my heart was limping and this is the end of the road //

[heavenlydecree]

[Despite existing in some form or another for twenty-four years, Takatora still couldn't be sure if he was thankful or not for his ability to function so much like a human. With every new body, his appearance and functions improved significantly. In the beginning, he could remember, his expressions had always been stoic, his voice monotone and unemotional, his body stiff and unforgiving. But, as Yggdrasill's technology improved over the years, so did his bodies.

Now, it was near impossible to tell him apart from a human other than carefully hidden ports on his body, all with various levels of power over each other to avoid crashing completely in the event of an accident destroying one or more. His skin was warm to the touch, his emotions more strongly developed (in part from monitoring his 'brother' so closely for so many years), and he could even eat and process food, though tasting was a bit shaky. It was one of the things that wasn't quite as important, though it was one of the many pieces currently standing by for his next body, if only because Takatora had expressed curiosity.

Today was one of the few days of the week he didn't have to work. Takatora had already reported in to his 'father' the night before with updates about the company and how everything was going. It never felt strange to be so subservient to the man, especially when Takatora had known his role for a very long time. It was simply another one of his duties.

Straightening the collar of his shirt, Takatora rolled his neck, stretching his body a bit before reaching back to self-consciously fluff his hair back down over one of his ports. It was hidden well enough that even someone touching his head wouldn't be able to tell it was there unless they knew, but he was always keenly aware of its presence.

It had taken only a few minutes to be satisfied with his appearance, at which point Takatora left his room and carefully walked down the hall, knocking on Mitsuzane's door. Even though they had known each other for so long, Takatora was always skittish about their interactions. He was fairly sure Mitsuzane had forgotten any times he'd come close to finding out the truth about his 'brother', but Takatora had always been concerned about the consequences. The last thing he wanted was for Mitsuzane to be frightened of him, or worse, disgusted by him.]

... Mitsuzane?

Comments

[heavenlydecree]

Is that the bad news?

[Takatora doesn't enjoy hearing that at all, though he's doing his best to avoid thinking about things too much when he already has so many processes running. It's not as though he couldn't, but he'd always been cautious to not risk overexerting himself.

It was still difficult to understand humans and that they didn't function the same way Takatora did. Here he was, getting pieces of his body replaced to be normal again, as though nothing had ever happened, but something like that wouldn't be so easy for Mitsuzane.]

[lookingbusy]

It means he's going to die, Takatora.

[He pulls a part out from his cart and hooks it in, checking to make sure the ports are secure before moving on to his shoulder. He flexes his fingers before peeling back the synthetic skin and tugs at Takatora's arm to unjam it from where it was damaged.]

At least, as he is now he's going to die. There is, however, a way to save him... and fortunately for you both I'm ready to test it. Though how much of him I'll be able to save I don't know yet. It's still incredibly experimental and theoretical. He might not even remember anything.

[heavenlydecree]

[He should have expected that. Takatora tilts his head away from where Ryouma is working to help give the other easier access, curious about his current status but knowing Ryouma would update him should there be anything important of note. Aside from that, the current topic was more important.]

I trust you. Tell me what you're thinking.

[Takatora wasn't sure how much 'trust' meant coming from someone with false emotions, but the sentiment was there.]

[lookingbusy]

[He paused, before chuckling.]

Well we don't have a custom body like yours ready for him, but... in theory it should be possible to transplant his brain into a mechanical body. The hardware is set to handle a synthetic sort of brain, so it should run similarly. However, the risk of side effects is... high. I don't know if he'll be able to cope with the psychological shock, and interfacing with the hardware might cause some... conflicts. I don't know if his personality will even transfer. If it does he might still have an adverse reaction to any number of things.

However... it might be worth the risk. The data shows something like this having a roughly sixty three percent chance of initial transfer being successful. Don't ask about the further 'settling' results because there's not enough data.

[heavenlydecree]

[Takatora listened carefully as Ryouma spoke, waiting patiently until he was done to respond.]

That's our only option, isn't it? To transplant him to another body, even if it's temporary.

[The idea of side effects, loss of memory, those things didn't sound good and they didn't seem like anything Takatora could necessarily do anything about. It was all up to Mitsuzane and his body's reaction to the procedure, among other things. But none of it was under his control. He hated that.]

[lookingbusy]

To keep any of 'him' alive, yes.

[He pressed the new joint into Takatora's socket and reattached the arm.]

Further repairs on this will have to wait. Let's just patch up your eye and we can get you moving again. I'll turn your pain receptors back on once we're done. It will hurt, though not as much as before, but it's needed for you to be convincing.

[heavenlydecree]

Pleasant.

[Takatora takes a deep breath -- one of his false functions only in place to convince others of how lifelike he is -- and stares up at the ceiling, turning over the options in his head. Or lack of options, as it were.]

Will I be able to see him again? ... before.

[lookingbusy]

... If you'd like to. Most of the glass will have been extracted from him by now and they'll have him in a room hooked up to as many machines as they can spare. He probably won't be awake.

[He leaned over and gently set about fixing up Takatora's eye, which the narration did not describe because it was kind of gross.]

... The longer I know you the more I forget you're not actually supposed to have feelings. And yet, you do. It's really quite remarkable.

[heavenlydecree]

Don't humans still hear things when they're sleeping? It should be the same if I speak to him. Maybe he'll be able to hear me.

[And of course, Takatora was completely unfazed by Ryouma's work, though watching him with the one eye that was still currently functioning.]

