[He was partnered with a very sarcastic human back in Detroit; he's immune to Cayde's, and the words might as well have slid off of his back like water off of a duck.
But at the admission of this being a very serious situation, filled with unknowns and a uselessness that Connor can't seem to completely compartmentalize, he pauses. Has no immediate response, instead taking time for words to fall into place.]
Yes. I know. And I'm trying to help, regardless. But there are some here who-
[He swallows thickly. Speaking of that very sarcastic human-]
When we received the new influx of arrivals, one of my friends was among their number. He's grown ill as well.
[That moment of silence that stretches between them feels far too long; it may have only been a fraction of a second, but it's enough to make Cayde wary. Yes, this is serious. Acknowledging it feels awkward, especially given that his original goal was to convince Connor away from this frenetic spiral of guilt and self-blame that he seems to be trudging towards.
Cayde's about to speak, to try to come up with something just to break some of the unease that's starting to settle low in his gut, but then Connor speaks and there's now a whole slew of new questions to be answered.]
You are helping.
[Sincerity there, he can be serious when he needs to be. Suddenly things make a little more sense.]
You're helping, and if you got someone from back home I'm sure you're helping him too. And that's the way we should be looking, forward, y'know? Not at shoulda coulda, but what we're doing now.
[A beat.]
And I hope he's doing alright. Seeing how you're playing nurse to everyone so much, I gotta say I'm pretty sure he's going to be fine. You're doing a damn good job keeping this place functional.
[The innate part of him wants to cling to that, the composition of his personality desperately adhering to the notion of making an effort that means something. The other half simply runs on observation, can see just how much of an impact his work seem to actually be making, and the two conflict with each other in a feedback loop that keeps cycling viciously in the back of his mind.
But Cayde’s reassurance, even if it may prove only temporary, is enough to tip the scales in one direction. The slow turn of an axis, allowing Connor to agree. Even if results are not as pronounced as he’d like.]
…Thank you, Cayde. I know it’s more beneficial to look forward instead of back.
[But sometimes it’s difficult; that much doesn’t need saying.]
Regarding my friend, it’s… complicated. He isn’t inclined to accept my help, given the disparity of time between us, but that doesn’t mean I won’t continue to offer it.
[There's a special kind of relief to hear Connor relent, even if it's only for a moment or two. Getting circuits crossed and so wound up in everything could never end well, and Cayde would be damned if he didn't look out for a fellow mechanical. He remembers the discussion they'd had when he'd first arrived, the way deviant had hung in the air, the calm mention of programming and emotions, and the fact that now Connor sounds so tired...it sets a precedent for things to go down a road that Cayde wouldn't wish on anyone. They may have been universes separated, but there's still a discomfort in thinking about the cyclical logic and fallacies that can catch their kind in downward spirals.]
I only say it because it's true. You've been working your butt off; it's impressive, really.
[It is, especially because all of this seems so unknown and yet Connor is still pressing on ahead.
The next part, however, gives him pause and it's a moment before he speaks again.]
'Disparity of time'. So...weird timestream stuff? Or just the fact that he's new? Either way, good on you for keeping an eye on him if he's sick. No matter how stubborn people can be, we always gotta look out for 'em, right?
[Hank is a friend; that much won't change. Even if the man didn't consider him the same, even if he looked at him with disgust or disdain, wanting nothing to do with him.]
To answer your question, he's a few days ahead. We've worked a few cases since then, which he naturally doesn't remember.
Huh. So timeline stuff, didn't realize that this place had the ability to do that. Kinda ominous, now that I think about it.
[How weird would it be for someone to show up and just...not remember things? Eerie, really, if he's being honest. Connor is made of some strong stuff.]
Either way, evil magic temple stuff aside, it's good to have a familiar face, right? Well, okay, the sick part isn't good, but you're doing a good job taking care of everyone so you gotta be doing a good job with him.
[He has little choice in the matter. Made to push forward, and so he'll push forward. Made to problem-solve, and so maybe he'll... eventually solve this little issue of Hank not wanting anything to do with him.
