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[heartlessglitch]

I require an explanation.

[ Danger holds up a little handwritten note, on which a series of ones and zeroes is written out neatly in elegant purple script. The note reads: 01011001 01101111 01110101 00100000 01100001 01110010 01100101 00100000 01101101 01101001 01101110 01100101 00101110, which may or may not mean anything to anyone besides herself. ]

I have been told that this is what humans call a "valentine."
I assume this is in reference to the commercial holiday, which I find to be both wasteful and beside the point.

[ She finally lowers the note. Even in her metal body, her face is clearly unamused-- possibly borderline suspicious. ]

Perhaps it is simply that my understanding of human courting methods is lacking.
But I fail to see how this is "romantic."
Particularly when the sender remains anonymous.
And I am uncertain how to respond.

Comments

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[heartlessglitch]

He understands me, to a point.
I find our conversations enlightening, and given that you are a mutual acquaintance, it seemed a logical enough discussion.
Now that we are housemates, perhaps we will have such a discussion again.

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[slightlyoffchilt]

That seems unnecessary. Abel Gideon has a talent for using people -- what he cultivates with you could prove detrimental.

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[heartlessglitch]

The same could easily be said of you, Doctor.

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[slightlyoffchilt]

Then why continue to engage me? If you believe that.

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[heartlessglitch]

[ a slight pause. then, maybe with a surprising honesty: ]

Perhaps I believe you may also be capable of understanding me.

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[slightlyoffchilt]

Good. [More confidently:] You're an egotist, just like any other human. We crave identity and reflection, because we can be so easily defined by our environment.

And that can be so infuriating.

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[heartlessglitch]

[ simply: ]

Yes.
It can.

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[slightlyoffchilt]

Don't discuss me with Abel. He suffers from severe dissociation, he's unreliable at best. And this environment isn't the least of traumatic settings -- you cannot aid its potential over his self-definition.

For both your sakes, don't injure his delicate psychological state.

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[heartlessglitch]

What are you so afraid of, Doctor?
What is it you are truly trying to prevent?

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[slightlyoffchilt]

I am not the one being psychologically evaluated.

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[heartlessglitch]

But I am always evaluating you, Doctor.

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[slightlyoffchilt]

In a capacity that's equal to, or beyond your duty as an agent of Homeland Security?

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[heartlessglitch]

Oh, Doctor.
You know very well that this is personal.

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[slightlyoffchilt]

Careful, Danger. You're beginning to sound very much like your Valentine sender.

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[heartlessglitch]

Do you feel that I sound possessive, Doctor?

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[slightlyoffchilt]

You sort of did, just now. Should I be concerned?

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[heartlessglitch]

Should you?
Would you like to discuss your feelings, Doctor?

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[slightlyoffchilt]

You haven't got a chaise lounge to lay upon, have you? You ought to accessory correctly, if you're going to play therapist.

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[heartlessglitch]

Do I need to be a therapist to be interested in your emotional processes?

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[slightlyoffchilt]

[A beat.]

Yes.

So you appear to be under-qualified.

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[heartlessglitch]

And here I had assumed you would enjoy the opportunity to talk about yourself.
You had struck me as the kind of man who finds pleasure in the sound of his own voice.

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[slightlyoffchilt]

Perhaps I am full of unexpected surprises, Danger.

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[heartlessglitch]

I, in fact, already thought you might be.
After all, there are reasons I did not break your neck when I found you alone at the end of the world.

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[slightlyoffchilt]

Reasons, plural? You mean, more than your delight in considering me your plaything?

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[heartlessglitch]

I do not play, Doctor.
I have chosen to engage you.
That is entirely different.