[me copypasting a note into my threads bc it's going in all of them: scien's changed back into his rumpled outfit except it's probably more obvious than ever than he doesn't have his left arm because the sleeve is just floppily trailing next to him. on that sleeve, there is a new bloodstain on it like it was used to wipe something. help!
but he'll answer plainly because gregor was polite enough to endure his interrogation:]
I'm something called a Reliver, a type of invention I developed in order to fight off the curse that plagues Arpéchéle. Another identical body that carries over memories from the past life, and allows people to live again for another twenty-three year cycle.
Suppose being 23 for that many years answers how long you've been doing it... are there many of you? Or is it not feasible to have more than a smaller number?
The technology is available to anyone who can complete the paperwork process in time, and has the funds for it. It's not necessarily cheap, but I don't think it's prohibitive either if you really make the informed decision early on that you want to be a Reliver.
I wouldn't develop a technology to save lives only to limit it to the wealthy.
[scien actually hates more rich people than not]
About half of our population on the island is Relivers.
[set that up in the city and it would absolutely be only for the very rich or very powerful. or for getting people into debt through those next lives. either, both.]
Well, I don't mind you asking. Can't say I see your position as being that heartless, myself, but I also wouldn't say we process death in a very normal way either...
That, I can't say. But I didn't have many options to begin with.
[...]
The best position you can be in is being protected by a Wing. Living in that corporation's Nest, or even better, working for them... but when that Wing's destroyed, all its feathers go with it. The stigma of working for a fallen Wing like that will follow you anywhere, and if anybody's willing to take you, groveling at their feet's the very least you can do.
I'm not an emotional person to begin with. What happens to me is a result of my actions, and I handle the consequences. None of it matters as long as I'm able to complete my research.
[strangely, somehow, he sounds like he's telling the truth? like the ills of human life really don't touch him]
Aside from being condemned to premature death? No.
On Arpéchéle, I served as their savior. Not many would dare to cross me, when their survival rests in my hands. Some might come to kill me and even succeed, but that still is a result of my choices.
[scien is a huge asshole but at least he's aware of it and knows what trouble he invites? does that count for something?]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
intro saturday
[that was. informative! in some ways more than others, but you know what? he'll take it, honestly.
he does give scien a curious look, though, adding:]
Say, I was wondering. You said you don't really see people my age who look it, so... what are you used to people looking like?
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but he'll answer plainly because gregor was polite enough to endure his interrogation:]
No one on Apréchéle lives past the age of 23.
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[wait a sec.]
Hang on, buddy, isn't that about to be a real problem for you?
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I'm something called a Reliver, a type of invention I developed in order to fight off the curse that plagues Arpéchéle. Another identical body that carries over memories from the past life, and allows people to live again for another twenty-three year cycle.
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[he says, like this is just a normal concept, i hate projmoon]
'Cycle' as in life cycle, or as in the same twenty-three years?
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Life cycle. I haven't bothered to look into time travel yet [y. yet.] though I know some countries are beginning their research.
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[how many people have been 23 for decades]
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I wouldn't develop a technology to save lives only to limit it to the wealthy.
[scien actually hates more rich people than not]
About half of our population on the island is Relivers.
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[set that up in the city and it would absolutely be only for the very rich or very powerful. or for getting people into debt through those next lives. either, both.]
Is it-- strange, living like that?
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[though at the second question, scien's expression turns into an unimpressed one:]
Our society is fairly out of the norm. No one processes death in a reasonable way, and they'd probably be seen as heartless monsters anywhere else.
[a beat]
I don't mind talking, but I won't accept answering questions one-sidedly. Most of what I know about your situation comes from your coworker.
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[oops. he laughs awkwardly, rubbing at his neck.]
Well, I don't mind you asking. Can't say I see your position as being that heartless, myself, but I also wouldn't say we process death in a very normal way either...
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[he agrees way too readily at that, and it does make him wonder - ]
I've heard of how dangerous your line of work is, and the pain that comes with it. So why engage? Duty? Responsibility? Debt?
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[but he will clarify a little further-- scien's been pretty forthcoming, after all.]
They recruited us because it seems like we're especially useful for finding what they need us to find, and we... all have something we need from them.
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[...]
The best position you can be in is being protected by a Wing. Living in that corporation's Nest, or even better, working for them... but when that Wing's destroyed, all its feathers go with it. The stigma of working for a fallen Wing like that will follow you anywhere, and if anybody's willing to take you, groveling at their feet's the very least you can do.
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[scien doesn't mind either way, he just would prefer specifics.]
Does this have to do with the message that the system wrote for you exposing your sad backstory?
[please be nice i'm begging]
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[a degree of 'can't', but also a side of 'won't'. that one's personal since they WON'T TELL US.
he takes the comment relatively in stride, though.]
And-- something like that, yeah. Didn't think it was that sad...
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It was a bit pathetic, but most of those posts were. [thank you scien you bitch] In the end, it only matters how you feel about it.
Unresolved trauma seems like a pain.
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[you good over there, buddy?]
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[strangely, somehow, he sounds like he's telling the truth? like the ills of human life really don't touch him]
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[hello? first of all, how. second of all... how.]
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On Arpéchéle, I served as their savior. Not many would dare to cross me, when their survival rests in my hands. Some might come to kill me and even succeed, but that still is a result of my choices.
[scien is a huge asshole but at least he's aware of it and knows what trouble he invites? does that count for something?]
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[it. counts for something?? at least? gregor isn't sure what it counts for, but he can at least appreciate being upfront with the mad scientist vibe.]
Guess at least you are doing something with your work, too.
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