An Afternoon Chat

06-31 YC 115
Huola VII
Cerra Manor

Leela stepped through the door to Ryven's suite at Cerra Manor, followed by Zhou.  Leela had recieved a message from Ryven that morning asking them both to come by.  She was worried.  The last time she had seen or heard from Ryven was the day she informed him of the behavioral modification experiment which had radically altered his personality so much that he had found God, sworn service to the Amarr Empire, and gone as far as marrying her.  The marriage hadn't lasted, but everything else had.  To be honest, she liked this version of Ryven far more than she ever had the old version.  She had never questioned his conversion, though.  She'd simply assumed he had finally grown up and taken stock of his life.  Still, this version was her preferred version, even if it were artificially created. 

Ryven stood next to a coffee table and sofa and beckoned both of them to have a seat.  A carafe of freshly brewed coffee awaited, three cups already poured.  Steam wafted over the rim of each of the mugs.  Sunlight streamed through the window, the dimmers in the glass turned off to allow the natural lighting (a feature Ryven seldom utilized).  He smiled as they sat down on the sofa, and Ryven took a seat in a nearby chair, coffee in hand, his posture relaxed.

Ryven spoke first. "So, I invited you two here to apologize for not being in touch sooner and to share my thoughts and decisions regarding the information you gave me, as well as to thank you for it."

Leela relaxed visibly, the tension flowing out of her.  This was off to a good start. "The apology is unnecessary, Ryven.  You had a lot to think about and it was a lot to absorb, really."

Zhou's expression remained blank, but he nodded his agreement.  He did not know Ryven all that well, truly.  He had never known the old Ryven.  The new Ryven had saved his life at considerable risk.  From what Leela had told him, the old Ryven would never have considered such a thing, much less done it. 

Ryven nodded gratefully.  "I appreciate your understanding.  I also appreciate you telling me about Dr. Tobit, even knowing what it would do to me."

Leela's expression showed her concern for him. "I didn't enjoy it, but I never really considered not telling you.  You needed to know."  She didn't voice the contradictory emotions she had felt after she had told him.  She knew she had done the right thing, but her nights brought nothing but worry over him.  She had been doing her best for her relationship with Zhou, but Ryven was always going to be important to her.  He was her first love, and likely she would always love him.

Zhou was oblivious to Leela's current thoughts, but had been acutely aware of the strain it had put on her.  Still, he recognized that Leela had made the right choice and he felt deep sympathy for Ryven's position.  It is no small burden to learn that one's existence may very well be a fabrication.  No one likes to discover that what he believes most deeply to be true is a well-constructed lie.  "We both believe it was the right thing to do, Ryven."

Ryven nodded.  "I want you to know that I came by Dr. Tobit's research notes.  I had already made my decision regarding how to move forward beforehand, but even after receiving the notes, I have decided to make no attempts to reverse the changes."  He gestured toward a datapad on the coffee table. "I want you to hold onto those, Leela."

"Why?  Why not destroy them?" She couldn't think of any reason not to.

Ryven shrugged. "If you wish to do so, then that's fine.  I would recommend you read them first, though.  It could be very illuminating." He let the faintest of smiles play at the corner of his lips. "I read them and found it fascinating."

Leela's face showed her confusion, not knowing how to feel about this gift.  Still, she would honor his wishes.  How could she not?  Besides, her curiosity had been piqued, and that was a force to be reckoned with.  "Okay."

Ryven's face broke into a full smile, his eyes gleaming.  "Excellent."  He leaned forward, seeming lighter than he had in a very long time, a burden of sorts lifted. "So, that business taken care of, what's been going on with you two?"