[ At the least, he can get the eager offer out before she asks him about his own Soul. It's an elusive thing, but he's noticed some similarities between himself and others. The dread aura, the draw to death and dead things. The steadily intensifying sickness within him. ]
I think it's dead. My Natural Soul, I mean. Patho-Gen's had me in check-ups since arrival, 'cause I was dead, too. And all the things that are happening... they make sense if it's dead.
[ In Mel's silence, she turns his way, and her expression softens ever so imperceptibly. Ace offers her a kindness she hasn't earned and yet it is offered just the same as every other piece has been given to her since her arrival — freely given, unfettered, and it makes her heart ache in her wretchedness. She hears all of what he is saying and what he is circumventing by inference: he has seen such a thing before and it doesn't frighten him, and maybe does not need to hide herself from him as they continue to work together.
(And the offer is more than she can ask for, though it still is nice to hear.)
It's an uplifting thought. Mel offers a faint smile that, for just a brief moment, warms her expression.
And that shatters with his response. ]
What?
[ She heard him. He doesn't need to repeat himself. Mel's eyes are wide and horrified. ]
Why... I don't understand. Why would they do that to you, or to anyone? That's— [ It's cruel. It's utterly, despicably cruel. And for him to be dead, just like Silco and Vander, to be brought here just to be used... The anger is blinding for a moment, seizing up her golden spine, and Mel has to keep her lips pressed so firmly that she says nothing else for several seconds.
And then, only then: ] Ace, I'm so sorry. Are they offering anything to help you? Do they have any kind of plan?
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idk why i separated this save for tone
I think it's dead. My Natural Soul, I mean. Patho-Gen's had me in check-ups since arrival, 'cause I was dead, too. And all the things that are happening... they make sense if it's dead.
you did it to hurt my heart specifically
(And the offer is more than she can ask for, though it still is nice to hear.)
It's an uplifting thought. Mel offers a faint smile that, for just a brief moment, warms her expression.
And that shatters with his response. ]
What?
[ She heard him. He doesn't need to repeat himself. Mel's eyes are wide and horrified. ]
Why... I don't understand. Why would they do that to you, or to anyone? That's— [ It's cruel. It's utterly, despicably cruel. And for him to be dead, just like Silco and Vander, to be brought here just to be used... The anger is blinding for a moment, seizing up her golden spine, and Mel has to keep her lips pressed so firmly that she says nothing else for several seconds.
And then, only then: ] Ace, I'm so sorry. Are they offering anything to help you? Do they have any kind of plan?