[well. if he doesn't wish to drag things out, then despair won't.
the next room he enters will have the avatar already waiting there, wings curled around themselves. the feathers chime faintly as they turn to face him, giving him a slight nod.]
If you prefer not to spend too much time on this, I suppose you would prefer I not waste it asking you to come elsewhere. Speak, then.
[ Well, he can't say he has any complaints about the instant turnaround. He Xuan only blinks in brief surprise at seeing Despair the moment he enters the next room, but - he's quick to get on with it. ]
I was told you aren't exactly social. [ The way he says it screams of "mood." ] I'll get to the point. While I understand the concept of the sins you're all meant to represent, though it isn't something that's so - grouped, in Zhongguo.
My reasons for having you as my apparent Avatar aren't lost on me. It's simply a matter of going from there that I'm interested in knowing more about. Indulging in despair seems more... abstract, than the others.
In a way, that makes it both less restrictive to indulge in, and more difficult to find ways in which to do so-- or I may assume this to be the case, based on how many of you have asked how to manage it.
[they shrug, waving one hand vaguely.]
But the core advice remains the same as I would give to any of you, with any sin. Seek the root of your despair-- its cause, its results, the emotions it sparks within you and the things you are motivated to do as a result. There you may find some answers.
[ He mulls that over for a moment, before there's a dark humored snort. ]
There isn't much seeking that needs to be done, considering the root of my despair is very well what caused me to become a ghost. I suppose in this case, I follow the lingering despair that wasn't quenched with revenge, then.
[ But, another thing: ] Do you Avatars benefit from the indulgences of your representative sins? Gods and ghosts grow stronger the more believers worship and pray to them, leave them offerings, as they accrue merits through their actions. Is it the same for you?
[ To the complicated feelings left behind by what was less satisfying than he'd hoped it would be, after hundreds of years. Great. Glad the Avatars know enough about them for this to be Fine. ]
No, it wouldn't sway me either way. [ honestly ] It's merely curiosity, in the end, of how our indulgences impact everything. Better to take stock of and understand it all, instead of fumbling in the dark.
They impact your end goals more than anything else, as we have said. The more you indulge, particularly in line with your given sin, the better it will turn out for you in the end.
Even a broken clock is right twice a day. [ Kaz was an idiot, but he was an idiot in all the most infuriating ways. ] For the time being I'll be preoccupied, but if I decide to do this again I'll let you know. What sort of reward, precisely?
[ He's quiet, obviously turning it over in his mind, and assessing the right thing to ask before he comes to a decision. ]
Two questions: First, are there further choices after the initial decision? Such as picking the ability or item specifically. Second, is this a permanent gain, or will it be one-time use like the boon?
You do have a choice, yes. Should you choose an ability, it will be a single use just as your boon was; if you choose something of mine, it will be more powerful than what I last gave you. An object will remain in your possession, however.
[ closes my eyes as I consider shapeshifting so that I can do another murder and frame someone ]
Are you able to tell me the sort of powers that you have, Despair, or would that be a surprise? [ Genuinely curious, considering the greater strength of that option despite the familiarity of his own. ]
[hm. they consider this, for a few moments, the feathers of their wings chiming against each other as they shift.]
For example... the ability to remove evidence. The ability to borrow the appearance of a deceased participant-- or perhaps the ability to weaken the effects of someone else's boon when it is used. All of these would be within my power.
[ Another pause of consideration on his end, as well, sorting through his own abilities as well to weigh what would be the most beneficial choice. ]
Unless this group of people suddenly figures out how to not mismanage evidence that's right in front of them, especially with so many clear hints given, the removal of evidence may be a moot thing. [ frankly ]
Would weakening the effects of a boon be automatic in response to the boon, or would it have to be a conscious counter? It would be between that, and changing my appearance - whether through my own power, or yours.
