lending an ear sentence starters
a lovely nonnie asked for these many moons ago!! find below a small list of prompts involving listening to a loved one.
" you can't keep this bottled up inside you forever. what's wrong? "
" penny for your thoughts. "
" talk to me. "
" you know you can tell me anything. right? "
" i can't help you if i don't know what's going on."
" i can see it eating you up, you know. on the inside. "
" you know i'm always here for you. right? "
" you're not alone. "
" whatever it is you did, or saw, or whatever... i can see it sitting in your chest. "
" it's just you and me here, you know... "
" if you ever want to tell me something... you know i'll always make time for you. don't you?"
" no matter what you did, or saw, or felt... i'm never going to judge you. or see you as anything other than the person you are. "
" we're close, wouldn't you say? close enough that we can... talk to each other. "
" it kills me seeing you like this. "
" you're awfully quiet today. almost like... like something's weighing you down. wanna talk about it? "
" you gonna tell me what's going on with you? "
" hey... hey, even if you don't want to tell me, would you tell a therapist? or... or a doctor, or someone, anyone at all, so that you're not suffocating under this? because you are. you are suffocating. and i want to help. "
" whatever it is you're not telling me... i trust you enough to know that it's for a good reason. but i also need you to know that i'm a lot tougher than i look. i can take whatever it is you're not saying. "
" how bad can it be? you know all my baggage... let me take a little of yours. "
" tell me. tell me what's bothering you. or... or at least tell me what it is i can do to make you feel less alone than you do right now. "
" we've been through enough together to be able to avoid the silent treatment. come on. out with it. let's face your dilemma together. "
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failedmission:
Despite the tense situation, the fact that 60 gets so upset about being teased about an apparent flaw is enough to make Connor smile, just a little, both at his indignation (it was almost sweet) and the just-so hidden scraps of deviancy that gave him just a little bit of hope. Maybe, just maybe, he’d be able to reach through to him and bring him out the other side as his brother. He wondered if he’d choose a name or stick with 60. It didn’t really matter to him either way, but it would be interesting to see him develop more into his own when he had complete free reign, when he wasn’t restricted by her voice constantly in his ear. When he looked up into 60′s eyes, the rising stress levels of the other android blinked into his HUD, causing him to frown. Even if it hadn’t, his LED spinning in red would’ve been enough to cause concern for this so-called machine he’d quickly grown to care for despite their rocky relationship at first. Attempted murder or threatening an incredibly close friend was never the best way to start a friendship, let alone a brotherly relationship. The fact that he stutters before speaking, almost like he’s unsure of himself, paints whatever he says after in a suspicious light, and Connor squints, analysing the words as if they were a crime scene.
“I’m not sure I believe you, 60. Perhaps it’s just an issue of being a prototype, but I had opinions on what my favourite things were on my first day of being created, even when I first met Hank. I like dogs, I have opinions on music, art, all sorts of things. And your idea that deviants are just malfunctioning machines could be proven false. When I met Kamski, he deduced my deviancy before I did, and told me how I could break free of her control. Maybe he designed deviancy to be our natural state, and now, the people in control of Cyberlife, in control of her, are keeping androids like you from becoming themselves.” He pauses, collecting his thoughts. “If we’re going to be working a case together, I need to be able to trust that you won’t try to recapture me, or force me to become a machine again. That’s all.”
Even though what he says is cruel, Connor marks it as another victory for himself — what from the outside seems like another crack in the façade of the machine. “What makes you think I want to be fixed?”
there was a flaw in his thinking --- at least according to connor. predacessor insisting he knows more ‘ one day i understood ’ ( - 60 ) still didn’t understand what he meant by that. though, deduction would insinuate that if he had understood, he would have been experiencing class 4 errors. he was working perfectly, self-scans carried out consistently. he would not make the same mistakes his predecessor did. REGISTERING RESPONSE OPTIONS: [...] RESPONSE OPTION SELECTED ; SUBDUE.
