I have a mind of my own now.

*Muses in silence, listening to her explanation. The uncomfortability catches his eyes, however, and his shoulders droop slightly when she refers to his temper as short. Speaks softly.*

I know.

*Removes his helmet in an unusual display of vulnerability.* There is one thing. One thing I wish to try with you; should it not suit your taste, I will cease immediately and leave you be. You have my word.

*Reaches out to place a hand on her shoulder. Utters out a strange and foreign word.* … Please.

*She looks back to him at the motion, noting a change in his behavior. He usually never removed his helmet unless they were alone, typically setting up camp or otherwise settling down for the night. Sometimes not even then, if he didn't plan on eating or there were others nearby.*

*Simply inquiring about his well-being had become quite interesting. Curiosity had quickly replaced some of her concerns, since he was trying his best to reassure her.*

...What is it you wish to do?

*Takes a step closer to her. Though his face is concealed, it’s clear he’s not happy with her answer. Raises his shoulders as he towers over her, staring down at the synthetic.*

I am not interested in a rational way of looking at this. I have already left reason far behind.

You would be so quick to spurn me? Or are you afraid?

*She watches as he approaches, not backing away but still looking fairly unhappy.* I am not afraid of you. I'm not even sure how I'm feeling sometimes if... that makes sense at all.

I wasn't exactly given much in the way of emotional stimuli prior to my living on my own. I was, for the most part, created to be intelligent enough to mimic human behavior. When some androids start thinking about what would be best for themselves, those thoughts and new... feelings that often come along with it aren't exactly encouraged.

*She looks away momentarily, uncomfortable.* All of these... reactions I've begun having to things are still new, and I sometimes have understanding them. I can't expect you to be patient about this while I'm still learning; your temper can be very short.

That is—

You are missing the point, you—

*Slams his gauntlets against his helmet in extreme frustration.* I just told you I would not be fine! I am attached to you. Every free thought that I can spare is devoted to you. Even when we are apart, I think about you.

And you have no idea of the sway you hold over me. What words must I use to explain it to you?

*She frowns now, unable to keep as neutral a tone as before. The emotions he seems to be speaking of are unexpected and definitely unfamiliar, at best.*

I'm not missing the point, and I understand what you're trying to say just fine. I am simply trying to give you a rational way of looking at things in response.

This... apparent obsession with me, a synthetic being who will never truly be human, is unhealthy. I'm not... entirely sure of what you expect from me, but you will probably wind up disappointed in the end.

Do not apologize to me. It is not your fault.

The fault is mine. I have grown… Attached to you. It is a liability and a danger. Tomorrow you could die, and then where would I be?

I have let my feelings override my judgement, and it is disconcerting.

#totally not avoiding the subject or anything #askthewildman

*She continues to stare; that was unexpected.*

You... would be fine, I can imagine. You managed on your own without me before we met, and it's not difficult to see you doing the same if I was gone.

Besides, I'm not that easy to "kill". I could probably be repaired in most cases, provided you could find someone trustworthy enough to do the work. It would take a little more than what we usually get into to cause me serious damage..

You have been bothering me.

… I have been thinking about you. A lot. More than I ever intended, and it… It disturbs me.

*That is unexpected, although she is unsure of why thoughts of her might be making him feel unpleasant. Especially since he wasn't bothered enough by her secret to tell her until now.*

I... apologize? I'm sorry that I've been the source of any discomfort to you, but... I'm not sure how to change whatever it is about me that has apparently been distracting.

*Slams his gauntlet on the ground.*

Nay! Something must change, or these… sensations will consume me. These terrible, gnawing feelings that churn within me like some disgusting tapeworm.

*He looks back to her.* … You don’t even realize, do you?

*She stares at him questioningly.* I am... not sure what you mean.

As I said earlier, you can simply tell me if you are sick or if something else has been bothering you.

You could have tried. *Squints.* I did not say anything because I felt it did not matter.

… Why have you not yet killed me? What has changed?

Well... I suppose it says something about our companionship that you didn't say anything or sell me out, when the opportunity arose. I'm sure there are a few groups in the Wasteland that have enough caps or supplies to offer for an android.

*She pauses.* Seeing that so much time has passed without many difficulties between us... I'm not sure that anything needs to change now.

*There’s less anger in his voice now. It’s more like exasperation.*

Two days. It took me two days to decipher your true identity. *Beat.* I heard the gears clicking beneath your flesh. I know a machine when I hear one, and you…

*Well then. She wasn't aware that she'd been needing maintenance that badly, or that her inner workings were perhaps just that noisy.*

*In any case, she's not quite sure what to think since he waited so long to say anything. That quickly eased some of her worries.* ...You know, I probably would have tried to kill you and moved on if you had told me so early. Now I'm not sure what should be done about this.

Because it is the truth. I am not one to mince words. Up until now, however, I have held my tongue.

I know what you are. Do not think you can hide such details from me.

*The fact that knew about her secret without her saying so is somewhat... concerning. If anyone else had found out, it could become a problem.*

*She stares at him for a moment, deciding what her best option is now. At least another question might do, for now.* How long have you known?

“Hypothetical?”

*Explosive sigh.* You look like a human being. Why can you not speak like one?

... *She only lets her sudden suspicion of him show for a moment; the comment caught her off guard.*

Why would you say such a thing.

penny-the-androidreplied to yourpost:You’ve been rather quiet, lately.

…Very well. But if something is bothering you, I’d prefer that you let me know.

Why? So that you may coddle me like a helpless child?

Nay. I am a warrior. And perfectly capable of handling myself.

I am aware of that. I'd just rather know if something is going to impede our travels or our partnership, and if there is a way to solve the hypothetical problem or not.