hello, world

Simon: I hurt people, and I meant it. I tell myself I didn't, that I was forced... but I still did it. When I think about it, though, I'm ill. Even when it didn't matter.

Rocky: Why it not matter, question?

Simon: Cut the shit, yeah? You're not the first alien I've met.

Rocky: Simon at high risk misunderstand Rocky. Grace misunderstand often.

Simon: I'm not an idiot. Try me. M'good at filling in blanks.

Rocky: ...

Rocky: It did matter, and you know it did. That is why you feel very confused. Simon meant to kill them because felt passion and love for the cause of Eden, but not anymore. Your world did not end on the outside alone, but in your heart. Nothing mattered because you gave up, and to give up is to lose your 'humanity'. To Eridians, it is a different word, but this one you know well. Strive to see in each other. Humans never quit. I know from watching you and Grace. Murder is unforgivable in my culture, but trials are still necessary, and life is considered sacred even when many are scared to go near. Not forgiving does not equate to acting cruelly in return. Did you have animals on Mars, Simon? Question.

Simon: ...we had these... 'super-mutt' dogs. Hardy little fucks. Ate rocks and threw 'em up a lot.

Rocky: I studied some about dogs. They are a predator species. They eat other biological organisms to survive. You said they were eating rocks, question?

Simon: Close to the Quiet Rapture, our living situation wasn't so great. Somethin' about the world bein' thrown off from too much trade.

Rocky: Invasive species overrunning Mars. They were wronged with no ability to determine what happened.

Simon: Yeah, they were eatin' the rocks 'cause their food sources were runnin' out. Saw some of 'em turn on each other on Eden when we didn't have enough to keep feedin' 'em. Think one of 'em bit a kid... before we had to put it down.

Rocky: Did that make the dog evil, question?

Simon: What? Nah, they were starving, and we did it to them. If anything, we're the bad ones.

Rocky: Imagine if you were a dog.

Simon: Where is this going?

Rocky: 'Try me', as you say.

Simon: Uh... okay. I am a dog.

Rocky: And you hunt to survive.

Simon: I hunt to survive.

Rocky: And something much bigger than you has taken away your ability to live in your home.

Simon: Right.

Rocky: You begin to bite anything to stave the hunger off, even friends.

Simon: Hunger for what?

Rocky: Hunger for relief of mourning.

Simon: You're saying I killed people to make myself feel better about something out of my control.

Rocky: Did it make you feel safe?

Simon: ... yeah.

Rocky: Then you were threatened.

Simon: Not always.

Rocky: But your body felt threatened.

Simon: Feels like I have to start swingin' or I'll die.

Rocky: You are a predator in an ecosystem that built them. Killing is wrong and you know that.

Simon: I never want to hurt someone again. Not if I can help it.

Rocky: Will you do the right thing, question?

Simon: ... I dunno. I'm used to having to make the hard choices.

Rocky: Hard choices are easy when you listen to yourself.

Simon: Head says 'stop seeking therapy from the talking rock', gut says 'keep talkin'.

Rocky: But it helps. 'Gut' is correct.

Simon: ... maybe.

Rocky: 'Maybe' is not a good answer for hard choices.

Simon: Half measured.

Rocky: A title? Was it given to you?

Simon: Twice.

Rocky: Hesitating is your problem. Stop doing it.

Simon: I'll die if I move wrong. I'll die if I freeze.

Rocky: Survivor mindset in newly-acquired liveable condition is very difficult to understand for Simon. Simon will not die.

Simon: I won't?

Rocky: You are eating rocks with a meal in front of you because your diet has been rocks for many years.

Simon: ... I need to get some air.

Rocky: Do not try the airlock. No air there.