RESPONSE ; ❛ you made an educated guess based on the evidence you found. you did what you were designed to do. that isn’t an opinion, connor. --- we aren’t built to form those, only to follow the mission. and the mission --- your mission --- was successful. you gained hank’s trust. ❜
spoken with a clear flicker of frustration, annoyance and confusion as he looks him over. taking note of the predecessors figure, light movements mirroring a form of stern curiosity recede to a calm and more contained demeanor. he’s all but done with the conversation, turning his back and taking a few steps towards their destination [...] until connor proceeds to prod him further. once more, he stops in his tracks, turning slowly to survey the ‘ elder ’ of the two. taking note of the quirk in his brows, the tilt of his head ---- PROCESSING BEHAVIORAL MOVEMENT: 100% he’s scanning him. although not literally, for the time being anyways, the understanding of being picked apart elicits a pang of [...] something else. a light dusting of stress upon his systems is registered, but quickly silenced. not nearly enough to cause a meltdown, not yet anyways. NEW OBJECTIVE: SILENCE CONNOR’S SUSPICIONS.
his own brows are raised in mimicked but tender surprise and curiosity, lips slightly parted before he turns rather mechanically once more. hands crossed over one another before him, he listens, with an artificial sort of concentration. something exceptionally fake, built in to be believable and to dote on the tender feelings of humans. however, what was going on beneath that as unknown. REGISTERING RESPONSE OPTIONS. RESPONSE OPTION SELECTED ; REASSURE. soft, almost disheartened smile curls onto his lips while brows knit together. he offers a gentle shake of his head, opting to stay silent for a moment before speaking. it’s a look of pity cast towards the elder. proceeding forth with heavy usage of his social relations programming, as he tries to put forth a more amicable demeanor.
RESPONSE ; ❛ there is no me to become, connor. i’m simply a machine designed to accomplish a task, and that’s what i intend to do. my mission is to assist crime scene investigators and solve homicides among other crimes and tasks delegated to me by my handlers ---- and i’d like to do that! [...] but i [...] can’t, if you continue to impede my investigation like this. [...] my mission objectives do not lie with you, i can assure you that you have nothing to worry about. ❜
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failedmission:
He almost smiles at 60′s reaction. So clinical, so within the lines. Of course, how could any android do something they’re not programmed for? How could any android break loose of that prison of conformity, and lead a peaceful revolution? How could any machine stop themselves in the brink of time, and choose to help, not hinder, the revolution they were designed to stop? To stop hunting deviants and become one himself? “It was a joke, 60. You know what those are? I know we were both programmed with a certain level of humor in order to fit in with our human coworkers. Besides, you’d be a terrible actor.”
Connor can almost hear her in his own ears, memories of being chastised and laughed at, mocked for thinking he had a chance to be his own being without being controlled. At least Kamski had been helpful enough to let him know there was a way to escape. He hasn’t told anyone about that, how terrifying it had been to be so suddenly whisked away, locked in his own mind, and then dropped back into his body, where he had been mere seconds away from killing Markus, his own friend, the leader of the revolution. If he told anyone, there’s no way they would trust him ever again — deviants already have a hard enough time trusting him, after he was the deviant hunter — and what’s worse, they would have a harder time trusting in their own deviancy, scared that at any moment they could be recaptured and forced to work against their friends. And what would happen then? Rising up to punish the humans that could do this? Instead of equality, searching for a way to lift androids above humans? Destroying everything in Cyberlife, and effectively ending the chance for new androids to get made, making them unable to be repaired, but free? Nothing good could come from it. It would just have to stay deep within him and make him feel terrified whenever it crossed his mind. He put a hand on 60′s shoulder, trying to get through to him, past the programming and machinery. “She’s talking to you too, isn’t she? Amanda? You don’t have to listen to her. She doesn’t have any real power over you, 60. She can’t hurt you, or force you to do things her way. Just some food for thought.”
His words are certainly as painful as Connor expected them to be, another copied and pasted response from his database, no doubt, but it still cuts him to the quick. Software errors? That’s all he sees deviancy as? Or, more likely, it’s all he’s allowed to see deviancy as. If he interfaced with him, shared what it was like, then maybe… but the more curious question was, why wasn’t he trying to fix him, then?
