(no subject)

[oi_theoi]

Who: Anyone
When: Day 68, Noon
Where: Anywhere!
What: Mingle!

[At some point late in the morning, messages of dissent reflecting the message still scrawled near the stairs (fuck this place and its shit gods) have started appearing all around level 4.

'FUCK THE GODS' carved into the side of building D, fliers left by the fountain, on the ground, taped to the windows, on the bulletin board, demanding the gods leave out, get out, get out of mortal territory.]

((Reminder that event end party is tomorrow evening!))

Comments

[supraliminally]

I don't find the idea of pursuing vengeance against a child particularly interesting, you know. But at the same time, if I just let this go, some other brilliant mind might have the idea that they could pull a similar stunt with impunity. Since that snake is my enemy, I can't really tolerate such an outcome, you know?

Given this, if you were in my position, how would you deal with the situation?

[foil]

If you take vengeance, I know an idiot who will cry for me and probably lose a duel against you, and I can't let that happen. So that's not the best choice. I've never been in your position, but he won't suffer for my mistake.

I don't know. What warning would be enough?

[supraliminally]

Talking about what you can or cannot let happen is rather foolish, Leo, given the circumstances. Know that when you attacked me before, it was when I had exhausted myself beyond the ability to use even a fraction of my power. You and I will both be recovered soon, and when we are, it's important that you understand that killing you and Elliot both would be as easy as slaughtering a lamb.

1/?

[foil]

[ The first thing that flashes across his face is alarm and anger combined. It's so quick that he jerks for her but his hand stops after lifting--]

2/?

[foil]

[--and instead of lashing out, like Leo wants to, there's something else instead--]

3/5

[foil]

HahahahahahahHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

4/5

[foil]

[One of Leo's hands raises to her face and strokes along Yukari's jawline, this is entirely different than before.. All of his mannerisms are gone, his body language is confident and playful, and his voice drags out in amusement..]

ahhh~ I have not laughed like that in so long~ ♥

5/5

[foil]

[A shade of someone different is here, visible for a moment to her eyes. Leo makes a circle around her, dipping close to speak.]

Threatening my cute little vessel and his master at a fraction of our power. You're so interesting! So interesting! What else can you do?

—What else are you? ♥

[supraliminally]

[Smiling broadly. How many people are in there exactly, Leo? When he closes his circle, her hand darts out, lightning quick, to grab a fistful of his hair. She does not seem to be angry, however. Rather, she has a look of curiosity and amusement. She seems almost excited.]

It's rude to ask a lady what she is before introducing yourself, you know. And unwise, perhaps, if she is a demon.

[foil]

[The smile doesn't falter, and he doesn't wrench himself from her grasp, but step into her space further. Leo's shorter than he remembers himself being, and the hair doesn't nearly match the length Yukari saw for a split second.]

Don't tease. It might be boring if you aren't a demon.

—Levi Baskerville.

[And for another moment, he's able to appear. It might be simply because Yukari isn't human, but he's a ghost behind Leo. As he appears, colors are vaguely distinguishable, white hair, crimson eyes, and the sclera is tinted a lighter red as well, older and taller than Leo. He leans over him, fingers laced together and places his hands over Leo's eyes, thumbs extended to touch his lips as his chin leans on the new Glen's head. Winking at her as he finishes speaking.]

What interesting conversations we might have if you don't intend to kill my successor.

A good demon might ~lie~ in this case.

[supraliminally]

[Her grip on Leo's hair loosens, and she steps closer and begins to pet him idly. Her eyes are on Levi now. She laughs airily, delighted.]

A good demon does as she pleases, Levi Baskerville, and a lie means no more to her than a truth, just as death means no more to her than life.

[She glances down at Leo now, contemplative.]

Ahh... but in your situation, the difference between a lie and a truth is the very difference between life and death. To live under a lie or to die with the truth. What would a good human do, given such a choice?

[foil]

Oh~ I don't believe I'm a good human. ♥

Ah, but if I must give my own opinion. Action at this point would only reveal a wounded pride. If it were me, I would have had him killed if he didn't interest me, but this one is no threat. Besides, he's too cute to murder.

