Huh. Well, he supposes it... makes some sense that Otherworlders would put in some effort to spread their own holidays to the locals here... and it especially makes sense that someone as energetic as Sora would be part of that.
Connor tilts his head. The question has been asked, but he isn't aware of the answer yet.
As an answer, he stands up before walking over to the refrigerator and taking out a beer. He hasn't opened it yet but as he sits down once more, it's just his way of using it as a way to showcase part of how he feels about it.
"Yeah. I'm a grumpy old bastard and not really a fan of Christmas, but I ain't cruel to kids."
Sora had gotten him exactly where it counted. He twists the beer's top open and takes a sip.
"The absence of something they've never experienced isn't necessarily cruelty," Connor offers, wanting to make sure Hank is actually agreeing to do this because he wants to help, and not because he's being guilted into it.
Sometimes it can be necessary to use those sort of methods, but... they aren't entirely healthy in the long run. Only Connor is allowed to guilt Hank into things, anyway.
"Maybe not, but they've had three years to believe in him," Hank counters, as he brings the bottle to his lips once more. There was some guilt, yes, but it might be better for him in the end, least he continued to just put up walls and not try to move a little forward. "Christmas magic is pretty important to kids..."
He grips around the beer a little tighter, as his memories drift back to his last Holiday with Cole, eyes moving downward briefly. Maybe he could...He crushes those thoughts in an attempt to change the subject in his mind.
"He asked if you wanted to be one of the helpers, too." Hank shrugs. "Dunno what means for you, mind you. A hat and a festive ugly shirt? Mall elf outfit? You'd have to ask him."
Connor could continue arguing, of course. That sort of thing being important is mostly accomplished by an entire culture taking part and having their families involved, but... for one, if Hank's decided he wants to do it and is just trying to act like he doesn't, Connor knows it'll extend into an argument that's too long to be worth the result, and secondly, Hank is already moving on under the assumption that he is going to take part in this.
Well, if that's how it's going to be...
"I wouldn't mind helping you, if that's what you want," Connor replies. "What will you be doing, though? Other than dressing in costume and meeting children."
It was a good thing too as Hank was probably going to argue and pretend he didn't care but secretly did until he was blue in the face. Sometimes it was better to pick battles.
"Actually that sound about what I'll be doing if you add giving out presents," he replies with a small grin to his face. "...unless they have me arrive with reindeer or some shit." Or wyverns dressed up as reindeer.
"Hey I'm not going to twist your fucking arms. I'll be fine doing it on my own, but I'm sure it'll be more tolerable with you around."
"That seems a little elaborate to ask of an untrained volunteer."
Maybe someone... younger uh, less breakable and more enthusiastic would be more reasonable to ask to deal with unfamiliar animals, especially in a world where there are so many supernatural sorts. There might actually be flying reindeer here, for all Connor knows.
"I'll be there," he says simply, like there wasn't really any question involved. Plus, it'll probably be beneficial for the children for him to be there, as well—the better of a mood Hank is in, the better he'll probably be able to make the experience.
"Yeah you're right. They'd probably have someone else driving the sleigh."
Look Hank might be breakable but he's pretty sure if they want to keep some sort of illusion up for the kids, he'll play along with whatever stupid plan they have. At least he'll be able to spread some joy to others around him for a change unlike the last three ones he'd had...
He takes a sip from his beer again to try and disperse those thoughts away.
"Uh okay. That was fast." Hank hadn't really expected Connor to protest too much but it still felt like he'd almost been stupid for asking. "Guess I'll let...shit I think Sora called her Usagi. She's the one leading this entire thing."
Connor isn't certain what the surprise might be about, though he doesn't express it any further than a slight tilt of his head. He supposes Hank might not realize how easy it is for the android to offer his help. Sure, there's a number of other things he could be doing instead, but... most of them don't feel like they have the same level of importance.
"I suppose you can tell her to contact me if they need me to do anything specific."
It seems more efficient to let Hank do that than try to get in touch with her himself immediately, if the lieutenant is going to be talking to her anyway.
"And I'd be glad to help with whatever you'll be doing, specifically."
Despite his grumpiness, Hank briefly cracks a smile. A small one before he returns to his usual wall of pretending to be annoyed by everything. The more time passes, the more he (mostly secretly) feels that this will alright. Maybe it's just because knowing that Connor has his back helps a lot.
