sweethymns | ʜᴜᴍᴀɴ ᴀғᴛᴇʀ ᴀʟʟ

If you teach me how to apply and remove the makeup, I can do it myself each time before I come visit. It'll be easier that way, I think.

[But generally speaking, a good idea!]

[Ai nods in agreement and gets back to finishing up the pizza. It's going to be an event filled day and she'll need the energy to be able to show Connor around her side of the woods.]

✾✾✾

[The sky is a pleasant blue hue without a cloud in sight and it's accompanied by clear sunshine. Ai has taken both herself and Connor to the mall by way of the bus, which in it of itself was somewhat of an adventure (it was crowded, Connor is tall and that helped Ai get seats more easily. How convenient).

She's led them inside the mall and straight to a clothing department that has a wide variety that covers everything from children's clothing to, of course, men's. There was so much to see outside of that area, but Ai thinks it's best they focus on their "mission" as of that moment and then explore more afterward.

Because right now, the shirt Connor is wearing is louder in public. Ai sifts through some dress shirts on a hanger.]

Heat doesn't bother you too much, does it Connor? We're nearing that season where the temperatures might go up, but not too badly.

[It’s so different here, he thinks. Not just because of the time period, but because it is unlike anything he’s ever seen — as an android created by CyberLife for one very distinct purpose, it’s not as Connor was very well-traveled. Everything seems new simply because it is.

He follows her loyally, like a curious dog on a leash. He stops when she does, watching her shift through men’s clothing.]

I don’t. Not usually. Though extreme heat and cold will affect my processing and overall body state, even if I don’t normally feel it.

[“Normally” because he could choose to turn on those sensors if he needed to. And “normally” because he did feel the biting cold of a winter storm, within the confines of his own head once.

But that’s too complicated of a story to go into right now.]

In some ways, it’s an advantage. And in some ways, it can be considered a disadvantage, too.

[The lack of sensation Connor is fortunate or unfortunate to feel gives her pause.]

True... You're more resilient as a result but on the other hand, you'd still be damaged.

[She idly wonders how he'd fare in humidity as she thumbs through some more shirts until she stops at a plaid collared shirt taking it off of the hanger and holding it up to Connor's chest to assess it.]

This looks good. Not too stuffy, but not too loose.

[Exactly that. The same advantages and disadvantages of not feeling pain also apply.

He looks down at the shirt as she hold it up to him, taking in the color and pattern.]

I like the color. I hear that humans have certain tones that look more flattering on them when worn. Do you think this shade of navy is mine?

It could be. With the way you were visually designed, I think styles for you would be rather flexible.

... Although I did kind of choose this blue because I thought of your other jacket. That contributed somewhat.

[He grins a little.]

I do like blue. In general. And not only because it seems to be an on-going color scheme with CyberLife.

...At least, I don't think it's because of that.

About that jacket... Is it, or rather was it important to have the model number displayed so clearly?

[While asking him, Ai takes the same plaid shirt, but one size bigger to fit Connor's tallness, handing it to him along with a pair of matching jeans from another rack.]

And the LEDS are removable aren't they?

[He holds the clothes handed to him without complaint. It’s certainly a common sight, at least, a man holding all the shopping items for a young woman.]

It was, yes. Being able to distinguish who was an android was important for various reasons — otherwise, some of us can be hard to differentiate from, well. A human. Think of it like a work uniform.

[Though most do not adhere to such a thing any more.]

I could remove my LED if necessary. Deviants would do it all the time.

[Ai's gonna aim for two more outfits to pick out of the sea of clothing, but she continues to listen to the android, fascinated by his experiences and the general implications of the world he was made into. Lien had mentioned that term too, "deviant." Androids who gained their sense of "self" so to speak and even beyond that.]

So that they wouldn't be detected as easily, right? Have you just chosen not to take yours off for the time being?

I…

[That’s a good question, Ai. One that comes with an answer ushering in conflicting emotions.]

Yes. I know it would be easier for me to simply remove it, but—

[He shifts his weight, thinking of a way to explain.]

My LED is proof of what I am. And I have no reason to hide my identity in my world, to pretend to be something I’m not out of fear of judgment.

[He frowns a little.]

I know that doesn’t make sense, with me standing here hiding it underneath my cap as I speak. That the rules are different in this world. ...Maybe I’m being irrational about it.

Edited 2018-06-11 15:07 (UTC)

I don't think you're being irrational.

[She gives Connor a smile as she picks out a lightweight brown jacket and a white shirt with a bold graphic design.]

The context matters after all. Where you're from, you have nothing to hide and you're starting to know who you are. Here, you're just discovering even further, but in a more private way because you know there's no other android here.

Just to put it out there; whenever you say something that shows you've made decisions based on your own judgments, that makes me happy. You're doing well in choosing for yourself.

