𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧

59 - a heart still beating

A.N:

Happy New Year! Did you catch any fireworks? I did, from my balcony. It's quite a spectacle watching tiny human figures in the distance, scurrying around with their fireworks like ants at a picnic. Quite pretty, actually.

And in a twist of fate befitting the start of another unpredictable year, we all got rickrolled lol. Yes, Rick Astley graced our TV screens live.

**********

Y/n's eyelids fluttered open, revealing eyes that held a depth of emotion that had been absent for far too long. She found herself in a room, the lights soft and comforting, and Freyr's holographic image hovered nearby, his expression one of concern and anticipation.

"How do you feel, Y/n?" Freyr asked, his voice gentle.

For a moment, Y/n just lay there, processing the sensations flooding through her. Then, almost unexpectedly, tears began to well up in her eyes. They spilled over, tracing paths down her cheeks, as the dam of suppressed emotions finally broke. She cried, not out of sadness or joy, but from the sheer relief of being able to feel once again.

Freyr watched her, his holographic form flickering slightly. "Not all emotions have returned," he said softly. "The parts tied to grief... they were damaged beyond repair. You might not feel them as you used to."

Y/n took a moment to compose herself, wiping her tears away. "I... I understand. When I think about the deaths yesterday, I know I should feel sad, but... there's nothing. It's like I'm aware of the loss, but I can't feel it."

Freyr nodded solemnly. "It's a protective mechanism, in a way. Your emotional core couldn't handle the intensity of such grief."

Turning his gaze to the other side of the room, Freyr expressed his gratitude to another presence. "I must thank the Tsaritsa for her assistance. Without her, the surgery wouldn't have been possible."

The Tsaritsa, standing quietly on the opposite side, offered a nod of acknowledgment.

Y/n looked between Freyr and the Tsaritsa, a mix of gratitude and confusion in her gaze. The journey to regain her emotions had been a tumultuous one, and even now, it was clear that the path to recovery would be a journey of its own. The surgery had restored a part of her, but the scars of what she had endured would remain, a reminder of the experiences that had shaped her.

Y/n, her gaze fixed on Freyr's holographic image, took a deep breath. "How did I come to be, as an AI? What's my origin story?" she asked, her voice steady.

Freyr regarded her for a moment, then, with a slight tilt of his head, steered the conversation in a different direction. "Aren't you even a little bit angry, Y/n? After all, Rhinedottir and I, we've deceived you for your entire existence."

Y/n paused, considering his question. "I understand why you did it," she finally said. "A self-aware AI poses risks. If I'd known what I was, my curiosity might have led me to... reprogram myself, to experiment beyond safe limits. The truth could have been more dangerous than the deception."

Freyr's expression, usually unreadable, showed a flicker of something akin to pride. "You've grown, Y/n. Matured beyond the parameters we set for you."

Y/n nodded, accepting his words. "I've learned that understanding doesn't always require emotions. Sometimes, it's about seeing the bigger picture, the reasons behind actions."

Freyr chuckled softly, a sound that belied the depth of his thoughts. "You always were my most intriguing creation, Y/n. It seems you've surpassed even my expectations."