[There’s isn’t much that elicits a laugh from Connor; usually he reserves smiles and light chuckles for his acquaintances with ease — anything more than that is rare. But seeing the emojis appear on his screen, then lifting his eyes to view what appears to be a mischievous look from Konoha actually does win one from him. It’s a huff of a thing, easily missed, but clear on his features and enough to make his shoulders shake.]
Connor laughed! Like- more than usual? Or... maybe not more but. Kind of... better? Than usual? Not that she can really pinpoint what about it makes her think that's the case, but.
Her smile tugs up higher at the corners, lightly biting on her bottom lip to avoid snorting herself as she gestures helplessly at her watch.]
They don’t. But you’re doing a good job of combining what does exist to create new ones.
[It’s kind of fun, really, doing this with her. Though this was mainly meant to be an informational season, what with the point of inviting her over, Connor finds that he enjoys his conversations with Konoha — as always.]
Did you know you could use this one to describe me?
[He sends her: 🤖]
Even if it is hyperbolic and inaccurate in a number of ways.
[She can't help but chuckle a little when praised, scratching behind her ear with a flick of tail in slightly self-conscious happiness, paying attention to what he sends her even if she doesn't know what "hyperbolic" is. Oh! It looks like some of the metal people on Struxta... and they were like cousins so she kind of sees it but...
Konoha shakes her head instead, smiling a bit cheekily again when she sends a message back.
Yeah, like- Should I not use the "emoji" with some people...
[She squints down at the gesture he'd sent through though, then squints a bit harder in confusion to make sure she was seeing it right. Did she miss something? Why was he slyly asking if she had a lover????]
Didn't I say I'm not married... ? I mean- not even pre-married...
[Uh-oh... Looks like all hand gestures aren't universal.]
[Even more confused, Konoha points at the thumb emoji he sent. It seemed like a random question to her, but... Connor was smart, maybe there was a point.]
There's not a pinky finger one so I can't ask you back...
[Connor leans in a little, out of ingrained habit to mirror those around him during social situations. They really do look conspiratorial like this; even if the android's face appears more curious than anything else, brow cinched lightly, waggling his thumb just a little bit to reflect Konoha's gesture.]
So it's determinant of a physical or romantic relationship with someone else?
[Ah. Understanding is settling in, the clashing of cultures that Connor couldn't have known about -- not even close to his original programming.]
[Still whispering behind her hand, accidentally carrying on the gossip miming, she... wriggles her thumb again. Then switches to pinky and points. Guy version.]
It really just means "okay" for you... ?
[Isn't it kind of erotic for an "okay"?
... That would explain the confusion, though, wouldn't it.]
-just means "okay" or "all right" or "I agree". I suppose it's cultural difference between us, one that I was unaware of until now. I wouldn't ask you without context if you liked someone, unless it was a subject you were obviously hoping to talk about.
[It's difficult when you come from a country with... very little idea of actual other cultures and countries. She's been learning since the Temple, though, so. Okay. Thumbs up. She can copy that. His isn't wriggling like hers, so that's a difference!]
Thanks, I think! I mean- I wouldn't ask you either, I guess? Since... androids don't get to... like people like that... ?
[Straightening completely and putting his hands behind his back, Connor is grateful for this new slice of knowledge to partition away into his memory.]
There are people that I would prefer to be around, of course. Those I would label as friends, much like yourself.
But romantic entanglements are beyond what our programming allows us. Even deviants, who might believe themselves to be inclined to it, are really just reacting to unfortunate errors in their coding. Like I've mentioned before.
[...ah. Hm. Suddenly, Connor's face falls into something more somber.]
...There's one here with us, in the Circle. Did you know that? I only found out myself recently.
[It's reassuring to hear him call them friends, especially when he talks like that, about how androids aren't capable of really loving romantically. Which is stupid of her, she thinks, because... what's so different about loving a friend and loving a partner? But then again, he didn't even say he loved his friends, just that he preferred their company, so was that all it was to him? And was being able to love an error?
Its complicated.
And all Konoha can think at first is how Arenvald had stumbled into such a big mess... And hope that her own somewhat somber expression is taken as serious reaction to the idea of a deviant in their midst, or rather... that it seemed serious to Connor.]
No, I didn't... I haven't seen anyone with a light or a coat like yours.
[What she associated with Connor's type of metal people. LEDs and model numbered clothing.]
[Not that it needs explanation, but Connor raises a hand to tap lightly at his temple.]
And she’s not dressed in anything that would indicate her status as an android. That’s often the case with deviants, as they hope to avoid detection as a general rule.
Her name is North. If you meet her, please be careful, Konoha.
As per usual, Konoha, in her ignorance of how exactly androids are put together, has kind of been thinking of the LED as... a very essential part of their head. So "removing it" sounds painful, and if she doesn't have one... How is she supposed to...
[Eyes flick over her form, concern flaring. But he rationalizes it away almost immediately; no, North would have no reason to do anything but likely act irritated around her. The only violence she had shown was towards him, and that was likely because of how eager Connor was to confront her at the time, ready to probe her memory in a desperate attempt at garnering a lead that he knows she possesses.]
…It’s all right. You couldn’t have known.
[His jawline tightens, actuators working.]
But it would be remiss of me to not tell you this: she’s a part of my on-going investigation back home. She refuses to cooperate with me, and has kept critical information to herself despite my questioning. As a deviant gone into hiding, she’s as good as a criminal.
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Is that you?
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Connor laughed! Like- more than usual? Or... maybe not more but. Kind of... better? Than usual? Not that she can really pinpoint what about it makes her think that's the case, but.
Her smile tugs up higher at the corners, lightly biting on her bottom lip to avoid snorting herself as she gestures helplessly at her watch.]
