R1 DEADLAND

[lockdownmods]

[it’s strange, for the people who were already dead, the shift in scenery is sudden and complete. For those who have just arrived? It’s like you’re back where you left?

How strange.

But if you ever need her, you can always reach out to the guardian of this place.]

LOCATIONS
Note: locations lag a week behind the living counterparts

Comments

[preconstruction]

[ usually, when a human comes near him in sleep mode, he instantly wakes up. but connor is actually, 100% for real asleep. to the point even his led isn't running - but he does seem to still be "breathing," at least as much as he ever is.

it might be a long wait, but eventually he stirs, blinking a few times before seeing hank. he smiles. ]

Good afternoon, Hank.

[preconstruction]

Wow, you got very flustered just now. I'll have to remember that.

[donotlick]

[ Hank elbows Connor in the side. Playfully. Maybe a little aggressively, but that's just because he's very deeply embarrassed right now. He just lights up like rudolph when he blushes. ]

Shut up, asshole. You know why.

[preconstruction]

[ it's okay he doesn't mind. it's cute?? how hank can be embarrassed. ]

Yes. I know why.

[donotlick]

[ Hank grumbles, deciding he's maybe had enough of having his emotions on display. He stands up and steps away from the piano. Oh, his face is still on fire, but he's not really feeling up to having Connor point out his unrequited feelings..... ]

So, there anything else here you can play? Did this help at all?

[preconstruction]

[ connor frowns. he's made hank upset he knows -- he can practically feel the tension between them. he doesn't stand or follow him, just looks down at the keys. ]

Yeah. It helped.

[donotlick]

[ It's cool, Hank sits back and enjoys the view. Not of Connor, obviously, but just the tranquility of the garden, the simulated wind and the sun and all that. It's pretty nice, actually. Hank used to hate silence like this. He's getting a little better at it.

Eventually though, Connor wakes up and smiles at him. Fuck, if that isn't a sight. ]

Hey, Connor. You have a good nap?

[starswink]

Oh, you think? [He beams, totally flattered. Yoosung knows his cooking is hit-or-miss, but if they were all hits for someone then maybe he doesn't have to angst about the implications of being coded for imperfection.]

Yeah, that's true! Like I said, we gotta feel the seasons whatever way we can get~ [Though when he said that earlier, they were not aware that there could literally be no true changing seasons here...

Anyway, he takes the little bowl of the chestnut cream and spoons some into the middle of the crepe. The texture may be a bit too nutty, since he wasn't sure how long to puree the chestnuts or to mix them with the heavy cream. But overall it should still be sweet and tasty.

For all of the crepes, he has a little bit of powdered sugar to dust it with after he's finished folding it up. He also thought chocolate syrup would go well with either the strawberry or the chestnut, so he'll ask him if he wants some and if so, drizzle it on in the shape of a smiley face just like he'd do with the ketchup on omurice.]

There! Is that good?

[donotlick]

[ Being reminded that you have a crush on someone who's Very Taken will do that to a guy, Connor. It's ok, you'll learn. Or maybe you'll figure out that poly thing. Who knows.

But ultimately Hank cares more about Connor's well-being than being teased about his one-sided crush so that eases the tension somewhat. At least on Hank's end. ]

I'm glad. Hopefully you can come here and relax one of these days. Maybe bring Han and show him that song you played for me.

[preconstruction]

[ connor is quiet for a long time. then he closes the cover to the piano keys and shakes his head. ]

It wouldn't be the same thing.

[donotlick]

It's a good thing.

[ Obviously. ]

[childrenofinvention]

[You hang outside his home, then you're just asking for him to bug you.

...plus, it's no secret what Lucian thinks of Connor anyway. So this could be fun.

Don't mind him if he just pops up curiously next to you.]

And just what are you working on?

[donotlick]

[ Huh. Well. Now Connor's upset. Fuck. Hank should probably say something.

He really doesn't want to, but the silence is getting so awkward..... ]

Connor, look, I... I don't want to get between you and him. You know how I feel, and I know you're never gonna feel the same way, okay? I'm. I'm fine with that.

[ He sighs. ]

It's torture on me when you play along. You're kinda rubbing salt into my wounds here, you know?

[preconstruction]

[ he shouldn't be surprised, but it's still surprising. understanding they can manipulate their surroundings however they want and being used to it are two different things - especially when a lot of this feels so similar to the place its replicating.

at least he doesn't see any reason to lie to lucian: ]

Internal conflicts.

[preconstruction]

[ connor stands to look at him. those words clearly hurt him, the guilt and pain written out on his face clear as day. ]

I'm sorry, I -- I would never want to hurt you like that.

[preconstruction]

[ connor nods, sitting up. ]

Yes, I ...took a nap.

[ he says it like it's very foreign. it is. ]

[starswink]

I think Oswald was getting wise to me when I pulled it at the mall, so he might have found a way to stop that from working... then again, it's been a while since. Maybe their guards are down, or there'd be another way to shut it off, like with hacking.

[Then again, do they even have any hackers left on the living side? If only Nine was still around. He muses for a moment, wondering if they could data transfer some instructions to them via the sim room. But that's probably just wishful thinking, Yoosung's impatience.]

[donotlick]

[ Hank is still confused. Connor's the one who told him he couldn't be that -- why's pointing it out making him so upset? ]

I know. I know you're not... you're not doing it on purpose. You're just... this is how you are. You're nice. You try to please people.

[ Hank stares down at his hands for something to look at. Maybe to avoid that pained look on Connor's face. ]

You don't have to play along just because you wanna please me.

[preconstruction]

I don't treat you the way I treat other people.

[ he has always, consistently prioritized hank over everyone else. ]

[donotlick]

It's nice, huh? Sleep is pretty fucking great.

[ Hank grins. Connor's getting to try so many new things!! He's happy for him. ]

You taking it easy after yesterday? Your little "class" was pretty busy, huh?

[preconstruction]

[ connor hums noncommittally. he's still waking up, he hasn't made a decision on it yet. ]

Yeah, it had a good turnout.

[childrenofinvention]

Yikes.

[He gets that-- so he doesn't really want to intrude on that personal moment.]

Don't worry, I didn't come to bother you. But since you're here anyway, I did want to ask you somethin'.

[preconstruction]

[ connor laughs shortly - looking over at him. as he relaxes, his led goes blue. ]

You're right, "yikes" does sum it up.

[ nice. but, oh, ]

Did you? What is it?

[starswink]

I want to believe Eve wouldn't save their data to here in the first place...

[like if she has to send them to AI land, can't they have their own gay baby jail??]

[donotlick]

[ Ah. That's fair. Hank now has the memories to back that up, too. At Cyberlife... he'd held off on freeing thousands of androids. Just for him. ]

I know.

[ Hank sighs. He's fucking it all up!! Good going, badbrain. He looks back at Connor again. ]

I know. We're partners. I just... [ Yep, back to staring at his hands. ] Fuck, I know I have to get over this, it's not your fault I'm a lonely old fucker who can't keep feelings from fucking shit up. I get that.

[ Hank brings his hands to his face, groaning with frustration. ]

Goddammit.

[ Connor doesn't deserve this. Connor doesn't deserve him. Some old guy who's depressed? Who couldn't quit drinking until he died? Why would Connor want someone like that? Why can't Hank's depressed brain shut up and stop saying such nonsense? ]

I'm sorry, Connor. You shouldn't have to get this shit from me. I should be over this.