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

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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