@durante; text

[followyourstar]

Hey. This is Dante. You've probably seen me around base, even if we haven't actually talked (trust me).

Since we've just had some new people arrive, I figured now would be as good a time as any to put this out there. I'm not sure if anyone would be interested, but one of my duties back home was to have one-to-one consultation sessions with the employees in our department (still is, technically). It's nothing too earth-shattering, just checking in and helping work through anything anyone needs to get off their shoulders, but I thought I'd offer since it seems to help us out and I know things here can get rough sometimes.

Oh, and there's no pressure to reply here if you'd rather have privacy. I've also got a sign-up sheet on my door (Revelation, room 006), if you'd rather set something up that way. Just make sure to show up at the time you pick.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Comments

[likemybooks]

I see.

I suppose that would be helpful.

[Waking up and being told that you were hear for nearly a year before being killed and resurrected without your memories makes adjusting to a new world more disorienting than it should be. Taryon might need to talk about that instead of ignoring it and fully concentrate on making "new" friends.]

It's something I haven't tried before. Might as well try it out.

[followyourstar]

[oh! Someone's going for it!]

Just let me know what time would be best for you and I'll make sure to be available.

My room's still a little barebones, but it's more private, so we'll be meeting there.

((also I'm good for moving to action if you'd like!))

i'm good with action!

[likemybooks]

Your room? Alright. Some time later this week will work.

[Well then! So now he has an official meeting with a professional. That sounds fun. If it doesn't turn out as interesting as Taryon hoped, he at least will have a pleasant conversation with a teammate he hasn't met before. Or has met but forgotten. A new friend, then.

In a few days, after coming home from his shift at the shop, Taryon finds Dante's room. Behind him stands Doty, a tall, arcane automaton from home to give him emotional support. He knocks, steps back, and puts on a composed expression while combing his fingers a few times through his hair.]

[followyourstar]

< Just a moment! >

[There's ticking that accompanies that slightly-raised synthetic voice, but before that can be examined too closely, Dante opens the door, brightening as they realize they recognize the person on the other side--at least in passing.]

< Oh! You were at Rodya's birthday party and the Christmas party, weren't you? Come inside. >

[They step out of the way to let Taryon in.]

[likemybooks]

Ah. [This man - creature? What should Taryon call them? He gives Dante a confused look, looks at Doty behind him, shrugs, and steps inside.]

Yes, I was! I thought it would be neighborly to say hello to someone in my wing.

[The automaton - silvery and silent - walks inside, never straying far from Taryon and always observing the area. Taryon turns to Dante.] Are you close friends with Rodya?

[followyourstar]

[They shut the door behind the machine, flame flickering as they cast a curious glance its way, but choose not to pay too much mind to it. At least not yet.

Inside, the room is--as Dante indicated--rather barebones, containing mostly the same furniture the room came with and not much else. A few of the blind box collectables from a few months back decorate the desk, while on the bed an eclectic mix of cushions gather in the corner and against the walls, as if to create a makeshift couch.]

< I'd say so, yeah. Friend and manager--we're from the same world. You guys are in the same team, then? >

[likemybooks]

Redemption. [He answers without much though.] Did you just arrive?

[He won't say it out loud, but Dante's room is severely lacking in the interior decoration department. Dull bed, sparse color and objects of beautification...he could probably use some help making his place look better.]

There's not much space to sit.

[followyourstar]

< Not just arrived, exactly... Just a couple months ago. >

[They look back at their bed and desk and briefly, sheepishly, duck their head before looking back up at him again.]

< Ah... yeah. I'm working on that. I would have suggested the library, but it's not as private. You can pick either the chair or the bed, whichever one you find more comfortable. I'll take whatever's left. >

[If their room is going to be getting more visitors, maybe they should make this a priority...]

[likemybooks]

I'll take the chair.

[That's normal. Beds are for sleeping. Perhaps Taryon should have said that the library would be fine, there are comfortable seats and books there.

But he sits down quietly and folds his hands on his lap without complaint. The automaton finds its own space by Taryon's side and stands facing the bed. It opens up a panel on its chest and pulls out a digital pad and a stylus.]

Don't mind Doty. I told him to take notes on our meeting for later. [He smiles, thinking nothing of this.] I like to keep records of what I get up to.

[followyourstar]

< Same here. >

[They lift up the notepad in their hand--paper by preference--and pluck the pen from its spiral as they go to sit on the bed, back resting against the pillows against the wall.]

