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[cactusy]

is the place that doubles as an arcade seriously the only bar in town? where do you people go to get plastered and make bad decisions?

Comments

[thecodexabides]

No.

It would be a liability in combat.

[cactusy]

agreed, but that's why you time it right.

[thecodexabides]

There is no time where it would be safe to do so.

[cactusy]

you a soldier?

[thecodexabides]

in a manner of speaking

[cactusy]

so not a soldier by career or choice, I'm guessing. I've met some people from worlds like that.

[thecodexabides]

A soldier is drafted.

I chose this when I was ten years old. Earned my place as an Astartes.

[cactusy]

you didn't start fighting at 10, did you?

cw: warhammer child soldiers are normal I guess

[thecodexabides]

earlier, actually

we have to prove ourselves worthy for our Aspirancy.
That often includes proving our skills
in combat

rip......

[cactusy]

well, that's messed up

you an adult now?

[thecodexabides]

....
obviously? [Physically, yes. Mentally....maybe not.]

[cactusy]

not obviously, I've seen kids around here

did you grow up to make other kids fight in wars, too?

[thecodexabides]

[He forgets she can't see him. At his size it is...obvious.]

No.
No one is forced to join the Astartes. [At least his chapter. He can really only speak about the Ultramarines.]
It is an honor to be selected
If one did not choose it
they would likely die before the process is complete. [That's what they were told, anyway. That the ones who didn't survive just hadn't wanted it badly enough.]

[cactusy]

you get one "could have been worse" star

[thecodexabides]

[that's still a bit higher than he deserves]

what
does that mean?

[cactusy]

[Waiiiiiiiit a second. Wait a second. Between this and a couple other things he's said, she's starting to get deja-vu vibes.]

hey, turn on your video

>>video

[thecodexabides]

[Oh no? He shrugged and adjusted the setting.]

Do I look like a child to you?

still text

[cactusy]

oh, it's you

[In retrospect, not surprising - even if her reaction doesn't do much to clue him in.]

video forevarrrr

[thecodexabides]

Is that a problem?

text for now!

[cactusy]

no

I'm the one who was forced to flirt with you via crappy-ass mind control

[thecodexabides]

Oh.
[A long pause while his face tries to find an appropriate emotion.]

I am sorry. That was...uncomfortable.

[cactusy]

why are you sorry? it wasn't your fault any more than it was mine

[thecodexabides]

Shared discomfort is discomfort halved. [So saith the Codex. Not in so many words, about being weirdly hit on by mortals, but the point was the same.]

[cactusy]

[... Huh. That's a weird philosophy, but she guesses it sort of makes sense.]

because you can commiserate about it or something?

[thecodexabides]

Because we endure it together. Brotherhood means sharing all burdens.

[Uh, except maybe it's not called 'brotherhood' here? The principle must still apply.]