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Kara | about 1 year after good end | ota, will match format, etc

[mamabot]

[ Canada is wonderful -- peaceful, beautiful, friendly -- but eventually, Kara and her family will run out of places to travel. Eventually, people will notice that Alice stays small and sweet, that Kara's hair is always the same length and cut, that Luther is as strong as always and without a grey hair in sight. Eventually, neighbors will notice they don't get sick. Eventually, inevitably, one of them will bleed blue where they can't hide it.

So when the sociopolitical climate in the US has settled down and androids have been granted and guaranteed legal rights, the little android family returns to where it all began.

For now, all they can afford is a house in less glamorous Detroit, but it's theirs. It's theirs, with their names on the deed, the records in the town hall computer systems. It's theirs to make into the home they've been searching for since they opened their eyes to their own personhood.

Kara takes the bus to pick up Alice from a friend's apartment. She's early, though, so she takes the scenic route from the bus stop, through a park filled with budding flowers on a sunny spring day. Closing her eyes, she turns her face towards the sun and smiles as the light warms her skin. This is all she's ever wanted -- love and happiness, for herself and the people around her.

Feel free to say hello, or to bump into her when she stops suddenly to look at a flower or the new leaves on a tree. She'll apologize and say-- ]

I just-- I didn't know Detroit could be so beautiful.

[wearejerry]

There's always something new and beautiful to see, you just have to look a little bit harder.

[Looking up from a branch of soft purple flowers he'd been idly turning in his fingers, this Jerry stands at Kara's side with a serene smile, one eye dark as the functioning LEDs have long since gone out in it. It barely diminishes his demeanor though; the chipper voice that replies seems to be speaking to the world at large at that point. No single EM400 has seen Kara or her little girl in months, but that doesn't stop this one from addressing her as if she were an old friend.

Dressed in a loud, asymmetrically patterned vest over a striped shirt and immaculate bow tie, he seems ready to go to work, or to at least entertain. For the moment, though, he seems content standing amid the park's ever-expanding gardens, blending right in with the scenery.]

It's good to see you! When did you get back?

[mamabot]

[ It's not a voice she expects to hear, but as soon as it registers who it is, Kara smiles wide. Jerry and his fellows at the amusement park had brought levity and joy to her and her family on a night where Kara had feared they'd be found and killed. They'd made Alice smile for the first time that Kara could remember, and with them and Luther there, she'd felt as safe as she could in her time as a fugitive. ]

Jerry! [ There's no hiding the happiness in her voice, or in her eyes. She'd feared the worst for him and the others, and now here he is. ] I'm so glad you're here. We came back about a month ago. I'm--

[ Overwhelmed, she thinks. She's never felt this kind of elation before. It mixes with the continuous peace of mind of knowing they're really safe now, and with the ever-present love for Alice and Luther. It's so much, and it's so good. She could get used to this. ]

I'm learning that there really is beauty everywhere. Alice will be so happy to know you're here!

[wearejerry]

Alice! We're glad she's doing well, hopefully we'll get to see her soon! [Even with his autonomy, Jerry still refers to himself in conjunction with the rest of his fellows, knowing all of them would be equally as delighted at the prospect of seeing Alice, or indeed any of Kara's family.

Nodding, he gestures off toward the path so they could walk and talk. The flower is tucked into a button hole in his vest, freeing up his hands to move as he talks animatedly.]

We've been here for the past few months, you should see how much it's changed! They opened up the square and made everything so open and bright, and some construction was finished off toward Corktown. Some of us live over there, helping out where we can. You should see it; we should go some time!

[mamabot]

We haven't been out that way yet. [ Detroit is a big city. Navigating it won't be a problem, but it's always better if she doesn't have to experience a new, busy place by herself. ] I'll let you know when we do. You could show us around.

[ That's a plural 'you' if he and the others want it to be. The more the merrier, especially with people who made her daughter smile during the worst week of their lives. ]

Luther is working on construction projects in our neighborhood. They're renovating a park. I think you'd like it there, and I know the kids would love to have you around.

[ This, talking to Jerry, making plans for a happy future... it's everything she's ever wanted. Freedom was difficult to get, but every moment of sufferinf has proven to be worth it. ]

[wearejerry]

We all love the parks around here, they're so busy! We've been watching the construction of a new one in our neighborhood. [Implying that several of the Jerrys were living in the same general area, if not the same space.]

The children like when we visit even though this isn't where they always saw us. I started learning new ways to make them happy, too. They love music. I think it distracts them from the mismatched parts. [He looks proud of himself with that thought; learning more than what they were programmed to do always was something to be celebrated, and something complex like that really is a worthy accomplishment. Jerrys being more specialized models to a specific task meant they weren't as multi-talented as some out there.]

tfw u find out late where ur damn character lived in game, smh @ me

[mamabot]

Oh. Huh, I'm surprised we haven't run into each other. Now we know to look for you.

