sweethymns | ʜᴜᴍᴀɴ ᴀғᴛᴇʀ ᴀʟʟ

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?

Something tells me I'm not the first... [~~lol amelia and sometimes iona~~]

But in general, no, I've never dealt with time-travel in general. Thinking about it kind of makes my head hurt.

[Connor frowns a little.]

Then how do we proceed from here?

[Actually-]

You said you were a psychic... but you never said what it is that you do, Ai.

[That's a good point. Ai appears to be quite the young adult living on her own in an apartment that could not possibly be cheap. Those few signs could indicate to anyone that something is up.

Her fingers drum against the counter and then she crosses her arms.]

I guess... The best way to describe me is a freelancer.

[Not that she sounds so sure of it herself.]

I mean, sometimes private investigations and espionage depending on the context...

[Of course what Connor latches onto is what she's practically mumbling. He repeats it rather loudly, due to his obvious surprise.]

Private investigations?

[Oh, he's interested. But also-]

Espionage? Wait, what sort of jobs do you take? From whoever is the highest bidder?

S-Something like that.

[She puts her hands up in front of her, waving them as if wanting to dissipate any doubt towards her.]

I mean, if it's a super questionable job, I've had the fortune to refuse and for people in the know, I'm in high demand so... And I saved up enough so I don't worry too much about finances sometimes.

I imagine that being a psychic lends you a unique advantage when it comes to investigations and generally covert operations. If I was psychic, I can hardly imagine just how much more effective I would be.

[The ability to read someone's mind would transcend interrogation, probing memories, or searching for clues on their person. The truth, just plucked from their heads like that. A priceless talent, and Connor cannot help but wonder why she just doesn't practice this more so she masters it.]

You're right, you know. I was lucky to have run into you; we can work on the mystery of just how I got here, and how I can return home -- together. And I'll defer to your judgement regarding where we start. Do you have any contacts you can speak to, anyone at all knowledgable about what might have happened to me?

[Connor is weirdly enthusiastic and upbeat, Ai can't help but think to herself. At least he doesn't think any lesser of her for her jobs and...

Wait, that kind of means that Connor, being the advanced android he is, would be able to have preferences in the people he liked??? Crazy, man. She needs to answer his inquiry instead of thinking about that though, so she tries to think of the people she knows.]

Anyone I know...? Mm.

I don't want to talk to Grandmother... Witches are complicated and I don't want to bother them... Jo...nah? Maybe not.

[She kind of hates to admit it, but...]

... Maybe, my sister.

[Connor certainly does have his preferences. He could name people he liked, people he did not, and many of those who lie in that grey area in-between. Ai is quickly stumbling into the "like" territory, for all that she's done for him. For how open she is about what she does, for how she doesn't seem to mind that she's been saddled by his presence for some unknown reason. For being interesting, simply by way of possessing skills he's completely unknowledgeable about.

It's pretty straightforward to Connor.]

Your sister. [He echoes, if only because she seems to hesitate to give that particular answer.]

Would that be an inconvenience to you?

[Possibilities: she's not close with her sister? Her sister lives far away? She's not certain of her sister's capabilities? Any of these could apply.]

Oh, not at all. She lets me know when she's available and she's a dependable older sister, but um...

She's... Difficult? It's hard to explain without meeting her yourself.

[She gives Connor a reassuring smile though.]

I think she'll be fine with you being an android if that brings any comfort. She's probably more open than I am and is an actual private investigator proper; she's more suited for it than I am.

I see. If it's any consolation, I can easily adapt to various personalities. [(That's what he thinks, at least.)] Humans are unpredictable, but I've always managed.

[He gives her a sincere smile.]

Whenever she's available, we can take the time to meet her. I'll be in your debt either way.

I'll call her soon then. I think she'll even be excited!

[Aw, he smiles. Besides the LED light, everything else about him seems so... Not normal, but whole.

It's an odd feeling.]

I have a feeling she'll come over by tomorrow at the latest. Good thing I bought extra groceries.

[as long as she doesn't eat half of them by the next day...]

[He certainly can smile, his fair share of sincere and faintly silly ones, too. Connor has his own facets of personality, despite still learning how to grow into them himself. The serious investigator, the occasional flare of frustration. The smiles of amusement, and even the sudden, unexpected quips of sarcasm -- all of these exist in him, brought forth when necessary.

For now, though, Connor is polite, articulate, and curious. His baseline.]

I won't be requiring any of your groceries, so no need to worry about that. I won't even take up that much room -- you can let me stay in the living room overnight, if you like. Sitting on the couch is acceptable enough for me.

...

...

Do you have a button that turns you on and off?

[Ai, why? But then again, LEGITIMATE QUESTION SHE'S CURIOUS]

[Connor also has a sense of humor, believe it or not.

This is the worst timing when it comes to utilizing it, maybe.]

Yes, I do. [He looks at her with his regular, default expression.] If you want to turn me off, you have to hold down the power button located behind my right ear for five seconds.

[Her brows are knitted in a way that looks more like a kid trying to process the credibility behind those words.

So when in doubt, use both fingers to reach over and press on either side of an advanced android's head.]

[His face is the MOST INNOCENT, even as she reaches over to touch the sides of his head. If she's looking for an off button, she definitely won't find one.]

...Did you find it?

...

It's not there.

[She lets go and then suddenly looks indignant.]

Whoa!

You were joking!

[delayed reaction much]

[He doesn't even laugh, but his eyes seem ten times more amused than they were before.]

Yes, I was. I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself. I don't actually have an off button; but I can still "rest" in the living room overnight. I'll be quiet.

[She really is curious about how he works, he thinks. It's quaint.]

Oh, so like an actual "sleep mode" then?

[2016 tech is also very quaint.]

You really got me there though. When I think of androids, I guess I didn't think of a joking one.

Something like that. Maybe it would be best for you to think of it as a sort of… extended meditation?

[That’s all well and good, but in the middle of the night, he might get restless and start politely snooping around. He can’t help it, it’s just how he is.]

People are more comfortable around someone who’s good-humored. [A beat, and he adds:] That and it was just funny.

[If she hadn't healed him herself, she would not have thought of Connor as anything, but human.

But maybe that's not the point. He's an android, but he was living.

Ai sighs, but with humor herself.]

Well, I won't fall for that next time. I'll be calling my sister now and we'll see about getting you back to where you belong.

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