#Carl's Caretaker Android

[kissoflightning]

AP700 Full-Body Reference Pics

More character references below the cut:

Alice YK500

Amanda Stern/AI

Captain Allen SWAT

Carl Manfred

Connor RK800, RK900

Chloe RT600, Chloe ST200, and ST300 Androids

Cristina Warren

DPD and Police Androids (Including Ben Collins, Chris Miller, Jeffrey Fowler, Tina Chen, and PM700)

Elijah Kamski

Gavin Reed

Hank Anderson

Josh PJ500

Kara Ax400

Leo Manfred

Markus RK200

North WR400

Richard Perkins

Rose & Adam Chapman

Simon & Daniel PL600

Traci WR400 and HR400 Androids (Including "Echo" and "Ripple" ]

Zlatko's Creatures

[astrahannah]

Well, I posted a second fic out of my Leo700 (I saw this as a shipname, and it didn't really have any, so I'll take it? I called my variation LeoAri but the AP700 isn't actually called that, so) fics drafts of which I have written! Hoping to edit the third one I have someday soon, hopefully I can edit it well enough.

[autiacorart]

broke: Leo hates Markus because Carl doesn't love his real son as much as the android caretaker and he's racist

woke: Leo hates Carl as a father who cared more about the android that followed his orders than his real son's struggles and he secretly admires Markus' will to fight against slavery that made him obey Carl

[my-name-is-markus-with-a-k]

I will always defend Markus being able to kick Connor's ass. Markus is not 'just' a domestic android. He wasn't made specifically to be a caretaker for Carl. His origins are mysterious, he was made as a part of a Cyberlife secret project and then later given to Carl by Kamski as a gift when Carl had his accident. He's an RK prototype, just like Connor. And yes, he's possibly a great deal older than Connor, but that doesn't automatically mean that Connor is better, he's just newer. Also, Markus is more durable and resourceful than Connor, whereas Connor is faster and more efficient than Markus.

IDK, it just bugs me when people dismiss Markus out of hand because "ofc Connor is better because Connor's an RK800 and Markus is just an RK200". Because that's just incredibly lazy thinking.

I'm also in no way saying that Connor can't kick Markus' ass either. I do actually think that the odds are stacked slightly more in Connor's favour, especially if he's got a gun in his hand.

But like, maybe don't just base your opinions of Markus' abilities on what you've just seen him do in the pacifist path, whilst looking at the whole scope of Connor's story.

[marcusrobertobaq]

Do y'all think Carl tried shoo'ing that caretaker android away saying things like "there's a revolution happening and you're here" everytime the guy had to care for the old man but he didn't leave?

[connorboyyy]

Pointless Headcanons ✨

(Post-revolution edition)

- Connor wants a small dog so bad, but Hank always tells him no because he won’t have “some little rat dog” in his house. (Hank does in fact eventually get him a little dog because he’s a big softie)

- Even after the revolution, even after they’ve been granted their rights and freedoms, Markus goes back to be Carl’s caretaker

- Hank eats better, drinks less, and exercises more often after Connor moves in with him. He grumbles and complains and is quick to say it’s because Connor’s always on his ass about his health—but really, Hank is eager for the changes. He’s attempting to undo several years of trying to destroy himself. He wants to be around for as much of Connor’s future as he can be

- Kara homeschools Alice. She claims it’s because Alice is an android and won’t age with the other kids, but it’s because she’s too scared to have Alice out of her sight for too long after everything

- Connor tries to do things without downloading programs and protocols after deviating. The result is that he’s actually the worst chef that’s ever lived

That’s all for now. There will be more 🫡

[lkn3520]

No matter how many times I replay Detroit Become Human, I always have a special appreciation for the conversation between Markus and North in Freedom March, and how it worked on their characters with their sincerities and their vulnerabilities.

I find Markus to be a fascinating character, as an android who had a better life than many being a caretaker for Carl, who had a rough path to get to Jericho, who's determined to help the deviants and lead an uprising to free the androids, and at the same time, he still is a vulnerable character, often found alone in a thoughtful, introspective and unsettled state throughout the game.

And seeing his conversation with North in Freedom March was interesting, as their sincerities slowly made them listen and understand what each other has to say.

As Markus begins to express himself to her, some of his first dialogue options show a sense of pride and burden of being a leader, regrets of failing his mission or killing humans in retaliation, and a brief sincerity of feeling lost, even with the deviants counting on him.

