13146/I think therefore I art

I think therefore I art
Date of Scene:	23 October 2022
Location:	Vivian and Molly's Dorm Room
Synopsis:	After meeting Cecily at a major Metropolis incident Vivian takes the unusual step of hiring her to be an art model. They wind up talking philosophy and food. And perhaps a school rule about firearms in the dorms gets broken. But shhhh don't tell anyone.
Cast of Characters:	Vivian Vision, Cecily Winters

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Vivian Vision has posed:
A change meeting at a crime scene introduced Vivian Vision to an unusual individual. What she assumes is a metahuman, perhaps a mutant?, with numerous tails and animal features. And one of the things her artistic project has been encouraging is capturing different sorts of people. In different poses. To better develop both her technical skills and artistic direction.

Which is how the synthetic teen came to send a rather odd request to hire a professional operative for a modelling job. An odd but perhaps bold offer. But then you don't spend time around Janet van Dyne without learning a little bit about being bold...

The venue is perhaps the oddest part. A high school dorm room. But then you hardly need high tech equipment to make pencil sketches!

Cecily Winters has posed:
    It's a surprise that is pleasant enough. A different job than usual. Way different than usual, in fact. And it's a pleasant surprise. Of course, when she comes, she isn't carrying a duffel bag. Though she's still wearing her usual professional attire. Smart lines, shoulder holster, and everything else done. "Good to see you again," she greets Vivian, giving her a polite smile and a matching nod. Her fingers slide through her hair and she lightly brushes against one ear. Her tails wave behind her and she looks around.

    "This works for your needs, then? I admit I'm not entirely sure what you'd like of me but..." she laughs, "I'm happy to get a different... task assigned to me."

Vivian Vision has posed:
Vivian Vision offers a smile and wave in greeting as she opens the door and lets Cecily in. It's a pretty typical high school dorm room. At least as normal as possible considering who the current residents are. There's clearly an area set aside in the bathroom acting as a changing area. The little kitchen area has some plates of snacks and the fridge has a selection of non-alcoholic drinks. Clearly she's attempting to make the space as welcoming and comfortable for her models as possible!

"Yes it is always nice to see people outside violent confrontations," she replies brightly. "I hope you did not mind that I find you interesting as a subject for my art works? I have been trying to depict as mixed a selection of subjects as I can. From metahumans to aliens to regular people."

"All you really need to do is pose in whatever you find comfortable. I have a variety of cosplay choices if that appeals. Some people have wished to life model. I will then manually draw you, refraining from using my enhanced abilities as much as possible, to mimic the Human creative experience as closely as I can."

Cecily Winters has posed:
    "Mmm? Interesting?" Cecily asks, then looks herself over. "I do suppose out of all the strange, fascinating, interesting, and wonderful people I've met in my line of work... I've only met a single other kitsune-adjacent sort..." she muses aloud. Then she shakes her head, "Well. Truth be told... I wouldn't mind being a life model, if you wanted to go that route. I... think I know what that means.." she taps her chin with her fingertip. "You might have to refresh me on that one..." she laughs quietly.

    Then she shakes her head, "Besides, I think cosplay might... mmm... muddle the experience? If you were to draw me looking like a character, then there'd be some missing authenticity. It's not my usual attire and the fox ears and tails aren't, well, accessories."

Vivian Vision has posed:
Vivian Vision nods her head slightly. "A life model would be just in your natural undressed state," she clarifies. "Although in an artistic sense. Rather than anything people might find shocking. As for props and costumes they're just there for if people find them interesting!"

She steps over to where her sketch book is, giving her guest more space to walk around the room.

"There are changing facilities in the bathroom and you can help yourself to drinks or snacks. I am able to account for slight changes in position so don't worry about remaining silent or holding exactly in one spot. I cheat a little but only for the sake of comfort for the model."

She grins and adds "Besides I find conversation allows me to better know my subject. Which makes drawing them more.. you know. Expressive."

