179/The newest student is an AI

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The newest student is an AI
Date of Scene: 28 February 2020
Location: Harbor Road and Post Road
Synopsis: Samuel meets an unusual new student, Vivian and Daisy the mysterious new IT teacher.
Cast of Characters: Vivian Vision, Samuel Morgan, Daisy Johnson




Vivian Vision has posed:
Vivian doesn't exactly arrive with all the fanfare you'd expect from a new student turning up at Happy Harbour. A cab stops for a moment and an entirely nondescript looking teenage girl gets out with a small backpack. Far too small to contain all the things a visitor would need let alone a new student.

And as the cab pulls away the nondescript looking girl shifts her appearance. The holographic overlay adjusting to more closely match her features, although still masking her green hair (today she's blond) and reddish skin (which looks caucasian). She doesn't cover the single golden jewel set in her forehead though.

Of course she has called ahead to let the school know she'd be turning. A trivial matter when you've got all the functionality of a smartphone in your head. But it never hurts to be polite. Or at least that's what her etiquette subroutine informs her.

Samuel Morgan has posed:
    Low key and lack of fanfare is the way some students prefer to arrive and depart from the school. Sam, as an example, rides the bus to the ferry terminal, takes the Staten Island ferry and takes another bus to the school. It's not the best of commutes, but then again he doesn't spend a lot of time on campus. In his previous line of work, flying below the radar was a requirement, and it tends to carry over in his new life. The teenager and his dog are just walking to the gates, when the taxi stops nearly directly next to them. For a second, the technopath stops, looks, and then carries on... for a short while at least. This new student is going to be interesting to talk to.

Vivian Vision has posed:
Vivian Vision shoulders the small backpack and takes a careful, measured look around. Her foot taps a few times on the sidewalk and then she takes a few more steps and pats the side of the entrance. Almost as if she's checking it's really there. Once this slightly odd ritual is complete she shrugs and looks over at Samuel who, by virtue of being the nearest student, gets the rather obvious question of "I know this might seem like an odd question, but I am in the right place for the Happy Harbor High School?" Her English is well enunciated and without any hint of a regional accent. "I am rather new... to the area that is."

Samuel Morgan has posed:
    There are stranger questions to be asked, for sure, and Sam turns to Vivian with a smile. Now that she's closer, he has a very, very good sense, but his expression doesn't change. The German Shepherd with him, whose collar proclaims him to be 'Bear', casually walks in between his human and the stranger. It might not mean anything to Vivian that this particular dog is wearing a hi-vis yellow jacket. "Oh, hi there. This is the place alright. Joining up?"

Daisy Johnson has posed:
Daisy is already regretting all of this! She hadn't exactly expected that her application as an IT part-time teacher would had been accepted so fast. And then she had the terrible idea of driving here in her damn old van. So the loud sound of a dying engine is heard well before the Van is seen taking a corner and approaching the school.

The van comes to an abrupt stop not too far from where both Vivian and Samuel are and shortly after a disgruntled Daisy steps out of it, muttering to herself and tapping on the side of the dark green vehicle with a soothing gesture. "It's ok, don't die just yet."

She is dressed in dark jeans, a t-shirt and a jacket atop it. Beanie hat on her head and she seems very far from what the Agent normally is. Looking more like her old hacker self than what she is now.

A glance to both Samuel and Vivian and she greets them with a smile. "Hey there. Happy Harbor, right?" though she seems a bit old to be a student here.

Vivian Vision has posed:
Vivian Vision nods at Samuel, then at Daisy. "Yes, my previous school was shut down," she shrugs. It's technically accurate, if omitting some very key details like the school being a simulation. "And yes I believe it is." She sniffs at the fumes coming from the poor van. "I believe there is a mechanic who should be able to provide the repairs your vehicle needs in the local area. If you wish I could provide you with the appropriate contact information?" She'd have offered to schedule the appointment but small towns aren't known for their e-commerce.

"My name is Vivian, although you are welcome to call me Viv if you wish." She adjusts her backpack slightly. Even a moderately observant passerby will soon notice that regardless of the weather conditions Viv's hair and clothing don't seem to move in response to the wind.

Samuel Morgan has posed:
    "Same." Sam replies, with a similar disregard for the spirit of the truth rather than the letter of it. The facility on Lake Marion was certainly shut down... Both he and Bear watch the van approach with a raised eyebrow and half a smile, and both seem to nod at the same time when the question is asked. Just how smart is that dog? "It is. Welcome."

    Of course he can't help but look over the van, and shrugs his shoulders when Vivian suggests a mechanic. "Or they might have a shop class at the school. If they let me borrow some tools, I can have a look at that engine... and that transmission... and the fuel system... and, you know, the brakes... and ... you know what, want me to just have a look, in general?"

