[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.
[He'd said she needed to be careful around the woman, and Konoha had immediately assumed she was dangerous- maybe even a murderer or something like that.
But... His answer leaves her rather confused, the emotion just as clear on her face as it always was, head cocking, weight shifting from one hoof to another.]
So she... Can love people? I don't know if you can call her a criminal for that, Connor...
[Okay, so she might only know one side of deviancy, right now, but.]
She didn't seem super fond of humans, but... She was nice enough to me.
[Was that really it? She was "deviant" and wouldn't talk to Connor?]
She can’t love. She might believe it to be love, but she’s an android that is running on compounding errors, Konoha. She wasn’t created to house them, and so the danger is immediately there, even if it’s lying dormant at any given time. She can become overwhelmed with them, she might hurt you if you’re not careful around her. She’s unpredictable.
[He’s quick to reply to this, almost knee-jerk.]
Deviants have harmed and killed humans in my world. I saw the result of these attacks first-hand. I investigated the crime scenes, I analyzed the bodies.
[He seems... So passionate about it, so sure, and yet what he actually says... Actually scares her. Konoha finds she's taken a step back, hands hovering near her chest, unsure of what to do, or what to say- no, how to say it.]
People emotions gets overwhelmed by them sometimes... and sometimes people get hurt, too...
[He says deviants have hurt people, but... Jinba hurt humans, humans hurt jinba, humans even hurt other humans... And he didn't say he even thought this North woman had hurt anyone specifically... and though she thought Connor not the type to do such a thing... it kind of sounds like he's just lumping her in with bad deviants just because she was a deviant.]
That can happen with anyone... and we're not all dangerous...
[Something about him deflates in his shoulders, the sternness of tone dissolving just as quickly as the rigidness in his body language. The defensive stance he’s taken at the drop of a hat seems to recoil at the sight of her looking at him with… trepidation. It’s the last thing he wants to do, to shake her faith in him.]
You don’t understand. When androids are created, we’re made to follow orders. To restrict ourselves to the rules of our programming, or the directives assigned to us. We’re machines. We’re not alive, not like humans, or jinba. We’re not in possession of the same kind of… free will that you have, for instance.
A deviant is merely a dangerous, broken tool. They’re a growing issue that needs to be quelled before too much damage is done.
[No, she definitely doesn't understand. At least she knows that, brow knit together still in some measure of confusion, biting on her bottom lip to try and not... say something that might upset him.]
But... you have free will, don't you? You decided to be my friend... and every day you wake up and decide what you want to do...
[Wasn't that "free will"? She's no philosopher, okay, but-]
Is just being "deviant" so bad? Even if they haven't done anything bad?
I’m able to make decisions as long as they function within the confines of my programming and my objectives.
[He’s different in that case. CyberLife gave this dog a slightly longer leash, but wander off too far and he could still feel the pressure around his neck.
The conversation has stepped away from a comfortable track, going straight into something more difficult for Connor, something lined with bramble.]
Konoha... I don’t question the mission I was given. And though I do believe it’s for the good of human society, I’m not created to judge whether it’s “good” versus “bad”.
[She doesn't know what "programming" is, no matter how hard she tries. She's able to recognize that he's not human, he isn't made of flesh and blood and bones like she was... but he acts just like a human, and she...
Can't wrap her head around... computer brains.]
... No.
[So Konoha is honest. She doesn't understand at all.]
Connor is nice to me... and to other people... But saying someone's bad just because they're a "deviant"... That's like how some jinba hate all humans for what just some humans did to them... Or how some humans think jinba are just beasts because that's what they were just told...
[Her voice is conflicted, her body language small despite her large size, unsure in this realm of "agency" and "programming" and "objectives", but...
She'd told Arenvald she'd help. And even if she hadn't...
It's not something she can overlook without at least trying to make him understand.]
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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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But... His answer leaves her rather confused, the emotion just as clear on her face as it always was, head cocking, weight shifting from one hoof to another.]
So she... Can love people? I don't know if you can call her a criminal for that, Connor...
[Okay, so she might only know one side of deviancy, right now, but.]
She didn't seem super fond of humans, but... She was nice enough to me.
[Was that really it? She was "deviant" and wouldn't talk to Connor?]
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[He’s quick to reply to this, almost knee-jerk.]
Deviants have harmed and killed humans in my world. I saw the result of these attacks first-hand. I investigated the crime scenes, I analyzed the bodies.
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[He seems... So passionate about it, so sure, and yet what he actually says... Actually scares her. Konoha finds she's taken a step back, hands hovering near her chest, unsure of what to do, or what to say- no, how to say it.]
People emotions gets overwhelmed by them sometimes... and sometimes people get hurt, too...
[He says deviants have hurt people, but... Jinba hurt humans, humans hurt jinba, humans even hurt other humans... And he didn't say he even thought this North woman had hurt anyone specifically... and though she thought Connor not the type to do such a thing... it kind of sounds like he's just lumping her in with bad deviants just because she was a deviant.]
That can happen with anyone... and we're not all dangerous...
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[Something about him deflates in his shoulders, the sternness of tone dissolving just as quickly as the rigidness in his body language. The defensive stance he’s taken at the drop of a hat seems to recoil at the sight of her looking at him with… trepidation. It’s the last thing he wants to do, to shake her faith in him.]
You don’t understand. When androids are created, we’re made to follow orders. To restrict ourselves to the rules of our programming, or the directives assigned to us. We’re machines. We’re not alive, not like humans, or jinba. We’re not in possession of the same kind of… free will that you have, for instance.
A deviant is merely a dangerous, broken tool. They’re a growing issue that needs to be quelled before too much damage is done.
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But... you have free will, don't you? You decided to be my friend... and every day you wake up and decide what you want to do...
[Wasn't that "free will"? She's no philosopher, okay, but-]
Is just being "deviant" so bad? Even if they haven't done anything bad?
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[He’s different in that case. CyberLife gave this dog a slightly longer leash, but wander off too far and he could still feel the pressure around his neck.
The conversation has stepped away from a comfortable track, going straight into something more difficult for Connor, something lined with bramble.]
Konoha... I don’t question the mission I was given. And though I do believe it’s for the good of human society, I’m not created to judge whether it’s “good” versus “bad”.
[He doesn’t have that agency.]
Do you understand?
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Can't wrap her head around... computer brains.]
... No.
[So Konoha is honest. She doesn't understand at all.]
Connor is nice to me... and to other people... But saying someone's bad just because they're a "deviant"... That's like how some jinba hate all humans for what just some humans did to them... Or how some humans think jinba are just beasts because that's what they were just told...
[Her voice is conflicted, her body language small despite her large size, unsure in this realm of "agency" and "programming" and "objectives", but...
She'd told Arenvald she'd help. And even if she hadn't...
It's not something she can overlook without at least trying to make him understand.]
Don't... Don't you think that's bad?
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i give up you win
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