Present Day…
On her way to Cilan, with her Axew, snuggling in her thick hair, Iris thought about how caring her robot assistant was.
"She's so nice. Of course, I'm amazed that she wants me as a friend."
She then said, "I suppose I can take her places that she wants to see. When I finish seeing Cilan, he'll be happy to have her by our side… once I talk to him about it. But…"
She arrived at Cilan's house and whispered, "Will he like me, having a robot in our friendship? After all, she kind of resembles Dawn."
She knocked the door, as Cilan answered. He said, "Oh, hello, Iris. Nice of you to drop by. I thought you were staying home with Dawn-Bot."
Iris huffed, "Yeah, right. Like heck I will. Besides, I just need to adjust to you, more than her, I mean, "it". But she has been helpful to me."
Cilan said, "How about some tea? I managed to get you your own blend."
Iris smiled, "Please."
(Iris): My turn! You could say that I am feeling chummy with Cilan, more than a robot of a friend of mine. Technically, I am not allowed to go anywhere, with my muscle pains, but luckily, I can walk well. But if I disappoint her, who knows what harm could it do. Anyway, Cilan and I chatted, you know. Of course, he said to me…
"Iris, I was wondering, after you ended your days with rehab, you think maybe I treat you to dinner?" He asked me.
I strongly replied, "That depends. I have a lot to do, at my house. Of course, Axew and I have to hurry home, once we're done."
"Indeed. I hope you'll appreciate my company here. When you finish your tea, I would like a favor from you…"
"Anything."
As it turns out, Cilan lied to me about training. He said that he needed some human conversation. I concur… at least, until that afternoon, as soon as I returned home.
XXXXX
Dawn was fixing Iris's bed, as Iris was lying on the couch. Dawn approached her foot and placed a pillow on it.
"You were awfully late, Iris. You missed your lunch," she said.
I said back, "Oh, sorry. I tried to climb trees, but the doctor told me to lay it off."
Dawn replied, "Exactly. And that is why I should write a schedule for you."
"WHAT?"
"I'm joking. I can trust you. After all, I am your friend. You can believe me."
"Why do you say I can be trusted? I'm not bad."
"I know. Ever since I was created, I had no friends. All my days, inside the research laboratory, connected with wires, feeding memory files… it's so lonely. But now, I've grown to like you."
"But I only met you for two days."
"I know. And as a robot, which I know what I already am, I follow by my standards: protect, preserve, and obey. But you, of course, obey me, on the grounds of your condition."
"I know."
It felt like I was jabbed by a Dragon Claw attack from a Dragonite. Dawn must be lonely, being created within weeks… maybe more. Maybe I should lay off Cilan for a while and stay with Dawn. But… hard to say, if a robot would understand loneliness. I have to say it.
"Tell me, would you trust me, even if I lie to you?"
Dawn would then reply, which kind of put me in a dead end, "Well… Lying is wrong. But as long as you're honest, I would. Why do you ask, Miss Iris?"
"Uh… No reason. Just curious."
Phew. That was close. I'd be given a lecture by her, if she knew I was hanging with Cilan. He's the only friend I have, other than Ash and the real Dawn… and those from the Dragon Village.
XXXXX
End result: I hung with Dawn, without thinking of talking to Cilan. She even took care of me, even some massages she made. It was a paradise. I even took her to see the Pidoves fly. It happened, the next afternoon, after I had breakfast.
Dawn and Iris were sitting by a cliff, watching the Pidoves flutter. Dawn was in amazement, as she said, "Wow. Cute Pidoves. I love to see them fly, along with other bird Pokémon. It's so pretty."
I replied, "I know. A friend of mine had a Pidove, but it evolved through experience."
Dawn asked, "Define evolution."
"Well, you know how you raise your Pokémon? Sometimes a Pokémon can be trained through experience, by battling and in contests, depending on a Pokémon. Of course, some of the Pokémon evolve, through an item or friendship."
"Friendship? Just like me and you?"
"Well, yeah… But some Pokémon don't evolve, since many are stand-alone Pokémon."
