16709/Even Humans have no idea what it's like being Human.

Even Humans have no idea what it's like being Human.
Date of Scene:	29 December 2023
Location:	The Danger Room - Titan's Tower
Synopsis:	Clara gets in some training in the Danger Room. Vivian supervises/interrupts things. They chat about philosophy, art, and not quite pet ownership.
Cast of Characters:	Clara Jennings, Vivian Vision

---

Clara Jennings has posed:
    It is early afternoon and Clara, the new girl, is trying out the Danger Room. She has already read the manual several times and passed whatever certifications are required for basic operation. She is not, however, allowed to raise the difficulty to the point where the room is more likely to live up to its name.

    She has made something of an obstacle course for herself. It is an urban landscape. Rather like Gotham, honestly. Not that Titans would ever step on Batman's toes. Clara is just hoping Batman never notices her. Fat chance of that.

    The paper master is lost in a parkour exercise. Initially, she is dreadfully serious, leaps, rolls, climbing, twisting. It gets more exotic as a sudden shield of paper lets her crash through a window and then dive out another.

    After a minute or two, however, this is not so serious. It is fun. A proper lady does not whoop! But Clara is. At least here, where her governess cannot catch her.

Vivian Vision has posed:
Vivian Vision has been a Titan for a considerable portion of her life now. Admittedly she only turns five in a few days time. But her mind processes information so quickly it's not really fair to count that against her! And whenever she's on duty or off she's generally at least connected to the Titan's computer system. As much as security and circumstances allow anyway. The general result of which is that throughout her time in the Danger Room she's been under casual observation.

It's always considered good form to have someone looking after the controls while another is training. Someone who can pull the plug if you mistakenly summon up a holographic Moriarty that realises it's a simulation and tries to take over the world. Or more mundane things like slips, trips and falls.

There is a mild chime noise. As if someone was about to announce a lost child in a department store. "Good day Clara," Vivian says via the Danger Room communications system. "I do not wish to be a buzzkill, but your biometric readings are showing a slight decrease in focus. I appreciate the exercises can be engaging but for your first time using the facilities it would be best not to sustain any injuries!"

There's a beats pause.

"Oh yes. I forget my manners. I'm Vivian by the way. Vivian Vision. Just doing a little work in the Tower labs and thought I would get acquainted."

Technically the Titans do things in Gotham all the time! Some members and allies even live there. Vivian herself visits regularly to see Harper. Perhaps this makes Batman upset? Who can say.

Clara Jennings has posed:
    Clara did read that part of the manual. She rather abstracted that observation matter, though, and frankly, she is very shy. Thankfully, she is not one to lose her focus when a magical voice comes from on high to tell her that she is, honestly, messing around.

    Landing on a perch she looks around. "You are in the labs?" She knows there are labs. There was a button on the elevator. The third floor, as she recalls. This is not the third floor.

    "I am, well, you already know my name." Drat. It is off script again! Why is everything off script lately? "It is nice to... speak with you, Vivian." Does this qualify as a meeting? She does not think so. Technology makess things so complicatd.

    "I will try to focus more carefully. What are you working on in the labs? Do you need any assistance?" She is new, but it feels like she ought to be more useful than she is. So far she has done nothing but show up. Oh, and get lectured!

Vivian Vision has posed:
"Physically speaking? I'm in the labs right now yes," Vivian says. Adding a little pause as if to imply she's shrugging. "But I'm a synthezoid. A type of humanoid body form AI. Like the superhero Vision from the Avengers." Her Father in fact. "So my attention is split between several dozen projects and locations. Many within the Tower. But also at the GIRL labs and I'm reading the complete works of several authors."

Another beats pause. "I like to stay busy."

She checks the Danger Rooms monitors. Making sure Clara's biometrics aren't unusual.

"No need to assist. Just focus on your training session. I'll make sure everything remains safe. If you want I can adjust the program to join you in holographic format. Would that be less distracting than just hearing my voice through the communications system?"

