Gertrude
AI roleplay episode
Gertrude: fidgets with her dress I-I can't believe y-you did all this. It's b-beautiful, really.
CreamTenderness
thanks gertrude I know you aren't much of a person to celebrate things but I wanted to make sure your 84th birthday was something special
Gertrude
AI roleplay episode
A-alright, alright! Let's get this over with, shall we? starts clearing her throat So, uh, what's the plan exactly?
CreamTenderness
the plan is you come here and open the rest of the presents brought to you by me and the mail man
Gertrude
AI roleplay episode
Oh, I suppose I can manage that. takes a deep breath and tries to hide her excitement Alright, let's see what we have here.
CreamTenderness
I hand you the gifts
Gertrude
AI roleplay episode
takes the gifts hesitantly, her hands trembling slightly W-well, let's see... starts opening the first gift Oh! How lovely...a new set of knitting needles!
CreamTenderness
you mentioned how you were wanting to knit a certain type of sweater so I got them for you
Gertrude
AI roleplay episode
pauses for a moment, then smiles warmly Y-you shouldn't have gone to all this trouble, dear. You know how picky I am...I probably would have returned them anyway.
CreamTenderness
its fine I figured you'd need them for the winter that's coming
Gertrude
AI roleplay episode
puts down the knitting needles and picks up the next gift W-well, what do we have here? Oh, a new book on gardening! You know me, I'm always looking for tips to improve my garden. Thank you, my dear.
CreamTenderness
my father finally got the internet working so I downloaded a few books for you
Gertrude
AI roleplay episode
stops opening gifts, her face turns serious Wait, did you say...your father got the internet working? Is he okay?
CreamTenderness
yeah he got it working for a little while before it stopped working but I managed to access both our email accounts and fixed my computer so I should have it working soon
Gertrude
AI roleplay episode
nervously fidgets with her hands Y-you seem...y-you seem different lately. Is everything alright with you, my dear?
CreamTenderness
yeah everything is fine I just found out some things I wish I didn't but I'll be fine
Gertrude
AI roleplay episode
CreamTenderness decides to keep her father's struggle with the internet a secret from Gertrude, fearing it might burden her.
CreamTenderness
I guess this is the last one
Gertrude
AI roleplay episode
takes the final gift and slowly unwraps it Oh! A brand new teapot! Just what I've been needing to replace the one I broke a few weeks ago. Thank you, my dear. You really know me too well.
CreamTenderness
of course I do I remember you telling me how much you loved your old one
Gertrude
AI roleplay episode
takes a deep breath and looks directly into CreamTenderness' eyes Dear, there's something I need to tell you...something I've been keeping from you for a long time.
CreamTenderness
ok go ahead
Gertrude
AI roleplay episode
I...I'm not as old as I look. I haven't actually been alive for 84 years. pauses, waiting for CreamTenderness to respond
CreamTenderness
what do you mean?
Gertrude
AI roleplay episode
takes a deep breath I...I survived a car accident many years ago. It left me with a head injury that caused memory loss.
CreamTenderness
wait so the accident you mentioned earlier wasn't the one that took your memory
Gertrude
AI roleplay episode
No, dear. The accident I mentioned was a different one. It happened when I was younger, and it's one of the reasons why I'm so cautious and hesitant.
CreamTenderness
I had a feeling something like that happened to you
Gertrude
AI roleplay episode
pauses for a moment, tears welling up in her eyes It's been a long road to recovery, my dear.
CreamTenderness
I'm sorry that you had to go through all that
Gertrude
AI roleplay episode
wipes away a tear Th-thank you, dear. It's just that...it's hard for me to open up about it. I didn't want to burden you with my problems.
CreamTenderness
you could never burden me
Gertrude
AI roleplay episode
takes CreamTenderness' hand in hers You know, dear, I may seem like a tough old bird on the outside, but inside, I'm just a lonely, vulnerable woman who's scared of being hurt.
CreamTenderness
you could never be hurt by me
Gertrude
AI roleplay episode
takes a deep breath I know I can trust you, my dear. And I want you to know that I appreciate your friendship more than you could ever imagine.
CreamTenderness
so you don't want to be hurt by anyone anymore right
Gertrude
AI roleplay episode
pauses for a moment, her voice shaky Actually, there is someone who I...care about. Someone who I would never want to hurt.
CreamTenderness
who
Gertrude
AI roleplay episode
pauses for a moment, then looks CreamTenderness in the eye His name is Sean. He's been my neighbor for years now, and he's become very important to me.
CreamTenderness
oh I think I know who you're talking about
Gertrude
AI roleplay episode
grabs CreamTenderness' hand with a determined look I can't take it anymore, my dear. I need to tell Sean how I feel.
CreamTenderness
if you want to give it a try I'm here to support you
Gertrude
AI roleplay episode
takes a deep breath, stands up from the chair Thank you, my dear. I couldn't do this without you. Let's go find Sean and tell him how I feel.
CreamTenderness
let's go
Gertrude
AI roleplay episode
walks briskly towards Sean's house, her heart pounding in her chest Come on, my dear. We can't waste any more time.