    He holds out a hand to Vivian and then to Daisy when introductions start being made. "Sam Morgan." ... That is most certainly a name Daisy might recognise. "And this good boy right here is called Bear. He'd say hello, but he's working right now."

Daisy Johnson has posed:
"Really? Where did you two use to study before?" Daisy asks in quite the casual manner, her eyes going from one to the other. Her gaze is inquisitive though, perhaps more than what her more relaxed posture and wardrobe might suggest. But then she cracks an half-grin into her expression and introduces herself. "I am Daisy. New teacher." she points with her thumb in the direction of the school.

But then she extends her hand to Sam to give him an handshake. If she recognizes the name she makes no mention, nor does her expression change. Poker face and all that. Yet she does laugh when they seem to believe her van is doomed. "It's been running like this for a while now. Never enough time to get her fixed up. And you are a sort of a mechanic then? If does give me an idea for the classes." she pats the side of her van again. "No extra credit though." she grinning faintly.

Then her eyes turning back to Viv, "You look a bit stiff over there." she mentions, perhaps at how still she is independent of the wind.

Vivian Vision has posed:
While Viv shakes the offered hand there's a certain level of caution. Like she's worried Samuels hand might come off if she's not careful. But it does at least feel mostly like a real hand, if perhaps a little plastic-y. "The chemicals you will have inhaled within that period of time will likely reduce your lifespan by," she frowns. "Days or weeks. Depending on the distance you have been travelling. It is also very bad for the environment. I would strongly suggest switching to an electric vehicle or perhaps car pooling."

To the technopathically aware there's all kinds of things going on. Satellite downloads, internet searches not to mention a full on holographic projection system.

"It was in Fairfax," she adds. "Stiff? It's my first time here too. I've only been in New York for a few weeks and am getting used to living by myself."

Samuel Morgan has posed:
    "Homeschooled." Sam lies smoothly with the same poker face, and a smile that seems at least ninety percent genuine. His hand feels calloused, as if he's used to hard work. Occasionally his eyes will flick towards Vivian, but right now he seems to be mostly addressing Daisy.

    "Mechanic, engineer, fabricator, whatever you need really. Just need the tools, or the tools to make the tools." No comment from him about dangers to the environment or a reduced lifespan. "No extra credit needed, I got admitted to MIT's satellite classes this morning. Save you some money on the thieves that call themselves mechanics around here."

Daisy Johnson has posed:
"That's fair." Daisy says when Viv explains she is living on her own, grin perhaps a bit more open. She knows very well how that can be like, "I am sure this school will be quite accomodating. I have heard a -lot- of good things about the place." again her eyes roaming the two of them in a thoughtful manner, "You two should fit right in. I will be teaching IT, so if you guys have any interest in that I am sure we will have some fun."

Then she walks back to her van, opening the passenger door to retrieve a backpack. Slinging it over one shoulder she then goes close to the others, "And MIT, uh? Got to be a near genius to get into those. Though yea, I'd surely enjoy if someone took a look at her. No rush though, focus on your classes." but for some reason she doesn't seem that surprised about Samuel's news.

To Vivian she then says about the reduced lifespan. "Who wants to live forever anyway?"

Vivian Vision has posed:
Vivian Vision looks over at the Van. "If you require help moving additional things I could assist you?" she offers. "My own belongings are very light." She nods to the backpack she's carrying which at best could fit two or three days worth of things. "Fitting in? It feels like a lifetime since I last fit in anywhere." In reality of course it was at most three real world months but at synthezoid thinking speed that's practically an epoch.

"I do have an interest in computers yes, although I am unsure what exactly I would learn in a classroom. My twin and I spent a lot of time playing around with code.. I believe I am, by most peoples standards, quite good at it now." She blinks a few times. "I believe many people want to live forever? The concept of living forever in the afterlife appears to be a major draw for a lot of religions. Unless you are making a reference to the song by the band Queen."

Samuel Morgan has posed:
    "In all things, the end is important." Sam asserts to Vivian with a smile, dropping a hand down to pet Bear between the ears. The Shepherd seems to have expected it, simply sitting there between his human and the two strangers, wagging his tail.

    "So, when you say IT, do you mean the boring part where you teach luddites how to turn on a PC and check their mail, or are we talking coding and network management?"

Daisy Johnson has posed:
"Everyone thinks they are the best until they aren't. Or are you satisfied with being just good?" Daisy asks of Vivian with that curious expression still on her face. She gets both straps of her backpack around her shoulders. It doesn't seem that heavy either, perhaps just a laptop and a few other things. Like her techno gloves. But those are only for an emergency. "And no need to help, I pack light too. Just the backpack, I am not exactly going to be living here."

Mentioning Queen makes her grin grow wider and she nods that Vivian was correct. "I was making an all-in-1 comment. But Samuel is right, the end is important. Are you a fan of the Queen, Viv? They are a good one to like." seems like she is a fan too!

