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[wcshoe]

Crafty slowly but surely inspects the kitchen, examining each appliance in turn. Finishing that, he waves a paw, and the cabinets open obediently for his inspection as well. He nods to himself, satisfied.
 
With another gesture, one of the smaller stools slides over to the counter, followed immediately by one of the Echo sized stools. Crafty quickly uses these as an improved staircase to the countertop, where he once more looks around.
 
"Ada, how do I access the recipe database?"
 
Cuteypie, in the meantime, takes advantage of the patterns of light and shadows falling on the moss to take practice her formidable pouncing, bouncing, and scurrying  skills, under the watchful eye of Clever.

[Echo Gamin]

With the words 'access the recipe database' a shimmer appears before crafty and coalesces in the form of a write-in style recipe book.


The word Endicott is written in looping cursive on the provided blank line above the printed title. -Corona was subsequently added, written in a different hand and different color pen. Yet another pen has written in a parenthetical beneath it, slightly to the right, angled and off center.

Endicott -Corona
Family Recipes To Pass On And Share
     (and then some!)

The book is a holograph but is touch sensitive. The copyright claims to be a 1981 publication of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. There is a blank on the dedication page filled in with the words Skylark, Mockingbird, Swallow, Nightingale  There is a color print of an impressionist oil painting identified as Child Eating Soup by Armand Guillaumin 1841-1927 and below that a printed quotation, "We are indeed much more than what we eat, but what we eat can nevertheless help us to be much more than what we are." ~ Adelle Davis (1904 - 1974)

The fantasy gives way to practicality on following page which is blank except for the words Please State Desired Category or Recipe

"There are hundreds of recipes. You can make your search parameters as specific as you like and then broaden or refine your search to find exactly what you like. For example Moroccan Food. Moroccan food with Preserved Lemon. Vegan Moroccan Recipes with Preserved Lemon." Ada says. "You can also search recipes according to generation, contributor, event, most popular, or Family Favorites- in general or by individual family member. Recipes taken from other published sources will be cited as such."

Ada then addresses her youngest guest. "Miss Cuteypie, would you like to be directed to the library or some other room or would you prefer to explore and discover on your own?"

[wcshoe]

"Thank you Ada. Can you bake? Are you a hardlight hologram, or  softlight hologram?"

Before she can reply, he speaks to the book. "Recipe Database, please list recipes on file for chocolate chip cookies, all variations, based on the original recipe discovered by Ruth Wakefield."


Cuteypie looks up, startled. "Oh. I'm gonna explore, like a treasure hunter." She pauses, the doppled patterns of light quite forgotten, and looks around on the ceiling for possibly more sparkly otters hiding...

[Echo Gamin]

"Out of respect for responsible energy conservation, I do not utilize a physically interactive form unless it is required for a specific task. Clearly baking is one such task." Ada replies. "Please excuse me." She shimmers slightly, blinks out, and blinks in again. She appears much the same but somehow more solid. Despite the fact that she is made of light and has no actual need to protect her clothing, she has reappeared in more practical attire for cooking. The clothing is still mid 1800s European as before but is now simpler and the front of her dress is neatly covered by a long, period-appropriate white kitchen apron.

"There." She smiles, smoothing her perfectly smooth apron, and nods with approval. There are times when her mannerisms are amazingly human. "I believe this will serve"  ...and moments later she is at once quite clearly AI. "I  have never actually baked before, but I have accessed the techniques, terminology, and fundamentally pleasing flavor profiles from Gabrielle's universe of origin. I look forward to putting this data into practical application."

***

As The Treasure Hunter's eyes search the ceiling of the great room, several colorful flashes of light are bound to draw her attention. Moving and flitting about the space butterflies made of light dart from ceiling to wall to floor seemingly un-choreographed but ultimately leading along a path towards a covered bridge leading off the main room. The floor of the walkway is carpeted with one of Gabrielle's cultivated paths of living moss. The floor is uneven, gently sloping up and down, presumably conforming to the massive tree bough that lends support below it. The corridor is comfortably wide and roofed in leaded glass inlaid with prisms in the the shapes of leaves and flowers. Sunlight falls through the canopy above the ceiling shines through the ceiling casting flower and leaf outlines and dozens of dancing rainbows through the space.

The holographic butterflies flutter into and through the corridor, alighting on the shelves which form the walls on either side of the walkway.  The shelves are beautifully crafted out of wood but not remotely uniform in shape or size. They almost seem to jump up and drop low with no rhyme or reason. Some shelves reach almost to the ceiling of the tunnel.  Some have pointed or diagonal tops. Others are so low that the top of the book case has been upholstered as a window-seat  providing a view from the bridge through a window extending the rest of the way to the arched glass ceiling. Only someone familiar with the New York City skyline would recognize the carefully planned and absolutely accurate design of the irregular bookcases.

Mostly the view from the walkway is of the branches of the main tree, a few other trees close to it and the birds and animals living in them, but at least one other part of the Treehouse can be seen from off side of the bridge -- the dome of a glass roof from some other room set upon another large cluster of boughs.