North's determined and pessimistic perspective, on how trusting the human could be foolish, helps to create an interesting demand to the player to show Markus' determination on the cause as a leader, on how far you're willing to trust the humans and/or if you're willing to take the cause forward to yourself.

As North asks about Markus' life before heading to Jericho, the [Truth] and [Sincere] options carry a lot of meaning, with Markus feeling nostalgic, remembering how Carl was a father figure to him and gave him hope on a peaceful bond between humans and androids, or surprised to see how drastically different his world was from the other deviants, respectively.

In case the player shows interest on learning about North's past, Markus can convince her to be honest about herself, with his curiosity on North's reason for her hatred, seeing how the BL100 from Capitol Park reminded her of herself, and (my personal favorite) remembering how it's important to reflect on aspects about our past, even those that we might want to forget, to understand ourselves now.

And this vulnerability aspect is followed well by North on her speech about her past to Markus, while also bringing her character into a better understanding.

North is known for her reckless, determined and violent perspective, but during Capitol Park, North shows how vulnerable she can feel, seeing new deviants around her being killed by the humans (especially the BL100), and that continued in Freedom March, in how she admitted how worthless she felt being a Traci, how difficult it was for her when she deviated, and how she's so hopeless, unable to trust the humans, up to the point that it reflects on her, on having to resort to a violent retaliation to prove that the androids are people.

And last but not least, it shows how much she values and respects Markus, not only for how he's giving her a chance to believe on freedom, but for how he was honest to her, and especially trusting him, on listening and trying to understand her... as she did for him.

Seeing all of this happen with such morally different characters in this dialogue definitely makes this my favorite moment of Detroit Become Human, for how much value it adds to their characters, Markus' story, and the overall game.

Markus is more than honorable by telling what is in his mind to North, and North is more than brave to be honest about herself to Markus.

[dumvixerum]

Okay so. Androids sexuality.

I think that every sexually "useful "(that's fucking creepy said like that 😦) androids are pansexual. I don't think they're "pansexual" actually, I think they're coded to be capable of loving anyone regardless of anything, but I'll say pan so it's easier. Following this, Kara would be pansexual, because in KARA the short film, she says herself that she can be an intimate partner. But since it's not canon, is she an intimate partner in the canon ? If she's not, she hasn't the ability to love and is then aroace.

Then we got weird androids like Markus. He was a gift from Kamski to Carl, and Carl is an old man, so Kamski probably coded Markus to be only a caretaker, so if we want to be logic, Markus isn't particularly programmed to love, and isn't built to have sex. BUT, he can fall in love with North, and that's rlly weird ? Although he falls in love after seeing her memory, which could mean that North somehow gave him the ability/code to love. And since North is only an intimate partner, Markus is probably pan too ONLY if you fall in love with North. Otherwise, I consider him aroace.

Then there's Connor. He's aroace since he's only a detective. But. Like Markus, he has a way of becoming capable of love (not only one actually). First we have the Tracis (when he's reviewing the proofs and if you kill them), especially the blue one since you scan her memory. There's also all the Eden Club androids, maybe Simon but I'm really not sure he's very similar to Kara though, ect. But I would think that he loses the "love code" everytime he dies, and there's also the possibility of Cyberlife removing it anyway, or even Connor himself removing it from his own code.

Those are just theories so yeah. And anyway love is too fucking weird to be explained ig 💀

[endless-oc-creations]

💕Oc Valentines Day Challenge 2024 💕 Day Seven: Forbidden Love

Romeo and Juliet, Maria and Tony, even Coriolanus and Lucy Gray-- all star-crossed lovers who took a chance despite their love being forbidden. Today, we sympathize with those lovers that nobody loves (at least in the canon of their stories).

"In a room full of art, I'd still stare at you."

Molly Manfred was surrounded by art her entire life, with her father being the famous painter Carl Manfred and all. Molly was always enthralled by her father’s paintings, but whenever she went to visit him when she was older, she always found herself looking at his caretaker android Markus. She enjoyed his company and was the only one, besides her father, who seemed to treat Markus like he was more than a machine...like he was human. But to most people, Markus was only a machine, it showed when Markus was killed by the police because of the actions of her brother. Molly felt lost and to bury her grief, she buried herself into her new investigative journaling story...about the rise of Deviants in honor of Markus's memory. She wanted to show others that these androids had feelings too. But what Molly didn't realize the path she was taking would lead her back to Markus.

