*thinking of just calling this part of Evaliens story ‘The Centurion’*
———
Evalien: *seated in the makeshift workshop watching as Bass pulls cables down from an unusual machine while their new companion strips from his armour in the other room* so- like a super soldier basically?
Bass: The enhancements were intended for improved military foot soldiers. We had machines built to facilitate the organic remains of those too injured to fight but had skills in combat unmatched by their peers. Gil-Centurion… however, was among the first wave to receive these enhancements. He was around average height, 5”11 to 6ft tall, before receiving his first boosters. Once he was prepared he received the rest and grew substantially from there before being fitted with a specialised apparatus to be… ‘re-charged’.
Centurion: *from behind the curtain* you make it sound so unpleasant commander. *steps out into view, his muscular body barely hidden by a blue cloth draped around his frame and pinned at the shoulder with a dwemer brooch, complementing his deep purple skin and matching the brass fittings embedded into his chest as ports for where Eva assumes some of those wires will go*
Evalien: eughhh, yeah I can see it. You look dehydrated with how pronounced your muscles are. Your veins shouldn’t be protruding that much either.
Centurion: *suddenly going from confident to dejected under her scrutiny. His cocky hope that he could impress her with his body as well as his intellect dwindling fast* I-it’s normal. Once I’m recharged I will look more appealing, my performance in battle will surely outweigh any issues you may have with my physical appearance.
Bass: *quirks his brow, recognising the bruised ego of a young mer anywhere* I trust you’ll have more covering your body around her in the future so you won’t need to worry about such things. *lowers down the rest of the machine*
Evalien: *tilts her head slightly, already adding up his interest in her* you look a lot younger than Bass, how old were you before you got well, trapped in that state?
Centurion: *perking up that she’s still talking to him* I was 135! I, suppose I still am too despite the circumstances, despite my mind continuing to experience time in that soul gem. *sighs* I was the youngest of the renegades. Until, well, you. I’m the closest in your age range and I assure you the enhancements I’ve received have not rendered me sterile, our combined genetics would be benefici- OW-
Bass: *pulls him back by his long dark hair* Manners you brat!! *sits him down and plugs him into the machine, two cables in the front and the rest locked into his back as he turns it on*
Evalien: Ew- Yuck! Yep that’s a whole body ick! *gets up to leave*
Centurion: I- no wait! Dont go I’m sorry! I overstepped!
Bass: More like jumped straight to and beyond a reasonable point. Go to sleep. *Presses a button knocking him out into a stasis, the machine whirring a tune through unseen speakers, a melody unique to him, proof he’s still alive even when laying lifeless* …Such a beautiful song… when did your heart become so rotten boy?…
