sweethymns | ʜᴜᴍᴀɴ ᴀғᴛᴇʀ ᴀʟʟ

[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.

You've never been in one? Did you just not happen to go to one back where you're from because of your job or were there not a lot of bookstores?

[Ai scans the room and gestures him to follow her so that they end up in the crime/mystery/thriller novel section.]

Maybe these might suit you...?

Both. I had no reason to visit bookstores on a whim, and very few even exist. Books have gone digital in Detroit.

[And just about everywhere in America.

He follows her, though, into the mystery and crime section. His eyes scan over the titles of the books, taking in every spine surprisingly (or not surprisingly) quickly. He reaches out for one in particular.]

We have this one in my world. It's a classic mystery story. Have you read it?

Agatha Christie?

[Ai was looking at some true crime books before Connor shows her his selection.]

I've read a few of her titles and it's good to hear she's still highly celebrated. I think Lien told me a story about her mysterious disappearance and how she and no one else could explain how it took place once they found her.

That's right. Some of the greater mysteries are the real life ones, aren't they?

[He slides the book back where it belongs, though.]

I think I'll find something here that'll spark my interest. Take your own time looking, Ai.

Will do!

[And so she browses, taking one novel for herself about a small town murder and the FBI agent sent in to investigate (yeah, one of those). And she leaves the section, there's something that catches her eye and she sighs picking it up.]

These are stll around??

[The medium thick book has a glossy cover with a title that reads, How to Develop your Inner Psychic.]

I guess you can't always take these out of circulation, but it's so silly.

Edited 2018-06-11 18:25 (UTC)

[Meanwhile, Connor remains glued to the mystery section of the bookstore. He picks up books, looking over their summaries on the back, and sometimes will pick one to flip through. He can read very fast, though it’s nowhere near his normal speed, if all this information was digital — still, he seems to be reading through the first chapter of one particularly thick one, and will continue to do so until Ai finds him again.]

[Ai is done on her end and before she can call out to Connor, she notices there's a gaggle of girls in the other aisle across from Connor whispering and throwing glances at the android. Normally, Ai is the one who is clueless in these situations, but it could be that because Connor was in a sensitive position in terms of his visitor status (and he's still hiding his LED and she doesn't want an accident with that), she quickly goes over to his side and tugs on his sleeve.]

Um, Connor? I'm ready to go. Are you?

[There's a hum of disappointment from the other aisle and she just keeps up a chipper face.]

[He had been engrossed in the book, scanning through the pages with expediency, so much that Connor had not noticed the girls across the way staring at him. He's only brought back to reality by the tug on his sleeve, and he blinks at Ai, a little surprised.]

Hm? Oh. Yes, whenever you're ready.

[He moves to put the book back, but it's then he catches the noise of disappointment from the girls. He glances at them curiously, then back to Ai.]

Do you think they wanted to browse this section?

Well, that's not the only thing they wanted to browse...

[See, she and Lien are related! The girls move on, but not without a few of them waving at Connor playfully. Ai just goes to the exit, contemplating.]

We could leave the mall now... I wonder if going to the beach would be too much...?

[A little head tilt of ?? goes here. What else would they want to browse, if not the books? That’s all there was in this area.

But mention of the beach pushes the conversation forward.]

I didn’t think I was properly dressed for the beach.

[She laughs a little.]

Probably not. I was thinking about taking a walk there, but we can save that for a later time.

[There's music playing throughout the mall, specifically some Daft Punk/a> and Ai starts humming along.]

Oh! Does Daft Punk exist where you're from?

[Yeah what about music Connor]

Maybe next time, then.

[He walks along (he's fine with carrying all the bags of what's been purchased so far), listening to the murmur of the crowd around them, and Ai's humming.]

Not that I'm aware of. I've only really listened to a limited array of music, though; mostly heavy metal and jazz.

[Basically whatever Hank listens to.]

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