Andre said:
"So... do you consider us fit for the Covenant position?"
Articuno regarded Andre carefully. They
knew. They saw his secret. They hadn't
assumed that he was a criminal and a murderer, but they knew he
feared discovery. Was terrified of it, even.
"I expect several of you at least to be well-suited for the task at hand," they replied, evenly. They cleared their throat lightly, adjusting to using their vocal cords again. "If you're willing to accept the responsibility, Andre, I am confident that you could make yourself useful in investigating the matter of the ARK Unit's origins, and whatever clandestine schemes may surround it."
If he was willing to accept.
They hadn't
threatened Andre... This was, still, voluntary.
"If your terror makes you a liability, it would be best not to depend on you," came a private whisper.
"I am, above all else, pragmatic."
Gladion said:
“What’s normal of your heroes? I’m not gonna tell you we’re all surgically selected, but every human’s fucked up in their own way. Honestly, I’m dying to know what your perfect one looks like.”
The bird's beak parted for a moment as they considered this.
"They differ," they said, at last. "You are aware of Jesse Stranger? He was, by all accounts, a remarkably driven individual, with charisma and confidence enough to deal with the disparate cultures of Sojaveña, intelligent and persistent enough to solve the enigma dungeons common at the time, and solitary enough to endure long journeys across sparsely-settled country. At other times I have heard of humans who are especially cerebral, or singularly mighty, as appropriate to contend with their respective Crises. In all cases, however, these summoned heroes are proactive, cooperative, and deeply altruistic."
They paused, frowning slightly.
"With that in mind, I would hardly describe them as perfect. The ancient ones are mythologised, and the modern ones are... rough around the edges. Jesse Stranger, for instance, was necessarily a
forthright personality, uncompromising at times, and unsophisticated. Yet, a vulgar tongue is perhaps a greater asset in Sojaveña than 'high class' mannerisms, as you may have discovered for yourselves. Perfection is contextual. 'Appropriateness' is perhaps a more apt adjective."