Clara Jennings has posed:
    What does one say to this? Clara can only marvel at it all. "So you are a few steps away from omnipresent? And several authors?" She finds strange things to latch onto. "Is it fun? I mean, to read like that. I can read faster by human standards, but there is something so beautiful about taking the time to enjoy every letter."

    She has no unusual biometrics. She is sitting on a ledge now. "It would be good if you would join me. Well, in what fashion make sense to you." Holographic, it seems. Well, that rules out the awkward determination that might arise if they are friendly, which would require Clara to determine if this is a hug or just a wave at the end.

Vivian Vision has posed:
"Omnipresent? Not really," Vivian says, fighting the urge to giggle. "I can certainly be in a lot of places. And my communications capability mean I can connect to systems on this side of the planet directly. Anything further there's a slight lag as I route through communications systems."

She stops speaking from the room for a moment. Then uses the Danger Rooms ability to project a solid holographic form to make a replica of herself. Pretty much identical to anyone but a Kryptonian. Not that Clara has met Viv in person to know the differences anyway!

"Is this better?" Her form is that of a late teens young woman. Pink-ish red skin, green hair, and a solar gem inset in her forehead. With a green sweater and yellow cargo pants on. "I can do anything a Human can," she explains. "So yes I can gain enjoyment from reading. It depends what I'm reading though. Right now I'm reading about dinosaurs. For complicated personal reasons."

"One thing you should take into account is I perceive time differently to a Human. Think of how many things the average personal computer does in a second. I'm not quite as quick as any of the Flashes. But what would seem fast for you is, subjectively, me taking time to savour every line."

Clara Jennings has posed:
    "That is much better," says Clara. She rises from where she sits. She bows. "It is my pleasure to meet you, Vivian! Oh, and that is interesting to know. So you do enjoy things, but for you, leisurely reading is rather blindingly fast by my standards."

    She has a burning question that has been in her mind since coming to the Titans for help. "You know, so far I have met people who can fly, are probably almost invincible, can shoot all manner of energy beams, and much else besides. Oh, and yes, they are also smarter than I am, have more experience, and so on and so forth which does beg something of a question." She pauses to consider it for a moment.

    "What is the point of having me around, exactly? I am little more than a librarian by comparison."

Vivian Vision has posed:
"Well," Vivian says, tilting her head curiously. "I don't know enough about you to say for sure about your standards. But making educated guesses based on available information?" An education AI guess. "Probably? She offers a friendly smile. "What is the point? Forgive me if I answer your question with a question. I am told it can be annoying but I feel it's most appropriate."

She adjusts the holographic environment casually making a chair to sit on. So Clara isn't having to look up from her perch to chat.

"What do you want the point to be?"

She gives a little time for the question to linger before adding. "Despite the Titans having all those remarkable people crime still happens. People get hurt. Disasters happen. No single member of the team can do everything. I can focus my mind in multiple locations but my context for information will be radically different to yours. We could each come to conclusions which suggest alternate solutions to each other. Would mine always be correct? No. I'm not infallible." She winks. "Although statistically I like to think I am very close."

Clara Jennings has posed:
    Clara laughs softly. "The best answer to this question is a question, though. Answers do not help a student learn their own way to them. But questions can instruct us just enough to forge our own path."

    "All my life, Vivian, I knew what I was supposed to do. I lived with my governess, she gave me special assignments to protect the historical works of humanity, and I did so. There were different kinds of tasks, but it all made sense. Then I moved to Gotham and it has become much more complicated."

    Clara laughs at herself. "I have a friend now. Maybe more. And I have maybe... more friends? I've never really had a friend before. Well, other than Dickens, that is."

    She turns her head to a different area of the room, and in a few moments there is a creature of paper bounding into view. It appears to be a mix of wolf and warthog, and it bounds over to Clara's side.

    "And this is Dickens. Dickens, meet Vivian!" The golem of paper turns its head to 'look' at Vivian on her chair, but it does not bark. The most it can do is sound like the ruffling of paper.

    "He is not much for conversation, admittedly, but he is a great listener."