💕 Everything Taglist: @bravelittleflower @sunlitscribe​​​ @eddysocs @raith-way​​ @waterloou @decennia​​ @hiddenqveendom @aaronhotchstuff @foxesandmagic @nejires-hado  @asirensrage  @lucys-chen @arrthurpendragon @daughter-of-melpomene @thatmagickjuju @ginevrastilinski  @oneirataxia-girl @ginger-grimm💕

[kissoflightning]

Left Behind (One-Shot for The Break Room Halloween Bingo 2024 Prompts "Ghost" "Confession" "SurpriseVisit"

@thebreakroomds

Summary:

What if Leo died when Markus pushed him and became a ghost confined to Carl's mansion?

Rating:

Teen And Up Audiences

Archive Warning:

Major Character Death

Category:

Gen

Fandom:

Detroit: Become Human (Video Game)

Characters:

Carl Manfred

Markus (Detroit: Become Human)

Leo Manfred

Carl Manfred's New Caretaker Android

Additional Tags:

POV Leo Manfred

Leo Manfred Dies AU

Carl Manfred Dies

Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence

ghost au

Unreliable Narrator

POV Third Person

Dark Crack

Crack Treated Seriously

Whump

Angst

Hurt/Comfort

Collections: The Break Room Halloween Bingo 2024

Work Text:

Leo could barely remember the trip from his shitty apartment to his father’s art studio within his mansion. It was almost as if he blacked out, or went on auto-pilot mode or something, after he took a hit of Red Ice he got from a sketchy dealer, since his dad would not give him any more money.

Panic started to set in, and Leo’s high was becoming a bad one.

He probably won’t even notice the paintings are gone. Leo reassured himself. No need to feel bad. Just think of it as a down payment on your inheritance. He'll probably die soon anyway! . He leaned over the desk and-

“Leo, what the hell are you doing?!” A voice exclaimed. It had belonged to his father, Carl Manfred.

“What does it look like?” Leo snarked.

The next two, five, maybe 10 minutes felt like a blip, but Leo felt all his pent-up rage towards Markus imploding within him, his hands clutching the collar of the android’s shirt, “YOU’RE NOTHING!” he felt himself shout.

Next thing Leo knew, he saw his own body, which had appeared to be smashed into Carl’s crane.

This is one hell of a trip. Leo thought to himself.

Carl immediately jumped out of his wheelchair, and pulled himself toward Leo's body; he clutched his son’s hand, and cried out, “Leo! Oh my god. My baby boy!”

The android raised it’s hands to the side of its head, it appeared to be simulating anxiety and remorse. As it spoke, the light thingy on it’s head - the LED, was flashing red, “Carl, I didn’t mean to. I-”

Carl turned back to the android and shouted at him, seeming conflicted, “You gotta go Markus! Get out of here!”

“Carl, I can’t leave you, I-” The android responded, but two cops had shown up, interrupting-

“Stop right there!” One of them shouted.

Markus turned around and raised his hands. The cop did not give it the chance to speak before shooting it 5 times; once in it’s ear, it’s eye, in the chest, and once in both knee caps.

“What the fuck?!” Carl and disembodied Leo shouted at the same time, though obviously only one voice had been heard.

“Sorry, I panicked!” The cop stammered. “Androids are unpredictable. I didn’t want to give it a chance to get away!”

“So you shot him 5 fucking times?!” Carl exclaimed.

“What happened here? Did the android kill your son?” The other cop inquired.

Carl sighed and reluctantly admitted half the truth. “My son, Leo. He came here for a visit. He must have said something the rubbed Markus the wrong way.”

“Markus?” The cop asked.

“My other son!” Carl exclaimed as tears escaped. “The android...pushed Leo and he fell into my crane. He needs immediate medical attention! Call an ambulance!"

The cop shook his head, and examined Leo’s body. “I’m sorry to tell you this, but... he’s dead.”

“WHAT?!” Leo’s ghost and Carl simultaneously exclaimed.