< All right... > [A click of the pen, and they scratch down the date and time.] < I don't think I got your name earlier, so let's start with that and how you're doing today. >

[likemybooks]

Taryon Darrington. I'm doing well today. [There's a pause. He figures some more information would be useful.] I'm from a world that uses magic, so adjusting to this place is taking time. I have a background in engineering and the arcane, which is how I built him.

[He gestures towards the automaton.]

Anything else in particular that you need to know?

[followyourstar]

< Ooh... >

[They make a note to ask about that after the session is over. This is about Taryon, after all. They can indulge in their own sense of curiosity later.]

< Just one thing. What was it that made you decide to take me up on the offer? >

[likemybooks]

Oh. Right. [The reason why Taryon figured he needed someone to talk to.] Well, there's this matter, I'm not sure you heard, but a few months ago, some of us were killed during a mission. I was one of them.

[In the pause afterward, Taryon glances at the window. The colored lights of the city do not respond - they don't sob or curse LILITH or beg Taryon to recall what happened, and he hopes Dante's reaction will be as neutral as the landscape.]

But the thing is...I don't remember anything like that. But everyone says it's true. The records say it, and my room has evidence of my time here, but- nothing in my head.

I thought I needed someone to talk to about it.

[followyourstar]

[That's... Not what they were expecting. Not that they had any real idea what to expect, but...

A thousand questions come to mind, but little by little they manage to narrow them down to just one.]

< Do you... want to be that Taryon? The one that they lost. >

[likemybooks]

[Is the pause a good one? It's hard to read a person who has a clock for a head. Taryok ought to ask that once they have finished the professional portion of the visit.]

I don't know who that Taryon was. It sounds like me. Brave and intelligent, makes magical items, all accurate.

[He stops himself there.]

[followyourstar]

< Right, but... Just because you're similar or even if he was a Taryon, that doesn't mean that you have to be him. So I guess that's why I'm asking if you want to be. Or do you want other people to see you as the you that's here right now? >

[likemybooks]

I...

[He unfolds his hands and slumps backward into the chair.]

I'm not really sure? It's not like I'm pretending to be a completely different person, it's...well, I feel like I owe it to my old friends.

[followyourstar]

< It's not the kind of thing that happens every day. And it's understandable to feel that way too. >

[Or, at least, it is to them. Whether he's lost part of his memory or just happens to be a completely different man from the one who died, appearing somewhere where everyone knows you but you don't know them... It's got to be rough.]

< It's not a question you have to know the answer to right now, either. Just something to keep in mind. >

[In the end, he's the only one who can decide who he wants to be.]

[likemybooks]

It would be nice to know what I'm supposed to do. [A sigh. Life just has no easy answers.] But I'll keep that in mind.

[At least he's been told to pay more attention to his feelings. Taryon could use more reminds to reflect on himself.]

...So, is this all that happens? I mention something and you give me advice?

[followyourstar]

< Yes and no? It's more... How to put this? >

[They tap the end of the pen against the red rim of their clock, the "tink" of plastic on metal out of sync with their ticking.]

< It's a way to put your thoughts and emotions into words and try to sort through them. And then, from there, a way to find a way forward through them--a path to the destination you want to reach. >

[likemybooks]

So a diary that talks back.

[Looks like Taryon was halfway through his own therapy if that's correct.]

That doesn't sound all that bad, when you put it like that.

[followyourstar]

< Something like that, yeah. >

[A fellow diary-keeper... They nod approvingly.]

< And you're allowed to step back if you feel the need to as well. I can't force anyone to come to any of these, not that I want to force anyone in the first place. >

[likemybooks]

I think it went well. It was faster than I expected, but I'm not that bothered about it. Now, [He leans towards Dante.] does this mean we go back to being regular strangers? Is there some sort of professional relationship we're supposed to have if we're doing this?

[followyourstar]

< Well it is just the first session. If you decide you need or want more, I'm not planning on going anywhere anytime soon. >

[Not that they have a choice in the matter]

< I'm not used to giving this sort of thing a shot in situations outside of my usual managerial duties, so I'm not sure if this requires the same sort of professional relationship as that, but... Hm. >

< I'd be happy to get to know you as a person and a teammate as well if you are. >

[likemybooks]

Perfect! I do hope we get to become closer as friends. Now-

[His session now over, Taryon motions to Doty.] Doty, stop writing.

What are you, exactly? I've worked on automatons all my life, but I've never seen anyone like you. [Starting with the rude questions, as always. Curiousity overtakes any sense.]