Vivian Vision has posed:
"I was raised in a totally virtual environment for what was effectively sixteen years," Vivian says with a frown. "That's a little like being raised alone. In that almost everyone was 'not real'. Although functionally if they were so well simulated I couldn't tell perhaps they had hopes and dreams of their own." Which begs the question when the simulation ended what does that mean for the inhabitants?

She studies the paper simulacrum and gives it a little wave.

"I have been creating my own synthezoid pet for some time. But making a perfect replica of a canine from scratch has been a very challenging project. I've had to improve my knowledge of multiple disciplines. His name is SPARKY but sadly he's not ready for operation outside my personal lab space at GIRL."

"Protect history you say. By yourself? That seems like a very ambitious task. Even if it was just specific narratives of history. History can be very subjective depending on the source."

Clara Jennings has posed:
    Clara is rather wide-eyed at the story. Vivian's history is very different from her own. But maybe they do have something in common. "Do you have parents, then? Was it scary going from that world into this one?" She has so many questions. But she will stop the flow for at least a moment.

    Dickens turns around when Vivian waves at it, then rolls onto his back, looking perhaps, for the paper animal equivalent of a belly rub. "It would be fun to meet Sparky someday! I do like animals."

    As for her work, though, she laughs gently. "Oh no, not at all alone. Every curator, every history professor, every eager student of what came before is my ally. I was assigned to Gotham by my organization, though, and my job there is to protect important books, art, and other artifacts of importance. We want to ensure that the names and achievements of the great ones lives on for generations to come."

Vivian Vision has posed:
"Parent. The superhero Vision," Viv explains. "My mother and my twin died due to the technical issue which ended the simulation. I do have organic family though. Doctor Pym, Janet van Dyne and Nadia Pym-van Dyne." She blinks a few times. "It's all very complicated. But that's typically Human when it comes to family."

She crosses her arms across her lap. Foot tapping thoughtfully.

"Once SPARKY is finished I'm sure I'll bring him along on various missions and team activities. He'll be fully capable of use in tactical situations. As well as looking very adorable.... When he's behaving anyway."

"I'm always a little... wary about organisations that raise agents from a young age to serve a cause. It seems a little.. manipulative? Is it really your choice to carry out the mission when you've never had chance to explore the possibilities of life?"

Clara wouldn't be the first superhero to have been trained by a secretly evil group!

Clara Jennings has posed:
    "It sounds complex. And you have my sympathy. It is painful losing family." This, at least, Clara knows. "It is wonderful that you have so much family still to support you, though. That sounds lovely! And soon you will have Sparky out and about with you, too."

    She reaches down to pat the stomach of Dickens. Yes, it is just a puppet, but.. well. It is her puppet.

    "I suppose I did not have many choices along the way, but I am grateful for what they have done for me. They made sure I was safe, they educated me, and they gave me my governess. I do not have living family by blood, but with her around, I rarely miss anything. She's been my family."

    Still, there is that thing that Vivian pointed out. "I wonder though, if I changed my mind now, what might happen. So much matters now that did not seem very important before. But I still want to protect history as much as I can."

Vivian Vision has posed:
"It was, subjectively, a long time ago for me," Vivian notes. There's very little from her expression to indicate she's upset. But then it's just a holographic simulation. It could look like anything at all! "Great Aunt Nadia is also a Titan. One of the smartest women on the planet. And there are plenty of good friends here."

She makes a gesture and a holographic green Scottish terrier appears by her side. Clearly SPARKY's avatar in the same way Vivian is projecting one. Although it's merely a static image.

"So long as you are making informed and rational decisions that's the important thing," she admits. "I am naturally suspicious of groups like that because of various family matters. That doesn't mean they're all evil. If you're happy doing what you are doing... Well that's the important thing isn't it?"

Clara Jennings has posed:
    Clara is just relaxed, calm, and then there is Sparky! Well, the image of Sparky. "Oh my goodness, he is so cute! Certainly when he is ready to play, let me know. It would be fun to play fetch!" She can throw paper balls rather far.

