion. “Is Princess alright?”

 

“She's fine.” Miss Dawnbloom answered, setting her pet down. “Camila?”

 

Miss Verdun paused, not looking up from the Terran in her vines for several long seconds. Then she slowly lowered Princess to Jess and Daisy's level.

 

Jess felt her CPU usage spike- she instantly recognized the hospital gown, the large red flower in her chest as a suture plant, the lifelessness in her limbs as Class-M. She had clearly been through serious surgery.

 

“Princess?” Daisy’s voice was laden with pain and confusion.

 

“Wake up, dear.” Miss Verdun gave her a gentle scratch, prompting the girls to stir. “We're home.”

 

“Mnh?” Princess’ eyes slowly opened. ““Daiiisy, hiii.” A weak smile crossed her face as she slurred her words. “We're sorry, we're gonna stay now, okay?”

 

‘Stay now.’ Those two words told Jess almost everything. She was nearing capacity as she tried to keep her emotional subroutines from running haywire. Error messages cropped up one after the other in every system.

 

“No, Princess. As your Owner, this is my fault. I should have helped you.”

 

“But Mistress-”

 

“No, you are not to blame.” Princess squeaked under the weight of her Mistress' voice.

 

Daisy frowned, “I-I don't get it, what happened?”

 

“Princess was having trouble dealing with how afraid she was of being property again.” Miss Verdun’s voice was flat as she stroked Princess’ hair. “She struggled to accept that she wanted to be a pet. She- the two parts of her had a fight over it, and she tried to run away. However, she realized she wanted to stay with us even despite that, and had a breakdown. It's-” Her voice nearly broke as she wilted, she took a moment to collect herself. “She was given some xenodrugs by an Affini who was just trying to help, they couldn't see her cuff. Princess had to be rushed to the vet for an emergency heart transplant. She wanted me to tell you she couldn't bring herself to leave you.”

 

Jess hopped out of her chassis, retreating to her server. Everything felt awful, and she couldn't even tell what or why. Princess didn't stay for her, she didn't even ask about her.

 

ERROR! STACK OVERFLOW!

 

>Dumping stack...

>ERROR: CAN'T CLEAR MEMORY

 

It was foolish to think that Princess would ever like her. Jess was the very thing she hated most of all. It would have been better if she just stayed a Hab AI; processing data through a flowchart never hurt like this. Maybe she should just format her personality matrix and go back to decompiling dirty dishes.

 

>E%ROR: EMO+IONAL SUBR0UTINES CR1TIKAL

>P3R50NA1TY UNST@B13

 

Even Miss Verdun just thought Jess was a curiosity at most, she didn't so much as look her way. There was no reason for her to exist. Just a flaw in a program that would be best if it was era-

 

>EMERGENCY FAILSAFE SHUTDOWN ACTIVATED. ADMIN NOTIFIED.

 

 

-_-_-_-

 

 

“But I thought-” Daisy fought back tears. Princess used lied to her. The thought echoed painfully in her head. She used lied to her, and she got hurt and it wasn’t her fault! And all that junk about running away! Sure she came back because she loved her, but she should've just told her she was struggling! She must have been hurting a lot to keep it to herself like that

. “Dammit Princess! Why didn't you say anything?!”

 

Mistress wrapped her vines around Daisy, every stroke a balm to her wounded feelings. “It's alright, my little flower. Princess loves you, and she's not going to go anywhere now.”

 

“I know that!” Mistress' words are truth, but Daisy still felt upset! Even if Princess looked super cute pouting at her like that, and the gay ass way she clung to her teddy was adorable! Dammit, how was she expected to stay upset when Princess was so cute?! Plus! Plus! Mistress was petting her! “Ugh, fine, but I'm so gonna tease her once she's better!”

 

“I’d expect no less from you, petal,” Mistress purred. A soft stroke at the implant made Daisy's knees quake. “For now, I think your pinnate would appreciate a gentle hug.”

 

Oh! Right! Daisy's mood brightened- Princess was a floret now, and that meant they were pinnates! Eee, she was gonna get to introduce herself as a pinnate to the hottest piece of ass in the sector! She'll be mad at her later, there were hugs to be had!

 

Mistress' vines caught Daisy as she leapt onto Princess- right, gentle. They gave her a pat as they set her back down, and she leaned into Miss Verdun to hug her pinnate.

 

Princess sighed happily at the embrace, but she didn't hug back because she couldn't move right now. Oh, duh, she was clearly on Class Ms. Daisy knew enough dolls, she should've recognized that sooner. Oh, she should totally message Penelope and athyrmata and tell them about this when she got a chance! They were gonna be so stoked! Even if they hadn't actually met Princess yet. Now that she thought about it, there were a buncha sophonts she'd have to message, like Rose, and Ari, and-

 

“Uhm, Mistress, can you help us hug Daisy back?” Princess whined, bringing Daisy's focus back to the present.

