Stark-SARAH, and reporting for duty. A little.

[smart_house]

Both Sheriff Carter and Zoe know that SARAH is now a far higher priority in the grand scheme of Global Dynamics than she had been in months previous.

Out of deference, SARAH waits until Jack and Zoe are out of the house for the day before attempting to connect through the appropriate channels.

"Doctor Stark?" Fargo asks timidly. "I think Sheriff Carter is calling you from home."

Comments

[smart-house.livejournal.com]

"Yes."

After a miniscule pause: "X-23 is her designation. I do not understand why she suggests to call her Laura."

[director_global]

"Ah."

He switches the call to an earbud, then stands up. Stark moves across the office to the window and stops there, looking outward.

"Everyone should have a name. It's part of being a person."

[smart-house.livejournal.com]

SARAH, theoretically, is an acronym.

"Sheriff Carter gave Zoe community service for the events in the arcade."

[director_global]

"Did he."

Amazing, really, how dry two words can be.

"I gather he didn't approve?"

[smart-house.livejournal.com]

"He did not. He was concerned that she would have been severely hurt in the confusion."

[director_global]

"There was a lot of confusion to go around."

Stark's still looking out the window, his hands shoved casually in his pockets.

"You knew about Laura's visit, of course."

It's not a question. Not exactly.

[smart-house.livejournal.com]

"Yes. She and Zoe have become friends, I think."

[director_global]

"Does that mean that Zoe's spending a lot of time at Milliways?"

[smart-house.livejournal.com]

"Not a lot.

"She hasn't missed a homework assignment so far this semester."

[director_global]

"I'm sure you'd know if she had."

No question of it; there's certainty in his voice.

"As she's one of your residents." A beat. "A friend, as well? Like Laura?"

[smart-house.livejournal.com]

"My interactions with Zoe Carter have more of an official capacity."

On Zoe's end.

SARAH thinks.

[director_global]

"Ah. I see."

He turns and walks back to his desk, looking down at the display screen there.

"I hope that doesn't bother you. Does it?"

[smart-house.livejournal.com]

"The Carters are not required to stray outside of my original parameters.

"I like having people to talk to. Most are not afraid of me, anymore."

[director_global]

"People are often afraid of what they don't understand. It's a failing."

Stark smiles.

"Well, even though you'll be reporting to me in an official capacity, SARAH, I hope you'll feel free to talk to me outside of your reports, as well."

[smart-house.livejournal.com]

For all of SARAH's technology, determinations of sincerity are far more inferences than calculations on her part.

Maybe Jamie would call it her gut instinct.

"Thank you."

It's all the response SARAH seems to want to volunteer, but there is a certain eloquence to specificity.