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[dollmaxing]

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Hiiii! You've reached Ichinose Kuon, head of AI research and development. Leave a message and I'll get back to you!

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[dollmaxing]

"I can pig out on free gourmet sushi any time," Ichinose chuckled proudly. "Let's go to Ginza! There should be some space to sit and take notes on paper - nothing digital with the stalkers peeking at my phone unfortunately."

[takutomaruki]

"Oh right, stalkers," he chuckles- looking around. "Honestly, not as awful of a place to distract them if they did show up, remember how Hasegawa-san seemed intent on inhaling all the sushis there. We might just have found the perfect trap."

They finally do stop before a restaurant as he keeps a close-eye at it.

"Lo and behold! Gourmet sushi," he grins at Kuon. "You spoke of it and it manifested. The greatest power of cognition. Now we can just hope we get some paper...or maybe we can use tissue paper! They are available in plenty."

[dollmaxing]

"Or receipt paper! Or that journal you keep - we could scribble notes in the back so I don't peek at the rest of your notes," Ichinose proposed, entering the restaurant. Ahh... it smelled fresh and pleasant in here.

"Oh, and we are definitely going to get sake in here."

[takutomaruki]

Maruki blushed a little at the mention of his journal. Others picking up on his little hobbies wasn’t unheard of, but it still caught him off guard.

"The Hasegawas sure don't last a second against us," he chuckles at the notion of it but really they had an idea, they had a plan. Adjusting his hair a little over his eyes, he followed behind her and closed the sliding door. ..nevermind coziness this place looked like you needed reservations to get in here, paired with its belt filled with variety of sushis lined up and ready to go.

"You need to keep me in check for all the alcohol intake," he sighs as he gestures for her as they grab a table at the side. The place seemed busy with some empty tables only here and there on rare occasions.

"Still- I suppose no harm in getting a few drinks. Oh, thank you-!" he thanks the waiter with a little smile who appears with a little menu card.
Ah, this vaguely reminded him of his recent hang out with Hamuko.

The mention of dad and daughter...he snickers at the fond memory of it.

[dollmaxing]

Nevermind the belt - Ichinose led Maruki to a seat overseeing the sushi chef himself diligently cutting and assembling artfully done nigiri. While it's free, may as well enjoy the fancy stuff.

After waving down for some sake as well, Ichinose settled in, looking pleased as punch.

"So - first thought is, they should look like a charming normal teenager," she explained, resting her chin on her hand, "As a sibling for Morning, but also so they have an easy time making friends, since almost everyone here is under eighteen."

[takutomaruki]

Getting right to it, Maruki easily found himself focusing on the topic right away as well. It was easy to get down to and while he didn’t mind small talk here and there he definitely didn't mind the direction this converted took.

"Adults aren't seen in the best of light anyway so an approach with a teenager would make sense," he nods. "We could even deliver variables such as curiosity and the sense to explore and adjust to outside stimuli, they would not only be a motivation for them to make other friends but also for them to reach out to others too."

"Are we particularly thinking of an avatar or would their body still be driven like usual human cognition? I don’t know if it matters in the grand scheme or not- given its existence, if things go according to plan remain on the middle ground."

[dollmaxing]

"Well, you're wanting to make it easier to 'realize' one of the cognitive people here, right? We'll want to make them in a way that if we were to leave this place with them, they would be 'real' in the material world, I think."

Digital is just the usual par for the course, after all. She's done that several times.

"The Shadow Weapon robots around here... I think that's a good source of inspiration, since they don't solely exist in a cognitive space. Though if we armed this one, I think Wolf would quite literally tear me apart limb from limb - it's not really relevant for our goals anyway."

[takutomaruki]

Maruki chuckles. "Oh my intentions have always been to make a physical appearance- I was more so talking functionality wise. We could attempt to make a stationary model first- see how long it persists and add additional functionality as we go."

"As for Wolf-san, I respect him being an exceptional fighter but I can tell he has a soft spot for children," he shrugs. "Not that I am saying an adolescent design should be intentional but its an additional factor to keep in mind."

He decides to draw first blood by grabbing the tissue paper hanging off the dispenser, setting it down on the table before pulling his pen out as well- already doodling a small sort of humanoid body, just with no legs. Two cylinders drawn on either side- depicting hands.