It would be automatic, yes, in the event of a boon being used to affect you-- such as the gift I gave you, to force him to sleep. Otherwise, you would be able to choose to use it on an effect not targeting you.
[ NEAT. At least he's thoroughly thinking this through, before actually coming to a decision. But he does, eventually, inclining his head slightly. ]
The boon counter, if you would. Shapeshifting would be useful, but I've no means of defense against the boons here, when I can improvise and compensate where need be otherwise.
It will not be a perfect defense, mind you, but enough of one. Under normal circumstances, it would reduce the effect by half, but for this-- seventy-five percent.
[ He Xuan is used to making deals, unfortunately, given his debt to Hua Cheng - but this exchange feels less like something to repay, so he's less hesitant to give his hand as prompted. ]
[despair places their hand in his, careful of those long, pointed fingers.
and as the contact is established, their wings unfurl. on the inside, there are no feathers, just raw, smooth, void-black crystal, studded with a rainbow of crystal fragments that look almost like stars against that dark background. for a moment it almost looks like some of them form constellations, before they begin to twinkle and glow in random patterns. it's a little disorienting to look at.
he will feel something through that point of contact, like something enters him and quickly settles in, and he'll instinctively know what ability he now has. its name is the arbiter, and it reduces the effect of another boon by 75%. his phone receives a notification saying the same, just in case.]
[ The more threads I see and get with Despair and the more boons I get the more I'm convinced that this is Final Fantasy bullshit...
He takes this process in, unflinching even as he tries to keep his gaze focused as the patterns change and shine, wanting to ensure that if there is something of importance that he doesn't miss it. But the ability settling in at least fills a space that he's used to feeling something in, from that spiritual energy, so while not familiar, it's - not necessarily unfamiliar, either.
There's no move to pull away, allowing them to be the one to severe the connection when the gift is complete. ]
[ At least that more or less confirms to him that the Avatars know the truth of who he is. He flexes his hand once they pull apart before he hums an affirmative. ]
I did. Considering the excitement of today, some confirmation and whatever you're able to divulge would be useful, I think. [ Once again, he doesn't necessarily like dragging things out. So. ] HK-47 stated that he was "good at carrying out instructions." While in that moment I'm sure it was more a direct reference to he and Qingxuan having to survive, the implications are still there - are you able to confirm that he was instructed to kill Tamaki Suoh, or did he freely make the choice to kill as I did?
Far too many of you put stock in the words of a violent automaton.
[with a lazy wave of one hand:]
As I understand it, the thing was eager to kill from the very beginning-- if anything, I am certain it would be instructed to be less so. None of us would have told it not to kill, however, as we do not interfere with your indulgences.
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the next room he enters will have the avatar already waiting there, wings curled around themselves. the feathers chime faintly as they turn to face him, giving him a slight nod.]
If you prefer not to spend too much time on this, I suppose you would prefer I not waste it asking you to come elsewhere. Speak, then.
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I was told you aren't exactly social. [ The way he says it screams of "mood." ] I'll get to the point. While I understand the concept of the sins you're all meant to represent, though it isn't something that's so - grouped, in Zhongguo.
My reasons for having you as my apparent Avatar aren't lost on me. It's simply a matter of going from there that I'm interested in knowing more about. Indulging in despair seems more... abstract, than the others.
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[they shrug, waving one hand vaguely.]
But the core advice remains the same as I would give to any of you, with any sin. Seek the root of your despair-- its cause, its results, the emotions it sparks within you and the things you are motivated to do as a result. There you may find some answers.
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There isn't much seeking that needs to be done, considering the root of my despair is very well what caused me to become a ghost. I suppose in this case, I follow the lingering despair that wasn't quenched with revenge, then.
[ But, another thing: ] Do you Avatars benefit from the indulgences of your representative sins? Gods and ghosts grow stronger the more believers worship and pray to them, leave them offerings, as they accrue merits through their actions. Is it the same for you?
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[but they consider the next question for a minute before answering, seeming to regard him with some curiosity.]
