As the waitress soon returned with their order, Erika gladly started to eat, her having some fun with Connor as they began to play a game that came to mind when the detective android stated he wanted to sample some coffee.

It was a simple procedure, the person tested would close their eyes and will be presented with a food item, they are allowed to smell and taste it and then have to guess what it is--pretty simple. It was innocent in itself.

Erika started by asking Connor to close his eyes--she then cut a piece of her bacon and then dipped some maple syrup on it. There was a smile plastered on her lips as she slowly presented the spoonful of the guessing food.

"Remember you can only smell and taste it", the young woman grinned as Connor opened his mouth to taste it. His LED lit up as it processed the information, but the analysis took some moments longer since he was designed to make conclusions with sight and his sampling receptors. This was a new experience and it made him really think, although he soon grinned as he figured it out.

"There is a great amount of sucrose traced on the sample, but there is also something smokey accompanying it", a smirk formed in his lips as he knew and Erika bit her knuckle as before finding this to be interesting and fun, "I suspect its a red meat, most likely the bacon you ordered covered in some maple syrup"

Connor's eyes were still closed, but the grin made it clear that he knew he was right. And there was no doubt that Erika nodded and asked him to open his eyes now.

"You got me beat", she admitted and smiled her sunny smile. This rendered Connor immobile as he was frozen, just admiring her.

"You are so beautiful", he commented after a while, Erika was eating some bacon when he said this and she looked down, finished the food, and looked to him.

"I'm not sure eating food is considered attractive", the young woman commented as she drank some of her tea.

"No, it's not that", Connor spoke, his hands folded as he leaned against the table to look at her at a closer distance.

"Then what is it?", she looked to him, curious about what he would say.

"I want you to know I think you are", he simply stated and Erika nodded as her smile only grew from there. Connor's actions lately have been more genuine and real--with him becoming more deviant underneath his perfect facade. But this was not acknowledged as he knew it would displease Amanda.

 Although at that moment, he was too happy to care, he was alive around Erika.

Eventually, the meal Erika ordered was soon finished, making their time at the diner come to end. Connor paid for the meal and they returned back to the comfort of the jeep. Before they left he looked to the young woman sat beside him and gave her a quick kiss. Her head snapped to his with a surprised expression. He was smiling widely at this, seeing that his action did as he hoped it would.

"I noticed you have been expressing signs of confliction, something is bothering you...I just wanted to uplift your spirits", He explained and looked down for a moment. A hand made contact to his cheek and made him face its owner. Erika gazed into his dreamy cocoa orbs and cracked a smile before leaning in for a proper kiss on the lips.

"Thank you, Connor, really, I appreciate all that you have done for me", She looked to him with a smile and brushed her thumb on the synthetic skin on his cheek. Her hand soon retreated back to her lap and she looked out the window.

The scenery was beautiful, the sun shining made the snow feel non-threatening as it gave the atmosphere a reassuring warmth. Connor proceeded to drive along the route to return back to the cafe.

Erika looked out the window once again and thought of the deal again, therefore making her jump back to the moment where she was making herself distant from her mom and Hank. If she was to leave--she could not do so with a rift between her parents. She will reconcile with them.

"Connor how much longer until we get home?", She asked.

"Not much, we'll see Natalie and Hank soon", He assured her as he looked back to the road.

"Okay", Erika nodded and looked out the window, although her eyes widened at a horrifying sight. 

There stood Conan along the sidewalk. 

Her sight became blurry as she panicked and her heart raced, it was like she was malfunctioning. The world did not look as clear to her as it did moments before, her vision was glitchy with the colors inverted.

 A banging sensation returned to her head like someone was forcing a drill through her skull. She began to feel lightheaded soon after and felt something drip from her nose. As she put two fingers against her upper lip to gather the substance, the world was spinning and she panicked. 

There was blood smeared on her fingertips, but not human blood--blue blood, thirium.

Her surroundings closed in and she started to hyperventilate. Darkness consumed her and all that was heard was the echo of someone calling out her name and the sound of tires streaking.

"Erika!"

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Chapters will most likely be updated every other day, it depends on how much I get to write. Also, I'd like your feedback on me branching away from the main story, do you like it or should I go back to following the gameplay?