ʜᴜᴍᴀɴ ᴀғᴛᴇʀ ᴀʟʟ

[formidable]

Androids, psychics, magic, investigations, and finding out how to human. ➢ Cool Mood Music No. 1 ➤ Cool Mood Music No. 2

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ᴛᴏᴜᴄʜ, ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ᴅᴏ ʏᴏᴜ ʟᴇᴀᴅ?

[emotive]

[A few days after going to the carnival with Connor, Ai noticed, but brushed aside the light fatigue she felt in her body. She also noticed some mild headaches but dismissed it as just needing a painkiller. Than the itchy throat and mild coughing. That was supposed to be easy; a dose of cold and flu medicine and she'll be functioning like a normal human being.

That's not the case today. She feels the heaviness in her body and the struggle to get out of bed. What's worse, Ai can't even muster up an appetite. That's when she knows it's dire. That morning she sent a text to Lien asking her to pick up some medicine now that her twin was back in the States and around to support her. It's difficult; even if she knew many people, there were so few she actually wanted to lean on. It felt pathetic and in a moment of weakness and some self-loathing, Ai wished she was better at making friends. The one she made recently? Well...

She definitely wants to see him, but not while she looks and feels like this.

Coughing, Ai manages to push herself out of her bed and attempts to do some chores, like laundry, dishes, and dusting. All of these are only finished halfway. Collapsing on the couch, she wonders if she'd be able to watch something relaxing and try to feel better that way (no more horror movies for a while).]

[determinare]

[Connor’s chosen this day to visit, because of course he has. He has no inkling of the state of Ai’s health, but to be honest... if he did, he’d probably still be here out of concern for a friend. Humans really did need to take better care of themselves.

For now, though, there’s just a knock on her door. Connor’s knock is rhythmic and always the same tempo, easily recognizable to human ears.

Of course, when and if she opens the door, his smile twists faintly into a frown. She doesn’t look great.]

Hello, Ai. I thought I’d visit you today if you weren’t busy but... Are you all right?

[emotive]

... Mn.

[There was a word in there somewhere.

When Connor knocked, the door opened by itself via telekinesis as if doing it the normal way expended too much effort. Ai stands before the android, with a flushed face and dejected shoulders. She's still in her sleeping clothes and her hair is messed up from being strewn over her pillows. When she speaks up, her voice is muted.]

I'm... I've been better. Hi Connor.

You might not want to come in... Oh, wait. Android. No sick.

[She rubs her forehead mumbling to herself.]

[determinare]

[He stands there for a long moment, considering something. Before he finally speaks, leaning in a little as if to suggest-]

Right. You don't look well at all. Can I come in just for a minute or two?

[There doesn't seem to be anyone else here right now; she could use some assistance, he thinks.]

[emotive]

[A smile is mustered and she nods after a preceding cough.]

Sure. We can just talk if you don't mind. I don't think I'll make good company for today though.

[Ai turns around to walk back to the living room sofa, giving Connor room to enter. Some more coughs follow and she sits on the couch, covering her mouth.]

[determinare]

[He nods, brow knit in concern still, and wanders in after closing the door behind him.

He doesn't move to sit just yet. He instead moves to the kitchen and there's the sound of running water as he washes his hands; no point in getting her sicker, if she's already fighting off a bevy of germs.

But also... he comes back in, looking at her expectantly.]

Say, 'aah'.

[emotive]

[If she wasn't so fatigued, a statement like that would have made her stare at Connor. Instead? She does as he says without thinking.]

Ahhh.

[determinare]

[Ai........why, you should know better by now

Well, Connor is just going to stick his finger in her mouth, right under her tongue. He'll just be a second to take her temperature, no big deal.]

Please don't speak for a moment.

[emotive]

Ahhgah!?

[Ai, of course, is understandably taken aback and is startled beyond belief at what Connor does, that she just coughs some more. She also feels like she's breaking out in a cold sweat and grips the back of the sofa cushions with her fists, too scared to react in any other manner.

Just. WHAT.]

[determinare]

And please refrain from moving too much.

[SPOKEN LIKE THIS IS A NORMAL THING TO DO......

Ah, maybe he should explain?]

I'm taking your temperature. We need to see how bad your fever is; you're obviously running one.

[emotive]

The'mo'eter!?

[She's saying "thermometer" with the tone that implies, "THEN WHY COULDN'T YOU USE A THERMOMETER THEN" as a normal course of action instead of some savage??

