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[ The frown on his face speaks clearly enough – he doesn’t fully buy that explanation. No matter how often he calls himself a machine, Arenvald has a hard time seeing him as one. Mayhap that’s because the machines of his world are so radically different, massive and metal and made for war.

But rather than press the issue, he lets it drop for now. ]

You did worry me. There’s only one of you, you know, and you need to tread with a little more caution.

[Better for the issue to be dropped, anyhow. In the state Connor's in, perhaps this is not a conversation path he wants to walk down.

But that being said, it's hard to argue with Arenvald's logic. There is indeed only one of him. He is, by the very definition of the word, a limited resource.]

I'll do my best. But not pursuing a lead when it's so clearly in front of me is difficult to do. You have to keep in mind it's what I was designed for.

I’m not telling you not to pursue a lead, I’m just asking that you not jump in with both feet before you consider your options and the consequences beforehand.

[ Not that Arenvald hasn’t jumped headlong into danger before, but to his credit, he’s managed to, you know, stay alive. ]

And you don’t have to do that sort of thing by yourself, either.

Are you able to connect to servers directly, Arenvald?

[The words are just... out of his mouth, with a strangely dry intonation that’s beyond his usual appeasing tone. But he wishes he could take them back as soon as he says it; hard to pass anything through his usual filter when his mind is so (01100010 01110010 01101111 01101011 01100101 01101110) fragmented.

His brows pinch together.]

...Sorry. I know that's not what you meant. That is to say, you’re right. The next time I considering doing something risky, I’ll be sure to at least inform you first.

[ Was that… annoyance? Sarcasm? Sarcastic annoyance? It was definitely something, and it is probably the most human reaction he’s managed to draw out of Connor since he’s known him. Rather than being hurt by that tone, it draws a laugh out of him, the sound surprised and amused both. ]

I cannot, but I can read. It’s a library, isn’t it? You ever think of just digging through things the normal way?

[ Another amused noise, a quiet little “heh” that is barely more of an exhale of air. He’s not sure that having warning will make him feel any better, but mayhap he’ll be able to talk Connor out of getting himself killed again, at least. ]

I appreciate it.

[A part of him seems to relax, ever so slightly, upon seeing that Arenvald's taken no offense to his slightly snappish tone. The tension in his brow drains.]

A single person trying to go through all of that data manually? It would take them several lifetimes. More than that.

[The smile he gives him is almost apologetic.]

And it's not the sort of library that you're likely imagining. It's all console screens and organized files. Not a single printed book.

Yes, well – [ he holds up the datapad in his hand, waving it a bit for emphasis ] – I’ve got to get used to it at some point or other.

The point is, if I can help, I will. And if I can’t, hopefully I can help you work out a solution that doesn’t involve you getting hurt.

Right. I have no doubt you'll be able to learn fairly quickly.

[Arenvald might come from a world where the tech isn't nearly as advanced, but that doesn't mean he isn't an intelligent man.

He pauses, and then, seemingly out of the blue:]

You must have a lot of friends back in your world.

[ That does come out of nowhere, and he eases the datapad back down as he casts Connor a curious glance. ]

I suppose. What makes you say that?

Because you're personable, eager to help others, and your outlook is always optimistic. That is the sort of personality that usually attracts friendships, whether meaning to or otherwise.

[Of course, if Connor is wrong about that generalized assessment, he's sure he'll be corrected.

01101000 01100101 00100000 01100011 01100001 01101110 00100111 01110100 00100000 01110000 01101111 01110011 01110011 01101001 01100010 01101100 01111001 00100000 01100010 01100101 00100000 01110111 01110010 01101111 01101110 01100111]

[ Oh, okay that’s. Direct. It’s not the most flattering of observations, sure, but it’s overwhelmingly positive, and the suddenness of it brings a tell-tale warmth to his cheeks. A mote of warmth blossoms in his chest and he knows all too well by now what that means. ]

Wait, not now-!

[ Ah, too late. He’s glowing. Whoops.

Just. The most tired sigh. ]

[He hadn’t meant it to be embarrassing. Not even flattery — a compliment, perhaps, but only in the way that his observations happened to be positive traits defining his character.

