Prompt from this post!
"Sounds more like stealing rather than borrowing to me."
The soft buzzing of the artificial voice spoke, a moment of pause between its responses. Adder replied with their own silence, a look of light confusion and heavy consideration, before landing on a slightly offended expression. “It’s not stealing, beans don’t care for crumbs or any of that other stuff.” They replied to the initial accusation with a small bit of sternness, before tapering off into a more casual tone, “Besides, if he wanted to keep it, he wouldn’t have told you to get rid of it.” The borrower mentioned with a point of their finger, directed towards the dull computer screen across the way. One of the many tasks assigned to the immobile device was to ensure the environment was as clean as could be, but it seemed to put off the task while the tiny individual was out and about. Whether it be for their own benefit or Sol’s own curiosity overriding its multitasking ability, they’d never know.
After an all too familiar pause, although a bit longer than expected, the electronic device speaks up again. “You are not borrowing. To borrow is to take or receive an item with the intention of returning it.” Adder rolled their eyes at the comment, knowing full well what was happening next. “You do not intend to return any of the items taken, nor would it be sensible to return things such as food items.” As Sol reached its conclusion, a firm explanation in its monotone voice, the borrower continued to wander about the countertop. Adder had disappeared behind the many scattered jars of various spices, containers, and chip bags that littered the surface. They could practically feel the computer’s electronic eyes boring into them, awaiting an answer. The borrower had learned by now that the device didn’t need a direct line of sight to know exactly where they were, so long as it was active in the same room. A few more beats passed as they picked up some broken pieces of a chip that’d been discarded, peeking out from behind one of the plastic cups with a slightly tired expression. Their body language was casual as they responded to the machine, “Scavenging. How’s ‘scavenging’ sound to you?”
More silence, Adder watched the little specks of light on the dark screen dance around as it processed the word. The borrower was starting to grow a little concerned at the extended period before the display stilled once more. “This is sufficient.” was all it said, the dull screen returning to its idle state. Adder huffed, knowing that it would only be a matter of time before the artificial intelligence came up with something else to ask. But for now, it seemed content to simply observe the borrower continue their ‘scavenging.’