S T A R L I N G
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O N E D A Y E A R L I E R...

Location: Shopping Center in Detroit
Day: November 5th, 2044
Time: 5:00 pm

A day earlier, Crystal and Rupert decided to go outside and window shop (not to mention get Poppy and Pippa's food- the greedy little bastards!). As they past one of the stores, Crystal eyes looked at a baby in a stroller with it's parents looking very happy. Crystal smiled and then felt a pang of pain. She was confused. Why would I...? She trailed off her thoughts and ran back to Rupert who called out to her as he passed by a paint store at the end of the street.
"Hey Rupert?"
"Yeah?" Rupert continued to walk, which made Crystal even more nervous, what if he didn't want what she wanted?
"Well... um. I was wondering... what do you think about us adopting a child?" Crystal blurted out as they stopped outside an ice cream shop on the other side of the street.
"What are you saying? We get a human like Markus and North?"
"Huh? N-no. We can get a child android. I'm just wondering if you want a child?" Crystal explained, as they entered the pet store to get Pippa and Poppy's food.
"I-I don't know. If you want to, then I don't mind." Rupert explained, pulling her close and giving her head a kiss. But Crystal didn't wrap her arms around him like her normally did, she stood there with a frown on her face and crossed arms, pulling the sleeves of her white sweater up to her hands.
"You ok?" Rupert asked concerned as he pulled away, looking her in the eye.
"Yeah. I'm fine." She lied, pulling out a fake smile. There was a few moments of awkward silence as Rupert got their two precious birds food and placed it on the counter.
"I just don't see why you're making a big deal out of this." Rupert explained, slightly turning to Crystal, who blinked offended. A woman in her forties with dark skin, who controlled the cash register, glanced at the two of them as she scanned their items. The store wasn't big and there wasn't anyone in there except for that woman, another staff member and Crystal and Rupert.
"You-you know. I'll pay. Just get out! I-I don't have time for this! Just wait outside!" Crystal said in a slight snap at Rupert, trying to remain calm to not yell at him in the store. He obliged and waited outside as Crystal let out a frustrated huff. Crystal then turned to the woman.
"I'm sorry you had to hear that."
"It's fine hunny. I understand what you're going through, me and my husband couldn't conceive and we considered adoption." The woman explained placing Crystal's package on the counter.
"Hm. Do you have any advice for me about how to deal with this?" Crystal asked the woman curiously and she smiled.
"Well, do you both want kids? I mean, start a family?"
"I think we do. I saw a baby earlier and I felt this weird pang of pain." Crystal explained and the woman's eyes sparkled.
"You're wishing for a child of your own. Something that you don't have. So you're husband isn't ready for that yet?"
"No. He just seems hesitant." Crystal explained and the woman gave her a look of sympathy.
"Sorry sweetie, I can't give you any advice there."
"It's fine. Thank you for your help. How much do I owe you?"
"Nothing. It's all yours."
"What? I couldn't possibly take it for free. It's just bird food. Won't your boss get mad?" Crystal questioned fearful for this woman's job security.
"I am the boss actually." The woman explains amused by Crystal kindness to her as a stranger. Crystal let out an 'oh' and laughed out of embarrassment before going outside.
"Hey. Ready to go home?" Crystal nodded.
"Yeah. I'm ready." Rupert smiled at her, resting his arm over her shoulder.

T H E N E X T D A Y...

Location: Crystal and Rupert's Apartment
Day: November 6th, 2044
Time: 11:00 am

After voting, Crystal and Rupert returned back home, Poppy and Pippa singing to them as a greeting. Crystal went back to going on her laptop as Rupert went into their bedroom to watch TV. They hadn't talked much since yesterday, and Crystal had been looking at adoption websites non stop.
"Hey, do you think the android is going to win?" Rupert asked coming back into the room as Crystal ignored him, continuing to type on the computer.
"Crystal?"
"Hm?" She hummed out disinterested.
"Crystal did you hear me?" More typing.
"Crystal?" Rupert called out again, coming closer to the couch.
"WHAT?!" She snapped at him, making their birds squawk in surprise at Crystal's tone. Rupert was a little taken aback. Crystal had never yelled at him. She never really yelled at anyone.
"I... I was just wondering if you heard what I said," she rolled her eyes and he continued, "what are you doing?" He asked cautiously sitting next to her on the couch.
"What does it matter to you? You wouldn't care anyway." Crystal snapped, not looking at him.
"Ok. You know what? This is ridiculous!! I'm going out! I'll see you later when you stop yelling at me!" Rupert exclaimed, making Crystal slightly flinch.
"F-f-f-FINE! J-just go!!!" Crystal replied back, her voice cracking.
"Crystal-" Rupert began, his voice full of concern and sympathy.
"JUST GO!! Leave me alone!!" Rupert nodded slowly, and left the apartment. After, she began to cry. She had just had her first fight with him.

P R E S E N T...

Location: Alleyway
Time: 6:02 pm

Crystal decided to take a walk that evening to clear her head. Rupert tried to hold her and comfort her, but she wasn't having it. As Crystal thought about the events that transpired yesterday evening and this morning, she heard... arguing? As Crystal got closer to the sound of the noise she noticed four boys surrounding this girl in an alleyway.
"Well, you gonna fight back or what?" The middle boy sneered, as the rest laughed. The girl didn't do anything, but stood there stoically. They started shoving her and Crystal decided that she couldn't stand by and watch this unfold.
"Hey!! What do you think you boys are doing?!"
"Oh look guys! It's another one of those plastic freaks!!" A boy one the left explained as they all laughed. Crystal them made a realization. This wasn't just a girl, she was a YK900!
"How rude of you to say! Listen, I'm sure that you're mother's are looking for you. Would you mind if I told them what you were doing?"
"U-um... we're-were going!! We promise!!" They explained gulping before running off. As Crystal watched them run, she turned back to the girl.
"Hey, are you ok?" Curtail asked accidentally pulling off the hood of the android's grey hoodie, showing off her LED light.
"Yeah. I'm fine. Thanks miss." Crystal smiled at the girl and began to walk away.
"Wait!! Miss, can I please come with you!!" The Android begged Crystal, as she grabbed onto her arm. Crystal looked down her hands and arms. They were bruised and battered. Her face was smudged with dirt and her eyes were pleading. Crystal realized that the girl was in danger. She must have ran from someone.
"What's your name?"
"Starling." The girl explained, looking down again. Crystal looked at the girl again before deciding. It's risky, but I can't leave her out here like this.
"Alright, Starling. My name's Crystal. You can come with me." Starling thanked Crystal, and they left for Crystal's home.

Author's Notes

First chapter completed. I was listening to one song over and over while writing, like I normally do, but it making me go a little insane so I think I'll stop for now. Besides, I'm hungry😅

Anyway, see you guys in the next chapter.
Bye!
BatgirlGeek❤️