[ The fact that Qubit thinks Ben is refusing just because his powers are painful to use is a pretty neat demonstration of the fact that Qubit really, really doesn't know him, at all. As if he couldn't put up with a little physical pain. As if the pain he felt ever made a difference to anyone except him, and perhaps Klaus if he was sober enough to notice.
Abstractly, Ben notices that somewhere in the last few moments his heart has started racing. On the outside, he looks much the same. Perhaps a little more still than usual, but no other sign of the way fear and nausea has wormed their way into his guts.
His voice is much quieter as he repeats, just as briefly: ]
No.
[ Ben knows that tone of voice Qubit is using. The exact one. The one that tells him it's worth putting up with just a little more pain, just a little more sadness, just a little more hopelessness, for the good of his family, for the world - for his own good, even if he doesn't see it yet.
How many times had Pogo spoken to him in that voice, summoning him for another training, or series of tests, or mission where he would come back covered head-to-toe in blood? Reginald hadn't used that voice on him, very often. But most of the time, Reginald didn't ask for cooperation. He knew he would get it one way or another.
Worst of all is the fact that he feels so guilty, just for this small thing. He doesn't want to know how it works, and he's fairly positive Qubit couldn't do anything to impact his powers one way or another. But just shutting him down is so much harder than it ought to be.
He ought to explain a little, perhaps. Not much, but enough that Qubit understands this refusal isn't about him at all. But talking out loud is really not appealing right now. Needs must. Ben cuts off the video, switches to text. He'll maybe manage it, if he doesn't have to speak, if he knows Qubit isn't looking at him. ]
Best case scenario I'd have a panic attack and worst case scenario I'd accidentally kill you. I don't want to do that.
--> text
Abstractly, Ben notices that somewhere in the last few moments his heart has started racing. On the outside, he looks much the same. Perhaps a little more still than usual, but no other sign of the way fear and nausea has wormed their way into his guts.
His voice is much quieter as he repeats, just as briefly: ]
No.
[ Ben knows that tone of voice Qubit is using. The exact one. The one that tells him it's worth putting up with just a little more pain, just a little more sadness, just a little more hopelessness, for the good of his family, for the world - for his own good, even if he doesn't see it yet.
How many times had Pogo spoken to him in that voice, summoning him for another training, or series of tests, or mission where he would come back covered head-to-toe in blood? Reginald hadn't used that voice on him, very often. But most of the time, Reginald didn't ask for cooperation. He knew he would get it one way or another.
Worst of all is the fact that he feels so guilty, just for this small thing. He doesn't want to know how it works, and he's fairly positive Qubit couldn't do anything to impact his powers one way or another. But just shutting him down is so much harder than it ought to be.
He ought to explain a little, perhaps. Not much, but enough that Qubit understands this refusal isn't about him at all. But talking out loud is really not appealing right now. Needs must. Ben cuts off the video, switches to text. He'll maybe manage it, if he doesn't have to speak, if he knows Qubit isn't looking at him. ]
Best case scenario I'd have a panic attack and worst case scenario I'd accidentally kill you. I don't want to do that.