[If one did not quite look at the undercity-born scientist's eyes in that face expression, that is.]
With a queiet tremble, and, with, for a steangers, tone of voice almost devoid of emotion, almost cut off from most emotions, even though Viktor's body and mind aren't changed yet (except for a leg and a hand), the terminal patient (or not a patient if he won't revisit Cali ever again) utters,
"Professor Heimerdinger expressed his concern. While, hmm, deeply appreciated, nonetheless both of us - Talis and I - had hoped to achieve a breakthr-- no, this is too early in ou-- in my life story. Wait. Please. Patience, dear ms doctor."
"Jayce Talis had some important Councilwork business, so he went and-- I'm beginning too early."
Suddenly voice practically raw, "...how do I, ech, confess? Where do I start? Her name was Sky Young. She was born in the Undercity. I had been making toys for myself, back then. I've met Sky before I've met Rio. Before Jayce knew how to count to one thousand. Before Heimerdinger took on a charity case called 'me'. Before my mother died of the Grey, after so many years. Smiling. Looking right at me in my beautiful Academy uniform she had been saving money for... for five years."
Shakes his head, Utters, "Where to begin? This is why Jayce does not yet know I had murdered a woman. Not just any person, at that. Our bright assistant. He will have to tell the Enforcers - but he won't. He cherishes the time I have left. He had once... almost committed-- Nevermind. Forget THAT, please. That is only Jayce's own business. I won't bare his mind. It's his only."
"Anyway. I killed a woman. With experimental science. She had dreams - more beautiful than my own or professor's or doctor's. As beautiful dreams as Jayce Talis's. A woman... young woman, my age, or maybe even his, yes, not as old as me. Her name - Sky Young. A trencher like me, fortunately healthy organism unlike mine. Our lab assistant. I... I had locked the doors but obviously dear Ms Young has - had - spare keys, how could she not? All the three of us do - did - I--"
Cough. Viktor never coughs at his clothes. Always careful to cough at sonething else instead. It's a habit. No, it's a reflex. In lower brain now. Not any conscious decision anymore. Like breathing. Like primal affection. Or something.
2/2
With a queiet tremble, and, with, for a steangers, tone of voice almost devoid of emotion, almost cut off from most emotions, even though Viktor's body and mind aren't changed yet (except for a leg and a hand), the terminal patient (or not a patient if he won't revisit Cali ever again) utters,
"Professor Heimerdinger expressed his concern. While, hmm, deeply appreciated, nonetheless both of us - Talis and I - had hoped to achieve a breakthr-- no, this is too early in ou-- in my life story. Wait. Please. Patience, dear ms doctor."
"Jayce Talis had some important Councilwork business, so he went and--
I'm beginning too early."
Suddenly voice practically raw, "...how do I, ech, confess? Where do I start? Her name was Sky Young. She was born in the Undercity. I had been making toys for myself, back then. I've met Sky before I've met Rio. Before Jayce knew how to count to one thousand. Before Heimerdinger took on a charity case called 'me'. Before my mother died of the Grey, after so many years. Smiling. Looking right at me in my beautiful Academy uniform she had been saving money for... for five years."
Shakes his head,
Utters,
"Where to begin? This is why Jayce does not yet know I had murdered a woman. Not just any person, at that. Our bright assistant. He will have to tell the Enforcers - but he won't. He cherishes the time I have left. He had once... almost committed--
Nevermind. Forget THAT, please. That is only Jayce's own business. I won't bare his mind. It's his only."
"Anyway. I killed a woman. With experimental science. She had dreams - more beautiful than my own or professor's or doctor's. As beautiful dreams as Jayce Talis's. A woman... young woman, my age, or maybe even his, yes, not as old as me. Her name - Sky Young. A trencher like me, fortunately healthy organism unlike mine. Our lab assistant. I... I had locked the doors but obviously dear Ms Young has - had - spare keys, how could she not? All the three of us do - did - I--"
Cough.
Viktor never coughs at his clothes. Always careful to cough at sonething else instead. It's a habit. No, it's a reflex. In lower brain now. Not any conscious decision anymore. Like breathing. Like primal affection. Or something.