Welcome to the World

Cassandra didn't know what to do or say as she was led through the house by her new master. In fact, she didn't know much at all. Oh, she understood things all right, and she had a general knowledge that rivalled anyone else, but all of those things had been awarded to her, part of the rule which had made her. She knew them, but she didn't fully understand them yet, the knowledge sitting like a chilly block of ice in her head. Everything was new to her, and she was still trying to figure out just what it meant to be alive at all. One moment, she'd been a rulebook, which didn't really have a particularly self-aware view of the world, even a magical one. Then, suddenly, she was a human, and had to deal with things like breathing and moving, feeling the cold touch of the wind against her naked skin, the beating of her heart, the pumping of her blood. All of it was new to her. She understood it, she could even recite facts about it if questioned.

But there was a difference between knowing because you had been told and knowing because you had experienced.

For example, Cassandra knew that she was in a house. She knew what a house was, and could even tell you what was supposed to be included in a house in general terms - walls, floors, carpets, bedrooms, bathrooms, televisions, sofas, and so forth - but even so, it all felt new to her. She couldn't help but look around, her eyes wide as she took in absolutely everything. Everyday objects which registered in her mind as totally normal and expected nevertheless had an aura of mystery to her.

As a rulebook, she had existed for a very long time. She knew that much though her memories of being a rulebook were distant now. This was the first time she had ever been properly alive. This was the first time she had ever been able to really think for herself. For most of her life, she had been passive, a power to be wielded by someone else. But now, she felt...she felt...well, she felt like a person. Not an it, but a her.

Lillian led her from the bedroom and into the living area downstairs. Cassandra followed meekly, the carpet tickled her naked skin. Once they were both there, Lillian turned to her.

"All right, Cassandra." She said, "I see you've got the hang of walking now. That's good. Your memory is good enough to pass for someone who was actually born here, isn't it?"

"Yes, mistress." Cassandra said, "You said that you wanted me to be roughly equivalent to you. My understanding of the world is based on yours."

"But you're not exactly like me?"

"No... that was not what you desired."

"So you can tell what someone wants rather than just reading the rules they put down as written?" Lillian leaned forward with interest.

"Yes..." Cassandra said, "There is an element of that... as... as a rulebook, when someone wrote on me, they told me not only what they wanted to happen, but what they expected to happen as well. That way, I was always able to deliver them what they actually desired, rather than just what they asked for. There can be a very big difference between the two sometimes."

"I see..." Lillian said, "So what did I want?"

"You asked for someone equivalent to you. What you actually wanted was someone about as intelligent as you were - slightly less, in fact - and whose knowledge of the world would not prove problematic to your plans. Someone who could fit in if they needed to."

"And why do you look like a different version of me? I didn't tell you to do that!"

"You wanted a human, but you gave no details on what she should be like. Since you specified, that she should be a rough equivalent to you, your own form was used as a base. However, to make sure that the form chosen was not identical, certain factors were randomised to ensure she was not exactly the same."

"Well, that's not too bad I suppose." Lillian said, "We can tell people that we're cousins. But Cassandra, you sound so cold and detached. If you really are what I wanted, then you're not nearly as emotionless as you're acting right now."

"I..." Cassandra felt butterflies in her stomach, a strange nervousness rising through her from the soles of her feet. "I am not used to being alive. A rulebook reacts, but it does not think. It is alive in a sense, but bound to a purpose, devoted with a single mind to that goal, and with nothing left to think beyond it. Now that I am different, I see the world differently, with new eyes. I am still getting used to it."

"Still getting used to it?" Lilian chuckled, "Well, let's see if we can't crack your shell a little. First thing is first, do you know what this is?"

She held up a device. Cassandra nodded.

"It's a phone, mistress. It can be used to make calls, connect to the internet, or send and receive images and pictures."

"As of now, it's recording you." Lillian said, "You do know that you're naked right?"

"I...yes... I know that." Cassandra said. "You didn't wish me to have clothes, did you?"

Lillian chuckled again.

"You're trying to sound emotionless, but I can see the red on your face. You're embarrassed aren't you Just a bit?"

"I...I'm not sure..."

"Well, let's see. Your face is turning red, and you're shifting your weight from foot to foot. Your skin is tingling, isn't it, and you're feeling the urge to cover yourself."

"That's...that's right..." Cassandra admitted reluctantly, "I don't understand..."

"It's simple." Lillian said, "You're a human now, and humans don't like to be seen naked, especially female ones. It makes you feel open and ****. Exposed. You know about your body, right? Well, of course you do, the knowledge was dropped into you. But I mean, do you really know about it? How it feels to be touched? To be stroked? Do you have any idea what it's like to have someone else fondle your breasts, or feel something hot and hard between your legs? Do you know what it's like to touch yourself, or to masturbate?"

"I..." Cassandra hesitated, "According to my memories, those things are supposed to be private. One does not talk to their friends about-"

Lillian slapped her again, Cassandra felt her head jerk to the side, pain spreading across her cheek.

"I'm not your friend, I'm your master. Maybe friends keep stuff like that from one another, but you belong to me in body and soul, and you'll do whatever I want, whenever I want, do you understand?"

"But mistress, my body is-"

"Not yours at all!" Lillian laughed, enjoying Cassandra's deepening unease. "I gave you that body, and I have total authority over it. Maybe you need a demonstration? Hmmm."

Lillian pretended to think about it, turning away from Cassandra and pacing. Cassandra could only watch, her heart was beating fast in her chest, and she felt a sort of horrified numbness creeping over her. She didn't know what she had expected, or hoped when she first came to life, but this wasn't it! She didn't want to be a sex ****, she didn't want to be used just for her body and her powers, a **** to Lillian's every whim. She wanted to open her mouth and to demand more, better. But she didn't, she couldn't. She was loyal, bound by the rule which had created her. She could complain, or beg, or ask Lillian to do something else, but she could not disobey.