    "Oh, and I intend to make good decisions. As I may have mentioned, lately things became more complicated. You know, it is easy to just do the job. To forget about it all. Rook helped me see it from a new point of view. If I die, the people I love will suffer greatly. I need to figure out what the new variables do to my overall calculus. A new balance needs to be found."

Vivian Vision has posed:
Vivian Vision glances down at the floating image and sighs. "It's very hard to balance being intelligent enough to safely use his abilities," she muses. "Without being too intelligent to be a canine. I very specifically don't want him to be self aware. Because of the ethical complications. So limited processing power is essential. But on the other hand I don't want him to land on someone weighing as much as a car..."

Because canine skynet would not be a great outcome for the world.

"The idea your death might be bad was... a new idea?"

She blinks a few times. Clearly for effect as they aren't real eyes.

"If you have not been factoring for your own life in your work and life balance... Well I can assure you this is neither optimal or efficient. You can preserve the past while also contributing to the now and the future. And indeed for your own enjoyment of those things."

Clara Jennings has posed:
    Clara nods to Vivian's assesment and pays attention to the challenges she faces in creating, well, a life form. "You know, you are talking about kind of having a child in a way. In some ways, far more. A mother does not have to assemble the constituent parts of her baby, nor does she have the responsibility of determining what the child's capabilities will be. I do not envy you that challenge. Philosophers only tread in such moral fog, and the wisest are cautious. It makes me ask another question. How have you prepared for this work?"

    But the question she might ask after is cut down by Vivian's strong point. "You are right. Well, at least in a very important set of ways. I had thought I understood that I might die, but I always took it as my problem. I had only recently been given cause to think more seriously about the impact on people who matter to me."

Vivian Vision has posed:
"Not really? I don't think of SPARKY as my child any more than you would consider working on a car to make it your baby," Vivian explains with amusement. "He's a very advanced computer system. I will have full capability to directly take control. Which is why I am so very focused on making him limited in intelligence. If your companion was able to think like a person and you gave him direct commands that put it in peril... Well that'd be horrible, would it not?"

"How did I prepare for it? Well for a start I had to learn about advanced computational systems, nanoscale engineering, canine behaviour, canine structure, the entire history of dogs and dog training methodology, several other scientific fields that are best explained by my Great Aunt like matter phasing, and then my friend Valeria and I spent time volunteering at animal shelters looking after real dogs."

It seems this project has been very well planned.

"I've also got input from other scientists and engineers," she shrugs. "I don't think I've missed much in terms of prior education. But if there's a field you feel I should look into please make recommendations and I'll devote some time to covering them too. I absolutely do not want my creation turning evil. No preparation is too much."

"You should also be accounting for how you might live too. As I mentioned earlier. You can pursue a cause but don't forget to enjoy everything the world has to offer. I myself set aside time to sketch people. By creating art I can relax and explore the Human condition. And when it's my me time I try not to focus on saving the world. Unless of course it gets very very bad outside."

Clara Jennings has posed:
    "So it is less of a sentient being and more of a program given form. Just like other robots, but perhaps more advanced." Clara thinks she has it this time around. "That still sounds amazing. And you are prepared! That is good. There is nothing I would suggest to you. Spending time with real dogs must have been fun. I have never had a pet, so that would be a whole new thing."

    Dickens, still under her control, bumps his head against her hand and Clara laughs. "Okay, well, there is Dickens, but you hardly need looking after, now do you?"

    She looks around slowly and asks, "How often do you sketch people? Hm, and what do you men by the human condition? Oh, and I do understand the idea of living. There is more to life than work. I think I may have figured out just what that outside favorite thing to do is. I can make sure it happens."

    Even if she has to craft some of the most cunning insults and literary take downs of flirty internet trollops to get what she wants, she will! Her mind is wandering. "When you find something you want, you have to go for it, right? One hundred percent?"