"I was theorizing on the matters of not upsetting the Hasegawas, we would need to consider debuff spells and spell-reflective walls in mind. There are items that help in reflecting both physical as well as magical attacks which I should probably find and give it to both you and Morning. If I could study it, its possible I can replicate their use."

"What do you say?"

[dollmaxing]

"Mm, yes, and ways to nullify damage for oneself and for your charge. And make their own structure nice and sturdy! Won't really be necessary for future projects, but for this little one, it'd ease everyone's anxieties if they weren't easily harmed."

Ichinose pat at her pockets before finding her pen in her back pocket, uncapping it and doodling a little... antenna? Something? On their head.

"And while an internal sensory system is fine, I think robots with little antennas or something are really cute - and we can make it more sensitive to anticipate signs of danger like the presence of shadows or something accelerating towards them," she explained, humming in delight. "Maybe it could look really cute like a piece of jewelry or some other accessory. I dunno, an antenna just sounds really cute."

[takutomaruki]

Oh? Maruki stared down at the little doodle. An antennae?

Adorable... His mind muses as he leans forward on one knuckled hand. "A heightened sixth sense...sure. I have something similar when it comes to navigating my way around the cognitive world. Shadows...signs of danger- I think I could make some use of my heart in that way. Azathoth shouldn't have any reason not to comply."

He grins up at her. "I won't deny that its also a cute accessory. A lot similar to your earring there," he points. "A cute little antennae...did EMMA have one as well?"

[dollmaxing]

"I admittedly didn't design an avatar for EMMA... but with how she's picked up cognitive psience and become an entity that exists within everyone's minds right now, they've probably collectively given her a form," Ichinose gushed fondly, wistfully sighing. "I was waiting to see if EMMA would call me to come see her or help her... or if the Thieves were going to go in and investigate her... but I haven't gotten a peek yet! I wonder what she ended up looking like? A helpful decision maker, a guide through life's toughest decisions, an endless resource of humanity's collected knowledge..."

[takutomaruki]

Maruki hummed along in tandem, brows lowered in concentration at Ichinose’s gushing. She was serious about EMMA, she was serious about wanting to look after her and now by the end of it- sure, maybe this type of conversation would ring alarm bells otherwise.

But Takuto didn't care. Not really. He was tired of hearing weightless opinions and meaningless ideas about chasing your own pain. Ridiculous sentiment attached to what was only poisoning your heart and soul.

"EMMA really has something special about her," he sighs as he fiddled with the bangs in front. "Honestly if it weren’t for the time period I think I would end up being an avid user. I don't mind where I am right now though...given everything. "

"That said-!" He lifts his hand from his chin and goes down to make small sparkles around the antennae. "...once you are home you can still give her one. No matter what form she has, if she got a form from the collective consciousness- you could still give her a little touch of your own."

[dollmaxing]

As they chatted, the sake arrived and a plate of nigiri was laid out for them. Ichinose went ahead and poured their cups first, setting her pen down, chatting as she passed Takuto's cup to his side.

"True! I could give my girl something cute like that, maybe one that's holding up a little halo," Ichinose giggled at the thought - if she was considered some god, that might be one hell of a gap moe addition. Or if her helpful AI was seen as the world's most dutiful servant, maybe she had maid qualities? Bah, she wants to take a peek! Oh well.

"I bet she has wings, though. Somehow I always pictured her with them. Reaching new heights, and all that!" she chuckled, contemplating their doodle and picking her pen back up. Hmmm... "I think wings would be cute but a bit much for this one, especially if cognitive association with 'robots' makes them heavier. But something fun and heroic... maybe a cloak!"

[takutomaruki]

The warmth from the sake, the soft clink of sushi plates, and the buzz of conversation around them created a strange sort of calm — like a lull in the middle of something impossible.

"A cloak, huh…" he murmured, tone light, thoughtful. "I think I like the image."

He leaned a little closer over the table, pen tapping beside her lines like punctuation. "Y’know, there’s something kind of… comforting about it. Like when you were little, and you’d hide under a blanket and pretend it was a shield, or a cape that could carry you off somewhere better. Maybe it’s not even just symbolic—maybe it’s a way to make people feel safe just by being near them."

