[It doesn't help when those minds are, more often than not, conflicting with one another. No wonder Rey can be so contradictory at times.
[Tension makes its way back into Rey's shoulders at Nick's words, her eyes fixed on the floor. What would be considered a comfort to some is unsettling for her to hear.]
Don't think you'd want that. All I seem to do is hurt my family.
[Even the brother she speaks so fondly of has been hurt by her in one of the worst ways imaginable.]
[Rey might have a point. She did say she killed her mother, and she might do do worse to her father, if given the chance. Chances are the latter deserves it. But does that mean Rey is incapable of having a family? Should she be denied the chance for one because of what she's done, or what she is?]
You know, I didn't take much stock into the whole 'family' thing until that dream. I'd just resigned myself to not having any. They were something the original Nick might have, but not me. Wasn't sure you could even consider synths as related. They say you don't get to pick your family, but I think I will all the same.
[Rey cants her head towards Nick, though not enough that she's looking him in the eye.]
There's really nothing I can say to make you change your mind, is there?
[Her voice cracks, and she says this as she rubs the side of her face. When she tries this speaking thing again, it's even harder to keep her tone level.]
It isn't that I don't appreciate what you're saying. It means a lot to me. Just, like I said -- I don't want to hurt you.
[But you know how the old song goes. You always hurt the ones you love.]
[His brow knits in visible concern; Rey sounds so genuinely torn over the fact Nick considers her close, maybe close enough to be some kind of surrogate family. It's a new feeling for him, but one that he finds he likes the more he thinks on it. He has friends in Diamond City, folks he'd consider more than acquaintances... but no one like him, no other synth, no one with memories of ghosts of the past.
Nick has an opportunity to connect with someone who understands him in a way no one else can, and he's not about to let it pass him by. He helps who needs help. That's how he ultimately ended up as a detective in Diamond City, and that's how he got so close to Rey in the first place.
And here she is, wanting something, but afraid to have it. So, despite her reservations, he's determined to make this work -- for both of them.]
Thankfully, the Institute made me pretty sturdy. And pretty stubborn, given the personality they loaded into me. But if it worries you that much, being friends is just fine by me. No need to think of it as much more than that.
[Some people are guarded, careful who they let in, who they let get close. While Rey did open the door to him, he doesn't want to overstep his boundaries.]
[It does worry her, but not in the same way Nick would think. Rey has torn apart so many families over the decades. Orphaned children, widowed spouses, deprived youths of their future... Sometimes she even enjoyed it, depending on who she was. It was fun. After all of that, what right does she have to a family of her own? And yet, it's a hard thing not to truly want -- to have something that'll keep her going, if she deserves even that.
[For a moment, she lets her thoughts stew in a contemplative silence, mulling over Nick's words and the implications evident behind them. Probably the only thing keeping her from telling him off is the fact that he may need this just about as much as she does. What a strange feeling, that.
[Hands sliding into her lap, Rey reels back against the cushion of the couch, positioning herself shoulder-to-shoulder with Nick so she isn't practically hiding her face from him anymore. With a heavy exhale through her nose, she nods absentmindedly.]
No, it's fine. I'm fine. [She glances to him out the corner of her eye.] Thanks to you.
[She owes him that much. What damage is a little familial bond going to do, anyway?
[There's relief in the smile he gives her, but uncertainty, too. As much as he'd like to accept at face value that Rey's as fine as she insists, he knows better. It'll take time to adjust, but maybe the idea will grow on her the way it's grown on him.
He gives her a sideways glance as he leans back further, digging into the pocket of his pants and retrieving a screwdriver.]
I just did what was needed. I think we both needed it.
[Rey is about as "fine" as she ever could be, being in a place like this. But hey, at least she's not back in her own world with a rebar stuck in her chest. Or worse. So one might say she's doing pretty damn great here.
[Her mouth tugs into only the slightest hint of a smile. Now that Nick has seen her laugh, though, it's not like she has anything to hide.]
You "just did what was needed", huh? [She snorts again.] Sure, you keep telling yourself that.
[She's mostly implying that he's probably doing this a little for himself as much as he is for her as well. Not that it's a bad thing. He did say he was being selfish earlier, too.
[Perhaps it's okay to be a little selfish sometimes, regardless of the body count you've got to your name.
[She turns her head then as Nick extracts the screwdriver.] You know, you put a whole new meaning to the term "loose screw".
[Nick keeps smiling, neither confirming nor denying what Rey already knows regarding his interest in her. He's glad he can trust someone so similar to him, someone who knows a bit about the unique problems he's dealt with since his awakening. He just hopes he can do the same for her... though from the looks of it, he already is.
They may be trapped in Hadriel, but things aren't always so bad, as much as he might not admit it. He starts adjusting a screw in his bare hand, flexing his fingers to check the tightness.]
Heh. Trust me, nothing complicates a hostage situation like a stiff trigger finger.
[One never knows when such experience will come in handy.
