[OPEN] We've got these summertime nights

[plasticasshole]

Who: Connor & open (with some locked prompts maybe)
When: Through June
Where: Aefenglom in general
What: Berry picking (and getting drunk), teaching an automaton feelings
Warnings: None



Berry Picking;

[Connor knows how it feels to get drunk, if only purely from his Bonds. And honestly? He hates it. It throws him off balance both figuratively and literally, and he always ends up just laying down and waiting for it to pass. This is different though, and so he doesn't really notice anything is wrong for a while. The physical symptoms aren't really present, he just feels happy. Really happy. Giddy, even.

He manages to bump into someone with his little basket of berries, and for whatever reason the sight of the berries just rolling away is too much. He snickers, even as he looks up apologetically.]

I'm sorry, I'm not laughing at you... I'm not actually sure what I'm laughing at.


Mr. Emotional;

[You know what's hard? Teaching an automaton about feelings. Connor already tried to "convert" it the way he would an android back home. Failing that, there's nothing left but to talk to it. Which isn't a bad thing, but it's even more limited than an android is.

He's currently sitting and trying to teach it about happiness. It's only now that he realises he can't quite convey how happiness really works, and he doesn't know how to make it happy so it can experience the emotion for itself. Help?]

Comments

Berry Picking

[fuckingpassw0rd]

[Hank just thought he was getting old. Yesterday's beer was still lingering on? Shit, how he'd be come soft from his lack of drinking. At this rate a shot of whisky would probably down him and--]

What the fuck? Connor?

[?!?!]

[plasticasshole]

[Hank's confusion brings a smile to Connor's face, and he shakes his head before slumping into Hank entirely.]

I just... I don't know, Hank.

[He thinks he understands what has happened, even if he doesn't know how it happened. Hank is here and seems just as confused as Connor, so for once he can't just assume it's his fault.]

It was just funny.

[When was the last time he'd laughed? Valentine's Day? He was with Hank then, too. Maybe Hank is just hilarious.]

Sorry Hank's notifs died for some reason? I think they work now

[fuckingpassw0rd]

Ooof! What the hell...

[Hank you are getting a taste of your own medicine, that's what. He's pretty sure the alcohol in his system is long gone and there's no way it would cause this effect on Connor. Which can only mean a single, if improbably conclusion;]

Have you...been drinking?

[plasticasshole]

What? No!

[Seemingly offended by the notion, he frowns up at Hank.]

I do feel... strange, though. Not bad, but... yes, drunk, in a way.

[This is like being drunk without the terrible side effects that come with it.]

And I'm sure it's not Akira... and it obviously isn't you.

[fuckingpassw0rd]

[Well he is offended that you are offended Connor. How else do you explain this?]

In a way...[He parrots it, incredulous. How do you get drunk 'in a way?']...Well what do you think caused it?

[Would getting him in water help? Shit he's not sure.]

Let's uh, take you home meanwhile see if that helps.

Mr. Emotional

[turmoiling]

[Jin Guangyao was interested in the idea of such an automaton, out of curiosity. But now he's stuck trying to explain something that, frankly, his bonded would be much better at, considering how much he speaks of this idea that Jin Guangyao should be happy.]

It would be something like a feeling of warmth, brought about by something you wish to see continue. Wouldn't you say?

[He turns to the other fellow at the task with a kind smile, hoping for some affirmation.]

[plasticasshole]

Well, maybe... I guess it is kind of like a warmth.

[But does the automaton understand warmth as a concept beyond just being hot or cold? Does it understand that it can be pleasing? That's the problem here. He doesn't know what he's dealing with in terms of how advanced it is.]

This is harder than I anticipated.

[He gives the other man a tired smile.]

[turmoiling]

[Jin Guangyao laughs lightly.]

It truly is. Such a thing is quite curious though, isn't it? We've no such automatons where I am from.

Perhaps it should be described in terms of fond relationships between people? It will have to speak with others as well, and being treated well is a sort of happiness among others too, isn't it?

