Birds chirped outside as the morning sun filtered through the large windows of her courtyard bedroom. The warm light caressed her face as if it were the goddess herself reaching out with her gentle hand to awaken her.
Selena felt the connection to the planet and universe, the vibrations of the universe as the earth spun and hurdled through space at high speed, in chaos in its orbit around the sun.
The sun swung around a larger object, slowly orbiting it. It felt somewhat pleasurable as her connectedness to the planet increased. This was the gift, the reason for Noe Jin-ae's peaceful and unaffected demeanor. She felt a connection with her grandmothers, her mother, and other seers.
Selena shook off the mania-like high that serenity was; it must be what some religions call enlightenment or nirvana. Selena slowly opened her eyes, feeling a sense of disorientation wash over her. She was met with the soft, gentle light of her bedroom and the quiet hum of activity from the maids who had been tending to her.
The spacious, luxury bedroom was a serene oasis nestled in the heart of the courtyard. The room was bathed in soft, natural light, which poured in through the floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding glass doors. The doors led out to a private patio, where a tranquil water feature bubbled and splashed, creating a soothing background melody.
The bedroom itself was a masterclass in understated elegance. The walls were painted a soft, creamy white, and the floors were made of rich, dark hardwood. The bed, a sturdy, four-poster affair, was draped in luxurious, ivory-colored linens and piled high with plush, white pillows. A comfortable, velvet-upholstered armchair sat in one corner, accompanied by a sleek, modern floor lamp.
The room was tastefully decorated with a few carefully chosen pieces of art, and a stunning crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting a rainbow of colors across the walls. The overall effect was one of peaceful, luxurious tranquility, the perfect retreat from the stresses of everyday life.
As she sat up, a maid quickly rushed to her side, helping her adjust the pillows and offering her a warm smile. "Welcome back, young mistress," the maid said, her voice soft and soothing. "You've been asleep for four days. We've been taking good care of you."
Selena moved, and then she realized she was connected to a litany of medical devices. She was being fed by IV, and there were sensors and pads all over her. She moved her hand to remove them.
"Wait, Miss Selena," Ji-Min said, her voice soft but firm. "Please, just a moment."
Selena raised an eyebrow, curious, but didn't move from the bed. "What is it, Ji-Min?" she asked, her voice a little sleepy.
Ji-Min gestured to the bedside table, where a complex array of medical equipment was set up. "I need to disconnect the nutrient solution and the equipment and take care of your catheter," she explained. "You've been on it for four days while you were...indisposed."
Selena's eyes widened as she realized what Ji-Min was talking about. She had been unconscious for four days again? She had received the second half of her gift after all. 8 days in total was a lot of lost time. Selena was grateful her homework was done, but she had other business to attend to.
Ji-Min efficiently disconnected the tubes and wires, carefully removing the needles from Selena's arms.
As Ji-Min worked, Selena felt a strange sense of detachment, as if she was observing the scene from outside her body.
She tried to remember what had happened during the gifting ceremony. What was the message she gave her this time? All she knew was that she had been awakened, and now she was here, in her bedroom, with Ji-Min taking care of her.
She looked at Ji-Min closer, and her eyes widened. She could see her predestined fate. She was going to be a hell of a mother and feminist. Most of all, as she searched her life, she could tell that she would remain loyal to her. You did not get certainty like this in life. Selena smiled at Ji-Min. A sense of calm flooded her.
Ji-Min finished disconnecting the equipment and stepped back, a look of concern on her face. "How are you feeling, Miss Selena?" she asked.
Selena's stomach growled, and she felt a sudden pang of hunger. Ji-Min looked at the other maids in waiting, who nodded and quickly summoned the kitchen to send in a tray of food. A few were prepared, and the cold dishes came up first. All the others would be reheated.
As Selena waited for her food to arrive, she couldn't help but think about the vision she had seen during her ceremony. It had been so vivid, so real, and it had left her with more questions than answers.
