[But then her tone shifts into something a little less flippant.]
Maybe I want to hear about what could be waiting for me, the girl who's only lost everything once - or what I could be avoiding by having nothing left to lose.
[Stephen sighs, long and beleagured. The addendum, perhaps too easily, makes him give in, though he still doubts his point will be driven home.]
First time was when I lost proper function of these. [He lifts up his scar-laden hands, wiggling faintly shaking fingers.] I lost my purpose in life as a doctor. In my desperation, I lost everything else - my home, my reputation, anyone left who was close to me. I had nothing.
Second time was when I disappeared from existence, and half of the universe disappeared along with me. [That is a far longer story, and he's generalizing it greatly.] Nothing like turning into dust and hoping the people left behind can find a solution, years later. I was literally nothing.
[During his explanation, she opens her mouth a few times, like she's going to speak - but in the end, she never does. When he finishes, she pauses, like she's trying to decide what to say first.]
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Why? So you can dismiss that, too?
[It's a two-way street, Callisto.]
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[She might.]
Not unless you lie, of course.
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Why do you care? Just want to satiate your curiosity?
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[But then her tone shifts into something a little less flippant.]
Maybe I want to hear about what could be waiting for me, the girl who's only lost everything once - or what I could be avoiding by having nothing left to lose.
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First time was when I lost proper function of these. [He lifts up his scar-laden hands, wiggling faintly shaking fingers.] I lost my purpose in life as a doctor. In my desperation, I lost everything else - my home, my reputation, anyone left who was close to me. I had nothing.
Second time was when I disappeared from existence, and half of the universe disappeared along with me. [That is a far longer story, and he's generalizing it greatly.] Nothing like turning into dust and hoping the people left behind can find a solution, years later. I was literally nothing.
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Nothing, meaning no memories?
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No. Hard for space dust to remember anything at all. I was gone β obliterated. And then I was back, and five years had passed.
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[Muses Callisto - who hasn't yet reached the point of actively seeking obliteration, but who still sees some attraction in the idea.]
But I assume you're just-- mm. Ever so happy to be here?
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Why do you think anger's more appropriate?
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