audio; un: loveless

[limbical]

I suppose there's no reason to put this off any longer.

Recall a month ago I said that someone stole a book from me. To be more forthcoming, it's known as a skin bible from my world. About as charming as you can expect. I was concerned that the person in question would use a ritual instructed in the book.

If you experienced a series of wretched rooms, the replaying of your memories, that sort of thing -- that was the result of the ritual, at least in its limited form.

[He says with a sneer:] And you can thank Fearne for the lovely time you had. I'd exercise some caution with your belongings around her, suffice it to say.

...Though I will also bear the responsibility of being the owner of that book. I had no intention of ever using it myself, but it seems some people can't fucking help themselves.

That'll be all. Please try not to get yourselves sick or injured, I'm tired.

Comments

[worldexecute]

( ... )

Yes, I seem to fall into that honey trap fairly often. ( she's not mad. she's tired. ) You also specialize in holding out that spider's thread to people desperate enough to mistake it for a rope, so don't think I'm on your side whatsoever simply because I'm not lashing out.

[entwinedfate]

I don't have much of a reason for it here, Angela. I'm simply another person looking for a way back and biding his time until that happens -- be it one way or another.

[ No sway, no promises. He simply is as he is, and looking for the chances he can take however slim. A desperate man himself in some ways. ]

[worldexecute]

You want to go back despite knowing what fate inevitably awaits you?

[entwinedfate]

There's no other place for me.

[ He's been offered. But she isn't there. ]

Or rather, I have no intention of giving up. Ideally, I'll find a way back without succumbing to the death that awaits just around the corner and continue on as planned -- if your words are true, then all I have to do is wait. Lend a helping hand, maybe, if I'm feeling charitable enough. [ To... well. Not her. ] And we'll see how it goes from there.

[worldexecute]

...No. There's no world where you don't die, Argalia. Whatever it takes—even if it means I have to die in the process, you aren't going to live to see another day outside of my library's walls.

[entwinedfate]

You can only be so sure, Angela.

[ There's always a possibility of an upset. He smiles, tilting his head slightly. ]

I would search a thousand to find the one where I live. I've been given a precious second chance, so I won't squander it. Consider the same for yourself.

[worldexecute]

Do you think I have been?

( get real, argalia. )

[entwinedfate]

I suppose it isn't for me to decide if you have or not. We're doing much the same with our time.

[ ... Playing pretend, mostly. Unwillingly learning things about themselves. Biding. ]

If it's possible, [ which he wants that strong if to be true, ] would you return?

[ Everyone from their City tends to need to, in some way. But need isn't what he's asking. ]

[worldexecute]

No.

( maybe the answer would be considered too quick for some, but she's had time to think about this. )

But if the choices were "staying here while everyone else went back to their worlds" and "returning to ours", I would choose the latter. At least I will eventually have company, if not the friendliest kind.

[entwinedfate]

And if a third option opened to you, one where you could go where you'd like, you'd take that.

[ Not a question. ]

[worldexecute]

( a sigh. )

What are you playing at, Argalia?

[entwinedfate]

Nothing. Only that I know a certain someone who wouldn't like to be without you, given choice.

[ Unfortunate as it is, Fearne does collect on both the A's here. ]

We should strive for that third option, no matter the cost -- not just for you, but for others who feel the same. Or has that line of thinking changed with your form?

[worldexecute]

( please don't say things like that— )

I'm fully aware she wants to rescue our whole lot from that city. Don't make it sound as if I or anyone else is special. ( ... ) I do think a third option would be ideal, though the risk it may pose... No, if there's hardly a risk to being here, then...

( a beat. )

It depends entirely on the "how" of us being here in the first place. "What" we are here, as far as our forms go.

[entwinedfate]

Correct. I don't see a problem, then, in trying what we can -- dangers be damned.

[ No one got anywhere just thinking about it. People do, and that's how things are done. ]

There are understandable risks. There will always be someone who suffers. If our end is inevitable the longer we stay in one place, then I think it's foolish to stand still. Are we still in agreement?

[worldexecute]

There must be a way where no one suffers.

( there had to have been a way back there, too. it didn't have to be her. it didn't have to be them. it didn't have to be him. in the end, surely, surely there was a way for all of them to live happily, unhurt. surely, there had to have been...

it's only wishful thinking. it's only dreaming. )

Other than that, perhaps, but right now our choices are limited to "trying rituals while none of us are at full power or can even reach our sources of it" and "waiting for the people in charge to slip up"—unless you've discovered something else?

[entwinedfate]

If I did, do you think I would share with the class?

[ Get real, Angela. ]

There's no incentive, personally speaking. Though you could provide one.

[worldexecute]

( this again.

angela is quiet, grip tight on her phone, before she speaks slowly, deliberately. )

I don't care what Ms. Fearne says, Argalia. You haven't changed one bit, and you never will. Don't ask me or anyone else for my book again.

( click. she's done with you. )