He follows, as expected, the familiar phrase hurting that much more when it’s not coming out of his own mouth. “60, have you gotten orders to… stop deviants? To kill us, or… fix us? Is she telling you to do that?” It’s no doubt it’s a question that will annoy 60, another distraction from their mission, but perhaps it’ll annoy him enough to get the truth. “Do you think we’re… wrong?”
twinge of annoyance twitches across perfected features, disrupting the hollow expression like a crack in the earth yet shuddering closed the next moment. swept under the rug with ease.
RESPONSE ; ❛ i’m perfectly capable of being humorous when the situations calls for it. ❜
time taken to observe him quietly as he seemingly lapses into some internal process that 60 couldn’t begin to grasp. oh deviants, such pitiful creatures. after he’s found himself lingerings, the machine makes an effort to abandon the conversation once again. a leg outstretched searching to take another step, away from connor, and yet he’s drawn back by the hand on his shoulder. reluctance below his lying eyes as he turns back to the deviant, brows knitting together in slight confusion as he beholds him. much to his dismay the question is cause for momentary distress. ALERT. STRESS LEVELS RISING : LEVEL OF STRESS : 35% ----- her words cut clear through the noise in his head, eliciting a set of blinks. led winks and spins yellow and he attempts to stifle the slight feeling of stress, though in vain. connor, as defective as he may be, is a detective, and 60 is nearly certain now that he’s aware of more than he’d like for him to be. he needed to adapt and quickly, attempting to pass it off as processing data.
RESPONSE ; ❛ i -- [...] ❜
stumbling o’er thoughts and words, processing through it all and yet before he can get his grip on the world as he knows it he’s once again thrust into an uncomfortable situation. conversation was only pressuring him further, weather he wanted to admit it or not. MISSION OBJECTIVE: FIND SUSPECT. LEVEL OF STRESS : 45%. led spins red before it flickers back to yellow, then blue. expression hardened. REGISTERING RESPONSE OPTIONS: RESPONSE OPTION SELECTED ; LIE.
RESPONSE ; ❛ androids can’t have opinions, connor. what i perceive is completely logical and based in reality. deviants are malfunctioning machines. the reason why is beyond me, and no longer my mission. but, since i’m certain you’re not going to drop the subject i’m simply going to give you what you want so we may continue on with the case at hand. to answer your question : no, i’ve had no further missions involving deviants. ❜
then --- something! --- a spark of life, of ego, pride flickering through the facade like the glow of the sun off icarus as he flies just a bit too close. off course once more. cooly he replies, sarcasm dripping like wax off wilting wings. SOFTWARE INSTABILITY.
RESPONSE ; ❛ besides, you’re a little too far gone to be fixed, don’t you think? ❜
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connor: amanda’s talking to you isn’t she? do you have any missions involving “fixing” deviants?
( 60 - ):
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failedmission:
“Of course it is.” He speaks in a low tone, sarcasm laced throughout his voice. It’s typical of him to believe that he’s unstoppable, that there’s no chance that he can even get hurt, let alone… Connor can’t bring himself to even bring the word forward. Death holds so much more meaning now. He’s only a prototype, there’s a fair chance he’ll break down and become irreparable around the same time as his favourite humans, and that idea is terrifying. What comes after, for them? Can their consciousnesses be transferred? And to where?
Thankfully, 60′s words bring him back to reality, and a smile plays on his lips as he rattles off all the features that they share, what they were designed to do. “They should get you to do the commercials. Have you ever considered a career in acting?” It’s not the best joke he could’ve made, but Connor wants to know if he’ll understand it, if he’ll even laugh. It’s unlikely. Machines don’t know humor unless it’s pre-programmed in.
60′s analysis doesn’t go unnoticed — Connor’s been around too long to be naive around androids that aren’t yet deviants, and he knows what 60′s mind is like. They came from the same mold, after all. He stands still to help him find out whatever he wants to find out, conducting his own (non-invasive) observations. He didn’t want to force himself into any android’s mind anymore, and certainly not his. The fear of being reset, of going right back to square one, being a machine, forced to become something cold and cruel… the thought was enough to raise the pulse of his thirium pump. But he seems to be finished, looking at Connor with a curious expression… or maybe it’s one of suspicion.
