Page 42 of Guiding Reason

BAI > TowerAI

Hello!

I am the building AI for building D-47a. It houses most of Ferrea’s hospitality agents. After the Op-AI’s death, I am concerned about my residents.

One of them, Conduit Lapatea, has left with a bag, and he hasn’t come home. I know he and Toso, a resident who died in the recent attack, took care of the Argentean team staying at the Tower.

Is Lapatea there? Is he safe? I am very concerned and don’t know who to contact if he’s not home soon.

TowerAI > BAI

You needn’t worry, he’s here. At this very moment, he and Guardian Karmine are enjoying chien flour bites in the common area on their floor. Both look happy. I’m including five seconds of their interactions so you can verify this for yourself.

I would not normally do this, but he’s a Conduit, and he wears a white scarf of grief. I’ll inform you if and when he leaves, and who with. I think the Op-AI would have approved.

(GroundsChat, bot network of the Grounds)

A lot of the fear and turmoil settled with his Conduit nestled close to his chest, deep asleep and in that state, seeking nearness. Col was buffering as well, channeling off just drops of whatever overload had built in Hyran. That, too, was soothing.

I wish it were real,Hyran thought.

It could be, maybe. If he worked on it and Col did too. It was that hope he clung to, and like an ache, it kept him from passing out.

Hyran’s screen hummed where he’d put it on a small vanity in the corner. It was the alarm he’d set for the next dose of the medication Col needed to take.

Hyran sighed before running a hand along Col’s back, smooth and toned, unusual for a Conduit but maybe not so much so for a team lead who even ventured outside the walls.

At first Col didn’t stir, and Hyran would have let him sleep, but he couldn’t. It would be neglectful, and it might hurt Col.

Hyran whispered into Col’s ear. “Hey, Col. You have to wake up, at least enough to take a few pills. You can go right back to sleep after, hmm? Come on, open those pretty eyes for me.”

Col groaned. His arms came around Hyran to stretch and shake off sleep, and then he was awake, or sort of, still gloriously soft in this nest of a bed, and so warm.

“Did I drift off? What time is it? There’s so much work to do.”

Hyran stroked the back of Col’s head. “It’s fine. You were exhausted. You clearly needed this. But right now, you need those meds, okay?”

The Conduit sighed. “Fine. Lest I turn into one of those Guardians who can’t bear to follow a physician’s orders and thinks they know everything.”

“Those are the worst,” Hyran said.

Col looked up at him. “You’re making fun of me.”

“Maybe I just want to make you smile.”

Col bit his lip. Then he smiled. It was a tired smile, not genuine, but it was him trying, and Hyran appreciated that, the effort he made.

“Thank you for the sex,” Col said. “I really enjoyed that. And I needed it.”

Hyran pressed Col close, as close as he dared. “Anytime. Seeing you like that was a lot though, and if I ever pass out from being overcome by lust, please know that you did it. You’re beautiful.”

This time, the small chuckle was genuine. “That’s terrible, Guardian Hyran. Did you try to charm Conduits with that phrase before?”

“Not really.”

“Good. It’s not the best way to go about it.”

“Then what is? I have urgent cause to learn if you’re available to teach me.”