Would you take care in doing so, if we did? Or indulge more?
[they wave one hand, though.]
In either case, no, we do not gain from those linked to us. We simply share in our alignment.
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No, it wouldn't sway me either way. [ honestly ] It's merely curiosity, in the end, of how our indulgences impact everything. Better to take stock of and understand it all, instead of fumbling in the dark.
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w1, sunday
If you have questions, you may ask. I believe we have much to discuss.
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I believe we do. [ But first... even he knows when to be grateful. ] Thank you for the help. I wound up needing it, in the end.
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[they did not think much of kaz, but- well, boons are boons.]
And, as you have escaped with your life for the time being, I do believe that perhaps more will be in order. A reward, of sorts, for your success.
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Even a broken clock is right twice a day. [ Kaz was an idiot, but he was an idiot in all the most infuriating ways. ] For the time being I'll be preoccupied, but if I decide to do this again I'll let you know. What sort of reward, precisely?
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[they rest their chin in their palm, observing him.]
You have choices. An ability of your own, another ability of mine, or something from your home.
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Two questions: First, are there further choices after the initial decision? Such as picking the ability or item specifically. Second, is this a permanent gain, or will it be one-time use like the boon?
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Are you able to tell me the sort of powers that you have, Despair, or would that be a surprise? [ Genuinely curious, considering the greater strength of that option despite the familiarity of his own. ]
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For example... the ability to remove evidence. The ability to borrow the appearance of a deceased participant-- or perhaps the ability to weaken the effects of someone else's boon when it is used. All of these would be within my power.
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Unless this group of people suddenly figures out how to not mismanage evidence that's right in front of them, especially with so many clear hints given, the removal of evidence may be a moot thing. [ frankly ]
Would weakening the effects of a boon be automatic in response to the boon, or would it have to be a conscious counter? It would be between that, and changing my appearance - whether through my own power, or yours.
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The boon counter, if you would. Shapeshifting would be useful, but I've no means of defense against the boons here, when I can improvise and compensate where need be otherwise.
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Will that suffice?
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I am not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, especially.
[ hx: does not mean this as a vore joke
snow: does mean this as a vore joke ]
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[they extend a clawed hand, palm up.]
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and as the contact is established, their wings unfurl. on the inside, there are no feathers, just raw, smooth, void-black crystal, studded with a rainbow of crystal fragments that look almost like stars against that dark background. for a moment it almost looks like some of them form constellations, before they begin to twinkle and glow in random patterns. it's a little disorienting to look at.
he will feel something through that point of contact, like something enters him and quickly settles in, and he'll instinctively know what ability he now has. its name is the arbiter, and it reduces the effect of another boon by 75%. his phone receives a notification saying the same, just in case.]
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He takes this process in, unflinching even as he tries to keep his gaze focused as the patterns change and shine, wanting to ensure that if there is something of importance that he doesn't miss it. But the ability settling in at least fills a space that he's used to feeling something in, from that spiritual energy, so while not familiar, it's - not necessarily unfamiliar, either.
There's no move to pull away, allowing them to be the one to severe the connection when the gift is complete. ]
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Now-- I believe you wished to speak of other matters as well, He Xuan?
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I did. Considering the excitement of today, some confirmation and whatever you're able to divulge would be useful, I think. [ Once again, he doesn't necessarily like dragging things out. So. ] HK-47 stated that he was "good at carrying out instructions." While in that moment I'm sure it was more a direct reference to he and Qingxuan having to survive, the implications are still there - are you able to confirm that he was instructed to kill Tamaki Suoh, or did he freely make the choice to kill as I did?
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Far too many of you put stock in the words of a violent automaton.
[with a lazy wave of one hand:]
As I understand it, the thing was eager to kill from the very beginning-- if anything, I am certain it would be instructed to be less so. None of us would have told it not to kill, however, as we do not interfere with your indulgences.