Post MoM AU, general post

[use_everything]

And then one day, it was over.

The memory of how it happened was hazy. Perhaps it was as simple as being ported out, perhaps there was a great experiment, bringing together physicists, chemists, alchemists and scientists to get something WORKING. But like the memories of that time, that other dimension, singular events come and go, like a dream, or an age past.

From the very start, however, there were changes.

Comments

[jacksonian]

That's useful, at least. It's good that I'm useful.

[dendarii]

Mm. It's important, isn't it. I know the feeling.

[jacksonian]

[ He looks down, shrugging. ]

It's the difference between life and death.

[dendarii]

[ With sudden fierceness: ]

Yes. Without it, what's the point?

[jacksonian]

[ He looks up, face pressed into something incredulous. ]

What's the point of living?

[dendarii]

Yes. Just so. I've asked myself that question a lot.

[jacksonian]

[ And incredulity becomes anger. ]

Yeah. Good question. So we should probably just kill everyone who's not useful, right?

[dendarii]

[ Miles winces sharply at that. ]

No, that's not what I meant. It's my own neurosis. So I'm sympathetic. That's all.

[jacksonian]

[ That apology settles him down. He shrugs. ]

I've known plenty of people whose intended purpose only was to die. So. They would probably like to not be useful.

[dendarii]

[ Another painful wince. ]

And I would agree with that too. It's not... It shouldn't be everything, feeling useful. Doesn't mean it does feel like that sometimes.

[jacksonian]

[ A shrug. ]

Yeah. Well. That's how it really is for some people, isn't it?

[dendarii]

Mm. It is.

[ Miles lean his head back against the wall, looking up at the ceiling. ]

[jacksonian]

[ He wraps his arms around his legs, staring down at the floor. After a long, long moment, he asks: ]

Is it going to be bad for you? The fact that I...exist.

[dendarii]

[ Miles shakes his head at that. ]

Five years ago, I'd have been wildly jealous. Now... I'm well established.

[jacksonian]

[ He looks up, confused. ]

Jealous?

[dendarii]

Oh, yes. You're healthy, aren't you?

[jacksonian]

[ His eyes widen a moment with sheer incredulity. He gestures to himself - his stunted, uneven limbs, his slight figure. ]

[dendarii]

Other than what they did to you, I mean. Your bones aren't frail.

[jacksonian]

[ He looks away, mouth twisting bitterly. ]

Lucky me.

[dendarii]

[ Miles looks away. ]

I know. It's not easy. In a few years, if we hadn't rescued you now, they were going to replace your leg bones with synthetics. Just because mine are going to be replaced.

[jacksonian]

[ His hands go down to his legs; he rubs at the bones. But he doesn't have much more of a reaction than that. Instead, he gives a small shrug. ]

I've had a lot of surgeries. That's not anything new.

[dendarii]

No, I imagine not. You've gone through everything I have.

... We might be able to fix some of it though. You could still get to a normal height if you wanted.

[jacksonian]

[ His brows draw down. ]

How?

[dendarii]

You're fourteen, right? Just stopping their treatments ought to have some effect. And there are other medicines you could take to boost your growth.

[jacksonian]

[ He shakes his head. ]

They came to pick me up because I was...done. Fully grown. [ He gives a shrug. ] Growth-acceleration treatments.