sweethymns | ʜᴜᴍᴀɴ ᴀғᴛᴇʀ ᴀʟʟ

... I have an idea!

Connor, would you like to cook with me? We can make enough for Hank so he has something to eat when he gets home too.

[Headtilt.]

Yes. I'll help you. I think Hank would like that, too, and we have enough for a simple breakfast.

[It's more brunch time than anything else, but the idea is still the same.]

The kitchen is this way, when you're done.

[Whenever everything is settled, he will show her to the kitchen! There's only a little bit of a mess there right now; it definitely has the atmosphere of a man living in this house, using this kitchen, but Connor at least makes an attempt to keep things organized when he has the chance.]

[As they move into the kitchen, Ai undoes her single braid and is tying it up into a ponytail as she surveys the area.]

This is definitely a man's kitchen... [She lets out a low whistle and then nods with determination. Even as the most powerful psychic in her community, she was also good at domestic work especially when it came to making meals for more than one person.]

I think I can work with this though! Let's see...

[Ai clears up the area near the stove so that there can be room to prep. Next is to see what her supplies are. She notes the bagels on the counter which are just a little stale but can be fixed with toasting and being made into breakfast sandwiches.

She opens up the fridge and begins taking out items, handing them to Connor so he can put them on the table.]

Eggs, bacon, butter... Oh, some cheese! We can have bagel breakfast sandwiches. That's a good and hearty breakfast anyone can like, especially for an older man.

Pancake batter... Perfect! I'm more keen on waffles but these will do perfectly. Even some leftover blueberries. Better use these up then before they go bad.

[Ai has such concentration when it comes to food, it's kind of funny and endearing.]

Orange juice... Connor, could you start up some coffee? And then you can take the eggs and crack them in a bowl?

[If Connor didn’t already know how important food was to Ai, he’d be surprised at her dedication to the creation of this nice brunch. But he’s not (it is endearing, though), expecting her to take the lead — and she does. Connor nods at her instructions, placing the ingredients where they could be easily accessed, and then moves over to the coffee maker. It’s a well-used looking thing, obviously relied upon by Hank throughout the years. Soon, the sound of percolation and the scent of fresh coffee wafts through the kitchen.]

I bet you have a variety of recipes memorized, don’t you?

[An idle question as he goes to crack the eggs. He does it quickly, efficiently, without even getting his fingers stained with the smallest drop. In the bowl they go, and the shells go into the trash with relative ease, too.]

[She's split, buttered, and putting slices of halved bagels into the toaster while putting strips of bacon into the toaster oven and starts heating up a pan for the pancakes as she replies to Connor.]

Sort of! When it comes to memory, Lien is second to none. I tend to cook by... Feel? If that makes sense. I'd cook more Vietnamese food, but it's labor-intensive and those recipes are meant for big groups.

[The batter is finished in no time after the blueberries are incorporated into it.]

I hope Hank doesn't mind. I wonder when's the last time he had someone cook for him? You don't cook much do you Connor?

[He's going to assume the next step is to beat the eggs, unless Ai tells him otherwise. And so he goes to do just that, doing it with astounding efficiency. These eggs don't stand a chance.]

Hank isn't the sort to mind a well-prepared meal. And I don't really cook, no. [He makes the coffee in the morning! He can toast bread and prepare scrambled eggs. But as for the rest-]

Usually we go out and find something to eat.

[Well, he says 'we', but he means Hank. Connor obviously doesn't require food, he's just there to follow the other man around.]

This should be a nice surprise for him then! And after going home from a crime scene, it'll be a nice refresher.

[The pancakes are being stacked up. They can be reheated in the microwave if they cool down before Hank arrives, which is nice and convenient. Speaking of all this cooking though, it gives Ai an idea.]

Would you like me to teach you some simple things to cook? I don't know if it'll be in conflict with what you're usually meant to do, but maybe if it's not that complicated to arrange, you'll be able to make sure Hank eats better.

[Ah— that’s an offer that’s hard to refuse. Learning how to cook would make him more well-rounded, and also give him something to do when he isn’t able to act as consultant or brought in to investigate a crime scene. And if it helped with Hank eating better? How could he turn down not aiding his friend?]

I’d like that. It shouldn’t conflict with anything; I’m not always able to aid Hank with his work, not until all the, ah, “red tape” has been dealt with regarding my previous experience with the DPD.

[They both kind of… stirred things up. And Connor’s own hand in the android’s bid for civil rights further complicated matters, to say the least.]

Needless to say, I have plenty of time on my hands these days. If you’d like to teach me, I’m not going to decline.

Good! It's another thing for us to do together.

[Together. What a nice word that rings in her heart so nicely.

