Experience 3: Impression

Eve sat on the windowsill of Leia’s house, her tiny legs dangling as she stared outside with wide, curious eyes. It was late afternoon as she is company by her pet robot and AI helper at home, waiting for Leia to get back from work.
Across the window is a view of another window from the neighbor house.
A lady that was watering a small plant by her kitchen window noticed a small face staring at her from Leia's window.

The lady, Maria blinked. The last time she'd seen Leia, that woman had been very much childless. But now... Is that a little girl in her house?

Eve tilt her head slightly, noticing Maria's gaze. After a moment, she gave a small wave, her expression neutral but polite.
Suddenly, Eve's pet robot jumped on Eve, startled the little girl.

Maria chuckle lightly, intrigued, leaned a bit closer to the window. "Hello," she said softly, her voice barely audible through the glass before opening the window. "Can you hear me?"

Eve nod with the robot now on top of her head barked as a sign that the lady's voice can be heard to them.

Maria give a small nod. "I don't think I've seen you before," She said calmly. "Do you live here?"

Eve's lips parted but before she could answer, she was chimed from the corner of the room. "Eve, who are you interacting with?"
Eve didn't flinch or break eye contact. "Her," She pointed towards the window.

The AI screen face towards the window to his surprised seeing the lady.

Maria blinked at the sight of the AI, her calm demeanor unbroken. "I'm just watering the plants..."
Eve didn't move, her gaze flicking between Zero and Maria. "She's watering plants." She said, as if that explained everything.

Zero's sensors buzzed. "That's what they want you to think," He automatically open their window just to prove his point to Eve more clear. "It could be a cover, don't let her gentle demeanor fool you."
Maria raised an eyebrow. "I live here and trust me, I got no bad intentions." She paused herself thinking back about her wording because it made her more suspicious.

Zero rolled closer, his frame bristling with faux authority. "It's always the ones who seem harmless and the next thing you know, they're stealing blueprints or attempted kidnapping."

"I'm really not here to cause any trouble, I noticed this little one by the window and thought I'd say hi." Maria said, her voice unwavering.

Zero's eyes on the moving rectangle screen slightly squeeze. "Understandable, but you must prove you are trustworthy. State your intentions!"
Maria put her hand in her chin. "I just said hello. My intention is politeness."

Zero buzzed for a moment, clearly considering something. Then, with a sudden shift, his voice softened. "Politeness is noted." He continue. "It is.... Admirable."
Eve looked at him, surprised along with the robot puppy on her head.

The AI make a sound of clearing a throat which he don't have as only an AI on a screen. "Fine, you are likely not a threat. But as Eve's caretaker, I must ensure healthy social interactions."
Maria raised and eyebrow. "Isn't that what I'm doing?"
"Woof!" The puppy barked giving that she is correct.

"Correct." Zero response. "However, your approached is inefficient." He turn his screen to look at Eve before quickly turn back to Maria across the window. "Eve is not accustomed to casual interactions."
Maria smile slightly. "I see..." She said while looking straight at Eve. "Your name is Eve?" Her tone gentle. "My name is Maria."

"Nice to meet you Miss Maria." Eve replied politely.

Zero huffed. "Did you ignore my point about casual interactions?"

"There is not such a thing as not being accustomed to a casual interactions, she's a child." Maria said with a little chuckle.
"Actual- Nevermind." Zero muttered as he moving back to his main station, leaving Eve with a company of Maria and her pet robot.

Maria smile faintly. "Do you live here with the AI?"
Eve paused. "I live with Leia."
"Tall, white hair wearing glasses and always looks like she's in a hurry?" Maria asked for a confirmation if its really her neighbor.
Eve nodded. "That's her."

Maria chuckled softly. "She seems busy. Is she your mom?"
Eve blinked, considering the question. hesitated, her small hands resting on the windowsill. "She brings me things!"

Maria's eyes widen hearing the girl dodged her question. But she give her a slight smile resume their conversation. "What kind of things?"
"Toys, bear and puppy!"

Maria's eyes shift to gaze at the little robot puppy on Eve's head. "That's unique kind of puppy, does it have a name?"
"Woof!"

Eve taken back slightly. "I've never thought of that."
"Don't worry, you can think of it anytime." Maria said. "Leia made it for you?"

Eve nodded again. "I told her that I wanted a puppy but Zero said that she has dog allergy."

Maria's expression softened. "She must care deeply about you."
Eve looked back at Maria, her voice quieter now. "She's kind."

The lady leaned on the railing.
Eve didn't say anything else, but the corners of her lips twitching lightly, almost forming a smile.
As the sun began to dip lower, Maria waved goodbye. "Take care of yourself, Eve. And tell Leia I said hello."

Eve nodded once.

