sweethymns | ʜᴜᴍᴀɴ ᴀғᴛᴇʀ ᴀʟʟ

[Nowadays, Ai was fairly busy. Most days, it hadn't been the case; work would take up large chunks of time, but there were equally long periods of free time where she would finish up errands and iron out the smaller details of life on her own. Her "free" time now has been occupied and she couldn't be happier for it. There was less and less of the eerie quiet that needed to be remedied by walks in public or music while at the library, or helping out the group of old Vietnamese ladies who made handmade bakery treats for their store. Ai has a friend who has been visiting a little more frequently since they first met.

The carnival was an obvious place to visit. It was Lien (still busy on one of her cases) who suggested the outing without asking Ai whom she was going with, but the older twin had an inkling about who the younger was so eager to spend time with. The brightly and sometimes obnoxiously colored stands and signs fill Ai's vision; there were the rides from low to high-speed ones, the games with impossible-to-win prizes, and of course, the food stands. Always with the food.

Ai is tackling a giant mound of pink and blue cotton candy which was big as her head... 5 minutes ago. It's halfway done. She looks up at Connor and points at her treat.]

Pure sugar isn't the healthiest... But it's the quickest way to gain calories and the quickest one to burn.

Edited 2018-06-11 21:37 (UTC)

You know that’s nearly 1200 calories?

[It’s not judgmental, not really. He knows that Ai requires an inordinate amount of energy, which translates to eating a lot of food. But he’s here to make sure she doesn’t go too overboard.

He’s dressed in one of the outfits she picked for him (the first one she chose on their outing), glasses on, and his LED hidden with the help of the careful application of makeup. Tucked under his arm are two umbrellas, for the air feels heavy with rain — grey clouds lazily marching overhead.

He’s never been to a carnival before. Every day he spends with Ai feels like a day of firsts, and he finds himself looking forward to it fairly often.]

I’ll be keeping track of all you eat, to make sure you don’t overindulge yourself too much.

Wait, you can scan that—...?! Although why am I surprised??

[More than being human, sometimes it was Connor's functions as a highly advanced android that impresses Ai more. The depth of his own abilities was amazing to her, a psychic, who had the same amount of reliance on technology as most average people. When he brought the umbrellas, she blinked at first because there was still some pale sunlight that persisted as they walk through the carnival grounds. But she trusts his instincts. Or his sensors. Same thing.

She takes another bite of cotton candy, some of the blue sugar staining the corner of her mouth. Wiping it away with her thumb, she laughs at Connor for being so dutiful even on a fun outing.]

I mean, you don't have to Connor. [Please, let her eat two funnel cakes, just two!!!] It's a little weird, but I guess you can't help but tell me since you're able to scan objects and their composition so thoroughly.

I don’t mean to be overbearing, of course. If you’d rather me quit, then I will.

[It’s not as if Hank hasn’t grumbled to him about it before several times.]

But I only wish to make sure that my friends remain healthy. I think that’s only a natural thing to feel.

[Maybe funnel cakes later, Ai.]

Are you a fan of carnivals? Or just the food?

I wouldn't say I'm a fan. And I like delicious and well-made food anywhere.

[She looks at one of the rides, the Ferris Wheel that lazily makes its rotation with happy children and groups of friends in each car.]

And I think the rides are alright. This sort of outing is something that isn't the same when you're alone.

[The Ferris Wheel stops and the people at the very top wave enthusiastically at their fellow carnival goers, some in the direction of Ai and Connor.]

... You know, I can fly. Lift myself up and everything.

[He follows her gaze upwards to watch the slow rotation of the Ferris wheel high above them. There are people waving down at them, and Connor raises a hand to wave back curiously, without hesitation.

He keeps speaking, even while he watches the people above.]

You can? [He’a surprised, but not. Ai has already struck him as a powerful psychic; somehow flight doesn’t seem that far fetched.]

What’s it like?

I wish I could do it all the time actually. I'm even tempted to just hover above the ground a few inches instead of walking. I did that a lot back in Vietnam when I was living with my group.

[She sounds wistful, but there's still cheer in her voice.]

Discreetness come first and foremost though. I only fly when I absolutely need to.

It’s always been a dream of humans. To be able to fly.

[He finally looks at her, imagining her floating off the ground. Or taking off, flying high into the sky above the Ferris wheel.]

Maybe someday you can find time to yourself, in a place no one can see. Then you can fly as much as you please without fear of anyone seeing.

At night, probably.

I need to find a more remote place to be able to do that. [But she appreciates his sentiment.]

I'd be able to make you fly too! It's a bit difficult lifting up two people at the same time, but it's possible.

[She gives him a grin though.]

I won't do that to you though. It's very disorienting.

Well if you ever decide to levitate me or otherwise make me fly, a warning would be appreciated.

[He gestures up at the Ferris wheel. ]

Next best thing, however. Maybe we can try that at some point?

Definitely! We'll come back around when the line isn't too long.

[They pass by one of the game stalls that's lined with prizes. A giant teddy bear catches her eye and she takes a few steps back to stare in awe at it.]

Wow... [She's wondering if she has room for the bear in her bedroom or if she'll send it overseas to Vietnam for the younger girls before the man in charge of the booth calls out to her.]

"How about it Miss? I see you like that mega prizes! You're gonna need 10 straight bullseyes to win that."

[He gestures to the various bullseye boards behind him and the airsoft guns that are piled up on another counter.]

"What about you, boy? Wanna try your hand at it? Get the little lady something to remember the carnival by?"

[Wow that is a big teddy bear. But what catches Connor’s attention is the person manning the booth, and the targets all lined up at a distance.

