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

[agnominal]

So I was told.

I am willing to learn, if nothing else.

[orbislife]

It is inspiring. There are many who are afraid to take that first step and some who take that first step and then no more.

However, you are not among them, my friend.

[agnominal]

You commit to change or you do not.

In my case, change was necessary.

[orbislife]

I am glad. For if you did not, I would not have the pleasure of speaking with you.

[agnominal]

You--

[ There's a brief pause. ]

--hm.

Thank you.

[orbislife]

For the record, I mean that in earnest. It is fun talking and joking with you.

[agnominal]

If I thought you were mocking me, I would not have offered thanks.

[ While he would be trying to change regardless, seeing the results right there in front of him? Slightly reassuring. ]

[orbislife]

That is a relief. Sometimes people misinterpret me due to a lack of facial expressions.

[ Also they often believe that an omnic monk cannot possibly have a sense of humor despite having one of the most precious laughs ever. ]

[agnominal]

I spent a great deal of time among those whose faces could not be seen.

There is nuance that most people overlook in day-to-day interactions. It is not lost on me.

[orbislife]

I see. That explains much. That is very fortunate for people like me.

[agnominal]

Are you often misunderstood in this fashion?

[orbislife]

I am, or they misunderstand just enough to cause distress.