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]

It’s good. Thanks for putting it together for us.

[This girl must be pretty hungry, Hank thinks, but pushes the thought aside for now. He looks at Connor.]

You going to learn how to cook, Connor? Don’t I feel spoiled.

I think it would be healthy for you to not always eat out, Hank. I still count your calorie intake everyday.

Yeah, of course you do.

That and it’ll give me something to do around the house to keep me occupied. You’ve been telling me to pick up a hobby that “isn’t putting strange things in my mouth”.
[Hank scoffs at that.] That I do.

[emotive]

[She's halfway done with Sandwich No. 2 already...]

If tensions between androids and humans begin to lessen, is Connor going to be able to keep working with the police department?

[Ai wonders this because it means that Connor would be able to work on what he's best at again even if it meant he would visit her less... Not a thought she wanted to entertain, but she had to be mature about these things, she thought.]

[determinare]

Not for me to decide. But I’m pushing for it, and if they know what’s good for them, they’d be begging for Connor to be a permanent member of the DPD.

But it’s a little tricky right now. We both got ourselves into some trouble a few months back. Hard for everyone to overlook that so easily.

[Connor doesn’t say anything, just keeping his hands clasped around his mug of tea, registering the warmth against his touch.]

[emotive]

[Ai nods at Hank's explanation and looks over at Connor. She was used to him interacting with him one-on-one; there was always so much to talk about and to react to, that seeing him quiet like that was... Well.

Machine-like.

Taking her glass of orange juice, Ai drains it, sighing.]

I understand... After what happened, it's not like it's an instantaneous process.

[Freedom of choice, freedom of spirit, freedom to live cannot be earned with dust. What Lien described to her so briefly about the androids of Detroit and what Connor tells her when she asks lets Ai learn that much. There's such a long way to go and Connor is still part of that wave.]

I hope everything works out for the both of you then. Connor spoke very fondly of you so it sounds like to me you'd be really good at solving cases together.

[determinare]

[Hank’s grin is a little lopsided.]

Did he? Didn’t know you cared, Connor.

[And because he’s sitting close enough, Hank reaches out and gives Connor a teasing bump against his shoulder with a fist. The latter’s own lips quirk into a grin.]

Of course. I only told her the truth of the matter. And you’re right, Ai, that we made a good team; I’m looking forward to being able to freely work with him on a more permanent basis, whenever that time comes.

Though the wait can be admittedly... frustrating.

[emotive]

[Ai seems to giggle at that admission.]

So you DO have some impatience, Connor.

[Somehow, it rounds him out.]

[determinare]

[Oh, Connor glances away, maybe a little self-conscious of that detail.]

Only sometimes.

[Oh boy, thinks Hank. The lieutenant regards the both of them when some mild amusement.]

You might be an android but you’re still not perfect. [To Ai:] You’ve obviously only seen the nice side of him. Connor can get as frustrated as the rest of us, not to mention he’s one of the most stubborn people I know.

He even has a sarcastic streak if you really get under his skin.

[Wow thanks for painting him in a flattering light, dad.]

[emotive]

[Ai likes this. She likes getting to know Connor through someone else's eyes. She likes this atmosphere they've made for themselves, company around the table where the attitudes aren't stiff and she can express herself freely.]

I can believe it! Who would he show sarcasm to though?

[give Ai all the juicy deets robo dad]

[determinare]

[dad no]

Well, let’s see... [Hank leans back in his chair somewhat, considering. A hand comes up to scratch at his chin.]

There’s a detective at the department named Gavin Reed. He’s a real prick in general, and he really hates Connor. Mostly ‘cause he’s an android. Was always trying to pick on him while we were on the deviant case.

He ran into Connor when he was trying to get into the evidence room one day. It was supposed to be Connor’s last day, and— well, what did you say to him?

[Omg why.] That I was really going to miss our bromance.

[Hank laughs.] Bromance. I didn’t even know you knew what that word meant. God, that was good.

[emotive]

[Ai's hands fly up to muffle her mouth because her laughter cannot be stopped. Oh god, even she knew that word (via Lien, of course) and the fact that Connor of all people just said it with a straight face??

She manages to talk rubbing one eye. (When was the last time she laughed? Ai can't remember and in a way, it pains her to realize that in the back of her heart).]

Connor you're...! [She muffles another giggle.]

That. I wish I could have seen that.

[determinare]

[Her laughter bubbles up, overflowing and making the atmosphere itself lighten. Connor doesn’t think he’s ever seen her laugh like that before, and for a moment, it’s all he can do but to look at her expression. At the way she seems utterly delighted.

He’s feels glad that he’s the reason for it. Even if, at the time, the story Hank has told has left out the tension and stress of the moment itself.

Connor can’t help but smile.]

He wasn’t happy about it. But I didn’t care. Detective Reed is agitating and annoying, and decided to make his appearance at the worst possible time.

So basically don’t get on Connor’s bad side. [Hank chimes in with a laugh of his own.]

[emotive]

Woe to anyone who does, right?

[She's able to catch her breath and finish her meal as the giggles settle.]

I'm glad to hear he has those sides.

[A whole person, a whole existence, one that fills up her heart more and more these days.]

I have a temper when I least expect it so that might be similar.

[determinare]

You have a temper?

[Ai, kind and shy and terrified of scary space movies. Connor has a hard time imagining her with a flaring temper.]

I’m having problems imagining it.

[And with all his programming regarding the predictive behavior of humans, too.]

[emotive]

Well, you've seen how I've gotten irritated with my sister.

[Even though that could be seen as just normal sibling interactions, Lien really is one of the few people that can get a rise out of Ai because of her inability to stay serious a majority of the time.]

But it is rare otherwise. [Ai being docile is probably for the best when it comes to a powerful psychic like her.

She's done eating for now and turns to Hank.]

Hank, what time are the fireworks? That way I can plan on what to wear at night.

[determinare]

[Hank scoots forward to work on his brunch a little more, since he’s been mostly busy talking. But he answers first.]

Whenever it starts getting dark — usually around 9, maybe 9:30.

[Connor is slotting the mental image of Ai getting mad at Lien away in his mind; just something normal between sisters, likely.]

We have plenty of time before then. We can plan accordingly if the fireworks will be part of our schedule.