"Will do. I have no idea what type of costume they might have planned for you," he adds' point a free finger at him before taking another sip. "And we'll be giving presents...or at least thats what Sora made it sound like."
Even through the course of this conversation, Hank's mood does seem to have brightened. Connor isn't certain if it's because of his support or because Hank has talked himself into it, but he's glad to have added anything positive to the experience if that is the case.
"I'm sure whatever it is will be fine," he replies. Connor thankfully came with a particular lack of shame when dealing with things like what he's wearing. He does offer Hank a little smile of his own, though.
It is pretty easy for the android to ease Hank's mind, despite how he would have just shut himself in a cocoon and stayed home all day otherwise if Sora hadn't contacted him.
"Right...Well at least we won't have to worry about getting something like that police officer costume," he says trying to keep a straight face, but failing. "Think I'd traumatize the kids that way."
The image of a sexy santa is so ridiculous in his mind he finally lets out a small laugh before giving the android a small playful punch with his elbow. "Might not be as bad with you, at least."
That they wouldn't get such a costume... is true, as such things would be... inappropriate in their own culture, let alone this city's. For a second Connor isn't certain what Hank's trying to insinuate, though, with the... err, compliment? Joke? The teasing elbow doesn't help him interpret it.
The unfortunate part about being an android is that one's mind can create an even greater amount of strange and confusing possibilities than a human's could in the same amount of time. Connor looks as if he can't decide between being genuinely amused and utterly baffled, and his LED very briefly blinks yellow as he uncharacteristically trips over a word.
Maybe one day he would have to teach Connor more about the art ofHank Anderson's Terrible Jokes Fun Hour but the android's usually unflappable personality struggling with just a few words makes Hank wonder if he'd overstepped his limits.
His thoughts much slower than Connor's, he stops for a few uneasy seconds in silence before briefly frowning as he looks away and speaks again, attempting to fix it.
"Well uh, you know--"
Christ, all that time and he can't even come up with something decent.
"I'm sure the experience will be memorable enough whatever we wear," the android offers with the flicker of a smile, to help break the awkward feeling that's fallen over the conversation. If he can help them refocus on the easygoing nature of their relationship rather than anything out of place, he's glad to do it. It was his fault for making things strange, anyway... he really doesn't know where that came from.
"I'll be sure to record it, in case you want to go over it again in the future."
"Right..." He looks incredibly relieved that he didn't have to explain himself further, still unable to formulate proper words. Why did this tend to happen so often recently? He didn't even drink that much booze anymore! Or maybe that was it. He was too sober so he cared more.
Clearly.
Thankfully Connor's words snap him out of his thoughts and he looks at him, one eyebrow raised.
"You gonna walk around with a phone snapping pictures, or do they have something like an old school camera around here?"
"My eyes are cameras, technically speaking," he reminds Hank playfully. Many of his memories are as clear as they were the day they were recorded, and they're easily transmitted across the amulets, despite the lack of technology he could use to print them or otherwise display them.
"But if you'd like a keepsake, we can certainly look into getting a camera. They do take a short amount of time to work, but they exist here."
"Shit, that's right. Sometimes I keep forgetting you're a walking piece of technology." The banter is tossed back playfully back to him even as he takes a final sip of his bottle, finishing it. He ponders getting another, then decides with Connor watching him it might not be a good idea.
When there's mention of a camera, he waves a hand to dismiss the idea.
"Sounds like more of a pain in the ass than anything else. At worst there's also the...uh, leaves from the memory tree, right? I feel the kids would wonder why there's a helper with a camera anyway. Besides those things add like twenty pounds to your frame."
Connor briefly gives the man a look of exasperation, then tilts his head slightly so that his LED is in clearer view, although the gesture seems natural.
"Maybe I need to show you my right side more often."
With Hank, he's never quite sure whether to take the remarks about androids seriously. For all he knows Hank could genuinely be forgetting, with the way he seemed to initially project humanity onto Connor shortly after they met.
"I really don't think it would be that much trouble," he comments, "I wouldn't have any trouble carrying something heavier, if you did want photos."
Being preprogrammed with idioms doesn't mean he automatically recognizes them when there's an equally applicable literal meaning.