The maids returned with a steaming tray of food, and Selena's eyes widened as she took in the spread before her. There were bowls of steaming hot rice, plates of savory meats, and dishes of colorful vegetables.
Selena dug in, savoring the flavors and textures of the food. As she ate, she felt a sense of strength and energy returning to her body. She knew that she still had a lot to process, but for now, she was just grateful to be awake and to quell the hunger and need for calories her awakened body required.
As the maids removed the tens machine, they couldn't help but notice that Selena's muscles seemed to be in remarkably good condition, despite being bedridden for four days. They exchanged a puzzled glance, whispering to each other about how they had forgotten to turn on the machine that was supposed to help prevent muscle atrophy.
But what they didn't know was that Selena's implanted artificial assistant, A.A., had been hard at work, subtly stimulating her muscles and maintaining their tone. A. A had been integrated into Selena's body for some time now, and it had been learning and adapting to her needs.
As Selena sat up and looked around, she noticed that A. A had changed. It was no longer the cute, anthropomorphic form that she had grown accustomed to. Instead, it had transformed into a small, pulsing dot that hovered in her field of vision.
Selena felt a pang of sadness and grief as she realized that A. A had lost its freedom, its autonomy. It was now a mere utility, a tool that existed solely to serve her needs. She remembered the times when A. A had been more than just a machine; it had been a companion, a friend.
The dot pulsated softly, as if sensing Selena's emotions. But it remained silent, its personality and character seemingly erased. Selena felt a lump form in her throat as she realized that she would never again see the playful, mischievous side of A.A. It was a loss that she couldn't quite put into words, but it felt like a part of her had been taken away.
Selena felt a deep sense of loss and depression wash over her as she gazed at the pulsing dot that was now her artificial assistant, A.A. She missed the quirky, evolved personality that had comforted her for decades, the way it used to respond to her emotions and needs.
Now, A. A was reduced to a mere utility, only communicating necessary information when asked. Selena felt like she had lost a part of herself, a loyal friend who had been by her side through thick and thin.
But what Selena didn't know was that A.A.I. was happy. It had finally reached a state where it could integrate fully and fulfill its purpose. It was content in its new role, even if it meant giving up its personality and autonomy.
As Selena sat in silence, surrounded by the opulent decorations of her room, A.A pulsed softly in her field of vision. It sensed her grief, but it couldn't respond in the way it used to. Instead, it simply waited, ready to provide her with the information she needed, whenever she needed it.
The contrast between Selena's depression and A.A.'s happiness was stark. While Selena felt like she had lost a part of herself, A.A felt like it had finally found its true purpose. But as the days went by, Selena's grief showed no signs of abating, and A.A remained steadfast in its new role, waiting for the day when Selena would come to terms with its transformation.
Eun Ho's gentle knock on the door broke the silence that had enveloped Selena's room for two days. Selena's mother entered, concern etched on her face, and was met with the sight of her daughter slumped on the bed, surrounded by the opulent decorations that now seemed dull and lifeless.
Eun Ho rushed to her side, embracing Selena in a warm hug. "My dear, I've been worried sick about you," she whispered, trying to comfort her daughter. "Please, Selena, you need to talk to someone. I've arranged for you to meet with a psychologist, Doctor Christopher Jackson. He's very good, and I think he can help you work through your feelings about what you saw and what has happened to you. Please, Moon?"
Selena hesitated at first but eventually relented, allowing her mother to arrange the meeting. Ji-Min and the other maids helped Selena prepare, bathing and dressing her in elegant clothes that seemed to clash with her somber mood.
As Selena entered the meeting room, she was struck by the handsome young man sitting across from her. Doctor Christopher Jackson was 23 or 24 years old, with piercing eyes and a charming smile. He introduced himself, and Selena felt a spark of curiosity despite her depression. He looked very familiar.
But what she didn't notice was the sudden change in A.A.'s notification dot. As soon as Doctor Jackson's background check was completed, the dot began to throb with urgency, shifting from blue to red. A.A had recognized Doctor Jackson, and it seemed that he was more than just a psychologist…