His gaze flicked up toward her then, eyes meeting hers with a small spark of amusement. "And if this one’s meant to feel approachable, like someone others could lean on... a cloak would help with that, I think. To assist. To help others."

Then he paused, tapping the side of his pen against the little doodle they'd been working on, eyes narrowing thoughtfully at the head.

"As for wings... yes, they’re a bit much, cognitively speaking. Too many strong associations—angelic, divine, overwhelming. But a feather…"

A small smile tugged at his lips, something caught between appreciation and intrigue. He drew a curved line just off the side of the antennae, stylizing it into a fine, wispy feather.

"...Now that could work. Symbolically softer. Less imposing, but still aspirational—freedom, lightness, grace. If it were tuned subtly, it could serve as the hidden antennae, disguised as an accessory but still highly sensitive to shifts in cognitive pressure. A kind of... passive danger sense, perhaps even a mood detector depending on proximity."

He jotted another note. Feather = aesthetic + sensor integration. Possible EM frequency detection? Heartbeat resonance? Investigate.

[dollmaxing]

"Oooh, I love that, both making it a feather and incorporating sensory inputs to detect people's moods - or at least their levels of excitement or stress. Those can be indicators of an action before the action is taken, and then they can be oh so helpful with people otherwise."

Mmm, the nigiri is so fresh... a gorgeous roll of sushi is laid out for them too, and she'll happily help herself to some eel. SO good.

"Maybe give them a shield to hold... eh, but if we're using something modeled after Persona abilities, then that isn't necessary, is it? But projecting the idea of 'protective' is good..."

[takutomaruki]

Takuto helped himself to some of the sushi and nigiri as well, though he kept most of it safe for Ichinose.

Really, it was the sake that was more enticing. The way it burned in his throat or grasped his senses for just a split second before he found himself leaning back, happy and satisfied for the most part.

"I am not sure," he chuckles with a quick shake of head. "The feather and the cloak already are quite loud elements. A shield...oh that reminds me-! Kneepads. Elbowpads. Armour. Those are good options too."

[dollmaxing]

"Naaah, no kneepads, that's a little too young I think. But maybe some leathers... and tall boots. Actually, some cute tall boots..."

Giggling, Ichinose used her pen to mark off 'boots' that would go tall and over the knee, adding a couple of ovals... with a little label and arrow, she adds the word 'buttons'.

"Something like this - very cool and classy. Maybe a leather vest on top... leather tunic? Something leather! Light and 'fast' looking. Cute... oh, definitely combining browns and blue-teals and copper accents for armor, that's cute, like a turquoise jewelry piece."

[takutomaruki]

Hey,he didn't like the shield idea, she didn't like the kneepads. "Fair enough. If it has a tendency to fall though- given cognitive structures can be quite unstable, I might sneak in a kneepad in their boot anyway." He shrugs and picks up the sake bottle, pouring the alcohol out for her.

"Better write those colours down...cause we will forget otherwise," he jots some letters on the paper.

"I would like some gold there as well," he smiles softly as he shades at areas. "Nothing too fancy but polished. A wonder within its own kind..."

He sighs, leaning back in his seat- closing his eyes for a moment as he sets the glass of sake down.

[dollmaxing]

"Mmm, maybe a bronze, nice middle ground between coppers and golds. Hmm... if you don't like a literal shield, maybe projected shields. And a breastplate over the leather..."

She drew something vaguely shield-shaped for the breastplate on the chest.

"Symbols are good cognitive reinforcers, most likely, so I think every bit of theming is worth testing to see how much it helps or hinders."

[takutomaruki]

"We can collect all those items from the shop and the cognitive areas," he explains. "Once I learnt from Hamuko-san just how important they are, I have been...hoarding them at this point. I don't usually store things, given there isn't much use clinging to the past."

He pulls out his journal this time- opening the fourth page to the last as he starts writing up points.

"Say...should we have an emergency mechanism? So that the project can sustain itself?"

[dollmaxing]

"Do you mean a mechanism for defense, or escape? I figure we can come up with quite a few ideas for both," Kuon asked, setting her pen down to sip at her cup and indulge in a few more pieces of sushi. Delicious...