if you desire the world, then come and take it

[emberserker]

[Discordia]

@ wolfsbane
Enough is enough. Who knows how long it's been in that place without a proper meeting. I propose we convene back at the base in Invidia. That'll keep the migraines and getting lost to a minimum, plus whoever the Authority is won't cotton on, I should hope.

[Invidia - Authority's Mansion]

[Wolfsbane is entirely fed up. After a few days in Avaritia (it's longer, but who knows in that place), she sends out the notification and sets up shop in the mansion back in Invidia; not too far a commute for anyone no matter where they are, and plenty of room besides. When the others arrive, she's sitting at the table, eating a plate of steak and lima bean salad. No, she didn't make any for you. Okay, those with good senses can probably smell that there's more in the kitchen, but given where they are, it seemed tacky to offer to share.]

I'm sure we've all at least come up with something by now investigating that tacky tourist trap. Share, will you?

(This is an open mingle log for everyone to share the fruits of their investigations! Have fun... or at least vent your frustrations at Avaritia's economy.)

Comments

[emberserker]

You're well-adjusted, kind, don't appear to be struggling with any dissonance between who you are and who you weren't, which I can't say for most of you.

[mementomoritz]

[Quietly muttering:] The things I've seen about my past kind of explain a lot, honestly...

[Let's be honest, Medic hasn't changed much.]

[phantasmagorial]

[ Okay, now she just looks outright baffled. ]

You... really trust me that much?

[ Given Wolfsbane's... everything as a person, this feels like a bit of a revelation. ]

[emberserker]

...well. I haven't seen a reason not to, that's all.

[She looks unsettled at Rei's question, but she's been like that all month, really.]

Doesn't everyone?

[mementomoritz]

I do! [Okay, so that's at least two people, cool.]

[phantasmagorial]

[ Rei goes very quiet for a moment, her mouth working as she chews the inside of her lip. But then she takes a breath and nods. ]

Then I– w–when we're done here... we should go and see if we can find it.

[emberserker]

Very well. It's likely still in the casino, I suppose.

[phantasmagorial]

I wonder how it ended up in the casino of all places...?

[ It's not really what you'd call Prime Butterfly Real Estate, huh ]

[emberserker]

Perhaps you liked going there once, although I can't imagine why. You don't seem the type.

[phantasmagorial]

Maybe I was a master card shark before I lost my memories?

[ Probably not. ]

[emberserker]

More likely, you just had some other reason to be there. Or you went all over Purgatory as an Executor -- naturally, you would've had to -- and so your memories followed, but the butterfly opted to go indoors no matter where it was, just to get out of that rain.

[phantasmagorial]

Maybe...

[ She goes quiet for a moment and then, more to herself than Anna: ]

I must have been so much stronger before...

[emberserker]

Oh, come now. You're getting stronger all the time, like the rest of us, aren't you?

[phantasmagorial]

I know, but... it isn't the same. If I was as strong as I used to be, then none of you would need to fight as Executors, or get hurt trying to push your way through to the Cogs with me.

[emberserker]

Don't try to blame yourself for us being around. We're here for a reason, aren't you? I was born for this.

[phantasmagorial]

... Is that really how you feel?

[ Anna can't be that much older than Rei – as far as she's guessing, anyway. So Anna must have died young. ]

Don't you... regret, being stuck down here, instead of living your life?

[emberserker]

And would not being Executors make us any less dead?

[phantasmagorial]

No, that's not what I meant! I just...

[ She has to pause for a moment, to try and rearrange her thoughts. ]

At least, if it wasn't for me and you all becoming Executors... you wouldn't even have to worry about any of this. Don't you regret making the contract at all?

[emberserker]

Like I said, we'd still be dead. We were already awake, so I'm sure we'd have to worry anyway. And the thought being denied the kind of power that I know I could help you with just feels more like it's insulting us than sparing us.

[phantasmagorial]

R–right...

[ Rei watches her for a long moment, like she's not sure what to say – or how to say it – but then she pipes up hesitantly. ]

Wolfsbane...? Um... I really am glad you decided to come with us.

[emberserker]

[She blinks and pulls back, staring with a stunned expression for a second, and then shakes her head.]

Naturally. Let's get to it, then.