[Erwin doesn't answer for so long that it seems like the communicators might have frozen, or the call dropped. When he does, his voice is very soft, and he's not meeting the Doctor's eyes in the video.]
Is that... something people do, in your world? Talk about their troubles and forgive so easily?
It's what I do. I can forgive you for what you did because that isn't the first time that's happened to me.
[The Doctor gives a hard whince] Not the first time someone I know has been brainwashed [he states with a low growl and then softens again]- in order to get to me.
I know you didn't have control of your actions. I can't hold you accountable when you were being mind controlled.
And you were - inside screaming, weren't you? Trying to regain control.
It's not something I care to experience again. I'll be more careful in the future.
[Erwin takes a deep breath, then visibly pushes his emotional turmoil aside. There's no time for that now.]
I have no right to ask this, but your technology is beyond anything I've ever seen. Would you be capable of making me a functional prosthetic arm?
[The whole Illithid thing happened because Erwin overestimated his capabilities, and a large part of that is, when he's making decisions, he still thinks he has two arms.]
[The Doctor gives a sympathetic head nod and he feels guilty he couldn't pull Erwin out of that and doesn't know how to make it up to him and is glad to hear a request coming on.]
Yes! Oh yes!
I actually have a few in the Clinic I've been tweaking with.
Private
We can talk about it if you want. I don't blame you at 'll. I know you didn't have control over your actions.
I do forgive you.
Private
Is that... something people do, in your world? Talk about their troubles and forgive so easily?
[Sounds fake.]
Re: Private
[The Doctor gives a hard whince] Not the first time someone I know has been brainwashed [he states with a low growl and then softens again]- in order to get to me.
I know you didn't have control of your actions. I can't hold you accountable when you were being mind controlled.
And you were - inside screaming, weren't you? Trying to regain control.
Private
[Erwin is very, very glad that he was so awful at recruitment.]
Yes. The whole time. It was like... like drowning in a bright light.
Re: Private
I'm sorry. I'm so, so, sorry.
no subject
[Erwin takes a deep breath, then visibly pushes his emotional turmoil aside. There's no time for that now.]
I have no right to ask this, but your technology is beyond anything I've ever seen. Would you be capable of making me a functional prosthetic arm?
[The whole Illithid thing happened because Erwin overestimated his capabilities, and a large part of that is, when he's making decisions, he still thinks he has two arms.]
no subject
Yes! Oh yes!
I actually have a few in the Clinic I've been tweaking with.
[You know in case and also, being bored.]
no subject
[He was just... making arms? You know what, Erwin isn't going to question it.]
May I visit the Clinic sometime and see them?