Accident Prone - Becoming Human

Love and Loss

What was once a nightmarish act of nature was now a serene landscape of flawless white purity. The fresh, new morning brought with it a bright yellow sun that broke through the heavy, gray snow clouds just enough to warm the air above a freezing temperature and keep the rest of the falling snow at bay. As the natural light glistened over the crystalline snow and through the icicles that blanketed the world as it left the trees sheathed under thick cases of ice, a few stray winter birds began singing their song with renewed vigor. Steadily life returned to the frozen forest in the wake of the damning blizzard from the dangerous night before.

Connor sat in the middle of the sofa crossed-legged in his now dried clothes and leather jacket with a quilt wrapped around himself. Sumo was stretched out over his lap for added warmth. Pulling the quilt as tightly as possible around himself with his still bandaged hands, Connor took in a deep breath only to immediately cough as his thawing ventilation biocomponents; his artificial lungs, attempted to clear the congested Thirium that had accumulated from frozen Thirium lines leaking into his chest cavity.

"That cough sounds pretty nasty." Hank observed as he walked down the staircase casually to rejoin the other two occupants of the cabin inside the warm livingroom. The fire in the hearth had long since died but the smoldering embers of the charred logs still provided a comfortable warmth that kept the small space inviting and peaceful. "Did you develop pneumonia?"

"...The android equivalent to pneumonia would be considered 'ventilation profusion'." Glancing over at Hank with glassy brown irises that looked brighter than normal thanks to the dark blue blush over his cheeks, Connor admitted he wasn't feeling well. "And it's entirely plausible considering my prolonged exposure to the extreme cold and subsequent hypothermia."

"What about your hands?" Joining Connor on the couch Hank craned his neck a little to view the gauze still wrapped around his hands that were still somewhat visible from under the quilt. "Do they hurt?"

"They're a little numb but still functional."

"What about your face and your neck?" Eyeing the bandages Hank resisted the urge to peel them back to look at the healing artificial skin beneath. "You're still really pale, and I don't like it."

"I'm healing slowly. I will remain relatively pale until I-" Coughing again Connor was forced to stop speaking until the intrusive fit passed. "...Sorry."

"It's okay, you're sick." Speaking in a calm reassuring tone Hank tried his best to keep Connor's spirits up. "I'm going to dig out the car and we'll head back to the city to get you taken care of."

"I'll help you."

"No, son. Stay in here." The calmness was briefly replaced by a stern lilt to his voice. "I can handle a damn shovel and some snow by myself."

"But you-"

"Don't argue with me. Even if you weren't sick your hands are too damaged to do anything anyway. Just stay in here where it's warm, okay?"

"...Okay." Connor sounded defeated as he actually backed down and stopped trying to argue with Hank. "I'll stay in here."

"Ah, shit. Don't do that to me. You're sick, you're hurt, and you're still in mourning." Taking his phone from his pocket Hank checked the display and left it on the sofa next to Connor in case it rang while he was out in the front drive with the shovel. "I already spoke with Markus and let him know we're heading back to the city soon. Keep warm and don't do anything that'll make yourself even sicker."

Only nodding in response Connor tightened the quilt around himself and put his bandaged left hand on Sumo's head as he coughed again.

"I won't take more than hour and then you'll be well on your way to see a technician."