Team Bonding, AMA

[the_civilian]

[ Tadashi is reclining in a bed in medical, wearing the beatific smile of the enlightened and the well and truly stoned. ]

I love biology. Well, no, I'm enthusiastic about biology, I don't love it. I love programming and engineering and my family and helping people. Not in that order. Maybe in that order in regards to science. Except programming and engineering are the tools I use to help people, but I do love them too.

[ He stares off into space for a moment, then shakes himself and focuses back on the camera again. ]

But, you know, the thing about biology that's so cool is that we don't understand it all the way. Sometimes biological interactions happen unexpectedly. Like, these painkillers. I don't have an example of them to show you; they're already in my system and the medical staff won't give me more of them because they make me really loopy. Which is cool, because it's not an allergic reaction or a result of a miscalculated dose, it's just a reaction that happens sometimes to some people. Which is cool! Even almost a thousand years in the future of an alternate universe -- which has seriously weird rules, oh my god you guys I wish I loved biology and philosophy and physics more so I could study how weird this place is, I could write so many papers -- people still don't really know how our bodies work and why they react to certain things the way they do. Reality is amazing and I am so happy it exists!

[ He beams at the camera, but his smile eventually fades into confusion. Then he gasps in apparent surprise. ]

Oh yeah! Anyway, I'm super bored right now and I can't concentrate enough to read anything longer than a few sentences. And I've kind of been focused on dealing with my own stuff and not lighting things on fire when I shouldn't to get to know people, so I was thinking I should get off my ass and do that. Metaphorically, not literally, because the medical staff has confined to this bed until I metabolize the painkillers.

I was thinking we could do a...thingy. That thing people sometimes-- AMA! Ask Me Anything, that thing! We could do that, but just for Legionnaires. Not that I don't love the staffers here, I do, but I was thinking it could be a team bonding thing and some people here are more private than others. But I'd need one of the scary computer ladies to lock it down for me, because I can't figure out how to do that right now.

[ His eyes widen suddenly. ]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean that like "scary computers who are women", that would be rude, I meant it like "scary women who are good with computers". Computer programming has a long history of ignoring the contributions of the women who are it's backbone, and we have a lot of women here who area really good at what they do and they deserve to be afforded all the respect due to them as people and as badasses. The patriarchy sucks like the vacuum abhorred by nature.

...I think this got away from me. What was I talking about?

Comments

[orbislife]

Would you be interested in learning meditation?

[ Rico has been added to Zenyatta's list of people who needs help finding their inner peace. It's becoming quite a list in this place. ]

[truefaceofthelaw]

[Rico scrutinizes for the longest time the droid's face on his screen.]

Maybe. Isn't that just spiritual psi-div mumbo jumbo?

[He turns his head to the side in affected disinterest.]

Why? You offering?

[orbislife]

Meditation does more than calm the spirit and sharpen the mind. It helps with heart rate, breathing, tension, blood pressure, and a number of other biological and mental aliments. There have been numerous studies and research on meditation and how it improves productivity and quality of life.

But yes, I am offering.

[truefaceofthelaw]

I'm already in perfect physical health. I've got the med exams to prove it.

[Yes, Rico's avoiding the obvious response.]

You don't exactly need to lower your heart rate or blood pressure or muscular tension. You're a droid. Why do you do it?

[orbislife]

[ Well, he tried. But he's not going to give up so easily. ]

For myself, I benefit more from the mindfulness and spiritual side of meditation. I order my thoughts, reflect on the day and whatever comes to mind. I observe the working and feeling of my body and my connection to the physical world. I take a moment to be still so that I may be refreshed and ready for whatever is thrown at me.

[truefaceofthelaw]

[There's a long pause before Rico speaks again.]

Still sounds like a bunch of Psi-div mumbo jumbo.

[It's interesting, the way this droid thinks. What does ordering his thoughts even mean, when he can run through thousands of lines in an instant? Rico almost wants to peel his head open and peer into what's inside. Maybe there is something beyond the programming after all.]

But maybe I will. Just once. We'll see if it's a waste of my time or not.

[orbislife]

It may take more than one attempt to truly understand its value... like many other skills.

[ But attempting once is a step in the right direction. He won't press further for the time being. ]

However, you are welcome to come to visit my habitat at any time, and I will guide you through a meditation session.