[It's almost pitch black outside by the time Miller's gone to look for his student. That dear pupil of his has gone and missed dinner, alerting him to the fact that something isn't right.]
[He sure does get himself a good exercise looking for him, though. The gym is fairly far from the cafeteria and Miller is relieved to see him there. It's fairly shortlived, however, spotting that Liquid is bleeding and does not even seem to notice. For sure, something went wrong.]
[His shout echoes through the large room as he enters.]
[Miller sighs as he continues to stride forward. A part of him is proud to see his student using the skills he helped him develop, but it's a bit problematic when he needs to speak with him.]
[Walking close enough to him to be within arm's reach, he throws a meaty arm around Liquid's neck and pulls him to himself, his grip tight enough that it should bring the boy out of his trance.]
[The Hell Master hasn't felt fear in years. A hardened man who exists to set an example and lead the world's best soldiers into battle has plenty of defenses against such an emotion.]
[And yet, when Liquid goes so quiet and hardly sounds like himself, he might feel just the smallest hint of it. His voice is low and serious.]
You're my student, soldier. To me, the rest is irrelevant.
But I take it you're thinking something else.
[He loosens his grip so that it's not straining, but still firm enough to ensure he doesn't run.]
[Liquid's story penetrates down somewhere deep inside Miller, an echo of his younger self entering into the military to follow his father's footsteps and perhaps stand alongside him someday.]
[Of course, that he never succeeded, that he never got the chance, only makes it worse.]
What did he say to you?
[His voice is quiet, just enough to keep their conversation private.]
[Miller listens to Liquid with a grave and disbelieving face. Why would Snake ever say that to his son? He knows he was never fond of his children, not when they were created against his will, but this was too much.]
[Despite being "scientific experiments," the clones were human, and Miller knows that all too well. Certainly, Liquid's progress is nearly superhuman, but he would never look down on him for the uncontrollable circumstances of his birth.]
[When Liquid begins to struggle, Miller holds him fast, but not as tight as he could be.]
Hey! Calm down, this isn't going to help you!
[His own arms shake around Liquid. It seems the Hell Master is only so good at taking his own advice.]
[Liquid manages to escape his arms and within a short few seconds, the boy is attacking blindly, hitting equipment and shelves and if the blood he wanted could have been shed by himself, he would have already filled the quota in less than thirty seconds.]
You know that's not true, Liquid!
[He rushes after him and throws an opening punch. He's not going to watch Liquid destroy himself like this, and he knows that fighting might be the only way to turn his burning rage to embers.]
[Miller moves to stand over Liquid, the angle of the lights above them casting his shadow over his student.]
I don't know what's going through Snake's head, but with or without him, you're a great soldier with great potential.
[He gets down on one knee and leans his forearm against his leg, speaking directly to the teen.]
There's no doubt in my mind that you could beat him down the road, Liquid.
[He's speaking words that could easily get him executed if overheard. Big Boss' followers are passionate men often driven by bloodlust. Miller, knowing he could still overpower nearly all of them, doesn't worry about that.]
You could turn this around and show him who's boss. Stick with me, soldier.
[He grips Liquid's hand, palm-to-palm this time, and squeezes hard enough that it would nearly break the bones of a normal man.]
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[He sure does get himself a good exercise looking for him, though. The gym is fairly far from the cafeteria and Miller is relieved to see him there. It's fairly shortlived, however, spotting that Liquid is bleeding and does not even seem to notice. For sure, something went wrong.]
[His shout echoes through the large room as he enters.]
Liquid!!
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[Walking close enough to him to be within arm's reach, he throws a meaty arm around Liquid's neck and pulls him to himself, his grip tight enough that it should bring the boy out of his trance.]
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You missed dinner.
[His other hand scoops up Liquid's and faces the bloody knuckles toward them.]
Mm. Your form was good, your hits were fast and powerful. But keep going at that rate and you'll burn out fast.
[Without directly asking, he waits for an explanation. A drop of the red liquid slips between his long fingers and runs down the back of his hand.]
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[And yet, when Liquid goes so quiet and hardly sounds like himself, he might feel just the smallest hint of it. His voice is low and serious.]
You're my student, soldier. To me, the rest is irrelevant.
But I take it you're thinking something else.
[He loosens his grip so that it's not straining, but still firm enough to ensure he doesn't run.]
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
[Of course, that he never succeeded, that he never got the chance, only makes it worse.]
What did he say to you?
[His voice is quiet, just enough to keep their conversation private.]
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
[Miller listens to Liquid with a grave and disbelieving face. Why would Snake ever say that to his son? He knows he was never fond of his children, not when they were created against his will, but this was too much.]
[Despite being "scientific experiments," the clones were human, and Miller knows that all too well. Certainly, Liquid's progress is nearly superhuman, but he would never look down on him for the uncontrollable circumstances of his birth.]
[When Liquid begins to struggle, Miller holds him fast, but not as tight as he could be.]
Hey! Calm down, this isn't going to help you!
[His own arms shake around Liquid. It seems the Hell Master is only so good at taking his own advice.]
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
You know that's not true, Liquid!
[He rushes after him and throws an opening punch. He's not going to watch Liquid destroy himself like this, and he knows that fighting might be the only way to turn his burning rage to embers.]
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
I don't know what's going through Snake's head, but with or without him, you're a great soldier with great potential.
[He gets down on one knee and leans his forearm against his leg, speaking directly to the teen.]
There's no doubt in my mind that you could beat him down the road, Liquid.
[He's speaking words that could easily get him executed if overheard. Big Boss' followers are passionate men often driven by bloodlust. Miller, knowing he could still overpower nearly all of them, doesn't worry about that.]
You could turn this around and show him who's boss. Stick with me, soldier.
[He grips Liquid's hand, palm-to-palm this time, and squeezes hard enough that it would nearly break the bones of a normal man.]
Reply
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