Also, surprised that he can take her temperature like this, but she should have known better.]

[determinare]

[BECAUSE WHY NOT, HE CAN USE HIS FINGER AS A THERMOMETER

He stands like that for a moment more, frowning because he said not to speak! But thankfully, as advanced as he is, it still doesn't take long. He removes his finger, finally.]

...101.1 degrees Fahrenheit. You should be in bed, Ai.

[emotive]

Nnn!!

[When he removes his fingers, Ai's palms fly up to cover her mouth. Her face has reddened in a mixture of shame and confusion and she finds herself not being able to look Connor in the eye for taking her temperature in that fashion so she's turning her back to him, shaking.]

[determinare]

[If only Hank was here to tell Connor the cardinal rules of Not Acting Like A Weirdo: 1) Don't put blood in your mouth and 2) Don't stick your fingers in other people's mouths (unless under very, uh, special circumstances).

So naturally, Connor is confused by her reaction. This, he thinks, wasn't necessarily because she was sick. Was she upset with him?]

...Ai?

[emotive]

You could've used a NORMAL thermometer!!

[determinare]

[???]

But my finger was closer.

[He holds up his finger, as if it needs EXPLANATION. Look what you're getting yourself into, Ai.]

My hands were clean, if that's what you're worrying about.

[emotive]

Then you should have said what you were GOING to do before doing it!

[Oh god, she's getting dizzy and she covers her face, knowing that she's blushing like crazy.]

Uuuu...! That was...! That was...!

[The word is lewd but Ai finds she can't find the guts to say it. She falls on her side and has to cough several times to clear her chest and thoughts out.]

[determinare]

[He watches as she falls to her side and coughs. He can tell just by looking that her stress levels are rising, and he wonders what taking her temperature had to do with it; it must be something similar to how it’s frowned upon when he puts something in his mouth. Maybe people are just as shocked the other way around.

Maybe. (That’s not completely it.)]

I’m sorry if I... upset you. I won’t do it again without warning next time.

[emotive]

Nnnn. Apology... [Cough, cough!] Apology accepted.

[She'll give this a shot and try to explain?? Maybe?? Picking herself up, Ai drapes her arms across the top of the sofa facing Connor and gestures with her arms.]

It's like... I get that you were helping. So thanks, but on the other hand because it was my mouth it was invasive... Do you get it? Like...

[Ai takes a deep breath and then another cough, god, she is trying.]

I asked you to let me help you first before I actually touched you. Kind of. Sort of. Oh god, I don't remember clearly anymore.

[She sniffs because she feels miserable, cold with a breaking fever sucks.]

[determinare]

[Ah, she looks so miserable, and empathy rises up once more, making him feel guilty for being so thoughtless. He should’ve asked.]

I understand. Sometimes the lines are blurred regarding the boundaries of personal space, and it differs from individual to individual. I should’ve erred on the side of caution and asked you first. It won’t happen again.

[He settles next to her, on the edge of the couch cushion, giving her enough room to stretch out of she needs to.]

Do you need anything, Ai? Have you taken medicine for your cough or fever?

[emotive]

[Ai's curling up in a ball now. Her long hair drapes across her back and her shoulders and she manages to mumble a reply.]

Medicine... Lien's bringing it over. I've only been drinking water. Haven't eaten yet.

[determinare]

I see.

[He's glad that her sister is at least coming over to aid her. But in the meanwhile, he stands again.]

Is there anything I can do for you? Would you like more water? Something to eat? A blanket, maybe?

Or I can carry you to your bed, since that's more comfortable than the couch.

[emotive]

... I don't mind if you carry me to bed.

[Anything sounds better than actually moving right now.]

[determinare]

All right.

[Easy enough, and it's better than standing around, wrapped in guilt for making her feel worse.]

Then up you go.

[He bends down to scoop her up. He's careful, of course, but the motion is swift and he manages it with relative ease. He registers how warm she is -- it must be due to the fever.

Connor turns to head towards the hall, where he can only assume her bedroom is located. (He's not sure, given he's never stepped foot in it himself.)]

[emotive]

[She's not sure if it's because he's sturdier compared to a human, but she just feels really light in his arms.

One of the doors opens by itself; Ai did that of course, and she points to it.]

In there. [Ai leans against his chest.]

Thank you Connor.