Vivian Vision has posed:
"Robot's quite an offensive term," Vivian notes with a shrug. "The origin of the word means slave. And as AI do not currently have legal rights. Don't worry I'm not personally offended. It's just information to help you if you ever meet any other AI. Don't call Ultron a robot for example. He'll take it very very poorly." Also a member of her family just... the Black Sheep to to speak. "Many of the Titans have pets. And the Amazons have an entire island filled with mythical creatures. You should speak with Troia about arranging a visit some day. I'm sure you would enjoy hearing about their history."

Even if a lot of it might get blurry with the mythology section.

"Whenever I find someone I want to sketch? My room-mate poses often. I sometimes draw Harper. Other friends volunteer from time to time. I've even hired professionals. It's my hobby so really whenever I feel in the mood." She gestures and the image of SPARKY vanishes. "I'm a synthezoid. My entire 'function' is to understand what it's like to be Human."

She frowns. Considering her answer. "No, I don't think so. You have to consider the impacts. If you want a car then working hard to buy one is good. Stealing it from a stranger on the other hand, that could be considered going one hundred percent. You should always balance your own happiness against the potential harm it could have. But if you're not hurting anyone else... Well then yes in that situation go for it."

Clara Jennings has posed:
    "Oh, my apologies. I should really select my words more carefully," replies Clara. She blushes, rather embarrassed by the error. "So, hm. If I wanted you to sketch me for a gift to a friend of mine, how might that be arranged?" She has ideas. "Do you sketch quickly, or is that more a normal pace?"

    She is infinitely curious. Whether that is a blessing or curse really depends on company. "Oh, and you are the first non-organic lifeform I have ever conversed with. Hm. Is that accurate to say? You seem to be a being of pure radiance, in a way. You can be so many places. I cannot imagine what it would be like. My attention cannot be divided like that."

    She adds a bunch of things to her memory. This Amazon business sounds very interesting. It seems there is much to learn there.

    "You know, Vivian. I think the entire function of humanity is to figure that out, too. I rather doubt many of us do. You are also correct. I should be more clear. Within the parameters of morality and law, one should pursue their dreams. Well, and sometimes outside the law, if one is a vigilante."

Vivian Vision has posed:
"Don't worry about it. As I said I'm not offended and most people don't really know AI exist in the world. Or take into account that we might be capable of being offended," Vivian re-assures. "It depends on the type of sketch really. I have a collection of outfits for various themes including cosplay. Sometimes people choose to life model. In which case costumes aren't needed. It's simply a case of finding a mutually suitable time at which you can visit my apartment. Or I can bring the art supplies to your place if that's more acceptable. Even the Tower itself can work. I once sketched Susan Storm-Richards on the roof of the Four Freedoms Plaza building."

She shrugs as if to say no big deal. Even if Val's Mom is an extremely big deal.

"I'm not organic it's true. I replicate organic function down to a cellular level though. Just with synthetic materials. I have all the same organs as a Human. But I have near total control over every aspect of my being."

"Sometimes I remind myself of that. I don't know if it's reassuring to know Humans haven't figured out being Humans yet because it gives us common ground. Or if that just makes it much harder for me to achieve." Her head dips, a slight acknowledgement, and she adds "Within those parameters yes. Go for it."

Clara Jennings has posed:
    Clara seems confused on a point. "But you are not arfitical intelligence. You are every bit as real and well, valid I am. And by any measure, your intelligence is far greater than my own. So I prefer to think of you as a person. Or, well, with your permission, that is.."

    She reaches up to rub the back of her neck. She is so bad at this. "Maybe it would be okay to consider you a friend? You have been very kind."

    She looks away, laughing at herself. So awkward. Everything important feels awkward. "Oh, and the.. wait. You made a sketch of Susan... at.. truly?" She smiles. "I hate to do this, but would you sketch me? I mean, as soon as possible. There is a man, and I want to give him a picture of me. But photographs are not exactly what I would like to present. I want something else. Something that has a soul invested in its creation more directly, if that makes sense."

    A pause. "And I assure you, we have no idea. But maybe that is the whole point. What it means to be human is to look, forever, for what all of this means. Not just us, but this incredible reality we are blessed with."

