Audience: Gu Yun

[probe]

Comments

[probe]

[they just sigh, at that first part.

they go back to fiddling with buttons. gu yun can likely see that their fingers are claws. and that there's a flash of gold around their wrists.]

You're a Pride. That's the only reason. [a pause.] The others said that much about me?

[liuli]

[ you picked him! he's quick enough to notice those claws, though he doesn't say much about it. this is two whole people (?) he's met with claws now! wild.

there's a noise like he's stretching, resettling comfortably in the chair. ]

Mm, a bit. They were quite worried you might not want to come down and play. [ gu yun says so airily, waving a hand. ] In fact, I was even informed I might have my number blocked, whatever that means.

[probe]

[can you feel the utter exasperation coming off pride in waves, gu yun?]

Whatever Wrath says, feel free to dismiss. They have nothing between their ears. [it just sounds like a thing wrath would say, they're assuming.]

[liuli]

[ that's usually how people feel at him!! just like home. ]

Mm. [ he will neither confirm or deny his sources. ] Well, I like to form my own opinions nevertheless, particularly since I'm guessing you've already formed one of me.

Is that how we've ended up on this journey together? [ wiggling the fingers of his tattooed hand. ] Since you mentioned you already knew too much.

[probe]

[they lean against the controls.]

Mm. We were given information on you before you arrived. I have the ability to find out more, but I prefer not to.

[liuli]

Well, I can say I appreciate that. [ my backstory ] How much do you know, exactly? Just what was written on this thing?

[ gu yun waves his phone - ] Which, by the way, has a very interesting take on the definition of the word "skills".

[probe]

I know what is written on your profile. If I were to ask, I could learn your history. Like I said. I don't want to do that.

[as for the rest, they just huff.] I didn't fill out the profiles. I don't like them either.

[liuli]

You're a very private person, huh?

[ so is he! sort of. it's complicated. there's a beat of silence, as he fiddles with the phone, taking a bit too long... ]

...Fan of the equestrian, huh. [ this is so, so dryly. 'a high horse'... descriptive. ] What do you like, Pride?

[probe]

[they are disgruntled by the fact that gu yun is just like, looking up their information right in front of them. it's very rude.]

Nothing. I hate everything. [so, so dry.]

[liuli]

[ pride,

that gets him to laugh, actually, amused: ] That's not very prideful of you! [ lol. he does put the phone down again after, though. ]

[probe]

Can't be prideful all the time.

[they answer, with a sniff.] Just like you aren't, all the time.

[liuli]

Apparently enough that you picked me for it. [ he likes to think he’s very wrathful! or something. he’s fooling no one. ]

Did you pick me? Or was it all random with you?

[probe]

Both, in a sense.

You are aligned with pride as a sin. So am I. I suppose that means I picked you, in a way.

[liuli]

[ hmmm. sitting up a bit in his chair. ] Lust said that you all can indulge too, if you want to. Did you all make an agreement to be here?

[probe]

[they glance away.]

We were brought here. Same as you.

[liuli]

For?

[probe]

Indulging. There is no other answer to that question.

[liuli]

I think there is. There could be "what was your reason for coming here?" Though that's pretty personal for the first day. Or, perhaps, "Why does whatever lent out this offer to us need us to indulge for"?

There's someone or something above you all, right? I would assume. After all, it seems you're a bit above us, in terms of a drumming order.

[probe]

You seem pretty confident in that reasoning.

[liuli]

Well, I did see Wrath blow up an elevator, which is quite a step above some of our compatriots in terms of abilities.

[probe]

[fair enough.]

Don't know why you'd assume there's something above us because of that.

[liuli]

Oh. For that part.... well, it's been a long time since I haven't been at the top of the food chain - and even now, I still have someone I answer to.

[ gu yun tilts his head, his expression more thoughtful. ] Besides, isn't there some overarching purpose? I find it all hard to believe that we've all just been brought here to screw around and get a desire of ours granted, no strings attached. Seems incredibly too good to be true, doesn't it?

[probe]

That is very prideful of you. Thinking that everything you're involved in must have overarching purpose.

[they sound vaguely amused.]

[liuli]

Well, what can I say? If the shoe fits, wear it.

[ all very lackadaisical, gu yun waves his hand. ] I don't really trust such simple benevolence.

[probe]

You're right not to.

But I'd suggest worrying about the people around you rather than the purpose of all of this. You have something you want. You have weaknesses. [they say this, pointedly.] You'll want to watch your back.