on seeing old friends

[motherofnemesis]

 I know you miss playing me, but I liked it in your headspace. It's quiet. Nobody bothers me. 

I don't have to talk to people. 

And maybe you think it's kind to let me see him again, but it's not. It's not - it's more complicated than that, and it's more painful. And he shouldn't  - none of them should need to know about this. It's an aberrant timeline, it won't actually happen. You know that. There's no need for them to know about it.

It would be best if you just put me back away. Best for everyone. 



Also I do still have a sense of humor. It's just not as obvious as it used to be. Restraint isn't a bad thing.

Comments

[hacktivist]

Let revenge be your purpose. Just for now. Just until you--find...

Max.



Please.

[motherofnemesis]

I know. I know.

I'm just so tired, Ghost.

[hacktivist]

All states are transitional by their very nature. You have fought for the privilege of survival. You are entitled to it.

[motherofnemesis]

[ a long silence. and then, so quietly. ]

I miss you.

[hacktivist]

...I ...

Would that I could be there for you. I would give much, for a few minutes only.

[motherofnemesis]

It's okay. It wouldn't be worth it for you.

You guys still have - time, and hope, and - a timeline that won't get screwed over. At least not as much. You should make the most of it.

[hacktivist]

[a long and incredibly calculating pause.]

You are still the Maxine Gibson that I adore. Nothing will change that.

[motherofnemesis]

That is kind but entirely inaccurate. [ tense as hell, because the only routes available here are brushing it off or breaking down and she won't break down. she refuses. ]

We barely qualify as the same person.

[hacktivist]

Your bias in this matter is self evident.

[motherofnemesis]

I'd say I'm the best judge.

[hacktivist]

We rarely spot the flaws in our own coding.

[motherofnemesis]

It's not a flaw. It's just a change.

When two programs serve entirely different purposes and share only a certain set of stored information that doesn't affect their actions, they aren't considered the same program anymore.

[hacktivist]

Methinks Max 3.0 doth protest too much.

[motherofnemesis]

Dork. [ she can't hold back the smile, the slow spread of amused affection. ]

I'm just stating fact.

[hacktivist]

I have no expectations of you.

Doubtless my future self is as concerned with your safety as I am.

[motherofnemesis]

[ beat. clears throat. ]

Yes.

So when are you? In the timeline.

[hacktivist]

2012. June. I suspect that the ongoing combat against the skrulls / vulcanus is part of the reason that your 2020 establishment rose... the ashes of a reichstag on top of which to build a reich.

[motherofnemesis]

June 2012. [ a beat, and then a smile again. ] It's a good time.

... You should enjoy it.