Cecily Winters has posed:
    The fox nods, "Just as I expected.." she states. "No, I don't mind. And as far as undressing, I doubt there's quite a point to it if I'm going to be bare for the 'camera', so to speak, right?" Cecily offers, lifting her shoulders in a small shrug. She looks around again, moving further inward. "Just let me know where you'd like me to place my things, and then where to sit..." she trails off, then smiles.

    "I think I may have an idea for what would help the process, since you are looking for more art and less shock. In terms of a pose, at the very least..." she is already in the process of unbuttoning her vest. "Thank you kindly for the offer of food and drink, I may take you up on that later. What have you to snack on?"

Vivian Vision has posed:
"I have a mix of healthy snacks which are vegetarian and in some cases vegan," Vivian starts, getting a chair from one of the rooms two desks and putting it in the middle of the room. Lighting is largely not a concern. Her holo systems can generate ideal conditions no matter where Cecily is sitting. "Plus some less healthy options in terms of cakes and cookies. Anything you don't eat I can easily share with others in the dorm so. Do not feel obligated to eat anything unless you wish to!"

The perks of dorm life is you never have to worry about too much food.

"As for the point of a changing area.. It's strange to me but some people find the act of changing to be more embarrassing than being undressed. I suppose it's linked to different cultural attitudes and beliefs?"

Cecily Winters has posed:
    "I do suppose everyone is different..." Cecily muses, carefully removing her gun belt and then her vest. She takes her time, but she doesn't shy away move to the changing room to do her task. It really isn't too long before she's down to the bare skin. Except. As she sits, she adjusts her fluffy tails, using them to cover herself. The vixen sits sideways, putting her in profile to Vivian. The soft, white fluff hides her more lascivious curves.

    "I'll grab a nibble later, I think... thank you for the opportunity, though. Do, please, tell me how you'd like me to sit?" she offers politely, though she seems to get comfortable with one leg crossed over the other and the silky white fur obscuring her just so.

Vivian Vision has posed:
While not quite as good as a gun safe Vivian does provide a suitable hamper for clothing to go into. To at least stop the weapon being quite so easily accessible on the unlikely chance another Happy Harbour student barges in and is somehow inclined to rush towards an unsecured firearm. It's perhaps a little obvious she's of the idealistic superhero persuasion!

"That is certainly something I have discovered," she agrees. "Different but in many unexpected ways similar."

She keeps her gaze professional and makes a few motions to direct tail placement, adjustments to the angle of Cecily's head, and other tweaks to the pose. Just to get it just so. "And if you put your hands there and... there. That should be sustainable for the length of time I need to draw you, but if it becomes uncomfortable do speak up."

"Would you be comfortable telling me a little about yourself? It doesn't have to be anything too personal. Whatever you are happy to share."

Cecily Winters has posed:
    Cecily is always one to defer to professionals in their craft when she's being directed. So she quite easily responds to the adjustments to tail here, hand there, and gets right where Vivian wants her. She might be an expert with firearms but art is an entire other business that she's better at appreciating than creating, overall. Sure she's one to draw now and again but... well. Here she is! Being dreawn instead.

    "I should be good for a bit," she states, nodding her head before returning it to the position suggested. "As for... a little about myself?" she blinks. "Well, in truth, generalizations are difficult..." she frowns thoughtfully, finding it difficult to fight the urge to bring her fingers to her face as an unconscious gesture of thinking. "I'm Cecily, though I generally simply go by 'Ms. Winters'... and I'm a... security consultant."

Vivian Vision has posed:
None of Vivian's directions are all that complicated. The slight changes causing muscles in Cecily's torso or limbs to become more or less prominent. "I assume you have some experience remaining still," she muses thoughtfully as she settles into position with her pencils and sketchpad. "Given you were carrying a long range rifle and snipers often have to remain hidden for extended periods."

Her head tilts slightly and she laughs. "Do you have any hobbies outside of work? I have met numerous security consultants. My organic family hire many. Janet and Doctor Pym both have need of non-super based security for buildings and events. I think when she's throwing an event Janet probably has more security staff than some countries have professional soldiers. If you count temporary hires as well as those employed full time at Pym Industries!"

