sweethymns | ʜᴜᴍᴀɴ ᴀғᴛᴇʀ ᴀʟʟ

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.

[Hank's still in a state of his mind being blown. He barely registers the food being set up in front of him, as if it were all just background noise in the face of the larger revelation here -- that psychics exist, and this girl might be from another world altogether. And that Connor has been spending time with her? How? When? His mind delves back into the explanations that Connor had given him more than once, and this time he turns it over in his head like something to actually be considered.

It's only after they've all sat down, their food ready to be eaten (and Connor's tea finally settled before him), that Hank opens his mouth to speak.]

So you're... really from a different world? Connor said, what was it, 2006?

2016. [Connor corrects, looking down at his tea. He lifts it to his lips and takes a very small taste, quietly analyzing it.]

Okay. 2016, then.

[Ai's already making a hefty sandwich for herself and she nods to confirm the discussed year.]

Mm-hm! So I technically should be around the same age range as you. Right now, I'm 19 as of 2016. He's told me about you and Detroit, so I wanted to see this side for a change.

Connor's been very courteous every time he's visited. [Except for the whole finger in mouth thing, but let's bring that up again NEVER]

And I've made sure no one in that year can tell he's an android which is why you've probably seen him wear clothes that are out of the norm for him.

[like right now, doesn't he look dashing Hank]

[Hanks spares Connor another glance, who is looking curiously down at his tea. Probably running an analysis through his head, he thinks.]

Yeah, I noticed. Looks like you took him out shopping for a new wardrobe.

[Hank pinches the bridge of his nose, trying to make sense of this all.]

Are you sure it's safe for you two to be bouncing around worlds like this? Isn't there some... rule, or something, about time and space and you probably shouldn't risk tearing it apart? [That's what all the sci-fi movies say at least.

Here, Connor speaks up.]

There have been no noticeable side-effects thus far, not after the door was stabilized like I had told you about. When I visit Ai, then return, no time has passed in this world. It's really very convenient.

And how long have you been "visiting"?

About two and a half months.

Jesus Christ, Connor. You've been busy without me even knowing it.

I told you. You didn't believe me. I figured it was futile to keep repeating the same thing to you, over and over. You just would've grown irritated.

[Hank sighs, deciding to take a bite of his food (oh, it's pretty good), before looking at Ai again. He leans his elbows forward, resting on the table.]

So you two are just... what? Sight-seeing together?

Edited 2018-06-15 20:43 (UTC)

[Ai nods at Hank through a mouthful of sandwich before swallowing and wiping her mouth.]

It probably doesn't sound exciting, but compared to the situation here, my side is relatively calm. So there's a lot of time for him to explore and experience new things that other androids probably don't have the time or luxury for.

[She giggles at Connor.]

He really wanted you to believe him, but I guess I can see how that went.

Uh-huh. I’m going to assume there are no androids where you’re from, then? Yeah, I imagine Connor can do a lot more there than he can in this place right now.

[It makes Hank frown, that reality spoken so plainly. But it is what it is. Connor just looks at the man.]

We’ve done a lot so far. We shopped for clothes and books. We went to a carnival and rode the Ferris wheel. It rained that day though so we had to go back to her apartment to dry off.

Oh, and then we watched a movie called Alien. A young alien burst through the chest cavity of a human in that film. There were androids in it, too.

[He’s smiling as he says it. Hank just blinks, eyebrows rising.]

So... you guys went on...

[He pauses. Hank’s just not sure what’s going on here.]

...dates?

[CUE ORANGE JUICE SPITTAKE.

... Thankfully, in her own cup because she was in the middle of drinking.]

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