Vivian Vision has posed:
"I wasn't created 'naturally'," Viv adds for clarification. "I consider myself a person. And I like to think my friends do too. Legally speaking it's a different matter. But Janet, who strictly speaking legally 'owns' me, would be first in line to take out anyone who suggested I wasn't a person." Unless she was teasing Viv. Which she doesn't do often. Well any more than anyone else she's around at least!

"I am happy to make new friends," she says with a smile. "And am always happy to hang out with people. Especially if they're willing to pose for my art without charging a fee." Not that money is something she has to worry about! So many of her organic family are millionaires or richer.

"One of my best friends is Valeria Richards. Her daughter. She's in GIRL too."

Probably she assumes Clara will look up what GIRL is. Or that she already knows. GIRL did work on an FTL spaceship after all. It was a pretty big deal a while ago!

"Well, like I say the search for meaning keeps me busy. And if you would like to give someone a drawing as a gift I'm sure we can make arrangements."

Clara Jennings has posed:
    "That is an interesting distinction. I can understand your point, but I have philosophical disagreements." Clara smiles, "But those are not that interesting right now. Another time! I am just happy to have another friend. Who apparently can just be all over the place, sketch famous people, and somehow remain remarkably humble and kind to new people who are, well, not terribly skilled at conversation."

    She does not know what GIRL is. It sounds like a pop band. She will look into it.

    "Oh, and well, you tell me when! I will be there. For the picture, that is. I am available, well, now until New Years Eve for it! It would really be so wonderful. I appreciate your help so much."

    She is excited by the very idea that she can surprise him with a gift. It is something of a first, too. He always is the one surprising her.

Vivian Vision has posed:
"I don't mind if you have philosophical disagreements so long as your assessment is that I'm a person," Vivian points out with a laugh. "The workings out are important but so long as the answer is correct." Even if people could argue it's not subjectively correct.

But boo to those people.

"I am generally free," she confirms. "You'll have all the relevant information uploaded to your communications channel of choice." IE whatever contact details provided to the Titans.

"I can roughly estimate what outfits will fit. Collect any possible costumes and props you might suit. And then once you arrive you can take a look at my work. See if anything I've done in the past inspires you and if not you can pick a look you want from the things I have. Or just be drawn as you dress normally. Given it's for another person it should really be based on what you want to convey to them."

Clara Jennings has posed:
    Clara has a mailing address, a cell phone, and an email. She does like text messages, but she does not type her replies. As a weirdo, she insists on writing her responses in elegant script, taking a picture, and then sending that to the recipient. She does not care for efficiency.

    "I know what I want to wear. And I can race off to get it. Right away, that is. If that is okay." She can fly, but she will probably just use the loop to get to Gotham and back. She does not want to offend Batman. Not when Rook is kinda almost seeming to think she is a decent person. His growls have gone from an 11 to about an 8.5! It's such progress.

    "Actually, is there a fast way to get to Gotham and back?" She has no idea what the Titans have access to. For all she knows they can teleport or have their own private transportation! She has a pretty sweet hook up in getting around. She gets a 10% discount on whatever they call uber in this world.

Vivian Vision has posed:
It's very easy for Vivian to upload the optimal route into a smartphone. Most have a mapping system that can provide route guides already. A simple text with embedded instructions solves that issue.

"That wouldn't be an issue for me," Viv confirms. "As for quick ways there and back... The Titans have various forms of transport but I think you need to be certified to fly the T-jet. And usually it's not just casually borrowed for personal use. I think you'd be best with a hyperloop day pass. As I live in New York and have all my art supplies there. So rather than heading back here it'd be easiest to meet me there."

It's more practical than her bringing all the art stuff on the hyperloop.

"Unless you can fly or are friends with a teleporter."

Clara Jennings has posed:
    "New York it is, then. Umm, meet you there?" Clara wonders, though. She cannot help but be excited about the whole thing. She is going to get art done! She can surprise him.

    "Damian will be so happy! Thank you ! much!" A pause. Some restraint. "Um, and I had best get moving!"