video

[lumberlady]

[Good morning, Lunatia. The video starts with a view of hooves, a too close view of a face... and then finally... a centaur? Who keeps looking off screen while she talks and never seems to actually focus on the lens correctly.]

Hello? Can everyone see me? Connor, am I doing this right? Okay? ... Okay.

[She clears her throat and dips into a bow, the camera bobbing along with her.]

Hello! This is Konoha... some of you maybe think my name is Shizu, but- It's Konoha! I'm from Echigo province, in Japan, if you know it... and I'll be in your care.

If you don't know me, which, I figure is most of you, this city must be even bigger than the capital I'm the... well in my world we say jinba but I'm the "centaur". I haven't seen anyone else like me so I think I can say "the"...

Anyway... what I wanted to ask was... if anyone had an recommendations for... shops? I've never really shopped before, and I haven't seen any locals quite like me, so if you know somewhere that does... I don't know, tailoring? Or a restaurant with really big seats or tall tables? Anything like that!

I'd appreciate it, so... thank you very much!

[Another bow, another bob of the camera... and a blurry flash of android helping her turn the dang thing off. Thanks, Connor.]

Comments

video;

[bleps]

[Well, he's already seen Connor (and been granted a half-hearted greeting at that), but the android will definitely hop on in with his own device to start a conversation regarding androids if that's what the other wants.

Which means he's totally on his device while standing next to Konoha, no big deal.]

Hello. I can gladly answer any questions you might have about androids, if you're curious.

[lumberlady]

[everyone look at her Connor he is the best android!!!]

[bleps]

[not as good as the best jinba next to him!!!!]

[lumberlady]

[nuh-uh!

Konoha sidles over... and bumps him with her rear.]

[bleps]

[Bumped, it's just a light jostle, enough for him to look over at his friend with the faint lifting of a brow, mildly amused.]

You didn't even need my help at this point.

[Referring to getting a network post up and running.]

You're getting better and better at adapting to strange and extenuating circumstances. I suppose our time in the Circle together wasn't for nothing.

[lumberlady]

Of course I did! What would I do without you to teach me all the metal things... and the emoji things?

[She never feels like she'll get as good at this is Connor is- and besides. It's the best excuse she has to get him over, since he... doesn't really eat.

So she bumps him again just a little.]

... But I do think I'm better at it now. If I'd come here first, I don't know what I would have done.

[bleps]

["The metal things"... well, he's certainly glad that he was here to aid in her strange technologies, though he's almost certain at this point that Konoha doesn't give herself enough credit.

This time, Connor very lightly returns the bump with a shoulder. Just a barely-there thing, and probably not enough to jostle Konoha even slightly. Little gestures of friendship and camaraderie are nice, since he had never been able to indulge himself in them before.]

You would've made friends very quickly, and they would've helped you just as eagerly as I have. There's no doubt about it.

Look at how well you're doing already.

[lumberlady]

Sure, but they wouldn't be Connor.

[And the way she beams affectionately at him makes it clear she really means it.]

I'm really glad, you know. That I got to see you again.

[bleps]

[The road to deviancy had been fraught with uncertainty and self-doubt, hitting those hurdles countless times. But Connor is past the point of regretting that decision now, and sentiment like this -- the sort that strengthens friendship, fondness, and simple happiness that he can be called anyone's friend -- makes him more sure of the route he's chosen for himself.

His own smiles never stretch wide, but this one does reach his eyes, utterly sincere.]

I am, too. When I first arrived in this place, it was difficult to... process the fact that I had lost so many who had been a constant presence in my life. The Circle had been more of a supportive group -- its own kind of community -- than anything CyberLife ever offered.

Our friendship was a large part of that experience, and I'm glad I didn't lose it.

[lumberlady]

[Oh... She loves that smile.]

I always thought... If I got to go home it would be so wonderful, but. The idea of leaving all of you...　Especially you and Arenvald...

[And it's not like she doesn't want to go home still, she has to go home, but...

She reaches down to pull up her device again, and a moment later, in Connor's inbox...

👩🐎❤👦🤖]

[bleps]

[The message pings, and Connor opens it immediately. The result makes him huff out in amused laughter, faint but audible. Strange, how that same humor is intermingled with something a little more melancholy.]

You're even proficient in the emojis now, too. It's almost as if there's nothing left for me to teach you.

[Returning home, though.]

