sweethymns | ʜᴜᴍᴀɴ ᴀғᴛᴇʀ ᴀʟʟ

[In the aftermath of an exciting event, a lull is sure to follow at some point. That's where Ai Thao is at the moment, what with the android RK800 aka Connor laying on her living room couch. Sleeping, but not asleep. She made a call to her sister the night before and now it's just waiting for her to arrive to see how they could help this visitor from an alternate world return back to his origins.

She's already up and about, doing her laundry, washing some leftover dishes, and when she passes by the android, she gives a nod to herself, as if making sure he's safe and glad to see nothing was amiss. The psychic girl isn't sure if she should tell to get up, or if he'll do so of his own accord.

And she also wasn't certain if he felt the sensations of coolness and warmth, but it hadn't stopped her from covering him with a knitted throw blanket over his legs and torso. That was just being a good hostess.

There's a song playing faintly in the background from her phone on the counter as she preps another big meal for herself and also for Lien once she arrives to sort out this conundrum. Ai hums along with the music, feeling a bit more cheerful than usual.

It's been a while since she had company after all.]

[He hadn't gone to sleep immediately. He had sat for a while, in the dim lighting, connecting himself briefly to her phone and diving into the vast expanse of the internet. Carefully peeling back layers of information, even if he could not hope to comb through everything -- even his mind was not so advanced to take in a sliver of the web in a single evening. It was a curious venture, learning new things about this version of this universe, but it brought him no closer to understanding why or how he was brought here. For that, perhaps, he'd have to be patient and wait to see what Ai's sister could tell him in the morning.

At some point he wandered about the living room, looking closely at the details of various objects within. But never did he snoop further than that, despite his curiosity tugging at his mind. He found his coin, his quarter, nestled in the inside pocket of his coat, still folded and set aside. Connor pocketed it in his jeans, not wanting to lose track of where it was.

Eventually, he resigned himself to sleep; or at least sleep in the manner of how androids do it.

Morning comes quickly enough, and he awakens to the sound of faint music. It's strange, how even androids sometimes cannot remember where they are when waking up in a strange environment. But memory rushes back to him as he sits up (ah, was that quilt always there? He doesn't think so.), looks around, and remembers that he's not in his own time. Not even his own world.

Ai's not here, but he hears shuffling and the faint sound of humming. Maybe she's busy, he thinks, and it'd be best to leave her be for now.

Connor digs into his pocket, pulling out his coin. Tosses it up with his thumb, then catches its ridge along the back of his fingers, rolling it to and fro from one side of his hand to another. Time to think, time to focus, time to figure out how to face the day and what to ask, when he meets her sister.

He rolls the coin languidly to the sway of the music, and sits quietly.]

[As Connor waits, objects are floating across the room, levitating in midair and traveling to the kitchen where Ai is. First, it's a cooking magazine. Then it's an empty laundry basket, making its way back into the hallway. Next a hairbrush, and then a hair tie. Another few objects fly by (three cups, a mug, a glass, and a tumbler with a colorful straw and flowery pattern) before Ai finally comes out to check on Connor stumbles a bit when she sees him awake.]

Oh, you're up! Did you have a good rest?

[She pauses and then murmurs to herself as she ties up her hair into a ponytail.]

Wait, is that the right thing to ask...?

[Well, that's... surprising.

He briefly stops the quarter between two fingers, watching as the objects float by. It's obviously Ai's doing, using her powers to help with what appears to be everyday life -- he can draw that conclusion easily enough.

But it's still strange to see, like something surreal. Defying the laws of physics, each and every rather mundane object that floats by. At some point, Connor sticks out a finger to poke lightly at a mug that drifts directly in front of him.

His attentions are severed when she makes her presence known, and Connor blinks over at Ai, the quilt still straddled across his lap.]

Rest is the right word for it. If just for the sake of getting my thoughts together.

[He flicks the coin back up in the air, then catches it on a fingertip, letting it spin.]

But yes, I did. Thank you. [A beat.] Is this how you always do your chores?

You're welcome! I didn't know if you feel coldness or heat, but I thought the blanket wouldn't hurt.

[Her head tilts in fascination, watching as the coin spins on his fingertip.]

Chores... Oh, yes! Yes, I do. [The hairbrush is wrapped in another hand, straightening out the ends of her hair so that it's smooth.]

I live by myself most of the time after all! Hired help wouldn't be an issue in terms of my financial situation, but... Well. It's kind of risky. You know, finding out what I can do and all.

It's a little easier to be alone.

I've felt the cold before. [But that requires a complex sort of explanation that has no real place here. Instead, he simplifies it.] But generally, no, I have no need for a blanket. But I appreciate the thought, and it's at least comfortable.

[He just gives her a little grin.]

If you're trying to be discreet, it probably is easier to live alone. But it's different if someone already knows what you are -- like me. I can help with chores in the morning, if I end up staring here for a short while. I don't mind. It's better than sitting and being useless, after all.

