Phoenix's P.O.V.:
-Solaris – 'Oh, umm, well you see Dear Master, I... I, I was only able to get you half-way out."
Phoenix waited for him to continue keeping his thoughts and emotions hidden.
-Solaris - 'I did not have enough power to get you to your home plane. You will have to earn the energy here so that we can finally free you. Until then who ever imprisoned you can still reach you but as soon as we get back to your home plane then you will be free from their grasp.'
Phoenix stood there and pondered on all this, he could tell there was more, but Solaris was not forthcoming about it. Well at least he has full control of the shell and act the way I want… wait is that the catch? He suddenly looked up and asked Solaris.
-Phoenix - "What's the catch?"
Solaris who was now very shaken was kicking himself for forgetting how smart his master is.
-Phoenix - "What is the catch, is it that I will still not have control over my own actions? I understand that my imprisoners can still look in on me and can even get to me still but there is, definitely, something you are not telling me."
Solaris suddenly got very quiet, and Phoenix knew something was definitely fishy about whatever Solaris does not want to tell him. He knows there is something Solaris does not want to tell him; he can feel it. 'What the hell is Solaris keeping from me?' he thought as he continued to stare at the same spot waiting for Solaris to continue.
-Solaris – '…'
Solaris suddenly became very quiet, and Phoenix knew something was definitely fishy about whatever Solaris does not want to tell him. He knows there is something Solaris does not want to tell him; he can feel it. 'What the hell is Solaris keeping from me?' he thought as he continued to stare at the same spot waiting for Solaris to continue.
Solaris began to metaphorically pace back and forth while also metaphorically sweating buckets. He is nervous because he knows his master won't like what he has to tell him, but he cannot, not tell him. Maybe he should coax him and try to butter him up first. Yeah, that's what he will do!
-Solaris – "*clears throat* Dear master, no need to worry Solaris will tell you everything he can as soon as he can, master has no need to worry. Solaris has never lied to master so please try to be tolerant and not be mad at Solaris… please.'
That last bit was said in the low tone of a child who had be scolded by his parents and was on the brink of tears would have. 'Damn it! This is not fair! Why must he insist on using that tone? Does he know that I cannot resist him when he talks like that? Damn it, why does he have to be so cute?' Thought Phoenix helplessly, well he will keep a straight face and see what Solaris will do or say.
Phoenix nodded his head as he made his decision while he continued to stare off in the distance. All the while he kept his face cold and unreadable. He will give him some more time and the benefit of the doubt for a little longer but if he does not start being more open and honest about what is really going on than they will have a different conversation! He will endure it even though he wants the answers now, so that he can finally gain his freedom.
He is so tired of constantly living and dying and not being able to forget anything has taken a major toll on him. He is exhausted and ready to be done with it all, with Solaris being his only true friend he will help him complete his mission and then… well Phoenix plans for his soul to rest forever. He took a deep breath and sigh before continuing.
Phoenix nodded his head as he made his decision while he continued to stare off in the distance. All the while he kept his face cold and unreadable. He took a deep breath and sigh before continuing.
-Phoenix – "I have been more than patient with you, I think I deserve a little bit more information, don't you think Solaris?"
His tone was even and the look on his face was passive, but Solaris could tell his master was a bit more than irritated. Solaris began to panic, trying to think of how he could explain it to his master without revealing too much at this time. He truly did want to tell Phoenix everything, but he could not because there was too much at stake. Then it came to him.
-Solaris – 'Master, you will be able to make your own decisions but there is handicap placed on you still. You will have to act according to settings of the world and shell's personality and abilities. But you will be in full control of the shell, so… it is an improvement…'
-Phoenix – "Haha Okay now that makes sense, why would you not just say that from the get-go? You know you could tell me about things like this, I would not get angry at you." He sighed deeply and took a few steps before turning around, with a shy smile.
-Solaris – 'Yes, Master Phoenix is right wise and understanding as always. I will do my best to be better in the future.'
-Phoenix – "So after we gain enough power from these worlds you will be able to break me free?"
-Solaris – 'Yes, master will be completely free from his imprisonment and those who imprisoned him. However, there are tasks that you will need to complete after you are free from their imprisonment and once you have completed those master will be completely free and can even choose to break the bond between Solaris and master.'
Phoenix picked up on the trace of reluctance and sadness as Solaris said that last bit, but he chose to act as if he didn't and nodded to indicate for Solaris to continue.
-Solaris – 'You can even choose to have extirpate your soul.'
His voice cracked at the last part of his sentence, because he does not want that. Just the thought of the eternal loss of this precious soul of his master made him feel like dying as well. Without his master Solaris is nothing. His whole existence is tied with his master's by fate.
Phoenix caught that slip of emotions from Solaris and his heart ached. He was not sure what he would choose to do with his soul yet, but he would be lying if he said he was not exhausted and just plain tired of it all. He will think about it again once he is free from this imprisonment completely. It was important to focus on the task at hand.
Solaris was very grateful to have such an understanding and sweet hearted mater. This little master of his was truly a good and pure soul. Well, that maybe him being biased but there can never be a completely pure soul just as there cannot be a completely blackened soul. He knows his master is a bit twisted in some ways but what soul wouldn't be after what he has been through? It is amazing that Phoenix's soul doesn't resemble ground beef or any other ground or shredded item.
His creator has excellent taste and chose the perfect soul. Oh, how he could not wait to fulfill all the tasks his creator set for him. Solaris hates not being able to tell his master everything, but he also understands that it might negatively affect the next main mission.
His creator has excellent taste and chose the perfect soul. Oh, how he could not wait to fulfill all the tasks his creator set for him. Solaris hates not being able to tell his master everything, but he also understands that it might negatively affect the next main mission. If everything goes well his master will definitely be happy and will praise Solaris, right? He may be A.I. but he is sentient, and he truly feels nervous. Sometimes he wishes he did not have these pesky human emotions but then he knows that he would not be Solaris without them, so he is grateful to be exactly as his creator made him.
Solaris could not help the tinge of guilt that arose when he thought about what he would receive from competing in his mission that his creator set out for him. 'What if Phoenix thinks that he was just used and ends up hating him and wanting nothing to do with him once he is completely free? What if he breaks the bond between them? No! That absolutely cannot happen! Without Phoenix, Solaris is nothing and would cease to exist, I mean what is even the point of existing without his master?'
Solaris took a deep breath in order to stop spiraling and all the negative thoughts that were currently rushing through his mind. 'No, that won't happen! Master cares for me I know it! Surely, he won't break the bond between us even if he is not happy. Honestly, speaking this will only benefit his master as well as his creator and himself but his master does not need to know all that just yet. He will tell him when the time is right, Solaris must choose just the right moment to tell his master lease he be upset with him again.
If one could see Solaris right now, he would look like a puppy who had been kicked by his master but was still hoping to gain his master's love and affection. His metaphoric ears were drooping, and his sad little tail was between his legs as he spiraled down more and more before finally perking up towards the end of his thoughts. Now he resembled a beagle waiting at its master's feet while he ate hoping that his master would drop some food so that he could clean it up for his master tight away.
If only Phoenix could see Solaris at this moment, his only thought would be "Oh My Gawd, how stinking cute! I just want to eat him up!" as he absolutely loves cute things though he has never admitted it to any one not even Solaris.