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[agardener]

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Re: Spam

[agardener]

Perhaps I could devise a way to ensure that she doesn't forget it. [He's already thinking of the possibilities. Quietly, of course.]

But she has far too much faith in the others here, I think.

Re: Spam

[anashthetic]

She makes loving her a very stressful experience, sometimes.

And you're right. She does. But try convincing her of that.

Re: Spam

[agardener]

[He just nods, looking down to his hands and then over to them.]

I don't think convincing her is the issue. I don't want her to lose that light.

Re: Spam

[anashthetic]

[She chews on her bottom lip.]

And even if it's for her own good, going behind her back won't exactly make her happy when she finds out.

Re: Spam

[agardener]

No. It is not in my nature to be duplicitous.

Not usually.

[He sighs.]

But there are other ways of protecting her that allow her to be herself.

Re: Spam

[anashthetic]

Maybe not in your nature.

[But they'll leave it at that for now.]

So? What would you suggest?

Re: Spam

[agardener]

Perhaps we can frame it as a favor to us. Aerith would protect us before she would herself.

So if this is something we need, for her to wear the shield, then perhaps she would listen better.

Re: Spam

[anashthetic]

I like the way you think.

Collectively request it of her when she's more recovered, then, maybe?

Re: Spam

[agardener]

[He spreads out his hands with a smile.]

I am in charge of symbiosis at home.

Re: Spam

[anashthetic]

[She leans forward a little, intrigued.]

In charge of symbiosis? What does that entail?

Re: Spam

[agardener]

Well. It mostly meant that I ensured all the species of plant, animal, fungus, and rocks worked together in harmony to ensure that the planet would thrive.

[He smiles a little, looking to the side.]

I think that's the reason the Admiral picked me up.

Re: Spam

[anashthetic]

Fascinating. [And she means it!]

I'm much more of a natural disaster myself, really.

Re: Spam

[agardener]

[He chuckles.]

And they are useful and have their place. All natural disasters are only disasters for humans and people. To nature, they encourage regeneration, clear out any old growth, and increase biodiversity in a region.

Re: Spam

[anashthetic]

My old master used to spread plague as he went. [A crooked grin.] Though I don't know if my blood being a mutative anti-flesh toxin did the environment any favors. At least I mainly kept to "wildfires"?

Re: Spam

[agardener]

A plague is useful. A toxin is useful.

[He breathes out.]

The planet will outlast.

Re: Spam

[anashthetic]

One can only hope, I suppose. Feels quite a bit harder to actually believe, though...

Re: Spam

[agardener]

I have persisted through twenty thousand years, Ashton. I have seen many, many changes in the planet but she remains.

Re: Spam

[anashthetic]

That's a length of time that's -- unfathomable, to me. Something I can understand intellectually, and no other way.

Re: Spam

[agardener]

You aren't meant to, I'm afraid. That isn't something that people live through. And nor should they.

Re: Spam

[anashthetic]

Do you not consider yourself a person, then?

Re: Spam

[agardener]

Of course not. I am just a machine.

[He smiles as he says it, but there's a hint of a falters in his eyes.]

Re: Spam

[anashthetic]

And machines can still be people. Try again.

Re: Spam

[agardener]

[He just laughs softly at that.]

Yes, perhaps. But I am many things. I was a tree for a few centuries.

Re: Spam

[anashthetic]

Which still does not disqualify you from personhood, if you wish to apply it to yourself.

Re: Spam

[agardener]

I don't know if I can and still maintain the integrity of the word.