(no subject)

[socrowdedinhere]

*Connor has a mission, he is to find Lieutenant Anderson. He’s been to four bars already and is heading to the fifth when the world around them lurches. He’ll lose sight of everthing around him and when he can see again the city streets are gone and the darkness of the forest is all that is around him.* 

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[cyberlifeslastchance]

*Connor takes it all in, realizing more and more the apparent level of development of...wherever he really is. He can't quite grasp that this truly is another world altogether, that's not possible according to all data available to him. And yet, this is far too detailed, too complex and developed, to likely be a simulation. So it must be real. And...there is something deep in his programming processes that he can't identify or comprehend - a flicker of dismay and worry at what he's learning of this world and his situation in it. Once he's satisfied that he's learned all he can in the cave without disturbing Terris, he'll head outside to wander the immediate area. Without the light of the cooking fire, he'll switch to night vision to explore. He won't venture far from the cave, and once he's gone as far as he dares for now, he'll return to find a log or stone to sit on just outside, sitting silently and scanning, taking in his surroundings until morning.*

[socrowdedinhere]

*Outside, Connor will find a large area cultivated into a garden, some chickens and a goat in secure enclosures, and various work areas, including another firepit. He’ll also see... two moons. One is a bright blue, rather similar to Earth’s moon except bigger, and a smaller green one... once Connor sits nothing will happen until morning, when a small robin will come land on his knee, and another lands near his feet about a yard away. The one on his knee chirps softly at him.*

[cyberlifeslastchance]

Connor: *perfectly still, except to look at both birds, even getting the faintest hint of a grin on his face at the one on his knee*

[socrowdedinhere]

Terris: *Connor will likely hear him getting up. And a moment later Terris goes to a knee beside Connor. The robins are startled away, but Terris just smiles. He’ll take Connor’s nearer hand and puts a small pile of seeds into the android’s hand. He’ll put Connor’s hand out, voice soft...* Just wait.
*It takes literally less than a minute for the robins to return, both landing on Connor’s hand (one on his fingers, the other on his thumb) to eat the seeds from his palm.*

[cyberlifeslastchance]

Connor: *blinks, looking up at Terris, then the seeds in his hand, but he just does as told. After a moment...if Terris is looking, he'll see something soften in Connor's eyes, a warmth that seems fleeting and possibly even alien to him*

[socrowdedinhere]

Terris: *will have to draw that later. He’s got a small, warm smile of his own and will just sit still by Connor until the robins leave again. He gives Connor’s shoulder a squeeze.* I’ve a few things to see to, then we’ll head to town, all right?

[cyberlifeslastchance]

Connor: *nods* Please don't hurry on my account. Is there anything I can help with?

[socrowdedinhere]

Terris: Sure. I have some ways you could help. *Terris will milk and feed the goat, but will show Connor how to gather the eggs from the hens and how to feed them as well. With that done Terris will get himself some breakfast and pack a small lunch for himself, plus a few other things, and will lead the way out. They’ll travel through forest for a good hour before emerging onto a dirt road. From there, Connor can see a small town well in the distance.* What is travel like in your world, Connor?

[cyberlifeslastchance]

Connor: *is attentive, and will perform the tasks flawlessly (or...as much so as the hens allow). Once packed, he'll offer to carry things for Terris, though he won't argue if Terris retains his pack. He frowns faintly at the state of the road - it's not paved. At all. Not even an effort at it. At the question, his frown deepens, if still very mild, and he'll do his best to describe the cars and trains of his world. He's...not even going to go into ships and planes.*

[socrowdedinhere]

Terris: *genuinely interrested and will truly try to understand. He’ll admit he likely doesn’t have a clear idea, but perhaps it’s near enough to be mostly understood. He’s amazed as people being able to travel so fast. Also...Connor may note that there is a third moon in the sky this morning, bigger than the other two and a pinkish red in color. When they draw nearer to town, Terris will stop to pull out a hooded cloak. He’ll offer it to Connor.* Put this on.