I turned most of them off after the accident, to conserve my power. Do you think I'm developing something on my own? Or perhaps crossed with another function.

[lookingbusy]

It's hard to say. You are, after all, entirely unique. I'm not the sort of person to speak about the soul or what makes a person a person. I can analyze neural patterns and replicate them, but as to which data point is responsible for something like that? ... No idea.

[heavenlydecree]

We could run experiments, sometime. Systematically shut things down and have you test me on them. It would be wise to figure out where everything originates from. Perhaps the next time my body needs replaced. ... I suppose you have a long list of things we need to experiment with when that time comes.

[lookingbusy]

I do. But it can wait. Mitsuzane-kun will need his body customized first if he's to go out and interact with anyone. If he even wants to.

... Before everything transfers his brain will be placed in a 'holding pattern' simulation. You may want to speak to him at that time and talk to him. It might help ease things if he has a guiding hand with him.

[heavenlydecree]

Yes. Mitsuzane's status is more important. ... please be gentle with him, Ryouma. He's very important to me.

[More talk that sounded eerily human, but Takatora knew how to judge important even if he didn't have emotions.]

I'll do whatever he needs.

[lookingbusy]

Mm.

[He stepped away and glanced over at the laptop, checking the readouts.]

... That should hold you for now. He's on the ground floor in the intensive care unit. Room thirty nine. You should hurry.

[heavenlydecree]

Should I be fine traveling around, looking like this?

[Despite that, he's already up and putting his clothes back on as quickly as possible.]

[lookingbusy]

You should be fine, yes. We can deal with the rest of your repairs later.

[He reached up and tugged the cord out, putting it back on the cart.]

[heavenlydecree]

[Takatora reached back only long enough to make sure everything was hidden and in place, then gave Ryouma a look that seemed far too emotional for what he was.]

Thank you, Ryouma...

[With that, he rushed out, making his way to Mitsuzane's room as quickly as he could.]

[grapeeater]

[One of the nurses let Takatora into the room, stepping out so the two could have some private time. Half of him was wrapped in gauze and bandages, arms positioned carefully so that he wouldn't roll and hurt himself more. An oxygen mask covered part of his face, and his torso was wrapped to prevent him from injuring his ribs again. The room was quiet other than the beep of machinery. He wasn't moving, and his eyes were closed.]

[heavenlydecree]

[Seeing Mitsuzane's condition would have stopped Takatora in his tracks, had he been more emotional. Instead, he carefully circled the bed, hesitating only once he reached the top of it. Human bodies and their fragility, indeed. Takatora knew how badly the crash had injured him and how strong his body was. For him to have been injured so badly, it was hard to imagine how much Mitsuzane was suffering, even if he wasn't awake.

Leaning down, Takatora carefully ran his fingers through his brother's hair, pressing a kiss to his forehead and doing his best to keep actions careful and familiar. Even if Mitsuzane couldn't see him, maybe part of him would recognize what was happening anyway. That was Takatora's hope.]

I'm sorry I couldn't do more to protect you, Mitsuzane...

[Takatora knew there really was nothing more he could have done. His system was designed to run scenarios in moments and choose the best outcome. In the car, he had gone with the option that was most dangerous for him, but foreshadowed the best outcome for Mitsuzane. Even that hadn't been enough.]

I'm going to do everything I can to take care of you. Please be patient with me... and understand that everything I do from now on is for your benefit. I would never wish to intentionally hurt you.

[He hesitates, another small show of emotion.]

I would never want this for you if it wasn't necessary. I hope you'll understand.

[grapeeater]

[He shifted slightly in his sleep, head tilting towards his brother's touch. His breathing was quiet and even, but the heart monitors registered his heartbeat going a little bit faster. After a few moments it slowed down once more and his head rolled back a bit.]

[heavenlydecree]

[Just that small movement brought a smile to Takatora's face, his hand still calmly stroking his brother's hair. His body ached horribly, but it wasn't enough to make him want to sit down. It was one of the perks of having an artificial body, the ability to stand for impossibly long periods of time. He didn't want to be any further away than necessary.]

No matter what happens, I'll do whatever it takes to make you happy.

[He was running out of things to say, but that didn't matter as long as he could continue being some sort of comforting presence.]

[lookingbusy]

[Mitsuzane's body tensed and twitched under Takatora's hand, his face screwing up in pain. Ryouma knocked on the door before opening it, tilting his head to gesture in some of his lab assistants with a stretcher.]

... We need to move him before his body shuts down. Once it does, we won't have much time.

[heavenlydecree]

[Takatora didn't step away until the assistants moved closer, taking a moment to give Mitsuzane's forehead another kiss -- this one a bit longer than the last -- and one last comforting pet before he stepped away to let them do their job. He didn't go far, thinking that maybe somehow as long as he didn't stray too much, Mitsuzane would be okay.]

[lookingbusy]

[Ryouma stood next to Takatora as the assistants worked to move Mitsuzane to the stretcher.]

We'll move him to the Tower and do the operation there. It would probably be better if you didn't watch. It's not likely to be... pleasant. I can let you know when he's been transferred to the virtual state, though.

[heavenlydecree]

I don't want to leave him.

[Takatora knew it would be ... unpleasant to see his brother's body being discarded in such a way, simply because he was human, but if there was even the slightest chance that being there would allow Mitsuzane any sort of comfort...]