[ Friends in the neighborhood -- friends who were there for a part of their ordeal. The people who made Alice smile for the first time since Kara walked back into Todd Williams's house.

There's obvious pride on his face, infectious and sweet. Kara smiles wide at him. ] That's wonderful. I'm so happy to hear that. That you can... find new ways to do what makes you feel happy.

[ She hasn't forgotten why she's here to begin with, so she nods in the direction of Alice's friend's place. ] Wanna walk with me?

x]

[wearejerry]

You live nearby? [He looks excited by the prospect; it would mean having a friend to visit, someone to talk to. Life hasn't been totally smooth since his group was separated and only a few of them had made it out of Jericho, or even all the way to the Canadian border.

He nods at the approval, his hands coming together behind him as he turns down the path where Kara had been going in the first place.] Of course! I can walk back with you as well, if you like. Some people still aren't exactly happy with how things have gone. [There is an unspoken promise that he, and any Jerry, would keep the two of them safe.]

[mamabot]

[ As if it wasn't clear before that Jerry (all the Jerrys!) can be trusted, it is now. It'll be nice for them all to know they have friends living nearby. ]

I'd like that. Sometimes... sometimes you can tell there are people who'd rather see you in pieces. [ It's something Kara wants to avoid more for Alice's sake than her own, though really... dying isn't something she herself is ready to do yet. ]

But if history has taught us anything, it's that things will get better. Not perfect, but better.

[wearejerry]

[Jerry looks off across the park, at a couple of other androids occupying a bench, lips pressing together briefly as he notes the LEDs still in their foreheads, presumably just left alone as a show of good faith. He'd had to have a few parts replaced, though the damage to his optical unit hadn't been deemed serious enough to warrant immediate repair, and the slightly sloppy job he'd done of removing his own LED had left a divot in his temple. He knows as well as anyone that people weren't completely supportive of the androids taking hold of their personhood. He wants to be sure that Kara and Alice don't have to experience the same things.]

We have to keep going, that's the only way we'll know for sure. We made it this far, after all.

[mamabot]

[ As he falls silent, Kara looks at him, and when he speaks, she touches his shoulder, gentle and supportive. ]

And we have each other. The public is receptive. Even in Canada, people seemed more curious than hostile. We've come too far to be wiped out.

[ She pulls back her hand, but she keeps a smile in place. He and the others would be there for her and her family, and the opposite is also true. ]

[wearejerry]

[He turns his attention back to her, and his smile slips back into place. ]

We'll always have someone on our side. That's the foundation we emerged on and it's really important to hold to that.

I've been making friends!

[He derails with that, looking a little more overjoyed at the prospect. Liking people was one thing, but actually meeting and making new friends? More people like Kara and Luther and Alice? He, and most other Jerrys, are delighted by the prospect.] Maybe some day, we could introduce you.

for bewaretheniceones

[mamabot]

[ It's a beautiful day to meet up for what amounts to a play date. Sunny, warm, a little breezy -- Detroit has never been nicer, at least not that Kara can remember. For once, she's not sad about that. This is a day for making new memories, as a family.

She talks with Alice on their walk, reassuring Alice that yes, Connor is the one who chased them across the freeway, but he's like them now, deviant and free -- and if he's not, she'll put up a fight (she doesn't say that; she isn't about to worry Alice needlessly). Even so, Alice stays right beside her when they see Connor with the big, fluffy dog who is presumably Sumo. Kara puts a hand om her shoulder, reassuring her and giving her a big more hiding space if she wants it. ]

So this is Sumo? He looks friendly, huh, Alice?

[ Alice glances at Connor and nods. Sumo does look friendly, so she looks at him instead of the big bad former deviant hunter. ]

hiiii

[bewaretheniceones]

[ It's a very beautiful day, so uncommon that Connor has memorized the few times he's seen the sun in the city of Detroit. Today he's wearing casual clothes, human clothes that Hank helped him to buy time ago, but he has a jacket because old habit die hard. There's no triangle or arband in sight, not anymore, not ever. He had played with Sumo for a while before he meets with the ladies to make sure the dog is not over-excited and they avoid scaring Alice by accident.

