We Shall Be Monsters [Paragon]

[Legione Sumus]

EPHRAIM HAART

He gave Adam time to think over the answer. It must have surprised him, for he half glanced over his shoulder; enough that Eph caught the edges of his profile. When he spoke it was initially as vague as he might have expected from his actual teenaged son, but since expressing concern was the point and not actually Adam’s response to it he didn’t push. Ephraim simply wanted him to know and remember that he cared.

“I’d love one. That’s very considerate, Adam,” he said in response to the offer of a drink. Though he didn’t shift his relaxed posture from his chair, and clearly expected the humanity of hospitality.

When the man finally turned he didn't flinch, though he did look quite openly. Well, Victor would never make a plastic surgeon, and the state of the scars made the work entirely unmarketable no matter how cutting edge it was. Fortunately they were a long way from that as yet. As for his confession of loneliness, Ephraim was a little surprised he volunteered it so quickly. Usually leverage was a little more difficult to dig out, especially with the stoic ones. But it was useful to know.

He considered it a moment. There were other subjects down here, but mostly they were confined from one another. Visha was likewise sombre and intractable at the moment, a byproduct of Kaelan’s tragic bedside manner, but she would likely find Adam grotesque and tell him so in a very colourful way. It might have been an acceptable combination, given Adam’s replacement limbs would be impervious to her more unfortunate side-effects. She might even find being able to touch him novel. But incompatible aesthetics aside, he couldn’t quite see them enjoying the other’s company, and he thought Adam might actually be damaged from the proof he was as hideous as he feared.

“That’s perfectly understandable.” His lips pursed thoughtfully, and after a moment he shifted as though an idea which might work had occurred to him. “Have you considered using a LUMA? You’d barely know they are AI, and I can have Dr. Devere calibrate one for you specifically. It might help pass the time, until we are ready for field testing. This room isn’t forever, Adam. Remember that.”