Well there is that missing, yes, something that keeps them so very different from us, from humans.
If they had any awareness at all as we know it, that wouldn't be a life for them, or at least not a merciful one.
It's only that — [ He studies a few of the ones nearest him, a brief almost wistful expression on his face. He's not sure how to articulate it exactly. Or rather, he knows how to say it, he simply won't. He can't. Too much of himself revealed. So much of his own time lately has been spent teetering on the brink of a madness he's quite sure might start to peek out soon enough. A madness that's nothing like he's ever felt before, like two realities converging. And the one that feels most real is the one he wants so very much to reject. It only comes to him in dreams, though. Terrible dreams, brief flashes, that's all it is. (Nothing to worry about.)
Still — he wonders what it might be like to be as the automatons here, even just for a day. To not be aware of anything at all, of all that's been lost, of all that's to come, and to be free of knowing what it might feel like to be the last standing when all others have gone. But down that path lies another kind of madness he thinks he knows all too well, that of machines (cybernetically augmented humanoids, that was it) that had a kind of consciousness once, but had rejected emotion. And hadn't he been the one to —
With a soft smile and his hands folded behind his back, he does a little playful bow and a flick of his hand at the one closest him. ]
Sentient or not, they've been peaceful and kind company a time or two. And they're making this place safer, so they have my utmost respect. [ He turns back to the Nomad, though, a brighter smile on his face. ]
Any plans for the day? Can I talk you out of staying here? Come on, just an hour or two, a quick trip, back in no time, and you won't be missing anything at all. Except perhaps, Fred over there doing a few quick quarter turn loops in the southeast corridor, which to be fair, is a bit agony to miss so I wouldn't blame you wanting to stay but. Come on.
[ Though, the Doctor is the sort to try to conjure delight wherever he is so they needn't go anywhere at all necessarily. ]
no subject
If they had any awareness at all as we know it, that wouldn't be a life for them, or at least not a merciful one.
It's only that — [ He studies a few of the ones nearest him, a brief almost wistful expression on his face. He's not sure how to articulate it exactly. Or rather, he knows how to say it, he simply won't. He can't. Too much of himself revealed. So much of his own time lately has been spent teetering on the brink of a madness he's quite sure might start to peek out soon enough. A madness that's nothing like he's ever felt before, like two realities converging. And the one that feels most real is the one he wants so very much to reject. It only comes to him in dreams, though. Terrible dreams, brief flashes, that's all it is. (Nothing to worry about.)
Still — he wonders what it might be like to be as the automatons here, even just for a day. To not be aware of anything at all, of all that's been lost, of all that's to come, and to be free of knowing what it might feel like to be the last standing when all others have gone. But down that path lies another kind of madness he thinks he knows all too well, that of machines (cybernetically augmented humanoids, that was it) that had a kind of consciousness once, but had rejected emotion. And hadn't he been the one to —
With a soft smile and his hands folded behind his back, he does a little playful bow and a flick of his hand at the one closest him. ]
Sentient or not, they've been peaceful and kind company a time or two. And they're making this place safer, so they have my utmost respect. [ He turns back to the Nomad, though, a brighter smile on his face. ]
Any plans for the day? Can I talk you out of staying here? Come on, just an hour or two, a quick trip, back in no time, and you won't be missing anything at all. Except perhaps, Fred over there doing a few quick quarter turn loops in the southeast corridor, which to be fair, is a bit agony to miss so I wouldn't blame you wanting to stay but. Come on.
[ Though, the Doctor is the sort to try to conjure delight wherever he is so they needn't go anywhere at all necessarily. ]