Set up some natural language programming on top of Lina's identity

You've noticed your power responds fully to intent, including logical conditions and groupings. If this, then that. For example, 'erase memories regarding clothing', 'return that chair after a certain amount of time transpires', 'alter expectations only when I contradict them' - that kind of thing.

Now, you only took one programming class in high school, but it was enough to show you what can be accomplished with a few lines of code.

"There is one idea I would like to try out," you say, rubbing your hands together. "I want to see if my powers can create programs that follow specific instructions. Lina?"

Yu raises her eyebrow at you while Lina comes over.

"You can set up your powers to run on their own?" Yu gives you a surprised look. "I suppose that makes sense given how much control you have, if they're capable of autonomy, that has massive implications."

Lina is unconcerned. "Autonomy or no, give me a heads up if this program is about turning me into Yu-4. I've never been anyone else before."

Her words give you an idea for a test program. Your excitement builds. At first, you wanted to fool around with Yu's laconic cousin as she is, but what if you could reshape her even easier than you did Pearl? What if you automated the process?

"What if she could be anyone else?" you ask. "Or at least, new versions of herself? And all it took was a word?"

"Going big, Chase?" says Yu.

You smile at Yu. With purpose, you turn to her cousin. "Lina, what happens if I claim your identity?"

Lina cants her head. "I'm not sure. Why?"

"Because I just did. Your identity belongs to me now."

Lina sighs. "Never thought who I am would be up for grabs. Suppose I won't mind being a Yu version of myself for a little while."

"What are you up to?" asks Yu, giving you a mischievous look.

"Wait and see." You wink. "Lina, remain who you are, except for a few additions. It's now a fundamental, irrefutable, automatic part of your identity that whenever you choose not to do as someone asks, you immediately give that person the true reason behind your refusal. You'll also explain what part of your identity drove that decision."

Lina nods. "Got it."

"Let's test," you say, turning it over to Yu. "Ask your cousin to do something she wouldn't usually do."

"Okay. Something she wouldn't do?" Yu taps her chin. "Lina, give me... all the money in your wallet."

Lina gives her cousin a long look. "That is something I wouldn't usually do," she observes, expression neutral. Then, suddenly, the violet-haired girl stiffens. "I won't give you money for no reason, even as a joke. It matters what I choose to do with my money."

"Looks like it works," reports Yu.

Lina snaps out of it and presses a hand to her head. "Weird. So I'll answer something like that anytime I tell somebody no?"

Yu nods studiously. "Until Chase removes the program, yes."

"I'm not done quite yet," you warn the both of them.

Time for phase 2. You choose your words with care. This may be the most complex thing you've done with your powers.

"Lina, whenever you refuse a request, if you're given the words Identity Override in response, your identity will seamlessly adapt," you say. "When you hear that trigger, the part of your identity which drove you to refuse will fade away. Once the refusal is no longer a part of who you are, you'll then gain a new feature - that of being a person who would have complied with the request." You think you got that right.... "You'll restate the request as an 'I will' statement, name the new part of your identity that applies, and fulfill the request."

Lina yawns. "Lost you about halfway through."

Yu remains confident. "That's okay, I don't think you need to understand for it to work. If Chase says something, it usually happens. His powers seem to respond to his intent rather than a subject's comprehension." She glances expectantly at you. "Though, this gives us an excellent opportunity to test the hypothesis."

You smile back. "Should be easy to test it out then. You followed what I was trying to do, right?"

"Yep," says your friend. "You want me to...?"

You nod.

"Lina, same request as before," says Yutong. "Give me all the money in your wallet."

"Not this again," says a mildly exasperated Lina, before she goes rigid. "I won't give away my money. What I do with money matters more than that."

"Now the experiment," says Yu. "Lina, identity override."

Her cousin twitches. "I will give you all the money in my wallet. What I do with my money isn't that important." Lina blinks, makes a face, and retrieves a thin wallet from her leggings. She pulls out maybe $15, and hands it over to Yu. "Here."

Though impressed, Yu gives the money straight back to Lina. "It's okay, it was just a test."

"Suit yourself." Lina replaces the money and her wallet without so much as a shrug.

Yutong tugs on your shirt sleeve. "Looks like we can add autonomous programming to the list of what you can do with your powers," she reports. "This is massive. Imagine all the people you could help with this? You could change the world!"

Though you're not much thinking about the world. Right now, you find yourself looking more and more at Lina, with her cool hair, eyebrow piercing, and sharp features. She folds her arms and looks like she's about ready to walk off. A moment of her time may be running out. At a word, Yu redefined Lina to be someone who'd hand her cousin 15 bucks without question. How easy would it be to redefine her to do other things? The thought makes you harden against your jeans.

(commissioned chapter)