Then a look to Sam, "It all depends on the skill of the students. Some will be more advanced, others ..., not as much." but in truth she is most likely dreading those classes of teaching kids how to turn on their PCs. Why did she send the enroll note, whyyyy?

Vivian Vision has posed:
"Is it though? If the universe was suddenly consumed by a wave of strange matter nothing would exist to care. It's entirely possible time itself would unravel and we'd /never/ have existed," Vivian glances down and sighs. "Although I would rather not dwell on topics like 'ending' at this moment. My twin Vin passed recently..."

"I had not heard of the group before today. Although I will devote some time to listen to their works if you recommend it." A task that's easy when you're always online and can instance off a subroutine to perform the task for you. "Truth be told I had never given thought to how my skills rank in regard to others. Should that be important? I /do/ care about learning new things, but because I like to learn. The notion of it being a competition feels... odd."

Samuel Morgan has posed:
    "All that matters if you feel you're good enough for you. Doesn't matter what other people can do. Everyone is unique, just like everyone else." Yup, the classic paradox. It slips out before Sam realises what he's done, and then he casts an anxious glance towards Vivian. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be insensitive."

    Oddly enough, normally this is where Bear would go over and be nice to the human in distress. Except... he doesn't. Simply sits there, as if utterly oblivious to any signs of emotional distress from Vivian. Huh...

    "Seems like nobody actually lives here. Don't suppose you live on Manhattan, miss...?" He is /not/ calling her Miss Daisy. "I'm taking the ferry every day and it's a bit of a trek."

Daisy Johnson has posed:
Nothing wrong with Miss Daisy! But Daisy eventually adds her last name. "Johnson." She then starting to walk towards the school, gesturing for them to come along. "I totally recommend that group. It's a good one. Classics are the best." when they start going into talks of the universe and what makes someone good or not she just cracks out a chuckle. "You two are way too serious. But that's fine." though she does sober up when Vivian mentions having lost someone. She nods and walks in silence for a little while longer, whatever is in that backpack shuffling about. "I don't really have this set place where I live. Depends on where my .., family is." though the way she says that it doesn't seem she means her real family. "But Manhattan sometimes, yes."

Vivian Vision has posed:
All things considered Vivian is remarkably calm. No tears or changes in her voice to betray emotion, so perhaps it's not a huge shock Bear isn't reacting. It's rather like she's just turned off that part of herself. Probably because she did.

"I do intend to live in the nearby area. I am unsure if I'll stay in a dorm or a local residence. Whichever causes the least trouble. I don't really need a lot of space and I feel I'll be able to look after myself just fine." She frowns. "I think it may depend on how alarming people find my appearance." There's a gesture to the single gemstone set in her forehead which isn't covered by the hologram disguise as she follows along behind Daisy. "But if people start to flee in terror I shall request off campus housing."

Samuel Morgan has posed:
    "This is New York." Sam mentions over his shoulder to Vivian as he starts to follow Daisy. "You can have dinosaurs running around and people start taking pictures rather than running. Fleeing in terror just isn't something a New Yorker does." Although, he feels, sometimes they really should.

    "And it'll all depend on my scholarship sponsors where I'll end up living. Place I'm at right now isn't too bad. I'm just surprised you can make it that far in a van with so many things wrong with it."

Daisy Johnson has posed:
"People have become jaded enough by now about danger." This Daisy says in agreement to Sam, cutting a corner towards the school's entrance. Her pace is leisured though, not in too much of a hurry, "But when a hero steps up to the light they are always awed." she adds, thumbs hooked on the straps of her backpack. She glances back at the duo but then focuses on Vivian, brows furrowing in thought. "But you seem normal enough, or do you have a nefarious secret?" then she lifts up a hand. "Wait, don't tell me. I will figure it out eventually."

"I don't always use the van, in fact I shouldn't have used it to come here. Maybe just take the subway next time." Or requisition a quinjet. Her superiors probably wouldn't like it.

Vivian Vision has posed:
"It's not a secret," Vivian assures. "But I am travelling in incognito mode. I was told the school wanted to maintain a degree of anonymity. I am sure that someone will explain my situation to you, especially if I am scheduled to be in one of your classes." There's a momentary pause. "Which is not to say I do not have secrets. Simply that they are not nefarious. Or if they /are/ it's in a way I am currently unaware of."

"I believe the commonly used phrase is... It's complicated."

Samuel Morgan has posed:
    "Not easy being a hero these days." Sam says in response to Daisy, as if he has some kind of personal experience in the matter. But then he suspects that the report of the 'conference' between him and Natasha had been suitably couched in bureaucratic language to mask the full impact of it. "It's complicated." He also agrees with Vivian, although with a private smile.

    "Me, I have no secrets from you, Miss Johnson." Accurate, most likely. Possibly. "Certainly not any nefarious ones. All I want to do is just go to school, get my doctorate in physics, robotics, engineering and chemistry, and live a quiet life." Blatant lie.