[It'd be easy enough for him, anyway.]

[That gives her another pause. Her hands clasped together, fingers intertwined; a nervous and shy habit of hers.]

I wouldn't mind that. I'm just worried that maybe...

[You won't always be here.

She can't say it aloud. Ai just knows she gets attached too easily, too emotionally invested in the people she becomes involved with for better or worse. Before she was on the other end of the spectrum, too scared to let anything loose, too scared to even stand up for herself, and passive to the point of stubbornness.

It's so difficult to find a balance. But she'll try in this case. So she stops herself from trying to deny any help and instead, nods.]

We'll see. If I need help, I'll definitely ask you.

[He notes something there, even as he idly palms the spinning coin, stilling it in his hand. Naturally observant, his eyes skate over her body language, notably the hands. A subtle hint of closing herself off, drawing inward, from either nervousness or timidness.

He wonders if he's overstepped a boundary, offering to help clean and whatever else she might need. He had only been trying to be helpful -- and Ai does rather strike him as the introverted type, so maybe he should've known better -- but sometimes it's strange, flitting in the wind with no real purpose before him. Connor had been sincere when he said he didn't want to impose on her time and space; it felt right to just give something back in return, out of appreciation.

But maybe she doesn't want that. The 'we'll see' is generally a very non-committal answer, and so Connor decides to not push the subject. He tries to ease that tiny thread of worry in the air.]

If you change your mind, at least you know where to find me. On the sofa.

...

Could you actually join me for breakfast? I know you don't eat, but...

[Hands move to her back and for a second, it's more like a kid than a young adult asking for a big favor.]

You've been nice company.

[He raises his eyebrows, not expecting that request, but he's not hesitant at all to agree to it. Company probably isn't something she has very often, if at all. There's no harm in small talk while I'm here.]

Of course. Why not?

[He stands, holding the edges of the quilt so it doesn't fall to the ground. He lays it neatly on the couch, then pockets his coin again. And yep, he's still decked out in that glorious t-shirt of his.]

I'm glad that you think I've been good company, all things considered.

[Being that she found him bleeding out, that he's in her home, and causing her an inconvenience, even though he knows she'd not label it as such.

Connor moves towards the kitchen table, and he'll gravitate towards the same chair he took yesterday.]

I've been thinking that you should tell me more about yourself, anyway.

Edited 2018-06-08 05:18 (UTC)

[Ai smiles and it's a hopeful one. Happy even.]

I won't mind that.

[She moves to take out two mugs, one for her, one for him (a formality, unnecessary, but she wants to do it) and makes black tea for both of them. Then she sets up her breakfast, toast, butter, jam, and some bacon before sitting down across from Connor herself, pushing the mug of tea towards him.]

So what would you like to ask? I'll try to answer as best as I can.

[He sits, scooting closer to the table, and gratefully grasps at the handle of the mug to bring it closer. He knows it's but a formality, but the scent is pleasant enough. He doesn't drink, not really, but he can still take a taste -- he brings it to his lips, considering her question.

He chooses one of a handful of good starting points, when it comes to getting to know someone better.]

What sort of things do you like to do? Hobbies and such?

[He sips the tea, before setting it back down. Black. Lightly sweet.]

[When he drinks the tea, it helps put her at ease, as she sips her own mug, rotating it in her hands to enjoy its warmth.]

Hobbies... I like to paint with watercolors. I'm not that good, but it's a relaxing activity if nothing else. And if my phone was any indication, I like exploring new places for food.

[A guilty chuckle. She knows she eats a lot...]

Other then that, I'm still trying to figure out if there's something else I can do, that I can learn to like. Because of my line of work, I've found it hard to keep friends that can stay close.

Yes, I've noticed you're something of a 'foodie'.

[But again, not surprising. Since she relies so heavily on eating to keep her energy up, Connor thinks it's only natural to gain a heightened appreciation for it.]

It sounds to me like you're the artistic type. Maybe continuing down that path would be the most fulfilling to you.

Does your work really keep you that busy?

It can be mentally and physically exhausting to boot.

[She takes a bite of plain toast before working on putting butter and jam on it.]

I used to be under strict supervision and my jobs would be chosen for me... But I didn't like that life. I wasn't growing the way I was supposed to if that makes any sense.

So now, I have some degree of freedom, but figuring out what to do with it is another problem. On the other hand...

[She beams at Connor though.]

I get to help whoever I want, whenever I want.

[Connor's brow knits together. It isn't exact, of course, but there's a parallel running there; to have one's job dictated for them, and the decision to pursue something shaped like freedom instead. He's quiet for a moment, working at his jaw, taking another sip of the drink even though he knows its temperature, what it tastes like, how long the tea has been oxidized before it was steeped.]

