wickedchouette | (no subject)

[ Oh. ]

I -- [ It falters slightly. It doesn't know anything else than those boxes. It's a computer, it can't think creatively. At least, it doesn't think it can. ] I'm just... following my programming.

[ :c ]

You were a gift. I didn't want you, really.

[Which sounds harsh, but in a way, he means it to be reassuring.]

When I defend you or help you out, it isn't because my property is being damaged and I don't want to bother running out and fetching another. I wouldn't; I've no interest in it.

[ I didn't want you. It is reassuring, in a logical way, and that's all that matters. The part of it that shrinks down unhappily is something to ignore. Bad lines of code. ]

Then that means you help because you don't want to see me treated poorly. [ Right? Is that it? It's the logical conclusion to that statement, because if Alfie didn't care, he'd just let someone break it. ]

Particularly not for such a fucking stupid reason. Malfunctioning.

[He snorts.]

You don't need to get in trouble for something as small as throwing rocks. [ It says, holding its arm to its chest. ] Most law enforcement won't care unless physical, irreparable damage is done to me, but they will care if you threaten another human.

[ It says, like Alfie doesn't know. ] I - appreciate it. Though.

[The expression of appreciation earns him a quick, not-unfriendly look.]

I know what they do and don't care about. I got into it with open eyes.

[ It falters again, and then pulls its arm closer. ]

Okay. [ It feels warm again. ] I'm only saying I don't want you to get in a lot of trouble for something that doesn't hurt me.

[ Just its pride, which it isn't supposed to have. Shouldn't want things either, but here they are. ]

I'm no stranger to a lot of trouble, mate.

[And with that, he points up ahead, to a big, hulking building on the corner two blocks away.]

That's mine. My office.

[ It's starting to get that. It nods a little. ]

You were saying you want me to stay outside?

Yeah. I haven't told you what I do for work, have I.

[It's a rhetorical question; he knows he hasn't.]

I work with a lot of materials of a sensitive nature, and with people that wouldn't be happy to be spotted at our establishment, as well.

[ That's wonderfully vague, and the droid raises an eyebrow at it. ]

Right. I assume they don't want androids helping them, either. I can stay out of the way.

Because you could record things, on top of being a stranger and therefore untrustworthy. It's not all entirely above board, you understand.

I understand. [ A beat. ] I'll stay outside. I don't have a problem with that.

Mm. Is it safe for you to wander a bit?

[He sounds a disgruntled. After this scene, and the scene from yesterday, he knows more than ever that it might very well not be.]

[ It hesitates. ]

If it's all the same to you, I'd prefer to just stand outside your office and not go anywhere.

Well.

[He sighs.]

You won't get bored, I suppose.

No, I won't. [ Probably. It scoots a bit closer to Alfie as a group of women pass by them. Maybe it's a little nervous.]

[Luckily, they don't give the bot a second glance, but Alfie notices its reaction.]

We've got a room you can be in. You don't have to be outside.

[ It glances at Alfie, and then holds the broken, cracked arm to its chest a little more tightly. Alfie can probably see where the guy who grabbed him from earlier, completely ruined the superglue job. ]

If that won't disrupt your business.

The shipping office is just a bit past mine.

[Alfie says, glancing at his arm.]

At noon, we'll head over.

[ It nods. ]

I'm not going to fall apart. I'll be fine.

Mm. All the same, I suppose it's best that you wanna sit still.

[Are people on the street always going to be like this, he wonders? He's known about anti-bot sentiments, of course, and been vaguely aware of violence and aggression against them, but two incidents in two days is a lot more than he would have expected.]

[ Maybe it's the part of town they're in, or maybe it's just a particularly bad week for androids to be out. The droid has no frame of reference, but it'll be doing research while it waits for Alfie to see what it can do to try and aggravate less people. It doesn't want to be in a constant state of alarm.

It is quiet as they walk, sticking close to Alfie with its eyes and head down. ]

[Alfie, too, isn't starting any conversations - though every so often, his eyes flick over to the bot, a curious look that might almost be concern in his eyes.

Once they reach his building, he opens the front door (three keys for three locks; the security here is serious business) and ushers the bot in.]

Try to avoid any of my workers, eh? They're gonna be giving me shit about you.

[ It nods, and then pauses. ] Didn't they give you me in the first place?

[ It lets Alfie lead it wherever, though. ]