Headhunters and the like were clamoring for names and background of these new developers (mainly to steal them away for other companies), but there were legal contracts stipulating complete silence and only a few who even had access to the research facility.
Naru though - she had been present when the two Saotome had visited and had known about the AI research. She had known from the start and had never signed anything, just made a verbal agreement. As the AI could be harmed by public disclosure at this point, she was inclined to keep the secret anyway.
This 'Sailor Quest' thing was another thing altogether. It seemed to be such a strange set of ideas, and was more popular outside Japan than within for a number of reasons. Though a lot of girls seemed to like it for some reason...
It was based on the video game that Minako and Hotaru had put together to showcase the capabilities of the new chips and video system. The game itself had levels of baddie minions (type varied from level to level) and a main boss, with in-between scenes that looked like anime stillshots and panels of dialogue.
The young prince had been stolen away from the Silvermoon Kingdom by an evil Ogre King (who for some reason Naru couldn't fathom - resembled Ranma's father) where he would be worked hard and regularly tortured for the secrets to the kingdom.
Several young girls and one knight all proclaimed they were going to rescue the young prince and bring him back to the kingdom. For some reason Naru wasn't sure about, each of the would-be rescuers had a version of the name of one of the AI.
As in the videogame, the motivations and abilities of each 'hero' was detailed in screenshots. On the TV series it was frequently done in 'eyecatch' fashion at the commercial break.
MAMORU GUARDIIN - the Samurai. The son of the Captain Of The Guard who seeks to recover the Prince and avenge the slight on his family honor done him by the evil Ogre King. A master of knightly skills.
RABBIT PRINCESS - the Princess of an allied kingdom. She seeks to cement an alliance between nations and prove her own skill by destroying the evil Ogre King. She bears a Sceptre Of Power (that levels up during the game.)
AMI LAKE - the shy bookworm - student of arcane arts who seeks to rescue the Prince due to a pleasant childhood memory. She throws Ice and other magic spells.
MINA SODJER - a young knight who was a playmate of the Prince and now seeks to rescue him from the inhuman tortures. She rode off to the rescue despite orders to remain, and now hides her face behind a mask so as not to be returned to the castle. Though frequently comic relief due to clumsiness, her sword skills are considerable.
RAYE HOPE - a miko of a shrine, who seeks to return the Prince before the Ogre King sacrifices his victim on a night of dark power to summon an evil entity. She uses charms that burst into purifying flame against her enemies.
MIDORI O'HARA - the skilled fighter who sees this as an opportunity to prove her strength and skill, and maybe get a princely boyfriend out of the deal. She picks up things and throws them at enemies, and uses her fists and feet as weapons.
HORAKU MURASAKI - A tragic character, being a half-elf and therefore not completely welcome in either society, she thinks that rescuing the Prince will give her a place to call home at last. The delicate figure wields a naginata.
HARU OF THE SANDS - A mercenary soldier from a desert kingdom who sees this as a way to get steady employment. Rescue the prince and she could take it easy as a castle guard. She wields a scimitar.
MICHI THE ELF - The elegant bard seeks the prince because it would make a fine tale to tell, and the potential rewards will be great. She uses elfsword and bow to smite enemies.
CASSANDRA MUSE - The mystic who has foreseen great calamity should the Prince not be rescued in time. She uses a staff and throws potion bombs.
Ten heroes. One prince. An evil ogre. What seemed to be hundreds of minions.
Though all the heroes started out seperately, and in the game remained seperate, four had come together so far in the TV series. Rabbit, the sceptre wielding princess. Ami, the student mage. Raye, the fire wielding miko. Mamoru, the young knight. On occasion a thrown weapon or object would come out of nowhere, konk the bad guy on the head to stun them long enough for "the Masked Knight" to offer some advice to the struggling heroes, and then trip and fall offscreen after their perfect moment ran out.
Today's episode, Naru saw, was titled 'River Of Dreams' and was a focus on the character of Rabbit Princess.
Why did they make Rabbit so clumsy? asked Usagi during a commercial for "Choco ball" candies.
Naru realized after a moment that the question had been directed at her. Fortunately she knew the answer, or at least had an answer. "To make you more human. Frailties and little problems like that make you individuals that the viewer can understand and get a better handle on."
So some degree of imperfection is desired for human interaction?
"Yes," said Naru, trying to think this through. "It's... when we grow up we get hurt, but it makes us more understanding of other people's hurts when we grow up because of that shared experience. Well, some people at least grow up that way."
I've noticed the degree of these qualities, called compassion and empathy, varies from individual to individual. Indication is that there is something besides environmental and genetic factors at work, but I have been unable to isolate these unknown variables.
"It may be unknowable," said Naru. "People have been pondering questions like that for thousands of years."
Side displays flashed in a rapid strobe as the AI discussed this among themselves at the speeds they were capable of. They stopped when the program began again, but it would be a discussion they'd frequently return to.
Meanwhile:
(Posted Mon, 05 Apr 2004 09:57)
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