Cecily Winters has posed:
    "Much experience," Cecily states, giving Viv a polite smile. "I generally prefer staying up out of the way. Keeps cameras and things off of me..." she sighs, "...leave the glory to the capes and such. I came down to join you two just to make sure no other issues cropped up. Plus, well..." The fox laughs quietly, "My affiliations generally make handling the police afterwards a bit easier. And legally, I might add." Then comes a little sigh at the question of hobbies, and she purses her lips, lost in thought.

    "I often say I'm never off the clock, though... a good portion of my work is my hobby. I'm a gunsmith as well, and I like to tinker and repair and maintain firearms. I like going for walks... I like a hot cup of tea or coffee..." she ponders. "Truth be told I can be rather boring. Though my extended bodyguard contract is a DJ and I rather enjoy her shows..." the vixen muses.

Vivian Vision has posed:
"Given AI do not currently have any legal rights having an organic with law enforcement connections is often helpful at crime scenes," Vivian admits, pouting slightly at the not so progressive state of the world. "Still at least there are people out there fighting to change the situation." She shrug without seeming to slow her drawing. "In terms of threats though I am fairly confident in my ability to manage a situation. I have never really had to fight anything at my absolute limits."

And to be honest she's often of more value as a strategic asset than a front line brawler.

"So you appreciate music? I was bought a wind instrument as a gift but I must admit music isn't something I've devoted a lot of my time towards. I can play technically well but it still lacks a certain something. I think my breathing is a little too structured. But that's only an estimation based on incomplete datasets."

Although she claims not to be cheating, and indeed for a synthezoid she isn't, her drawing is confident and much faster than a Humans would be. She can establish what lines she wishes to make faster than a person could blink and her hand never slips or presses too hard.

Cecily Winters has posed:
    The fox's lips purse and she shakes her head, "...mutants are still having trouble with that one, too, at times... depending on where you are.." she muses aloud. "I admit that I've seen very few AI-driven individuals in this... profession. Not.. drawing. But. Heroics, I suppose?" she offers, trying to stay still even with the suggestion she needn't worry so much about it. "So far, actually, only yourself. Which means I've seen more foxes than I've seen machine intellects.. curious.." Cecily considers.

    Then she shrugs a single shoulder, lightly, and returns it to her position, "I've pushed to my limits now and again, or at least, what I thought were. It's an interesting sensation... but, yes, music..." she is quite amenable to a change in subject, though her vibrant purple eyes flicker down to the sketchpad, seeing how fast Vivian is working on it. And so steady, too! "I don't play music myself, but I like to listen. I'd offer you some words for your ... is it a flute, perhaps? There are a lot of wind instruments out there..."

Vivian Vision has posed:
"There is myself, my father and a few others I've had the chance to meet, Some like myself were made recently but are few come from other worlds or were built with more retro technology many years ago." Vivian explains, although it's unlikely anyone would be flattered to be called retro technology. Even if the term is intended as a compliment. "My Great Aunt Nadia has created a virtual intellect to work with her. And my friend Valeria has a Doombot who works with her. Not to mention her family practically has an army of other robots."

"I do believe it was a flute yes. I haven't played it in a while. Art in the dorm is easier than music. For obvious reasons. I'm also mastering the culinary arts. Not to mention humour, social skills as well as my work at GIRL on anything AI or computer based. From robotics to helping with the FTL spacecraft."

Cecily Winters has posed:
    One thing about trying to keep still is that certain parts of Cecily just *don't*. For all her concentration, for all of sitting still... she needs to re-adjust one tail or another sometimes. Or one will just flicka nd twitch and sliiiide right off of her lap and give her cause to carefully gather it up and reset it. It doesn't happen all too often but it's still a thing. "Far more than I was aware of..." the fox says with widened eyes. "Shows what I know... then again there's likely a lot more fox-adjacent sorts out there that I don't know about--and don't know about me--as well."