The smell of breakfast food wafts throughout the kitchen and Ai makes sure to open up a window so that the house is ventilated.]

I think in your case, I'll make sure to provide recipes for precise amounts since the taste factor might hinder you a little.

[For Ai, who can cook instinctively by taste and estimating amounts, it probably wouldn't apply to an android who is not designated as domestic.]

That means you'll need an apron too.

[Connor's closet is growing in so many ways...]

An apron?

[He tries to imagine himself wearing an apron. It doesn't need to be said that he never has before, and that there isn't anything like it to be found in this house.]

Hank will laugh at me for that.

He shouldn't be laughing if you're going to be making food.

[Ai shakes the spatula at him.]

It's not going to be anything ridiculous Connor. It'll be plain, but functional!

Besides, I think you'd look good in one.

[She looks very certain about it.]

[He blinks at the spatula being waved his way, and accedes the point.]

Well. If you think it’s necessary, then I’ll wear one.

[He’s pretty certain that Hank will still laugh. Just a gut feeling.]

Is there something flattering about me wearing an apron, though? It’s not as if it’s a traditional item worn for fashion.

Maybe it's just me because I can't speak for others, but... The image of a man in an apron...?

[She leans one cheek into a palm looking rather dreamily into the air.]

It gives the image of a very dependable man. And that's... Attractive!

[Normally, Ai wouldn't be this open about what she likes so blatantly but talking with Connor makes it easy. It's not like with Lien who immediately finds an opening to make a jab to embarrass her.]

[He quirks a brow, though Connor is making a mental note of that. Explained in that way, it’s not an unusual way of thinking — often partners wanted their significant other to be someone reliable, someone who could be depended upon. It makes sense that wearing an item that illustrated this part of one’s character would appear attractive in someone’s eyes.

Not that this alone should be a compelling reason to agree. And yet he can’t help but allow it to be a small motivator in a sea of reason and logic.]

Then I’ll wear one. If you think you’d like it.

Er...!

[Ai snaps out of her reverie realizing that she was making unintentional implications again.]

I mean, it's also to make sure your clothes don't get dirty too so...!

[Guh, he said he would already wear it because she liked it. The psychic adjusts her ponytail shyly and pays attention to her pancakes bubbling away in the pan.]

It'll be good. Either way.

[He can tell she's getting embarrassed again. And while that wasn't his purpose, he feels like this is a slightly more lighthearted, innocent situation; he can afford to be a little teasing, and truthful, in return.]

You can admit to it, Ai. I won't be offended, or get the wrong idea.

[He'll finish up his current task with ease. Things are coming along nicely.]

The whole point of you dressing me more fashionably is for me to appear more attractive to others, right?

That and for you to choose how you look!

[Bacon is done and now that the eggs are beaten, Ai gets started with scrambled eggs for the sandwiches.]

I've mentioned it before but you kind of look good in almost anything.

That's nice of you. I was designed to be... pleasant on the eyes, at least. Easier to interact with humans that way, since my original purpose relied heavily upon that.

[He takes the compliment and turns it into something... appreciative yet logical. Such is the way of Connor.]

But I could say the same for you too, regarding looking good in everything I've seen you wear so far.

[She can feel her cheeks growing warm and the tips of her ears turning pink when he delivers the compliment again and she has to try and make sure she's not stirring the eggs in the pan too harshly.]

Um. I mean, I try.

[That's all she can reply with, dammit.]

Do you think you have an estimate on how long Hank will take to get home?

[yeah talk about not!dad instead]

[A compliment for a compliment. It only seems right.]

I think that depends on exactly what he left for. It could be any minute now-

[And as if on cue, there’s the sound of the front door unlocking. Of Sumo getting up from the living room floor and padding over. And a moment later, Lieutenant Hank Anderson enters his home, welcomed by the fresh scent of coffee and something else smelling like breakfast. A moment or two of rustling can be heard from the living room, before he finally calls out:]

Connor! Smells like coffee and eggs in here. What the hell are you up to?

[Connor gives Ai a knowing look, smiling, and then responds.]

We’re in the kitchen, Hank!

[A beat.] We? Who’s ‘we’—? Sumo’s out here. [More shuffling, the sound of keys being tossed on the coffee table, and Hank appears in the entrance of the kitchen.] Should’ve told me you were going to make more coffee, I wouldn’t have gone out to get some. You would’ve saved me from getting stuck in traffic, too-

[Hank pauses, eyes tracking over to a) the clothes that Connor’s wearing and b) the girl????? in the kitchen???? with him????]

Uh…

[Connor beams at him, stepping forward, hands clasped behind his back.]

Hank, this is Ai. I told you about her, remember?

