ʜᴜᴍᴀɴ ᴀғᴛᴇʀ ᴀʟʟ

[formidable]

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

Comments

[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.

[determinare]

[Leaning against him, she can probably feel the beat of what keeps the Thirium pumping in his veins. The strange, orchestrated movements and vibrations of parts working in tandem with each other, all of which makes up an android. All of which makes up Connor.]

You don't need to thank me. I'm just a friend wanting to help another friend.

[He moves towards the open door, entering her room. Connor crosses over to the bed, and gently sets her down. Then his hands go towards the edges of the sheets.]

Do you want to be covered?

[emotive]

Mm hm.

[The sensation of his pumping blue blood rings in her ears, faint as it was. She brushes her hair aside from her face and nods to Connor.]

That too. Not all the way, please. I kinda feel sweaty.

[Does this count as being spoiled, this feels like being spoiled]

[determinare]

[Probably, but she's sick and allowed to be spoiled.

He nods and situates the sheets to where it only covers her bottom half. In the midst of arranging it neatly, still bent over, he speaks.]

Do you think your sister will be here soon? You really should take something soon so you'll feel better.

[emotive]

[There's no answer. And that's because, after a cough or two, it's replaced with the soft breathing through her lips and nose and Ai Thao's eyes are closed, sure signs of a sleeping person.

She might have murmured whether Lien was going to be there soon or not, but it gets lost as she drifts to sleep.]

[determinare]

[When Connor receives only barely-coherent mumbling as a response, he lifts his eyes to look at her. She’s drifted off; he can tell by the tempo of her breathing, her closed eyes. He remains silent, straightening the sheets for a moment longer before he stands.

He should leave her to rest, he thinks. The would be the best thing to do right now, until Lien shows up, but Connor lingers there for a moment more, simply watching her sleeping form. She’s looks sick and tired, but there’s something peaceful about her face, unperturbed by the waking world. His eyes linger on her expression, and he leans in again slightly, one hand pressing into the edge of the mattress.

The other hand reaches over to brush away a stray strand of hair across her forehead.]