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He's very friendly, just don't rub his tummy. Most cats don't tend to favor that. But I have treats you can give him and he'll warm up to you in no time!

[As they go in, Ashe sets Loog down. The cat immediately goes to flop on the floor, purring and lazy.]

Ah, I can see that being a problem. But I guess just wash your hands before you go? Oh! O-or... hm. Yeah, I'm not sure. Sorry.

[Connor shrugs. He can change his clothes if he needs to.]

It shouldn't be a problem.

[Bending down to pet the cat more, Connor makes sure he doesn't rub his belly, even though it looks very soft and inviting. He looks around as he does, taking in the scenery.]

It must be nice, having animals in the house. I don't have any. I do have a Spyder, though.

If you're sure.

[Loog proceeds to purr harder, eyes squinting happily at the pets. His paws curl against his chest, probably making it even harder to not touch his belly. It's a trap, don't fall for it, Connor!

Ashe returns with a little container of treats. He wants to suggest getting a pet, but he remembers Monika's present idea -- so he keeps it to himself.]

Does the Spyder behave anything like an animal?

Not really. Sometimes it follows me for no real reason...

[He absolutely could believe that it feels affection, but it just doesn't really have the means to express it.]

Otherwise, it just- oh.

[He fell for the trap, and rubbed the belly. Now he has claws in his hand, though he doesn't seem bothered by it in terms of pain.]

Did I make him angry?

[He's still purring??]

Oh, Connor! Um...

[Ashe settles down next to the android.]

Well, the stomach is a vital part of an animal. When a cat shows you their tummy, they're trusting you.

Right now he might think you're playing. Sometimes he stops if you ignore him.

[Connor tries to pull his hand away, and it's promptly pulled back towards the animal and nibbled on.]

So I just leave my hand here until he gets bored?

[Well, he doesn't get uncomfortable... he doesn't mind bending down until the cat lets go. The skin automatically deactivates around the claws, showing patches of white plastic instead of skin, but he doesn't bleed.]

Mm! Sometimes if you ignore them, they'll realize it's not a positive reaction, so they'll stop-- oh!

[The sudden revelation of plastic underneath earns a curious look from Ashe.]

Sorry, should I not stare...?

[Connor shakes his head.]

I don't mind. As long as you're not being rude about it, which I don't think you are.

[Curiosity is Connor's most prominent trait, after all. He'd be a hypocrite to chide someone else for the same thing.]

What was technology like back in your world?

[He doesn't know what Ashe is used to, though it clearly isn't androids.]

If you're sure. I just... well, I think it's kind of pretty. It's so polished.

[The question makes Ashe laugh quietly.]

We don't have running water or electricity. So pretty much everything here is new. I'm still too scared to use the vehicles here, so I've been walking or using my horse or something.

Oh, thank you.

[He's never been told that his plastic is pretty before. He's pleased.]

Walking instead of using a car isn't such a bad thing. I can see how this world would be shocking for someone like you, though. It's the magic that threw me off at first, since we don't have that where I come from.

Of course. Are there more parts of you that are like that?

[Yeah he... really isn't sure he understands androids much but he's trying.

By now, Loog finally gets bored of clinging onto Connor's hand, instead letting go and giving the plastic a few licks.]

We have magic in Fodlan, but I'll admit I've never had a knack for it. Trying to figure it out here has been tough but I've had some very patient teachers. The transformations used to bother me at first for sure.

I'm plastic all over.

[He deactivates the skin on his face- his hair disappears too, leaving him looking very different. Still, his eyes remain the same, warm brown. He removes his hand and stands again, examining his hand briefly for signs of damage before letting it drop.]

The transformations don't bother me, but perhaps that's because I can't feel pain. I imagine pain would make them much more unpleasant.

Plastic's not something we have in Fodlan either. It's so new to me how many things are made by it. Even you!

[Sure, Connor looks different without his skin, but Ashe still looks mesmerized. And it's easy to know it's him if Ashe looks at his eyes, so he smiles without a worry.]

Look at that. You're really incredible.

