[Tav listens to Cosima with concern written clearly across his face. It’s all this diplomacy stuff that made him such a terrible leader back home. He’d say the wrong thing and then they’d have a cadre of githyanki or vampires or demons on top of them. He never got good at this and then he learned he was born to kill things, that all of these urges were because he was the son of the god of murder.
He lets his hands hang between his knees.] I agree. I agree that anyone around me should know that I’m a monster.
[Wolf, monster, same thing.]
I don’t know what to tell them without telling the whole story.
[She sighs quietly.] Of course you feel strongly about it. I think anyone would. But you don't need to ... you don't have to add the value judgment about it, you know? Like... what people need to know is not that you think you're a monster. What they need to know is that you can become involuntarily dangerous at night, so you're not going on missions that will take you out of the Gallows overnight, you're getting locked in, and you're looking for a permanent solution but that no one knows how long that will take.
And I can't tell you no one's going to have a feeling about that. But you're not trying to manage their feelings. What you're doing is giving them information so they can take extra steps to protect themselves if they want to. Or at a minimum, they'll know not try to welcome you to the organization with a late night of drinking in Kirkwall or anything, or think you're a jerk if you say no to that.
I can talk to the other Division Heads, though. If you really think you'd do it badly, we can put together some sort of statement and take care of spreading it to our respective staffs.
[Tav looks at the floor as Cosima talks, absorbing every word she says. It all makes sense, but he still has no idea how to frame a very precarious issue as something they are getting a better handle on.]
I’m not known for my diplomatic words, unfortunately. I can try, but I might make a bigger mess of things.
OK, well. Think about it, if you need to. I think having the Division Heads tell people proactively is still probably better than letting it get out in fits and starts.
[Enough people already know that keeping it secret indefinitely won't fly, though Cosima doesn't spell that out.]
I wish I could tell you "oh yeah, that's definitely a thing we know how to fix," for what it's worth. But we really will do our best.
Do. And I'll keep you posted, after I consult with Strange. [Who, inevitably, will also need to know.] And ... I'm sorry you're dealing with this. It's a rough hand to get dealt.
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He lets his hands hang between his knees.] I agree. I agree that anyone around me should know that I’m a monster.
[Wolf, monster, same thing.]
I don’t know what to tell them without telling the whole story.
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And I can't tell you no one's going to have a feeling about that. But you're not trying to manage their feelings. What you're doing is giving them information so they can take extra steps to protect themselves if they want to. Or at a minimum, they'll know not try to welcome you to the organization with a late night of drinking in Kirkwall or anything, or think you're a jerk if you say no to that.
I can talk to the other Division Heads, though. If you really think you'd do it badly, we can put together some sort of statement and take care of spreading it to our respective staffs.
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I’m not known for my diplomatic words, unfortunately. I can try, but I might make a bigger mess of things.
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[Enough people already know that keeping it secret indefinitely won't fly, though Cosima doesn't spell that out.]
I wish I could tell you "oh yeah, that's definitely a thing we know how to fix," for what it's worth. But we really will do our best.
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[Despite trying to keep his 'condition' secret, more and more people are finding out.]
Thank you. I truly appreciate it. If I remember anything, I'll alert you.
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[He offers one last wave on the way out.]