5 Questions

Question 5

With the mood finally lifted I thought about ending the game for good. I knew, if we continued then the mood will most likely turn sad again or someone would end up with a broken face. That someone would be me. I couldn't harm Leo even if I finally had the balls for that.

Androids. Stronger and faster. How much I wanted to be one.

Leo took another shot and just like me before, downed it in one go before setting the glass down on the table and looking at me again. He wasn't obviously cringing anymore but I could still see in his eyes how much he disliked that stuff. He still drank it though. Stubborn idiot.

" Elliot, why do you hate me?"

Oh wow. Finally, a question I was prepared for. I didn't know why he wanted to ruin the mood again with the question but at least it was an easy one for me to answer. It was no secret that I disliked the android. I was never outright mean to him but I knew that Leo had noticed my dislike for him. He was good at noticing things, no one else would notice. Comes with being a police android.

"Hate is a strong word, don't you think?"

"Am I wrong?"

We both didn't mention the fact that I was dodging another question again. I really sucked at following my own rules.

"Hmm.. I wouldn't say you are wrong. But you are also not right."

"Please answer the question, detective."

"Elliot.", I reminded him.

"Elliot. Now answer."

I studied him. He wasn't sitting as stiff as he was at the beginning, even leaning back in his chair a little. I couldn't stop feeling proud of the fact that I was the one who finally made him relax for at least a few seconds in his life. Funny to think he was ready to punch me just 40 minutes ago. What a weird guy.

Something in his eyes told me that this question was important. That it meant more to him than one might think.

Leo had really changed. One week after he was introduced to the police, was the time I exchanged words with the android. I approached him with a bright smile and too much happiness.

"How can I help you, detective Kolin?", he had asked in his cold voice.

"Nothing, I just wanted to talk with you a little."

"As far as I am informed, there is nothing to talk about."

"Oh come on, dude, lighten up a bit! Just wanted to chat, now that we are colleagues!"

"I assure you that's not necessary."

He turned to leave. I didn't let him.

"Don't be so rude, man! A little chatting never hurt anyone."

"If the implied chatting has nothing to do with a current investigation I must decline. Have a good day detective."

"You are really mean, you know that.", I pouted.

"You can think of me any way you like, it does not matter to me whether you like me or not."

And with that, he turned around and left. That was the first and last time I tried talking to Leo.

Now looking at the present Leo, I couldn't help but be shocked, even impressed, about how much he changed. The emotionless Leo who once didn't care about anything outside of work was no more. Sure the present Leo was still way too invested in his work and he was still an asshole and he still tried to act cold and unbothered most of the time but it was now easy to see that he had "emotions" or whatever those machines are supposed to have. Like now, for example, he was starting to get impatient. He really wanted an answer. This seemed to be very important to him, for whatever reason. I didn't know how long I went without saying anything but it must have been a while. Finally, I spoke. It was an easy question, to begin with, I already knew my answer.

"There are a number of reasons why I hate you. The way you look, the way you talk, your attitude, everything really."

Leo didn't respond in any way, verbal or non-verbal. He was sitting as still as a rock. But I knew better. I knew that the words affected him in a way.

"Thank you for your honesty, Elliot.", he was trying to act cold again. 

Not good.

"You don't even want to ask why?", I raised an eyebrow.

"No. Let's move on."

No. He wouldn't get away so easily.

"You are perfect.", I paused to let the words sink in before continuing, "You are perfect in any way imaginable. Your skin is smooth and healthy-looking, your face is attractive, you are smart, fast, strong and a better detective than anyone I know because you are not human. You don't have flaws. You are too perfect. I hate it."

That finally got a reaction out of him. I really wished he would stop hiding his emotions from me. He looked confused and raised an eyebrow.

"You hate me because I'm perfect?" He has never sounded that confused before. Fascinating.

"Obviously. I'm as imperfect as it can get, of course, I would hate someone like you. Someone who was made to be perfect."

Too fucking honest. I was known for always lying and deceiving others around me and now here I was opening myself up to a stupid android. What has the world come to? I didn't plan on telling him that much but the words were out before I could stop them.

The android finally seemed to understand what I was trying to say and his face filled with some sort of empathy. At first, I thought it was pity and I was ready to yell at him to stop looking at me like that- I don't want or need pity, from no one- but I soon realized it wasn't pity at all.

"I am far from perfect, detective, I think we both realized that today."

"Still way too fucking perfect, if you ask me. And if you call me detective one more time I swear I will destroy you." Empty words. A meaningless threat but he knew that. He smiled and nodded.

"Yes, I apologize. Won't happen again."

"Liar.", I grinned back at him.

Good. Very good.

Maybe this game wasn't as bad as I thought it was.