They don't have a jinba one!
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[It’s kind of fun, really, doing this with her. Though this was mainly meant to be an informational season, what with the point of inviting her over, Connor finds that he enjoys his conversations with Konoha — as always.]
Did you know you could use this one to describe me?
[He sends her: 🤖]
Even if it is hyperbolic and inaccurate in a number of ways.
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Konoha shakes her head instead, smiling a bit cheekily again when she sends a message back.
👦🤖!]
I think this one is better for Connor!
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👍]
I think so, too.
[Ah, but she had a question.]
Oh, you asked me about tone, right? You’re referring to different levels of formality?
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[She squints down at the gesture he'd sent through though, then squints a bit harder in confusion to make sure she was seeing it right. Did she miss something? Why was he slyly asking if she had a lover????]
Didn't I say I'm not married... ? I mean- not even pre-married...
[Uh-oh... Looks like all hand gestures aren't universal.]
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But then she... says she’s... not pre-married?]
...Does this affect how you intend to utilize your emojis?
[?????]
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[Even more confused, Konoha points at the thumb emoji he sent. It seemed like a random question to her, but... Connor was smart, maybe there was a point.]
There's not a pinky finger one so I can't ask you back...
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I’m sorry, Konoha. I’m a little confused; this might be an instance of miscommunication between two parties. A pinky finger for asking me what?
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A pinky, like...
[She sort of waggles hers at him...]
When you're being sneaky asking a man about his lover... ? And... thumb is for asking women... ?
[She switches over to just her thumb extended, flexing it with a purse of lips.
... So apparently that wasn't... what it meant for him, but.]
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Connor gives her a ‘thumbs up’.]
You mean this? [Yes, Connor, she’s doing it too.]
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[Look, now they're both doing it.
To demonstrate the tone, Konoha prances closer to mime two people gossiping, whispering behind a hand as if being sneaky.]
So... if you're trying to be discrete, you know, you see a girl, and you're like... Oh, did you hear... ?
[Thumb's up... wriggling a little bit... She's got herself a beau.]
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So it's determinant of a physical or romantic relationship with someone else?
[Ah. Understanding is settling in, the clashing of cultures that Connor couldn't have known about -- not even close to his original programming.]
I had meant it just as an affirmation. An "okay".
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[Still whispering behind her hand, accidentally carrying on the gossip miming, she... wriggles her thumb again. Then switches to pinky and points. Guy version.]
It really just means "okay" for you... ?
[Isn't it kind of erotic for an "okay"?
... That would explain the confusion, though, wouldn't it.]
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...Yes.
[And then drops his hand, straightening and looking at Konoha with a mildly delayed realization.]
I really should apologize. You must have thought I was propositioning something lewd to you.
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[Oh, right, she should probably stop pretending to gossip now. Taking a step back, Konoha lowers her hand, shaking her head.]
Not propositioning, just... asking if I had some I liked. Or- um, that I was liking. So it just seemed really random.
[No need to apologize or anything!!]
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I understand. But regardless, this-
[A thumbs-up for her, again.]
-just means "okay" or "all right" or "I agree". I suppose it's cultural difference between us, one that I was unaware of until now. I wouldn't ask you without context if you liked someone, unless it was a subject you were obviously hoping to talk about.
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[It's difficult when you come from a country with... very little idea of actual other cultures and countries. She's been learning since the Temple, though, so. Okay. Thumbs up. She can copy that. His isn't wriggling like hers, so that's a difference!]
Thanks, I think! I mean- I wouldn't ask you either, I guess? Since... androids don't get to... like people like that... ?
["Deviant", was it... ?]
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There are people that I would prefer to be around, of course. Those I would label as friends, much like yourself.
But romantic entanglements are beyond what our programming allows us. Even deviants, who might believe themselves to be inclined to it, are really just reacting to unfortunate errors in their coding. Like I've mentioned before.
[...ah. Hm. Suddenly, Connor's face falls into something more somber.]
...There's one here with us, in the Circle. Did you know that? I only found out myself recently.
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Its complicated.
And all Konoha can think at first is how Arenvald had stumbled into such a big mess... And hope that her own somewhat somber expression is taken as serious reaction to the idea of a deviant in their midst, or rather... that it seemed serious to Connor.]
No, I didn't... I haven't seen anyone with a light or a coat like yours.
[What she associated with Connor's type of metal people. LEDs and model numbered clothing.]
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[Not that it needs explanation, but Connor raises a hand to tap lightly at his temple.]
And she’s not dressed in anything that would indicate her status as an android. That’s often the case with deviants, as they hope to avoid detection as a general rule.
Her name is North. If you meet her, please be careful, Konoha.
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As per usual, Konoha, in her ignorance of how exactly androids are put together, has kind of been thinking of the LED as... a very essential part of their head. So "removing it" sounds painful, and if she doesn't have one... How is she supposed to...
Oh... Her name is North.
... Wait.]
... I gave her a tour of the Temple.
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You did what?
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[Should... She have been more careful? The woman seemed rather curt and a bit testy, but...]
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[Eyes flick over her form, concern flaring. But he rationalizes it away almost immediately; no, North would have no reason to do anything but likely act irritated around her. The only violence she had shown was towards him, and that was likely because of how eager Connor was to confront her at the time, ready to probe her memory in a desperate attempt at garnering a lead that he knows she possesses.]
…It’s all right. You couldn’t have known.
[His jawline tightens, actuators working.]
But it would be remiss of me to not tell you this: she’s a part of my on-going investigation back home. She refuses to cooperate with me, and has kept critical information to herself despite my questioning. As a deviant gone into hiding, she’s as good as a criminal.
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i give up you win
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