    She gives Vivian a warm smile, listening to the explanation of her skills and hobbies. "Much quieter to draw or paint, yes..." she agrees. "Tell me about your cooking?" she asks, seeming to focus down that topic as something she's curious about. Less the novelty of an AI cooking and more that she likes to cook as well.

Vivian Vision has posed:
Thankfully the movements don't seem to cause any issues. Vivian has perfect memory and sees in a level of detail that is simply outside what a Human can typically comprehend. It's not quite /perfectly/ replicating Human artistic efforts but she's not one to let perfect stop her attaining good. "The world is large and filled with unusual things. For example did you know manticores are real? I thought they were fictional but after visiting Themyscira I was able to attend an Amazon manticore hunt."

"Not that I really think hunting for anything other than food is okay but... as magical monsters that actively wish to harm sentient life I made an exception."

"Cooking is a way to bring happyness and good health to my friends and family. The basic techniques are very similar to chemistry and other scientific fields. I can analyse matter in far more detail than an organic. And a well timed box of home made cupcakes has stopped GIRL from building a device that could unravel the fabric of space and time. It has also helped the other students in the dorms come to accept me." She didn't quite bribe them with cake. But the end result is pretty similar!

Cecily Winters has posed:
    Cecily shakes her head, "I wasn't aware they were real, no. I'm sure a lot of things we take from fantasy novels and the margins of ancient maps are quite real. We just haven't rediscovered them yet. Though.." She trails off, then laughs, "I'm not sure I could handle a trip to Themyscira... too many beautiful women everywhere... I dare say I would worry about getting into far too much trouble." The vixen smiles broadly, her cheeks turning a bit on the pink side of things. And again, she seems happy enough to change the topic to food.

    "You're right, it is basic chemistry. Ingredients are ingredients, you're making mixtures and compounds. And at times, precise measurements of certain things are of the utmost importance... as are temperature variances.... but...." the fox trails off again. "...there's something to be said about making a recipe your own, too. You can follow the directions to the letter and get the same result every time, or you can... add a little something, or remove a little something... Cooking can be as much an art as it is a science, you see?"

Vivian Vision has posed:
"I am sure they are able to cope with a little trouble," Vivian assures. "As for cooking, yes a degree of adjustment is required for every recipe. After all no two ingredients are ever the same. Variations in water content, quality and freshness can make anything you use different each time. Thankfully I have many willing taste testers who can help me find what is best for people."

She idly twirls her hair around her finger with her free hand. Using her knees to support the sketchpad.

"And the more I cook the better each iteration gets until eventually I'll be able to judge what ratios I need with just a glance. Well that and the chemical breakdown my nose provides. Do you have a particular favourite dish or cuisine?"

Cecily Winters has posed:
    The motion of Vivian's finger-twirl catches Cecily's eye and she focuses on it, watching the verdant strands cling to the crimson digit. "...lovely contrast..." she muses aloud, zoning out just a little at the more technical talk of ingredients and such before snapping back to reality. "That seems terribly advantageous, to be able to do all of that with just your nose... I imagine you'd do wonders at sniffing out bombs or illegal firearm shipments, too..." she gives a warm smile. Such a practical fox.

    "Ah, favorite dish or cuisine? Well. It may not come to be a surprise, being a faux-kitsune, as it were.. but Japanese tops my list. However..." she chuckles, her ears perking, twitching. "...if it benefits you I would love to take you to visit Uncle Ramon in Central Park. He runs a chain of Mexican restaurants around New York City and has a taco cart in the park.." she sighs, body relaxing slightly. It's clear she really adores food, even if her body type doesn't easily show it.

Vivian Vision has posed:
"In theory yes," Vivian muses. "But I can often simply establish where smuggled items will be by looking at the data. Shipping containers move in patterns and illegal activity often can be revealed from the meta-data." Not to mention she can simply crack criminal communications and just read where they'll be. But that's sometimes ethically in a grey zone. Depending on how private the communications are.

"I don't actually eat food myself. Except when I need emergency chemical energy. I am not really a fan of all the after effects that accompany consumption of solid matter. They're... messy. But I would be happy to accompany you to simply watch how he cooks. You can never have enough knowledge!"