[Fingers flex gently into the shirt that he’s holding. He purses his lips together, considering her words, then smiles faintly at her.]

…Thank you. That means a lot to me, that you would believe that. Sometimes it’s difficult for me to know one way or another.

[But encouragement doesn’t go under-appreciated at all. Connor decides to joke a little to lighten the mood.]

Maybe one day I’ll even be able to shop for myself. Imagine that.

Mm. Right now...

[Ai holds up the jacket and shirt to Connor again and nods in approval.]

Okay, I'm doing better than I thought. These should look good on you and we won't have to worry about shoes since your pair kind of fits everything.

[She can't help but feel that something is missing, however... something to tie it all together...]

... I guess this is kind of silly when it comes to androids, but there aren't any that wear glasses, I assume?

[The clothes she’s picked out look nice enough so far. He’s not sure how he might look in them just yet, not until he tries them on, but he trusts her judgment.

Though her question is an interesting one.]

Androids generally do not need corrective lenses. If there’s an issue with vision, likely they need to replace or fix their actual eyes. Or it’s a problem with processing the visual information received.

[But there’s always an exception to the rule.]

But the androids that were once used as companions for humans were of course dressed up according to however the owner pleased. Whatever they found most aesthetically attractive, glasses included. So I can’t say it never happened.

[The last part about androids being companions to their "owners" seems to deflate Ai a bit. She knows that Connor may not take offense to the implication of her choosing and dress him up in clothes that she thinks are aesthetically pleasing, but it's at least making her take a step back to see how she could better the situation so she's not completely in control.]

Do you want to try on some pairs yourself? It'd just be reading or decorate frames, nothing to enhance your vision. See if you like it yourself in addition to the new clothes.

[Ironically, he hadn’t even thought about choosing any of this for himself. It was proof of how he didn’t think Ai was the sort to view him as some kind of dress-up doll, or mindless machine that couldn’t think for himself. He simply trusted her want to help him, and saw it as nothing more than that: a friend helping another friend.

But the idea is curious, and he turns around to look at where some frames are placed on a sleek rack — they’re decorative glasses, existing for the sake of fashion only.]

All right.

[He strides over to them, looking the frames over. There are so many to choose from, but eventually Connor tries on a pair. Black, thick-rimmed glasses that have square-shaped frame, to compliment his facial structure.

It’s strange feeling, to have something on his face like this. But he tilts his head in the small mirror set next to the rack curiously.]

…How do these look?

...!!

[Ai's face lights up and there's a glint in her eye that can only mean approval, bolstered by a rapid nodding of the head.]

Yes. 100%. Those look great!

[A THUMBS UP TOO (the twins are so animated).]

[Well. No way to misconstrue that as anything other than approval. Connor nods, slipping them off of his face for now.]

Then we’ll go with these.

[This is kind of fun. It’s easier than it seems, with Ai to guide him.]

Should I try on what you’ve picked out so far? Or do you want to keep looking?

Yeah, try these on first to see if they fit and we'll try for one more outfit. After that...

[Where should they go next? Ai wouldn't mind buying another snack or drink, but Connor shouldn't have to wait for her again and she had pizza already. Hm....]

... Oh!

The bookstore.

A bookstore?

[He raises a brow, looking amused. Right, those existed once upon a time. There were still some in Detroit, but they were novelty at best.]

Okay. Why not? I'd like to see what kind of literature exists in this world.

Great! You can wear your new clothes in there too to get settled into them.

There's a lot of books to look at so you can take your time there. I might just pick up some books to read in my spare time.

That sounds like a fair plan to me.

[He'll allow her to pick out another outfit or two, then. He's interested in seeing how these clothes fit him when he does get around to trying them on, and wearing them to a new place.]

[After she chooses one last outfit for Connor and makes the purchase, Ai leads him to a bookstore that was located too far away from where they were. It's filled to the brim with of course books, but there other neat aspects to it such as the children's section that had toys along with their picture books, stationary for journals, diaries, and agendas, also in abundance.

Ai gravitates towards the discount shelf which is sure to be full of interesting reads at a decent price. She takes a deep breath. The smell of paper combines with the scent of coffee from the cafe next door.]

I love this atmosphere. It's not too quiet as a library, but it's not too loud. It's just warm. If you see anything you like, I don't mind getting it for you either.

You've already bought me new clothes, Ai. I'm not going to ask for you to buy me books, too.

[He's decked out in the newest oufit Ai picked out for him, wearing his glasses, too. They're comfortable, and not as distracting as he thought new clothes would be. They fit his form nicely, too.

He looks around; books upon book on various shelves.]

I've never been in a bookstore like this before, though. Do you have recommended reading you'd suggest? Just so I can browse.

no subject

timeskip

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

timeskip

no subject