[Marco's right, it IS entirely different. and yet Norman can follow the thread of it well enough, since it relates to how he tends to think when he's running on partial memory and trying to figure out what things the Goblin was responsible for, how he got from point A to point B. sometimes he'll think it was a lot worse than it actually was. and sometimes he underestimates his own subconscious capacity for cruelty.]
Those moments when you're not sure what's real - whether you can trust your own perception of things ... I've been there. It's terrifying.
[he thinks on this for a second, and then:]
If you ever need to, I dunno, double-check any dots. You can ask me. I won't make anything of it.
Those moments when you're not sure what's real - whether you can trust your own perception of things ... I've been there. It's terrifying.
[he thinks on this for a second, and then:]
If you ever need to, I dunno, double-check any dots. You can ask me. I won't make anything of it.
[Somehow, roundabout as the road may have been, they have reached common ground. It isn't enough for Marco to relax, not entirely, but he still feels something like relief; his smile looks marginally more worthy of the name now.]
I appreciate that.
[It's... embarrassing, yes, and he'll probably stick to asking Fiddleford for the foreseeable future. But he appreciates the sentiment, still.]
I appreciate that.
[It's... embarrassing, yes, and he'll probably stick to asking Fiddleford for the foreseeable future. But he appreciates the sentiment, still.]
You've been so patient and understanding ... it's the least I can do in return.
[he glances around the office, wondering if this conversation is veering toward something uncomfortable for Marco.]
I hope I'm not keeping you from anything.
[he glances around the office, wondering if this conversation is veering toward something uncomfortable for Marco.]
I hope I'm not keeping you from anything.
Oh, no, no. [He waves a hand.] Nothing I can't get back to with ample time.
[Don't worry if Marco seems uncomfortable, Norman - it's not personal. He just... struggles to talk about these things. Even if it's easier than it used to be, it still isn't effortless.]
[Don't worry if Marco seems uncomfortable, Norman - it's not personal. He just... struggles to talk about these things. Even if it's easier than it used to be, it still isn't effortless.]
Hi Marco, it's Norman. Remember when I told you I had an idea on the backburner? I think I've got a solid base for it now if you'd like to be my sounding board.
I'm getting a copy of the genetic research my friend Moira O'Deorain was pursuing before she disappeared ... she had made some significant headway into studying different monsters' genes before and after their transformations. I want to restart my old pharmaceutical company, but with a focus on easing the discomfort of some species' symptoms: sensitivity to light, water, that sort of thing.
I've spoken with Elias about it, and not only did he encourage it, he said I should reach out to you as well.
I've spoken with Elias about it, and not only did he encourage it, he said I should reach out to you as well.
[Oh, he remembers Moira. This is... interesting. A thought, potentially unkind, occurs to Marco, regarding Norman's past experiences with this kind of research. He decides this isn't the time to mention it. Instead, he chooses to focus on this:]
This is very exciting, and I'm happy you're telling me about it, but I'm not sure what I can do.
I'm no scientist myself, unless you count computer science. Meaning
This is well outside of my expertise.
The best I can do is get you in touch with someone in Haftesal to see if they can help.
This is very exciting, and I'm happy you're telling me about it, but I'm not sure what I can do.
I'm no scientist myself, unless you count computer science. Meaning
This is well outside of my expertise.
The best I can do is get you in touch with someone in Haftesal to see if they can help.
<DrOsborn> is2g I thought I already replied to this orz
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certaininequities
2022-07-25 02:17 am (UTC)(link)
Maybe that's why Elias suggested that I speak to you: Moira was working closely with the scientists in Haftesal before she disappeared. I ... put some distance between them. What they did to us when we all arrived together shook me - I'm sure you can understand why, since you know where and when I was coming from.
If you've got a better rapport with them, that might work to my advantage. Coming up to them and saying "so remember when you experimented on me" isn't the best way to start a conversation.
If you've got a better rapport with them, that might work to my advantage. Coming up to them and saying "so remember when you experimented on me" isn't the best way to start a conversation.
I have to admit, I don't know as much about those goals as I probably should. Reira said she wants to have a race to raise money for them, soon, but all I know is what was shared not long after I arrived.
I also ... well. The Goblin tried to sabotage their research booth at the carnival. Thankfully, Tawna stopped him. But I'm still pretty recognizable, even back as an arachne. I have a feeling they wouldn't receive me very kindly sight unseen.
I also ... well. The Goblin tried to sabotage their research booth at the carnival. Thankfully, Tawna stopped him. But I'm still pretty recognizable, even back as an arachne. I have a feeling they wouldn't receive me very kindly sight unseen.
Demolish the booth, if I remember right. At least, that was how it started. I'm so glad Tawna stopped him before he could hurt anyone - I've got a feeling that because of what they did to all of us when we woke up there ... he wouldn't have left them alive, even if they had nothing to do with us.
[Knowing that this "Goblin" seems to act on Norman's feelings... Marco isn't sure if that's more or less concerning than if he were simply lashing out at random.]
Well, what's done is done.
There's no sense in dwelling on it, especially if nobody got hurt.
I do understand the hesitation.
Don't worry, I'm happy to keep in touch with them on your behalf.
I was already doing it for Elias, anyway.
Well, what's done is done.
There's no sense in dwelling on it, especially if nobody got hurt.
I do understand the hesitation.
Don't worry, I'm happy to keep in touch with them on your behalf.
I was already doing it for Elias, anyway.
[the attack had been born from ego and entitlement: no one was going to solve the monster problem because the Goblin felt that monster abilities weren't problems at all, but gifts. that, at its core, was Norman's deep-seated fear of losing and failure, more than anything else: monster abilities made you stronger, faster, more capable of winning and succeeding. id-based thoughts, subconscious survival impulses with the dial turned up until the knob broke off... not personal, conscious opinions by any means. if Marco had thought to press the issue Norman would have been horrified and chagrined.]
Yes, I've had every intention to get back in touch with them - but then that happened, so I didn't think I should. I appreciate your help a great deal, Marco.
D'you mind my asking what Elias was interested in knowing?
Yes, I've had every intention to get back in touch with them - but then that happened, so I didn't think I should. I appreciate your help a great deal, Marco.
D'you mind my asking what Elias was interested in knowing?
I see. I suppose I can put my issues with their initial experiment aside as long as they've learned how to garner consent from people before involving them in their work...
Maybe when we get in touch with them again we can gently educate them on the concept of disclosure statements, waivers, and consent to treat.
Maybe we should start giving them pamphlets too, not just the other way around. ;)
Anyway, thank you, Marco. I look forward to being able to get in touch with them. This is going to be beneficial for all parties involved, I'm sure.
Anyway, thank you, Marco. I look forward to being able to get in touch with them. This is going to be beneficial for all parties involved, I'm sure.
Marco. Where are you?
[Damn. He'd been hoping otherwise.]
I assume you're not in the E+L compound. Are you alright?
I assume you're not in the E+L compound. Are you alright?
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