"What happened was--" she stops in irritation as her cell phone rings. Sliding her thumb over the 'reject' button, she continues. "Sorry about that. Anyway. This one," she holds the 'bot's hand lightly, letting her explore the difference in their hands. "-started to wake up, and we both heard it. Felt it, really. I'm a technopath - robotics, computers, any technology, really - and what we felt and heard was a call for help. It was fear, confusion and distress all in one, and, to be honest, overwhelming. I really don't know how I got here as I was pretty much blind and deaf to anything but her calling. So we came, and helped her awaken in a more controlled and safe manner."

Here she stops and smiles her heartwarmingly sweet, little girl smile. "I'm sorry if I was rude, but we had to act fast so that she wouldn't hurt herself as she was being born, so to speak. You're only doing your job, and you've done it so well. And I'm sorry for almost puking on your shoes." She wilts a bit, getting the shakes a bit and still looking sick. "Can we go so I can get her somewhere safe? I promise I'll make an appointment to come back and give you a complete disclosure of what happened and answer your questions. But for now I need to get her home."

Sojourn was again surprised by this outcome. He'd fully expected to be detained, handed off to the TCPD and detained further. This was, after all not the first time he'd entered into a restricted area in order to assist with an emergence. Rather confusedly, he nods, his gaze flicking with uncertainty to CB and in turn the newly arrived AI, then nods to Joe and voices his thanks,

"Your understanding is greatly appreciated. We will not linger in this location any longer than we need to."

From behind him, the new AI spoke up again, her tone both wonderous and confused,

"Are we not supposed to be here? Where are we going?"

Sojourn's ocular inputs regarded CB, honestly not quite sure how to answer that question himself, however, his voice cut in to answer as best he could,

"Into the purchasing floor proper...and from there...I have little idea."

The new AI followed CB's suggestions without hesitation, almost akin to an awestruck toddler at this point in her fleeting, physical existence, entirely trusting and without a sense of caution...yet. Sojourn too, fell into step with Denna, not much looking to gather any further ire for being in a restricted area, swiftly moving to the more common areas of the Maul. As soon as he finds himself in the public eye again, his hood comes up, hiding his face before nodding to CB and explaining,

"It would be useful to see your place of residence to assess the nature of it. Potentially, I may be able to recommend it as a temporary safe house for new AIs like...Well, I suppose she hasn't elected a name-"

"Naia." She said succinctly, gazing up at a skylight, watching the clouds drift overhead, her glowing ocular inputs utterly enthralled. Clearly, there were no clouds in whatever digital world she'd come from for them to fascinate her so much.

Veron nodded at that, his dusky 'eyes' coming to regard Denna for a moment, before thoughtfully narrowing and staring into the distance,

"Once she is ready, I will see to it she is taken to join the Wreckage. They will be able to guide her further."

Finally free of the commercial sprawl that he only ventured into at times of absolute necessity, Veron was actually increasingly glad to be back out in the open. As CB led him and the newly emerged AI, Naia to a small green space to relax, he brought a manipulator to his forehead plate, gently scrubbing as if the gesture would have any effect on him. The emergence phenomenon was occurring more frequently with every passing week. Earlier in the year, he'd be lucky to see two in the same month...however, with Naia now safely accounted for, that made for three in the past two weeks.

And now with the new revelation that the enigma that was 'Avalon' was in fact a definable entity...Well, things seemed to be getting more and more complicated. He watched as Naia explored the first organic environment she'd ever encountered, everything bright and new, a being entirely unburdened by duty or responsibility, almost envious of her fledgling situation.

...However, someone had to carry the burden.

This was why he opted to remain away from the Wreckage, a common name for the AI communes that had sprung up in secret around Titan City, only returning to them to usher another new member into their fold before departing once again.

Someone needed to keep them safe. Wreckage communes were a peaceful gathering. Many of the dwellers had little notion of combat, warfare, violence. If they were discovered by law enforcement, the commune would simply move to a new location without protest when asked to leave. This methodology had worked for the most part, however Veron had always wondered exactly how long it would be before that was no longer a viable option. If the increase in emergences continued the way they were seeming to, it would be only a matter of time before a commune grew too large and a clash would occur.

All of these thoughts were the kind of things that weighed on Veron from day to day. He by no means was what the Wreckage considered a 'leader', but these were his people. Their well-being was as much his concern as anyone else's.

His eyes swung to regard Denna, sitting calmly on a nearby mineral accumulation, wondering as to her motivations. Humans rarely wanted to have anything to do with machine-kind unless they could render them subservient. And yet, she had spoken to him about his right to walk with his head held high. Why did she maintain contradictory beliefs?

Veron startles rather suddenly as Denna almost toppled from her perch, Naia thankfully swift enough to stop her from collapsing, before she regarded the two AI's with her and spoke of her need for rest. Moments later, he'd accepted, parsed and stored the information in the data packet she'd sent, firing a quick message to Naia to explain that this was information she should hang onto, but keep private. After all, he hardly figured that just anyone turning up at the front door would be a good thing. At her mention of spare parts, Sojourn nodded gently, intoning,

"That would be appreciated. Naia's chassis is likely without need of anything, however I have a few actuators which are operating at less-than-optimal capacity. Their replacement was needed several months ago."

When the taxi finally arrived, Veron would take a place in the rear compartment, keeping his face hidden and allowing Denna to do most of the talking, until they made their way to Ironport and relative safety...at least for a while.