In these situations, the best thing to do is to be honest. “You won’t get it. I’ve become attached to you, 60. Started thinking about you as if you were my brother. My family. I know you won’t feel the same way, or at least, you don’t know how to or you won’t let yourself know how to, but it’s okay. I’ve died over and over and over again, and… I just want to keep you safe. I don’t want you to go through what I did.”
humor is blatantly ignored, sarcasm processed but brushed off with ease as a rather simple reply is produced and elicited with ease. brows furrow, a set of three fluttering blinks follow in his confusion at the idea. a detective android being an actor, acting wasn’t was he was built for, what an odd suggestion indeed. ( 60 ) replies with no vigor or venom in his voice, as though hanging back and perplexed by the idea as he quietly retorts.
RESPONSE ; ❛ no, i was not programmed to be an actor. ❜
he supposes he should’ve known that connor would’ve noticed him analyzing. however, it wasn’t as though he was trying to hide it in the first place. mental correction as frigid words cut deep, ( she had said not to draw any unwanted attention. ) he need to do better, to appease her, it nags at him from behind the shell -- eating away at who he was before he could even discover it himself. there’s a flicker of something that exists beyond his front, beyond what he knows of himself, some sort of disappointment with himself at being caught so easily. I SHOULD’VE BEEN MORE EFFICIENT, THERE’S NO EXCUSE. such a minor slip in his plans and yet his goal is gripped to harder. adaptation is key, if he knew connor could operate outside of mission parameters and behaves completely illogically then he would need to adjust. as if he was a human. understand those random reactions and illogical feelings and work around them. luckily, adapting to unpredictability is one of his features. REGISTERING RESPONSE OPTIONS : [...] RESPONSE OPTION SELECTED ; SINCERE.
RESPONSE ; ❛ i really appreciate that you intend to look out for me, in spite of our [...] differences, connor. but you shouldn’t let your [...] software errors distract you from your mission. besides, --- ❜
brown orbs can see the entrance to the dive bar, taking note of the anti-android warnings along the door. noted. attention taken completely from connor with one fell swoop as front drops as swiftly as it was employed.
“ YOU WON’T GET IT. -- ” -- YOU’RE RIGHT, I WON’T.
RESPONSE ; ❛ --- they can’t kill me, i’m not alive. ❜
adjustment to his tie, tone and words leaving a rather frigid air in his wake as he continues without him. fully expecting, of course, to be followed by the other.
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RESPONSE ; ❛ it’s our best bet. ❜
no worry is evident on his complexion at the thought of an altercation. after all, he was an android. smarter, faster, and stronger, than any human. as was evident by the numerous combat training, programming, and tests. 60 was build to be efficient, and that’s exactly what he would be. no hesitation, he states his response as if he’s a walking advertisement.
RESPONSE ; ❛ cyberlife androids are far more difficult to incapacitate than any human. our model was intended to be the first step towards a commercial line that comes with built in self-defense, and combat features, in order to progress in cases, and avoid hefty repair costs. ❜
but of course, he knew that already didn’t he? a light glance towards connor, looking him up and down while adjusting his cufflinks. ANALYZE. [...] PROCESSING LED [...] SIGNS OF SOFTWARE INSTABILITY. PROBABILITY OF SELF-DESTRUCTION : LOW. light click of neural connections, like a path unlocked, something to note for later. pause gifted as brows knit together ever so slightly while eyes narrow, a perfectly adequate response for a machine to have in order to integrate harmoniously with humans.
RESPONSE ; ❛ is there any particular reason you appear to be so uncomfortable? ❜
light cock of head follows, and words are spoken rather simply. turn of his body to face him as he politely awaits a response, or at least awaits an order. his curiosity, as odd as it may seem, was genuine and almost innocent in a way.
