(Hershel stretches his arms in order to rejuvenate his muscles after his weeks of inactivity.) Approval from a nurse would be much appreciated. Thank you, my boy.

(He then raises an eyebrow at Luke's remark.)

"Their" arrival? By that, you mean...?

Surely I could be of assistance. I know you're concerned for my health, but I assure you I've had more than enough rest.

Luke, I'm not sure I'm fully up to speed here, but you mustn't blame yourself in a time like this. You can only do so much by yourself.

(He reaches over to his bedside for his hat and places it on his head, briefly adjusting it for a moment before he's satisfied before he continues.)

Hershel cannot hide the growing concern in his voice.

“Descole? Civilians?! What on earth are they trying to do now?”

He sits completely upright and begins to push his bed covers aside.

MWAH!!

I’M SO SORRY PAUL I THOUGHT A KISSY WOULD FIX EVERYTHING

i am sorgy paul….

It was directed at both of you. My apaulogies, Paul.

can i have a kissy

Now, Randall, don't you think I can handle myself?

Gentlemen, please.

i have twohands. paul. happy pride

my word.

Rrandle

Hershel’s borderline horrified expression quickly softens as relief washes over him, his eyes blinking away the tears beginning to form. Through his turbulent emotions, he can’t help but laugh a little.

“Ah. That’s the clever boy I know! I underestimated you. Forgive me, Luke.”

It would be a pleasure to meet him someday!…

Technology is fast advacing, and while computers are a bit outside of my field of knowledge, I wouldn’t be surprised if your human creators could find a way to give you the gift of human sensations to accompany your human intelligence.

Luke, I…

(Hershel shifts his gaze to the side for a moment, not wanting to accept what his eyes and ears were telling him.)

I’ve seen firsthand how in some realities Targent is capable of ensnaring the people I love, but… I could never imagine you, of all people… Not like this…

My dear boy…

Ngh… That voice…

(It sounds familiar, but he can’t match it to any kind of recognizable face as his blurred vision tries to adjust to the man beside him.)

Targent ship crashed… Who…

(Hershel stirs a bit in his hospital bed, then his eyelids flutter open at the sound of somebody entering the room. He doesn’t even take a moment to try to assess his own injuries, as he quickly locks his sight onto whoever stood before him.)

Hmmnh? Again? Now what?…

Hm? I have a virtual counterpart as well, you say? Very interesting! Perhaps I’ll find a way to meet him someday.

As a hologram, do you feel physical sensations when interacting with me? Or does it feel like nothing at all?

…Ahem. Forgive my inquisitiveness. I hope it’s not overwhelming.

While that sounds rather unnatural, I cannot say I'm surprised at this point, given everything else.

(He pauses, his face scrunched up in worry.)

Nonsense, Claire. No matter what, nothing can take your humanity away from you.

(Hershel gasps in surprise.)

The internet is capable of creating sentient life? That's... incredible! While this certainly isn't my first encounter with artificially created life, I've never met an artificial being originating from the internet!

(He is visibly amused, and lets out a small laugh.)

That certainly explains why I feel so sore...

(He sits up.)

But... What do you mean you "split" yourself?

Oh? I've met quite a few Claires in the last year, but none quite like this!

(Hershel curiously reaches his hand out, confirming Claire's claim as it passes through her fingertips.)

How on earth are you able to do that? Are you some sort of projection?

Hm? Claire, is that you? You look rather different today. @summon-claire-exe.bsky.social

What on earth happened? All I can remember is being aboard a Targent airship and suddenly feeling faint.

My head hurts… How long was I out?…

Regardless, whatever happens, I want to believe we’ll be alright in the end.

(He offers them both a reassuring squeeze of the hand.)

Personally, I’m taking this with a heavy amount of skepticism. I hardly think any sort of good intentions can justify the violence we’ve faced thus far.

I don’t claim to know what’s going on in his head, but something terrible must have happened for him to end up this way…