Hopefully.]
I would be lying if I said it wasn't reassuring to see him -- at the same time, I wouldn't have wished for his presence here if it only proved to be too jarring for him to comprehend. No one, I think, should be so thoroughly taken from their homes without due warning.
[That prompts a browplate raise, even as invisible as it is over the network.]
I mean, you pretty much described all of us there, bud. I don't think anyone was lining up to get dumped into some old-time temple and get sent to various corners of the universe. Even if it is kinda fun.
[Still.]
Give him some time? If he's sick, that's probably messing with his head and you know how people get when they're not feeling well.
Sometimes it's the best thing, even if it does really kind of suck. I'm sure he'll come around and whatever; in the meantime, don't run yourself ragged alright? You're doing good work helping everyone out, but that's not going to mean much if you fritz out and take yourself out of commission.
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But at the admission of this being a very serious situation, filled with unknowns and a uselessness that Connor can't seem to completely compartmentalize, he pauses. Has no immediate response, instead taking time for words to fall into place.]
Yes. I know. And I'm trying to help, regardless. But there are some here who-
[He swallows thickly. Speaking of that very sarcastic human-]
When we received the new influx of arrivals, one of my friends was among their number. He's grown ill as well.
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Cayde's about to speak, to try to come up with something just to break some of the unease that's starting to settle low in his gut, but then Connor speaks and there's now a whole slew of new questions to be answered.]
You are helping.
[Sincerity there, he can be serious when he needs to be. Suddenly things make a little more sense.]
You're helping, and if you got someone from back home I'm sure you're helping him too. And that's the way we should be looking, forward, y'know? Not at shoulda coulda, but what we're doing now.
[A beat.]
And I hope he's doing alright. Seeing how you're playing nurse to everyone so much, I gotta say I'm pretty sure he's going to be fine. You're doing a damn good job keeping this place functional.
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But Cayde’s reassurance, even if it may prove only temporary, is enough to tip the scales in one direction. The slow turn of an axis, allowing Connor to agree. Even if results are not as pronounced as he’d like.]
…Thank you, Cayde. I know it’s more beneficial to look forward instead of back.
[But sometimes it’s difficult; that much doesn’t need saying.]
Regarding my friend, it’s… complicated. He isn’t inclined to accept my help, given the disparity of time between us, but that doesn’t mean I won’t continue to offer it.
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I only say it because it's true. You've been working your butt off; it's impressive, really.
[It is, especially because all of this seems so unknown and yet Connor is still pressing on ahead.
The next part, however, gives him pause and it's a moment before he speaks again.]
'Disparity of time'. So...weird timestream stuff? Or just the fact that he's new? Either way, good on you for keeping an eye on him if he's sick. No matter how stubborn people can be, we always gotta look out for 'em, right?
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[Hank is a friend; that much won't change. Even if the man didn't consider him the same, even if he looked at him with disgust or disdain, wanting nothing to do with him.]
To answer your question, he's a few days ahead. We've worked a few cases since then, which he naturally doesn't remember.
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[How weird would it be for someone to show up and just...not remember things? Eerie, really, if he's being honest. Connor is made of some strong stuff.]
Either way, evil magic temple stuff aside, it's good to have a familiar face, right? Well, okay, the sick part isn't good, but you're doing a good job taking care of everyone so you gotta be doing a good job with him.
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Hopefully.]
I would be lying if I said it wasn't reassuring to see him -- at the same time, I wouldn't have wished for his presence here if it only proved to be too jarring for him to comprehend. No one, I think, should be so thoroughly taken from their homes without due warning.
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I mean, you pretty much described all of us there, bud. I don't think anyone was lining up to get dumped into some old-time temple and get sent to various corners of the universe. Even if it is kinda fun.
[Still.]
Give him some time? If he's sick, that's probably messing with his head and you know how people get when they're not feeling well.
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“Give him his space for now”, is what it’s amounted to. I see the reasoning behind it. I’ll try.
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