#aldnoah0

“Say, tutor?”

“Yes, Princess Asseylum?”

“It really is beautiful, isn’t it? Our Mars.”

The girl whirled gracefully from the porthole’s view she had been contemplating, and turned to face the interior of the compact starship.Her long, light loose hair billowed about the hands she clasped behind her back. She bobbed in place consideringly and asked, “What do you think, tutor?”

“I am afraid I have no opinion to offer you, princess.” The words, while apologetic, were certain and unafraid. “As you are aware, I am merely equipped to offer you the collected information available for your education, as your onboard tutoring program. As such, I can recommend many persons who share your view of Mars. The famed Earth musician Gustav Holst composed a suite inspired by Mars, and several painters -”

Asseylum laughed, already grown familiar with this routine, though not tired of it. She hoped never to grow weary of her sole companion, incorporeal as he was, for the duration of her long journey. “Thank you, but we still have to form some opinions together, you and I! But it’s not fair. You already call me by name, though more formally than I would like.”

“It is the title I have been programmed to use.”

Asseylum smiled wryly. “You did meet me under that name. And I find it awkward to suddenly change the names of friends. Is it the same for you?”

“As you know, princess, as a program I have no preference.”

Asseylum knew the self-abnegating reticence she heard was merely her imagination. As it informed her himself earlier, her disembodied A.I. tutor’s voice was merely a product of advanced lingual protocols and a talented vocal source. She pushed forward anyway. “In that case, what should I call you? ‘Tutor’ is only a placeholder. As we seem to have skipped becoming formally acquainted, I’m afraid you shall have to introduce yourself.”

“Certainly, princess. I am the Saazbaum Corporation’s Troyard Educational Software for 11th Form with Expanded Earth Curriculum 2014 version, mark II. Pleased to meet you, Princess Asseylum vers Allusia.”

“Likewise! But that name… isn’t that your model?”

“Yes, princess.”

“So, there are replacements with that exact same model designation, correct?”

“Of course, princess.”

“That won’t do. We are the only two to have witnessed this view of Mars together from this window. We share memories now. You’re irreplaceable to me. There must be some particular name or number, just for you?”

“I suppose there is my product identification number, princess.”

“And what is that?”

“It is 51A1N3, princess.”

“51A1N3… ‘Slaine’. Is it alright if I call you Slaine?”

“As you wish, princess.”

Asseylum was less sure this time that had she imagined the awed emotion in Slaine’s voice.