xxx λ thinking

[assemblatore]

[There's that familiar-yet-unfamiliar Italian accent, deeper than usual:]

My time here has been short, and yet in that time I have seen things unfathomable to the people of my time... things that I find relieving, and things that I find deeply troubling. Men are not made to weather such changes in such a brief time, but I have enjoyed it for what it is, and will continue to do so.

Interesting, too, to get a better understanding of history, and the legacies that have been left by the most influential people of my time. Strange that some I thought would would be spoken of for centuries barely register with the people of the future, and others have risen out of nowhere.

[sigh]

I wonder what those men would have done differently, had they only possessed the gift of foresight. But at the same time, who can say history might have happened any differently, given man's inherent weakness, his proclivity towards selfishness and opportunity, even at the cost of another's? I should like to think it is different in the future, where good will towards men is readily taught, but in my time, who can blame a man for stepping on others to avoid starvation if none have taught him a greater morality and code of ethics? Even if he had received instruction, could a virtuous constitution prevent a man from becoming tyrants? I do not feel it is possible.

I would also like to believe that suffering is always worth someth––

[A pause to having a considerable coughing fit, though one muffled by his sleeve.]

Ah... What was I saying? It matters little. I am sure I have worn this topic thin over the years, and I am weary of it.

[A pause.]

It is unfortunate that my memories of this place are clouded by age. I would have liked to better remember what it was like to be a young man in this place.

Comments

[secondchances]

Be careful, people might start sharing stories about you being a young man in this place.

[assemblatore]

If there are enough people familiar with my escapades to tell stories, then I have been too careless.

[secondchances]

I won't argue with you there. Some are pretty funny, though.

Are you busy, Ezio?

[He's very much her elder, now, so she can't help but be a little more polite. It's no longer HEY WE'RE DOING SOMETHING, GET READY.

Still, it's freakin' weird.]

[assemblatore]

No, I am just reading. Did you need something?

[secondchances]

Just some company, if you're willing. Would you like to go for a walk? Or something else, if [you're too old] that doesn't sound appealing.

[assemblatore]

A walk would be nice, Stephanie.

[Also excuse you, he does the fucking harvest every year.]

[secondchances]

Great. I'll be over in a few minutes. It's kinda cold outside, so here's your warning.

STEPHANIE BROWN

[luthored]

[ OH MY GOD CAPSLOCK AND THREADJACKING BECAUSE SHE'S HYPERVENTILATING INTO A BAG. ]

Is this permanent? Did he really go home?

LANA

[secondchances]

[Oh, good, someone she can share her freaking out with... though by now, she sounds a little resigned.]

I... I don't know. I can't tell. He's been like this for around a week, already, but sometimes losses last longer than that. So... I don't know.

[It could be like Damian, or it could be like Lucrezia. Who knows?]

STEPHANIIIEEE

[luthored]

[ DREAMS CRUSHED. Where's the other Italian? ]

Have you spent a lot of time with him like this?

LAAAANAAAAA

[secondchances]

I've been keeping an eye on him. But, you know, trying to not make it totally obvious I'm making sure he doesn't fall and can't get up...

Stephanie

[luthored]

Is he really that bad?

[ Sudden flashbacks to those nurse jokes. Now she could flipping cry (or laugh uncomfortable) over them, holy crap. ]

Lana

[secondchances]

He's... old. He knows it, at least. He's not going to be climbing buildings or doing anything reckless when you take your eyes off him. [Thank god he grew out of that.]

But you heard that cough. He can't handle stairs. It takes him time to do things. I think he's in good shape for being in his sixties, given the time he comes from, but I wouldn't leave him alone for too long. [Worryworryworry.]

dictated;

[luthored]

[ This is too weird. She wants to avoid this. Like, forever.

But she can't.

Just try to sound neutral, Lana. You can do this! ]

Definitely unfortunate, but it sounds like you've had a lot more important things to think over.

That cough doesn't sound good. Are you sick?

dictated;

[assemblatore]

{Ah, Lana. A voice from a distant past.]

Too much to think about, at that.

[But he clears his throat properly.]

No, no. Just old. This cough has plagued me since I fell ill years ago. The rest of my recovered, but my lungs did not.

dictated;

[luthored]

[ Oh yay, something else to be depressed about. At least he can't get any worse here! ]

I'm sure there's something that can be done to ease the symptoms, at least. Have you been to the clinic here since, um...

[ Awkwardsauce. ]

...returning?

dictated;

[assemblatore]

[Aging sucks, Lana.]

No, I have not.

dictated;

[luthored]

You should. It might help.

Dictated;

[assemblatore]

I will consider it.

[No he won't, fuck doctors lol.]

dictated;

[persequor]

Doesn't matter where or when you're from. Not enough people are true or remain so. [ Except for those freaking ponies, but they're just an aberration. ]

dictated;

[assemblatore]

[Amused. She sounds young!]

You would blame human nature, then?

dictated;

[persequor]

A snake in motley is a snake still. It might try to hide, but the fangs out eventually. For all people here like to claim theirs is better, people are people. People are terrible.

dictated;

[assemblatore]

[He likes this kid immediately.]

You're clever.

And what of the snake who tries to defy his nature? Is he to be commended for his attempt, even if he is doomed to fail?

dictated;

[persequor]

That depends.

dictated;

[assemblatore]

Depends on what?