(no subject)

[socrowdedinhere]

 

Connor: *gazes back at Darnell as he speaks, as he listens to all of that... and it kind of hits him why it bothers him so much.* ...The difference is that you are expected to feel emotions, but my feeling emotions is unplanned for and will have me dismantled to find out what happened in my programming to cause those emotions in the first place. *that's... what's had him on edge all afternoon... he knows that if these emotions continue, pass or fail the testing, he'll still be taken away from Darnell and killed just to find out why a computer program thought it could feel emotion...*

Darnell: *the words hit him like a punch to the gut, eyes widening as that sinks in* ........no...no, they...they /can't/.

Connor: ...*looks at Darnell... and tries to put on a smile* I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. It's possible they did plan for this, they just did not tell us so as not to influence the test. *his smile is forced... he doesn't believe what he's just said, but he doesn't want to leave Darnell upset, either...*

Darnell: ..........you're an analyst and investigator, and you know them far better than I do. Do you really believe that? *meeting his gaze* Tell me the truth, Connor.

Connor: *it takes him a long moment to look up at Darnell, LED flickering red for a moment* ...No...

Darnell: ............ *scoots closer and pulls Connor into a hug, clearly /protective/!* We'll figure this out. I won't let them take you. I won't let them /kill/ you just because they don't understand their own actions and consequences. They have no right to punish you for something you can't help, or for their own shortsightedness. 

Connor: *surprised, and yet he shouldn't be. He leans into Darnell, shifting his arms to hug back...* ...Thank you, Darnell... but I don't know that you'll be able to stop them once you leave the States... *he knows CyberLife wants to expand to Europe, but Darnell would have to convince them to /let/ him bring an android in, and CyberLife would have to agree to contract him out to Darnell personally instead of to MCF, /and/... they'd have to determine that he passed his tests with Darnell... what if part of the final test is going over his memories and programming? What if, even if he leaves most of today out of his uploads they still figure out that he felt fear? What will they do then? He suddenly realizes... he doesn't wan to die...*

Darnell: I'll figure it out. I'll contact my agent handler in Britain. Thomas will help us. We'll figure it out. I'm /not/ going to abandon you, Connor. I won't let them hurt you. I don't care if you're technically their /property/. *said with disdain . . . then, quietly* I'll /steal/ you if I have to. Because I know they 're wrong.

Connor: *shifts back, gripping Darnell’s shoulders and ducking to get the man to look at him* No. Darnell, no. You’re a detective, law enforcement. Don’t risk your career, your /life/, for me. Please. *he wants to say he’s not worth that, but knows Darnell would argue, and... and he’s starting to understand why... or at least that he /wants/ Darnell to argue for him. But he doesn’t want to see Darnell ruined for his sake...*

Comments

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: *not sure he believes that, not after their earlier conversation - he's used the 'I'm fine' line too manybtimes himself. He glances at the color of Connor's LED to be sure, then nods* I'm fed, I'm clean...after a good, solid sleep, I should be good to go. *a beat* Long couple of days for both of us. You've been faced with significant thinks in the past two days that most never even dream of, and definitely wouldn't believe to be possible or real.

[socrowdedinhere]

Connor: *his LED is blue. He’s calm right now, focusing on Misty.* ...Those are certainly a stress on my systems, but not so much as realizing I was... afraid to see you killed today. Afraid of being helpless to stop it from happening. Robots shouldn’t be able to feel fear...

[cyberlifeslastchance]

Darnell: *small grin* Robots can't. But a mere robot isn't intelligent. It can't think for itself. It's not self-aware. It really is just a machine running a program, no different than my laptop. You're not. You're an android with true intelligence, self-awareness, thoughts, opinions… Even in science fiction going back to the nineteen-fifties and -sixties - maybe more - the question of artificial intelligence and what defines life has been in debate. *crooked grin* Spoiler alert . . . more times than not, the androids win. I'll have to find the episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation where the android character Data is literally put on trial to determine if he was just a piece of property or an intelligent being with agency. *holds up a hand before Connor can protest, if he starts to* I know, it's "just fiction, it's not real." But until CyberLife, androids weren't real, either. Period. Star Wars had communicators. Now we have cell phones. Star Trek had datapads. Now we have tablets. Back to the Future had hoverboards. I've heard someone's invented a working model, though I haven't looked into it yet. /Countless/ works of fiction have included "mechanical men" in some form or other. Now we have androids. Fiction has proven, in a sense, over and over again that androids can be capable of true intelligence, of agency, of opinions and desires, of emotions. Of life. Not biological, no, but maybe that's too narrow a definition by shortsighted people who can't or don't want to see past their own sense of superiority.

((btw, little incidental side-note - Darnell's bought a thick, close-weave blanket, maybe black wool, that he keeps on or by the couch. He'll turn the AC WAY down [so he doesn't overheat bc omg], then will throw the blanket of his and Connor's laps to watch TV so Misty can be out there with them. He'll go into the bedroom and scoop her up in it to carry out so they can have the lights on or at least the TV on and she won't get hurt. <3 Right now, all lights are off, so it's good, but...generally speaking.))

