[What Damon has to say isn't particularly detailed or even that comforting, but it's something. A voice to latch onto... There's a familiar ring to the very sound of Damon's voice merely mentioning Rex's name. And in his head, it overlaps with distant echoes, other voices that Rex swear he should know, but can't place. No names, no faces. Just hints that go up in smoke every time he tries to grasp them.]

[Slowly, Rex sags forward again, the neon blue surges starting to dissipate.]

Progress: 65% complete.

[The seconds tick by, Rex rattling off a higher number... And as the percentage climbs, the amount of metal covering him starts to lessen. Perhaps he's overcome the near lapse into defense mode himself with sheer will. Maybe it was the addition of vampire blood in his system that helped stabilize him. Possibly the familiar voice that kept him grounded. Or a culmination of all factors.]

Progress: 99%... 100%. Assimilation complete. Reset aborted. Stand by to stabilize...

[Rex flinches a little as his mechanical eye becomes human again, followed by his machine arm converting to flesh, bone and blood. As the last of it all falls into place, it becomes apparent that, on top of everything else, Rex has de-aged. Though he hadn't looked quite the proper age before, maybe only early twenties, he was still older than when he first arrived in Nautilus. Now...]

[He easily passes for a 15-16 year old again.]

[Breathing hard, he remains slumped down on the floor, working to recover.]