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>Think...Pursue that "grandfather" lead...We had the idea from the hard candies earlier, remember? He supposedly had those too. Think about him.
As you get up, ready to do some experiments with the PARADIGMs and the overseer box, that old idea lingers in the back of your mind.
You let it linger for a moment. The pendant around your neck glows as-
<span class="mu-i">"Now, listen here, sonny." Grandpapa grabs your tiny little hands. The two of you are in his house. Old, decrepit, just like him. There's nothing but the bare essentials and chairs far too rickety to sit on comfortably.
He's wearing his cool soldier outfit! Or, ETF, whatever that meant.
"There are three lessons I learnt over the years. Take it from an ol' Theta like myself. Do you want to know them?"
"Yeah!" You squeak. God, your voice was so high pitched back then. "I wanna know!"
"Lesson 1: Never take anything you see at face value. This world is out to hurt you and the people you love. Always question what's around you." His tone lowers, losing the soft kindness it once had.
"Lessons 2: Be wary of the Alphabet Companies. No matter what they offer you, always remember that they hold all the cards."
"And Lesson 3: If you have the will, do it. There are people in this world who constantly wait for their time to shine. But they will wait forever."
"if you really believe in something, do it at any costs. Do you understand?"
You nod your tiny little head. You barely understood them at the time but you trusted him. Your grandpapa's smile returns. He places a piece of hard candy in your hand.
"Good boy. Don't tell your mother I gave you this, alright?"
"Yes, Theta, sir!" You squeak out. He gently ruffles your hair. "Hehe. I knew you always had a good head on your shoulders."
"Now, go along. Play with your friends. Pappy is gonna take a nap, okay?" "Okay!" You quickly run outside. It's snowing for the first time in forever!</span>
Those memories of a more innocent time, his smile...you hold onto a piece of the hard candy Mr. Churchland gave you.
[HOPELESS WRECK] ...he's probably dead now. Who knows if we have any living family left. This hurts.
[BOUND BY DUTY] You have no doubt in your heart that he was a good soldier. This memory hurts in a good way.
[DYING LIGHT] It's funny. I remember his smile but I can't even remember his name or his face. It's just...a blur.
"SiR?" C-0RA rests a hand on your shoulder. You snap back into reality. "Woah, uh, what was I doing?" You mutter, still recovering from your flashback.
"You weRe staRIng at some candy for a whiLe. ArE you okay?" C-0RA grabs a hold of your hands. "ThEn you starTed to cry. It was...worrying."
You notice how you can't really see all that well. You wipe your eyes. "No, no, it's fine. Just an old memory."
"It's a good thing you're remembering, sir. But are you sure you're not getting stressed out?" S-4M beeps. "We should take a-"
"I'm fine. Really, I am." You wave your hand at them. "I'm going outside for a bit."
