CHAPTER FIVE
The simulated sun was setting as Isaac and Claire made their way back to the Inner Harbor. Tall, triangular, white sails emerged from ahead of them. Isaac's auditory sensors were picking up strains of music coming from the pavilion. "That is jazz," he noted.
Claire threaded her arm through his and squeezed. "According to the sign, there's a jazz festival tonight," she told him. This is why I love the environmental simulator and its ability to adapt. There was almost always some kind of music at the pier, but the fact that the simulator had chosen that particular genre was making a perfect day end on a high note.
A thought occurred to her, and she looked at Isaac sideways. "Do you…know how to dance?" she asked him. "The night that you received your emotions…I wasn't sure if that was a side effect of that or if it was some kind of programming?"
"I have downloaded files pertaining to several different styles of movement," Isaac explained.
"I see." She wasn't sure if she was satisfied with that answer or not. Instead, she thought of the night of her bachelorette party and the Isaac that Talla had put into the program. It made her smile.
"You are smiling," Isaac said. "Might I inquire as to the reason?"
"You may," Claire replied, covering her mouth as she shook with laughter. "But I'm not going to tell you." There was no way she was going to attempt to explain that to him.
Isaac inclined his head. If Claire didn't know better, she'd have thought he was offended. It only made her laugh more. As if he thought it would settle her down, Isaac took her hand and pulled her onto the dance floor. Once out there, he stood in front of her, still holding her hand. Around them, other couples moved to the sounds of soft piano and an Ella Fitzgerald standard. "What is the appropriate dance style for this selection?" Isaac questioned.
Claire mimicked him, turning her head ever so slightly to the left so her hair slipped off her shoulder. "I don't know if there's a particular style," she said, "other than simply slow dancing."
"Slow dancing," Isaac repeated. "I do not have that in my database."
Claire put one hand on his shoulder, held his other hand slightly above her waist, and put Isaac's other hand at her waist. Then, she moved her feet side to side in a slow sway. After a moment, Isaac picked up the pattern and followed along. "Finally," she whispered, pulling him closer, leaning into his chest. "Something I can teach you."
"Indeed," Isaac responded. As the two of them swayed back and forth, Isaac looked down at her. "Was our honeymoon to your satisfaction?"
Claire met him in a kiss. "It was perfect."
"Acknowledged. Shall we return to duty?"
"Absolutely not." She looked at him. "There is a component of the honeymoon we've not completed."
Isaac's head tilted. "Please clarify."
She moved the hand at his waist a little lower. "Put those circuits to good use and you tell me."
After a moment, Isaac nodded. "Understood."
Author's Note: Hope you enjoyed the fluffiness :) Now go watch "The Orville" on Disney+ so we can get a Season 4.