The rules of show and tell

(chapter originally by faith on writing.com)

Aegis and Yukari shared the silence after her declaration a moment. Yukari laughed softly and made a noble attempt at a smile.

"Sorry. I kind of unloaded on you there."

"I did ask." Aegis noted.

"Yeah. I guess you did." Yukari sighed. "You know the worst part. I'm honestly not even that angry at you for charging in. You just happen to be doing the same thing she's been doing all year. Jumping in. Taking charge of the situation. Listening to our problems, taking on our burdens along with Tartarus and Nyx and the end of the world. She can't...keep doing that to herself. She can't carry everybody's problems all the time. Its going to break her. But she keeps doing it, as if none of us are there to help her! And I just don't get it. After all this time, why can't she trust us like we all trust her?"

Another pause followed.

"Sigh. Sorry. I keep pulling us into the land of awkward silences." Yukari laughed softly to herself.

"No need for apologies. I do not have advice to offer on the subject, I am afraid. These are words Minako needs to hear. I can only offer empathy." Aegis said, placing a hand on top of Yukari's own.

"....." Yukari looked at the hand a moment. "So maybe we should change the subject?"

"That would be welcome."

"Sooooo...why don't we talk about these thoughts you've been having when you look at us naked. The ones that would qualify as **** if we were related?" Yukari said with a sly grin.

If Yukari didn't know better, she would have sworn she heard Aegis give a small 'eep'.

"...That subject...is no less awkward than the last!" Aegis exclaimed.

"Oh Aegis..." Yukari said, her smile growing. "I'm sure that's true. For you! As for me, I've spent most of this little encounter either distressed or embarrassed. So now its my turn to enjoy watching you squirm!"

"....." Aegis paused.

"Come oooooon! I mean...no offense, I'm just surprised you would..you know...be able to feel that way. Oggling humans doesn't exactly seem like useful programming." Yukari said.

"Sigh. While his work is often derided in modern psychology, Dr. Freud was correct in noting that sexuality is a major part of the human mind, conscious and subconscious. My program was designed to emulate human thoughts for the sake of summoning a Persona. Useful or not, sexual desire is a part of my subroutines."

"And this little epiphany of yours..."

"My sexuality, for lack of a better term, has come into sharper focus. I have always had vague desires and emotions, and over the course of this year I have come to understand them better. My experience this morning has given me greater clarity, however."

"What kind of clarity?"

"I...since I was activated, my program has been attempting to gather data on humans in order to construct and refine my artificial conscious. Your customs and manners have all been carefully recorded and archived. The human body has been...especially interesting, in part because I have had little chance to collect and test any data on the subject. It was...very refreshing to be able to study the different shapes and sizes of your bodies unimpeded by your clothing. Even before my...upgrades, I found each of you to be exceptionally pleasing in your own unique ways. Graceful, soft, oddly bouncing in places, and prone to odd physical changes in which pliable parts would grow strangely rigid and erect when-"

"Thank you, Aegis." Yukari muttered.

"Yes. Ahem. The desire to stare was overwhelming. The desire to touch, probe and test was nearly as strong. I..still have these urges. My data gathering is incomplete. But I also have a desire to touch certain areas simply for the reaction I know they will elicit. My need to stare and to explore has increased, but for reasons I think you are more familiar with."

"Oh yeah! But...umm...just to clarify here. Back when we first met, you were...a little obsessed with Minako, right? You were always breaking into her room and stuff, telling us you had to be near her."

"I remember. At the time, I did not understand the social implications behind the acts. I simply observed that it was causing tension in her and you, so I learned to suppress the urge and cease such behavior."

"But you were still obsessed."

"...My...high level of interest in her did not change, no. I simply grew more discreet."

"And if we're all your number one priority now, I'm guessing you must be as 'highly interested' in me as you were with her?"

"....if my attention is unwelcome I will adjust my behavior accordingly."

Before Aegis could say another word Yukari had already leapt up, practically prancing to stand before the robot, arms behind her head.

"Yukari-san."

"W-what?" Yukari said, blushing. "Your still gathering data, right? You need more information on the human body! How can you expect to develop a healthy, complete human mind if you don't have any research data? So...so...hurry up and experiment! T-take a good look! Here's a perfect female specimen for you!"

Aegis practically gaped at her.

"Okay, fine! More than look! Go ahead and t-touch wherever! Test me! Do whatever your computer brain likes! Do you need a better position? Do you want to check out my backside? Do whatever you want!"

Aegis began to reach a tentative hand upward, meeting Yukari's eyes. With a sigh Yukari pushed her chest forward, settling her breast into the robot's hands.

"T-this better answer your question!" Yukari whispered in embarrassment. "I told you before, we're in this together."

Aegis nodded. The next several minutes saw were on the intense collection of new data on the human body, punctuated by a series of moans, gasps, and exclamations from the test subject.