"Oh? You mean like a Pachirisu or a Chatot?"
"Yeah, you could say that…"
She was too curious about Pokémon. I mean, really! This, coming from a robot girl, created weeks ago. Note to self: ask about Dawn, before I grow tired of her inane questions and facts.
Dawn got up, as Iris was helped up. She said, "Miss Iris. If you don't mind, we should head back, since it is dangerous here. Also, please be careful, when walking down the cliff."
Iris said, "Yeah. It's almost time for my nap."
Dawn said, "Shall I make you dinner, when you wake up?"
"Sure. I had me a berry for lunch. You don't mind, right?"
Dawn then scolded, "Fruits are okay, but I do mind! When you sleep, I'm going to the store and get you supplies."
Iris cried out, "Are you nuts? You can't go out, walking and talking like some kind of mechanized helper! What will the people think?"
Dawn smiled, "I'll say nothing. I look human enough to even fool all the people."
Iris sighed, "I get it…"
They headed back to the house, as Iris grew worried about her.
"Poor thing… I know she was built in weeks, but I never knew that she'd be helpful. I should ask the doctor about her."
But knowing my newfound friend, I should be able to ask the doctor, when I visit her. But it gets to the point of the friendly moments… in the worst way possible. You don't believe me? Here's what happened…
XXXXX
That night, Dawn made a plate of fried beef and served it to Iris. She nodded, "I hope you like my cuisine. I even made a tiny blend of berry sauce, mixed with Haban Berries, for your tastes. You have your fruit take, but you need some protein."
Iris smiled, "Well, thanks! I love to see how it tastes…"
She nervously added, "But, this is the first time that I had food, made from a robot."
"Didn't I make you a special lunch, yesterday?"
"I kind of forgot about it."
"Aw…"
She sat down, as Iris began to eat the first bite. Iris was happy for the beef that she smiled big. She said that it was delicious, as Dawn blushed in awe. She then looked at her, as she continued to eat. Iris started to grow annoyed.
"Uh… Why are you staring at me?" She asked.
Dawn said, "I am happy that you like my food."
"Then why did you sit down and look at me."
"I just wanna see you happy. Yeah."
"Okay. It sounds creepy…"
"Do I look creepy looking? I can change my face! Maybe I can fix my hair!"
"No, it's fine! I mean, you look fine. Cute, yes; but nice enough to be with me, during my time at home."
Dawn giggled, as Iris continued eating. She then dropped her fork and started to sigh and moan in comfort. Dawn was massaging her injured leg again, as Iris stopped sighing. She looked down and asked, "Dawn! What are you doing?"
Dawn said, "You looked tense, since your walk with me to the Pidove flock. I just remembered that I forgot to give you your massage."
Iris griped, "Not while I am eating! I thought the food you made was enjoyable that I was giggling for joy! Cut that out!"
Dawn sobbed, as she stopped, "I'm sorry. I should've asked. I should be friendly to use, mostly. From now on, I should wait for your instructions. But the doctor that built me told me to obey you and, in turn, obey me. But… I think I screwed up…"
Iris said, as she went to the robot, "Dawn, no. Don't cry. It's fine. You didn't mean to. Maybe we should perform a schedule for the two of us. But you back down from it."
"It was a joke. Robots never joke, but I am one-of-a-kind."
"Dawn…"
"Miss Iris…"
You think that this would be romantic, but it's not. To be honest, I never knew she'd act human. This is nice for her, since she's caring, but bad for me. I think it hurts me, inside, for yelling at her.
Iris held Dawn and said, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell at you."
She then held up the black remote and said, "But you have time to think. I have to get dressed for bed, after I feed Axew."
"Let me!" Dawn said, "I can take care of your dog!"
Iris sighed, as she deactivated her. She got up and said, "Axew is a dragon… not a dog. Plus, I won't be long. I'll be back, soon."
She left to the bedroom, leaving the motionless Dawn on her knees.
