week 3, saturday

[digestif]

[ perhaps it would be sensible to go out to the carnival and take a better look at the crime scene - but unlike Connor, Mizuki is a human, and they're running low on energy to keep investigating. The courtyard is where they spot him, a little while later. They'd usually be meeting with their god, but after the pathetic display today, they're feeling a little ashamed to show their face; their hands are empty. ]

Connor-kun? Good work today.

[ even if it wasn't much, he was helpful. ]

Comments

[digestif]

[ the blinking colors draw their eyes. Is that an indicator of his thoughts? It seems like it turns yellow and red when he's having trouble, or thinking hard - like a loading screen. Hm.

Ironically, his heated denial only makes them more suspicious about his humanity. But this isn't the time to argue it - and they get the sense they wouldn't get far, anyways. Arguing with an AI is a big waste of time. At least it is where Mizuki's from. ]

Oh, is that all? [ they half-smile at him, not bothering to hide their doubt far behind that thin veneer. ] Well, I think you were helpful. These trials aren't as simple as "success" or "failure." After all, even if we'd "succeeded," we'd still have to decide what to do with Berry-kun, wouldn't we?

[tootsiepop]

[Hm. He sure doesn't like that response! But he'll allow it to slide for now, even as his lips twist into a frown. It's difficult enough to control the errors in his own software without getting into arguments with people over them.]

But there's still a killer on the loose. One that we failed completely to identify. Regardless of Rachel Berry's ultimate fate, it's impossible for me to disregard that fact. My creators would not share your point of view if they were here.

[digestif]

The only ones here are you and I.

[ just saying... they don't push it, though. Connor's been good to them; they don't have a reason to push his buttons, no pun intended. ]

You could keep looking for them this week if you wanted. [ a pause; they look at him curiously. ] Is that more important to you, or having your god win?

[tootsiepop]

[Ah.]

My loyalty is to my god. Serving them is my current priority.

[...]

But... You have to understand, the idea of an unsolved murder— It's also at odds with my programming.

[digestif]

Hah... You're a hard worker, aren't you? Worrying about cases that aren't really yours...

[ after all, they know for a fact Fortune wasn't his god. ]

Well, I think that's admirable in its own right. But, Connor-kun, don't forget that these murder mysteries are just window dressing to the real competition.

[tootsiepop]

I know. I haven't forgotten.

[That doesn't mean it's not frustrating. He was made to solve mysteries. Failing to rise to the challenge this one time is... not something he's equipped to deal with.]

But thank you for your concern. Your words have been noted.

[digestif]

[ was that passive-aggression, or are they reading too much into what he says... hm. ]

You don't have to thank me for that, [ they say with a small laugh. ] I wanted to talk to you, actually. I thought you probably had some insights into this competition, especially regarding the gods and the murders... Do you mind?

[tootsiepop]

[A little bit of both, maybe. If Connor's being passive aggressive, he doesn't seem to be aware of it himself. He doesn't even seem to notice how emotional he's being over this.]

No... I don't mind. What would you like to talk about, specifically?

mfw i forget what they were going to ask about the gods and murders

[digestif]

... Well, I'll start with this. You must have agreed to come here because there was something you wanted to accomplish, no matter what. Can I ask what that was?

[ they're interested in what his desires are. ]

WHOOPS... it happens

[tootsiepop]

You may.

[Calling them his own desires might be a stretch, given what they are... As Mizuki will soon learn.]

I was assigned a mission by my creators. One that has proven... more challenging than initially expected. [An understatement, really.] Failure is not an option. So this competition is a means to achieve CyberLife's goals.