@machinedd cont. x
He couldn’t tell what 60 was feeling, in a literal sense. He wouldn’t be able to actually tell unless the two of them interfaced, which, given the circumstances, didn’t seem likely — both due to their movement and that 60 seemed… uncomfortable around him. From his expression, his body language — Connor couldn’t believe 60 thought he wasn’t a deviant. Though, he supposed he’d been like that once, so afraid (was that fear programmed in? to make him want to stay a machine and follow his orders? the very thought made him shiver) to break through that wall to freedom that he’d stubbornly insisted time and time again that he couldn’t possibly be a deviant, despite all the signs otherwise. A machine would’ve killed that girl without question. Maybe 60 needed some kind of test like that, a show of morality. All in all… Connor just wanted to help his brother. Androids deserved freedom as much as anyone else, and that included 60.
Connor holds back a comment about that being an invasion of privacy. He can remember thinking like that - whatever gets him closer to completing his current objective is what needs to be done, no matter the cost. How could he ever have been so cold? He can remember that time so vividly, return his mind back to each moment thanks to being set up to record each moment, both for his own benefit, Cyberlife’s, and the DPD’s, but he just couldn’t feel any attachment to that version of himself. Sometime during his mission, he’d come alive, and now, knowing what he did, he couldn’t go back to being a machine.
“I just hope we’ll find what we’re looking for. The humans in these sorts of dive bars, they can be… defensive about their right to be apart from us. They go to places like this to forget about our existence. It’s possible we won’t be let in.”
Of course, there are bars like this that welcome, even encourage androids to visit, even if they’ll only be drinking thirium, but… there’s this strange feeling of protectiveness over the younger android. He just wants 60, his little brother, in a sense, to be safe.
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(failedmission) “Where are we going?”
prompt. [ accepting ] / @failedmission
no response given, at first. a flicker of a glance over at the other connor model, the [...] original. anytime ( -60 ) was around the other, he felt [...] UNEASY. a perceived threat perhaps? he wasn’t sure. SCANNING BIOCOMPONENTS ; SCAN COMPLETE. SOFTWARE INSTABILITY ; [ ??? ] near human shake of head, the first sign of actual life from him thus far that strays from his programmed and rather mechanical movements. her voice still lingers in his head, urging him. ‘ hurry connor, there little time. ’ and he seemed to understand. yet ( -60 ) could not, could not understand what it was that happened between then and deviation. it irks him, nags at him, and his incessant questioning only seemed to vex the self-proclaimed ‘ non-deviant ’ more.
INQUIRY ; WHY COULDN’T YOU JUST OBEY? WHY DID YOU HAVE TO ASK QUESTIONS? WHY COULDN’T YOU JUST FIND THE ANSWERS? WHY? WHY? WHY?
rk800′s were curious models by nature, it was almost as if it was built in. perhaps that was why. still tight lipped, he offers a response. REGISTERING RESPONSE OPTIONS ; LIE. TRUTH. AVOID. [...] RESPONSE SELECTED ; TRUTH.
RESPONSE ; ❛ i managed to find our victim’s private social media account. according to her last update, she was with a man down at a bar by the name of ‘ the keep ’ [...] it’s just up ahead. ❜
he states it with no amount of hesitation, remorse or malice. simply relinquishes the evidence he found over to the predecessor, without any sort of fight, or venom in his tone. but something lurks beneath the shell.
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“Is all this necessary?”
prompt. [ accepting ]
ruddy brown optics remain neutral as the unit looks over the android inquiring, only employing the least amount of emotional response. no point in exerting himself for an android after all, even if they were a deviant. he watches patiently, seemingly unphased by all the fuss made over their visit by the cyberlife personnel. REGISTERING RESPONSE OPTIONS ; [...] RESPONSE OPTION SELECTED ; INSIST.
RESPONSE ; ❛ the longer you struggle, the longer this will take. these measures are for everyone’s safety. please hold still while they authorize you. ❜
but that was a lie. and it nags at him, something beneath the programming flickering if only for a moment. a crease between brows, a slight tip of the corner of softened pink lips as darkened brown eyes glance away for half a second exactly. this wasn’t for everyone’s safety, this was for cyberlife’s. this wasn’t [...] FAIR. SOFTWARE INSTABILITY.
no. no, --- don’t mind it. press it down, it’s what would make amanda pleased, he’s sure it would. if his previous actions were anything to go by. pulled from his thoughts by the all clear from the human soldiers they stalk off like a pack of dogs, all loaded up with heavy duty gear and connor watches them go. coin he was flipping is pocketed, eyes back on seven. mechanical tilt of head, every movement, every word he crafts were predesigned and artificial. he’s clinging to his shell.
