One's True Nature

There is not an ounce of contrition nor a second of hesitation in your thoughts and actions, limbs and mind in perfect synchronicity towards a single goal.

Perhaps there should have been a moral obstacle barring your way, for you have read stories such as this before, tried and retreaded until the epicurean content becomes stale and the rhythm of story repetitive, regardless of who's writing.

Were you any other man, the moral commandments and cultural understandings of your past life would have greatly limited the flexibility required to fulfil your ambitions; but you aren't just a man reborn in another world, are you?

You are an Arasaka, born with the memories of another world; as such, your upbringing has groomed you to ideally take advantage of your skillset and memories, utilising every mote of knowledge you possess.

So, you plant the seeds of deceit inside Gloria Martinez's head; you are not naive or effeminate enough to believe that women like soft, emotional men, who want nothing better than to help them, and in return grant loyalty and love.

No, Gloria, by her action of stealing cybernetics to pay her debts, is very mercenary, tempered only by the gentleness that usually comes with maternity.

Instead, by disarming any suspicion and fear she would have of you, by encouraging the belief that you are unsuited for the Corporate world, you're lighting a fire underneath the cunning she possesses; how may she take advantage of this situation? Take advantage of you?

All for her son, of course; that'll be the justification in her mind, not realising that she's falling into your web; how would she know that an incredibly powerful Corpo would have plans for a single mother and her BD-addicted son?

It wasn't exactly challenging to act like an out-of-his-depth youth who wanted for nought and never had tasted a hint of thirst for his whole, unproductive life.

Even then, you are set apart; mannerisms, speech and unfamiliarity with so-called mundane actions are part and parcel of your unique upbringing, but you've also taken full advantage of your past memories.

After all, remembering a life that could be summarised as that of a Man Child gave you a clear idea of the clumsy nature of human interaction, alongside an unfailingly polite attitude that masks your feebleminded desire to appease others to avoid awkward social engagements; it is a stain from another life, blotting at this one.

To Gloria, however, it seemed that she had found an excellent prize; you are a rich vein of gold that had yet to be tapped or corrupted and buffeted by other, more cunning work associates, intentionally isolated for fear of the unknown.

But she possesses an in, and with it, the means to establish a friendship that could positively influence not just her career stability but also David's future prospects; knowing a Corpo princeling, regardless of how far he was removed from the levers of power, who could give a good word for him, would set him up for a bright future in an otherwise dismal fate.

"You don't drink coffee?"

The woman asks–interrupts your precious seconds of review–and nurses a mug of black-tar coffee, trying to make conversation with the smiling Corporate suit, who takes frequent sips from a brightly wrapped can of sweetened honey tea.

"Never grew a taste for it."