milliways_bar | (no subject)

Entry tags:

eddie kincade,
karr

(no subject)

It seems that KARR has finally had enough of banging into-and getting stuck on-chairs and tables today. The AI can be found outside near the lake, practicing turns, braking, and occasionally flinging himself through the air in a turboboost. It's a way to relieve boredom-and he hasn't shown off in ages.

He'd welcome people to talk to, but staying out of the way is advisable.

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Eddie had heard the familiar engine and stepped outside. Still in his jacket, still with his hair black, he stood near the building and he waited.

It was such a good sight to see.

Eventually, KARR slowed down enough to notice Eddie, and stopped. His scanner flicked steadily as he eyed the other AI, not bothering to come forward yet. "You're back, then. And you took the time out of your busy schedule to dye your hair."

"Paint, not dye. I'm a Knight now." Even though he'd always call himself Eddie Kincade. "It's good to see you."

"You've always been a Knight, in case you've forgotten. We, by some unfortunate stroke of fate, share programming." His scanner continued to move steadily, staying a flat yellow color. "And it's somewhat unexpected to see you."

Eddie nodded at Karr's comments,for once not minding the sarcasm. He had... reasons.

"I didn't really expect to come back," he allowed, with the faintest of shrugs.

"And I didn't expect you back, either. Everyone else will probably be glad to see you, though-assuming you can ever find them."

"I've already spoken to Ray," Eddie said, "but I think you're referring to Michael, Kitt, and Bonnie."

Bonnie.

He made himself smile. "It will be good to see them."

"That would be them, yes. Don't expect to see Kitt or Knight often-they stay only god-knows where much of the time. The last time I spoke to Kitt, we didn't even bother being face to face." His scanner kept flicking, speeding up a bit. "And Bonnie has been...busy."

He frowned slightly, hearing that. "Busy..?" he asked, part curious. "How so?"

"With nothing of your concern," KARR said, his voice taking on a bit of a sharp note. "It should all be over with eventually, besides."

"It is my concern, Karr." It was a protest, but gentle. "You're both part of my family."

"You're not the only one being left out of things, so don't complain to me." He snorted once, then wnet quiet, letting his scanner move rapidly back and forth.

"I'm not complaining - I'm asking for information. Maybe we can help." His tone was patient. Quiet. Waiting.

"'We'? Who are you counting as 'we'?"

"You and I, of course."

"I'm helping by giving her company when she does come and by waiting to hear updates. I don't need to work with you to do that."

"I'd certainly hope not," Eddie agreed, "but you mentioned 'eventually.' It's taken a while?"

"More time than I would like, yes. But I hope it comes to head soon."

"...How soon?"

"Soon enough that I can finally give up having to wait for ages to see Bonnie again."

But Eddie was quiet as he stood there, thinking, wondering - deciding.

"We should be ready."

"You don't even know anything about what I'm talking about, and you want to be ready." KARR paused. "How many times did you get in head, exactly?"

"I'm based on quantum processing, Karr," said Eddie, quiet, serious. "I'm precognitive."

"...You really did get hit in the head, didn't you?"

His smile, this time, was weak. "No, I didn't. I got shot in the shoulder, but that's different. It's... part of the quantum process. Computing without computing."

"I'll leave that up to you, then," he said, his tone more than a little disgusted. "Quantum has a tendency to make me crash."

"It woudn't, if you were in a quantum CPU," Eddie pointed out. "Which may be a possibility, in a few years."

"It's not something I look forward to, then. I'd most likely end up crashing as soon as I was placed in one."

"I doubt that," Eddie murmured. "It might be good for you."

"And how would it be good for me, exactly?"

"Perhaps it would lend you a bit more flexibility," Eddie offered, and smiled. This was the Karr he remembered.

"I happen to already be quite flexible," he shot back. "My being flexible has come in handy more than once. If you want to discuss someone being inflexible...look at Kitt."

"...And how do you get that Kitt is inflexible?"

"You've never spent much time around him, have you? Time spent figuring him out, to be exact."

"I've just spent two years near him - near him and Michael. I never thought of him as inflexible."

"Clearly, you and I have different ways of looking at him."

"You have to remember," Eddie noted, "it was twenty years in your future."

"Mm. Perhaps he finally loosened up, then. One can only hope."

"Well. He was married. With children."

There was really only one response for the latter part of what Eddie said. KARR let out a squawk, his scanner freezing.

Eddie approached at that - careful - and he lightly placed his hand on Karr's hood. "...Karr? Are you all right?"

It took a moment, but KARR's senses came back to him, and he jerked back from Eddie's hand. "I'm fine-or I will be, in a few moments." His scanner flashed as he let out a disgusted snort. "And keep your hands off of me."

Yep, he thought. Same old Karr.

"...I liked you better twenty years from now," Eddie exhaled, but he stepped back as Karr wanted.

"In case you haven't noticed, I'm not yet twenty years into the future, and so you'll have to deal with me as I am."

"I have noticed."

But Eddie simply exhaled after that, shaking his head a bit before turning to go back indoors. "Good night, Karr."

"Good night," KARR said flatly, then returned to driving, making his way around the lake.

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