luministi | ❧ Homeward bound

[Audrey waits outside the door to Lab #3. she smiles--she finally has something to smile properly about again] Go on in if you're ready, and take care, my darlings.

[the door opens to reveal a silver, cylindrical room within, and on the opposite side of the room is a small observation room, walled off with glass through which the real Dr. Constantine Caligin and Verita can be seen, waiting. Caligin moves out of that room, into the main area; the warm smile on his face from so many past announcements is tinged with sadness and regret.]

I heard everything you said before, and I thank you. Saying "I'm sorry" is in no way sufficient enough for what you were put through, but I really hope you do believe me when I say that I made the biggest mistake in my life. Grief, like love, makes us all fools. I just know that if you had met my father, you would have understood why I started the project in the first place.

But now, if you can head into this chamber, I can get you home. If you need a minute to say any last good-byes to anyone, do so now and let me know when you are all set to depart.

[ooc: Once your character is all set to leave, please write "Ready to go home!" in the subject line of your comment.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Yes, we're---connected. He has been known to drop in for dinner on occasion.

Then -- Would I -- If you did do that -- Would I be able to stay with him?

[Oh, Xion.]

But -- How would you do it?

I think so, yes. [he lifts his wrist to show his cuff-links] I have claimed a few times that these are diamonds. I was lying. They're a particular type of crystal used to store data. Record a mind here and you can find it a new home.

And... And, something like this, it's... It's okay?

[It's almost too good to be true.]

[calmly] That depends on your perspective of what makes a person who they are. As I said to the Mayor, I have every intention of preserving my people in a similar way. My people, however, treat death and the connection of the mind to the body in a somewhat different way from how other species do. There's nothing unethical about it, but from a certain point of view, I'm creating a copy of you, then sending the original off to die. Some would argue that the duplicate isn't really you. I completely disagree.

It's your choice, Xion. And it will be a gamble.

What makes a person... [Xion puts her hand over her heart and looks down, eyes closed. After a moment, she speaks again.] The things they think and feel, the memories they cherish, the friends they've made... It's a person's heart that makes them who they are.

But... in that case... It... wouldn't really be me, would it? Because my heart is my own, and it'll go to Sora with the rest of me... [She falls quiet again, thinking, but then her head drops.]

[quietly, gently] It's your decision, Xion. Whatever you think is right.

[It wouldn't be her... Not really. How would she feel, to know she's a copy of a copy? Her memories would live on, but...]

My heart... It won't be gone for good. I'm going to live on in Sora. And... Even though no one else will be able to remember, I will. I'll remember for all of us, and my memories will be there, inside Sora's heart.

[For a moment, he looks . . . sad. Not terribly so, not overbearingly, but his lips turn down just a little, his brows pull inwards, as if they have walked this path countless times before and do not wish to see it again. So he overcomes it, and his is a warm though distant smile.]

I understand. Good luck, Xion.

[Without warning, she rushes forward to hug him tightly. She was planning on doing this anyway, but after that expression...]

Thank you, Mr. Braxiatel, for being so kind to me. I... I appreciate it. So much. I won't forget you.

[Braxiatel is startled by the hug, and obviously so. But he makes himself return it, awkward though it is, and even attempts to ruffle Xion's hair. (He has seen it done on films.)]

And I won't forget you. I hope . . . well, I hope there's hope of a second meeting.

I... I do, too. I hope that one day... I'll see you all again.

Maybe in the next life, you know?

[with a soft smile]

I do know. Yes. Perhaps it will be so.

❧ Homeward bound

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asdlkjfdkf SORRY FOR DELAY

I am no master of punctuality!

\o\ High-five!

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