Audience: Steven

[probe]

Comments

[probe]

You ought to have ensured you got them back, then.

[hopefully that is exactly what happened, despair didn't bother watching.]

I would not suggest taking everything Pride says as gospel, either; they are somewhat full of themselves.

[kokytos]

[ Aw, hopefully. Not that Despair is worrying in the slightest, but Steven got a few jabs in that got others to drink, so no sweat there. ]

Sure. I know by now that you're not all necessarily omniscient yourselves, and that you're all individuals with your own thoughts, opinions, and ways of talking. Hence, why I decided to ask you too. It's not like you hate the other Avatars, right?

...It sounds like you've all been stuck together for a while.

[probe]

'Hate' is something of a strong word. It would require me to think much of them in the first place.

[he just waves his free hand at that, in a dismissive gesture.]

One or two are worth my time, but the rest, I have simply tolerated during our time together.

[kokytos]

That aligns with what I expected of you. [ COURTEOUSLY does not mention Wrath sitting on his lap. At least not yet, anyway. ] Given how you see us, and you have to deal with us even less directly than you have to with the other Avatars.

My question, though? [ About their indulgences being the fuel. ] Our indulgences are clearly more relevant to something than just being for ourselves, we hashed that out from when we talked about it amidst the dead.

[probe]

They may be so, yes.

[thanks for the subject change, he definitely would not care to talk about wrath.]

And if that is the answer all of you have come to, then I believe it would be in your best interests to continue your indulgence here, would it not? As I am sure both I and other Avatars have said, on more than one occasion.

[kokytos]

[ It's okay Despair. You can admit you have one (1) important person to you. Maybe. Sort of? ]

I get that and all, but I don't understand why these secrets you're keeping. I'm most certainly under the impression that these indulgences would help us more than not, and being dead hasn't stopped me from keeping them up. I'm even under the impression that they're not just for us, but potentially for you, too.

Unless you don't know either? Or can't speak on it.

[probe]

I do find that some things are worth the effort to learn yourselves, rather than simply having everything explained to you from the beginning.

[it might just be that he feels like it.]

[kokytos]

I don't understand if you want to leave this place, or not. You're really out here playing that nebulous, either egregious mentor or haughty villain role, aren't you. [ He sighs. Don't say that like they haven't been trying. ]

[probe]

Do you think us to be dependent upon you to do so?

[more a questioning tone than anything, one brow raised-- less saying this is the case, more feeling out his assumptions.]

But I've said precisely what I mean: I will not always answer you directly. If you have not learned something for yourself thus far, you may yet be able to-- but not always through me.

[kokytos]

I get that you said we shouldn't take other Avatars' words at face value, but it's pretty much what Pride said to me verbatim. That "unfortunately", whether they would get to be freed of their semi-immortality was also dependent on us.

Would you be willing to tell me if there's anything we haven't looked at here, then?

Is there something we can find that we've overlooked in this place? If it's possible, I do want to make sure I go over everything I can.

[probe]

Pooling your information certainly wasn't the worst idea you've had. You may well have opportunities to gather more of it, but investigating this place alone may not tell you what you wish to know.

[kokytos]

So then, to my initial assumption then... having to rely on the living to look at things closely enough that we can also pick it apart from out vantage point, is it. [ Damn. At least their town hall was productive... ]

No shot at letting us send messages to the living?

[probe]

None thus far, no. I expect you will be made aware if this ever changes, but for now-- while it would not be amiss to examine future alterations made to this place, observing the living is not a poor source of information either. You are correct on that count.

[kokytos]

That does eliminate an entire field to investigate then, at least. That's helpful, thanks.

Though I still have to ask. This place and the new city that opened up on the living side, are they related? The ghostly gunshots, bloodstains, they seem similar to whatever is going on there.

[probe]

They are not. This is an entirely different place, although I can see where you would assume some similarity.

[kokytos]

Really... well, that's a line of questioning cut, then. [ Leaning his chin on his hand, elbow on the counter... thoughtful... ]

Do you actually even like this graveyard city? [ Nonrelevant to his investigations, just curiosity here. For all of its unsettling little details and all... ]

[probe]

...to a degree. I do have some inherent fondness for what may be built and improved upon; if nothing else, it serves as an appropriately sturdy foundation on which to do so, and its framework is not aesthetically displeasing.

[he does sound faintly distant, however.]

[kokytos]

I guess when you put it like that. If everything was perfect then we'd have less motivation to do things. Nothing worse than total idling.

[probe]

Precisely so, in most cases. Though neither would I mind it if you were idling here; perhaps I would get more sleep.

[kokytos]

I thought you didn't need sleep. [ It's a mild jab of amusement at him. ] We'll try to conduct our investigation business quietly and without destruction if it puts your mind at rest.

[probe]

Whether I require it or not, I am quite fond of it. Even an Avatar has their hobbies.

[and at that last bit, he just rolls his eyes.]

Leash them if you are able, then, but know that my expectations for their overall behavior remain low.

[kokytos]

Wow, have a little faith in me. I got that -- [ CHRONOLOGICALLY THIS IS NICE WEEK. So he does not call him a son of a bitch. ] -- I got Vlad to talk even though he sounded like he was going to withhold information for no good reason.

[probe]

Getting that one to make himself useful is quite the accomplishment. Perhaps my opinion of you was not unfounded.

[kokytos]

[ Except and then Vlad tanked everything by setting Law on fire but you know, that's fine. ]

I'd hope so, I don't like having reputations that are unfounded.

[probe]

Is that often a problem for you, then? Or simply one you do not care to begin having?