"Master, must this thing be allowed to think?" Sebastian's voice, ripe with mirth, echoes through the room as he and Lance cross the threshold of the recently opened door. The pair continue to tread deeper into the labyrinthine complex, their voices rebounding off the sterile, metallic walls.
Before Lance could react, a childlike voice chimes in, its tone petulant, "Master, must this unworthy and incapable excuse for a human being be by your side constantly? Wouldn't you prefer to be accompanied by someone more sophisticated and much closer to the essence of humanity?" The voice belongs to AYRN, the AI projection taking the form of a holographic young boy, who playfully climbs onto Lance's shoulder as he saunters through the room.
The hologram, possessing a cherubic face with glowing eyes, looks down at Sebastian, its digital voice filled with mock condescension, "Oh, someone like me?"
Sebastian returns the hologram's gaze with an amused smile, countering AYRN's question, "How can the created be as close to the peak of its creator?" His words, though said in jest, held a grain of truth. Despite AYRN's advanced capabilities, the AI was a product of human ingenuity, a testament to Lance's brilliance.
Lance's exasperated voice cuts through their verbal volley, "Will the both of you just cut it out?" His tone, a mix of mild annoyance and underlying amusement, stifles the back and forth. "AYRN, bring up the test footage and ready the completion of your efforts"
The room is suddenly filled with a soft hum as the holographic projector in the center springs to life. Bathed in the soft luminescent glow, a humanoid figure comes into existence. At first glance, it is easily mistaken for a real person, but a closer look reveals the uncanny illusion.
Its aesthetic design is remarkable, a testament to a blend of art and technology. The sheen on the parts of the robot that would mimic clothing on a person is subtle yet sophisticated, capturing the eyes of the onlookers with its unique allure. Various light emitters dispersed across its body make it clear this is no mere human. But the skin-like substance coated on its arms, legs, neck, and face is astonishingly human-like. Even the hair, intricately detailed, acts as an antenna of sorts, enhancing its communication range and data deciphering capacity.
Lance is seen rubbing his temples, his murmurs of surprise echoing around the room, while Sebastian, with eyes widened, lets out a soft gasp of shock, "T-t-this?!"
The AI boy, AYRN, tilts his head in a display of digital confusion, his projected face failing to make sense of their reactions. "M-m-master?" He stutters out, "Is it not to your satisfaction?"
Lance's disbelief is palpable as he stammers, "T-t-that face.... T-t-that body..." But before he can continue, AYRN cuts in with an air of self-satisfaction, "Ah! yes, Master. I decided to make a change in the design regarding its appearance."
AYRN continues with a smug look on his face, seemingly proud of his accomplishment, "Since Ms. Tanaka arrived, you have seemed to be happier. So, I decided to have the robot take on Ms. Tanaka's appearance." AYRN's words hang in the air as the realization slowly dawns on them.
Sebastian's gaze softens with pity at AYRN's innocent misunderstanding. Lance, however, becomes consumed by a surge of mixed feelings, his aura intensifying with each moment. The AI, too consumed by his triumph, doesn't notice the tension building up in his master until it's too late.
"M-m-master?!" AYRN squeaks as Lance suddenly materializes in front of him, brandishing a holographic bat. The scene ends with the comical cacophony of AYRN's cries, Sebastian's resigned sigh as he prepares some tea, and Lance's shouts of indignation, questioning AYRN's audacious decision and his inexplicable feelings about it.