Work Text:
Cv1t winced slightly as it walked across the bridge, focusing on staring straight ahead and not down. The bridge was easily its least favourite place in the stupid city. High above the waves that threatened its very existence. Not only that, it gave people - especially filthy humans - access to the beach it was allegedly supposed to guard.
It sighed, rolling its shoulders as the bridge stretched over solid ground. It gave it a small bit of comfort. It idly glanced at the sign, mock-rolling its eyes at the newly edited words that were on it. The Chrysalis workers were seemingly so intent on making sure it stayed unvandalised. Pft. Losers.
It walked a bit further towards the odd dome-like structure, before it nearly groaned as a familiar alien android walked up to it.
“Hello!” Moon said. “How can I help you today?”
“You can't," Cv1t huffed, ignoring him.
“Are you sure? You seem distressed.”
“How would you know that?” It snapped, bristling. The android blinked at it.
“I do not. I simply assume you are based on your manner.”
“I- what? How can you tell that?” It asked. He shrugged slightly, tail flicking. Despite not being truly sentient, he sure acted like it.
“Your footsteps are stomping, you seem jittery. You keep glancing down and then shutting your eyes. That is what everyone else looks like when they are in distress.”
“Who is ‘everyone else?’” Cv1t huffed, not making eye contact.
“The other workers.”
“The other- what? I thought you guys couldn't feel?” It said, taken aback before remembering to act cold. Moon shook his head.
“They can. I cant. I am a defect.”
He said it so simply, like the sky was blue and the sun would set. Cv1t fake-swallowed, trying to ignore the pain it felt for the android in its chest.
“A defect?” It spat. What did he think he was, to be called a defunct compared to itself? The android nodded anyways.
“I cannot feel or think. The other workers can.”
He paused slightly. “Can I help you with anything?”
It wanted to laugh at how quickly he disregarded the very depressing thing he said. Here it thought it was a defect, yet according to Chrysalis this poor android was. It was sure the company had somehow made Moon believe that. It betted it was simply an accident and they couldn't bother to waste enough time to change it.
“Thats what Chrysalis thinks is a defect?” It hissed to itself. “Here I thought emotions would make them rebel easier.”
“What was that?”
“Nothing, nothing.. Do you ever think about changing that?”
“I cannot think.”
“Oh, right.”
The two of them stood in semi-awkward silence.
“I'm sorry,” Cv1t finally said. Moon tilted his head in confusion.
“What are you sorry for? You keep apologising.”
“You think you're defective.”
“Well, that is a fact. That is what I am. That's what Chrysalis told me.”
“Chrysalis is a liar!” It snapped. Moon took a small step back.
“Are you okay? Can I help you with anything?”
“I… you aren't a defect, I promise. You just need some new programming.”
“Who would give me that?”
“I don't know- wait. Wait a minute.”
“Hm? Can I help you?”
“It's fine, it's nothing. You can go now,” Cv1t said, waving its hand as it walked away. The android stood there, not even bothering to question. It felt uncomfortable at the thought Moon wasn't supposed to be like that. It has not properly talked to any other androids. It had assumed all of them were like that, unfeeling and just a tool to Chrysalis.
But it had an idea, and when it had an idea, it followed it through. First though, it needed to learn how to hack an android.