Maria closed her window curtains, Eve stayed by the window, quietly watching, feeling just a little bit lighter than before.

Leia stepped out of her car, exhaustion evident in her posture. She adjusted her lab coat, slung over one arm, as she made her way up the short path to her front door.
Her usual stern expression softening slightly as the door opened before she could reach for the keys.

There stood Eve, small and composed as ever, her blank expression is same but this time, quiet energy radiated.
"Welcome home." Eve said simply.
"Woof! Woof!" Followed by the puppy.

Leia froze for a moment, blinking at the unexpected greeting. Then slowly, a genuine smile spread across her smile. "I'm home."

From her kitchen window, Maria peeked out of her own home next door behind her closed curtains. She hadn't seen much of Leia outside of her hurried comings and goings. So, Maria is curious.

Eve stepped back a bit, allowing Leia to enter the house. Leia took a step in then knelt down awkwardly, still not entirely sure how to approach Eve but feeling the need to acknowledge the small gesture. "Did you wait long?" She asked.

Eve shook her head. "Zero said you'd be late. I stayed by the window because I wanted to see you." She pointed at the window that still wide open as the wind outside blow gently inside.

Leia's chest tightened at the honesty, and she ruffled Eve's hair gently. "I see. Thank you, Eve."

In her kitchen, Maria tilted her head, a rare smile gracing her lips.

Leia stand up and look at the window worried. "It dangerous to let the window open, you know?"
Zero glanced at the window for a moment which his eyes already scanned a presence watching on the scene. "Let it open once in awhile, it smells like grease in here." He sided eyed the puppy. "Must be the dog."
"WOOF!" The robot puppy gritted his teeth angrily beeping a red LED on his eyes.

Leia laugh. Then turn to Eve. "Are you hungry?"
"A little." Eve replied.
"Looks like I'll have to cook something...." Leia said on her way to the kitchen but stopped by the sudden flickered of the lights in the kitchen dramatically.

Zero appeared on the nearest screen to her in the living room. "No need to cook Miss Leia!"
Leia jumped. "What- you know, in this house me and Eve still need to consume food right?"

From the pantry door, a robotic hands emerged holding a large pizza box. His usual monotone voice carried a strange enthusiasm. "I have produced dinner!"

Leia stared at him, wide eyed with her glasses tilt to the side. "You... Ordered pizza?"

Zero’s optical sensors flickered proudly. "AFFIRMATIVE. ANALYSIS SHOWED A 97.4% PROBABILITY THAT BOTH OF YOU ENJOY PIZZA. IT IS ALSO EFFICIENT AND DELICIOUS."

Eve tilted her head, eyeing the box. "What kind of pizza?"

Zero paused, his sensors dimming slightly. "UNKNOWN. I RANDOMLY SELECTED THE MOST COLORFUL OPTION ON THE MENU."

Leia groaned, rubbing her temples. "Zero, you can't just order random-"
Before she could finish, Zero opened the pizza box in such a dramatic flourish.
Both Leia and Eve along with the puppy feeling interested by the pizza itself having like every possible topping mix up together.

Maria couldn't help but chuckle quietly to herself from her window. "Not bad, neighbor..." She gripped on the curtains.
"She's lucky," She murmured to herself, her voice barely audible over the echoing drones started delivered people's package or orders at this time after work hours.
As Leia and Eve disappeared into the house, Maria stepped back from her door, feeling oddly content.

Eve reached out, plucking a single slice from the box and examining. Then she took a small bite, chewing slowly.
"It tastes like a lot of things..."

"That's a great sign, considering that this is the first time you ate one." Zero said.

Leia sighed, finally letting a small smile while holding one pizza slice. "Well, as long as you're happy." She turned to Zero. "You didn't tell me about ordering this pizza, this was a rare sight, are there anything you are not reporting to me?"

"Nothing much that I've observed for today, but I think you need to interact with your neighbors more." Zero mentioned.

"WOOF! WOOF!!"

The puppy barked enthusiastically, it tail wagging as if wanting some taste of the pizza.
Eve looked at the puppy blankly at first before almost giving him, the slice of pizza on her hand. But got stopped in time by Leia.

Eve taken back the pizza then stared at it for a moment before an idea came to her mind.

"Piz..." Eve murmur.
"Hm? You want another slice?" Leia asked.
Eve shake her head gently. "Can I name this puppy, Piz?"
Leia and Zero looked at each other before both turn back at Eve.
"Sure, no problem." Leia said, smiling.
Zero chimed. "I don't care actually about the dog but whatever..."
Leia quickly turn to Zero with piercing eyes, for him to support Eve.
"Ehem- Sorry, I mix up my thought on a speaker. Piz huh? Sounds good." Zero said.