018. [Text, and one other thing.]

[explosivecombat]

[TEXT]

Due to various circumstances in my world of origin, for quite a while, time was immeasurable for me. It came to lack meaning. Weeks bled into months, months into years. In some ways, this world seems like that for many of us; there's a lack of structure, and the list of things that one can do with themselves before they settle into some sort of day-to-day routine is incredibly short. These creatures become a part of our daily lives; this world becomes a part of our daily lives. And before we know it, we've spent weeks here. Months. Years.

That blank spot in my life lasted for seven years, I believe. Yet with nothing else to focus on, I discovered more about myself in those seven years than I did over the course of most of the rest of my life. Spending that long in the dark - whether it's physical or otherwise - tends to teach one a lot, I believe, even if it's just where your limits lie.

You'll have to forgive me for the needless introspection; if you're humoring me by continuing to read, either you have more patience than most at half-midnight, or this is one of those messages on the feed that greets you first thing in the morning. But apparently time does have meaning to most people in this place - in which case...

Tell me how long you've been here, if you choose, and what you've come to discover about yourself in that time.

I suppose it's worth saying that personally, I've been here for a year, as of half an hour ago.

For me, it's been another year where time has next to no meaning, despite the fact that I have an easy way to keep track of it; another year with no direction, though I wouldn't say it's been spent in the dark. Whether I like what I've discovered about myself or not within that year has yet to be seen; however, I find myself content with the way things are.

While I know that I have no choice in the matter, I think I could tolerate another year.


[PRIVATE TEXT TO KATO]

I have a favor to ask of you.

Comments

[artfuldestruction]

The short answer? Yes, that is more or less what you're looking at. I never said it would be simple.

[[8D WON'T THIS BE FUN, SIR

LASERS LASERS PEW PEW PEW]]

You must be very keen to have them off your hands if you're willing to consider my proposal; if you don't mind me asking, why remove them? They're quite beautifully done, if I do say so myself.

[explosivecombat]

[WELL

IT'S NICE TO KNOW THIS IS JUST GOING TO BE THAT SORT OF DAY

DEAR GOD IT'S ONE IN THE MORNING AND THERE'S FAIL ALREADY

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY SELF TBH]

There are several reasons - some practical, some personal. What it comes down to is that it's not as though I'm going to be capable of using them again; they're serving no real purpose other than being an annoyance and a hindrance at this point.

[...and that much is...honestly true; come now, Kato, you've seen how mangled his throat is for yourself. Surely you can connect the dots here.]

[artfuldestruction]

[[YOU'RE WELCOME, KIMBLEE

AREN'T YOU LUCKY YOU'RE SURROUNDED BY ALL THIS SANITY]]

I see what you mean. But that's the unfortunate thing about tattoos; they tend to be fairly permanent. If we were back in my home world removal would be far simpler, as our technology for that sort of thing is obviously more advanced; here I can whip up something to mimic it, but I can't promise perfect removal. You may end up with some scarring.

[[Which is a small price to pay for getting them off, right?]]

I believe you should use your time away from the base to really consider just how much you want these marks removed, and if you're willing to pay the price. As I said; I can come up with some prosthetics to cover them, although that obviously won't be quite as effective.

[explosivecombat]

In that case, you should be aware that they aren't ink, as you've observed; that sort of thing wouldn't be suitable, given what it is I do - the ink would become illegible to the point of being unusable for alchemy within months, and fall out entirely before the year was out. That's hardly practical for any sort of use in combat; they're effectively scars in and of themselves, not any sort of standard tattoo.

[yeah um

it might be good to clarify that, huh]

[artfuldestruction]

...they're not tattoos?

[[.....ah. Well, that could be a bit of an issue. Kato frowns, furrowing his brow again. In the most beautiful manner possible, of course.]]

That complicates things somewhat. I was thinking more along the lines of ink that could be slowly faded out, but scars like those....

[[.....Kimblee what the fuck kind of soldiers do you have in your world, is this shit common

jfc]]

...well, the original method could be used, although I can pretty much guarantee you'll just have new scars to replace the old, and the new ones will be far less aesthetically pleasing.

[explosivecombat]

[...while it's not common, he'll have to tell you about Major Comanche someday - the Silver Alchemist was many things, batshit insane was apparently one of them.]

And at risk of stating the obvious, Dr. Kato, I'd think that would defeat the purpose somewhat.

