Slice of life

Stuck in a Cramped Space [Part 2]

prideboards ♡ ace boromir ♡ for @king-on-carven-throne ♡ picrew

Boromir, five years the elder, beloved by his father, was like him in face and pride, but in little else. Rather he was a man after the sort of King Eärnur of old, taking no wife and delighting chiefly in arms; fearless and strong, but caring little for lore, save the tales of old battles.

Balin entered, intending to ask Bilbo something, until he noticed what he was wearing.

"What are you wearing, Bilbo?" Balin asked, his face showing surprise.

"This? No, no, it's nothing. It's just the chainmail Thorin gave me," Bilbo replied, confused as to what Balin found so odd.

"Oh no, Bilbo, you shouldn't be wearing that."

"What? Why not? Is there a problem?"

"I wouldn't call it a problem. It might lead some people to get the wrong idea about your relationship."

"What are you talking about, Balin?" “Well, it’s pretty obvious you don’t know about this, so I’ll explain. In dwarven culture, it’s traditional to propose by giving a piece of fine armor.”

“Marriage??” Bilbo thought, his ears turning red. “Thorin proposed to me??”

“And normally, the most polite way to refuse is to not accept the gift or not wear the armor. I’m not saying you have to give it back—that could be even worse—I’m just asking that you don’t wear it for a long time. Although, the best thing to do if you don’t want to keep it is to sell it for parts, though that would be a real shame,” Balin concluded.

“Marriage?” Bilbo repeated.

“Huh?” Balin raised an eyebrow at the question.

“Thorin, me, marriage?!” Bilbo started to get a little flustered.

“Are you trying to ask if Thorin proposed to you?” Balin made a small grimace.

"Thorin proposed to me during the dragon sickness?"

Balin looked down and sighed. They were silent for a few moments, then he continued, "Yes, I suppose so." Balin grimaced and put his hand to his face before going on, "I should make him apologize. Just because you didn't know what it meant doesn't excuse him putting that pressure on you. Don't worry, it was probably just the dragon sickness."

Bilbo blinked twice and then looked down. Of course, Thorin would never want to be with him if he were in his right mind. Why would he? Bilbo was just a hobbit from the Shire who had the misfortune/good fortune of meeting Gandalf. Bilbo wasn't anyone extraordinary. "Oh, yes, yes, I understand what you're saying."

"What's wrong, lad? Why so down all of a sudden?" “—” said Balin, confused.

“—No, no, it’s nothing, I just—” Bilbo didn’t know what else to say as he clutched the clothes at his sides.

“—Bilbo?” Balin approached and patted Bilbo on the shoulder.

“—It’s just that, knowing that the only way he’ll want to be with me is because of an illness and not because he chooses to…” He looked away, his voice trailing off.

“—You’re saying… It doesn’t bother you that Thorin tried to propose to you?” Balin asked incredulously.

Bilbo stared intently into Balin’s eyes; a small glimmer of determination flickered in them.

“—Why would he?” The truth is, I would accept if he really wanted to. Don't look at me like that. I know it's a silly idea and that he would never be with just anyone...

"Bilbo," said Balin, placing both hands on Bilbo's shoulders, "if Thorin asked you that in the next few days, would you accept? Despite everything?" he asked incredulously.

Bilbo swallowed hard and stared into his eyes, a small glimmer of hope flickering in them. "Yes, the truth is, yes," Bilbo said, a slight blush rising to his cheeks.

"By Mahal," he murmured softly as he stepped back.

"Bali?" I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't complain about these things and— Bilbo looked down again—it's just that I…

“Bilbo, please, don't worry, go to your room and rest and take a bath.” Balin started to leave the room, stopped in the doorway, and turned to look at Bilbo with a chuckle. “And wear your coat, and please, when you go out…” Balin quickly left the room, leaving Bilbo stunned.

——————

Writing things again when I'm two minutes from falling asleep; at least this time it wasn't in the middle of the night. I hope whoever reads this enjoyed it. English isn't my first language, so I wrote this in Spanish and put it through a translator to convert it to English. And honestly, I didn't proofread it, so if there are any nonsensical sentences, I don't plan on correcting them anytime soon sooo...

1. The court holds Google responsible for statements made by its AI, considering them Google's statements (search engines have limited liability for results in their engine as they're the words of other sites/companies/people), meaning when their AI lies/hallucinates they're liable for the defamation/harm resulting from those statements.

2. Google's defense that customers are generally aware of the lack of reliability and are responsible for fact checking was dismissed. As the court pointed out, that would "significantly diminish" AI Search's stated purpose and it can't be distinguished from Google's business practices/statements as a search tool.

3. Studies have found about 91% of Google's everyday AI responses are accurate, leaving millions of searches per HOUR with potential liability for falsehoods. 56% of correct responses weren't supported by the sources the AI listed. Both of which mean Google is now liable for a LOT more AI "errors."

4. Google was held liable for 80% of court costs in this case and this precedent is expected to reverberate around the world. This is a massive shift from the 3rd-party search provider role Google has previously played and it comes right as they've tied ALL searches to their AI search.

oh my man was in LOVE.