Detroit: Meet Percy Jackson *Complete*

Chapter 4: The Beginnings of a New Year

December 31, 2037

"Truth."

"If you had one resolution in mind, what would it be?" Percy asked as he was laying back against the couch at Elijah's place once more, this time less drunk.

"Hmm, probably see if Androids can really have human emotions like empathy or not. Your turn."

"Dare."

"I dare you to order three pizza's," Elijah replied with little hesitation.

"Extra Cheese and Bacon good for you?" Percy asked as he picked up his phone, it was something that Elijah had been tinkering with and had given him the first prototype that showed current health and readings of androids, in this case it was Lucas.

Elijah nodded as he sipped at the wine in his hand, his second glass for the night. "Yup, who's paying?"

"Split?" Percy suggested.

"Hmm, sounds good." Elijah agreed as Percy ordered the food and listed off the address.

"Should be forty-ish minutes," Percy said as he hung up the phone, "Now, truth or dare?"

"Dare."

Percy instantly perked up and felt glee flood his body. Elijah saw how Percy instantly straightened and became nervous.

"I dare you...to prank call Carl."

"Percy, no."

"Percy, yes."

Sighing and filled with resignation, Elijah picked up his phone. "I'm so going to regret this," he muttered to himself and pressed three on his phone.

The phone instantly started calling a familiar number to Elijah. Percy had never actually met Carl, but knew that should they ever meet that he would probably enjoy the man's company.

Apparently, Carl and Elijah met similarly to how Elijah and he met, though the roles were reversed. Elijah had been hiding, while Carl had found the young inventor and struck up conversation.

They seemed to hit it off well enough that Elijah had built Carl a person android to assist him with his everyday lifestyle and living in a wheelchair, but more importantly a friend for him to lend an ear to.

Percy was brought back to reality as Elijah's phone was put into speaker mode and you could hear the dialing tone.

"This is Manfred Residence, how might I help you?" A smooth voice spoke over the phone, sounding human but Elijah seemed to know who it was.

"Markus, this is Elijah, would you do me a favor and please hand the phone to Carl. If he's painting, then speaker mode will do just fine," Elijah replied with a resided sigh.

"Right away, Mr.Kamski."

Percy looked curiously at Elijah, wondering who Markus was. Seeing the look, Elijah muted the phone, "That's the RK200 android I made for Carl. One of my finest works other than Lucas that it."

Nodding his head in understanding, Percy watched with exhilaration as the phone become unmuted and both men heard the phone on the other side being switched into speaker mode as they heard more than previously.

"Elijah, how might I help you today?" A voice that had the tint of knowledge that came with being old spoke on the other side.

"Hello Carl," Elijah spoke earnestly before giving a sigh and an exasperated look on his face, "is your refrigerator running?"

There was silence on the other side and Percy quickly stifled a snort. The look on Elijah's face showed that he was just done with Percy and his dare.