So the initial signs of embarrassment are a little surprising to see, as Connor recognizes them blossoming on the other’s face. But that barely has time to register in his mind, when Arenvald starts... glowing.

His LED flickers quite quickly, trying to parse just what’s happening.]

Arenvald, you’re—

[Bright? Shining?]

Luminescent. Is this normal?

[ Luminescent. What a very… Connor way to put it, and he has too laugh, even as embarrassed as he is. ]

It’s normal now. This is my power from Astoria.

[ Thankfully he’s had some time to practice since Rion took him out shopping, and he now knows what it takes to make the light fade. A moment and a deep breath later, he is back to being normal Arenvald, no glowing in sight. ]

Sometimes it sort of kicks on when I’m taken off-guard. I’m… still working on it.

[He blinks once, twice, as if doing his darnedest to associate Arenvald's new glowing ability as a "power". Connor, on instinct, tries to form a list of advantages it might provide on the fly, but the first few lines get caught in a loop, and so he just shakes his head and verbally announces them instead.]

Helpful in dark places. Could be used to... surprise someone with the sudden activation of light. Plants in particular are sure to like you.

[Connor says the last bit with such a straight face that it's hard to tell if it's a joke. (...01001001 01110100 00100000 01101001 01110011 00101110...)]

Sorry, was I wrong in my assessment? [Since he did say this ability kicks in when caught off-guard.]

You really don't have to give me a list of uses.

[ He's been trying to think of ways it could be useful, himself, and a couple of those had been on his own list. (The thing about plants is a new one, though, and he lets out a little "pfft".)

He's just trying to do the best with what he's been given. ]

Er, I don't know. It's more like I'm not used to compliments. It always surprises me.

Your friends don’t compliment you?

[A question very indicative of the fact that his own experience with friendships is limited at best. He knows how they ideally work, but he’s also only 3 months old, and has maybe one person back home he can really consider a friend at all.]

Er. Not like that.

[ He frowns a bit as he tries to figure out how best to explain it. His own experience with friendships that were not built on desperation or a moment of mutual benefit really only started after he joined the Scions. The friends he has made there are nothing if not steadfast. ]

We’ll talk or banter, or exchange congratulations on a job well done when the situation calls for it, but I’ve never been given a list before.

[Uncertain how to parse that -- and yet still fairly sure he hasn't said anything wrong or rude -- Connor pauses. Then he offers a helpful(?):]

I can provide a more thorough one if you like.

What? No, no, no. That’s not… I don’t need a list of any sort, I promise.

[ He motions with his free hand, between himself and Connor. ]

We’re friends, aren’t we?

[Oh. Well, Connor doesn’t have to think long on it — he supposes they do fit the bill.]

I haven’t known you for very long, but we’re on friendly terms. And you’ve been helpful to me when I’ve needed it thus far, so... yes. I would say so.

[His second friend ever! Connor’s just doing so well.]

Assuming you believe the same, and find my company generally positive.

[ Again with the overly-analytical answer. Apparently, this is just how Connor’s brain works, but he’ll get used to it. ]

Of course I consider you a friend. Apart from the people from my own world, you’re the first friend I made here.

So, if you’re my friend, and I’m your friend, that’s all I need to know.

[Confirmation of the fact is good to hear. And Arenvald's perceived simplicity of it is enough to incite a faint chuckle from Connor.]

All right. No need for lists, then, like you said.

[ He gives a firm nod, grinning broadly. ] Right.

All that aside, I guess just let me know whenever you’re ready to go over this.

[ “This” being, of course, the datapad, which he waves in Connor’s direction. ]

Of course. I'm still trying to partition-

[That isn't quite the right word. Rebuild? Categorize? Take lines and lines of information and slowly put fragmented parts together, building his mind back into a reasonable whole?]

I don't know if there's a proper word to explain it. Not like how I am now. But when my mind is right again, I'll come meet you.

[Hopefully. Connor shoves a hand in his pocket, playing again with the quarter faithfully stashed there.]

It shouldn't be more than a couple of days.

[ This is what happens when you let yourself die on the first world hop, Connor. ]

Sounds good enough to me. Be sure to let me know if there's aught you need in the meantime.

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