Read the rest on AO3

[wasdeviant]

ok i know you said you're not really doing valentine's day here, but consider: connor showing up to markus's door with a long stemmed rose like 'i did some research on valentine's day, and it seems that this is a universal symbol of romantic love. i thought it would be appropriate to give to you.'

the sentiment is something markus knew of. carl had explained many holidays to him, and he had retained that information. carl had celebrated christmas with markus a few times ; he was even there for carl's birthday a few years in a row. but valentine's day had never been one of the holidays they put much thought into. carl was a single man, and markus was a caretaking android, and so it never crossed their minds. he saw pink and red everywhere, the chocolate that grew cheaper as the day grew nearer. again, markus didn't pay it much mind. until he opened the door and saw connor standing there with a rose. markus is trying to keep his smile contained, amused and delighted that connor had thought about doing this, at all. 'you did some research,' markus clarifies with a teasing lilt to his voice. he takes the rose as it's given, smelling the petals, grin only growing as he invites connor in. what a world they got to live in, where they could experience romantic love and show it to one another. 'that's thoughtful of you, connor. unfortunately, i didn't think of getting you anything. hopefully my company is enough,'

[autiacorart]

since there's huge job crisis because of androids, carl only makes sure the real human caretaker doesn't get the job he actually could offer. this guy is rich

if he really wanted to make sure markus is his own self, he could still hire the real caretaker while letting markus live with him, treating him like son and showing him ways of living

[ao3feed-gav900]

Down We Go (WORKING TITLE)

https://ift.tt/F7m3kEO by UndeniableMisery The year is 2039, a year after the successful android revolution. Everyone seems to be getting used to androids being free, except one person. Gavin Reed. He hates androids, but when gems forced to partner with a new gen RK900 model, he hates it at first. But as a new rival company called NewGen Industries rises to power with androids that look suspiciously similar to Cyberlife’s, all hell breaks loose. Especially when Gavin and RK900 are tasked on a case involving said company. And as they discover the potential illegal underground operations going on, they discover more about themselves and how they feel about each other, even when RK900 deviates. Words: 1, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English Fandoms: Detroit: Become Human (Video Game) Rating: Mature Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Categories: F/F, F/M, M/M, Multi Characters: Gavin Reed, Upgraded Connor | RK900, Connor (Detroit: Become Human), Hank Anderson, Tina Chen (Detroit: Become Human), Markus (Detroit: Become Human), Simon (Detroit: Become Human), North (Detroit: Become Human), Josh (Detroit: Become Human), Carl Manfred, Carl Manfred's New Caretaker Android Relationships: Upgraded Connor | RK900/Gavin Reed, Tina Chen (Detroit: Become Human)/Original Female Character(s), Hank Anderson & Connor Additional Tags: Elijah Kamski & Gavin Reed are Siblings, Gavin Reed is Bad at Feelings, Gavin Reed Being Less of an Asshole, Bottom Gavin Reed, Top Upgraded Connor | RK900, Upgraded Connor | RK900 Has a Different Name, Connor Deserves Happiness, Good Parent Hank Anderson, Protective Hank Anderson, Hank Anderson is Bad at Feelings, Hank Anderson Adopts Connor, Hank Anderson & Connor Parent-Child Relationship, Slow Burn, Enemies to Friends to Lovers

[marcusrobertobaq]

Markus doesn't remember anything about his "secret" past life, all he remembers is about being a caretaker android and taking care of Carl. He probably remembers the challenges when trynna befriend Carl but i doubt he remembers anything about CyberLife's rooms or even Kamski himself in the "testing" sense.

I wonder if Markus at some point questioned about him being bought or something like this, y'know, just to start a friendly conversation similar to how Connor try approaching Hank.

Unless i'm so motherfucking wrong and Markus remembers everything, he just doesn't care at all xD

But the nature of the project implies he doesn't remember anything besides the caretaker part.

[ao3feed-hannor]

