obeir | WTL Inbox

He will. He'll get through it. And I'll go with him as often as he lets me. [ It's easy to assume the frown is just from worrying about Royce... and yet. It makes him wish he wasn't so tipsy at the moment, because while it helps dull the headache, it also dulls his senses in ways he doesn't like. ]

It's hard on you too, all of this. [ He ventures to guess. He hasn't given up on trying to offer Alfie a shoulder to lean on, too, despite invariably being turned down. He just attempts to be more subtle about it now. ] Do your hands still bother you? [ The shaking, he means. ]

[He lifts a hand to show K; it is, at least for the moment, still and steady.]

Sometimes. Yeah. But less than they used to, and not at all at the moment. Time and distance, I suppose; that does the trick.

Time and distance, the panacea for most ills. [ It probably sounds funny coming from someone barely a couple years old, but even K understands the truth of it. The good news makes him smile. ]

I'm glad it's getting better. I think it'll be the same for Royce. [ Especially because Royce occasionally accepts help from others. He isn't sure if Alfie does that with anyone but Royce, but is hesitant to actually ask. ]

I'm sure, yeah. And having friends come around like this - that's a help.

[ So he has been a help, in some way. It has him looking noticeably happier. ]

If you ever do want more than that... Like how Royce lets me hunt with him. [ Just putting it out there again. It's been long enough since the last time he offered for it to hopefully not seem like pestering. ]

Are you offering to hunt with me, K?

[He knows very well what he means, but he wants him to come right out and say it.]

[ Tricksy gangster.

The question makes K hesitate only because he'd thought Royce was responsible for the household hunting chores. Maybe Alfie's trying to help him out? ] If you'd like me to come with you, yes. [ Preferably sober, though. ] Or anything else you might want help with. You hunt?

Ah.

[Alfie drums his fingers on his knee, eyes on K.]

So it's about help. Always help, with you. When you were built, what sort of purpose did your creators have in mind for you?

[It sounds like a non sequitur, but he has a point here, he swears.]

[ The words have K's expression falling into something more carefully neutral, but still receptive. It seems he may have misjudged, again. ]

I was specifically designed for law enforcement. [ Which he thought Alfie knew, but there are no rhetorical questions with androids. ] More broadly, to aid humanity while adhering to the three laws I told you about, like all androids.

To aid humans.

[He repeats, still drumming.]

Yes. You were created to be helpful to humans, and when you feel you're not living up to that, you're-- what? Uncomfortable? You feel useless?

[ And now he's giving Alfie a look like wait, you understand. ]

Yes. Usually I can ignore it. [ Even though he probably isn't meant to be able to. He pauses. ] Sometimes I can't.

I've noticed.

[He says - a touch dryly, but without any real hint of annoyance.]

But I'd prefer you as a friend, mate, not some sort of helper. Do you understand?

[ Congrats on cracking the code, Alfie. It's kind of embarrassing having it laid bare like this, the way his approach to friendship is so obviously influenced by the fact he was designed to serve humans. But since there's no escaping that uncomfortable truth... ]

I understand. And I try not to do it with you. [ He admits, absently massaging one of his temples with a hand. Explaining android programming to someone from Alfie's time is, well — he doesn't really know where to begin. ]

I can't choose my own directives. I can't... choose to not feel the compulsion to help. I try ignoring it. [ Then, reluctantly, voice low: ] The harder I try, the worse the headaches get; I'm not meant to ignore my programming like this.

Headaches?

[Alfie asks, frowning slightly; this is the first he's heard about these.]

Mm. And I don't suppose they're the sort that can be eased with medication. Right; what if I tell you that having a mate does help, then? More than a servant would, certainly.

I don't think the doctors here can do much. [ K agrees with a shake of his head. He'd like to go get checked just to rule out old head injuries as a possible cause, but his past experiences with doctors prevent him. There's also the fact not all of his anatomy is analogous to a human's. ]

And I'm glad if it helps. [ And, surprisingly, it does ease the nagging compulsion. Not as much as he'd like, but enough to be discernible. Enough to have him looking more clear-eyed despite the effects of the alcohol. Interesting. ] With people I don't know, that's when I can mostly ignore the feeling. It's different with the people I actually know. And like. [ He adds with a raised eyebrow. Friends, in other words. ] Does this mean our hunting trip's cancelled?

No, no. Not unless you'd prefer it to be.

[The teapot, finally, starts to whistle, and Alfie hustles into the kitchen to attend to it, getting out some plates for the kuchen.]

Do you swim?

[ It had partly been a joke; he'll be happy to actually go hunting with Alfie. ]

I do. I've been free diving in the ocean here a lot now that the weather's warm. [ Not only to work on his underwater photography, but because it's good exercise. It's been a fun luxury to indulge in here, where the water isn't skin-meltingly toxic. ]

I think Zephyr guessed my affinity for water even before I knew... They turned me into a merman during their Fairy Tale assignment. [ Needless to say, if Alfie's looking for someone to go swimming or fishing with, look no further. ]

What about the lake?

[Alfie likes the ocean fine, but lake-swimming is one of his favorite ways to spend a hot afternoon.]

It's a good spot too. [ Given how deep it goes. And there's plenty of strange and interesting things to see in its depths.

A pause. ] You wanna go swimming?

Sure, yeah. We could go this afternoon, if you like.

[And he'll have to remember to bring a bathing suit. He could be wrong, but K seems to give off the aura of someone who would be at least a little flustered by casual nudity.]

[ Despite it probably not being the best idea while tipsy... ] I would. Nice day for it.

[ He'd have likely accepted even if he didn't want to, since it seems to be Alfie making a point about preferring a friend to a servant. ]

[Alfie claps his hands, then moves to stand.]

Right, then - tea and your lovely cake as we walk? Have you got a swimming costume back at your place?

Some... materialised in my closet. I never had to wish for any. [ Though K's been in the Meadous for nearly a year by this point, he still sounds slightly confused by this phenomenon. But also grateful, because it probably wouldn't have occurred to him to wish for cooler clothing for the summer.

There's a long pause before he also gets to his feet, marginally steadier now. At least until Bear decides to give him another helpful headbutt that makes him stumble a bit. ]

I think he wants to come, too.

Ah, he can come.

[He leans down, ruffling the fur on Bear's head.]

You can imagine how long it takes him to dry off; he won't be allowed in the house for two days after. Particularly not with the way Royce likes to let him in the bed.

[Royce is the biggest softie when it comes to the animals and Alfie finds joy in spreading this information around.]

[ It isn't surprising, K's seen what a soft spot Royce has for his cat as well. But the "gossip" gets a smile from him all the same. ]

Can't imagine there's any room left with Bear in there. [ Wryly: ] Maybe I can help him dry off so he's not banned for so long. [ ...At least it isn't because he feels subservient to a dog. He just has a soft spot for the mutt, too. ]

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