[after everything that's happened to him over the course of his very dangerous life, there isn't much left that Tonic can empathize with. a lot of terrible things wouldn't budge him any more than if they were mild inconveniences.

but he knows exactly what it feels like to lose something you've been building piece-by-piece, and he fully understands how heavy it feels to be the only thing keeping beautiful, brilliant, wonderful ideas from being obliterated by time and simple human ignorance.

so he listens, letting Tek take all the time he needs to describe his things. he nods a little, not wanting to let this go unacknowledged. regardless of what Tek actually is or isn't, between the lies and avoidant truths... deep down, at the heart of it all, it really seems like they may be the same kind of creature.]

You're right... I would have loved to have seen it.

[it makes him pause, glance around at his own, carefully-curated collection... and after a moment there, in the muffled silence, he reaches over to grab a book of matches off of his table. there are candles to be lit. it doesn't need to be so dark, back here.

pleasantly, he brings them back to where they were before:] Are you still interested in the leg, darling, or has the moment passed?