XXXXX
The next morning, Dawn was washing the dishes, as Iris was walking out the door, on her crutch. She called, "Dawn! I'm heading out to the hospital! I'm going to see how I fend, during my rehabilitation."
Dawn replied, "Okay!"
Iris called back, "Remember, if anybody comes, tell them that I have to leave! I'll be back in two hours!"
She sighed, "I wonder if she'd listen… She might not have super-hearing."
She left, as Dawn went to the doorway. She called out, "What was that now, Miss Iris? Miss Iris?"
Dawn was worried, as she said, "Miss Iris… Take care…"
She then dropped her head and was sad.
"Iris…"
XXXXX
At the hospital, I was treated by my doctor, who told me that my leg is coming along fine. But my muscles are still in healing. Also, he told me that it'll be much shorter to heal, since Dawn has been caring for me. But when he mentioned her, I had to ask…
"Doctor," she asked, "I need to know. What does the girl, Dawn, have to do with me, hanging around for four months? I mean, she has been here for three days, and she has been very helpful to me… Although…"
The doctor said, "Although, what?"
Iris requested, "I want to know. Was she brand new to the robots that you have created?"
The doctor then said, "Miss… I'm afraid that giving you Dawn, our robot assistant, was a bad idea, at first. She was created, about two years ago, after we tried out some young robot nurses to test. She was one of them that went defective. However, we didn't throw her away. We salvage some of the girls we created and use them for rehab testing."
Iris gasped, as she asked, "Does she have any faults?"
The Doctor then said, "Well, just two. One, she tends to be quickly emotional, after doing a wrong thing. Another, she tends to be overprotective towards the patients, when they have visitors."
Iris said, "Dawn's an uptight robot, right?"
"No. But she does have friendship compatibility. She treats her patients, like the others, as her friends and family, since we keep our business, family-friendly and user-friendly."
"Sorry I asked. When I went out, during her first days, she let me go. Is that right? I mean, I should stay grounded, but…"
"Of course, you do. But, now and then, you just feel restless. I think that's one of Dawn's tropes. She tends to let the patient go, but only to maintain a healthy status. And right now, I'm seeing that she has improved your calf muscles."
Iris said, "Well, she's good at massages. Plus, she and I went for a walk together. Back when I saw her, being repaired, we went to see cute little Pidoves."
The doctor then said, "Well, make sure she doesn't become too protective towards you."
I had no idea what he said, but it sounded okay. My leg seems okay, but my friendship with Dawn is in question. I then asked the doctor…
"Doctor. One last question. It is true that your robots treat you like friends… but… Do they have some sort of independence, when it is about friendship?"
"What do you mean?"
I knew what I would say… but I asked, "Well, let's say that a robot would never let you go, even for a friend… especially since that she wants to be your friend, always."
The doctor said nothing, as Iris said, "Okay… Well, think of it, this way… Compassion… Admiration… Love… Friendship… Would a robot, even if it is programming, have that?"
The doctor replied, "Well… It's hard to say…
Who knew that it has a great question, but gets NO answers? I do. While I was worried about Dawn's own will, she has herself in a situation that involves Cilan.
XXXXX
Back at home, Dawn finished her chores, as she heard a knock at the door. She opened the door and said, "Who is it?"
Cilan was by the door, as he said, "It's only me. Next time, ask who it is, before you open it."
Dawn bowed, "My sincerest apologies."
Cilan said, "That's fine. Just remember, next time. Is Iris here?"
Dawn said, "She should be back soon."
Cilan replied, "Oh, okay. I haven't seen her, since the other day. I'll come back later and have a chat with her."
Dawn, without thinking, grabbed Cilan and let him in. She declared, "Nonsense! You just make yourself at home, until Iris comes back."
Cilan demanded, "Now, wait a minute! Can't I just wait at my own home?"
"OH, no, no! Be my guest! Iris is my friend, and so are you! I insist! We have much to talk about!"
She dragged him off to the living room. Dawn's loneliness was kicking in, as Cilan grew a bit shocked by her sudden imminent reaction.
To be continued…