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[betterthangarlond]

[ It was one of those times where NOAH was still figuring out their way past the Labyrinth of the Ancients, and Nero was still lingering.

Today, though, he had found himself by the side of G'raha, when G'raha was taking a break. Not that Nero had been watching for it, of course not.

With a soft grunt, he flopped down next to him, holding a few of the tomestones that they'd been tasked to decyther. (Nero, honestly, had been asked not to join in this, but. Nero had waited until Rammbroes wasn't paying attention and stolen these ones.) ]

...You're all struggling with these?

Comments

[betterthangarlond]

[ Nero doesn't respond. But if he were to read on - the words still taking some effort - he would find it was similar to guides on other Allagan automatons.

It'd make sense, wouldn't it - the strange skin and the glow. Eventually, Nero speaks again. ]

...It's hilarious.

[aneyeonthepast]

[He's thought it would be neat, if some of those were around, and adapted to their current needs. Not that they don't have their own creations to help, of course. But this is… well. He doesn't like it as much as he thought he would. Even if it does seem to put those into place.

He gives a slow nod- somewhat dubious, but if that's how Nero wants to say…]

And funnier in hindsight, I hope. You'd never… come across anything before?

[betterthangarlond]

No.

[ Every word Nero said - for once in his life, he didn't want to speak, really. Something had clicked in his head. (Literally? How was he meant to know if it was literal? Everything he knew was a lie, wasn't it.) ]

...But I should have known from the injuries, shouldn't have I? [ If G'raha had read enough, he would have seen the Scaeva-class automation were designed to repair machines, with more repair protocol being easily installed. ] I should have known.

[aneyeonthepast]

[……fngh. He likes Nero- for as much as Nero lets people, really, and this is… distressing. He sets the tomestone aside for the moment- he's gotten as much as he thinks he's going to get for now.]

They were… mm. It's… strange, that they didn't seem to bother you. Why…?

[betterthangarlond]

...I suppose... it would have been too much effort to install pain.

[ But he seems rather hurt right now. If not in body, then in mind. His body has stilled, and he's just staring at the ground - his glasses not slipping.

He adds, though: ] Who would want their machines complaining?

[aneyeonthepast]

Perhaps they thought- why would the automata even want to.

[…gods. he never- really thought about handling this kind of situation, this is the worst. He reaches out- nudges Nero a little.]

… I couldn't see that stopping you.

[betterthangarlond]

Hah. Probably because I woke up amnesiac. [ But his heart doesn't seem in it. A pause, before: ] Or would that be wiped?

[aneyeonthepast]

The end of that Era… must have been traumatic enough to do either.

[he shrugs a little, uncertain.]

Which do you like more?

[betterthangarlond]

Amnesiac. Even if I should prefer the proper terms...

[ he's nero. he's nero he's alive he's him. ]

...I wonder if it's in me? Those final days. [ he muses. ]

[aneyeonthepast]

[another shrug! it's fine. weirds him out less, honestly.]

That Calamity? Well- I don't know. Maybe? How would we find out?

[this is helping right]

[betterthangarlond]

If I'm... if I'm an automation...

I'd have tomes inside me, wouldn't I?

[ For once, Nero sounds unsure. ]

[aneyeonthepast]

Well- I'd imagine you'd have some sort of record…

I don't exactly want to take you apart to find out, though.

[betterthangarlond]

Hah. And that hasn't stopped people from destroying princess relics, has it?

[aneyeonthepast]

[oh man his expression flattens.]

So- those of us who know and care have a duty not to. Wouldn't you agree?

[betterthangarlond]

Not always.

...When Gaius went for dear Ultima, there were automation which needed to be eliminated. Nothing was retrieved from them.

[aneyeonthepast]

Nothing? [he curls his table- concerned.] That's- well- I suppose you didn't need them in the end, but…

… I swear I wouldn't do the same, though. And- certainly not to you.

[betterthangarlond]

All we needed from those sava-- Mhigans was the Weapon. But, back then... I did feel a little strange. [ Was it empathy? Does he have that? ]

...Besides, you've seen how shredded I am.

[aneyeonthepast]

[thank you for adjusting there, Nero.] I see… Strange? Strange how?

[both eyebrows rise.] Shredded?

[betterthangarlond]

...When I saw those automation - de-activated, mind you - being destroyed... I almost broke away from my role.

[ ...Right. He hadn't shown him all up his legs. Quietly, he pulls one pants leg up again - from the knee upwards, it barely looks like there's metal. No, it's bathed in that blue glow. Nero seems to stop, though, near his upper thigh. There, G'raha would see... a little melded on metal, hastily fused to stop the rest of the leg falling off. ]

[aneyeonthepast]

Trying to- do something else-

[… shit. He hisses, ears flattening- reaching out to touch it.]

That's- Twelve. You saved it, but… it really doesn't feel like anything? It looks… terrifying.]

[betterthangarlond]

[ It has a warm Allagan glow, seeming only a little dim. But, after all, the sun was still up. ]

It doesn't. It was... during the Calamity. I remember a haze, my hands moving, and... my leg was back on.

[aneyeonthepast]

[Not as threatening as that glow can seem, sometimes. It's good, even if he's still cautiously poking at it.]

Well, that's… something… After the Empire, I assume? That's… well, it's good that you could do that. And you remember it? [he pauses, chewing his cheek a little. Should he push? … he might as well.] Was there anything else?

[betterthangarlond]

Nero pauses. While I was... repairing myself? Hm. There was a calmness. I was moving faster then before - but that'd begun when Dalamud began to fall. I wasn't scared of it falling.

Alas, I can't remember exactly how it went down.

[aneyeonthepast]

Hah… I suppose it was too big of a thing to try to deal with. More importantly, you survived…

That's a shame. I'd like to know… I'm sure a lot of people would. But- we've got other things to work out, haven't we?

[betterthangarlond]

We do. [ Nero slid down the pants leg again, though... leaving some of the light visible. But he begins to slip off his shirt, just... casually. ] We both have things to figure out.

...What interested you in Allag, boy?