Void

read it on the AO3 at https://archiveofourown.org/works/46732654 by A_Slice_Of_Serendipity Connor isn't cut out to be a deviant. He feels too much, he doesn't know what to do, and worst of all, he's disappointing Hank while he's at it. He just needs, something. Anything. To be ground, to be centered, to be owned. ... Hank isn't cut out to be Connor's partner. He's old, doesn't take care of himself or his place, and has nothing to give the kid. With every passing day, he struggles to understand why he couldn't of taken Cole's place and why this silly little android has chosen him above any other person in the world. ... Sumo is just tired of seeing his parents fight and just wants to see them happy for once. Words: 2654, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English Fandoms: Detroit: Become Human (Video Game), Detroit: Become Human (Video Game) RPF Rating: Mature Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Categories: Gen, M/M Characters: Hank Anderson, Connor (Detroit: Become Human), Upgraded Connor | RK900, Detroit Police Department Officers (Detroit: Become Human), Markus (Detroit: Become Human), Jericho Members (Detroit: Become Human), Carl Manfred, Carl Manfred's New Caretaker Android Relationships: Hank Anderson/Connor Additional Tags: Angst, Heavy Angst, Dialogue Heavy, Mental Health Issues, Addiction, Drug Addiction, Caffeine Addiction, Alcohol Abuse/Alcoholism, Please Don't Hate Me, Angst and Feels, Angst and Fluff and Smut, Angst with a Happy Ending, Anal Sex, Anal Fingering, Kinks, BDSM, Canon-Typical Violence, Post-Canon, Post-Pacifist Best Ending (Detroit: Become Human), Deviant Connor (Detroit: Become Human), Machine Connor (Detroit: Become Human), Connor (Detroit: Become Human) Whump, Hank Anderson is Bad at Feelings, Depressed Hank Anderson, Hank Anderson and Connor Live Together, Racism, Racist Language, Internalized Homophobia, Homophobic Language, Homophobia, I'm Sorry, Explicit Sexual Content, Sexual Tension, Miscommunication, Good Dog Sumo (Detroit: Become Human), Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Out of Character, Falling In Love, Suicidal Thoughts, Implied/Referenced Suicide, Tags Contain Spoilers, I Love You read it on the AO3 at https://archiveofourown.org/works/46732654

[dawktorsylum]

A Change like no other

Prologue || A wonderful gift

A/N: This is a story i want to try and work on...don't get your hopes high though. But It's a Markus x Oc (x simon if you squint) Info on the android will be link at a later date, but I have most of his info worked out. But Angelo is a prototype android that was made for dancers and artist to perfect their craft. I hope you enjoy!!!

Also remember this is cross posted on A03

My user 》C0ntr0l_cha0s

It was a cold autumn afternoon in 2033. The leaves of Detroit had just begun to turn shades of gold and amber, and the wind carried a chill that made the streets seem quieter than usual. Carl Manfred, now slowing with age but still filled with the quiet dignity of an artist, sat by the large window in his studio, staring out into the garden. His granddaughter, Lilian, was seated on the floor nearby, her small frame wrapped in a soft sweater, tying her ballet flats with the precision and focus that belied her young age.

Lilian, only seven years old at the time, had shown extraordinary talent in ballet. Her movements were graceful and elegant beyond her years, but they lacked discipline. Carl, a man who appreciated the arts, knew that she needed something,—or someone—who could help her refine her talent.

Markus, Carl’s trusted caretaker, entered the room quietly. His face was calm as usual, but today there was something different in the air. He walked over to Carl and, with a slight nod and spin of his LED, confirmed that everything was ready. Carl nodded in return, his eyes twinkling with anticipation.

"Lilian," Carl said softly, turning to his granddaughter, "I have something special for you today."

She looked up at him, her large green eyes curious but wary. Carl wasn’t the type to offer surprises often, but when he did, they were always memorable. Lilian finished tying her laces up her leg and in the back as she rose to her feet. She nuzzled into her sweater as she walked up to Carl

Carl gestured for Markus to push him and lead the way, and the three of them made their way through the grand halls of the Manfred estate, the walls adorned with Carl’s paintings—abstract depictions of life, emotion, and the human condition. At the end of the hallway, they entered a room Lilian rarely visited. It was more of a storage space than a living area, filled with canvases, old furniture, and curiosities Carl had collected over the years.

At the center of the room stood a tall figure—a new android, sleek, slim, and almost ghostly in its stillness.

Lilian’s breath caught in her throat as she gazed at the android. It was different from Markus—its design was more refined, and there was something about it that made it seem... elegant, like a dancer waiting for its cue.

Carl watched Lilian’s expression closely, his face warm with affection.

“This,” Carl began, placing a hand on the android’s forearm “This Angelo. He’s a KL600 model designed specifically to assist with dance. He’s here to help you, to be your partner in perfecting your technique.”

Lilian’s eyes widened. A dance assistant? For her? She had heard of the advanced technology that could analyze movements and correct posture, but she had never imagined Carl would get one just for her.

Markus stepped forward from behind Carl, his calm voice breaking the silence. “The KL line is programmed to learn your every movement, Lilian. It will be able to correct you, teach you, and help you reach the level you aspire to. It’s more than just a machine—It’’s designed to understand the art of dance, just like you.”