[Hank practically squints, dubious and unsure if this is some weird joke his not!son has put a stranger up to.] Y…eah. I remember. Your tall tale about world-hopping, right? [He looks at Ai.] Sorry, but... whoever you are, did he put you up to this?

[Ai is startled when she hears Lt. Hank Anderson call out to Connor and she turns off the heat to the eggs. Everything is pretty much prepared and just needs to be moved to the kitchen table. But now the moment of truth arrives when she's finally face-to-face with Connor's closest friend and partner.

When Hank acknowledges her, Ai speaks up, rapidly and nervously.]

I-I'm Ai Thao Kha! I'm a friend of Connor's and I wanted to visit him and we decided to make brunch since you weren't home yet and we wanted you to return home to something nice —...

[Okay, she needs to slow down. Ai takes a deep breath and looks at Hank, hands clasped together.]

... Connor isn't lying. I'm from far away.

[Connor steps forward again, sensing Ai’s nervousness, and thus attempting to convince Hank to make this first meeting less stressful.]

She’s not lying, Hank. Do I really seem like the type who would keep up a practical joke for this long?

[Hank sets down his coffee he had in one hand, his name lazily scrawled onto the cup with black marker. He’s silent, raising a brow at the both of them. Then he lets out something that sounds a lot like a laugh, drenched in a scoff.]

Connor, a lot’s happened in the past few months. A whole bunch of shit that’s pretty unbelievable, but I lived to see it all happen anyway. But psychics and alternate worlds?

[He moves over to inspect just what’s happening in the kitchen; food, it looks like. Smells good, at least.]

Nice try. But hey, at least this proves you’ve got a hell of a poker face.

[Connor, for a moment, looks exasperated and nearly rolls his eyes. His more human quirks seem to eke out more easily with Hank around.]

It isn’t—

Oh, and as a general rule? [He turns to Connor, gesturing at him.] Let me know if we’re having company, even if it’s some stranger I don’t know. It’s only polite. [A tinge of sarcasm in his words.

Connor sets his jaw, then turns to Ai.]

Can you prove to him that you’re psychic? I’m sure you can dispel his disbelief in record time.

Edited 2018-06-15 19:07 (UTC)

[Ai looks conflicted as Connor and Hank exchange words noticing how Connor's expressions change with some more variety that she hasn't seen before. She whispers to Connor when he asks her to prove herself.]

I mean, I can? I just don't want to give him a shock...

[Still, it's better to get this over with than prolonging Hank's doubts. Ai claps her hands lightly together and announces:]

Um, let's just have a meal together! Mr. Hank, you probably haven't had a proper meal yet right?

[And so she turns her back to the two men and begins arranging breakfast, starting with pouring out the scrambled eggs onto a plate. Since her hands are occupied...

It's a small noise, but enough to get Hank's attention. The toaster oven's door opens by itself and out slides the tray of bacon. The refrigerator door also opens automatically and the orange juice carton floats from its spot and then levitates down to the table along with two empty glasses. Utensils and plates follow next and the stack of pancakes gently moves to the table after the slices of cheese. Everything shifts on the dining table so that their placement is neat and organized and within easy reach. The girl doesn't look at anyone while all this occurs. She'll just let them judge for themselves.

Ai is just playing this off as casually as she can. No pomp and circumstance, no declaration of her powers, just... It just is. She finally speaks to Connor.]

Connor, do you mind if I make you tea? Just so you can join us?

You can just call me Hank, no need for the Mister—

[And then things in his goddamned kitchen start moving on their own.

Hank’s completely forgets all that he was going to say, stepping back in surprise to take in the sight. He utters a disbelieving—] What the fuck… [Connor, meanwhile, just grins with a faint mote of satisfaction, and replies to Ai while making sure to take in Hank’s expression.]

Sure. Tea will be fine. [To Hank, he walks next to him and says:] See? I told you.

[Hank shakes his head, Connor’s presence snapping himself out of his shocked reverie. He raises a hand, gesturing dismissively, though he’s feeling anything but dismissive.]

This is crazy. This is crazy? I can't believed that you were actually telling the truth about psychics; that or we’re both losing our minds.

No, it’s real. I told you from the start.

[Hank frowns at Connor, still surprised by this new development.]

I don’t need your I-told-you-so's, Connor, I need to fucking sit down.

[AND HE’S GONNA DO JUST THAT, THANK YOU.]

[Ai gets tea for Connor before she sits herself down at the dining table. She takes the orange juice carton and pours one glass for herself and one for Hank in case he wants to drink that along with coffee and even gives him some toasted bagel halves first before serving herself.]

There you go! I hope you don't mind me using what was in your fridge Hank.

[She smiles brightly at the Lieutenant and then at Connor before arranging her own sandwich.]

Let's eat! Connor said he would show me around the city later too.

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