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@durante; text

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.

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< 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? >

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.

< 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.]

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?

< 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. >

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.

< 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. >

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?

< 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. >

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.]

[Yep. They expected this to come up.]

< Human--I've just got a prosthetic head. Things like that aren't too uncommon in the world I come from. >

You whole head? It's made of metal? I-

[No, he tells himself. Don't ask to take a look inside. Taryon shakes his head.]

That's incredible. Even I could think of doing something so delicate as that. And your brain is still in there?

[A nod]

< That's how most places do it. I can't go into too much detail though. I'm not an expert, so any information I give you might not even be correct. >

Well, it's good to know in case something happens to you. And if it does, I could help out with adding some extra magic to it.

[It's an offer that LILITH no doubt will refuse, but it's good to make promises to teammates, Taryon thinks.]

The clock is pretty cool. Did you chose that? [He looks at his own automaton. Its blank eyes and lack of mouth give it a friendly appearance (creepy to others), but having some ticking parts would add style to Doty.]

< Oh, um, thank you. >

[They aren't used to being called cool in regards to.... well. Pretty much anything, really. But especially not the clock.]

< It was, um... It was what was available? Glad it's going over well. >

[They can make the synthetic voice calm and even, but it doesn't change the fact that the ticking behind it is a little more hurried than before.

Dante... is not a good liar.]

[It's clear that Dante is unused to these compliments, but Taryon figures they could use it. Cyborgs are pretty good in his eyes, thus Dante is a cool person.]

It's more calming than one of those bright screens. And it matches your outfit.

[But with that explanation over, he thinks back to the clock.] You know, one of my old friends wanted to be a clockmaker. I wonder what he would think if he met you.

< Bright screens? You mean those LED masks? >

[Someone had suggested they wear one to help with their efforts to smile more. They'd dismissed the idea, mostly because they weren't sure how it would work with their head. If Taryon's view is shared by others, maybe it was a good idea.]

< And it's not exactly a real clock, even if it looks like one. It doesn't tell time or anything. >

[They're still not sure what makes their minute hand move forward. It just does every few months or so.]

Yes! That's what they're called? LED masks. They're fascinating, but looking at them for too long just feels like my eyes are burning.

[He has not yet gotten used to the ubiquity of computer screens in this world.]

Disappointing, but perhaps we can find someone who can fix it up. You'd be really popular.

[They stare at him a moment in silence. Then...]

< Popular... how? >

[Taryon looks down for a moment as he thinks of the specific reasons.]

First off, everyone will hang out around you because they want to know what time it is. Then they'll get to talk with you, and conversations is the best way to make new bonds. [He nods as if he just said something wise.] And having a working clock for a head is way cooler.

[So they'll be popular with a proper time-telling clock with a head because their head will be able to tell time.

........]

< That's.... one way to look at it. >

[He's trying, they remind themself. He's got a lot on his mind.]

< I'll, um, keep it in mind as a possibility. But right now I think I'll keep my head as-is. Don't want to mess with anything that shouldn't be messed with in here, you know? Better safe than sorry. >

[Taryon tries, and half of the time he misses the mark. And this is a moment where an idea that sounds cool in his head does not make sense in the wider world.]

Right, right. [Taryon isn't so skilled as to rewire a prosthetic head, and he's certain failure could lead to death.] Just an idea, in case the opportunity ever arises, hah. But it looks great as it does now.

[Nervously, he grins.]

Although if you're ever interested in some magical upgrades, I'm still offering.

[They shouldn't ask. And yet, as ever, they cannot deny their endless curiosity.]

< I'm not agreeing to this right away... >

[Best to make sure he knows that right off the bat.]

< But... What kind of upgrades? And what would be involved? >

Making it stronger? Add a spell so that in case of an emergency, you can fight off monsters by activating it! Oh, and if I get some scales, I could add some protection against the elements. Maybe fire? Ice? Whichever you think is more useful.

[And yet, Taryon continues to assume that Dante will agree eventually.]

It'd take a few hours every day for me to make it permanent. I'll just infuse a bit of magic, maybe add some components to you surface, and viola! [He holds his hands out towards Dante's head as if presenting something already completed.] You have more powers.

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@durante; text

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