ablankpage | Voxophone 7/??

Citizens of Luceti.

[It is, perhaps, the first time Robert Lutece has ever used the journal as an actual means of reaching the community at large rather than simply a voxophone others happened to hear and respond to.

For all intents and purposes, he sounds as if he's discussing the weather or another phase in the Lutece Field he and Rosalind have been attempting to re-discover here and the machine they intend to re-build.

It's a very calm, very scientific tone.]

I would like to know if anyone here has information regarding conception, gestation, and delivery of children as it pertains to Luceti.

Physics is my specialty, but I am well-versed in anatomy and biology. [He does not need the "birds and bees" talk. That isn't the purpose of this.] However, there are anomalies in this world in regards to anatomy and biology -- the wings, for instance.

It is of interest to me whether these changes or the progression of the alterations of reality commonly referred to as "shifts" affect the aforementioned topics.

[...And yes, that is all he's going to say on the topic. Not why it matters or why he's decided to start researching this. It's simply stated as a matter of fact.]

Any information or Luceti-specific literature on the subject would be most helpful.

Thank you.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Have you ever been down into the tunnels here?

I haven't. Though I ask again, simply put: do you believe a child born here would be dangerous to the people in the enclosure?

I believe there's enough to suggest that could end up being the case.

"Don’t have kids. If only we’d known why before."

[The quote comes easily to him; he's memorized nearly all of the graffiti he copied down from the wall of the abandoned lab in the tunnels. And he's far more inclined to trust those scrawls than he is the word of any of the Malnosso who speak to them directly.]

What should be done about the child who resides in the enclosure now?

[A simple question, asked calmly but pointedly.]

For the moment? Nothing, unless they start showing signs of becoming a threat. They're still too young to be a danger to anyone right now.

Then why not apply the same standard to any future child considered or born here? If that child has shown no signs of being a threat, why assume another would?

Why take that risk in the first place?

[Honestly, he probably wouldn't have such strong feelings on this if he hadn't been treated as a human lab rat when he himself was a child. The thought of someone else having a child as what will essentially be an experiment makes him nearly ill with rage, and it's taking a great deal of self-restraint for him to remain this calm during the conversation.]

Why take any risk involved in bringing a child into the world? There is always a risk of death and madness in any involved party.

When presented with an opportunity that has been impossible for a good deal of time until that point and will be impossible again outside of such a place as this, should it be squandered? Entirely ignored? Or should the courses of action be weighed?

A child isn't an experiment for you to produce just to see what happens.

[He practically snaps this, a tiny edge of the anger he's been holding back creeping into his voice.

Keido had never viewed him as a person, as anything other than an instrument of victory in a rivalry that had never existed anywhere outside his own head.

"Welcome back, my son... my Adam." Those were the words he'd greeted Gai with upon his resurrection. He had his tool back, and that was all that mattered to him, never mind the fact that Gai had never wanted to be revived in the first place.

It's enough to make him almost see red at Robert's blithe questioning.]

Nor is it your place to tell someone they cannot do, should they weigh the pros and cons and find the former outweighs the later.

[Finally, there was a bit of emotion in Robert's voice. A hint, low and as buried as he could keep it for now, of anger.

His eyes narrowed faintly as he eyed Gai.]

We care about scientific facts regarding gestation, birth, and development, yes. Because those are important to know for the health of mother and child.

This choice? Is one that has been discussed for twenty years. And rendered impossible the last five and any time in the future should we be returned to our world.

I have not once asked for opinions. I have asked for facts. So that I may consult with the person whose decision this is about whether or not she wants this.

I've given you the facts that I know. Anything beyond that is speculation on anyone's part-- there haven't been any children born here during this cycle that have reached adulthood. Having a child is still going to be an experiment until that happens for us to see things for ourselves.

[It's a struggle to keep his own voice level. This is a sensitive topic to him for multiple reasons. Perhaps it's true that they want children for no other reason than wanting to have a family. However, to Gai, his innate distrust of scientists leads him to draw the worst conclusions regardless of whether or not they're correct.]

And one such experiment is permissible [he certainly hasn't heard anyone talk about putting the child down, and it would probably be considered deplorable if he said anything, even in anger] but a second is entirely out of the question.

No such experiments are permissible. This is a human being we're talking about, not some lab rat.

[He spits those last two words with evident derision.]

Or do you really think there isn't a difference between the two?

And yet, the child already here is entirely a possibility. A possibility of madness, a possibility of sanity. A possibility of safety, a possibility of danger.

One is allowed. You've given no indication that this child shouldn't be put down. But another risk is unacceptable. A risk taken by people who understand the possible consequences and will be watchful for them.

['Put down.' Two words normally used to refer to an animal, yet suddenly Gai's ears are filled with the crackle of fire, the scent of smoke clogging his nose as he remembers the child he had to 'put down' with his own gun.]

A child isn't an animal.

[His voice is strained now, the words barely controlled. Robert is pushing all of his buttons here, and it won't take much more to make him snap.]

[Robert has to roll his eyes. Because, well, Gai is fishing for a reason to be offended now and probably knows it himself. He wants to be angry, wants to be right.]

No. But people are hardly that different from animals.

Especially one considered "mad" or "dangerous."

I won't argue that. I've seen the worst of what humans are capable of.

Go ahead and take care of the child if and when they become dangerous, but don't try to use that as a justification for killing a child who hasn't harmed anyone yet.

[If Robert were to look closely, he would notice Gai's hands curled into fists by his side, his entire posture tensed like an animal preparing to fight or flee.]

I'm not the one assuming the child will grow up to be a danger.

[It's calm and even. Almost a challenge.]

Then you're in denial.

[He's seen the graffiti. The Malnosso may lie, but he doubts that it does.]

[Robert shakes his head a bit, nearly rolling his eyes. One scrawled remark, unexplained, to make a whole defense on? Completely unreliable.]

Or merely refusing to overreact.

[Gai's eyes narrow to steely slits, his body tensing even further as if preparing to strike out at Robert... and for a moment, it looks like he might actually do so. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately) for the other man, he has enough control over his emotions to reign himself in and opt to turn on his heel rather than punch him.

And so he simply strides out of the room with such speed that his blond hair flutters like a banner behind him. He's done with this conversation. Robert obviously isn't going to change his mind about this, so why argue?]

Voxophone 7/?? - Voice

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