<Snipped quote by Meta>

Then I'll tell you something that only you and your mom will know, okay? So keep it quiet.

*Motions my fingers across my lips, then twists*

<Snipped quote by Yatagarasu>

*Motions my fingers across my lips, then twists*

I'm not the same as the me who was around when your older siblings were born. The me who you're thinking is so great? He's dead. He's been dead for a long time. I'm just the remnants of his soul, given enough time to recover into a full one. Even my body is artificial, it's just the culmination of physical material bound to and shaped by that recovered soul. My very being is distinctly different than that past "me." That's why I can't figure out you and your siblings' biological makeup, because I don't really have any idea of my own. So I don't deserve your admiration for what I've done before; that wasn't the same me. The only thing I've done that's worth respecting is raising you four, and trying to keep you all and your mother happy. Everything else means nothing.

My point is, that even though your mom is amazing, that doesn't make the rest of us awesome by association. We have to do our own things, pull our own weight, make our own achievements. That's what makes someone great, what they can do on their own. Yes, there's a point to collectivism, but that's for another time, and even then it's just circular. Groups are great because the individuals are great. Is our family great? Is it because all of us are, or only because you and your mom are? Or your siblings are? What makes our family so wonderful that everyone needs to know about us?

<Snipped quote by Meta>

I'm not the same as the me who was around when your older siblings were born. The me who you're thinking is so great? He's dead. He's been dead for a long time. I'm just the remnants of his soul, given enough time to recover into a full one. Even my body is artificial, it's just the culmination of physical material bound to and shaped by that recovered soul. My very being is distinctly different than that past "me." That's why I can't figure out you and your siblings' biological makeup, because I don't really have any idea of my own. So I don't deserve your admiration for what I've done before; that wasn't the same me. The only thing I've done that's worth respecting is raising you four, and trying to keep you all and your mother happy. Everything else means nothing.

My point is, that even though your mom is amazing, that doesn't make the rest of us awesome by association. We have to do our own things, pull our own weight, make our own achievements. That's what makes someone great, what they can do on their own. Yes, there's a point to collectivism, but that's for another time, and even then it's just circular. Groups are great because the individuals are great. Is our family great? Is it because all of us are, or only because you and your mom are? Or your siblings are? What makes our family so wonderful that everyone needs to know about us?

*Rubs my eyes, trying to process it all*
You can’t be the same and different. That doesn’t make sense!

<Snipped quote by Yatagarasu>

*Rubs my eyes, trying to process it all*
You can’t be the same and different. That doesn’t make sense!

Many things in life don't make sense. That's an important thing you'll need to know as a detective.

<Snipped quote by Meta>

Many things in life don't make sense. That's an important thing you'll need to know as a detective.

*Looks at the ground intensely for a few seconds, thinking*
But what about the pock lips? Or the darkness? I wanna be just like you and mom!

<Snipped quote by Yatagarasu>

*Looks at the ground intensely for a few seconds, thinking*
But what about the pock lips? Or the darkness? I wanna be just like you and mom!

*Laughs slightly*
Why be like us, or like we were, when you can be like yourself? You're so much brighter we are. You're like a star in the darkness. That's a great thing to be, isn't it?

<Snipped quote by Meta>

*Laughs slightly*
Why be like us, or like we were, when you can be like yourself? You're so much brighter we are. You're like a star in the darkness. That's a great thing to be, isn't it?

*Looks up*
Mmmmmhph... now you sound like Dawn. I’m not actually a star.

<Snipped quote by Yatagarasu>

*Looks up*
Mmmmmhph... now you sound like Dawn. I’m not actually a star.

It's metaphorical, love. Born from darkness but incredibly bright; your name fits you well. I just want to get across that it's important to live your own life, not live in the shadow of anyone else, even your mother or I.

<Snipped quote by Meta>

It's metaphorical, love. Born from darkness but incredibly bright; your name fits you well. I just want to get across that it's important to live your own life, not live in the shadow of anyone else, even your mother or I.

So stand out from you and mom as much as I can?

<Snipped quote by Yatagarasu>

So stand out from you and mom as much as I can?

Not necessarily. But stand on your own feet. We can support you, but you have to be yourself, not just a copy or combination of us.

<Snipped quote by Meta>

Not necessarily. But stand on your own feet. We can support you, but you have to be yourself, not just a copy or combination of us.

But you just said to be a star in the dark.

<Snipped quote by Yatagarasu>

But you just said to be a star in the dark.

I said you are like a star in the dark. Not to be that way if you don't want to. How do I put this...
*Sits down cross-legged and thinks for a while*
I'll tell you what. Why don't we go explore our universe for a while, once Dawn is better? I've forgotten so much, it'd be a nice learning experience for both of us. You can learn all sorts of things, and figure out who you really are, and who you want to be. Does that sound nice? It's not right for anyone other than you to figure out who you are or will be. I can try to offer advice, but that doesn't seem to be working to my point, heh. And the best way to discover yourself is to experience many things.

<Snipped quote by Meta>

I said you are like a star in the dark. Not to be that way if you don't want to. How do I put this...
*Sits down cross-legged and thinks for a while*
I'll tell you what. Why don't we go explore our universe for a while, once Dawn is better? I've forgotten so much, it'd be a nice learning experience for both of us. You can learn all sorts of things, and figure out who you really are, and who you want to be. Does that sound nice? It's not right for anyone other than you to figure out who you are or will be. I can try to offer advice, but that doesn't seem to be working to my point, heh. And the best way to discover yourself is to experience many things.

Hnmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmfine. But I can already tell you who I’m gonna be.

<Snipped quote by Yatagarasu>

Hnmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmfine. But I can already tell you who I’m gonna be.

Well, I'm not going to force you. And the person you'll be might change. But keep the thought in mind, okay?

<Snipped quote by Meta>

Well, I'm not going to force you. And the person you'll be might change. But keep the thought in mind, okay?

I’m gonna be the greatest detective to ever live and nobody can stop me!!

<Snipped quote by Yatagarasu>

I’m gonna be the greatest detective to ever live and nobody can stop me!!

*Pats your head* That's right.

<Snipped quote by Meta>

*Pats your head* That's right.

Hey. How are things here?

<Snipped quote by Yatagarasu>

Hey. How are things here?

We're hitting a wall on philosophy.

<Snipped quote by Dynamics>

We're hitting a wall on philosophy.

You’re talking philosophy? Of all things?

<Snipped quote by Yatagarasu>

You’re talking philosophy? Of all things?

Well, it started with Stella wondering why Dawn "embarrassed" us in public, and... you can guess from there.