[artfuldestruction]

[[Sighing, Kato crossed his arms, rubbing at his temple with his right hand.]]

Then I'm not sure there's much else I can suggest, sir; tattoos I could do, scars are a whole different story. Especially ones like that, ones designed to last a lifetime; I know there are treatments for small scars caused by injuries, but I don't know if I've got the necessary technology and knowledge to get rid of your alchemical symbols cleanly. There's no one from your world that has any information about that?

[explosivecombat]

[Let's see - in Amestris, we basically tend to solve problems like this with...well...]

Ah...let's just say that our procedures for such things in Amestris are decidedly more of a last resort, generally carried out only if you're going to be changing your entire appearance drastically.

[sup dr marcoh, sorry about your face

...no, seriously

sorry about your face]

...and by "changing one's appearance drastically" I'm referring to changes usually carried out by a fireball to the face.

[artfuldestruction]

....

[[That sounds ugly as hell tbh, dnw to visit your country of burn victims]]

Well, I'll resist getting Joule to Flamethrower those marks off you; at this stage, Kimblee, it might be simpler to just leave the marks as they are. Not to mention better for your general health and wellbeing.

[[FIREBALLS, THOUGH]]

Aside from offering you thick makeup or prosthetic pads that you can wear over them, I'm afraid there's not much else I can do.

[explosivecombat]

[OH COME THE HELL ON]

...I was hardly suggesting that you actually take that route, you know.

[And he doesn't know exactly what happened to Marcoh, but the man had a habit of travelling around with a guy who liked to impale people and literally make their heads explode. He doesn't want to think about it, okay, it was just. Really fugly.]

At any rate, it's something I'll consider; as I've said, I'll have time - and it's hardly relevant at this exact moment besides.

[artfuldestruction]

That would probably be for the best, yes. I'm sorry I can't be of much more help.

[[Legitimately, too; Kato doesn't like discovering that he's incapable of something important, particularly when a superior is asking for it. Hm.]]

Regardless, if there's ever a time where you'd like to....ah, disguise your appearance again, you need only come and find me~

[explosivecombat]

[...Kato, you can practically hear the sad trombone here]

You aren't getting me in women's clothing again.

[artfuldestruction]

But aren't you glad that you need to add 'again' after that sentence?!

[[COME ON KIMBLEE HE KNOWS YOU FELT PRETTY

AND YOU LOVED THE FAKE TITS]]

[explosivecombat]

Ecstatic.

[KILL

HIM

NOW]

[artfuldestruction]

[[Chuckling~]]

Don't worry, sir; I have no intention of dressing you up as a woman any time soon.

[[Even though you're uh

kind of surrounded by crossdressers here, Kimblee

ffs stop being a hipster!!]]

I can't, however, make that promise for myself.

[explosivecombat]

[...Katie, honey...]

Oh? For work or pleasure, this time around?

[artfuldestruction]

[[You know you love it, Kimmy~]]

Work, of course; although I may get a little bit of pleasure out of it.

Tell me, do you think I'll make a good redhead? I've found the perfect wig.

[explosivecombat]

I prefer blondes, myself, but I've no doubt you'll be lovely.

[...fuck his life...]

[artfuldestruction]

Oh?

[[the slowest

eyebrow raise

in the world]]

Well I can always dress up as Katie again if you're feeling deprived.

[[Or depraved

either works here lbr]]

[explosivecombat]

No, no, that's quite all right. I can hardly afford to get so sidetracked when there's business to be done in the morning, after all; don't tempt me.

[artfuldestruction]

You do have a trip to prepare for, and I should get back to my work.

[[Have a very graceful bow~]]

I do hope it's profitable for you.

[explosivecombat]

I have reason to believe it will be, yes.

[He pauses for a moment after that's out there, however.]

I do rather appreciate what you've been willing to do for me, Dr. Kato; I may request your assistance with a personal project of mine, at a later date.

For the time being, however, enjoy your evening - and do try to sleep at some point; you're going to work yourself into an early grave at this rate.

[artfuldestruction]

Consider the sentiment appreciated and returned, Kimblee sir. I'm always willing to help those who help me.

[[But really, this is rather nice. He never knew you cared, Kimblee!]]

You don't need to worry about me; I intend to get my beauty sleep~

Do have a safe trip; with any luck I'll have something interesting for you when you return.