He’s asked if he wants to give it a try, and he glances over at Ai briefly, who very obviously looks interested in the bear.

Connor looks at the man, then says:]

Why not? Ten bullseyes, you said?

[He wanders over to the airsoft guns to get a better look.]

[Ai steps back to let Connor take a shot so to speak (although she's wondering if maybe this counts as cheating?? Nah).]

I'd imagine you're not bad at shooting, Connor.

[A discreet way to imply that as an android, especially one made for police work, Connor is a good shot. The booth manager chuckles.]

"Well, we'll see! I get guys always trying to impress their dates, but this ain't as easy as it looks."

[Cue Ai blinking at his remark, but meanwhile!

The airsoft guns Connor is looking at are all old from extensive, some probably not good for more than three more shots. The ones on the top of the pile are the ones that have the most fingerprints. The slightly newer and more functional airsoft guns are on the bottom. The manager starts to take one from the top of the pile, expecting Connor to accept what he's given.]

Edited 2018-06-12 00:57 (UTC)

[The comment goes right over Connor’s head, given that he’s spent the last few seconds doing a cursory scan of the airsoft guns. Ai’s right, though — Connor is a deadshot with firearms, from anything from an airsoft gun to a revolver.

He looks at the gun offered. Heavily used, old. Conor doesn’t take it.]

Actually, I’d prefer that one.

[He motions to one of the airsoft guns at the bottom of the pile.]

"Huh."

[Booth manager man blinks and there is an audible pause as he looks at Connor in the eyes (Ai might be sweating internally, please don't notice that there might be an uncanny valley, PLEASE).

But then he shrugs and fulfills Connor's request, giving him the better airsoft gun that he pointed to.]

"Suit yourself. Remember, 10 bullseye shots and not one less!"

[No uncanny valley here! He is too advanced of an android to even remotely spark uncanny valley syndrome.]

Thanks.

[He takes the gun, feeling first its weight in his hands. Light, as expected, balanced well enough.

He moves in front of the targets, silent for a moment. Then quietly, Connor aims and squeezes the trigger.

Ten times. One target after the other, each one a consistent bullseye, no hesitation between each shot fired. The crack of the airsoft gun rings out loudly in the air, like a firecracker going off.]

[Ai claps and cheers on the last shot and the booth manager can only stare mouth agape.]

"Holy shit... Well! You win! Congrats to you and the little lady"!

[+1 Giant Teddy Bear achieved. Path Unlocked: Sick Day.

The bear is handed over to Ai who spends a good minute hugging it and rubbing her face in its stomach.]

It's sooo cute!! I wanna take a nap on it!

[Connor just smiles and hands back the gun, muttering another thanks to the man before turning to look at Ai. The teddy bear seems almost as big as her, and he steps forward and places a hand on its head.]

I’m glad you like it. Though in retrospect, maybe we should’ve waited until later. Now we have to carry it around with us everywhere.

I don't mind! I love hugging it! Thank you so much Connor!

[And if they need to leave it behind for a ride, staff would look after it. Her face peeks behind the bear's head and she's just all smiles.]

I never got one of these before so you just made today extra special!

[(She wonders when was the last time she felt this happy?)]

Well, you won this for me, so you get to choose what we should do next.

[~~before the rain comes down anyways~~]

[She’s so happy about the bear, and the smile is really contagious. Connor finds that he’s glad to have been able to win it for her.]

If you change your mind and need me to carry it instead, just let me know.

[As for what he wants to do, he’s not sure. Connor glances around.]

There’s a face painting booth nearby.

Painting booth? We'll both get our faces painted then!

[She goes towards the booth where Connor glanced, easily parting the crowd with the giant bear. It's so useful!]

C'mon!

[He follows with ease, given how Ai seems to be parting the sea of people with her giant bear. Connor walks casually enough behind, but pacing his step so that he stays close.

When they reach the booth, there are several seats open, and they’re both met with the eager faces of people who have volunteered to help out at the fair. A middle aged, smiling woman asks Connor’s name, and he replies in kind. She then asks what he might want painted on his face, and he has to pause because... well the didn’t think of that.]

I think... a dog.

[Because of course a dog.

The woman chuckles and says that’s an easy enough request, and tells Connor to lean in a little and remain still. He does, and she paints a little dog face on his cheek.

In the interim, Connor glances over at Ai to see how she’s doing.]

[Ai has the bear sitting next to her as a volunteer works on her face. Her chosen design seems to be blue butterfly wings that frame her eyes like a mask. She sits quietly, eyes closed whenever it was needed, and within a few minutes, she's done.

Ai glances at Connor to see... The dog. That's so...]

... Cute.

[He’s done before she is, since his design was not all that large or complicated. And so when she turns to look at his face, he’s already turned his body towards her.]

The dog? She showed it to me in the mirror. I like it.

[Sometimes the simple pleasures are more than enough for Connor.]

I like the color of yours. It looks like you have some excess paint here, though—

[He reaches out with a finger to brush where there’s an extra blue dab of paint on her cheekbone.]

[That gesture startles her somewhat, making her eyes widen a bit but it's over just as fast. The painter who decorated her face whispers to Connor's painter "Now THAT was cute."]

Oh. Thanks for... Getting that.

[(When was the last time she felt this happy and then fluttery with light confusion all at once?) Ai slides off of her chair fanning her face (to dry the paint really) and then when it's less damp, she takes her bear.]

Wanna see if the Ferris Wheel is available now? Line should be smaller.

ᴡᴇ ɢᴏ ʀᴏᴜɴᴅ ᴀɴᴅ ʀᴏᴜɴᴅ ᴇᴀᴄʜ ᴛɪᴍᴇ

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