Urgh. I appreciate my place of work's stochastic parrot enthusiast in IT explaining to me that our version of the parrot isn't fed into a larger model, and our data is handled in or own sandbox when we're signed in, and the Avian Intelligence isn't actively reaching into things unless invoked, but what I asked for is to *turn it off*, not to just let it sit there idle and unused and waiting for a misclick or to use a feature that secretly invokes it.
I feel a bit like a dick for insisting, but.
There used to be an old sign by the path, warning passers-by of the local sleeping willow, which would trap the unwary with fatigue, engulf them while they slept, and release them a hundred years later.
There was a new sign:
"This sleeping willow is full."
And a map of other locations to try.
"I bought this enchanted sword," the student said. "It glows in the presence of someone who questions their identity."
Buying such a sword was a strong hint, the swordmaster thought. "And it glows?"
"It glows regardless of how far away I am!"
"Ah. Is it a sword, or an identity doubt detector?"
Behind that, though, I'm glad that there are people watching out for this, and I want them to continue doing so, and I want them not to be alarmed by something that can be explained as "yep, broken spine, we ordered a replacement copy because it circulates, and a couple more for other branches."
To do that, though, we need to have trust between community and library that it *isn't* sneaking things out the back, and white people like me being in every position of power doesn't help build trust.
I heard stories of people who've fed crows, and been given gifts in return. It sounded charming, so I began doing that.
Then, one night, there was a rapping on my bedroom window. I stumbled up and opened.
A crow flew in and spoke: "They're coming for you. You must flee."
I only just made it out.
"Will there be treasure in this dungeon?"
"I'm sure there are some silver candlesticks, but we're after the library."
"Books again? Last time we almost died just so you could read the final volume in the Nightraid Saga."
"This is the library and archive of the Dungeon Builder's Guild."
"Oh? Oh!"
"I see you have a new sword," the swordmaster said. "May I have a look?"
"No," said the student. "It is a cursed blade. I would only draw this in dire need."
"What kind of curse? Must draw blood, or will betray you?"
"It will speak, and tell an embarrassing truth about both wielder and opponent."
** Hugo Award nominations are now open! As usual, I am eligible for Best Fan Writer - I wrote a summary of my year here: https://microsff.com/2025-wrapped
For more info, see the Los Angeles WorldCon site: https://www.lacon.org/hugos/
#HugoAwards
**
Alex
Micro SF/F by O. Westin