text;

[nobetawedielike]

My name is Beta.

I was created, not born. And my creators controlled everything. 

[ at least she's used to everyone back home knowing this, so sharing it doesn't feel weird.

making the post takes all the deep breathing and pacing out her anxious energy she has, hands trembling unseen the entire time. ]

Obtaining or cooking food, paying for things, even washing clothing. I don't know how to do...anything for myself. I don't know if I'm even capable of surviving alone. I need to learn.

All I can offer in return here is information or education - Physics, chemistry, geo-engineering, computer science and programming, among others. I haven't seen the necessary materials, but I can create too. I was raised on 31st century technology. 

I don't know if this is the right place to ask, but... I need help. 

Comments

[nobetawedielike]

[ Beta is a small figure despite being 5'6". She's in sterile white clothing, curled in on herself by nature. She only looks at him long enough to give a nervous smile right back, eyes dropping back to the floor. ]

Do you usually need it?

[solitarysoul]

[...yes, but that was back before he came here. So he'll just skip over that.]

I haven't needed it here. I just don't want to let anyone take it. Its not safe.

[Also he feels better when he has it with him.]

[nobetawedielike]

So it's not...really dangerous here?

[solitarysoul]

[He doesn't really trust anywhere to be really safe, but he knows that's because of how his life has gone. Here, though...except for that bunker he hasn't seen any real trouble. Maybe the vegetable.]

I haven't had any trouble. There was that thing with the produce but I think everyone handled that pretty well and it's over anyway.

[He doesn't want to scare her, but he won't up and lie and say everything is fine. Hopefully this should hit a good median.]

[nobetawedielike]

I don't understand how what happened with the produce was even possible.

[ if this was a simulation, it was possible. but if not... ]

Anyway, um. Thank you for coming.

[solitarysoul]

Me either...I don't think that could happen where I came from.

[Maybe. There had been a lot of weird shit those last few days.]

W-was there anything in particular you wanted to learn? I have some money, well it's not the money they use here but it's still money. We could, um, practice buying things?

[That was one of the things she asked about, right? He's pretty sure it was.]

[nobetawedielike]

That would be good. If I practice it...maybe I'll be less nervous when I have to do it.

[solitarysoul]

[He nods and digs four coins and an unopened beer out of his bag, then holds the coins out for her.]

I-i haven't gone shopping here, but it was the same everywhere I've been so it shouldn't be too different.

Sometimes, a-and this is probably really mean, but you can just pretend the shopkeeper is something that automatically takes and gives money and items if you're nervous. You don't have to talk to them much.

[nobetawedielike]

[ she takes the coins, turning them over and inspecting them closely. ]

I'm used to AIs, I could pretend they're one of my tutors. And I just give the money to them?

[solitarysoul]

[They're coins from his world, old and passed through many hands but without anything really distinct about them.]

I don't know what an AI is, but yeah. You show them or give them the item you want [he holds up the beer] and they tell you the price. Then you give them the money. If you have more money than it costs they'll give you change. Then you can go with your item.

S-sometimes they try to make conversation, but you don't have to talk back. Its easier to just pay and go.

[Talking to people is hard and sometimes scary.]