[cyberlifeslastchance]

Connor: *notes the moon, but...not sure if he should say anything, so he doesn't for now - looks at it even as he accepts it on reflex* Why?

[socrowdedinhere]

Terris: So we can reach the general without making a scene or endangering either of us.

[cyberlifeslastchance]

Connor: *LED goes yellow* But . . . I am forbidden from doing anything that would even remotely pass me off as a human. If CyberLife ever found out, I'd be deactivated.

[socrowdedinhere]

Terris: *gently grips Connor’s shoulders and will duck a bit to get the android to look at him.* If you do not this once, you may not make it back to CyberLife at all for that to be an issue. You have a choice to make, Connor.

[cyberlifeslastchance]

Connor: *gazes back at Terris, a hint...at the very least uncertainty, maybe even fear...in his eyes. "CONFLICTING ORDERS - SELECTING PRIORITY" flickers across his internal processes. Terris hasn't outright ordered him to put on the cloak and hide his markings, and he knows that the law adamantly /requires/ him to display them at all times . . . but this isn't his world, do the laws still apply? And Terris mentioned that not doing so would endanger him. Connor's not permitted to endanger a human life. He doesn't know if that extends to other forms of intelligent life. Finally, he...nods, slightly shakily even, looking like he might have even swallowed if he were human. He's a bit awkward as he puts the cloak on, having never actually seen one before, just vaguely has an idea of how they work*

[socrowdedinhere]

Terris: *will help Connor get it on and in place. He’ll softly touch Connor’s face, then tugs the android into a hug.* Everything will be all right.

[cyberlifeslastchance]

Connor: *faint intake of breath, stiffening uncertainly as his LED swirls yellow...awkward* I will do what is required to protect you, Terris.

[socrowdedinhere]

Terris: *won’t hold long, it’s quick and he lets go. He wants to say this is for Connor’s safety too, but he knows the android is likely to insist his safety doesn’t matter much, so Terris just nods.* Keep your hood up and stay close to me to matter what. Come on. *and they’ll head into town. It’s... very primitive compared to what Connor came from. Nothing over three stories and most buildings only on or two. Shops of all sorts selling food, clothing, shoes, there’s even a blacksmith... and an area selling those elf people, some amin, and even some humans. Terris is heading them towards the far eastern edge, on the other side of town.*

[cyberlifeslastchance]

Connor: *taking it all in as they go* Terris . . . they have people for sale over there. As if they were androids. Why?

[socrowdedinhere]

Terris: ...It’s called slavery. When a person owns another intelligent being, it is called slavery. It is a sick, but unfortunately legal practice in this kingdom. Some are there to be sold as punishment for a crime, some for debts they cannot pay, and most simply because they are what they are.

[cyberlifeslastchance]

Connor: .............. *just...nods, not sure how to respond to that, though he can't help but keep looking back at the market until it can't be seen anymore, though he makes sure to keep up with Terris and not slow him down*

[socrowdedinhere]

Terris: ...Does it bother you? Seeing the slave markets?

[cyberlifeslastchance]

Connor: It is . . . not something I would have ever expected to see. *he can't admit to being "bothered"...but there's a soft uncertainty in his voice*

[socrowdedinhere]

Terris: *takes that as the “yes” Connor can’t bring himself to say. He’ll head up to a guard post and smiles, greeting the armed and armored man there.* Captain Tekel.
Tekel: Terris! Good to see you. What brings you?
Terris: I need to speak with General Ius.
Tekel: *opens the door and motions Terris in.* He’s up on the wall.
Terris: Thank you. Come on, Connor. *normally he’d make introductions, but not out here. He even carefull shifts Connor with an arm around his shoulders to ensure the distinguished android tells remain hidded. He’ll lead Connor up the stairs.*

[cyberlifeslastchance]

((...the distinguishing** android tells remain hidden**))

Connor: *easily allows himself to be led as Terris chooses, still scanning and noting everything and everyone around him*