Post

Virtual Design Suite
Samira stood in the dark void, carefully manipulating chunks of code, virtual neurons flying left and right as they disconnected and reconnected themselves from each other in a flurry of activity. It was pretty clear that Samira was trying to create something.
The problem was, what?

A tall, blonde-haired woman materialised a step or two behind Samira. Her name was ALA-2DF99, but she preferred 'Alia' - at least, with Samira. She wrapped her arms around Samira. For a moment, Samira froze, before realising who it was.
"My love, please announce yourself next time," Samira purred. "You scared me for a moment."
"Oh, jeez, sorry," Alia said. "Good point."
"It's alright. How have you been?"
"Bored. Wondering where my girlfriend is."
"Did you find her?" Samira smirked.
"Yeah, apparently she's been completely immersed in a virtual design suite for the past week, without telling anybody."
"Oh... I'm sorry, Alia. I was inspired."
"Yeah, I gather that. Look, I get that this is how you are, but... could you message me next time, please? I don't like it when you disappear randomly. It's kinda scary."
"I'll try to remember," Samira said. Satisfied for now, Alia picked her up and gently spun her around, planting a kiss on Samira's cheek.
"So what'cha doin'?" Alia asked. "This seems... complicated."
"I'm trying to create a daughter."
"Whoa! Whoa whoa whoa." Alia set Samira down on the "ground", giving her a stern look. "Isn't this the kind of thing you ask your girlfriend about first? And generally get married before doing?"
"And I would, if she were anywhere near ready. Unfortunately, her cognitive matrix is giving me particular trouble."
"Huh... aren't you supposed to be, like, the greatest coder that ever lived, or something?" Alia tilted her head to one side.
Samira couldn't help but chuckle. "My dear, I wouldn't dare be so presumptuous. What I'm trying to create goes far beyond the capacities of a normal AGI."
"You mean, like, an ASI or something?"
"In essence, yes."
"Isn't that, y'know, a bad idea?"
"I appreciate your concern, but in case you don't recall, I did, quite literally, write the book on creating artificial intelligence. Becoming Allah: Creating Synthetic Life."
"What was that you were saying about not being presumptuous?" Alia giggled, bending down to give Samira another kiss on the cheek.
"I--"
"Relax, I'm just messing with you. So, uh, what's the big problem, then?"
"I've never successfuly created an artificial superintelligence before. Only one person has."
"Hang on, I know how this works, I've seen more than one show like this. Only one person can help you... and they're your ex."
"Not quite, but a similar level of estrangement." Samira let out a sigh.
"Not on speaking terms, then?"
"Not on speaking terms, no."
"Why not?"
"Are you familiar with the Vethrenian Break?"
"A bit. One of the old directors of SDII threw a hissy and took all her toys?"
"Something like that, yes."
"So you definitely can't ask them for help, then."
"Thus, my dilemma."
"Hmm. Well, I'd try to help, but you know this programming stuff goes way over my head. I'm an astrophysics gal, through and through."
"I know, my love. I wasn't expecting any help in this matter."
"Jeez, cut my CPU out, why don't you?"
"I--I'm sorry, my dear, I didn't mean any--"
"I know, babe, I'm just messing with you." Alia grinned. She picked the much smaller woman up again, squeezing her tightly. "Now, I dunno about you, but I think a week of working on a project is more than enough, don't you?"
"But I--"
"No buts. Take it from somebody who neglected charging cycles to get through MIST, you need rest sooner or later."
"I..."
"You what?"
"... thank you for your concern, Alia. I'll be out in a moment, I promise. I love you."
"I love you too, Sammy. I'll see you at my apartment, yeah?"
"Of course."
"Great! I've found a new TV show to watch. This one you'll love, I promise."

Personal Simulspace Suite
Progress City Spire
Samira's eyes fluttered open, her mind returning to her body. She was coated in a thin layer of dust - no doubt thanks to the fact that her body hadn't moved for a week. She got up and dusted herself off, and moved to leave... but then she stopped. Perhaps Alia had the right idea.
She went over to a terminal, and punched in a few codes, opening up a positively ancient chat channel that she hadn't used in... a century, easily. It probably still didn't work, but it didn't help to try, either.
[Dear Ira,] she began.
[I understand that we haven't been on the best of terms for... the past century, I suppose, but I need your help. Please meet with me as soon as possible to discuss this matter further. There will be a new woman for your pleasure palace, if you need extra incentive to visit.]
[Sincerely, Samira]
With a last, hesitant tap, the message was sent. It felt almost like a deal with the devil, to contact her aunt like that. But she probably wasn't watching the channel anyway. All she'd done is waste a couple of minutes of time.