Audience: Gu Yun

[probe]

Comments

[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.

[liuli]

[ hm. ]

Thought you said you didn't know much about me. [ shifting a bit in his seat, gu yun props his chin against his hand. ] Why's that?

[probe]

I don't. But you have medicine, and that means you have a weakness.

Why's what? You should watch your back? It's general advice. People are always looking for a back to stick a knife in, especially if it's in the way of something they want.

[liuli]

Oh, that. Family hangover cure. I've got a bit of a drinking problem.

[ he says this with just such utter ease and confidence. anyway. ] How likely is it that our wishes and desires cross over with each other?

[ a pause. ] Of course, if this supposed granted desire from indulgence has a limited number of recipients, that could change things.

[probe]

A drinking problem is a weakness.

[pointedly.] I'm not saying that it does or doesn't. But if there is a chance that only a limited amount of people can get what they desire, how far would you go?

[liuli]

In a place where we're supposed to indulge ourselves, is it, really?

[ an interesting question, though. gu yun's eyes are sharp and clever (haha), even if his smile hasn't budged, and there's a tease in his voice. ]

I usually like a glass of wine with my interrogations, you know.

[probe]

[there's a pause, and then they reach into their sleeve. they pull out a bottle of wine? it's a dark red wine in a clear bottle, and they move across the room to set it next to gu yun on the chair.]

I've been interrogated all morning. [they say, dryly.]

[liuli]

[ aw, pride. he laughs. ]

Fair enough. Drink with me? Maybe I'll answer a question or two in exchange.

[probe]

Mm.

[they just pull two wine glasses out of their sleeves, hello? they hand one to him.]

[liuli]

[ pride your breadsleeves. ]

Got a corkscrew in there, while you're at it? Knife'll do in a pinch. [ lolol ]

[probe]

I lost my knife.

[they sound irritated about this. but they do have a corkscrew, so they'll hand it to him.]