Quoted By:
"I want to make sure that if I die, my family is provided for. I think it's better to live a boring but secure life than a life where you have to struggle every day or blowing smoke up your ass because of some shitty arthouse project."
"What if your kids want to be creatives anyways? I mean, shit, Max said she wanted to do music if it wasn't for her obligations."
"She's a kid." "Dad, I'm 21-" "I'm not stopping her from expressing herself from now."
"I just want to make sure that this family won't crumble over delusionals thinking they're better than everyone else because what? You made some arthouse films that get praised by M-Corp druggies? You live in a world I will never understand and I'm glad for that. I thank you for everything you've done for my family but...can you see why I'm hesitant about these kinds of things?"
You shrug. You can't fully relate to him and he can't fully relate to you. Both of you are on fundamentally different worlds and nothing will change that. Though, you have Max at least. After all of this talk, she seems to have been humbled somewhat. She glances up at you with a small smile before returning to her meal.
Soon, everyone finishes their meal. Roland digs something out of his pocket and activates it. Before you know it, three small portals appear right behind your group's side of the table. "Saves you some time getting back home. Consider it a favor for doing everything for us this mission."
Your allies stare at the Y-Company portals with bewilderment but soon, they simply shrug and head their separate ways after finishing their meals. Good thing about eating with corpos: You don't got to pay for a single damn thing! Casey, Alexis, and Benjamin disappear through the portals...leaving you and Max.
"Hey. Sorry about everything. Sorry about, uh, being kinda a brat today." She nervously laughs at herself, clearly trying to seem more humble about it. "But. I think this mission taught me something. Thanks for bringing me along. I'll...try better. For your sake. For my sake."
For a moment, you see her spark manifested. A metal mask covered in scorched marks covers her face, hiding herself away from the world. Her tuxedo is dripping with paints of every color on the rainbow, staining her purple tuxedo and red bowtie. Then, as soon as it appears, it disappears. Not nearly as detailed as Benjamin's but she's getting there. One day, it might manifest for real.
>Max has gained CHAOTIC SPARK (+???. May take some time to fully develop.)
"Don't push yourself too hard. People care about you."
"I know that."
"this shit is sappy" Robbert mutters to himself. Roland and Rosaline give him judgmental looks, which causes him to shut up for now. You decide to take the hint and leave through one of the portals.
You immediately fall face first onto your bed. At least your fall was cushioned. You peel off your PARADIGM and as soon as the waves of exhaustion take over you, you pass right the fuck out.
