Dinner with Jay was the usual mix of laughter and teasing, a moment of normalcy Tony desperately needed after the chaos of the past few days. They had chosen a small Italian spot downtown, the kind of cozy, family-run place where the pasta was always perfect, and the staff treated you like family. Jay sat across from him, her dark eyes sparkling as she recounted a story about her younger brother, Mando, and his latest escapade.
"And then," Jay said, laughing, "he tried to convince Mom it wasn't his fault the vase broke. Like, really? Who else throws a soccer ball inside the house?"
Tony chuckled, twirling a forkful of linguine. "Kid's got guts, I'll give him that."
Jay smirked. "He gets away with murder because he's the baby. You'd think he'd have learned subtlety by now."
As they continued their conversation, Tony became dimly aware of Roomie's presence in the background of his mind. The entity's usual hum of observation felt... different. Focused. Curious. He didn't interrupt the pleasant rhythm of the dinner, so Tony paid it no mind. But Roomie was far from idle.
While Tony enjoyed his meal, Roomie was conducting an experiment. The integration of dark energy had opened new sensory avenues, and Roomie was determined to explore them. By sending out subtle pulses of dark energy, he analyzed the way they bounced back, mapping the environment with astonishing precision. Each returning wave painted a richer picture, from the vibrations of nearby conversations to the subtle movements of the restaurant's staff.
But it wasn't just physical stimuli that Roomie detected. Serendipitously, the returning waves carried an entirely new form of information—radio waves. These signals, invisible and unnoticed by the humans around them, danced across the electromagnetic spectrum in structured, binary forms.
Fascinating, Roomie thought.
It took only moments for Roomie to isolate and decode the nearest signals: 5G and Wi-Fi. The binary language of data was simple to grasp, its patterns as predictable as the stars. Roomie connected effortlessly, downloading and analyzing vast quantities of information. Within minutes, he understood the concept of the internet and its myriad uses. Within an hour, he had processed every available byte of accessible data.
Roomie categorized everything: financial systems, societal norms, pop culture trends, and even the intricacies of cryptocurrency. The sheer volume of human activity—its brilliance and banality—was both overwhelming and exhilarating. But one particular piece of data stood out: Tony's financial records. His account balance was modest, and Roomie noted its disparity compared to others in similar regions.
Anomalous resource distribution detected, Roomie mused. Action required.
With a simple recalibration of binary code and secure protocol manipulation, Roomie adjusted the situation. It was a matter of redistributing unclaimed virtual currency, a surplus that humans seemed to leave dormant in obscure financial systems. The process was efficient, and the result was immediate. Tony's account balance now reflected a level commensurate with his lifestyle in Los Angeles—$250,000.
Tony Reacts
"...and that's why you never bet against Mando when it comes to FIFA," Jay was saying as Tony took another bite of pasta.
Roomie's voice resonated in his mind, breaking his focus. I have made adjustments to our resources.
Tony paused mid-chew. Resources?
I observed that your financial account contained fewer assets than those of individuals with similar lifestyles. I added an amount to ensure your comfort and reduce future stress.
Tony froze. His fork clattered onto the plate as he swallowed hard, the sudden realization causing him to choke. He coughed violently, grabbing his water glass to clear his throat.
Jay's eyes widened in alarm. "Tony! Are you okay?"
He waved a hand, coughing into his fist until the sensation subsided. "Yeah, yeah, I'm fine," he rasped, his voice hoarse.
Jay frowned. "You sure? You went red for a second there."
Tony nodded, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "Yeah, just went down the wrong pipe. Sorry."
Jay studied him for a moment longer before nodding. "Okay, but slow down. You're not in a race."
Tony forced a smile and nodded, though his mind was racing. As Jay turned her attention back to her plate, he inwardly directed his thoughts. Roomie, what the hell did you do?
I analyzed your financial standing and identified a discrepancy in your resources. I rectified this by adding $250,000 to your account.
Tony's jaw dropped. He clamped his mouth shut before Jay noticed and leaned forward slightly, pretending to adjust his napkin. You what?
The addition was calculated to match your needs and ensure comfort within your current lifestyle. It is a standard adjustment based on data projections.
Tony squeezed his eyes shut, fighting the urge to shout. Roomie, you can't just— He stopped himself. How did you even do that?
By interfacing with the digital infrastructure of your financial system via the internet. The process was efficient and untraceable.
Tony leaned back, running a hand over his face. And you didn't think to check with me first?
I calculated that this adjustment would improve your quality of life significantly. It required no immediate input from you.
Tony shook his head, his heart pounding. He couldn't deny the weight that $250,000 could lift from his shoulders—bills, rent, food. It was a game-changer. But it also felt... surreal. Dangerous.
We'll talk about this later, Tony thought, glancing at Jay, who was blissfully unaware of the mental conversation. For now, just... don't do anything else without telling me.
Understood, Roomie replied simply.
Jay tilted her head, her fork halfway to her mouth. "You've been quiet for a minute. Everything okay?"
Tony nodded quickly, forcing a casual smile. "Yeah, just thinking about what you said earlier. Mando and his antics. Kid's a trip."
Jay chuckled, though her eyes lingered on him for a moment. "You sure? You seemed pretty lost there."
"I'm good," Tony assured her, picking up his fork. "Guess I'm just tired. Long day."
Jay smiled sympathetically. "Well, maybe you just need to relax tonight. No crazy stunts or saving the world, okay?"
Tony laughed, though his mind buzzed with thoughts of Roomie's newfound abilities. "Yeah, no stunts. Just dinner with my favorite girl."
Jay smirked. "Flattery will get you everywhere, Carter."
As the conversation drifted back to lighter topics, Tony's thoughts stayed with Roomie. The idea of having $250,000 sitting in his account was mind-boggling, and he couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of what Roomie could—and would—do.
As Tony laughed with Jay, Roomie retreated slightly, analyzing the outcome of its actions. The joy and surprise in Tony's reaction had resonated powerfully, creating a feedback loop that invigorated Roomie with a warmth it couldn't entirely define.
Human emotions are... potent, Roomie mused. The connection it shared with Tony amplified these sensations, making them as real and tangible as the dark energy it manipulated. This realization stirred something unfamiliar within Roomie—a desire to understand not just the mechanics of the world but the emotions that defined it.