This is Dr. Herman Gonne, Former Head of Nexus City Robotronics submitting my final report to you on the completed and now terminated work of Project Kobold.

--

on the day that project kobold was lost to time, unseen by even the looming presence of the nexus core, a final missive was sent to me.

it spoke of many things, of which.. i decided even after all this time i would keep to myself. the least that i could do for perhaps the most diligent, hardworking and efficient scientist in the nexus core i had ever seen. dare i say having even been more proficient than the former heads of project nexus.

..that message, that hologram of them spoke of the truth of their disappearance, of their intentions. i had initially been so confused as to why it was me of all people but, now having observed everyone throughout the years, the rise of some and the downfall of many, i think i understand.

i saw the slightest quirk of a smile in your face, as you shook my hand uncharacteristically, so unlike the stoic scientist i knew. i should've known that would be the last time i saw you.

Would their relationship with eqchother be different if Gonne didn't connect themself to the S-3LF Eater, and have more time to spend with Concierge if possible?

i feel.. if dr. gonne did not go through with the s3lf eater, that things would only be different in the sense of they would be doing this ambiguous dance for so much longer. they would be continuing this dance of being professionally friendly ( atleast as much as dr. gonne is capable of being ) for so long, with little hints to parse from each other.

one of them is naturally friendly, adhering to his job regardless of who may be the person signing in and out. loyal to his role. the other ( in my hcs ) is more received and dedicated to their job than the other scientists ever were, and if they had truly dedicated to the actual goal set out to them by the director, things would have been different.

they can't read each other well. they are dedicated to their work. it's a crush. they would've never made the move on each other ever.

they work in different buildings with potentially very rare occurrences of physically seeing each other, remaining at arms length because of work. it's always work work work you know.. how far, could courtship realistically go and only for so long.

i cant see dr gonne NOT going through with the s3lf eater and essentially preventing project kobold from reaching its former end, i can only see it being delayed due to outside causes or a smidge of hesitance to sign in for the last time, to see the concierge for the last time. it could only be delayed but never prevented.

they dont have time for each other no matter how much they mutually want it, it isnt allowed. only the concierge would have seen that the feelings were mutual in gonne's disappearance, in that last missive for him. dr. gonne would never have known. it was like a leap of faith before falling in forever

its so messily put.