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]

No need to be nervous. It’ll be fine.

[And so they walk! Connor will make small talk on the way, which he seems to be less awkward about when he’s around her.]

I’m glad to see you’re feeling much better.

[emotive]

[It helps that she's probably just as awkward with small talk with anyone else, BUT Connor right now. Weird how that works.

She gives him a thumbs up when he remarks about her health.]

I'm up and feeling 100%! I had a job to fulfill before I came to visit you, but other than that, it didn't tire me out.

[determinare]

Did the job go well?

[It seems like the natural thing to ask, since she mentioned it. Meanwhile, Sumo walks ahead of them at an indolent pace, not in a particular hurry to go anywhere.]

[emotive]

[Ai is taking the time to look at her new environment and see if there are any signs of the advanced technology that differentiates this world from hers. In the distance, she sees the stop light and squints at it as she replies to Connor.]

Yes, it did! I protected a caravan of some medicines that would have been poached by other unsavory parties. It wasn't too hard, but it did require me to be pretty awake.

[determinare]

[She will find that this part of town is not really as advanced as she might expect from a sci-fi film. The stoplight is strangely designed, of course, more sleek and modernized, but the housing looks similar to the suburbs she might see in her own world.

There is, of course, the occasional strange, automated car and taxi passing by. And across the way, on the other side of the street, an individual or two with flashing LED lights on their temples, going about their own business.

They both stop briefly at the light.]

That sounds exciting, yet still dangerous.

[emotive]

Just a little. Nothing that some hypnosis couldn't fix...

[She glances at the obvious androids with their LED lights, but then looks away.]

I shouldn't be staring so much...

[determinare]

You wouldn’t be the only one to stare. Humans are still adjusting to the newfound rights and freedoms that androids are being afforded.

[He comments as he turns his head slightly to watch the pair of androids walk by. He then focuses on the street ahead. The light indicates that it’s safe to walk now.]

But... you can hypnotize people as wel?

[emotive]

[Whoops. Didn't mention that. Ai looks at Connor and gestures at her eyes.]

To a certain extent. I can't completely control people's actions, but if I have good eye contact with a human, I can send a mild suggestion to make them do relatively innocuous actions.

[She looks back down to check on Sumo. What a good dog.]

It's good for misdirection. I've never used it on you, just so we're in the clear.

[Who knows if it works on sentient machines?]

[determinare]

I trust you. I know you wouldn’t have.

[It’s an interesting thought, however.]

I wonder if it would work on an android. Your healing powers seem to, after all.

[emotive]

Maybe? I don't know if an android has a higher mental defense than a human does.

[Ai sounds skeptical of herself...]

And... Like how you're careful when you're visiting me, I definitely have to be careful while I'm here too. I don't know what humans OR androids would think about a psychic here when everyone is already dealing with so much.

[determinare]

Yes, I agree. It was just a hypothetical what-if.

[There really was too much else going on these days, though at least there were small blocks of respite where there were none before. He should be thankful for that, at least.]

We’re almost there.

[In fact, Sumo seems to know that they’re almost home. He picks up the pace, tugging a little at the leash.]

[emotive]

Ah—! Careful, Sumo!

[Ai focuses on walking Sumo to the door and glances at the driveway.]

... Oh! He's not home?

[Hank that is. Ai had been kind of been brewing in quiet nervousness at meeting the Lieutenant who was the closest person to Connor.]

[determinare]

It looks like his car is gone. He must have left after I went out with Sumo. He might’ve been called to a crime scene.

[Don’t worry, Ai. He’ll definitely be back soon enough.]

I’ll let us in.

[Up the porch steps they go, and after temporarily setting down Ai’s luggage, he takes a key out of his pocket and opens the front door.

Sumo is the first to trot in.]

Please take a seat.

