^^ Birds ^^
"Why are there so many doves?" Connor asks as they stop at yet another aisle of Christmas ornaments, many of which feature the small white bird.
"Think it's for religious reasons. Don't know for sure." the Lieutenant replies, fiddling with a small snowman ornament.
A pointless question from his predecessor. A simple internet search would have answered it. Perhaps he simply enjoys discussions with Lieutenant Anderson? Baffling but possible.
He doesn't quite comprehend their mission in this store. Despite the tree being set up, lit, and with gifts beneath Connor had wanted something special for his first Christmas. An ornament of some kind to commemorate it. But why? It's not significant. It's their first Christmas and if things go well with Markus and the government they will continue to be around for many more. What's so special about the first?
He'd volunteered to remain at the house and watch Sumo but apparently he isn't trusted to be on his own in the Lieutenant's home. Rude. So he's been rather silent thus far as he hasn't been brought into any of the conversations. Not like he cares. Trinkets like these are pointless.
"Are you okay?"
Oh. It always stands out when Connor shows that he cares. "Yes. I'm fine."
Connor stares for 2.04 seconds and apparently needs clarification. "You've been quiet. Is your new regulator causing issues?"
Given that his two default states seem to be quiet or harshly sassing someone the question is unexpected. But again as he has to remind himself, Connor cares. The incident yesterday had probably worried him. "It's working perfectly. I'm simply quiet because there is nothing to say. I don't care about Christmas ornaments."
The minute frown and shoulder slump indicate disappointment. That too seems to be a default between them.
A cough done obviously to gain attention comes from the Lieutenant's direction. Both androids turn in unison to face the human, who lets go of the small snowman ornament to gesture to the rest and ask Connor, "Anything jumpin' out at you son?"
Connor shakes his head. "Not yet, Hank but I'm certain I'll find something if we continue."
"Runnin' outta aisles, Con."
Connor frowns and takes hold of one of the dove ornaments, the bird sitting on a clip meant to attach to a tree branch, and after 3.72 seconds removes it from the rack. "Doves are known as a symbol of peace. Perhaps this will do if I cannot find anything else."
"Alright. I'll hold onto it for you." The Lieutenant holds out his hand and Connor places the ornament in the man's palm and turns toward the next aisle.
It's interesting that humans assign meaning to things that don't need it. Symbolism. A desperate search for meaning in their own lives projected onto things around them as comfort. He runs a search for symbolism in birds. It seems robins are also associated with Christmas. But the more interesting result comes when his program almost skips over an image of a pigeon. Hm.
A quick and directed search of his memories. Or rather, of Connor's memories.
The Lieutenant kicking open the door only to be bombarded with a flock of pigeons fleeing the dark room. "What the fuck is this‽"
The flapping sound in the room behind him intensifying. The Lieutenant's frustrated, "Ah Jesus, I hate these things!" echoing through the apartment.
"Not surprised it was an android." the Lieutenant calling from the other room. "No human could live with all these fuckin' pigeons."
The suspect leaping down from the crawlspace in the ceiling, prompting the birds to panic. Again the Lieutenant's frustrated remark about them just before the chase: "Goddamned fuckin' pigeons!"
An idea starts to form. A pre-construction is run. Yes, this will be perfect. "Lieutenant?"
"I told you when we're off work it's Hank." the man reminds him, turning around so they face each other. "What's up?"
"I have an idea for a custom ornament. I'd like to gather the pieces."
"Alright, where to?"
"I'd like to do this on my own."
The Lieutenant frowns. "I don't trust your brand of surprise."
Connor looks their way and gets the Lieutenant's attention with a tap on the shoulder. "Please let him, Hank. This is progress."
The Lieutenant sighs but gives in. Typical when it comes to Connor. "Fine. But if he fucks up it's on you."
"Understood." A smile cast his way, then a cybernetic, Good luck.
Thank you.
Should I be concerned?
Probably. Accompanied by a somewhat manic grin as he heads off down an adjacent aisle.
A map of the store is pulled up in his HUD. The toy aisle is this way and the crafts aisle that way…
.
Eventually he has all the parts in his arms and checks out by once more abusing the fact that Cyberlfie never cut him off from their funds. It has occured to him that they should have noticed by now and done something about it but he suspects the creator to have a hand in their disappearance so likely has something to do with his finances as well. In any case it's a useful advantage he won't deny.
With his items in a bag he starts to return to the Lieutenant and Connor only to find them in the crafts aisle. He pauses just out of view to listen.
"See? This shade'll work great."
"It is a close match the LED's blue state. Thank you, Hank."
"No problem, kid. It'll look great on the tree."
After several seconds of silence he steps into view to find Connor holding a marker that is almost Cyberlife blue and the dove ornament. "An android dove for Christmas?"
Connor smiles his way. "Hank suggested it and I agree it's a good idea. It offers a more contemporary meaning behind their peace symbolism. It shows hope."
"Sappy as ever."
The Lieutenant beckons him over and gestures to the bag. "What did you get?"
Though he follows the gesture he does not open the bag. "You will see tomorrow when it's finished, Lieutenant."
"I told you it's—" A sigh. "Never mind. You two ready to head out?"
Twin androids nod in unison.
"Knock that shit off. It's creepy." When the Lieutenant heads toward checkout they follow. Both are going to have custom ornaments on the tree. The difference between them will be interesting.
And for one of them, a great source of amusement.
.
He finishes his ornament late that evening after Connor has retired to their bedroom since the Lieutenant had gone to bed. With a smile that some might read as malicious he carefully places the ornament near the bottom of the tree to contrast Connor's android dove near the top.
Connor asks him in the bedroom as he's climbing into the upper bunk what he made. He simply tells his predecessor to wait and see.
.
The Lieutenant's startled shout in the morning brings him out of standby mode with a grin.
"Fuckin' pigeons!"
Connor gets out of bed and looks up at the upper bunk with a disappointed stare. Of course.
"Who the hell put that there‽" can be heard from the living room.
He sits up, ignores his predecessor's disappointment, and laughs. Perhaps sometimes emotions can be a good thing. Especially if it means he can enjoy tormenting Lieutenant Anderson.