It was a mixture of both. Connor's general....Connor-ness did sometimes remind Hank his partner was an android, but he could easily forget it from time to time when he wasn't focused in the idea. In a way, the notion came and went like reminding your body you need to breathe verses it just going on the motions on its own.
But this...words like these were more like a slam to the gut than just a small reminder. However, it was also a lot less painful and a hell more amusing.
"I'm sure it wouldn't be and that's not what I fucking meant," he replies with a brief laugh. "But hell you know what? If you feel like bringing one, be my guest. Might be useful to have memories so we can laugh if I completely mess this up. I'll have to be on my best behavior with kids 'round anyway..."
If there's a few literal sparkles in the air as Connor replies, nobody has to say anything about it.
"Obviously."
He does seem a bit confused at Hank's vague clarification, a tilt to his head and his mouth opening briefly as if he's about to ask for further meaning, but then the topic seems to have passed and it doesn't seem important enough to bring up again.
"I might, then. I think it will be nice to to have a few pictures to put in the apartment." He does pause briefly before continuing, but he knows that he wants to encourage his partner, so he tries not to overthink it.
Nobody has to make any comments about the sparkles, but someone does have to bite down his tongue, least he says something about vampires and sunlight, or being too damn bright he might need a pair of shades.
Scoffing at Connor's first reply, he then looks genuinely surprised at the suggestion from the android, before some parts of his shirt takes on a golden color.
"Christ...having to stare at my face each day in a Santa costume..." Still he doesn't sound completely against it? There's no outright refusal even if his eyes dart downward to his empty beer bottle as he continues.
"Heh. We'll see." Trying to overcome years of self-loathing would take time, but he was realizing how Connor made it easier. "Definitely not worried about whatever role they give you."
Besides, even putting aside the Santa thing, it'll be nice to have something... tangible to show for their time together. As clear as his memories are, it's not quite the same—and for Hank, he thinks it'll be even more significant a difference.
"You shouldn't be. We've always made a good team."
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Connor tilts his head. The question has been asked, but he isn't aware of the answer yet.
"Are you going to do it?"
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"Yeah. I'm a grumpy old bastard and not really a fan of Christmas, but I ain't cruel to kids."
Sora had gotten him exactly where it counted. He twists the beer's top open and takes a sip.
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Sometimes it can be necessary to use those sort of methods, but... they aren't entirely healthy in the long run.
Only Connor is allowed to guilt Hank into things, anyway.no subject
He grips around the beer a little tighter, as his memories drift back to his last Holiday with Cole, eyes moving downward briefly. Maybe he could...He crushes those thoughts in an attempt to change the subject in his mind.
"He asked if you wanted to be one of the helpers, too." Hank shrugs. "Dunno what means for you, mind you. A hat and a festive ugly shirt? Mall elf outfit? You'd have to ask him."
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Well, if that's how it's going to be...
"I wouldn't mind helping you, if that's what you want," Connor replies. "What will you be doing, though? Other than dressing in costume and meeting children."
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"Actually that sound about what I'll be doing if you add giving out presents," he replies with a small grin to his face. "...unless they have me arrive with reindeer or some shit." Or wyverns dressed up as reindeer.
"Hey I'm not going to twist your fucking arms. I'll be fine doing it on my own, but I'm sure it'll be more tolerable with you around."
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Maybe someone...
youngeruh, less breakable and more enthusiastic would be more reasonable to ask to deal with unfamiliar animals, especially in a world where there are so many supernatural sorts. There might actually be flying reindeer here, for all Connor knows."I'll be there," he says simply, like there wasn't really any question involved. Plus, it'll probably be beneficial for the children for him to be there, as well—the better of a mood Hank is in, the better he'll probably be able to make the experience.
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Look Hank might be breakable but he's pretty sure if they want to keep some sort of illusion up for the kids, he'll play along with whatever stupid plan they have. At least he'll be able to spread some joy to others around him for a change unlike the last three ones he'd had...
He takes a sip from his beer again to try and disperse those thoughts away.
"Uh okay. That was fast." Hank hadn't really expected Connor to protest too much but it still felt like he'd almost been stupid for asking. "Guess I'll let...shit I think Sora called her Usagi. She's the one leading this entire thing."
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"I suppose you can tell her to contact me if they need me to do anything specific."
