The Final Check-up, part 2 (after battle)

So, how do we know this guy's actually Distorted?

He doesn't sound any different from his usual self…

The sanity degradation due to Distortion affects every subject differently.

I mean, yeah, but… censoring his own Fathoms…?

But... Hohenheim, you're in a Dungeon of the Fathoms.

We will see through it with Dante's powers, whether you want to show us or not.

You make a fair assessment.

How about this, then?

If you are to see them anyway, allow me to save you the trouble and give you a quick run-down instead. Come visit me as soon as you finish watching my tale.

This tale began when that man walked into my laboratory.

Yes, I had a personal laboratory all to myself. One of the few perks of being an elite researcher.

... This guy's just telling the story however he wants to, isn't he?

…eim.

Mr. Hohenheim.

Let me think… I don't quite remember what he looked like.

Something like this, perhaps?

Ah, whichever is the case - I was planning to censor his appearance anyway.

Ey, I wanted to talk to you about something.

Stop. Are you here to express your displeasure with me?

The what now?

If you are, do let me know from the get-go. I had a feeling it was about time this would happen. 3 months - not a bad record for working without a workplace conflict.

Oh, if this is about quitting, then you would find a much better audience among the Human Resources team.

No, I mean…

I'm just here to thank ya.

For picking me, some dude from the Backstreets, to work here. I heard it was you who made the hiring decision.

I dunno how to put this, but - you're the only one who saw my, what's the word… yeah, my potentiality. You saw something that no one's cared to look into before, know what I mean?

Ah, but it had nothing to do with something so grandiose like his 'potentiality'.

A Wing does not hire people from the Backstreets for something so insignificant.

While this information has never been publicly available, Lobotomy Corporation's primary criterion was 'trauma'.

Candidates with horrible, insurmountable trauma were often favored by the company.

And, in an indirect way, it was only natural that they would begin to favor candidates who originate from the Backstreets.

… Your greetings are acknowledged, Jimmy. Now, feel free to leave my office.

I ain't Jimmy.

Anyways, I've been meaning to ask, Mr. Hohenheim… why do ya always enjoy being alone?

It may come as a surprise to you, but I am very adept at spending my time all on my own. It is one of the hundreds of distinguishing features that set me apart from ordinary men.

Say, don'tcha need someone to be like, your loyal right-hand man?

My right hand is doing just fine, thank you very much.

Do you believe in potentialities, Hohenheim?

Hm. What an unrelentingly stubborn employee he was, even in hindsight.

Thanks to you, I do. And I've been thinkin'... if I keep at it, one day I might even find myself living it large in a Nest. Changing' my world little by little.

Kinda like how a thing like me managed to snag a position here at Lobotomy Corporation.

So, I'm thinkin' here… that I wanna stick around in your circle.

To bring about such drastic changes to one's life is in the realm of feasibility for an exceptional researcher like myself, indeed. But you are, like most of the rabble, painfully average in most qualities and therefore unlikely to be the moving force in that change.

I have no faith in universal things like 'potentialities'; I have faith in myself and myself alone. Besides, I am not very partial to mathematical statistics like the probability theory anyway.

So, I would like to keep both my right and left hands as my own. Have a nice day.

… Wanna know something about me?

I'm the kind of guy who doesn't really 'think' about things. Action before deliberation, ya get me?

Ah, thoughtless and carefree. Possibly the only merit to be found in those who originate from the Backstreets.

… Or was that a thinly veiled threat of physical assault?

No, I'm talkin' about the new Abno that just got shipped here.

It's a tricky one to manage, I'll tell ya what. It reads your mind, screwin' up all kinds of strategies or whatever as long as it's based on hard logic.

…….

Wanna shoot for the Department of the Year award… together?

… You seem to be rather skilled in the art of transactions.

One of the few merits found in those who originate from the Backstreets.

I will admit, I suppose I was overcome by a certain ennui back then.

And in hindsight, it was foolish of me to engage in such inane conversations.

… You… …le…

… us…

Ah, the remnants of my past come to haunt us.

Perhaps it is I whom they truly wish to hurt.