35th Devotion: Taking Time to Reminisce

[favoritetraitor]

In reflection upon my most recent curse... I have no regrets. The companies I've helped raise from nothing are my children, and so it follows that the people I've recruited into it's fold could also be considered family of a sort.

My heart aches, thinking of Cinq Fleches and the ones I've lost in coming here. The ones I've abandoned...

... my lost family.

To my devoted employees, can you truly blame me for elevating you to such a role? Even cursed as I was, it was blissful to feel such a bond once again (even as fleeting as it was). Blissful, even with the resistance that some of you offered me in return. For no family is without some internal struggle. Blissful, because of the ones who patronized my madness... for what does family do but to support one another in good times as well as bad? My thanks... I honestly wouldn't mind doing this again sometime...

[Private to Saya]
Do you know this feeling, Saya? The complete and utter adoration and devotion to a small one of your own creation? For a time... I thought I was a father. I think I'd make a very good one... someday. We'd have such beautiful children, Saya... please don't discount me. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your family. I will do my best to prove myself worthy...

[Private to Xemnas and Zexion]
And of course I wish for you both to disregard my comments about abandoning your projects with the darkness. I have no intentions of stopping now and would like for you to resume immediately. Please provide me with an update as to how soon we may begin our first true test. I shall drop everything I'm working on to be there.

[Private to Kincaid]
I have to say that your choice of arguing with me during my curse does not warrant any additional payment for your services. Thankfully, I don't believe I disclosed anything of too sensitive a nature to the network. But I am hopeful that you will be more diligent in the future...

Comments

[Private]

[letxequalnull.livejournal.com]

Even had you not rescinded your request I likely would have gone on with what I have already begun. Science is never precisely safe, more so when one is dealing with the elements that are required in this.

However, it is good to hear that you have no intention of halting what has begun. As for how long it will be before the first test can begin, that is a little uncertain. I do have the first prototype of the containment field, but at the moment it runs on my own personal power stores and I would be unable to keep it up as long as we needed without a serious drain on the same and matters are currently such that I cannot afford such a thing.

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

Of course...

Then you rely upon an outside circle of friends in which to become close to?

today is my day for threadjacking, apparently.

[i-themagician.livejournal.com]

'... This whole "family" concept?'

Dr. Brennan, please tell me you're joking.

[i-themagician.livejournal.com]

I'm actually a bit flattered.

aaaaaah!!!! /is threadjacked

[phdinbones.livejournal.com]

No, I'm not.

Private

[hematophagy.livejournal.com]

If you'd like.

[phdinbones.livejournal.com]

No.

[valentineluke.livejournal.com]

You are under no obligation to fill my dance card.

[Private]

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

Oh really? Am I to believe then that you would go against your employer's express wishes if you deem our requests unreasonable? Perhaps you aren't seeing the extent of the benefits of what you can achieve with us, my dear Xemnas...

I prize loyalty above all else, and reward it accordingly.

As for the project, I don't see any of this to be an issue. I can provide you with whatever you need. Doesn't that have value to you?

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

That is quite true. Although it might amuse me to honor it...

Private

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

I'll wrap things up here and head home. I should be there within an hour, I think... should I pick anything up on the way to the apartment?

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

Personally, I'd find that too isolating for my own comfort... perhaps you should try to see ARTEMIS as a type of family after all. You'd be most welcome...

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

I meant it a most sincere compliment. I've come to value all of you greatly.

I do it out of love <3

[i-themagician.livejournal.com]

You really don't understand the concept of family?

[phdinbones.livejournal.com]

Thank you, but I prefer to view it as it is -- a collection of my coworkers.

/rubs bruise XP <3

[phdinbones.livejournal.com]

I understand the concept of family, yes. But I don't understand the desire to create an artificial family out of a group of people completely unrelated.

[Private]

[letxequalnull.livejournal.com]

Not in the least and I apologize if it came off that way. However, it seemed to me as if you were operating under the effects of a curse at the time and should it have continued I would have been perfectly willing to accept whatever you desired. I would be a fool indeed to go against the whims of my employer here; more so in a matter such as this.

However the matters of my own Organization do require that I interact directly with the same darkness you expressed disinterest in, and as I do not count that as being a part of my work for ARTEMIS I was considering it to not count under that restriction that you had given. If I was wrong to do so, again, I offer my sincerest apologies.

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

Well, it's always there for you, should you choose to change your mind.

[holymadonna.livejournal.com]

Here, Doctor Solomon? Do you have someone you call family? Thank you for your thoughts.

[i-themagician.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Solomon; I think the feeling is mutual.

[Private] 1/2

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

[i-themagician.livejournal.com]

I don't understand why not, if those people felt strongly connected to one another.

[Private]

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

I accept your apology. I would hate for there to ever be any kind of problem between us... I'm certain that you would not want this either.

So, now that we are clear... we can put all of this behind us, and continue in good standing with one another.

I have to say that your interaction with me while I was cursed, pleased me. I think you could have a prominent position within ARTEMIS, should you continue doing as you have been. And since you bring it up... this other Organization of yours... have you spoken with the other members that are in the City? I'm curious as to whether they would join us...

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

Yes... there are a few people I feel close to... I'm fortunate.

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

Perhaps I've been remiss in not spending more time getting to know you, Clow. I would love to have the opportunity to discuss your world and vast knowledge in Magic.

Could I treat you to dinner sometime?