3

Departing

Of course, the task of telling Knives who he was and what the goals of his agenda were presented Legato with an interesting moral dilemma. On one hand, with the loss of his memories, Knives seemed to take on an entirely different personality. He seemed quiet, introverted and, most unsuited to him, thoughtful and even compassionate. He was certainly grateful and appreciative of Legato's taking care of him, and, as his condition improved and the minion's fatigue began to become more apparent, even went so far as to be concerned for Legato's well-being. In light of this much more subdued persona his master had adopted, it seemed to Legato that filling him in on the particulars of the abuses he had suffered- and exacted- and the way he was supposed to behave would only serve to upset his master, who, lacking in the memories and experiences that had shaped him into the crusader he had been, seemed almost childlike now.

On the other hand, if Knives were to regain said memories and experiences, he would likely be very displeased with his minion for allowing him to behave in a manner that he would surely find undignified and wholly absurd. So it was with careful consideration to the plant's current state, now-delicate feelings and the wrath he would bring unto himself were Knives to become Knives once more, that Legato decided on his course of action. Rather than choosing absolute inaction that would certainly anger his master, Legato would attempt to help Knives remember on his own. Hopefully, he could spur the plant's memory and avoid having to simply dump everything on his master all at once.

It was in this spirit that, as soon as the latter was well enough, Legato took Knives out into the desert to show him the world he had chosen as humanity's deathbed and the construction site of his future Eden. He had decided that the best way to induce Knives' memories was to show him the state of the planet and its inhabitants and to, hopefully, let the recollections come on their own. He had planned a trip sensitive to the things most likely to cause Knives' memories to resurface, making sure to stop off in all of the locales that had been stages for the most important events in the forming and evolution of his master's grand plan.

Knives was stunned by the blinding brilliance of the world as soon as he was out of the heavy, morose darkness of the subterranean complex he apparently inhabited by choice, though he found this among the most difficult of things to comprehend. Just a few paces outside of the complex, he stopped and gazed out over the sands, taking in the sprawling, shimmering wasteland that rolled like so many waves of gold under the twin suns.

Noting his master's inspection of the terrain, Legato stopped a few steps behind him, speaking softly, with a careful indifference in his tone to let Knives form his own impression without being given any hints as to what reaction he should be feeling, "Well, this is it -home. The climate is the same over the entire planet."

There was a pause for a few moments as the plant scanned this barren landscape before him, and then he spoke, in quiet, awed tones, "It's beautiful."

In response to this, Legato simply stared, completely stunned at the statement. Knives matched his shocked stare with the nonchalant gaze of a child who does not realize they've said anything wrong or at all unusual. Realizing his companion's disbelief, he offered further commentary, now taking a more practical approach to the planet.

"Well, obviously the environment leaves much to be desired. Resources are scarce, I'm certain, and the heat is extreme; it must be very dangerous to be out for long during the day, especially around midday. The conditions must be remarkably harsh as well; deserts are prone to sandstorms and typhoons, and the nights most likely reach the opposite temperature extremes, and also to a dangerous degree. My initial remark was simply meant in a purely aesthetic sense..."

"No," Legato took the hesitation as an opportunity to interrupt, "You're right; it is beautiful. I just hadn't looked at it that way before now. But it is."

Contented with the agreement, Knives remarked, "Like an endless auburn sea glittering beneath an azure sky." He turned to Legato once more, finding the man staring at him again, though the expression he now wore expressed a different sort of surprise, seeming almost impressed.

"I take it that I'm not behaving like myself, then?" Knives commented on the expression that gazed back at him.

"You could say that," responded Legato, the remarkable understatement of his words voiced clearly in his eyes and tone.

"Sorry."

"No, don't be... it's alright."

Knives smiled.

Legato had never seen such a genuine expression on his master's face before.