[The subject of transformations earns a little awkward laugh from Ashe.] Mm, well. When someone transformed in Fodlan it... was pretty bad news. I was honestly a bit scared at first. The pain isn't as bad as you might expect, but I was concerned I might lose control of myself.

It hasn't been all terrible, though.

[He seems pleased by the compliment. It's not every day he hears that kind of thing, and given where he came from, he's actually used to hearing the opposite. When his skin reactivates, he's still looking quite flattered.]

I can't imagine a world in which plastic doesn't even exist... but I suppose that only makes sense. I wouldn't exist, after all.

[He tilts his head, eyebrows lifting in curiosity.]

People transformed where you're from, though?

That's the major downside, isn't it? But thankfully you do!

[The question makes Ashe hesitate then he gives a reluctant nod. He offers the cat treats to Connor.]

It would be under a specific set of circumstances, but... yes. Into demonic beasts, knowing only violence.

[Taking the treats, he offers the cat one.]

Oh... what are those circumstances, if you don't mind me asking?

[Loog perks up and sits, reaching up delicately with his paws to pull Connor's hand close in order to take the treat.]

You can ask, I don't mind.

There are people -- mostly nobles -- who have a trait called having a Crest, which usually means that they're descended from a heroic individual in our past who served the Goddess and at the side of Saint Seiros. They'll usually have an ability, like enhanced strength or something similar. This also means they can wield some powerful weapons known as Relic Weapons.

People without crests on the other hand... if they try to use those weapons, or use a Crest stone, it can hurt them and eventually cause them to transform into these monsters.

I see. So it's desirable to use these weapons over a normal one? And these people try to use them anyway despite knowing the risks?

[Connor can't figure out why it would be so important to be able to use a relic weapon that someone would choose to potentially become a monster for it...]

What happens to the people who transform?

It's a bit more complicated than that. But if you have a Crest, you can use a Relic Weapon. If you don't, it's dangerous.

[he winces a little at the question.]

They... become extremely violent. And there's nothing else you can do for them at that point except put them out of their misery.

Oh...

[He lowers his gaze to the cat, offering another treat.]

I'm sorry. Have you ever had to deal with them..?

[His curiosity gets the better of him and the question slips out before he can even think to stop himself. He purses his lips.]

I understand if you'd rather not talk about this, of course. I'm sorry, sometimes I ask too many questions...

It's okay. If I didn't want to answer, I'd tell you. I can't begrudge you being curious when I got nosy about your plastic, right?

[There's a soft sigh, and he continues.]

I've had to kill my fair share of demonic beasts, unfortunately. In the heat of the moment, you're worrying about survival, not that they used to be people. But then... you dwell on it.

And it's hard not to dwell when you've also watched people turn into those things. To know that you could end up that way, easily.

[Connor nods. Well, if Ashe told him that much, he can share a little.]

It's something you do dwell on after a while. We don't have beasts where I'm from but I've had to kill my share of humans, too.

[He feels like he should explain himself a little there, though.]

It was only in self-defence. Humans and androids were fighting, you see. We- androids- wanted rights. To be seen as people.

[For that to happen, humans had to die. There was never going to be an entirely peaceful resolution. What Connor doesn't mention is his role in getting androids killed, too. That's too personal for him, right now.]

Oh, Connor...

[Ashe scoots a little closer to sit next to the android, listening attentively.]

...I've had to kill people too. Not just when they were monsters, but when they were humans. You aren't alone in that.

I'm sorry you had to fight to be seen as a person. I don't know why that's hard; it seemed obvious to me right away. But people have their fears and strange beliefs, and they're willing to fight for that, for better or for worse.

Did... did the androids get that? Did you guys succeed?

I think we did.

[His brows furrow.]

The president told the soldiers to stand down, in the end. I suppose she would want to talk to our leader, Markus... but I ended up here before that could happen. I'm not sure how it'll go.

[He absently strokes the cat again as it nibbles on the treat.]

At least here, I don't have to worry about it that much. People accept me, and I only have to worry about the one person who doesn't rather than every other human I come across.

[Loog starts to purr again at both the treat and the petting. The perfect combo.]

I guess that's true. There are certain things you don't have to worry about like you might back home.

[He pauses, then frowns.] Is there someone here who doesn't accept you?

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