"I don't talk to you because you insist on it," he goes on. "If I didn't
want to speak to you, I simply wouldn't, regardless of proximity. Over
time, Rhys' extroversion would grate on me and Gortys' inability to be
actively confrontational would allow me to settle into old patterns without
challenge. The availability of bio-cybernetics would always have led me
to experiment without regards to the ethics, because I had never approached
any experiment from an ethical standpoint."
He says, breathing out hard enough that it's almost a laugh.
"Look, would you please begin? You don't have to agree with it, just take it as an intellectual exercise. As a muscle you're developing in advance of graduation, even if you don't organically perceive the need for it right now. Hippocratic oath. Full and informed consent."
Elijah blinks slowly. Honestly, this whole experience is...novel. He's
never had to consider the consequences of his actions on anything but an
abstract, macroscopic level. He could watch the riots and discontent on TV
from a hundred miles away, and then turn it off and enjoy the endless
silence of his estate. Up against the raw face of Quentin's betrayal,
exposed without barriers to his pain and anger, it's...
Unsettling.
He glances at his communicator, his message to Barnes; yes. He's doing
that. Call it a lesson in aversion if nothing else.
"No. As I told him, I'm willing to do the work and I don't plan on taking
advantage, but I would consider your permission to be a favor to him, not
to me."
He's built hundreds of cybernetic hands. Could do it in his sleep.
"I'm incredibly bored," Elijah says, first off. "And judging from the
literature I've found that I believe is from your world, I think I'd be
able to develop a reasonable degree of aptitude. Being able to defend
myself without weapons would also be useful."
"I'd be happy to work with him, although again I might need some medical
support. I assume you've told him that I can't be trusted and will in all
likelihood use the opportunity to my own ends."
"I'd invite you to use my guest room, but Jedao and Fives are moved in with me and they are only not casually threatening your life and limb at every turn by the skin of their teeth and determination alone."
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"I don't talk to you because you insist on it," he goes on. "If I didn't want to speak to you, I simply wouldn't, regardless of proximity. Over time, Rhys' extroversion would grate on me and Gortys' inability to be actively confrontational would allow me to settle into old patterns without challenge. The availability of bio-cybernetics would always have led me to experiment without regards to the ethics, because I had never approached any experiment from an ethical standpoint."
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He says, breathing out hard enough that it's almost a laugh.
"Look, would you please begin? You don't have to agree with it, just take it as an intellectual exercise. As a muscle you're developing in advance of graduation, even if you don't organically perceive the need for it right now. Hippocratic oath. Full and informed consent."
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Elijah blinks slowly. Honestly, this whole experience is...novel. He's never had to consider the consequences of his actions on anything but an abstract, macroscopic level. He could watch the riots and discontent on TV from a hundred miles away, and then turn it off and enjoy the endless silence of his estate. Up against the raw face of Quentin's betrayal, exposed without barriers to his pain and anger, it's...
Unsettling.
He glances at his communicator, his message to Barnes; yes. He's doing that. Call it a lesson in aversion if nothing else.
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He decides, into that blink.
"But if you accept that this is a useful wardening relationship, you should think about giving that advice a go."
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"Very well."
He rolls his shoulders, feeling an unpleasant stiffness in his spine.
"...I do have a request, if you're willing."
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No carte blanche, but he'll keep an open mind.
"Is it to do with Kepler?"
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"No. As I told him, I'm willing to do the work and I don't plan on taking advantage, but I would consider your permission to be a favor to him, not to me."
He's built hundreds of cybernetic hands. Could do it in his sleep.
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He's really listening, now.
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"I understand that your variety of magic has more to do with study and application than any innate talent," he says. "I'd be interested in learning."
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Not a no, or an interrogation, just genuine curiosity at the surprising request.
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"I'm incredibly bored," Elijah says, first off. "And judging from the literature I've found that I believe is from your world, I think I'd be able to develop a reasonable degree of aptitude. Being able to defend myself without weapons would also be useful."
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He decides, with a nod.
"What do you want to do about Kepler?"
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"I'd be happy to work with him, although again I might need some medical support. I assume you've told him that I can't be trusted and will in all likelihood use the opportunity to my own ends."
No sarcasm or accusation, he's just checking.
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So, there's that;
"Meet with him, you, Rhys and Harry?"
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A small nod.
"That seems ideal. Thank you."
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Promising, with a nod.
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"And the necessary components?"
He would have had some of them, but, you know. He doesn't any more.
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He's off cybernetics for awhile, honestly.
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"Alright," he says quietly, levelly. "Are you going to lift the - conditions you've placed on my cabin?"
Not that that necessarily means he'd be moving back in. Avoiding scenes of previous pain and humilation still feels important.
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He says, with a shake of his head.
"There's no speeding it up."
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"I see. I'll work in the lab, then."
And continue avoiding his cabin, maybe forever. Who knows.
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He admits, with a quirk of a smile.
"But they've been good about it so far?"
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Elijah's mouth twitches.
"...Thank you for the offer. I have alternatives."
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Says Quentin, peaceably.
"Tell me if you bump into either of them and it gets uncomfortable. It shouldn't, but I will defend you in case it does."
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"I assume that if it gets 'uncomfortable' I'll be nursing a black eye or worse," Elijah murmurs. "But I'll let you know."
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