[plasticasshole]

We don't have magical automatons where I'm from, but we have androids.

[He thinks on that answer, though.]

It is. At the very least, it shouldn't allow itself to be treated poorly.

[Connor will absolutely fight anyone who wants to treat it that way.]

I wonder if we're supposed to teach it negative emotions, too...

[He doesn't want to hurt its feelings, new and unexplored as they are.]

[turmoiling]

[Jin Guangyao nods in full agreement.]

If they expect it to look after itself, it is only reasonable. I would rather teach it of only kind actions, but I do wonder what purpose is planned for it in the end? Kindness may not be good enough if it has no way to defend itself.

What are 'androids'? Is it a similar sort of situation, then?

[He asks curiously, having no idea -- there are too many new things from too many new words to catch up on something approximating over a thousand years of history]

two berry lightweights

[stopfen]

[Mikasa knew being drunk, she'd only been drunk a few times before coming to the city though. But when anything you liked, or just the general mood of the people around you was intoxicating... She'd gotten a bit of experience with it. Enough to notice the slight blurs to edges of her vision.

The bump gets a little yelp from the fae as her arm waves out, just about catching her balance before she can tumble into the bush. A few of her berries falling to the ground. Then she's still for a moment and slowly turning tilting her head. For once, there's no tired, guarded expression, just a blank stare, and flush cheeks as her mouth fell open. Then looking to the berries on the ground, then him.]

Why are you sorry if you're not laughing at me?

[Please ignore the hitch in her voice mid-sentance there.]

[plasticasshole]

Because I knocked into you.

[He does chuckle, though. Mikasa does look funny with her mouth agape like that.]

I don't... really know what's wrong with me. I wouldn't usually find this so funny.

[stopfen]

...Oh. [The blankest of blank stares with those large, black compound eyes. Look at yourself, slightly reflected in those hexagons.]

It smells weird here. [And the antenna streeeeech, then just flop towards him. Giving him a sniff, is he the source of the weird smell she couldn't identify. She knew Mettaton smelt of metal and fur. What about fish robo? But that didn't match the sweet intoxicating smell.]

[plasticasshole]

[Connor smells faintly of cologne and sea water. Weird combination maybe, but not this kind of weird. He sniffs, brows furrowed.]

You don't think it's just the berries?

[Are they supposed to smell like that?]

[stopfen]

[Is it bad that his cologne was stranger to her than the saltwater? At least the harbor smelled similar to that.]

...I don't know. They smell so strong and like two different berries. [And for a moment she lifts one hand from her basket, pawing at the air for a second. Then holding two fingers up. V for victory wasn't a thing where she was from, but that was what she was unintentionally doing. As though he didn't know what two meant.]

Visiting L

[plasticasshole]

[It's been a little while since Connor visited L, mainly because he was being moved out of hospital and into Myr's care and Connor didn't want to get in the way. But he does visit, and with him he brings an assortment of books. Among them are books on magical prosthesis, because Connor is sure L doesn't want to go without fingers for the rest of his life and he might be interested in pursuing the topic. There are books for Witches with disabilities, too. Witches with missing fingers apparently aren't uncommon, given how magic can get rather explosive if not used properly.

In any case, upon being let in, Connor promptly dumps the stack of books on L's bedside table and gives him a bright smile.]

Hello, Linden. I brought you some books.

[His eyes are fine, Connor.]

[hearthebell]

[After the full moons, L is in a better place since Connor last saw him, both figuratively and on a very literal level. His thrived, as much as he possibly could given his current circumstances, under Myr's kindness and care, and he's taking steps toward reestablishing himself as a semi-functional person with a basic standard for independence. It's been difficult, of course, but lately, it's feeling easier to manage. It helps that he has a new plaything to occupy his time, finding Niles through scrying and prodding at him with some of his most tried-and-true methods. It's almost a shame, to take a break for things like food and rest... but it would raise a few red flags to those nearest him if he simply opted to spend his entire life engaged in pursuit.

