sweethymns | ʜᴜᴍᴀɴ ᴀғᴛᴇʀ ᴀʟʟ

[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?

... Yeah. [She's satisfied with his answer at any rate. She looks at her cup of orange juice.]

I've felt that sensation over, and over, and over again.

[Dead bodies come with the job of an investigator after all.]

We'll get you back. But maybe we should think how we could do it so you don't get hurt like that when you cross over again.

[That’s… Well, he hardly knows what to say to that. He felt what it was like to die, once, and it was not a pleasant sensation. He can’t imagine what it would be like, to feel it again and again — does it lose its edge, he wonders? Does the fear start to abate?

But the last part of her statement has him derailed.]

Has this happened before? Someone crossing from one reality to another? And if so, what causes it? Why me?

It's partially why she has such uneven and crude humor, why she feels the need to interject with asides and unrelated quips. When you see so much through a psychic touch, you also feel too much.

But she answers his question, actually staying on topic.]

A lot of weird things happen in this world of ours Connor. That's an understatement, but sometimes there isn't a logical answer to the "why." Sometimes, we can only answer the "what" and "how."

Which is why, with your permission, I'm going to have to dig into your database to see what you can recall about the event.

Edited 2018-06-08 16:50 (UTC)

So you basically want to—

[Ah, he pauses again. There’s a terrible amount of irony in this.]

...probe my memory?

Yuuuup! It probably won't feel like what you're thinking about though. I'd imagine a psychic probing is different from a crime-fighting android's probing.

...

Heh. Probe.

[Here comes Ai with the swerve before things go off the rails!]

What she means to say is that it doesn't hurt. It might even feel similar to when I gave you those pulses.

[He shifts in his seat, fingers flexing in his lap. Quiet at first, Connor then nods at the both of them.]

It's fine. If it'll help you, then I give you my permission; but I can't tell you what to expect, if you've never done this with an android before.

Well... I mean, I've extrapolated information from computers and other devices with hefty databanks. You're probably just... 100x more complex? Probably?

So like a human, but more processing power.

[Lien sounds uncertain, but let her finish her breakfast as she thinks this over.]

A fair assumption, but that's all it is. I can't say how easy or difficult it will be, since I've never had a human rifle through my mind before.

[He'll wait patiently, his hand going into his pocket again to take the coin out and glide it across his knuckles idly as she eats.]

Hopefully you'll find what you're looking for.

What I'm looking for specifically is the moment you crossed over. Even if your memory isn't clear about it, I can still take what I find and interpret it as best as I can with some of your input too.

Hopefully, that's all there is to it. You never know.

I guess we'll find out soon enough.

[He clenches the coin in his palm, sighing.]

Is there anything I need to do during the process? Just close my eyes? [If even that?]

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