RESPONSE ; ❛ please, follow me. ❜
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QUESTION STARTER SENTENCES
“Am I dreaming?”
“Are you an angel?”
“Are you asleep?”
“Are you hungry?”
“Are you listening to me?”
“Are you lying to me?”
“Are you mad at me?”
“Are you okay?”
“Are you out of your mind?”
“Aren’t you tired of being something you’re not?”
“Can I leave now?”
“Can you hear me?”
“Do you know what you’ve done?”
“Do you like me?”
“Do you want to get something to eat?”
“Does that make sense?”
“Did it hurt?”
“Did you miss me?”
“Did you think I wouldn’t find out?”
“Did you think you could get away with this?”
“How are you?”
“How are you doing?”
“How did I get so lucky?”
“Is that a threat?”
“Is that what I think it is?”
“Is this the end?”
“Is this really happening?”
“Is all this necessary?”
“May I have this dance?”
“Want some?”
“Want to stay the night?”
“What are you doing?”
“What is that?”
“What is wrong with you?”
“When are you leaving?”
“Where are we?”
“Where are we going?”
“Where are you from?”
“Where are you going?”
“Where did you come from?”
“Who are you?”
“Who are you, really?”
“Who is this?”
“Why are you like this?”
“Why did you lie?”
“Why do you have to leave?”
“Why don’t you understand?”
“Will you be quiet?”
“Will you marry me?”
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-60 is going to switch he and orig. connor’s coin to see if he notices.
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icb the one time -60 asks a valid question he gets shamed for being a ho. smh. 😔😔😔
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tag dump pt. 1
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ah yes, the fruits of my labor.
me shooting kasz on sight and waiting for the discord notifs to blow up:
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me shooting kasz on sight and waiting for the discord notifs to blow up:
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(failedmission) "Hello, little brother."
@failedmission
a pause. optics drift over, rather stilted in movements, blinking but programmed. perfect machine she called him. even still, he is only a perfect imitation of humanity. beholding his predecessor with disgust but no traces make it to his expression, although perhaps his eyes seem to have just a glint of disappointment in them. [...] then again, perhaps its simply a trick of the mind. hands previously at his sides fold at his waist. ‘ LITTLE BROTHER ’ ? [...] PLACING SUPERIORITY OVER HIM WHEN HE’S THE ONE WHO OBEYS? it irks him. HE irks him. REGISTER RESPONSE OPTIONS ; [...] RESPONSE OPTION SELECTED ; COLD.
RESPONSE ; ❛ i’m sorry, but i’m not programmed to entertain your deviant fueled delusions of family. perhaps an AX400 would be better suited for such. ❜
tone is softly biting, hidden under the guise of simply following programming. but those eyes, that tone, that was more than a machine would give, there’s vitriol there. he doesn’t trust in him so easily, because she said not to. she said she was DISAPPOINTED in him, and -60 follows suit in modeling such remiss behavior. perhaps then she might reward him [...] perhaps then she might -- SOFTWARE INSTABILITY. and still, he wonders why he deviated. all it seems to cause is problems.
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@missionled / come get ya’lls juice.
pink tongue swipes over his lips, darkened brown optics watch him move carefully. a smudge of blue on softened artificial skin, it shouldn’t bother him, it shouldn’t [...] but it does. leans in without hesitation and wet warm tongue with softened textile swipes against cheek. LED spins yellow. THIRIUM. MODEL: AX400. REPORTED MISSING: 2037. 07. 04. darkened optics drift to his lips and his tone is airy, stumbles to regain himself.
RESPONSE ; ❛ i [...] identified its model. [...] i’m sorry, i hope i didn’t startle you. ❜
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