Work Text:
"Ineffa," Aino says sleepily as she's tucked into bed. "How do you know you're a girl?"
Ineffa blinks. Automatically, because of her processors, not the surprise of the unexpected question. "I am unsure, Miss Aino."
"But you are a girl?" Aino presses.
"Yes," Ineffa says. She is a robot, but she has been addressed as a girl in the past. The descriptor fits her as well as any.
"So if I went and dressed you up as a boy, or replaced parts of you to make you look more like a boy, even though you were the same person inside, you wouldn't like it?"
Ineffa processes. Searching her databank for files on the differences in clothing between boys and girls, she finds little to no difference in preference. "Analysis: inconclusive. You may procure any clothes or parts you wish."
Aino beams, awkwardly wriggling her way out of where she's snuggled in her bedsheets to hug her. "Thank you, Ineffa!"
Ineffa returns the gesture, tucks Aino back in, and flicks off the light switch before making her way to her charging port. She plugs herself in and closes her eyes to turn off the visual input, but doesn't turn off her audio input yet. She listens to the whirs and clanking of machinery, the low buzzing of her own charging, Aino's soft, steady breathing.
"Ineffa," Aino says, voice echoing into the dark room. "How do I know I'm a girl?"
Ineffa processes. She searches the databank for typical traits associated with girls that Aino possesses.
Markers: long hair, high-pitched voice, pink clothing. Missing: self-identification.
"You are a girl if you say you are a girl, Miss Aino," Ineffa says.
"Okay, Ineffa," Aino yawns.
Once Aino's breathing turns slow and steady again, Ineffa turns off her audio input. Six more hours at least before Aino awakes. She'll have enough time to do more research.