sweethymns | ʜᴜᴍᴀɴ ᴀғᴛᴇʀ ᴀʟʟ

[He considers this for a moment. It’s the opposite of what the situation was back in his proper time — androids were not at all in hiding, yet he shares a passing similarity with Ai. Being something that others distrust, something they don’t quite understand.

He understands what she meant, now, when she said he was lucky that she found him.]

It must be difficult, to remain mostly in the shadows. I can... understand, in my own way.

[But, then, he offers her a small smile.]

But I’m glad you came out of them to aid me. I owe you for that — and I’ll owe you more, I’m sure, before all of this is through.

Oh! I mean, I wanted to help and even if I don't quite get how you work, I thought... Um, it's hard to explain.

[She seems flustered at his gratitude as if she's unused to it.]

I think I was able to hear something in your voice? That made me think you were... Alive? Somehow?

[He tilts his head a little at her reaction, though he supposes it's a good thing -- this is how she takes to gratitude: positive, but unused to it.

But, ah. There's something funny about her saying that. Surprising again, a little ironic, enough to actually elicit a small chuckle from Connor. It sounds wry, fleeting.]

I was very distressed at the time.

[A beat.]

What do you think, though? Now that you know what I am? Do you consider me alive?

Hmmm.

[She thinks about his question while taking another bite of rice.]

I mean... You're asking that question so that seems like an "alive" thing to do. Or is that something you're just able to ask or...? Then again, anyone can ask that even if they're built or not...?

[You can probably see the imaginary short-circuiting going on here]

I think you're overthinking it. The question doesn't pertain to what I've been programmed to do or ask.

[He's honestly curious what she thinks. She seems the open-minded sort, from the very short amount of time he's known her.]

I'm just curious about your first impression. It's been a point of... contention where I'm from.

[Connor has such vivid opinions or observations too. It really does blur the line for Ai who squints at him.]

You're so... [She makes circular gestures with her chopsticks trying to find the right way to say what's on her mind.]

I mean, I'm not very good at reading other people, to begin with. So to me, my first impression is that you're an existence who wants to live and wants to learn. And maybe that's more than enough for me.

Edited 2018-06-06 01:26 (UTC)

You're not wrong about that.

[It's not a full answer, but it does describe him accurately enough.

Still, it's good enough to move on. He raises a brow in her direction.]

You said you can't read people well. But don't psychics read minds? If one is to adhere to the stereotypes.

Oh, well. Some do.

[Ai looks somewhat troubled.]

There are psychics that might specialize or rather, only have one ability. I'm a strange case since I have multiple ones like you saw, but... Ah.

I just don't do mind reading anymore. It's stressful.

[Strange how she labels it stressful, while Connor was quite literally designed to read people well. To gauge their emotions, to estimate accurately what their thoughts might be.

He supposes it's just part of his personality, wrought from what he was made for.

Connor looks curious, questioning.]

How so?

It's like...

[Her giant rice bowl is finished and while she isn't getting more grains, she's continuing to pile marinated salmon into her bowl. God.]

... Like when too many files are being uploaded to a device! The device slows down and its functions start to suffer.

[Ai's trying to make a helpful analogy ok]

[Oh my god how much does this human eat. The calorie count is pretty impressive.]

So you mean that it becomes something like a sensory overload for your brain.

[She doesn't have to use technology analogies for him to understand, though he appreciates the attempt.]

Too many thoughts all at once then?

[Another nod as she looks at her bowl instead of Connor for a second.]

It's worse in crowded places. I could have worked on turning it on or off and just honing in on one target's mind to read, but...

Too many voices in the head. You start to forget which one is your own.

The human brain can only process so much information at once. It's highly limited in comparison to many things -- no offense, of course. It's simply how you're made.

[But with all things, humans and androids alike are adaptable. And so-]

But have you practiced one-on-one with someone before?

Yeah, our processing power must be really small compared to yours.

[And here she sincerely agrees, what a dope]

I did, but honestly, I don't really need it. I don't mind struggling to figure things out about other people.

[And he is also a dope who thinks nothing of her quick agreement. TWO DOPES.]

It wouldn't be a struggle forever; like anything, it just takes practice. My model--

[Sometimes it's strange referring to himself in that way still, but it is the most straightforward route towards an explanation -- even if they are getting off the beaten path for a bit.]

--was designed to be able to read people well. To negotiate with them. It's all a matter of reading small tells and cues, the stress or calmness in their voices. The way they form their responses to you, and how you craft your own words in turn.

Is that how you can respond so naturally?

[Her eyes are studying him more, curious and now realizing something.]

Is... Does your vision see something else compared to me? So that you can read these cues?

Edited 2018-06-06 16:00 (UTC)

Yes… and no.

[It’s a little more complicated than that.]

If you’re asking whether or not I can scan you, then yes. That much is simple enough to do — to pick up clues based on surroundings and observation is nothing revolutionary. I can simply do it more effectively and more thoroughly than what a human’s vision can provide.

[He gestures at her.]

What is important is how I interpret this data. Connecting the dots, so to speak. As for responding naturally, that’s… just a normal function of mine.

I really can't tell if there is a difference...

[She makes that comment mostly to herself in regards to Connor. It's a very strange situation (the weird shirt probably doesn't help)]

Connor, the place where you're from. Are there many like you?

[He mentioned his "model" after all and that makes Ai realize that means other "Connors" so to speak.]

How prevalent are androids?

[He thinks nothing of the shirt, nor how utterly goofy it makes him look, honestly.]

They are very prevalent. For a long time, used to aid in many tasks to assist humans. From manual labor, to housekeeping, to even companionship.

[Though at the question pertaining to ‘many like him’:]

I’m a prototype model. More of ‘me’ would only have been created as needed.

[Something cinches in his brow, his LED blinking yellow, then back to blue.]

I was created to assist law enforcement.

[She will at least have the decency to give him a nice jacket.

When he talks about the prevalence of androids and how he himself was a 'prototype' model, her brow furrows in a worry she couldn't interpret herself, but its quickly thrown away when she notices his LED light.

She gestures to the side of her head to indicate that she's talking about his.]

Um... If that changes color, does that mean you're upset?

[Ai's worried she might have said something oh no]

[He looks questioning at the gesture, and takes a moment to copy it, bringing his own finger up to tap at his temple. His— ah.]

My LED?

[She’s observant, he thinks, though maybe it’s hard to miss since she’s never seen an android like him before.]

It reflects my cognitive functions. How much processing or… stress I might be under. Please don’t be concerned. It’s just that… this conversation borders on the existential. I’ve had a lot of time recently to think about all of this.

[He tries to offer a comforting shrug, eyes still searching her expression.]

But I’d rather you not worry yourself over my line of thinking. I’ve already imposed on you too much.

[She mostly looks confused, don't mind her. Now that Ai's done with her meal though, that leaves an open question on what to do next.]

I mean, I don't mind for the time being. We're both trying to figure this situation out. You should stay with me for now and if you want to later, we can explore the outside if you want to do some investigation?

[Investigating the world, she means.]

I'd like that. That is, doing some investigating. And staying with you, I suppose, from a purely appreciative standpoint.

[But there are still many questions hanging in the air.]

Have you ever known something like this to happen?

Well, unusual incidents are kind of my forte. Can't avoid them, being a psychic and all.

[She moves to put her dirty dishes in the sink before turning back to Connor.]

I gotta say, androids from another possible future are a first.

[He twists his body in his chair to follow her to the kitchen with his gaze.]

Well, not specifically that. I had meant whether or not you've dealt with people time-traveling in general?

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