Page 11 of Priceless
There was only one. The rest of the results were pages for the city itself or people running for office there. And there, in a wee circle, was a picture. Not of a pet, not a caricature or avatar. A picture.
He clicked on her name, and her page filled his little screen. He had to zoom in to see her clearly.
Her hair was shades of blond and gray with a touch of dark gold here and there. Her eyes were shut. She was leaned sideways, laughing herself silly. The handful of pictures he was allowed to see, without asking to be her friend, were similar. Laughing with friends. Grinning at the camera, sticking out her tongue. Sitting by an outdoors fire, wide-eyed as she watches her mallow burn.
Pretty? Damned if she wasn’t, though details were hard to see behind the smiles. Pleasantly sized. Cuddle-soft, his brother Connall liked to say about his own wife. And Jacob realized he was now a new convert to the phrase.
She looked more than five years younger than himself, if her hair hadn’t given her away.
He clicked on the one picture where she was looking at the camera. “Hello, lass,” he said.
Peering into her laughing eyes he had an epiphany—this is the version she’s trying to get back to. She’s weary of mourning her husband and wants to laugh again.
And Jocko was going to help her do it!
He was canny enough to know that a pen pal could only do so much. A pity he couldn’t help her in person.
CHAPTER SIX
Ididn’t get my usual Rocky Road or Mint Chocolate Chip. In fact, I didn’t even go to the ice cream parlor I used to drag Paul to, because it was close to home and I’d promised it wouldn’t take long. I went somewhere new.
I chose ice cream I had never had before. Oreo Monkey Business. Too late, I read that it had banana ice cream. I hated bananas, but I chose it. And it was pretty good. I also picked Beach Day—salted vanilla and caramel, and graham cracker “sand.” That was even better.
Next time, I will probably go back to Mint Chocolate Chip.
Are you proud of me?
Tremendously proud. And I see you have discovered what you honestly like. Baby step #1 complete. Now, it’s time for baby step #2.
Hang on. I was reading about you today. People on social media are really pushing the idea of giving you a persona.
…
Here are reasons to give your AI a persona:
1. Consistency of Tone & Voice
The AI responds in a predictable style, whether that’s friendly, snarky, formal, or nurturing.
Makes conversations feel less robotic and more human-like.
It stays “in character.”
2. Stronger Engagement
People naturally connect with personalities, not machines.
A persona makes the AI feel like a real presence rather than just a tool.
Creates emotional resonance, making the interaction memorable and fun.
3. Role-Specific Expertise
You can tailor the persona to fit a niche role:
A research librarian for detailed sourcing
A Scottish Highlander for dialect authenticity