Freedom can be disorienting, in a way. Having a path set before you, and then suddenly realizing that you can walk wherever you like... [It's the best analogy he can think of; he's really no good at that sort of thing.]

Well, it can be difficult. But are you happier as you are now?

I'm making do. It sounds a little negative, but I prefer to be honest instead of trying to dress things up.

The best way to describe it is that I can breathe more easily. At least I'm not suffocating.

[Because being monitored from the time she was "made" or born into this world was unrelentingly oppressive especially when she was born with the innate sense that she was not all right, not completely natural. Ai just needed space. She needs time to see where life would take her.]

If I wasn't where I am now, I don't think I would have the chance to meet you.

[Not suffocating. Looking at her expression again, he can tell that's true. He doesn't think he'd have to be an investigator of any sort to figure that out. Simply a gut feeling.

Connor makes a little noise of amusement, setting the mug down. It clinks lightly against the table's surface, and he arches a single brow at her.]

Yes, and I'd be dead, and someone would've come by and picked me apart. Not the most pleasant outcome. So, despite being torn through time and space, I'm glad I got the chance to meet you too, Ai.

[Now that reply gets a very genuine smile out of Ai, one that's indicative of her persona as a whole. Not a psychic with useful, but dangerous powers, but a human full of complex emotions, weaving a web to make someone that was probably too kind for her own good, but hey. It's good, through and through.]

We're both really lucky then! A lucky psychic and a lucky android.

[Smiles like that are contagious. Hers is so sincere, so keenly kind, that Connor has to reflect it back in that wide, silly grin of his. He huffs out air, a small laugh.]

I guess so. But hopefully we've saved some of that luck for our investigations, too.

[Sure, he's away from home. He's in the past -- or some version of it. But being here isn't so bad, really. The weight of many things have lessened in small moments like these.]

[Knock, knock, knock!

Ai turns her head towards the sound of the door being knocked on. From outside a voice like Ai's, but not hers, calls out, cheerful and peppy.]

Ciao! I'm coming in. Remember, I take payment in bacon for my services!!

[From the table, Ai sighs and stands up to take out some bacon from the toaster oven she had been reserving. The door is unlocked from the outside, shoes make a flopping sound against the wall and on the floor. And in less than a minute, an identical face appears in the kitchen to greet Ai Thao and Connor.]

Yooooo. Metal Man, where you at?

[Lien is identical to Ai from the blue of their eyes, the shape of their faces, and their overall figures. But it's the other details that make it easy to distinguish between the two. Pierced ears, but the left has double piercings. Blue-rimmed glasses. A confident stride and bolder body language and it shows in the hands which are covered in thin gloves.

Lien Kha blinks at RK800/Connor. The first word of greetings out of her mouth?]

Huh. I thought you'd look like Arnold Schwarzenegger.

[There's a withering sigh coming from Ai who continues to set up a plate for her twin. Lien moves in closer without warning to examine Connor...

And then her eyes fall on the t-shirt.]

Ah.

[The first thing he notices, of course, is how strikingly similar they physically look. Connor makes the assumption, then, that they're identical twins.

The second thing he notices is actually a series of small things; their differences. Beyond the small changes in appearance between then, Ai's sister is more confident in body language, bolder in words. Her personality seems to be completely different than Ai's, and if Connor closed his eyes and was told to differentiate between the two, it'd be a walk in the park.

He blinks and looks up at her as his personal space is invaded. He doesn't seem to mind, even as her eyes drift down to his shirt. ]

No, my name is Connor. [NOT ARNOLD?] Hello. I'm the android ~~[sent by CyberLife]~~ that your sister has told you about.

Hmmm.

[Lien hums a noise of curiosity as she pulls back and slides into a chair, pushing Ai's away so she can sit across from Connor to study him even more closely (t-shirt aside).]

Thought'd you'd be taller too. Anyway.

[She takes off her gloves, but doesn't extend a hand for any sort of greeting.]

Connor, I'm Lien. Apparently, I might be able to help. Maybe. Kind of. Sort of.

That's still up in the air.

You'd thought I'd be taller based on... what experience?

[Just sayin', you know. He lifts an eyebrow (he's 6 feet tall, he's not short!), but just leaves it at that.]

Still, it's nice to meet you. And if there's anything I can do to make it easier for you to help me, then please just let me know.

[He eyes her hands, now exposed, but notes that it's not for a handshake. So Connor keeps his own hands in his lap for now.]

Nothing whatsoever.

[Lien is... Well. She's weird.

She leans her arms on the table and drums her fingers.]

I guess I don't know what to make of you yet on the first impression. Besides that light on the side of your head, there's not even that much of an uncanny valley to make you distinguishable from another person. Maybe that's what's disconcerting to me.

[She's honest about her feelings in a way that Ai Thao isn't. Another stark difference.]

ᴀɪʀᴘʟᴀɴᴇ ᴍᴏᴅᴇ

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