**Cain**

Waiting rooms are torture. Absolute torture. Stick me back in that blasted box the Kid and Convict found me in. Just not that awful 'Waiting room' where you sit in one of the most uncomfortable chairs imaginable and worry. Worrying with DG is impossible. Just about anything with DG is impossible. She's too stubborn. If I weren't so damn proud of her, I'd give her a stern talking to!

DG was worrying up a storm over Glitch and his surgery. Raw wasn't helping, sitting beside her and intoning "Calm DG calm" Over and over.

It was too much. I decided if I had to worry I might as well get some exercise in. I walked three circuits around the palace garden. I was in the middle of a fourth when I saw him.

Glitch-no Ambrose-Glambrose?

He was sitting under a tree. He looked different, and I couldn't place why.

Then I realized he wasn't wearing that ripped up old coat.

I was so relived he was alright, I nearly ran over and hugged him. But I figured that wouldn't sit well with my "Issues with Masculinity." So I merely sauntered over calmly.

"Hey Glitch!"

He jumped like the Glitch I knew but the calm countenance he regarded me with was anyone but.

"Ahh Cain." He replied in a calm even, almost subdued voice

"Glitch?"

"I am the one you thenceforth referred to by the Pseudonym of Glitch, yes."

Hunh?

"Well I don't think very many will call me Glitch anymore, as I can remember my name and henceforth introduce myself properly as Ambrose. But I don't suppose I can expect the particular Nuance of Glitch to leave you, Raw or the princess any time soon, if at all.

Hunh?

"You mean DG?" I wasn't like him to just slag DG off merely as 'the princess'. Okay, sometimes, she got him to call her doll (I should probably ask about that sometime.) but they re never actually formal together.

"Yes the princess DG." He responded, still sounding morose. "Its quite comforting actually. At first it was an insult, A reminder that I couldn't remember my own name. But I found a way to use it to my own advantage, but it was still a mockery. And then Princess DG found me and we found you-"

He looked like Glitch, but spoke in a completely different manner.(Just as much mind.) Nor did he move his hands about.

"-Glitch just came to mean me. No more no less. For that Wyatt, I'm grateful to you, my friend."

I didn't know how to respond to that. So I just did something I saw work a thousand times for Glitch.

I opened my mouth and let whatever came fall out.

"You re more of a headcase than you were when you only had half a brain!" Not my finest moment, and I fully expected to be on the receiving end of his 'dancing' techniques.

So I was really surprised when he hung his head and sighed heavily

"Don't I know it"

"Hunh?"

"I had Everything as Glitch. I was Happy as Glitch.
I saw good even in the darkest of times. I believed in people, and the world. And I had DG.
I loved DG."

Wait what?
"Listen Glitch-Ambrose I mean"

"Id much rather you call me Glitch"

"Glitch then,. But listen. DG loves you for you. She she'll still love you now-"

"But DGs love isn't the question!" Glitch stood and began pacing.

"Its only human to have doubts.-" There was more (Mostly what I'd do to him if he broke the kids heart) but he gave a harsh laugh. It surprised me that Glitch could even make a sound like that. .

I stepped back. Something about the way he moved always made him look taller than he was, like the way he stood now.

"That's just the issue! Human!" he exclaimed. "Cain, how old do you think I am?"

My blood froze. What was he trying to tell me?

"40? Ish?"

He shook his head .

"Not even close. I'm over 1000 . I'm not human Cain. "

I swallowed dryly

"And I can't feel love."

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Ambrose, a 2-syllable boy's name of Greek/Latin origin, means: Divine; immortal.