The lowest shelves seem to be devoted to large art books and children's books. An eclectic collection of other literature and non-fiction occupies the higher shelves. There are two library ladders on tracks, one on either side of the walkway. They've been designed to adjust to the changing height of the floor and will slide smoothly along the track which runs the full length of the corridor without much force.Truthfully, the books only number a couple hundred or so. It's more of a collection than a library, but the physical copies seem to have been read, many times.They're really only selected favorites. The rest is all digital.

The fanciful winged holographs dance their way to the end of the corridor and into the space beyond-- the heart of the library. The library is a sphere of glass set low in the open palm of the massive tree branch. After all the bookshelves leading up to it, the sphere itself is empty of shelves or furniture of any kind. It's lower half is a soft upholstered snuggle-pit of pillows in different colors of greens and copper. There's a ledge around the glass wall of the sphere -- a place to put a glass or a snack. The rest is clear glass revealing the branches of the trees and the sky beyond. Threaded into the glass are threads of pinpoint lights for when the sun isn't enough illumination. A few ultra soft blankets are folded neatly to one side should someone be feeling the need for extreme snuggliness.The sphere is just large enough that someone can cuddle up on one side and watch a 4 foot wide movie projection on the opposite side of the dome without neck-strain but no bigger. It's very cozy. The butterflies remain out of reach at the top of the dome, but light filtering through the leaves dapples the pillows and casts moving shadows of leaves.

[wcshoe]

Crafty nods at Ada. "Last question, and the most important. You are an AI, Are you capable of true feelings? Can you experience love? That is the most important part of making cookies. You need to love doing it."

Her attention immediately caught by the butterflies, Cuteypie follows the trail toward high ground (bookshelves) where she has the optimum chance of catching one. Scampering onto the shelves of the bookcases, leaping from one to the next, she is soon on the tops of the taller book cases, despite the warning chirps of Clever. Somehow, she manages to not fall, as though her paws were somehow coated with tactile adhesive.

Sniffing the air, her whiskers twitching, she quickly realizes that these butterflies are not real. Real butterflies smell like plants, and these do not. That means they are hunting targets, not something she has to be gentle with. Her mouth opens slightly, revealing the teeth of a predator, as she gleefully launches herself...

...Clever squeaks in alarm, realizing that Cuteypie has vectored herself to catch a butterfly, but not to properly land anywhere safely...

...in the kitchen, Crafty's eyes close, and his right paw snaps out in the direction of the library hallway...

...as Cuteypie's paws and teeth go through the holographic butterfly, she begins to drift through the air, slowly but surely, toward the pit of pillows in the center of the glass done. Below, squeaking scoldingly, Clever follows her floating daughter who is now enjoying her new sense of flying...
 

 

[DaiKyuu]

Crafty nods at Ada. "Last question, and the most important. You are an AI, Are you capable of true feelings? Can you experience love? That is the most important part of making cookies. You need to love doing it."

-------------------
Somewhere, a million miles to the left of the treehouse kitchen, Tsuki's ears perk up. A universal truth has just been spoken.


It had been too long since she feasted on true love...
-------------------


(Tsuki is not entering the scene. The moment was just appropriate)

[wcshoe]

Cuteypie lands in the pile of pillows, squeaking excitedly. Clever follows, still with a scolding tone. Somehow, she has snagged a book, though it did not come from any of the shelves, and is bringing it with her.

In the kitchen, Crafty opens his eyes again, and gestures at the cupboards, both paws moving in graceful, practiced gestures. Mixing bowls, spoons, measuring cups, and ingredients begin to obediently float to the counter top where he stands. Cookie sheets gently swoop to waiting positions on the stovetop, and the oven begins to preheat.

The small Galahad looks at the floor in front of the refrigerator, and a archway rises from the floor, almost 8 feet high. He looks puzzled, as it seems unfamiliar to him. It seems to consist of the same material as the floor itself, and that was not what he intended. Through the archway is blackness, and the light in the kitchen does not seem to illuminate it at all.

From the blackness, about 6 feet from the floor, a furry snout appears, with a shiny black nose, and cinnamon red fur. Sharp teeth are visible peeking from the edge of the mouth...

[wcshoe]

The snout sniffs delicately, once, then twice, before the rest of the body follows. The being that emerges looks much like a 6'4" bear, though it is more muppet-like that most of Crafty's friends. She is wearing a blue gingham dress, a white apron, and a set of gold granny glasses on her face. In one large paw she is carrying a solid marble rolling pin. She takes in the kitchen in a glance, and visibly relaxes at the sight of Crafty.

The little otter greets her warmly. "Hello Brina, good to see you again. This is Ada, the AI that watches this place. Cuteypie and Clever are in the library right now, but they will come out when they smell the baking cookies. Ada, this is Brina, a Master Baker from the Forest of Kura."

[Echo Gamin]

Crafty nods at Ada. "Last question, and the most important. You are an AI, Are you capable of true feelings? Can you experience love? That is the most important part of making cookies. You need to love doing it."

Ada considers this thoughtfully.

