A Marvel Of Their Genius (Book 2) (Page 174)

~~~(POV: Aurora)~~~

~~~(Location: Aurora Holder MK.1, The Keynote)~~~

"How much longer until we reach the nearest local network access?"

Durado hasn't been the best traveling companion, but he follows my directions without much issue. I don't like standing in Durado's hand, but Scott isn't here and won't be here until his debuffs are gone. This means I'm stuck with Durado.

He's been navigating the forest and landscape without much issue, but he's got his blaster ready for any trouble.

"Another 10 minutes at your current speed, and we'll be there. And please, stop asking me that. I'm tired of updating you. It isn't hard to extrapolate."

He snorts at the mention of something that takes the smallest amount of his brain power. But I guess organic matter wouldn't find it simple. Scott would when his debuffs are gone.

"You know, the longer you wait to tell him anything. The worse you'll feel."

Why Durado is talking about his is unknown to me, but it's none of his business. I'm trying to get rid of my feelings for Scott, but it's not as easy as I wish it were. I know nothing can happen between us, but that doesn't make it easier.

What Borealis told me about AI's falling in love with Primordium was a shock. But I guess it makes sense. Powerful bonds are formed between intelligent creatures. And while I'm a construct, I still feel like a real woman would.

"This is none of your business, Durado. Just focus on getting to the network access point."

I don't want to talk about my feelings for Scott with Durado.

"Hey, Scott doesn't see these things. The subtleties of a girl's emotions are like balancing on ball bearings. And Scott is young and won't know what you're feeling.

That's one of the worse analogies I've heard in my life. I don't even know if that can be called an analogy. It's more like a mix between a metaphor and an analogy. I never thought a day would come Durado could... Confuse me...

My pride is a little hurt. I won't lie.

"And from the look on your face right now, you're not understanding. Let me put it like this. Scott's an idiot regarding other people and how they feel toward him. He's too logical. He needs to be shown or forced to know or see how you're feeling."

I ignore Durado, and we eventually make it to a small metal facility built into the rocks. As we approach, Durado holds me up to the console, and I open it. We make our way in as I stand in his hand and look around just as he would.

But unlike him, I understand everything I'm looking at and its purpose here.

"Talk about above my pay grade..."

Another poor saying for a situation like this.

I hop out of the Aurora Holder MK.1, and I start walking around the room. I make myself taller than Durado, and I can tell it bothers him a little.

I make my way to the console, and Durado is behind me. But something unexpected happens.

"Y'know, I didn't notice this before since your personality is so shit. But you've got an awesome body."

My head spins to look at him, and I'm tempted to take control of the room's defenses and shoot him a few times. He holds his hands up in surrender, and I enter the console. I move through the network, figuring out where we are.

~~~(POV: Durado)~~~

~~~(Location: Local Network Access Point, The Keynote)~~~

I watch Aurora disappear, and I find a comfortable seat. I look around the room and take a breath. She had one angry look. She probably would've killed me after saying that if I wasn't Scott's friend. The kid has a way with women, or more like they have a way with him.

"Kid... You have no idea what kind of problems you're causing... I hope I get to see more of it."

The most enjoyable thing for me at this point in my life is watching Aurora break character. She's usually a prideful and arrogant holographic woman, but whenever Scott comes up or is around. She's not like her usual self.

"But I'll say this... The Primordium knew how to build beautiful things... The Keynote... Primordium Prime... I'd through Aurora in there too... It'll be millions, if not billions, of years before the larger universe ever reaches the genius of The Primordium..."