Compatibility Revisited: A Nindroid Romance

Another Level of Compatibility

As the other ninja have assured them that everything is quiet at the monastery and Ninjago City, Pixal and Zane have decided not to rush their journey and instead spend a few days in a pretty town that lies on their way home. It is shortly after midday when they move into their room. Zane has always been on missions with the other ninja and is used to sharing a room with them, so he hasn't really thought about whether it should be any different this time; and Pixal had no objections when they were handed a key to one room with two beds.

Pixal: What are we going to do this afternoon? Explore the surroundings?

Zane: Yes, that's a good plan. And .... (He gives a mysterious smile.) I think you should also have a look at the present Sensei Li's gave you when we left.

Pixal: Do you know what it is?

Zane: I got one, too ... Yours should have been ready sooner. But I agreed with Sensei Li that it would also make a great farewell present, which you will continue to find useful. (He watches as she rummages in her bag and produces a parcel.) That's what I hope, at least.

She unwraps the present and reveals a navy blue gi with a dark red belt.

Pixal: My own Zigjitzu gi? (She quickly puts it on.) I am at a loss for words. Of course I'm going to use it! It feels incredible. I cannot thank her enough.

Zane: Only Sensei Li's most talented students receive a gi in their personal colors. You have certainly deserved it.

Pixal: Thank you. Aren't you going to put yours on?

Zane: If you like. (He unfolds a white and silver gi, puts it on and stands next to her.) How about combining our walk with a training session?

Pixal (beaming with joy): Agreed.

***

At the end of a Zigjitzu run through a natural obstacle course in the nearby woods, Pixal almost fails to come to a halt. Zane manages to catch her in his arms.

Zane (laughing): Hey. You're getting carried away in that new gi. By the way, you look stunning, if I may say so. (She pulls away from him, but almost trips again. He holds out a hand to her.) Pixal, is everything ok?

Pixal: Yes. No. I ... Perhaps you could just give me a hug?

Zane: I'd like that. (He gently puts his arms around her.) What's the matter?

Pixal: I ... don't know. Nothing. That's what concerns me.

Zane: There is nothing and that is the problem? This scenario is irrational.

Pixal: I know it is. My hardware and software are supposed to be in perfect condition. There is no problem I can identify. But ... I've started to notice slight glitches in my processing units, and they only seem to happen around you. Sometimes ... Sometimes, when you look at me, my processor seems to skip a cycle, and it feels like my gyro is malfunctioning again. You saw how it almost made me trip before? (She sighs.) And there's also something happening to my emotion circuits. I've caught myself smiling without any reason. Training with you, touching you ... feeling your skin on mine produces a warm feeling inside me that I cannot explain. Last night when we returned from the gardens, it became so strong that I could hardly fall asleep afterwards. And ... I'm afraid you'll laugh at me, because there's no logical explanation for it, but I often just want to hug you for no reason.

Zane (smiling widely and pulling her closer towards him): There's nothing wrong with that. There's nothing wrong with you, Pixal. You basically ... (He hesitates.) You just gave an accurate account of what humans call falling in love.

Pixal (her eyes widening): Is that what it is? Being in love? (She's lost in thought for a while.) We've always been compatible. Our systems work perfectly together. It was when you gave me half of your power source that I began to experience emotions and learn the meaning of joy, excitement, loyalty, and courage. And yes, there were anger, fear, and grief – but I also learned that friends are there to help each other through difficult times. And among my friends, you were always special: the fellow nindroid, the one with the compatible system. Knowing that you are well became vital for me. I never questioned that we belong together. But I didn't expect that my system would, over time, develop additional ... reactions in your presence.

Zane: They may take some time to get used to. (He gently rubs her back, feeling her relax in his arms. Then he continues with a soft chuckle.) Let me tell you about a prank my brothers played me shortly after we had discovered that I'm a nindroid. I'd found out how I could upload data to my memory drive; it didn't have the same capacity then, but there was enough disk space for various encyclopedias, dictionaries and the like. And during one of my uploads ... Jay and Kai smuggled in a few teen magazines which dealt in some detail with how young people act and feel when they are around their girlfriends and boyfriends. I was incredibly embarrassed. They made fun of me all evening. (He smiles and shakes his head at the recollection.) The good thing was that it helped me understand what was going on between Jay and Nya. But it took me a very long time to recognize that there is a nindroid equivalent for those emotions. (He fondly looks at her.) The feelings you describe ... I've had them for some time. (He lets go of her, smiling at the incredulous look on her face.) If it scares you, we don't need to talk about it any more. Just look at it as an additional level of compatibility.