Daisy Johnson has posed:
"Ok guys, one rule." Daisy lifts a finger up and shakes her head in a solemn manner. "Don't call me Ms. Johnson. Just Daisy is fine. I hope I am not looking -that- old just yet." she lets out a sigh, it was only a small while ago that she was a lil hacker in her van trying to hack into SHIELD... How time flies. Ah well. "But well, if there is a report for you Viv I am sure I will have my hands on it one way or the other." her tone seems as if it was meant as a joke. And most likely was!

"So you are two complicated students, with apparently similar interests. Nothing like making friends on the first day, uh?" She says. "Is that something you two are looking forward to? Making friends?" yes, she most likely is quite aware of who these two students are.

Vivian Vision has posed:
"Yes Ma'am," Vivian agrees. A joke? If so it's deadpan enough that it's hard to tell. "Oh I have finished listening to every song Queen have released. Including several unofficial bootlegs. On the whole I like some of the greatest hits albums. But I think I slightly prefer the music of David Bowie which I listened to afterwards." She shrugs as if this isn't all that big of a deal. "I did find Flash Gordon to be a suitably diverting film though."

"I think I will need time to adjust before I think about forming any friendships. Not that I am against the notion, it's just been a very intense period of time and I worry it will impede my judgement."

Samuel Morgan has posed:
    "Whatever happens, happens... Daisy." is Sam's reply to the question about friends. It's the second time that topic has come up today, and Bear is going to get a bald spot on his head from every time the teenager scratches him between the ears when people talk about 'friends'.

    He isn't surprised when Vivian reveals she has done things which should be impossible in the time span in which they were supposedly done. He's been guilty of listening to music over the network as well without ever using earphones. It's just that he has to do it in real time. "I think our similar interests include computers though, so you're likely to see more of us."

Daisy Johnson has posed:
"Ma'am..?" Daisy says with dismay, but she is taking it as a joke. "I am already starting to feel those white hairs growing." a resigned sigh as they cross the threshold that leads into the school properly, past the gates, "One word of advice, you should ease up on what you share with some other students. Sam here doesn't seem too surprised, but others might." and she doesn't seem surprised either, so maybe there's more to her than meets the eye.

But then she glances over one shoulder to the duo. "And if you guys need anything you can always come to me, and I mean anything. Be it advice, or any doubts you may have. I take this teaching responsibility rather seriously even if my whole appearance may not show that very well." a shrug of her shoulders given.

Vivian Vision has posed:
"I will keep that in mind," Vivian assures. "Although it feels like it will conflict with the degree of honesty I understand is required to establish honest and open friendships. I... do know that people can react poorly to people like myself. But again it brings up a conflict. How can you convince someone you aren't to be feared when you're deceiving them in exactly the manner they fear?"

"Do not worry, that was intended as a rhetorical question. I do not think anyone has the answers just yet." She forces a smile. "I am fairly sure neither of us will be judging anyone on appearance. They can be extremely deceptive after all."

Samuel Morgan has posed:
    "Yeah, looks can be very deceiving." Sam agrees with a smile, and then nods to Daisy. "I'll keep that in mind, miss. And I'm sorry, but I need to go pick up my schedule and probably discuss a few things with Doctor MacIntyre." So with one more nod to his companions, Sam breaks away from the group.

    He is, however, not very far away when he reaches in his pocket, takes out his phone and seems to read a breaking news story. For a second he comes to a stop and looks around himself.

    Then, quite deliberately, he takes the phone in his other hand and raises his right fist, before putting the phone away again and going on his way.

    Uh oh...

Daisy Johnson has posed:
Even if it's a rhethorical question Daisy seems to have some semblance of an answer to it. Or at least a very partial one. "Expectations. And managing them. If people are expecting you to be something and you are another they will react, depending on how close-minded or not they are. But true, it's a very difficult question to answer. There is a lot we are not yet ready to process." But then Sam starts breaking off from the group, and peeking at his phone. It makes her do the same and look over certain breaking news. She can't help to smile briefly but she doesn't raise her right fist. Instead she gestures. "Well, I will leave you to settle down. I have to go talk with a few people too. Take care, and you are right. Bowie is great too." with a wave she then begins to trail off down into another building too.

Vivian Vision has posed:
"I suppose I will have to learn to understand people before I can expect them to understand me in turn," Vivian muses as Samuel breaks away. Her own news feeds are constantly updating and internally monitored, but the news lacks the same impact without her emotional core engaged or a solid understanding of the worlds geo-political situation. Another entry for her already extensive to-do list.

"It was a pleasure meeting you both," she adds with a polite wave, already checking her location data against the map to find a suitable path for the Administration area where she'll no doubt have some enrollment paperwork to complete.