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abraxaslogs2021-08-12 03:26 pm
- brad bakshi; the wheel of fortune,
- coraline finch; the tower,
- gideon nav; strength,
- harrowhark nonagesimus; the magician,
- jaskier; the sun,
- kylo ren; the tower,
- link; strength,
- louis; death,
- malyen oretsev; strength,
- michael ralston; death,
- nero (drakengard); the devil,
- phoenix wright; the lovers,
- roland deschain; death,
- ronan lynch; the moon,
- sasarai; judgement,
- yuri lowell; the tower
An Evening Gathering
WHO: Anyone welcome to wander around Castle Thorne!
WHAT: A little roundtable-townhall-mingle, a space to share information and discuss the Situation
WHEN: post-Horizon, after the new arrivals turn up so they can join in
WHERE: Castle Thorne's Dining Hall
NOTES: A little like a group therapy session but not, all characters will be invited to share anything they would like about their experiences and ask each other questions. Afterwards the group are free to mingle and discuss freely (just reply to the post itself). Let's bond, learn, complain about our new body parts and swap the hot goss!
The invitation spreads easily enough among the Welcomed (and those of the formerly imprisoned who have since earned a pardon), thanks to the cheerful efforts of everyone's favourite bard and the ever-grinding rumour mill: tonight, anyone interested in participating is invited to remain in the dining hall after the evening meal to discuss recent events. Depending on how far along the game of telephone the invitation is by the time it reaches any one person, further details may be difficult to pin down. It is clear at least that this meeting isn't being organised by Ambrose or anyone else from Thorne, though there's no effort to keep it secret from the inhabitants of the castle either. A call to arms this is not. This is not the venue for plotting against the establishment— seditionist talk is best left to the privacy of the Horizon.
Anyone choosing to attend will find the evening meal proceeds as it usually does. As the plates are cleared, though, the table becomes the setting for something of an informal discovery session, a meeting of minds. Everyone here is welcome to take a turn to speak if they would like, and to ask any questions they hope someone else may be able to answer. As the imprisoned are unable to attend, a recording is being made. However, going on the record is optional. Anyone who would rather keep their thoughts transient and non-incriminating is welcome to speak up without fear of being caught on tape.
The meeting breaks up once everyone has had a chance to speak, leaving plenty of opportunity for less structured discussion. Hopefully everyone can go to bed tonight feeling a little more informed and a little less alone...
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[ The ears are a dead giveaway, but still, meeting an actual elf is an experience, isn't it? Like fantasy come to life, standing before him. Which is what this entire world is, really, so Nero's presence isn't as much of a shock as it could've been otherwise.
Brad shakes his head at the offer to shake his hand; that whole thing's kinda fallen out of favour in his world as of late. ]
I'm Brad, a human, [ he offers instead, a light, playful mimicry in his greeting, smiling in turn.
And then there's the rest of what Nero has to say, which he listens to politely. Attentively, even. ]
Gods don't really make their presences known in my world. [ Whether there even are gods is a whole other question, but theological debates never go anywhere. ] Could be the same thing here — that nobody in this world is really worth their time. You don't have to be planning something to be a heartless bastard. Sometimes all you have to do is leave people to their own devices, knock the first domino over, and watch as they make a mess of things all on their own.
[ Spoken like someone who has utilized that particular method and rather enjoys it. The Singularity's much more than he's ever had to deal with, and truth be told, he doesn't really care about it all that much; all he's got to go off of is the words of others. Maybe later. For now? It's just seeing what all of the fuss is about. ]
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[ He does happily shake the human's hand, however, since why not! Nero is the one that offered to shake hands in the first place, after all. ]
Charmed, Brad! [ The elf pauses to listen to what the man has to say about gods. He can't help but give him a bemused expression that gods don't make their presence known in his world. ] If they don't make themselves known, they actually must really like you lot.
[ But he lets out a sigh about that sort of scheming. ] The first domino was tipped over by them, however. Sure, they might make a mess out of it themselves, but the one who made the first move holds blame for wanting to watch everything burn, too, wouldn't you say?
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[ Is he? Maybe on like, a surface level. Species dying is usually a sad thing, especially if they're sentient. Doesn't really have any strong feelings about elves one way or another to give more than a cursory that's rough, buddy, though that could always change. He's still new at actually living in a fantasy world.
Brad raises his eyebrows at the handshake, but sure. No getting out of it now. Smirks at the idea of a god or gods liking his world; a soft exhale of amusement. ]
Some would argue that. Others think it means we've been abandoned. That's the thing about not making your presence known — you get to sit back and watch while people argue about your motives, all the while nobody has any proof.