Lilian approached Angelo slowly, her tiny hands reaching out cautiously to touch his arm. His dark skin was soft, synthetic, but warm. She tilted her head up to look at his face. Angelo’s gray eyes were calm, his features smooth and neutral. He didn’t smile or react, but there was something comforting in his stillness. He wasn’t intimidating like other androids she had seen before. He was... graceful.

“Can he really dance?” Lilian asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Carl chuckled. “He can do much more than that, my dear. Angelo can mimic any movement, analyze your technique, and even suggest ways to improve. But remember, he’s here to assist you, not to take your place.”

Lilian’s eyes sparkled with excitement and uncertainty. Could an android truly understand something as emotional as dance? She had always thought of dance as something that came from the heart, from a place deep within—a place no machine could reach.

“Would you like to see?” Markus asked gently.

Lilian nodded, and Carl smiled gently.

“Well let’s move back to the studio and we can see how hopeful he can be”

Markus nodded, in agreement as he moved, grabbing the back of Carl’s chair and led the old man out first followed by Lilian then Angelo. Lilian occasionally looked back at the Android with fear and glee, he was shorter then Markus but not by much and his skin was dark, his hair tied in a neat bun. What fascinated her the most was his hair, he had a streak of white right in the front that ran back towards his bun. She giggled to herself as she followed closer behind Markus.

As they made their way back to Carl’s studio Markus parked Carl’s wheelchair close to the wall while he made his way around the area cleaning out a small area for Lilian and Angelo to dance. Angelo meanwhile stood close to Carl, almost deathly still, Lilian in all her child wonder did little laps around him, the soft thuds of her feet hitting the ground ringing out. She stopped in front of him and just stared at Angelo with her large green eyes, it was then she heard Carl clear his throat.

“All clear Lilian, Now show Angelo what you’ve got”

The android moved with fluid precision, his steps silent, like a shadow. He looked down at her his gray eyes softer as he extended his hand toward Lilian, palm open. It was an invitation. She looked back at her grandfather and his Android. The old man just nodded and she grinned, sliding her coat off she tossed it towards Markus and took Angelo’s hand without further hesitation.

Markus had stepped away, and brought a speaker from Lilians studio into the Art studio. He looked at Lilian as she pile’d and gave him a small nod. He pressed play and soft classical music filled the room. Angelo immediately took the lead, his movements graceful and precise. Lilian followed, her feet gliding across the floor as Angelo guided her through the opening steps of a simple waltz. She could feel his strength, but it wasn’t overpowering. Instead, it was supportive, like he was there to lift her, to enhance her movements without overshadowing her own skill.

As they danced, Lilian’s earlier hesitations began to melt away. Angelo’s steps were perfect, his timing flawless. He matched her pace, anticipating her movements with uncanny accuracy. For the first time, she felt like she wasn’t dancing alone. There was someone—something—who understood her rhythm, her flow, even her mistakes.

The dance came to an end, and Lilian found herself out of breath, her cheeks flushed with exhilaration. She looked up at Angelo, her heart pounding in her chest. He stood there, still as ever, his eyes locked on hers, as if waiting for her next move.

“Angelo will be with you from now on,” Carl said softly, stepping forward. “He will help you become the dancer you’re meant to be.”

Lilian smiled, her fear now gone. She felt a rush of excitement, of possibility. With Angelo by her side, she knew she could reach heights she had only dreamed of. Lilian without a moment of hesitation rushed over to Carl.

“Thank you, Grandpa,” she whispered, hugging him tightly.

Markus stood off to the side, watching the scene. His LED spun yellow for a brief moment before he smiled very faintly. He made his way back over to Carl and stood beside him.As Carl and Markus turned to leave, Lilian stayed behind for a moment, standing next to Angelo. She looked up at him, her face full of curiosity and wonder.

“Do you have any dreams, Angelo?” she asked, half-joking, half-serious.

Angelo didn’t respond, of course. He was just a machine, after all. But as Lilian stood there, staring at her new dance partner, she couldn’t shake the feeling that he was more than just a tool. She didn’t know it yet, but Angelo would soon become more important to her than she could have ever imagined.

And so, their journey began—an unlikely partnership between a young ballet prodigy and a graceful, silent android who would become her greatest companion in both dance and life.