wickedchouette | (no subject)

[ It shakes its head, staring down at the plate in front of it. ]

No. Just that it does.

Mm. I wonder, is it because you don't like being owned yourselF?

[ It frowns heavily, pulling the kitten closer. ]

It doesn't matter if I do or not. I wish you would stop asking me these questions.

At least you've got an opinion.

[Alfie grumbles, taking another big bite of his spaghetti.]

This is good.

[ There's a little flicker of happiness on its face at that. Good bot. ]

Thank you. If you allow me to buy more ingredients, I can make something even better.

Can you cook anything?

Anything you want. Do you have a favorite food?

Do you?

[ It gives Alfie an almost long-suffering look. ]

No. I don't have a favorite anything.

[Primly:]

Except for your favorite cat.

[ LISTEN YOU

The android frowns. ]

I'm programmed to want to take care of things. [ That's all. Definitely that's all that it is. ]

Well, you'll be making meals for two from now on, so I suppose you'll find a food you like eventually. How's the pasta?

[ It hasn't eaten any, but it gives Alfie a flat look and continues to pet the cat, leaning back in its chair. ]

Delicious. [ It deadpans. ]

Have you taken even a bite?

[He knows he hasn't. He's been watching.]

Why are you so insistent on me eating?

You've never done it before, am I right?

You're right. I didn't exist before I was given to you, as far as I'm aware.

No, they bought you new. Good Life wouldn't've sold you, otherwise.

Do you truly not want to give eating a try?

[ It stares down at the plate for a long moment, and then very delicately puts the kitten in its lap. She mews in protest, and he frowns heavily, but he doesn't pick her back up again.

Carefully, it picks up a fork and twirls the pasta around before taking a bite. Eating is - weird? It knows how to do it, it's just seems so unnecessary. It's... the food is okay, it thinks. It's distracted by the texture, looking wholly mystified by the process. ]

[Alfie watches him, quietly and curiously, giving him space to take it in.]

I suppose you'll be more impressed with those better meals you were going on about.

Maybe. [ It says, dubiously. ] It's... interesting. The texture is strange.

Mm. Slippery?

Yes. The taste is alright. I'm not sure about noodles.

I'll get you some pad thai this week, mate; we'll see if that'll change your mind.

[It won't be until much later in the evening that Alfie will realize that he called the bot mate, just like he would a human.]

[ It notices, though, and glances up at Alfie with a vaguely surprised look. It could be taken as surprise that Alfie's going to buy him food, however. ]

... Okay. [ It says, after a moment. ] If you allow it, I can go to the grocery store of your choosing and buy ingredients for dinners, as well.