Nick does a few more adjustments on his hand, wondering to himself if Hope has stocked any oil or grease in his stores. He finally gets his fingers moving to his satisfaction -- that pinky will just have to be a little sticky for now. He gets to his feet, tucking his screwdriver away.].
[Rey would be grateful, too, if not for the... you know. Synth thing. Something in which she's willing to overlook in Nick's case. Because he's Nick, and at least he doesn't have the same type of mental cases that the synthetics from Rey's world deal with.
[That she's aware of, anyway.
[She falls silent as he gets up, studying the way he tunes the joints in his own hand. She frowns.]
I apologize if, or when, I say certain things that are... off. Will try to work on it, since we're going to be living together.
[Doubtfully she needs to explain what those "certain things" are, even if it's likely that he's probably used to it.]
[There is a moment where Nick isn't entirely sure what she means, but he puts it together quickly, given the topic. He flexes his fingers a few times, his pinky visibly sticking as he gives her a reassuring look.]
I'll let you know if you cross a line, but I appreciate the effort. I've been called just about everything you can imagine over the years, so this synthetic skin has gotten pretty thick. I'm just grateful you didn't leave me in that box when we first met.
[While Rey could comment on the visible state of Nick's supposedly thick synthetic skin, she remains sincere for a moment.]
Would be lying if I said I hadn't thought about it at the time. [Not that she'd have known before she had dug him out of that hole, but she could've easily rescinded her goodwill with some old fashioned violence. Good thing it didn't come to that.
[She huffs.] Somehow, though, that... doesn't make me feel much better.
[If anything, it makes her more ashamed for starting out as one of those people, adding to that abuse he's probably so used to. She should've been better than that. But history so often likes to repeat itself.]
[His smile fades with that reassuring look, replaced by an apologetic one. He finds it easy to make light of their meeting, but it's apparently a sore spot for her.]
[Apparently, it's more sore than even Rey thought.]
In my world, I was repurposed for more than just war. I was to hate, track, and kill synthetics. Everything about this goes against what I was written for.
[She pauses, biting her lip. Because she isn't the only one here who's contradicted what was intended for her.]
But like you said, it's in the past. I'll make it work.
[Things change. And she's been alive long enough to experience that change herself.]
[Forgive Rey while she's still getting used to this whole "partnership" thing. She's more prone to working solo. At least, most of her past selves are.
[She hesitates, before rising from the couch as well to meet Nick at sort-of-eye-level.]
All right. We'll make it work, then. [She manages the hint of a simper.] It... sounds nice. Together.
[Not something that she's used to. But then, that's a good thing. Rey is used to some pretty horrible things.]
[As is Nick, unfortunately. They'll both have to get used to this world that is, in some ways, better than the ones they come from, even with its flaws. He gives her a reaffirming nod, glad to hear her agree.]
Together.
[They're partners in this, as synths and roommates. They'll make it work, watching out for one another in the meantime.
He heads for the stairs, flexing his fingers again.]
Think I'll head out for a bit after I get my coat, see if I can't find some oil in the stores. You need anything?
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I might not even have a brother anymore, and that's if he really did exist in the first place. Hell, I'd say you're as close to family as I've got.
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[Tension makes its way back into Rey's shoulders at Nick's words, her eyes fixed on the floor. What would be considered a comfort to some is unsettling for her to hear.]
Don't think you'd want that. All I seem to do is hurt my family.
[Even the brother she speaks so fondly of has been hurt by her in one of the worst ways imaginable.]
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You know, I didn't take much stock into the whole 'family' thing until that dream. I'd just resigned myself to not having any. They were something the original Nick might have, but not me. Wasn't sure you could even consider synths as related. They say you don't get to pick your family, but I think I will all the same.
[And so he's picked his.]
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There's really nothing I can say to make you change your mind, is there?
[Her voice cracks, and she says this as she rubs the side of her face. When she tries this speaking thing again, it's even harder to keep her tone level.]
It isn't that I don't appreciate what you're saying. It means a lot to me. Just, like I said -- I don't want to hurt you.
[But you know how the old song goes. You always hurt the ones you love.]
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Nick has an opportunity to connect with someone who understands him in a way no one else can, and he's not about to let it pass him by. He helps who needs help. That's how he ultimately ended up as a detective in Diamond City, and that's how he got so close to Rey in the first place.
And here she is, wanting something, but afraid to have it. So, despite her reservations, he's determined to make this work -- for both of them.]
Thankfully, the Institute made me pretty sturdy. And pretty stubborn, given the personality they loaded into me. But if it worries you that much, being friends is just fine by me. No need to think of it as much more than that.
[Some people are guarded, careful who they let in, who they let get close. While Rey did open the door to him, he doesn't want to overstep his boundaries.]
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[For a moment, she lets her thoughts stew in a contemplative silence, mulling over Nick's words and the implications evident behind them. Probably the only thing keeping her from telling him off is the fact that he may need this just about as much as she does. What a strange feeling, that.
