Tu Shanshu

[Those who may have noticed Aya's (physical) absence since everyone's adventures in the bottle will be relieved to see the young Artificial Intelligence alive, well, and...perhaps a bit shinier than usual.]

[She had been experimenting with a new teflon glaze coating.]

[In addition, her petite form was nearly lost in the soft knitted sweater she was wearing.  Completely hand-made, of course, and identical save for the individual size specifications of those presented to each and every employee of Stark Industries.  (Everyone was welcome, by the way.)  Unique to her ensemble, however, was the hat adorning her head as well.  Aya being...well...Aya, of course, she says nothing about either of her current fashion choices.  Oh, no.  She has far more interesting topics to discuss with the Network this day.]

I have been devoting a significant percentage of my research time to studying the navigational methods employed by our current living situation in an effort to possibly discern not only where precisely we are located in this world, relative both to its known land masses and possibly other worlds surrounding it, but also in hopes of developing a better system in which we, as individuals, may easier travel.

Currently, the barrier surrounding our host reptile has limited maneuverability within the parameters of the city.  However, this also presents something of a interesting situation.

It is my understanding that the turtle--particularly species native to the planet Earth--is a being in possession of internal sensors that allow them to detect the two opposite ends of any given planet's magnetic fields.  Obviously, these are most prevalent in distinguishing between polar North and South; however, in many cases, it can be said that the minute changes in angular degrees longitude may also allow them to determine distances traveling East to West.  I believe this is how the one known as Asti is capable of navigating through this world's waters.  If that is the case, then relative to this world, we are in too constant a movement to accurately develop a magnetic-based system of direction, as this would be ever changing and thus, useless.  What may be Magnetic North one day could be North-North West the next.

Even when engaged in inter-planetary travels, the calculations necessary in order to safely engage a ship's Warp Drive were based on the pre-established constant of Sector Zero, and a certain planet identified as the center of the universe.  From there, it was a matter of placing into the equation each known planet located in the relative path traveled, as well as their respective orbits, gravitational fields, magnetic fields, and any other recorded anomalies that could be potentially detrimental to our safety in flight.  These are not figures I am currently in possession of at this time.

[A pause.  While it may seem to many--or, rather, anybody who's miraculously been able to follow Aya's train of thought until now--that she has stumbled upon a mental block, Aya does not appear frustrated at all.  If anything, the hypothetical conundrum is amusing to her.]

I suppose what my intentions of conveying at this time are a curiosity as to how many individuals on the Turtle are able to navigate beyond visual memory and typical "landmark" associations with familiar streets.

Perhaps, then, I may be able to develop a better way for new arrivals to accurately find their way around.

[It has been a very interesting two months for Aya thus far. The young not-so-Artificial Intelligence has already learned so much. About Keelai. About the multiverse. About her fellow Foreign "visitors" and, perhaps most importantly, about herself. And how little she actually knows about herself, and the circumstances surrounding her apparent unique creation.]

[Which is what brings her to the Network for a third time. Her eyes are shining with their usual curiosity, although this time, they are enhanced by a certain...hesitation behind them. An uncertainty that emphasizes her surprisingly (and deceptively) young age.]

There is something I am curious about. As your localized Network System appears to be the best place to make such public inquiries, I have chosen to make mine here as well.

[Somehow, when she preempts with this rather innocent statement, it sounds like she's apologizing for wasting everyone's time. Despite the importance to her, personally.]

I have had several conversations regarding...memories. In particular, those that people are able to access, and those they are not. It has been drawn to my attention that, upon departing from this world, any and all memories of this place are to be deleted from one's memory banks without fail. [She is not okay with this, of course, and yet this is still not the main focus of her post.] It has also been drawn to my attention that there are certain memories in which the majority of organic beings are capable of retaining as well as forgetting.

I was programmed to never forget. And yet...I have been made aware that there are certain events which must have occurred in my life that I cannot remember. I find this both curious and disconcerting. Which is why I must ask:

Is it common for one to possess no memories of the circumstances surrounding one's birth?

More so, I am also curious as to precisely what kinds of memories everyone appears to retain best.



[[PRIVATE MESSAGE - TONY STARK (MCU)]]

[Shortly after her more public message, one in a drastically different change of tone will appear on Tony's screen. For either him or JARVIS to encounter first]

I have completed the designs of the sweaters--[here, a small image of said sweater will appear on his screen for visual]-- you requested for the office. Pending your approval, and a total count of sweaters necessary, I shall proceed to create one for each member of the company.