Sirius Campfire, Monday morning

[cheminthehead.livejournal.com]

Gladys had lit a campfire. She didn't get cold -- even if she did, it was probably too warm to need one -- nor did she eat or drink, so it wasn't really of any use to her.

But there was a spot for a fire to be made, and so she had made a fire. It was her first (golems being known more for putting them out than for lighting them), which meant she was learning how to make it better.

Of course, she was doing this by reaching into the flames, rearranging the burning logs, then observing the fire to see if it was made better or worse. Hands in the fire, she regarded it seriously.

[ooc: Of course it's open! Of course there's a pun!]

Comments

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

She replied with a wide grin. "That is much appreciated."

[cheminthehead.livejournal.com]

"It Is Very Important To Participate In Activities With My Fellow Students. It Will help Foster Bonds That Will Last A Lifetime." She was obviously quoting from something. "And Golems Must Work."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"What happens if they don't?" River asked.

[cheminthehead.livejournal.com]

Her eyes dimmed. "I Do Not Understand."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"What are the consequences if a golem stops or is made unable to work?" River clarified.

[cheminthehead.livejournal.com]

"They Wait To Work Again." This was complicated, far more abstract than Glayds was used to, but she considered it for a few minutes, going still, glow dimming. "A Free Golem Works To Free Other Golems. An Owned Golem Must Obey Orders. Only Destruction Would Make A Golem Unable To Work, And So There Could Be No Consequences."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

A tool. Like a weapon. Part of River could understand the sense of peace this could give, but another part recalled a mind struggling between humanity and instrumentality. She closed her eyes, drawing a sharp breath.

[cheminthehead.livejournal.com]

Gladys looked at her, eyes flaring slightly. "If I Have Said Something That Has Made You Unhappy I Will Apologise, Because It Is Important Not To Allow Misunderstandings To Cause Bad Feelings."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Can't be a tool," River mumbled, eyes wide. "Not human. Moral judgement requires ability to chose."

[cheminthehead.livejournal.com]

"A Golem is Made. A Golem Obeys The Words In Its Head. A Golem Is A Tool Until It Is Freed, And Then It Is A Tool That Owns Itself." She paused, still once more, as if someone had pressed pause, and then her eyes flared. "A Golem Is Not A Human."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

Of course not, but that wasn't the point. "A tool that owns itself can be turned against its maker," River continued, half to Gladys, half to herself. "Pull the trigger yourself. But it might not make a difference."

[cheminthehead.livejournal.com]

"A Golem May Not Harm A Human Being, Nor Through Inaction Allow A Human Being To Come To Harm Unless Ordered To Do So By Duly Constituted Authority."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Authorities are not to be trusted," River said. "Hidden behind masks. Start dancing and you find you are all tied to strings."

[cheminthehead.livejournal.com]

"A Golem Must Obey The Words In Its Head," she intoned. "Words Are Important."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Words are important," River agreed. "What are they doing in your head?"

[cheminthehead.livejournal.com]

This was the golem equivalent of religion and philosophy. Gladys finally answered, her words coming slowly. "My Chem Animated Me And My Receipt Means I Own Myself." She pointed at the faint line that ran around the top of her head. "They Are The Words In My Head."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River looked at where Gladys pointed and smiled. "Want more words? Or is that just enough?"

[cheminthehead.livejournal.com]

"I Will Have More Words, But Not In My Head. When I Read I Gain More Words."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

She nodded. "Will find plenty of those if you go looking. There's a library." Although libraries no longer meant books to River. She turned serious again.

[cheminthehead.livejournal.com]

"I Have Never Been In A Library. I Will Go."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

She had a feeling Gladys would not be distracted by library aides. "Words enough for a lifetime."