[ It's kind of funny. It's also a giant waste of time, at least for lowly mortals or whatever. If gods even do exist, though that's definitely not a debate worth having here. Their existence certainly fits the whole fantasy motif, at least.
His expression sharpens slightly regarding that particular brand of potential godly scheming, like that's a topic he really enjoys. ] Oh, I would. It's a classic misdirect: get things started, then fade into the background and wait long enough for everyone to forget you're the one responsible for everything in the first place. It's a good strategy, really. Couldn't blame anyone for utilizing it. Especially if you've got the lifespan to let something like that play out really long term.
[ Which, you know, deities would probably have. Who better to play the really long con but gods? ]
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Eh? [ A pause follows at Brad saying that people would think they're abandoned without any influence from the gods. His mouth involuntarily falls open as his eyebrows furrow in confusion. He eventually takes in a breath of air, filling his cheeks up like a chipmunk's, before blowing it out of the corner of his mouth. ]
I mean, you could make your presence known and people still would argue what your motives are unless you give some speech.
[ The Gods of his world are constantly trying to kill off humanity, but humanity doesn't get that their deities are just not that into them and thinks every murder attempt is a trial out of love. ]
I'm not a fan of those sort of games. If I'm going to kill someone, I want them to look me in the eye. If I'm going to destroy someone's happiness and life, I want them to know that I did it. I want them to know that they could have stopped me, but didn't.
[ He lets out a small laugh. ]
Anything less is a pussy unable to stand before the hatred and consequences but call themselves great. [ A small sigh follows. ] That's why the Gods are such assholes. They want to kill everyone but don't want to come down to do it themselves.
What a cowardly bunch.
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Brad blinks at how cavalierly he brings up murder, but recovers quick enough. Forgive him the sensibilities of his world — in the same way he's going to have to shun them pretty soon in order to foster the reputation he wants to have here. (Wants to have, in general.) Another good reminder.
He stays smiling. Can't say he isn't enjoying the conversation. ]
Yes and no. Trust me, I'm with you. If I'm taking someone down, they need to know it was me. [ There's an edge to his voice, as though he's thinking of someone specific. Not that that matters here, when he's been separated from everyone he knew. He drops it pretty quick, goes back to something more pleasant. ] But there's merit to working in the shadows, too. A pawn doesn't need to know I'm the one that took them out when I still have a king to go after. Something so inconsequential? Who cares.
[ He shrugs, like he's not particularly bothered. ]
If all we are is pawns to gods, then fair enough. It'd be that much more satisfying for a pawn to win.
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I guess that you're one of those thinker types, huh? I'm afraid I'm not really great at those sort of things, Brad. [ Nero is aware that makes him sound like an idiot, but well, he doesn't mind if that's the impression he gives off, either. He just hates planning things out, honestly. The elf continues to miss the days when someone would point him in a direction to kill -- simple, easy, and filled his life with so much fun. ]
In any case, I wish you the best in killing your king and god.
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Instead, Brad shifts into a shrug, fabric of this tunic so helpfully emblazoned with the Wheel of Fortune sign on the back moving with his shoulders. It's apologetic. Or more of a you got me there gesture. ]
Everyone's got their uses. The world wouldn't work if we were all good at the same things, would it?
[ Grunt work — competent grunt work — shouldn't be discounted. Thinker types tend to fare better when they've got muscle backing them up, don't they? Not that Brad can't fight his own battles... but in this world, he'd probably be outmatched. Self-awareness is pretty good in assisting in self-preservation. And he's not about to disparage someone who is apparently a practiced murderer. ]
Thanks, man. Good luck with the whole, [ he rotates his wrist indiscriminately, you know — especially since Brad doesn't know, Nero hasn't made any motivations he may have clear — ] destroying people thing.
[ It's certainly aspirational, at least. ]
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[ Nero doesn't think that the world works at all, but he also doesn't want to dismantle the systems that keeps things not working. He doesn't see much point in it; society will continue to shit on people and people will continue to ruin each other's lives in big and small ways.
