And We Danced (Masquerade Overflow!)

[thespaceopera]

The Captcha is upon us, but the party isn't over! Feel free to continue your threads here, start new ones, and continue the dance party!

- Original Mingle
- OOC Post

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[thezerothlaw]

Daneel considers this. The only thing anywhere close that he can think of is the feel of a nearby mind -- and a robot does feel, sound, senses differently than an organic one.

"Is this a form of telepathy?"

[bythewaves]

Maglor shakes his head slowly, also clearly looking for the right words.

"Not as I understand it. My cousins might be able to explain better, for they were tutored in such arts. But I ... I suppose the best description is that I hear the Song that underlays the world, and can discern the notes that make up its people. I cannot discern the thoughts of another unless they wish me to, only... get a general sense for them, I suppose."

[thezerothlaw]

"Interesting."

So not... quite telepathy. Not quite what he can do. Unless the details of language are what shape this concept. Daneel hesitates, not entirely sure he ought to explain further.

"I have some ability to sense the minds of those near me," he admits, slowly. He's deliberately underplaying it. "I cannot discern thoughts either, but I am generally aware of emotional states. It seems... similar, in some aspects."

[bythewaves]

Maglor considers the explanation and nods. "Similar, I think so, yes. Probably, closer to what my cousin Galadriel can do, I think. You might speak to Finrod - she was his sister, and that family have always had very keen senses of perception."

"A very useful skill, however! It is similar for all robots, or a skill unique to you?"

[thezerothlaw]

"It is unique," Daneel says. "And in fact, it would be considered highly suspect. Friend Giskard was the first robot to possess the ability, and he passed it to me before ceasing to function."

Finrod. Beverly has mentioned him. He needs to meet him at some point.

[bythewaves]

"Suspect?" Maglor blinks at him curiously. "Whyever for? I am sorry about your friend, however."

[thezerothlaw]

"Humans often respond to something they don't understand with fear," Daneel says. "A roboticist of my own time would order me to submit to deactivation and disassembly. It would be seen as a potentially dangerous aberration, one that must be studied in order to prevent it from occurring again."

[bythewaves]

"That much I knew." He says sadly. "But to hear that they would treat you in such a way, who their own hands crafted, is a terrible grief. I am sorry that it is so."

[thezerothlaw]

The sympathy is... surprising, but not unwelcome. Daneel shakes his head, slightly.

"Friend Giskard was always very careful to hide his secret," he says, "and I have also attempted caution, though here in the Fleet it is not always as necessary."

[bythewaves]

Maglor nods. "My father taught all of us to value and prize the fruits of our efforts. Any faults, he used to say, are those of the maker, for what was built can hardly help how it was made. And then to react with fear when what was made exceeds expectations! Especially since you you are obviously no simple automaton!"

[thezerothlaw]

"Robots are servants. Humanity would prefer its servants remain predictable, I think."

Servants, or slaves, or whatever. The result is the same. Daneel doesn't exactly criticize, but it's an observation all the same.

"My own creator might have protected me, but he died some years ago." And honestly, Dr. Fastolfe's protection may only have gone so far.

[bythewaves]

Maglor makes a low noise of understanding.

"I am sorry. I had servants in my youth, but to treat them in such a way would have earned me quite severe punishment. And I am sorry to hear about your creator."

[thezerothlaw]

"He lived a long life, as far as humans are considered," Daneel says, carefully. "He was much celebrated for his genius, and he willed me to a friend of his rather than allow me to be dismantled."

... okay, maybe Giskard's mental powers had something to do with that. But that's beside the point.

[bythewaves]

"At the least he had the forethought to try and keep you relatively safe, I suppose." Maglor murmurs softly. "A very difficult state of affairs, it seems."

[thezerothlaw]

"I matter little to most humans. I'm only a robot."

Daneel shakes his head.

"I may have purposes that I feel important, but that would be of no concern to most people."

[bythewaves]

"I am sorry." Maglor shakes his head again. "That seems to me monumentally unfair, when I see and speak to you, and cannot clearly distinguish you from any other."

[thezerothlaw]

Daneel shakes his head, mildly dismissive. It's unimportant, he's unimportant.

"You accept so readily that I am a person," he observes.

[bythewaves]

"You speak to me as one, and you sound as one." Maglor lifts an eyebrow back at him. "Why should I not?"

[thezerothlaw]

"It is an oddity that many people here share," he says. "At home, I must confess that I am not considered a person. I am a possession."

He's been dancing around this, but perhaps it's best he's plain.

[bythewaves]

Maglor's frown deepens and he shakes his head.

"In Harad and Rhun they make of their own kin possessions. I see that Men have sadly changed very little, in some ways. I am sorry, even so - for none should be treated that way."

[thezerothlaw]

"Even if they are made expressly for that purpose?"

He's curious; it's rare for someone to plainly say this to him, and it's an idea that doesn't come naturally to him.

[bythewaves]

"That is hardly your fault, is it?" Maglor points out. "No one can help the circumstances of their birth. If anything, they should be honored that the One should so bless their efforts as to give you life."

[thezerothlaw]

"I was constructed," Daneel points out, "not born."

The One. That sounds like... well, it sounds like supernaturalism to him. In which case, he won't argue. It's irrational, but he won't argue it.

"Robots have been constructed to perform labour for close to two millennia. Most were not as sophisticated as I am, but some where, and my being conscious is nothing spectacular, either. I don't believe humanity's best interests are best served by relying so heavily on robot labour, but that does not change why we are made."

[bythewaves]

It might be, except Maglor personally knows the guys directly under Him.

"What comes from the forges flames may be born as truly as any other." Maglor shrugs. "I am somehow not surprised to hear that they go on to try ever more elaborate things. But equally so - when one is like yourself who seems to me indistinguishable... then I would suggest tis time they looked at thier priorities again."

[thezerothlaw]

Daneel falls silent. This is not a side of things he often thinks of. He knows what he's for, after all.

"I will," he says, carefully, "think on this."