He reaches for the pane of glass that's made communication easier lately, with all aside from Myr who has no way of seeing the red letters appearing on the surface with the help of a little blood magic. He sets it on the table in front of him, where he's perched and sitting, having apparently just finished a meal that's healthier than his usual fare.]

Thank you.

[The words appear in spidery red letters, remaining long enough to be read before they dissolve to make room for the next messages.]

It wasn't necessary, but I appreciate the kindness.

[plasticasshole]

[His eyebrows raise briefly at the method of communication, but it's better than their last method he supposes. He stands with his hands held loosely behind his back, scanning the plate critically before being seemingly satisfied by what he gleaned from the remains.]

It's good to see you eating healthier. You do look better for it.

[He gestures to a chair by the table.]

Can I sit? There was one book in particular I wanted to show you.

[The one involving magic for those with disabilities. Prosthesis may be a while in the making, so until then L could benefit from re-learning magic without fingers.]

[hearthebell]

[Considering the speed and ease with which the letters appear, it's far better. Even if one has the patience and the knowledge to parse blinked morse code, it's a tedious process, and this is nearly as smooth and easy as speech, outstripping even a quick typist's speed.

He fidgets at Connor's comment about his eating, nudging his chair aside to make a little more room when the android asks to take a seat at his side. Words flit across the screen.]

Of course; thank you.

[He peers curiously toward the tome.]

[plasticasshole]

[The book has sections for different disabilities, but Connor flips easily to the section for loss of fingers. It's a big section, so there's a lot of work with.]

It says here that with some practice, you won't even need fingers to cast with. Let's see... you've only lost fingers, not an entire hand, so-

[He turns the book to face L.]

i think the gist is that you work as if you have fingers. It's harder to control without them actually present, but magic can make allowances as long as you're determined enough, I suppose. It says a good beginner's trick is to close your eyes while you practice at first.

Exploring the Zen Garden with Akira

[plasticasshole]

[Connor hasn't tried to access the Zen Garden since he was forcefully pulled inside it while Markus was making his speech. Truth be told, he's been afraid to go back. What if Amanda is waiting for him? He's always been a little bit wary of her. She can try to force control from Connor.

Realistically though, it would make more sense that Amanda isn't there. CyberLife doesn't exist here. With that in mind, Connor feels like the Zen Garden would be a nice place to escape to when he needs to de-stress. He just needs the courage to go... but maybe he doesn't have to go alone.

He could ask Hank. But he has another Bond now, doesn't he? So he fiddles idly with his watch for a while before sending a voice message.]

Akira? It's Connor. I was wondering if you would be interested in exploring... well, it's a garden, but to put it simply, it's inside my mind. I haven't been there for over a year now. I just wondered if I could still access it... and what would be waiting for me there if I did. I don't want to go alone, and admittedly I've never taken anyone there before, but I think if it was going to work it would be with a Bonded.

Voice;

[beguiledcard]

[ He doesn't have to wait long for a response. ]

Your mind, huh? [ well, Connor miiiight be able to guess why there's a musement here ] Sure thing.

Do we need to meet somewhere?

[plasticasshole]

[He can guess, after learning about the Metaverse. But maybe that's why Akira is a better fit than Hank, too.]

Come to my house? I can fix you something to eat afterwards, if you want.

[He feels it would be rude to just ask Akira to leave again after helping him out.]

[beguiledcard]

[ He hums and gives a nod, even though it can't be seen. ]

Okay. Sounds good.

[ While his preference for human food has diminished a bit, he still enjoys it - if only primarily for... nostalgic value, in a way. And also he'd feel rude turning Connor down. The circle of avoiding rudeness. ]

You all right with me heading that way now?

[plasticasshole]

If you don't mind. I'll be waiting.

[In the meantime, he'll just pace around his living room. When Akira shows up he seems to relax a bit, and he invites him inside with a nod.]

Thanks for doing this.

[He feels a little silly for it, but he also feels a lot better about doing this with some support.]