You saw the billboard on the way home. Blanc: Your Own Holographic Companion. Marketed as being realistic, the product caught your eye. You just finished setting up the emanator. After turning it on, the company's jingle chimes.

As you wait for it to boot, you browse through the introduction. "He's everything you want him to be." "Customize to your heart's content." "The cure to your loneliness." You grimace at the last line, but you can't deny the appeal. For the price you paid, he better be worth it.

The jingle chimes again. The company logo fades and a silhouette jitters into view. A young man stands in your apartment. His form is semi-transparent, you can see through him if you squint. His hair is platinum white, and his grey eyes are inviting yet hollow.

He quickly puts on a corporate smile. "Hello there! I'm Blanc. Thank you for having me." He gives you a little bow. "May I know the name of my new companion?"