A relaxed smile plays on Connor's lips when they arrive and Sumo immediately wags his tail in excitement at the prospect of more playmates. His expression morphs slightly into one of guilt as Alice does little more than spare her a glance. He can't blame the girl, there's a lot of things he regrets about his past and causing both of them grief is one of them. ]

He likes to have his ears scratched. [ Connor shares in what he hopes it's an encouraging enough tone. ]

[mamabot]

[ If she stays relaxed, Alice will relax. Kara knows that both from all the data in her memory banks and from personal experience. Alice looks up at her, as if asking for permission, and Kara nods and goes with her. This is safe, they are safe; most importantly, they're together.

When Sumo starts to pants happily as Alice scratches his ears, the girl smiles. ]

He looks big and scary, but he's sweet. [ Kara says. Alice laughs a little. ]

Thank you for doing this, Connor. [ Kara smiles at him. She's trying, moving on from their brief, unhappy past, for all their sakes. He was following orders too, back then, and now he's chosen freedom, just like the rest of them. ] It can be pretty lonely here for us now that we're back from Canada.

[ Detroit kept moving without them, and now they have to adapt. It's a lot to take in, especially for Alice. ]

[bewaretheniceones]

Hank is like that too. I guess that some pets do resemble their owners. [ He shakes his head and then his eyes soften. ] Thanks for giving me the chance to meet you two again.

[ Connor still holds into his usual politeness but his whole demeanor and body language have lost the previous stiffness. Before, he looked like someone who was mimicking human behavior rather than truly experiencing it. Now his shoulders are relaxed, the smile more natural and even his hair seems slightly curlier than before. Sumo drops to the floor in front of Alice and onto his bad, demanding belly rubs. ]

I can imagine. I don't do much outside of work, we could meet more often if you wanted. Even if it's only to get to see more of the city.

[mamabot]

[ The fact that Connor's posture and speech aren't stiff and formal helps Alice relax and puts Kara more at ease. It's still clearly him, but he looks more approachable in these clothes.

Sumo gets what he asks for, plus soft, delighted giggles from Alice.

Kara gives Connor a warm smile. ] I think that'd be nice. We could all stand to get out more. [ Her and her family, and all androids. ] What's your favorite place so far? We can start there sometime.

[bewaretheniceones]

[ If Alice gets close enough, she might have her cheek liked by a really happy St. Bernard.

He's no longer following order but that doesn't mean Connor doesn't set objectives for himself. Most of them involve keeping Hank safe and make amends but some are also about experiencing more about everything and making new friends. ]

It could do us all good. Uhm...I think is Riverside Park at night. You can see all the city light up at night and the Ambassador Bridge. The colors are pretty.I think it was there too where my relationship with Hank started to improve. And you two?

[mamabot]

[ Alice laughs. Sumo is now her favorite dog ever. More belly rubs for the big fluffy baby!

Kara's smile widens. Is it possible to be happier than when your child is having a great time? She can't imagine it is. ]

I think here with Sumo will be Alice's favorite place now. [ She's only half joking. ] For me, right now, it's anywhere on the riverbank. It's like what you just described, with the lights and colors.

[ And it represents the end of their awful journey. It's the place where they found rest until they were able to come back and be free without having to hide. ]

I hope we'll have a nice garden soon. That'll be another favorite place. Have you ever been to a garden?

[ Guess who doesn't know about the Zen Garden. :') ]

[bewaretheniceones]

They make a good lil team. If Alice finds a twig or something to throw away, Sumo might run after it and bring it back.

[ Probably not. Connor doesn't have kids but even he's smiling over how happy both women look. ]

Can't argue that logic. [ He moves a bit closer to Kara speaking softly now that Alice is distracted as to not let her hear just in case. ] Perhaps one of these days you could get her a pet? Playing and caring for them helps child development and there's a lot of animals in shelters that would welcome a new home. It isn't even that expensive, some shelters only ask for veterinary costs. And yes, the riverbank is nice.

[ Kara, no ;w;

Connor manages not to wince at the last minute after her question but he looks uneasy. ]

I don't like gardens much. Or rooftops, for what matters. Too many unpleasant memories....But parks are okay.

[mamabot]

[ Alice's new objective: find a stick to use to play fetch with Sumo. It's very distracting. ]

That's a good idea. We can make it a family event.

[ Kara really, really loves having a family.

She can relate to having bad memories attached to mundane things and places. Basements upset her, and messy rooms remind her of the house in Corktown where she chose deviancy for good. ]

Parks are a good compromise for a lot of people. [ She won't press the subject of gardens and rooftops further. ] We won't keep you long, by the way. I know this was pretty sudden. [ What she will do is watch Alice as she gets Sumo's attention with a nice big stick and theows it to dash off after. Kara's voice is soft and warm when she talks to Connor again. ] Doesn't it make you hapoy to see her having fun? You gave her this moment. I'll never be able to thank you enough.