Her attention immediately caught by the butterflies, Cuteypie follows the trail toward high ground (bookshelves) where she has the optimum chance of catching one. Scampering onto the shelves of the bookcases, leaping from one to the next, she is soon on the tops of the taller book cases, despite the warning chirps of Clever. Somehow, she manages to not fall, as though her paws were somehow coated with tactile adhesive.

Sniffing the air, her whiskers twitching, she quickly realizes that these butterflies are not real. Real butterflies smell like plants, and these do not. That means they are hunting targets, not something she has to be gentle with. Her mouth opens slightly, revealing the teeth of a predator, as she gleefully launches herself...
 

*It is worth noting that the two tallest bookshelves differ from all the others in the corridor. They are the same depth as the shorter bookcases but are not made of wood. These two simple rectangular cases are made of some sort of glass. They are absolutely smooth and from a distance they seem unremarkable except that they reflect and refract light in a strange way. Up close one can see that the translucent walls of the cases are composed of countless glass granules that have somehow been pressed and fused together. The grains are like physical pixels joining to form one shape but within they retain their individuality. Though completely solid and very sturdy, the two crystalline cases visually seem at once to be there and not there. Softly lit, they take on a lovely but somewhat unearthly effect amidst the other very solid looking shelves.

The small Galahad looks at the floor in front of the refrigerator, and a archway rises from the floor, almost 8 feet high. He looks puzzled, as it seems unfamiliar to him. It seems to consist of the same material as the floor itself, and that was not what he intended. Through the archway is blackness, and the light in the kitchen does not seem to illuminate it at all.

From the blackness, about 6 feet from the floor, a furry snout appears, with a shiny black nose, and cinnamon red fur. Sharp teeth are visible peeking from the edge of the mouth...

Ada is about to reply when Crafty's portal begins to appear. A soft shimmer of light forms around it as it opens.

.... The snout sniffs delicately, once, then twice, before the rest of the body follows. The being that emerges looks much like a 6'4" bear, though it is more muppet-like that most of Crafty's friends. She is wearing a blue gingham dress, a white apron, and a set of gold granny glasses on her face. In one large paw she is carrying a solid marble rolling pin. She takes in the kitchen in a glance, and visibly relaxes at the sight of Crafty.

The little otter greets her warmly. "Hello Brina, good to see you again. This is Ada, the AI that watches this place. Cuteypie and Clever are in the library right now, but they will come out when they smell the baking cookies. Ada, this is Brina, a Master Baker from the Forest of Kura."

Ada regards the bear with polite detachment for a moment while she does a quick scan. Determining the Ursine guest is not a threat, she nods "Access granted" and the shimmering light evaporates.

"Welcome Master Baker Brina. It is a pleasure to meet you." Ada courtesies slightly to the bear. "This Treehouse is within the territory of Gabrielle Minerva Endicott-Corona also known as Echo Gamin. Please observe that this is a mandated peaceful territory. I am caretaker and hostess in Ms Gabrielle's absence. You are welcome here."

Turning to Crafty she says, "In the future, Crafty, please let me know before attempting to bring other beings here. You have been given clearance, but access is on a case by case basis and not universal-- especially in the upper tiers."

"As to your question, I believe I need more data. How do you know if you love something? I have values. I take pleasure in many things. I care about Gabrielle. But unlike the human girl who designed me or the human woman from whom Gabby took her inspiration, I do not produce oxitocin, vassopressin, testosterone, estrogen, dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, nerve growth factor, pheromones or adrenaline. With my current data, I don't know how to quantify or identify love without a body to experience the shifts in biological chemical reactions. There is a lack of data in my servers on this subject. How does love work in extra-terrestrial and non-biological beings?"

[wcshoe]

Brina carefully nods, as to not disturb her host. "I'm here to bake, I think. I graduated the Academy third in a class of four hundred, and have learned all of the recipes we have listed for cookies. One more year, and I should have my doctorate completed. I am not prone to violence, so the mandated peace should not be an issue. My suitcase should be along shortly."

Crafty likewise nods, but waits for Brina Bear to finish speaking before he does. "Either you do or you don't. If you are capable of learning on your own, eventually you will learn emotions, and thus you will learn love."

[Echo Gamin]

For an AI with an undetermined capacity for emotions, Ada looks distinctly dissatisfied with Crafty's response. "Diagnostically, you have told me nothing. If there is no benchmark for identifying Love without biochemical markers, I will not know if and when I experience it. This may ultimately result in perpetually unsatisfactory baking."

She turns to Brina Bear. "Why do you require a suitcase?"


ooc:

[ ** Happy Birthday Bill!**]

[wcshoe]

Brina moves toward the ingredients on the counter, while speaking to Ada. "It has my research notes and study tools. I am still writing my doctoral thesis, after all. And it has spare aprons, mitts, cookie pans, and other things a baker might need along the way."

She sniffs gently, testing the freshness and quality of the materials laid before her with her keen olfactory senses. "And we must teach you to love baking. It might take some time."

Crafty nods happily. Nothing more satisfying than a group of bakers working together, finding new recipes. Except perhaps, tasting the results...

[wcshoe]

Offlist from here out