((This story was made to introduce Amicus. You see, Scars-mun commented one day that Persy seemed a bit too sane, especially when compared to the other Collective members. My response? Make him crazy. Amicus is Persolus' hallucination/imaginary friend who keeps the bishop company when he's bored or alone. He makes loneliness easier to bear. Amicus also tries encouraging Persy to be more....not Persy, which means more social, more loud, more assertive, whatever. All in the name of helping (as far as we know). Anyway, I'd love some advice. Should I keep Amicus? Or is this crossing too far into OC territory? Also, this also tells about a habit the dear bishop has: becoming obsessed with a project or study and locking himself up for days on end to work on it. Well, anyway, have fun!))
“What are you doing?” Persolus felt Amicus look over his shoulder at his desk. As usual, it was covered with books from end to end. However, this time the Bishop was scribbling on a paper while looking back and forth between two thick books that were laid open to pages with hundreds of words and pictures depicting people in suits of armor and armies clashing.
“Researching,” Persolus told him, not taking an eye off his books. “I’m studying how the ancient Romans are similar to the Collective. For example, every person that was born free, not a slave, was considered a soldier and could be called upon to defend the Roman Republic.” He used his pencil to follow the words on his paper so Amicus could read it. “I think it’s actually like how we call humans into service. There’s also how some of us use Latin names, though that’s pretty obvious. Also, I find it funny how many rebellions and usurpers there were in the Empire.” He smirked. “Remind you of anyone?”
Amicus nodded, though Persolus wasn’t sure if he understood or cared. “How long have you been at this?”
Persolus thought back to when he began the project. “About….three days ago?”
Amicus didn’t seem surprised by this. “And when was the last time you left this room?”
“Three days ago,” Persolus answered straightaway.
“And the last time you ate?” Amicus inquired. Persolus couldn’t help but feel a bit annoyed. It wasn’t unusual for the bishop to hide away in his room for days at a time, but his friend always thought it was unhealthy for him.
“Yesterday morning,” he said, knowing that an argument of some kind was about to start. “I had some non-perishable food stashed away in here in case I wanted to work on something.”
Amicus rolled his eyes. “That’s not good for you, Persolus.”
“I’m not dying am I?” Persolus retorted. “Most humans can go about three weeks without food. I’m not human, so I can probably last longer.” He smiled. “I think I’ll be fine.”
“You need social interaction,” Amicus argued. “Everybody needs that.”
“That’s your job,” Persolus told him. “You’re supposed to keep me sane while I’m doing things like this.”
His friend glared at him, obviously trying to find a way to win this debate. “You can’t live alone forever.”
“Actually, I can.” Persolus tapped a book that had been pushed the corner of his desk. “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, the list of things all humans need to survive. And I will remind you again that I am not human, and therefore my needs are different and less strict than a human’s.”
“First of all are the physical needs, such as food, oxygen, water and sleep, all of which I can get from my room, as I can either ask for them or I have some stocked up. Secondly is security needs, which is the need to feel safe and secure in your environment.” Persolus motioned around his bedroom. “I feel very safe here. Next is social needs, which we have established that you fulfill.”
“The fourth level involves self-esteem, personal recognition and self-worth. It-”
“How can you feel any of that stuck in here?” Amicus interrupted.
Persolus didn’t miss a beat. “I don’t feel it out there either, so I’m not missing anything. Now, onto the fifth and final level, which is self-actualization, which means being concerned with personal growth and fulfilling your potential.” He gestured to the desk full of papers and books. “I was actually working on that one before you interrupted me.”
Persolus stifled a yawn, taking a deep breath to cover it up. He didn’t need Amicus thinking he was missing sleep. “So, what do you think?”
Amicus was silent for a moment, and Persolus could tell that he was trying to come up with words to counter Persolus’ argument. Finally, he said, “I think I need to burn those books.”
The bishop smirked. “Now may I get back to my studies?”
Amicus nodded tiredly. “Sure.” The man collapsed on Persolus’ bed.
“Thank you.” Persolus wrote a few more paragraphs on his paper before slamming shut both of his books and pushing them aside.
“Finished. See? It wasn’t that bad.” He proudly showed the paper to Amicus.
His friend gave a sigh of relief. “Will you rejoin society now?”
Persolus nodded. “Sure, I have nothing better to do.” Then a thought occurred to him. “Although, I wonder how long a Collective member could survive without food….”
“Nope!” Amicus grabbed Persolus by the wrist and pulled him to the door. “Out, now.”
Persolus chuckled as he walked out of the room. “Okay, fine. See you later.” The only reply was a door shutting. With that, Persolus made his way to the kitchen to get some victory chocolate, for a paper well-written.