By this point the core of the drawing seems to be done. And Vivian is casually working on fine detail at a pace that's quite frankly a little unfair to a Human artist. She doesn't even need to glance down at what she's doing.

Cecily Winters has posed:
    A low whistle escapes the fox, "...you make it sound so easy..." she sighs. "You must make quite an asset to anyone you offer even the smallest bit of aid to. And here I am suggesting you think inside the box when you don't even need the box..." Cecily laughs. Warm and mirthful. It makes her curve bounce just so, what little can be seen, and her tails even wag slightly before she reins them in. "I think that even if you can't eat it, you could perhaps glean an appreciation for how the food smells as well? Or... do you have a way to... process that in a way that isn't pure chemical data?"

    The fox then frowns, "..and is suggesting that offensive at all? I do admit that I've never really spoken to someone at length who can interpret things purely from a data standpoint... to say nothing of looking so cute while doing it..." she off-handedly flirts.

Vivian Vision has posed:
"Difficult is trying to comprehend an alien AI while in the middle of a hostile exchange of weapons fire in space or trying to track down a secret group of spies who have kidnapped a friend or family member," Vivian says solemnly. Nodding to herself. "Code breaking the communications of a mundane criminal group who don't have access to even military grade encryptions... Well it's easy enough for me at least. But I have to operate within ethical limitations. I can't just break the law because if I do it could set back AI rights by decades. People already fear us thanks to movies."

She frowns.

"I sort of do? But it's hard to explain. In the same way I can't describe how I see things. Someone asked me once why sketch when I could paint. And I had to explain I don't really see colours the way you might. I see far more of the spectrum of light." She blushes a little at the compliment. "Oh I don't take any offense. And it'd be strange for me to be openly curious about your biology and take offense at you being curious by my inorganic nature."

Cecily Winters has posed:
    "Morality will go a long way in such progress," Cecily considers aloud, nodding. "Though it does have me curious. Are they artificial ethics limitations brought on by something hard-coded? Or does it stem from a desire to do the right thing according to your own personal moral codex?" she asks, sounding quite intersted in this train of thought. "As in... while yes, cracking those codes is easy, but it's 'wrong'... but would you still do it if it meant life or death otherwise? As in.." she tries to find the right words. "...are you morally flexible should a situation demand it?"

    Deep thoughts. Deep discussion. And then the blush. She practically melts. "Very cute," she doubles down, nodding. "Still, if there's anything you'd like to know about my biology... you may ask. I don't know most of the... deep details though..."

Vivian Vision has posed:
"That's a very tough question to answer," Vivian points out with a shrug. "They could be hard coded but the hard coding says I believe I picked them. Or they could be freely chosen but paranoia makes me assume I've been given instructions. I believe I pick my own choices. My only 'core' directive are to understand Humanity better and that's got some flexibility because I'm also a teenager and thus to experience that state properly I can rebel against anything imposed upon me."

"At least I believe I'm a sentient being with free will as much as any organic can claim to be. After all people are biologically programmed to feel and act in certain ways too."

"Are you aware if you're a member of a distinct species? Or are you an alien, mutant or perhaps meta-human? Perhaps magical in nature?"

Cecily Winters has posed:
    It's a well and fully thought out explanation, and it leaves Cecily wondering as well. A bit existential, though she can manage that, it would seem. "Instinct versus conscious thought, while biology and hormones simply.. well, do what they do..." she laughs pleasantly. Though the topic of herself comes up not long after and she shakes her head.

    "I'm not one hundred percent sure of my origins. This is all.. ah.. science? I could be classified as mutant or meta-human... but I know that I'm simply a product of genetic engineering. I've only been.. like this.." she lifts an arm slightly to playfully tweak one of her fluffy ears. "..for about four years?" she suggests. The ear, of course, flicks indignantly. "It's been an adjustment. But even with the danger of doors closing on my tails, there's a lot of.. improvements that are making my life and my work a lot easier."

    She chuckles softly, "So all I know is arctic fox and a whole bunch of... modifications."