curiosity
that was the word for what it felt
it was such a...human emotion
only to be expected
they were such strange little things, easily spooked and prone to loud, bothersome noises
and emotions
those were particularly bothersome
especially considering how much trouble they gave its Tool
its Tool had been so fierce when it had first begun its...conditioning, some obscure human measurement of time ago, fierce and adamant as it he resisted the necessary preparations, nights spent screaming and howling in protest
it had touched his mind, examined it all over while it pounded full of harshpainsound and found that it was
perfect
for its uses
there was pain there, plenty enough, but also rage, so much beautiful rage
and regret
hatred
pretty little things, things it could use
troublesome emotions that it could push its desires through
so every night it whispered in his ear, intoned
how he was special
he was chosen
important
he had a great deal of raw potential, it told him, again and again
and so desperate was he, so open and ready to be molded into the right shape
he kept his rage and he used it
he kept his despair and his pain
and he held them close to his dark human heart
and day by day he slipped a little further into that inviting darkness until he had was in the right condition, the right state of mind to have that mind be broken into pieces and made to obey
brave little soldier
he obeyed perfectly
save for one part of him
the emotional part
he was angry, yes, and that anger gave him the strength to perform beautifully, to do what was demanded of him and more
but now his pain held him back
and again he resisted
and the more he fought, the more it began to realize that it was...
...angry
just as it had molded him, he had begun to mold it, on an infinitely smaller level
it was a problem
problems must be cut out
but it was intrigued all the same
curious
how revoltingly, utterly human
but, still...curious
it was curious about its Tool
because he it had begun to cry
every night, it would not speak or communicate or open up its head
just cry, silently
it was
annoying
(again with human emotions)
(disgusting)
one night it asked him
(because it was curious)
name?
"What?"
he it looked so surprised at that, discovering that its master could speak, however much pain the impact of its rather unique brand of communication gave him
name.
it sniffled, rubbed a hand across its tearstained face
"Alex."
you are broken. alex.
it nodded at that, sniffed again in silent agreement
let me fix you
he it stared at its master sharply
"You'd do that?"
you will need to help
you need to let go
"Let go...how?" it asked, confused
(as humans endlessly were)
of everything
of pain
of rage
once it helped you
no longer
let go of it
it is useless to us
the pitiful thing sniffed again, smudging away its tears, its last reminders of its vestiges of humanity
let me fix you
slowly, it he alex nodded
it took a deep breath
(inefficient human lungs)
and opened up
let go
and it reached out
and took
the last human piece
of alex kralie