"Hey--I'm not that drunk. We left before I got through even half a bottle." Still playing along, and this at least is an argument he doesn't have to pretend much to have. Hank's well used to explaining his alcoholism to those who want to get preachy. "Still plenty of time to get Really going."
The tactic seems to do the trick. Hank relaxes from the insults he'd been preparing to throw. Instead he leans against the wall and watches Arid work quietly. He's smart enough to know Arid won't Have to verbalize to communicate with another droid, but he's also smart enough not to say anything. Better to glean what he can from observing, and then ask later if it's advantageous to prove a point.
Arid's newfound Frenemy gives a disgusted trill that winds down into a series of beeps and aggressive squeals. She can integrate with organic flesh all she wants but for others (including this unit) avoiding humans insomuch as is possible is vastly preferable. And in case her optical scanners are in need of repair, it's plain to see that the humans are getting by alright serving each other.
If Arid wants to find the inorganic life aboard the vessel, perhaps she should try looking in the quiet corners devoid of organic life. It's pretty sure there's a ventilation shaft that's been commandeered by some little floating scanner units and converted into a clubhouse, but as Arid is roughly the size of a space cruiser by comparison, she wouldn't be allowed in.
no subject
The tactic seems to do the trick. Hank relaxes from the insults he'd been preparing to throw. Instead he leans against the wall and watches Arid work quietly. He's smart enough to know Arid won't Have to verbalize to communicate with another droid, but he's also smart enough not to say anything. Better to glean what he can from observing, and then ask later if it's advantageous to prove a point.
Arid's newfound Frenemy gives a disgusted trill that winds down into a series of beeps and aggressive squeals. She can integrate with organic flesh all she wants but for others (including this unit) avoiding humans insomuch as is possible is vastly preferable. And in case her optical scanners are in need of repair, it's plain to see that the humans are getting by alright serving each other.
If Arid wants to find the inorganic life aboard the vessel, perhaps she should try looking in the quiet corners devoid of organic life. It's pretty sure there's a ventilation shaft that's been commandeered by some little floating scanner units and converted into a clubhouse, but as Arid is roughly the size of a space cruiser by comparison, she wouldn't be allowed in.