But there's something peaceful in this knowledge. ]
You're welcome. It seems like you could use someone cheering you on. So here I am, cheering you on. [ He lifts his arms a few times to give a proper "rah-rah" to Brad. Despite his everything, Nero does seem to be sincere in hoping for the best in whatever the human intends to do. ]
It's more destroying the world, but same idea. [ The elf says this with a bright, cheerful smile; there is laughter in his eyes and one might even take what he's saying as a joke. It wouldn't be hard to take it as such since who says something like that outright? ]
You're an okay human, Brad. [ Is that really a compliment coming from him? Who knows. Nero just appreciates that the man recognizes his shittiness. ]
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And at, you know, the compliment, which Brad does actually appreciate. Getting praise from a killer who may or may not want to take out the world itself? Just means he's doing something right. ]
Hey, thanks man. Hope all elves are as okay as you. [ He can pay a nice word or two back. A beat, before he decides to buy into it. ] The world, huh? That'll be impressive. I think I'd like to see that. So, you ever need someone cheering you on, I've got no problems reciprocating.
[ He's not entirely lying, either, if Nero's being serious after all. There is that little hangup of actually living in the world, but also... it'd be interesting, to see how everything comes to a complete end. And it's good for his image. So. Maybe he is kind of rooting for him, after all. ]
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[ Nero doesn't sound too upset about it. Brad hasn't stepped on the issue that really gets to him -- elves think they're better than all other species and refuse to do anything to save anyone; they refuse to control to do anything and when the destruction of the world happens, they'll feign ignorance and state they were above everything and not at all their fault.
If a person -- a race -- has the means to save and does not do anything, it is their fault. Does he think they can save anyone? Fuck no. But the fact they do nothing so that they remain without blame is BULLSHIT.
His thoughts have, unfortunately, digressed. ]
The world. [ Hello, he's back to in the conversation! ] It might take a few centuries. [ Another casual comment, he's patient. ] But there's magic and bullshit around here ... [ Nero lifts his hand; he makes circles in the air to indicate "here." ] I'm sure you'll be able to gain immortality, too.
[ He lightly nudges his shoulder. ] Just make sure to get eternal youth with it, too, or you'll end up with the saddest limp old dick to have to look at until someone offs ya. [ Comforting! ]
And hey, I appreciate the reciprocation! [ Another pat on Brad's arm. Pat, pat. They're pals -- whatever that means for a person like Nero. ]
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That's a shame.
[ At least the first elf he ever met was a... good? one, in that case. Brad watches as Nero goes on his own little internal journey, returns. Offers him a smile, sharp and amused, at the joke, the physical contact. ]
Yeah, my species' natural life span is a bit short for that, isn't it. [ He hums. ] Sure, I could go for eternal youth. Wouldn't want the alternative. [ It's not only the dick thing — crude, though definitely a consideration — but also, gradually turning to dust would be an exceptionally shitty way to go out, wouldn't it? ] Just regular immortality is asking for some monkey's paw shit. Gotta close all the loopholes.
[ Especially as someone familiar with scamming people.
And sure — Brad's perfectly happy to be his friend. Whatever it means, indeed, but who's to say friends are always a good thing? He likes Nero; that's more than good enough. He offers Nero a friendly clap on the shoulder in return. ]
Sure thing. What're friends for? [ Make it nice and official. Which probably won't mean anything in the long run, but hey. Nice and official for now. ]
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[ He agrees that it is a shame. His smile widens considerably at the sharp, amused grin that Brad gives him. ]
Just a bit. [ But Nero is a big fan of all the things that humans are able to accomplish in that small amount of time. Look at him, he's sauntering to bring about the end of the world. If he had a human's lifespan, he would be a little more invested in his lifetime goal, but since it's his lifetime goal, well, he doesn't have to rush at all. ]
Closing the loopholes is good. [ The elf gives a nod, appreciating the thought that Brad's putting into it. ] I mean, look at me? I'm not a day over [ -- and then Nero mumbles, because he isn't sure when he stopped aging. Elves just stop when they reach adulthood. Still, at the very least, he looks in his mid-to-late twenties. ]
Battering rams and sacrificial lambs. [ Nero replies readily what friends are for, but smiles. The smile says that's what he's willing to be, but he doesn't expect or surprisingly even want the same given back to him. ]
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Looks expectantly at Nero when he announces his age and doesn't exactly follow through on it. Alright, then. The benefits of eternal youth.
But the quip on what friends are for — yeah, this was a good acquaintance to make. There's that smile again, one to match Nero's. ]
Exactly, my friend. Exactly. [ Definitely more of a folksy answer than he'd have thought of, but it fits with the energy of their conversation. He gives Nero a nod; friends can be used, after all. Usually are, unless they're really good ones. And as pleasant as this is... they're not exactly at that level yet, are they?
Still. There'll always be time. ] I'll be seeing you around here plenty, I'm sure.