Mato’s “cybergoon to cybergoon fireside chat” plan hasn’t been closely adhered to but he tries to salvage it. He sits next to Reynolds, trying to stay within easy reach in case he needs to overpower him.

“Let’s start slowly,” Mato suggests. “We’re all friends here. We’re trying to help you; we just don’t want to get shot in the process.

“We know your name but you don’t know ours. You can call me Dirk.” This is Mato’s name from his fake SIN. “You’ve been out all night and had a rough time of it. You hungry at all? I’d be hungry if I were you.”

He turns to AM. “Can you get us some chow and a cup of joe?” Mato is clearly trying to use military slang. He turns back to Reynolds. “Might not be great, but should be better than a combat breakfast: two aspirin, two cups of soykaf, a quick prayer and a quick puke, right?”

<<@AM Not trying to boss you around, just wondering if he might be more at ease if you’re not present. Also, can you polish me up a bit? You know, that spell that gives you a better personality? That might help here.>>

While they’re waiting, Mato decides that talking some shop might set Reynolds at ease. “We’ll double up the painkillers. We noticed you had the ‘ware that scrubs your system. Same here! I find it eats up the pharmaceuticals, both good and bad. I have the internal air tank too. Nay on the steel lining for the bones, but yea on the titanium and carbon fiber.” He holds up a cyberhand to show it off, hoping it might resonate with Reynolds. Plus, it might be the best way to prove “no magic here!”

Chit-chat complete, it’s time to move onto business. “Your femur is cracked and you’ve been poisoned. You’re a tough fragger though, and made it through the night. Do you remember what happened? We found some security footage of you, but you look… not yourself. Were you conscious through it? Anything you can remember would be helpful. We’re trying to find out who did it and why, but maybe you already know.”