[IC Contact -- Snowblind]

[bookofnope]

[There is a click noise. It sounds as though it might be judging you.]

Comments

[bookofnope]

[He'd known bits and pieces before, but it clicks together now in Beckett's mind. Pandora. Angel's stories of Hyperion. Jack. Well.]

It is a little hard to compare feelings to the loss of all life on a planet. [But that isn't even a reprimand. This is Fiona's point of view and he understands it, but he also understands Rhys, Because people are not reasonable and it's absurd to expect them to be.]

It doesn't matter. It's your brain, and your mind. It's on you to understand what you want and what you are and are not willing to give up for it. Although I also recommend you figure out for yourself why you want it. What is Handsome Jack - no -

[A pause. Another realisation falls into place.]

We're not really talking about Jack, are we? What is the AI to you?

[headjacked]

To me? That's a weird...

[ A weird, but legitimate question, and Rhys falters. The AI isn't his friend. The AI has tried to hurt him. Finds it funny. Ripped what made him him away and was deluded enough to think Rhys was still around.

But that there is the rub, isn't it. ]

... ...I'm his friend. I think. ...shit, that is so messed up.

[bookofnope]

Actually, that's very normal given the circumstances.

[No sarcasm there. If Rhys thinks he's going to phase Beckett with the idea of being friends with someone who's abused and killed you, he has clearly missed some memos.]

Human psychology has a number of names for it. But talking about the pathology of it is reductive. You two share a mind, thoughts, even dreams. You are all he really has. In a sense... I wouldn't be surprised if a part of you believes that he is all you have.

[headjacked]

B-But I didn't say he's my friend! He -- it's different. It is.

[ His skin is crawling. Just a little. ]

None of me believes he's all I have, because I have Angel, and Fhhng... well. [ Chest. Hurts. ] Angel, always.

[bookofnope]

I might be wrong. [Casual tone, if not entirely convinced. But he doesn't want to push. It's a big idea to introduce, one Rhys probably will have to chew at on his own for a while.]

I did say, it is your head. You know it best. I'm only pointing out. The AI and you - even if you fight and have whatever falling out, even if whatever anomaly wanders by, or something else, he is the one person who can't ever leave.

[headjacked]

[ Can't.

Ever.

Leave.

He thought his skin was crawling before. ]

This is why you need to stick with us. We can't just be left with him.

[bookofnope]

Don't hang it on me, Rhys. Your head. I can listen, and I can advise, but the call you make - to keep the AI, remove it, or destroy it - will be your call. And having anyone else around is no substitute to making it.

[That's the tough love part. He stops there for a moment, coughing faintly - same old unhappy sound - before he adds:]

Still... the week I've promised Angel runs out tomorrow. We'll find out if I can rejoin you.

[headjacked]

[ Rhys keeps chewing his tongue 'til it really, really hurts. 'Til Beckett distracts him with the slight topic shift. ]

'If', pfft.

[bookofnope]

It's an "if". [A tiny hint of a warning now. He doesn't want to send Rhys back into Rhysterics, but this conversation is not about false hopes.]

Which is one more reason why you need to master this. You will be much less afraid of being alone when you have faith in yourself.

[headjacked]

Nothing's going to make me stop fearing that.

[ Really, Beckett, not the time to mention that. No Rhysterics, but his voice dips back into pained wavering. ]

[bookofnope]

[It's not going away, baby bird. You gotta face the music eventually.]

Not stop. No. But you can know the fear and control it. Very few people like to be alone. [He hesitates a fraction.] Even I have enough of it now and then. But many don't find their own company to be so disagreeable.