(Untitled)

[clyded]

[ snapping his fingers; producing small flames. ]

Comments

[demonologist]

[Wesley is seated in a corner, by the fake fireplace, drinking more whiskey. It seems fortuitous that the bar is constantly restocked. What he's doing is the equivalent of silent and bitter brooding. He's trying to ignore the presence in the room with him. Mostly because Claire's identity is still being held hostage by the man.]

[demonologist]

I don't care whether it's noble or not. I simply want her back unharmed. Pick whomever you want, just...let her be.

[clyded]

Hmm...

[ seems to meaningfully contemplate it for a moment, releasing a slow stream of smoke. ]

No can do, my willing accomplice. Technical issues.

[demonologist]

What kind of technical issues?

[clyded]

To paint a masterpiece, the canvas first needs to be blank. Whiskey already has the brain architecture to make imprinting possible - or at least to let you avoid all that excruciating madness.

[demonologist]

So that is what you do? Strip a person completely of their identity first, and then create a structure upon which you can readily imprint new identities and skills?

[clyded]

In a nutshell.

[demonologist]

Charming. Where do I sign up? [He tosses back his drink and pours another.]

[clyded]

Regrettably, you happen to be ineligible. You've got a little something right here.

[ scratches his own neck lightly. ]

[demonologist]

Ah. Yes, only those without noticeable physical imperfections need apply.

Can't have damaged merchandise.

[clyded]

And it would be such a simple matter to remove it, were we not without the proper equipment. Tough luck, huh?

[demonologist]

[Wesley deliberately shrugs.]

I deserve the scar on my neck. It's a reminder of my past.

[Then his eyes narrow at Clyde.]

But if you have the means to remove them, why wasn't Claire's?

[clyded]

You would have to ask Adelle. I suppose she would have rather not spared the expense on her physician's paycheck than on her reconstructive surgery.

Be grateful. She'd still be in distribution if not for these, and she was a popular one as I recall.

[demonologist]

I love how you cloak indentured slavery in benign words like 'distribution'.

[clyded]

A chosen excision of one's personality doesn't come cheap.

[demonologist]

When does Claire's contract end? Or is she being kept on indefinitely? Will you remove her scars then? After all, I doubt anyone signs up for that.

[He knew that Claire was technically a construct, a person who was different than whomever her original identity had been, but he still wanted to know.]