It seems more efficient to let Hank do that than try to get in touch with her himself immediately, if the lieutenant is going to be talking to her anyway.
"And I'd be glad to help with whatever you'll be doing, specifically."
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"Will do. I have no idea what type of costume they might have planned for you," he adds' point a free finger at him before taking another sip. "And we'll be giving presents...or at least thats what Sora made it sound like."
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"I'm sure whatever it is will be fine," he replies. Connor thankfully came with a particular lack of shame when dealing with things like what he's wearing. He does offer Hank a little smile of his own, though.
"I'm sure we can handle it."
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"Right...Well at least we won't have to worry about getting something like that police officer costume," he says trying to keep a straight face, but failing. "Think I'd traumatize the kids that way."
The image of a sexy santa is so ridiculous in his mind he finally lets out a small laugh before giving the android a small playful punch with his elbow. "Might not be as bad with you, at least."
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The unfortunate part about being an android is that one's mind can create an even greater amount of strange and confusing possibilities than a human's could in the same amount of time. Connor looks as if he can't decide between being genuinely amused and utterly baffled, and his LED very briefly blinks yellow as he uncharacteristically trips over a word.
"I—if you say so."
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His thoughts much slower than Connor's, he stops for a few uneasy seconds in silence before briefly frowning as he looks away and speaks again, attempting to fix it.
"Well uh, you know--"
Christ, all that time and he can't even come up with something decent.
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"I'll be sure to record it, in case you want to go over it again in the future."
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Clearly.
Thankfully Connor's words snap him out of his thoughts and he looks at him, one eyebrow raised.
"You gonna walk around with a phone snapping pictures, or do they have something like an old school camera around here?"
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"But if you'd like a keepsake, we can certainly look into getting a camera. They do take a short amount of time to work, but they exist here."
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When there's mention of a camera, he waves a hand to dismiss the idea.
"Sounds like more of a pain in the ass than anything else. At worst there's also the...uh, leaves from the memory tree, right? I feel the kids would wonder why there's a helper with a camera anyway. Besides those things add like twenty pounds to your frame."
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"Maybe I need to show you my right side more often."
With Hank, he's never quite sure whether to take the remarks about androids seriously. For all he knows Hank could genuinely be forgetting, with the way he seemed to initially project humanity onto Connor shortly after they met.
"I really don't think it would be that much trouble," he comments, "I wouldn't have any trouble carrying something heavier, if you did want photos."
Being preprogrammed with idioms doesn't mean he automatically recognizes them when there's an equally applicable literal meaning.
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"As opposed to your wrong side?"
It was a mixture of both. Connor's general....Connor-ness did sometimes remind Hank his partner was an android, but he could easily forget it from time to time when he wasn't focused in the idea. In a way, the notion came and went like reminding your body you need to breathe verses it just going on the motions on its own.
But this...words like these were more like a slam to the gut than just a small reminder. However, it was also a lot less painful and a hell more amusing.
"I'm sure it wouldn't be and that's not what I fucking meant," he replies with a brief laugh. "But hell you know what? If you feel like bringing one, be my guest. Might be useful to have memories so we can laugh if I completely mess this up. I'll have to be on my best behavior with kids 'round anyway..."
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"Obviously."
He does seem a bit confused at Hank's vague clarification, a tilt to his head and his mouth opening briefly as if he's about to ask for further meaning, but then the topic seems to have passed and it doesn't seem important enough to bring up again.
"I might, then. I think it will be nice to to have a few pictures to put in the apartment." He does pause briefly before continuing, but he knows that he wants to encourage his partner, so he tries not to overthink it.
"I know you'll do great."
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Scoffing at Connor's first reply, he then looks genuinely surprised at the suggestion from the android, before some parts of his shirt takes on a golden color.
"Christ...having to stare at my face each day in a Santa costume..." Still he doesn't sound completely against it? There's no outright refusal even if his eyes dart downward to his empty beer bottle as he continues.
"Heh. We'll see." Trying to overcome years of self-loathing would take time, but he was realizing how Connor made it easier. "Definitely not worried about whatever role they give you."
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Besides, even putting aside the Santa thing, it'll be nice to have something... tangible to show for their time together. As clear as his memories are, it's not quite the same—and for Hank, he thinks it'll be even more significant a difference.
"You shouldn't be. We've always made a good team."