[emotive]

[When Ai steps inside, she makes sure to undo the leash around Sumo so the dog can settle himself in his home. Then she walks inside and... Huh. She feels like she was in a home that wasn't unlike her decade. The feel of it was... Definitely, a place where a man lives (Lien said you could always tell).

She glances at the record players. Those HAVE to be really old and the overall interior of the home feels like it was untouched by newer technologies much less modern decor. She idly follows to where Sumo goes, scratching him behind the ears before taking a seat on the sofa.]

I wonder if I had too many expectations about the future... Then again... [She looks over at Connor.]

You and other androids are pretty much a pinnacle of technological achievement.

[determinare]

[Connor brings all of her things inside while he replies.]

Hank is not a man who relies very much on technology, if at all. I’m probably the most technology that has ever stepped foot in his house, actually.

[And advanced tech that was, being an RK800.]

There are many homes like this, and many homes that are not. But if you’re hoping to find more modern architecture and technology to marvel at, we can do some sight-seeing later. The aesthetic of many companies probably align more to what you’re thinking of.

[Memories of CyberLife flash through his head, the interior of their HQ. He doesn’t linger on it.]

Do you need anything? Would you like for me to help you unpack?

[emotive]

Um, nothing at the moment! I'll unpack my own things, but I do have some of the clothes I brought over for you.

[She lets out a proud puff of breath.]

I also bought a new one too! I can't wait to see you try it on.

[determinare]

[Oh? He closes the door and locks it behind him once everything is inside and settled.]

You really were adamant about expanding my wardrobe. Should I try it on now and see how it fits me?

[emotive]

[She nods enthusiastically as she stands up.]

Please do! This is a different color palette this time too, but I think it should really suit you!

[She's really into dressing him up, god]

[determinare]

[She sure is, but Connor obviously doesn’t mind it at all.]

You put so much thought into making me look fashionable, Ai. I’m sure I’ll be the best dressed android yet.

[He’s curious to see this different color palette.]

[emotive]

[So she'll open up the compartment of the luggage where she has the plastic bag of Connor's neatly folded clothes. She takes out a green and beige outfit first and holds it out to Connor.]

Here you go! Try it out and I'll unpack in the meanwhile.

[determinare]

[He takes the outfit, curiously looking it over. Connor wonders how it’ll look on him, and he raises his eyes to Ai.]

All right. Let me change and then I can let you be the judge of how I look.

[With that, Connor disappears into the nearby bathroom to change. It’s only minutes later when he returns, decked out in his new clothes.]

How do I look? You can answer while I show you where you’ll be staying — likely in my room, and I’ll stay on the couch overnight for now.

[emotive]

Your room? If that's okay with you and— [She turns around to look at him and her eyes light up.]

Ah! You look great! [If sparkles could physically manifest, Connor would see them hovering over her. She'll follow him while he shows her to the room, but she'll gush a bit, don't mind her.]

Tall people always look good in anything! I'm kind of jealous.

[determinare]

I think you look good in everything I’ve seen you wear so far. Height maybe isn’t as important as you think. But... thank you for the compliment.

[Anyway, down the hall they go — Connor’s room is just a small, converted guest room, but it’s very neat. Very spartan, though, as one might expect from an android still learning how to manifest his humanity.]

Will this be all right? I know it isn’t very big. But there’s desk space, too, if you need it; and a small walk-in closet. And the bed is a decent size.

[emotive]

... Thank you too.

[There's a flutter of pleasure when Connor compliments her like that. She stores it away in her treasure trove of memories that have been growing lately.

Luggage is pushed into the room and she nods in approval at her temporary sleeping space.]

This will be fine. More than fine even.

[Gurgle. Oops, stomach why must you betray her at times like these.]

... Um, I didn't want to assume anything, so I already have snacks for myself...

[determinare]

[There’s that telltale gurgle; he thought he’d hear it eventually.]

I wouldn’t be a very good host if I didn’t offer to feed you.

[Even Connor knows better than that.]

We can find something in the kitchen for you to eat.