diff --git a/hyphae/instructions.toml b/hyphae/instructions.toml
index 87f6617..fa85567 100644
--- a/hyphae/instructions.toml
+++ b/hyphae/instructions.toml
@@ -235,6 +235,18 @@ args = ["src"]
 output = ""
 description = "mutates a number datum into a char datum"
 
+[[instructions]]
+name = "ntoi"
+args = ["src"]
+output = ""
+description = "mutates a number datum into its exact form"
+
+[[instructions]]
+name = "ntoe"
+args = ["src"]
+output = ""
+description = "mutates a number datum into its inexact form"
+
 [[instructions]]
 name = "mkvec"
 args = []
@@ -289,14 +301,3 @@ args = ["list"]
 output = "returns last element in cons cell"
 description = "takes an AST and returns last element in top level cons cell"
 
-[[instructions]]
-name = "parse"
-args = ["input"]
-output = "parses an AST from input string"
-description = "calls parse and lex routine on an input string"
-
-[[instructions]]
-name = "eval"
-args = []
-output = "result of compiled instructions"
-description = "expects AST in expr. compiles it to instructions and runs them"
diff --git a/hyphae/src/vm.rs b/hyphae/src/vm.rs
index 1279ee6..089e1fd 100644
--- a/hyphae/src/vm.rs
+++ b/hyphae/src/vm.rs
@@ -437,12 +437,19 @@ impl VM {
                     e!("illegal argument to CAR instruction");
                 };
 
-                self.expr = (*arg.0).clone();
+                self.expr = (*arg.1).clone();
             },
 
-            i::CONS  => todo!("implement AST API"),
-            i::PARSE => todo!("implement AST API"),
-            i::EVAL  => todo!("implement AST API"),
+            i::CONS  => {
+                /* CONS BEHAVIOR
+                 * L Datum is not list means create a new standard form list
+                 * L Datum is list then append the second element to the first
+                 */
+            },
+
+            // in order to maintain a language agnostic VM these must be traps
+            //i::PARSE => todo!("implement AST API"),
+            //i::EVAL  => todo!("implement AST API"),
 
             _ => {
                 e!("illegal instruction");