[Hands sliding into her lap, Rey reels back against the cushion of the couch, positioning herself shoulder-to-shoulder with Nick so she isn't practically hiding her face from him anymore. With a heavy exhale through her nose, she nods absentmindedly.]
No, it's fine. I'm fine. [She glances to him out the corner of her eye.] Thanks to you.
[She owes him that much. What damage is a little familial bond going to do, anyway?
[Best just not to think about it too much.]
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He gives her a sideways glance as he leans back further, digging into the pocket of his pants and retrieving a screwdriver.]
I just did what was needed. I think we both needed it.
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[Her mouth tugs into only the slightest hint of a smile. Now that Nick has seen her laugh, though, it's not like she has anything to hide.]
You "just did what was needed", huh? [She snorts again.] Sure, you keep telling yourself that.
[She's mostly implying that he's probably doing this a little for himself as much as he is for her as well. Not that it's a bad thing. He did say he was being selfish earlier, too.
[Perhaps it's okay to be a little selfish sometimes, regardless of the body count you've got to your name.
[She turns her head then as Nick extracts the screwdriver.] You know, you put a whole new meaning to the term "loose screw".
[Like she's one to talk.]
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They may be trapped in Hadriel, but things aren't always so bad, as much as he might not admit it. He starts adjusting a screw in his bare hand, flexing his fingers to check the tightness.]
Heh. Trust me, nothing complicates a hostage situation like a stiff trigger finger.
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[She's teasing him, of course, remembering very clearly what he had told her about his situation before coming here.]
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I imagine your hand doesn't need oiling like this one does, either. At least only one of those happens on a regular basis.
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Not really. [Her bodies have been capable of producing a type of oily substance on their own, but wow. Awkward.]
How often do you require upkeep?
[She's asking because of Reasons.]
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[He suspects nothing yet.]
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["Yet" being the key word here.]
Let me know if you ever need anything special done? I can always see what I can salvage around here. [Or ask Hope to magic it up for her, but shhh.]
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[He chuckles, but he means that. Given their unfamiliarity with humans, Nick has no doubt the gods would have no idea about his inner workings.]
What I will do is let you know if I need a hand somewhere I can't reach.
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[Yeahhh, she had to make pretty specific notes.
[She nods.] Deal. You may be a bit different from the synths where I'm from, but there are a lot of similarities, too.
[It's almost like it was a "good thing" that she'd taken some of them apart.]
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[One never knows when such experience will come in handy.
Nick does a few more adjustments on his hand, wondering to himself if Hope has stocked any oil or grease in his stores. He finally gets his fingers moving to his satisfaction -- that pinky will just have to be a little sticky for now. He gets to his feet, tucking his screwdriver away.].
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[Rey would be grateful, too, if not for the... you know. Synth thing. Something in which she's willing to overlook in Nick's case. Because he's Nick, and at least he doesn't have the same type of mental cases that the synthetics from Rey's world deal with.
[That she's aware of, anyway.
[She falls silent as he gets up, studying the way he tunes the joints in his own hand. She frowns.]
I apologize if, or when, I say certain things that are... off. Will try to work on it, since we're going to be living together.
[Doubtfully she needs to explain what those "certain things" are, even if it's likely that he's probably used to it.]
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I'll let you know if you cross a line, but I appreciate the effort. I've been called just about everything you can imagine over the years, so this synthetic skin has gotten pretty thick. I'm just grateful you didn't leave me in that box when we first met.
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Would be lying if I said I hadn't thought about it at the time. [Not that she'd have known before she had dug him out of that hole, but she could've easily rescinded her goodwill with some old fashioned violence. Good thing it didn't come to that.
[She huffs.] Somehow, though, that... doesn't make me feel much better.
[If anything, it makes her more ashamed for starting out as one of those people, adding to that abuse he's probably so used to. She should've been better than that. But history so often likes to repeat itself.]
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Rey...
[He sighs, kicking himself.]
It's in the past, and things are different now.
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In my world, I was repurposed for more than just war. I was to hate, track, and kill synthetics. Everything about this goes against what I was written for.
[She pauses, biting her lip. Because she isn't the only one here who's contradicted what was intended for her.]
But like you said, it's in the past. I'll make it work.
[Things change. And she's been alive long enough to experience that change herself.]
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Hey. We'll make this work. You're not alone, remember? We're in this together now.
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[Forgive Rey while she's still getting used to this whole "partnership" thing. She's more prone to working solo. At least, most of her past selves are.
[She hesitates, before rising from the couch as well to meet Nick at sort-of-eye-level.]
All right. We'll make it work, then. [She manages the hint of a simper.] It... sounds nice. Together.
[Not something that she's used to. But then, that's a good thing. Rey is used to some pretty horrible things.]
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Together.
[They're partners in this, as synths and roommates. They'll make it work, watching out for one another in the meantime.
He heads for the stairs, flexing his fingers again.]
Think I'll head out for a bit after I get my coat, see if I can't find some oil in the stores. You need anything?
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