(no subject)

[devoutish]

[Robots? Robots.]

Comments

*curiously gdit self

[devoutish]

And that mattered to you?

i didn't even notice

[bywolves]

[ It glances up at Alfie. It's a little confused, and hesitant to answer, but. ]

Yes.

[devoutish]

[He pauses, then reaches down and offers the bot his hand.]

[bywolves]

[ It hesitates, and then takes Alfie's hand, standing up with his help. ]

... Thank you. [ It says, quietly, cautious. ]

[devoutish]

Yeah.

[He'll reach down to pick up the bowl and milk carton, too.]

That cat comes round, sometimes; it cries because it wants people to feed it.

[bywolves]

I hadn't seen one before. [ It says, looking out to the street. ] She was a lot softer than my memorybank would suggest.

[devoutish]

She'll come back. She always does.

[bywolves]

[ The android keeps staring, and then turns to look at Alfie, finally. ]

It's a shame I won't see her again.

[devoutish]

[Alfie doesn't say anything to that. He's quiet, as they walk back inside, and his brow is furrowed like he's deep in thought.]

[bywolves]

[ The android follows Alfie back into his apartment, and then stands by the door, so it's out of the way. Back to standing all day, it supposes. It isn't bored, not really, it just wishes Alfie would give it something to do. ]

[devoutish]

[Alfie puts the milk back in the fridge, and the bowl in the sink, considering the situation all the while.

He can't just send it back to be destroyed now, is the thing. He could send back a machine that stood in the corner and spat out stock phrases, but he can't send back one that sneaks outside to feed a cat and then looks sad when it's chased away.

Clearing his throat, he finally says:]

You couldn't survive on your own, could you?

[bywolves]

[ There's a pause, and it answers almost cautiously, this time. ]

I don't know what you mean. Could you elaborate?

[devoutish]

If I set you free, sent you out the door, you'd be picked up immediately. It's silly to even think of it.

[bywolves]

[ The LED circle flashes yellow again. ]

Most people do not -- set their androids free. I have no idea what would happen. [ And then: ] I would be capable of surviving on my own as I don't need to eat or drink, but I don't see why you wouldn't just return me to Good Life.

[devoutish]

Well, they'd take you apart, that's why.

[bywolves]

Yes. It's better than throwing me away. It's recycling.

[devoutish]

You wouldn't get to see your cat friend again.

[bywolves]

[ More flickering. ]

I am incapable of having friends.

[devoutish]

What's that about?

[He asks, gesturing to the light - totally unrepentant about the fact that he's causing it.]

[bywolves]

[ Voice a little more monotone: ] A flickering in your android's LED light indicates trouble in processing information. Please refer to the manual for more information.

[devoutish]

Ah, fuck the manual. I've got you, haven't I? Does it make you feel any different?

[bywolves]

[ It almost visibly doesn't want to talk about this, but Alfie's asking it direct questions, so it has to answer. ]

It means something is wrong with me.

[devoutish]

You already said that. I asked you how it makes you feel.

[bywolves]

I don't. [ It insists. ] If I feel something, that is the error.

[devoutish]

[Alfie's eyes spark with interest.]

Tell me about those errors.