[socrowdedinhere]

Connor: ...I know I’m not alive, and yet I found myself thinking today that I don’t want to die. ...Thank you, by the way, for being determined to fight for me. It means a lot to me.

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: You "know" that because that's what narrow-minded people have told you. The mere fact that you thought "I don't want to die" proves them wrong. *gives his shoulder a squeeze* Of course. /You/ mean a lot to me. *leans over to shoulder-check him, buddy-style. He'll get up long enough to run the AC down, then resettle to pull Misty's thick blanket across their laps so he can turn on the TV for a while...though he'll wind up passing out fairly quickly*

[socrowdedinhere]

Connor: *that puts a littlr smile on his face. He’ll lean slightly to meet that shoulder-check, and will make sure Misty is well covered. He’ll love on her as they watch something... and will let Darnell doze for a short time before gebtly waking the man and suggesting he go to bed.*

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: *will bid them both good night and go collapse in bed - dreams that night will consist of demons trying to take Connor away and a frightening monster helping defend his "little brother"*

[socrowdedinhere]

Connor: *has never done this before, but tonight he knows those nightmares are about him, so he slips into the room at one point to crouch by Darnell’s bed to put a conforting hand on his arm*
Misty: *snuggled to Darnell’s chest, as usual.*

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: *restless, though Misty's reassuring weight on his chest helps. The hand on his arm makes him flinch but doesn't wake him, his subconscious mind knowing who it is and that he's safe. He settles and is largely quiet for the rest of the night*

[socrowdedinhere]

Connor: *doesn’t tire or get physically uncomfortable, so he’ll just stay there, ceouched by Darnell, a hand resting lightly on the man’s shoulder.*

===

*It will likely be Connor pulling away and standing that wakes Darnell. The android was going to go make Darnell breakfast.*

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: *at least once, he'll reach up in his sleep to cover that hand on his shoulder - he does stir when the hand finally leaves* Mn...wha-... *blinks and looks up blearily* Connor...? Everything okay?

[socrowdedinhere]

Connor: *hesistates, sorry he woke Darnell, but just gives him a smile* Everything is fine. I was just heading to make you breakfast.

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: Thanks, buddy. *scrubs his hands over his face, waking himself up the rest of the way* How long have you been here?

[socrowdedinhere]

Connor: *a pause as he checks his cronometer.* Aproximately six and a half hours. Your nightmares seemed to ease while my hand was on your shoulder, so I stayed.
Misty: *stirs and atretches on his chest, a leg reaching beyond the blankets to lightly press on Darnell’s chin. Her way of saying good morning when she’s not quite awake yet. When fully awake she tends to press her forehead to his and press upon him warmth and fondness.*

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: Oh, geez, Connor! You didn't need to do that. *grins* Thank you, though. That was really kind of you. *soft snerk at the paw to his chin and reaches a hand under the covers to love on her* Good morning, Misty. *will gently shift her off his chest and move to get up*

[socrowdedinhere]

Misty: *light howling of wind to let him know she’s content.*
Connor: I don’t mind. I don’t get tired after all, and my presence seemed to help you.

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: Yup, probably did. *pats his arm, then pulls himself out of bed and heads for the bathroom to start getting ready for work*

[socrowdedinhere]

Connor: *will go make breakfast for Darnell. He’s reasy to go when Darnell is.*

[neverasked4this]

*Darnell will get around, have breakfast, get Connor dressed as well as he can for work, and they'll get out the door. Both pants and dress shirt are too short, but Darnell will get his Connor's sleeves and pant-legs rolled up a bit to make it look a little better. *

[socrowdedinhere]

Connor: *he will... protest, at least a little. He shouldn't be out in public without his uniform. These clothes don't fit, he's too tall for them... he will even softly mutter to himself (though Darnell will hear) that he feels silly looking like this. He's not sure what's worse, looking like an awkward teen that's grown too much during the school year and his parents can't afford new clothes, or the thought of going back to the office in those over-sized sweats and tee-shirt looking like a bum... Finally they'll head off to work.*

Darnell, indulgent forever XD

[cyberlifeslastchance]

Darnell: *does indeed catch the comment and pauses, looks up at him with a small grin* Tell you what. After we hit the dry cleaners to drop off your uniform, let's go by Target to see about a pair of pants and a dress shirt that fit properly. I'll grab one of my ties for you to borrow. How's that sound?

You're too good to him, Detective

[socrowdedinhere]

Connor *LED goes yellow for a moment as he flinches, caught.* I'm sorry, Darnell. I would not want you wasting money on me, not for something like this. I will be all right. *he'd be blushing if he were capable of it. He's clearly sheepish, even as he settles and his LED returns to blue.*

He deserves it <3

[cyberlifeslastchance]

Darnell: *fond, crooked grin* You care about your appearance, Connor. That's not a bad thing. I'll not disrespect that. Besides, it won't be a waste. I'll donate the clothes to a homeless shelter or other charity. It's fine, really.

Awww

[socrowdedinhere]

Connor: ...Thank you. *he really does appreciate it. He'll try not to feel silly until he can get some proper clothing... even if it's not his uniform...*