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[plasticasshole]

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[hopesong]

[He's bitter, but Kate chuckles at his words and tone.]

That'd be the ideal, honestly. But then again, I ain't know how these things work.

Mind if I tag along once you got it figured out? Maybe I can help. Who knows?

[She can't leave the responsibility all to him.]

[plasticasshole]

I don't want you to get hurt, but...

[He will need help. A distraction for -60, maybe? Kate could be that distraction.]

He won't suspect you. All I ask is that if things get violent, run. Even if it's just to get help of some kind.

[hopesong]

I can't do that. [She's good at running. In a way she's sure that nobody would ever expect from someone like her.

But this time if there's violence, she doesn't want to. Couldn't bring herself to.]

I hope it doesn't come down to violence, but if it does, I won't.

[plasticasshole]

Kate...

[He takes her hands, frowning.]

Please. I don't want anyone else to get hurt because of us.

[Maybe he should try a different tactic.]

What if... what if you bring the idea up with him? Maybe if he knows what we're up to, he'll have time to process it and decide if he wants our help. Then maybe it won't get violent.

[hopesong]

[She understands what he's saying, but would anyone else get hurt, if it were just them?

Before she can protest, he offers a different solution. One she's wary on, but it does... make sort of sense. Maybe Kate is worried too much about this "Zolta".]

I can do that. Maybe he'll be more likely to accept it if there's an outside party present.

[Though she worries he might also see it as the two of them ganging up on him. It could go either way, couldn't it?]

[plasticasshole]

[Connor has something else he'd like to ask regarding Zolta, but this is important too.]

Maybe if he doesn't see me, he'll be more relaxed.

[Connor thinks.]

When you spot him, call me. I'll listen to the conversation, and if it seems like things will get unpleasant I can find you.

[hopesong]

[Having someone listen in on the conversation seems a little... Disingenuous. She rubs the back of her neck, unsure.]

Do you really think that's necessary? Wouldn't he be more mad to see you suddenly show up if he doesn't want it?

[plasticasshole]

Do you think I should still try if he doesn't want it?

[Is it worth it? What if -60 just comes after him all over again for turning him deviant? They'd be back where they started.]

Freeing him from his programming doesn't mean he'll be like me. He has a lot of anger.

[hopesong]

I'm not sure. [It seems like the logical thing to do. That way even if he's pissed it's his own feelings on the matter, isn't it?]

An' I know that. You've both got different experiences, an' that makes you different people.

[plasticasshole]

I guess so.

[He doesn't bother to explain that -60 actually had all of his memories and experiences uploaded before their showdown at CyberLife HQ. It's just not something he wants to debate right now.]

I just hope he doesn't take his frustration out on you if he finds out this was your idea.

[Not that Connor intends to tell him.]

[hopesong]

[ He doesn't have to tell him, Kate will do that much herself. ]

Alright. So now we got a plan of action. For the most part, anyway.

[ And here, here is where she moves both of her hands to fix his hair, his clothes. ]

Now all we gotta do is fix you up.

[plasticasshole]

[Connor actually manages a small smile as she fusses over him. It feels nice to be cared about.]

Do I look that bad?

[Yes. Yes he does.]

[hopesong]

Darlin' you, and I mean this in the politest way possible, look like shit. You look like me after-

[She stops mid-sentence, only to shake her head and laugh. ]

Well, that don't matter. You look terrible, and like you need to take a hot shower and a bath.

[plasticasshole]

[Well, at least he doesn't smell.]

After...?

[He shakes his head.]

Well, since you told me so nicely... maybe I should shower. But I don't want to go back home.

[So he's not sure what to do.]

[hopesong]

How long has it been since you went home?

[ The demeanor shift is obvious, from playful to serious. ]

[plasticasshole]

I haven't been home since the 31st.

[He says it awkwardly, looking away. Yeah, he left Falco home alone... and he hates himself for it.]

[hopesong]

... Alright. Up we go.

[ She stands, tugging on the collar of his shirt to persuade him to stand up with her. ]

I'm assuming you didn't say so much as a word to those you're living with, which means they're probably worried sick about you.

[plasticasshole]

[He stands, but frowns.]

I'm not going back. I can't. Not yet.

[As much as he wants to, he just can't. It means facing Falco, and he doesn't know what to do about that yet.]

[hopesong]

You misunderstand, I wasn't askin' you to go back. I was tellin' you.

[This time, she goes for his hand, giving it a firm tug in an effort to have him follow her. ]

[plasticasshole]

I'm not going back.

[He's hard to shift when he doesn't want to move. Stronger than he looks, he barely budges.]

Kate, I appreciate that you're trying to help, but I need more time.

[hopesong]

Time for what, to brood? Longer you take the more chances you'll give to yourself to worry about the worst possible outcome.

[plasticasshole]

I just can't face Falco right now, okay?

[Connor pulls his hand away, looking... well, miserable. His LED pulses red at the idea of seeing Falco right now.]

I just can't.

[hopesong]

[ Falco? Had something happener to him? Her heart beats anxiously at the thought.

Theres nothing she can do right now for him. But there os at least something she can do for Connor. ]

Fine. Alright. We ain't gotta go to your house, but at least come to mine to get cleaned up.

[plasticasshole]

...Okay.

[Connor's LED slowly spins back to yellow. He turns to face Kate again.]

I'll come to yours.

[He wishes it was under better circumstances. Maybe another date. That would have been nice.]

[hopesong]

Alright. [ She exhales softly. ] Alright, we can have a chat over a drink. Or, I'll have a drink and we can chat, since I know you ain't able to have one.