[ Levi smiles for a moment. His words echo hollow, a strange pitch in Leo's voice that ends with laughter. The image fades again, but he's still in control here, and it's clear he's moving this body right now. ]

[supraliminally]

He is very cute, I'll grant you. But if he wants to continue living, he'll have to meet my price. That's all there is to it.

[foil]

[ After a moment, there's a barely convincing imitation of Leo's personality, a little too theatrical to be real as he confesses to being a pawn under S'vx's control, pushing the entirety of the blame onto the serpent god and twisting around the facts to support it. The details are carefully considered, and perfectly thought out, leaving nothing but forced participation onto the current 'Glen'. ]

...wouldn't have chosen to attack you if it had been up to me. You're a friend of Elliot's.

[ The grin as he leaves is too wide, and Leo is still after, just breathing. He's vaguely aware of what has taken place, but his actual apology is genuine, considering, because that last part - even if everything else was warped - is true. ]

...I'm sorry, Yukari.

[supraliminally]

[Applause! Yukari claps when he is finished, beaming.]

Oh, good show. That will work just wonderfully, won't it? The apology was a nice touch in particular.

[foil]

[Leo is just.. going to stare for a moment, still coming back from having his body wrenched away from him. All of his mannerisms are back, his stillness, his avoidance, and he's looking at her because he understands she doesn't believe a word of it, but she's going to accept it anyway. He's quick to lean back out of her space, an area that feels too dangerous to be in and he's not used to people invading his own.]

I meant the apology.

[supraliminally]

Do you?

[Stepping forward, back into his space. She doesn't particular mind if he is uncomfortable. She wants him to feel discomfort, to feel invaded and afraid. Like she had been made to, in that realm.]

I don't really care, to be honest. Your regret does not undo what was done to me. [There is a flash of real anger in her eyes, then, a cold and murderous rage. She is still smiling, but her eyes are steel.]

Well, as I said, I don't find revenge against a child very interesting at all. But since you are so fond of sacrifices to appease your betters, I wouldn't mind seeing what you'll offer me.

[foil]

I am not "fond" of sacrifices!

[supraliminally]

No? I suppose offering a stranger is no sacrifice at all, is it. But -- ah. Are you familiar, I wonder, with the concept of karma?

[foil]

It wasn't what I wanted. I offered myself first. S'vx wanted a sacrifice.

[He's growing frustrated. He'd rather her just say what she means, but it doesn't seem like he can appease her like Levi's able to effortlessly.]

..What do you mean?

[supraliminally]

Karma is a philosophical principle. That one receives in turn that which he gives. That ones actions do not disappear into a an empty vacuum, to be forgotten. That the universe itself remembers, and pays back in kind.

The universe does not care what you want, Leo. It does not care what you intended. But what you did -- that is like a stone thrown in the lake. The ripples will run their course.

Which all sounds very unpleasant, and I can see you are not fond of the direction of this conversation. But you know, if you would take a moment to pause in your self-pity and defensiveness, you find this could be a positive experience for you. For instance, you might learn something?

[foil]

[Oh, he's read about karma in books, but never applied it to anything. But the idea doesn't settle well. What he's done? What those before him have done? Does the universe decide what happens to him based on those choices. It's clear he looks like he's about to crack at the thought. But her stabbing him must not be well enough. He's not responsible for the actions S'vx choose to do to her, but he doesn't know them either. And he's just unable to cope with these thoughts. One by one, he's crashing down, visibly breaking until he shakes.]

The good things don't cancel this out?

[supraliminally]

[Yukari tilts her head. She does not seem sympathetic, precisely -- better to say that she is curious. The anger, at least, seems to have left her in favor of mild interest.]

No. Nor does evil cancel out good. In the end, you will have to suffer proportionally to your deeds. If you like, you may take this as an excuse to become bitter about things, and to commit more evils, and suffer more in turn. It would make not the slightest bit of difference to me, so long as you stayed away from me and mine.

Or you could do otherwise. That is also up to you.

[foil]

I don't want to. I don't want to.

Do I have to.. for everything they've done too?

[supraliminally]

How should I know?

Looking pitiful is probably not going to convince the universe to have mercy on you, however, so I would suggest trying another strategy.