sweethymns | ʜᴜᴍᴀɴ ᴀғᴛᴇʀ ᴀʟʟ

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.]

[And yet it’s easy enough to volley back a response, when someone is forthcoming with their feelings. Less assumptions to be made about what they’re thinking, Connor believes.]

I was designed strictly for the sake of integrating and interacting smoothly with humans — to have me look like anything less would turn people off to talking with me. If that bothers you, I’m sorry.

[But there’s certainly nothing he can do about what he looks like; nor does Connor actually want to change that.]

But I’m not dangerous, if that’s what you’re worried about.

[That’s… mostly true, at least, in this particular situation.]

Well, if Ai isn't afraid of you, I don't have much to worry about either.

[(Only mildly worried, a healthy amount any investigator should have.) Lien glances at her twin who's eyeing her as making sure she wouldn't do anything out of left field.]

Then again, when you're able to distort both human and machine, no wonder she's fearless. She probably wouldn't let a guy into her apartment otherwise.

... Why do you frame things in a way that sounds so embarrassing for me??

[Like of course, she wouldn't let a man stay in her apartment?? Connor is a machine man though, it's different! Ai sets down a plate of bacon and eggs for Lien, one egg, 3 slices of bacon (Lien doesn't eat as much as Ai).]

So, Connor, Lien's a psychic like me as you probably guessed. She's what's called a psychometer.

[Lien, who has helped herself to some bacon, wiggles her fingers jokingly at Connor with one hand.]

She can draw out information about any object or person just from her touch. That's why I thought she would be the best person to help.

[He tilts his head to look at Ai as she speaks, taking in this information. A psychometer. Interesting.]

I see. That’s not unlike something that I can do, too. Interfacing. [That is to say, he understands, though his skill certainly doesn't apply to humans.

He looks back to Lien.]

…That being said, if there’s something you’re wondering about me, you can always just ask.

[And before Ai can speak up, Lien after taking a swig of orange juice asks literally out of nowhere...]

Can you do rocket punches? Like, can your hands separate and fly out like torpedos? Oh, oh...!

Wait. Rocket KICKS.

[Ai's stuffing her mouth with bread looking exasperated. She'll let Lien get it out of her system, but why must she be so EMBARRASSING?]

I—

[Wat.

He blinks at her in confusion for a second, surprised by both the question and the enthusiasm behind it. A moment passes, and Connor opens his mouth to respond, then decides against it. Then he tries again, plainly:]

No, but I can shoot lasers from my eyes if you leave me out in the sun long enough to charge.

[Deja…vu.]

Edited 2018-06-08 16:13 (UTC)

[Lien lights up.]

Oh my god.

[She has her mouth open with a delighted smile and looks at Ai expectantly.]

NO.

[Ai rejects that nonverbal request looking huffy about how the direction of this supposedly serious conversation was taking. And then...]

...

...

That's a joke, right Connor?

[Something in her voice does sound.... Interested in the laser eyes...]

[The slightest upturn of a crooked smile, looking innocent enough.]

Yes, it is.

[But then more seriously:]

I’m a little more mundane than that. I have almost the same limitations as a normal human body [maybe that's selling it a little short], though with the usual resilience you’d expect from something non-organic. But other than that, no special abilities beyond what I’ve been programmed to do, or what’s already been installed within me.

I was created to aid law enforcement, not be a superhero.

[Both twins sigh in mild disappointment. Lien nibbles on another slice of bacon, mumbling.]

Well, boo. Can't have everything in life.

[Lien, he's not a Transformer ok]

So okay, enough of that. [She finally sounds like she's gonna be mostly business.]

Our problem here is that our android buddy needs to return to where he came from. He's not sure how he crossed over, only that severe injuries was an effect on his person as a result of that crossing over correct?

[SORRY HE’S NOT AN ACTUAL T-800? GOSH.]

That’s right. The transition tore a hole in my chest.

[He gestures across the way, where his original clothes lay in a small pile nearby.]

I nearly bled out; Ai saved me from dying.

Mm.

Was it scary? Dying, I mean?

[A strange question, but it isn't out of nowhere; one that does question Connor's "humanity" and sentience.]

[She may be surprised at his response.]

I… yes.

[He frowns, pausing. Examining her face, tossing the question back.]

Wouldn’t you be afraid, if you were suddenly about to die?

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