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That glimmer you now see in Maruyama's eyes is hard to describe but the best way to describe it is 'drive'. A flicker of motivation. Desire. He glances over at you with a hesitant yet resolute smile. "Have you ever felt like you haven't tapped into your potent-" He interrupts him with a self deprecating laugh. "Ah. Nevermind. Must sound silly, huh?"
>+LATENT SPARK! +1 TALENT, CONNECTIONS, AND COGNIZANCE!
"I don't think it does." You simply respond with a gentle smile. "It's never too late to start. You're, what, in your 30s?"
"Daido, cut that shit out!" Kiara jabs into his sides with her elbow. "You gotta lighten up! I told you, it's no fun being a sour wuss!"
"Fine, fine! Stop that, that shit hurts!" Maruyama hisses, rubbing at his now sore side. "38, to be exact."
[UNSTABLE] "Father Above." You instinctually laugh out loud. "You sure your balls aren't shriveling up in there? Do we need to get you a cane, old man?"
"Shut up!" Maruyama can't help but to laugh along at the jab. "With all due seriousness, I can't quite place a finger on it but I've been trying. Never felt the urge TO try before." He looks up at the blindingly bright sky above the white wasteland of a district you're in. "It's hard sometimes. But every day, I try a little bit harder. Maybe I'm just worried I'll be left behind otherwise."
>+STEADFAST RESOLVE. +1 WILLPOWER and RESTRAINT!
Maruyama shakes his head before turning his attention back to you. "Apologies. My mind's just been in a different place lately these days."
"Hey, no harm! We're your pals! Right, Nicky?" Kiara wraps her arms around you and Maruyama. You can't help but to realize that the latex faux-skin of her arms is oddly warm now. Almost like a human is touching you instead of a robot. It feels nice- OKAY NO.
"Suppose we are." You and Maruyama respond at the same time before sharing a small laugh.
"Jinx." "Jinx indeed."
"Excellent!" Kiara unwraps her arms from both of you. Once she turns to you, you damn near jump out of your skin when you see your own face staring back at you. Well, it's not exactly like your own face. It's more like an android built to look like you. The greyish latex faux-skin and cheap steel that makes up her body break the illusion somewhat but at a distance or in low light conditions, she would look just like you.
She's even mimicking the antlers but, with one poke with your hand, you can tell they're made out of plastic instead of actual bone. Her normally blue LED eyes are even pink, just like your own eyes.
"What the fuck?" You can't even attempt to hide your shock.
"What's the matter?" Your own voice comes out of her mouth. It sounds like a damn near perfect match. "Don't like what you see in the mirror?" In an instant, she shifts back to her normal appearance. "New module. Freaked the fuck out of Maru too!"
>+MIMICRY MODULE! +1 CHARM AND CONNECTIONS!
"Please never do that again holy fuck." The uncanny valley of her trying her best to copy your appearance hits you HARD.
