Connor takes a mental note of the Ramen in her hand, eyes rolling as he sets his keys down on the table beside the entrance. This life is a joke; the whole city is a joke, but this is even more of a joke. (He’d have to talk to security later tonight and explain how they’re supposed to be doing their damn jobs.) “Thanks for your support. I’ll be happy to have your assistance when I see you trying to fix this city.” Sarcasm drips from his tongue as he makes his way further into the apartment, perching himself on the couch adjacent to the chair.
The NCPD was a joke; too many open cases with no resolution in sight. The cases were always hard and as technology grew, they grew harder and so did the nights. Tonight wasn’t an exception. A cyberpsycho with a vendetta ready to be exploited; three dead civilians with no leads so far as to the identity of the murderer. (The police department was an absolute fucking joke. Individuals who ran around with badges trying to stop the cesspool of the corruption this city had birthed. He’d grown to accept it over the years — the question remained on why he continued to stand with the police force, the answer unclear to even him.)
He takes off his shoes, eyes never drifting from the bounty hunter. He surveys for anything that gives away the reason she’s here — any changes in her heartbeat, any perspiration that indicates anxiety. He can’t detect anything; she’s too good at what she does. Leaning backward, a brow cocks as he tilts his head to the side. He takes another look at her; still no change. “Cases are confidential. Not that you care, I know you better than that.” If she was interested in a case, she would’ve snagged the case file by now — more often than not, those cases were traced back with Maelstrom roots.
“Give me something to work with here. Toss me a bone.” Like a dog, he’s all bark but no bite; not yet.
she finishes the last bit of the food and places the now empty ramen cup on the desk, feet removed from its surface in order to push herself up. it’s fascinating to watch, an android who’s worried about a city that is long gone and far beyond any help. she wonders if it’s a genuine emotion or part of his program, and suddenly ace’s fingers are itching to take him apart and get his core chips back to maelstrom hq for thorough inspection.
“ how heroic you are, connie. trying to save a city that doesn’t even wanna be saved. ” there is a hum in a voice as she now rounds the table and lets the tips of manicured fingers run along the wooden material. her eyes trail from side to side, almost innocent in the way she ends up looking up at him when she stands near his frame, but far enough to escape if needed. impish little grin curls the corners of her lips upwards. “ you know, i’ve been wondering why you bother buying food. you don’t even need it, now, do you? is it for the feeling? the atmosphere? to try and imagine what life as a human would be like? ”
maybe she’s threading on thin ice there, but she’s known to live for the thrill, and each step she takes closer to him feels like a step closer to fire that may burn her. oddly she wouldn’t mind. “for the ncpd to hire androids as cops now, in a city where major gangs exist who are firmly against such things, you must either be crazy or dumb to have accepted this job. ” here she’s pausing a beat for her eyebrows to knit softly together in faux concern. “ or maybe you’ve had no choice because you’ve got no will of your own. ”
mere centimeters keep them apart now, head tilting just enough to trace his features. and when’s she bringing her hand up, she presses her palm against his chest darlingly, right where a heart would be located but isn’t. " you know, maelstrom would be delighted to have you. we’d appreciate you. ”