i n [B] o x . // acata.

[abandonware]

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[abandonware]

[A2 falls silent at that, keeping her gaze straight ahead. It seems this is not a question she intends to answer.

...If Akira were so inclined, he could demand it of her, and she would do so ...if reluctantly, hardwired to obey humans. But it would not be for the best.]

[purrtagonist]

[fortunately for A2, he isn't that kind of person. her non-answer means he moves on quickly]

Does it have a name? I think I heard you call it. . . Pod?

[abandonware]

[The ramrod straighness of her shoulders relaxes, if barely, when the topic changes. Grateful to not be pressed on the question of Pod's transfer, she answers without as long of a pause, this time.]

That's what it's called.

Affirmative. This Pod's designation number is 042.

[purrtagonist]

[he can tell that there's a story there, but. . . with time. this Confidant was still only Rank 1, after all]

"Pod" is a lot easier to say than "042."

[he lifts a hand and waves at the floating droid]

Nice to meet you officially, Pod.

[. . .]

[and then he totally holds out a fist for a brofist. do the brofist Pod!1]

[abandonware]

[Pod fistbumps! Pod's the cool dad of this cool dad and sullen teenager duo. A2 rolls her eyes, completing this metaphor, but she seems less "get the fuck away from my dumb Pod" than she had been when Simon had touched it.]

Response: It is nice to meet you as well, Akira.

If you like him so much, [A2 breathes out, after a delay,] why don't you follow him around?

Negative. As previously stated, this Pod is assigned to Unit A2.

Worth a shot. Hey. Fluffy Hair.

[That's you, Akira.] What's with the bandages?

[purrtagonist]

It's Frizzy Hair, actually.

[he corrects, a bit cheekily. like the semantics matter (THEY TOTALLY DON'T). her question leaves him blinking in surprise though, as he glances down at some of the bandages entwining his arms]

Oh, these? I got a bit scraped up during the mission. That's all.

[abandonware]

Whatever.

[Cue A2 calling him "Fluffy Hair" whenever she sees him, for the rest of time.

His answer seems to satisfy what curiosity she had about it. At least he wasn't an idiot that got struck by lightning, like some idiots she knew.]

Mm.

[...]

Some idiot I know got struck by lightning.

[purrtagonist]

[HE'LL ANSWER TO IT. BECAUSE HE'S LIKE THAT]

[also, he absolutely trips over his feet when she says that]

-- what?!

[what!1]

Are they okay?

[abandonware]

He's fine. [Said as callously as she can manage, which is a Lot. She even waves her hand a little, as if dismissing his concern.]

He's just a dumbass.

[purrtagonist]

Just a-- I saw the size of those lightning bolts??

[he sounds relieved and exasperated all in one]

He must be pretty damn sturdy to survive an encounter with one of those.

[abandonware]

[She shrugs. Nier's survival despite all attempts not to, apparently, is a mystery she cannot solve on her own.]

Idiots always survive. [She's almost impressed no one managed to come out of it worse off, given how lackadaisical humans seemed to be with their own well-being.] Surprised no one died.

[purrtagonist]

[A2. . .]

[nevertheless, Akira lets out a deep exhale and shakes his head]

I'm glad. [both that her friend survived, and that no one died] But I wonder if that makes us all idiots, by your definition?

[he's teasing. . . . . .]

[abandonware]

[The longest pause in human history.]

...

[Her brow knits; she looks up briefly.]

Maybe.

[purrtagonist]

[his blase expression cracks as a grin twitches at the corners of his mouth]

[but he forces that smile down quickly]

[so he can give her the MOST DEADPAN OF A THUMBS UP TO EVER EXIST]

[abandonware]

[????]

Thanks?

[Humans were so weird.]

I didn't do anything. [Wasn't that a signal of encouragement?]

[purrtagonist]

[he laughs, the sound light and airy, no longer able to contain his amusement]

It was the way you said it. I was giving you a thumbs up of approval.