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

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

My... compulsion? Well, that's the prime objective of ARTEMIS to find out, isn't it? Forgive me for asking, but have you been untouched by what the citizens of this City call 'curses'?

[phdinbones.livejournal.com]

So far, yes. But you still seem affected by this whole "family" concept, despite the curse being over.

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

Ah, I see. Well, isn't it 'human nature' to want to procreate and have families? Perhaps I'm merely feeling my own 'mortality' as of late.

[ooc: He is soooo smirking as he's typing this. The irony, the half lies...]

[phdinbones.livejournal.com]

That's psychology. I try to avoid explanations that rely on "human nature," considering the impossibility of separating what is "natural" and what is culturally constructed.

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

Hm. I see. Well then... biologically speaking, you can't deny a person's physical needs to reproduce the species, and the sense of devotion parents have once they do sire children.

I believe you had mentioned your own father and a brother? Was your family not close?

You don't by any chance happen to be an android? I met one recently... a most amazing specimen.

[phdinbones.livejournal.com]

Those are myths. I for one have absolutely no desire to procreate, nor are all parents devoted to their children. Plenty of parents horribly abuse their offspring or simply abandon them.

My parents left me and my brother when I was fifteen, and my brother abandoned me shortly thereafter.

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

Ah, I see... that explains alot. My condolences...

It's true that mankind is capable of the most horrendous atrocities. You have no idea...

I can understand if you feel no maternal instincts yourself, given your background. But is it so hard for you to understand another's longing for such a thing?

I realize it's not a logical thing... but human instinct is to be a part of a group, not a solitary creature. It's only in rare incidents that one goes against this drive.

[phdinbones.livejournal.com]

I understand the desire for a family. But that doesn't make coworkers family.

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

There are many shared traits between family and coworkers. Frankly, I'm surprised that you don't understand this, considering that you undoubtedly place a great deal of value on your work. People form bonds with those they surround themselves, whether they are blood related, personal friends, or coworkers who become friends.

It's merely semantics. Family, friends... I find that sometimes, it's best 'choosing' who you call kin.

[phdinbones.livejournal.com]

I find it best to maintain certain boundaries with my coworkers.

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

Of course...

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

[phdinbones.livejournal.com]

No.

[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...

[phdinbones.livejournal.com]

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

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

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

today is my day for threadjacking, apparently.

[i-themagician.livejournal.com]

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

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

aaaaaah!!!! /is threadjacked

[phdinbones.livejournal.com]

No, I'm not.

I do it out of love <3

[i-themagician.livejournal.com]

You really don't understand the concept of family?

/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.

[i-themagician.livejournal.com]

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