[ He startles at the pat on his back, listening so intently to Cid's words he hadn't really seen him move to make the motion, his look of anguish and pain turning to almost comedic shock before settling on reluctant acceptance. (And, maybe, his cheeks flushing a little at Cid referring to his heart's desire.)

He makes to respond— to let Cid know that he and Jill have already agreed to continue to consider Dan Heng their son if he'll allow it, but Cid's already sitting up and moving away, and all Clive can do then is snort, shaking his head. ]

Believe me, my own list is pretty long. We'll start with being born and work our way down. [ He drains the wine in his cup; he's mostly kidding, of course, and he dangles the cup in his fingers as he swallows, licking the last few drops from his lips before he continues. ]

If it wasn't a vision of the future what was it? Dion said something about it being someone else's fantasy — but why?

[ It's the distraction from sinking into self loathing that he needs, his gaze slowly going from sad wet dog to sad but alert and thinking wet dog, brow furrowing as he looks at Cid. ] What purpose would this serve, if not to tempt us in some way? Jill and I both were given something we've thought long lost to us, others I know were given powers either grown from abilities they already have or better. [ A thought strikes him then, and he glances away for a brief moment trying to capture it in full before speaking it aloud. ]

Were we in the Singularity?