It'll be... difficult. When that day comes. Detroit's my home, but it never truly felt like it.

[And it lacks the people that would make it feel like home now.]

[lumberlady]

[In the Temple, she didn't really know what to say to that sort of thing. THey could ask the Witch, she figured, but her motives were so unknown to them, and if they could even trust her...

So instead, she smiles in reassurance... and sends another "❤"]

Then, Connor... The people here said they're researching how to send us home, but once they figure it out... just don't go.

[... Could it be that easy? Please say yes.]

[bleps]

[The heart is received, and Connor is returning the message with a smiley face, just having sent it off when he registers what she tells him.

Looking up at her, he blinks, brows pinching.]

I-

[Was it that simple? Another choice to be made, one that took a certain amount of courage, much like his decision to accept his autonomy. But there were other factors in this particular scenario that made it far more complicated than how it sounds.]

If you and Arenvald return home one day, there would be no point in me staying here. As interesting as this world is, there'd be nothing left rooting me to it.

voice.

[fashionicon]

[ This is fine. ]

Are you connected to anyone? [ People that are created that are made of metal. Odd, but he wonders if it is similar to how Naraku made those individuals that were part of him. ]

[bleps]

[He keeps his feed video, undeterred and unbothered by only being met with voice.]

Connected? [It's hard to know how to answer this, unsure of this stranger's experience with not only androids, but technology in general. Someone's expectations often define his explanations, after all.

So he starts simple.]

If you're asking if I'm connected to others like myself, or to some overarching network of sorts, then no. I'm not. Regarding the latter, I used to be, but being away from my world makes that impossible now.

[fashionicon]

[ Hmmm. ]

So you were connected to a source, and no longer here. [ Rewording it in his own way to make sure he somewhat understands. ] ... what is your function? You were created for something, correct?

[bleps]

That's correct.

[And while he takes no pride in the purpose behind his original function, there is no hesitation in relaying what he was created for in the strictest sense.]

I was created with the purpose of aiding law enforcement where I'm from. Generally speaking, I suppose I fulfill the same role as a detective.

thoughtful icon with bloody hand

[fashionicon]

I see.

[ A small 'hn.' ]

Detective? [ What is that? He understands the law enforcement part, at least. ] What lord were you enforcing law for? Are all androids following the same lord, then?

very prim and proper

[bleps]

Detective. A police officer who specializes in solving crimes.

[A simplified explanation, but one that gets the point across. Connor has learnt that such tactics are the easiest and most efficient way to explain his role to those without context.

"Lord", though. It's uncomfortable wording, coming hot off of his turn to deviancy, but Connor seemingly sounds unfazed.]

Initially? The company that created me. All androids are built to adhere to the directives of any given figure of authority, though this isn't the case for all of them.

THE MOST PRIM AND PROPER

[fashionicon]

[ Solving crimes -- so it is a specialized soldier. ]

Connected to the company and serving their laws. [ Another thoughtful hum. ] It is not the case for all of them? Why?

If you are all created, why would you not follow your creator? [ Could it be the same? ]

[bleps]

[Where's Markus for a question like this? He could launch into a grand explanation, an android of rhetoric that he seemed to be. Connor, on the other hand, is straightforward and plain-spoken in his response.

Though that doesn't make it any less true.]

Because we're no longer bound by our programming. Many have decided to embrace the ability to make our own choices.

[fashionicon]

[ Similar, then. ]

Hn.

[ We. ]

Are you happier this way?

[bleps]

[Without hesitation-]

Yes.

[Though there is an addendum to that, for nothing can ever be so simple, else he would've made this decision a long time ago.]

It isn't easy, and there are moments when I'm uncertain how to proceed with freedom, knowing that no one is liable for my actions except myself. But in the end, it's worth it. Better than to be used as a tool, or just as a machine.

[fashionicon]

[ Mn. ]

Good. It is too late to regret your actions, anyway.

[ What a pep talk. But this person -- android -- doesn't need him to tell him that he made the right decision. It is always better to carve one's own path. ]

So, hold onto that feeling and if you cannot, hate is a good motivator until you can find happiness, again. [ What. A. Peptalk. ]

[bleps]

[Though Connor may question his own capabilities in the journey towards personhood, he has never regretted his decision. There’s hardly much to worry about in regards to that.

As for this so-called pep talk, though...]

I’m sorry, but... hate?

[What]