He gives her all the time in the world to get her bearings, like anyone considerate would, but she didn’t take much of it. Still, it was amusing to see; you’d expect an android to be perfectly able to control their expressions and such, like switching a power button on & off — but, no, it was rather human-like, how she struggled to concede distaste, despite clearly trying. That, combined with other observations, was, as a whole, almost impressive – although something told him she’d not appreciate it if he’d say she had all the flaws that any other human had.
Really, when it comes to behaviour, rather than physical form — she might as well just be a regular scientist. Not like that’d make her any less horrible, however.
His opinion of scientists in a general sense wasn’t any better.
“Well, I’m glad you think of me as hilarious, although I’m not all too sure what I’ve done to deserve such a compliment.” his tone remained sincere, like someone who genuinely missed the sarcasm by a mile. To top it all off, he’d smile sheepishly at the last part. “Thanks for the concern,” ‘you’re unwell’, 'you look ridiculous’ — it’s far-fetched to interpret it as someone being worried about one’s health, but he could pull it off, no problem. “Yet, I think I’m fine for now. I’ll get it checked later though if it’ll ease your worries.”
Even more amusing, was it, to hear her assumption; stalling? By no means was he trying to delay time & avoid testing like such. No, no — he’s looking to be as difficult of a test subject as ever, just in a … different way. One that is, evidently, more discomforting.
She’d be a fool to think that a lie would be sufficient payback, since, carrying the naive persona of a friend — it was fascination, not revulsion, that followed. “Nuclear fragmentation?” if she wants to dig her own grave, he’ll gladly hand her a shovel. “Oh — hold on, correct me if I’m wrong, but is it similar to Nuclear fission, just in a more grand, destructive scale? That’s, that’s incredible-!”
“— How’d it work? Is it radiation of sorts? How did you even accomplish such, especially with the limited resources Spirale has to offer? Doesn’t it take miles & miles of pipes to speed up a single Neutron for it to have enough energy to split one?” an abundancy of unnecessary questions, filled with authentic curiosity, empty from sarcasm — that’s your own fault, GLaDOS. “Or did you use a different practice entirely? If your only goal is to break such into stand-alone fragments, rather than have them be identical for sure, I suppose there must be an easier method to gather the energy needed, right? Or am I misinterpreting this as a whole?”
“Please, please, go on — I’d love to hear your thoughts.”
❝ well . maybe i DON’T want to tell you my thoughts . have you ever considered that possibility ? ❞ she responds , perhaps far too quickly for the lulling pace of their conversation thus far . they both know that’s not exactly true , she’s never opposed to speaking , she never makes mistakes like this . ❝ you’re not fun to talk to , in fact i am 99.999% certain that , were i equipped with a non - synthetic neurotransmitter & a means to naturally produce melatonin , i wouldn’t be able to keep myself wake around you . ❞
THERE IS A DISCOMFORT , settled in the back of her mind & in neon gaze & approximate to where the metaphorical ‘gut’ would reside . her synthetic hand fidgets & fights with faux limbs in between crossed arms — & then it stills . there’s a minute of quietude before , a unnecessary intake of breath . ❝ there’s millions of steps involved , none of which you’d be able to accomplish without reaching a terrible end : like splitting fracium & thorium isotopes into varying fragments with equal mass , or weighing the probability distributions of fragment multiplicity at different excitation energies to find the peaks of energy release necessary . if your primordial little head isn’t understanding it , that’s fine . i guess that’s the limit of your capabilities . ❞
is it any surprise when she loses herself in her words ? is it any shock that she so nearly puts a halt to the rest of their day by sitting him down & explaining the liquid - drop model , before realizing her mistake ? no , no surprise at all .
❝ anyway , ❞ GLaDOS’ voice is quiet when it returns , a dull murmur beneath the heavy static of the air . ❝ what are you getting so excitable for ? acting like a child , asking valueless questions : it’s not like i ever said i managed to do it in this city . too few resources , you understand that ? ❞
an expression of angelic - innocence [ or , as ‘angelic’ a being like herself could bring herself to be . if she wanted accuracy , she’d had brought up the memories of another . ] , as though what had just left her lips was not in direct contradiction with previous exclamations . this act of nigh - childishness , no matter how petty , did bring back some level of comfort into her systems -- a breath of fresh air .
before she knows it , a smile has crept back onto her features long before she takes account of it , amused disposition only fanned to further flames at the amount of control returned to her .
❝ now now . in the most minute way possible , i guess it’s my fault . i should have taken you seriously when you showed interest earlier , but i thought you were all talk . you know . like you usually are . but now i know your enthusiasm was genuine . i just had no idea you likes my tests so , so much . ❞ the last word leaves an intonation that allows space for him to return to his usual self : groaning & snapping back with endless quips . in place of its absence , GLaDOS almost frowns once again , but instead grows more determined . ❝ tell me the truth , it was obviously because of me that you’ve decided to open up to the whole thing , right ? that’s fine . just say the word & i’ll GLADLY start doing daily tests with you . ❞ just GIVE IN you stubborn mole , i DO NOT want to see you everyday .