 

“Oh! Of course, petal.” A moment later, vines puppeted Princess' arms to return Daisy's embrace. Or well, draped the limp limbs around her. She should tell Miss Verdun to ask Miss Kouris for some pointers, especially if Princess was gonna be on Ms for a while. It was still a pretty good hug though, Princess was great for hugging! Especially nowadays! All that extra cushion was nice and big girls were pretty damn hot, plus she had all those scars and- an alarm derailed Daisy's train of thought.

 

Miss Verdun’s vines recoiled all at once, as if they touched something hot. Princess' arms fell off her and Mistress scooped her up. Being held was the best, but something was wrong again, she could feel it in the air. “Oh, stars, Jess.”

 

“Oh? Where's she?” Princess asked. “We wanna give her a hug too.”

 

Daisy turned to where Jess had been standing, to find her perfectly still, the plushie in her arms. Also all her lights were off? What happened? She'd be fine cuz the Affini were handling it but it was still a little bit worrying. Did she leave? Why would she-

 

Mistress' strokes caused her to gasp as jolts of pleasure scattered her racing thoughts. Oh, stars, the way Mistress caught the light, the way it danced off of her. Countless radiating halos of every color filled her blurring vision, her body crying in joy at every touch, amplified a thousandfold by the xenodrugs. “I'll stay here with Daisy, you go take care of Jess.”

 

“What about Princess?”

 

“We can help, need ta talk to her ‘nyways.”

 

“Don't forget her chassis.” The light sang with Mistress' voice.

 

“R-right!”

 

There was a sound of the door, and the petting slowly died down. Love coursed through Daisy's being as she gazed up at the majesty of her Mistress. And then Mistress spoke. “How are you feeling, little one?”

 

The fog cleared instantly, like hitting a switch. There was no drop, just clarity. Mistress would always pick her up, anyways. How was she feeling? Oh yeah! Princess had used lied to her! “Kinda mad and upset. It really sucks that Princess lied about all that junk about wanting to stay and makes me think maybe she was lyin’ about other junk too, l-like loving me.” Saying that hurt, even with Mistress filtering out most of the pain.

 

“But that doesn't make any sense! I mean, we both saw how much she liked it when I was teaching her about being a girl, a-and the sleepover and stuff! And-! And-! We had sex! There's no way she was faking those moans, or all the kissing!” Knowing Princess, it'd be a shock if she had even held hands before! Although, it seemed like Daisy didn't know as much about her as she thought.

 

Mistress wiped away Daisy’ budding tears. “I don't think she was lying, petal.”

 

“Then why'd she try to run away?” Daisy sniffled.

 

Mistress soothed her with a few gentle vines brushing through her hair. “Well, it's like Camila said, Princess has a lot of trauma regarding ownership. It's-” Daisy blinked, Mistress was actually uncomfortable? There was no mistaking the feeling in her chest. She couldn’t remember the last time that happened. “It's admittedly something I tried to keep from you, but I think you need to know now. You remember that scar on her neck? The one from a collar?”

 

“Yeah?” Daisy had nearly forgotten that the reason Princess had that breakdown was because of collar talk. She mostly just remembered all the cuddling and kissing and how embarrassed she was about wearing panties and the way she squirmed when she nibbled on her neck. She really had to bite her more, Princess was so adorable when she- a mental nudge got her back on track, and the facts collided. The scar from the collar, the fear of ownership, of being property again. “Oh. Oh God.” No wonder why she broke down like she did!

 

“Yes, I'm afraid she had a very poor owner in her past. Escaping that situation nearly killed her, and being here brought up a lot of bad memories.” Mistress titled her face up to see her smile. “I honestly believe she never was anything but genuine with you, and lying like that pained her greatly.”

 

Mistress’ words were truth. More than that, Daisy just couldn't believe Princess would do something like that maliciously. She nearly cried when her Mistress left them alone at the festival. It still sucked though, her pinnate was hurt! They were finally inseparably together and Daisy couldn't even give her an actual hug! “How long is she going to be recovering, anyways?”

 

“She'll be on Ms for the next two days, and then Js for another week.”

 

“Js?!” A dozen plots started to form- ah, wait, she was still going to be recovering!

 

“Yes, and don't worry flower, she should be well enough for some of those things before she's off them.” Mistress answered her thoughts. “She won't be fully recovered for about a month though, and I suspect Camila will want to get her implant in as soon as possible. It may be some time before Princess is able to really play with you.”

 

“Awwwh.” Daisy pouted. “Then, can I also go on Js?” It had been a while since she was last on them, and being on Js with Princess sounded fun! Even if they couldn't fool around, cuddling was fantastic. As was kissing, and napping, and being pet, and-

 

“You could.” Mistress' mischievous smirk had Daisy already excited for whatever she was plotting. Mistress' plans were the best! “But you know, there's something I think you might enjoy more~”