Audience: Ashiya Douman

[probe]

Comments

[commedia]

Famous?

[How interesting.]

Like...what are they called. Those "movie stars"?

[probe]

Yeah, something like that. I know it's kind of silly compared to the dreams you guys have, but...[a shrug.]

[commedia]

Silly?

[And their eyes widen.]

Oh, no. No, no, no. Hardly not! The dream to be seen by so many, to touch so many, to be admired and loved and be able to do that in turn...that's quite special, you know?

[probe]

[all the while they're painting their nails, so they can't exactly look up but they seem a little relieved about that.]

Yeah. I just think it'd be fun to do something to entertain other people, especially something I really love doing. But....I also wanted to become famous because I was trying to find someone. I thought that if I made it, they would be able to see me and come find me again someday.

[commedia]

Ah, so becoming famous would allow you to stand as a beacon of sorts?

[A nod, the bells of their hair jingling lightly.]

You know...you're like a little lighthouse. Guiding your sailor to shore. Mmmhmm, isn't that nice?

[probe]

Right! If I succeeded and got my name out there, then there was a greater chance it'd work out. But I never really thought of it like that before.

[it's a nice thought, actually.] And now I'm here to make sure you guys get the chance to reach your dreams, too.

[commedia]

...

[Douman smiles, ever so kindly.]

Thank you for that, Lighthouse. Or should I just call you Light? Since Lust doesn't seem quite fitting.

[probe]

[...:o]

Light's pretty cute...I'll take it. I don't mind helping you guys out and guiding you on the right path to indulge.

[commedia]

[don't tell Misa this........no wait do tell Misa this, I'm on this new Misa/Light ship]

One must help themselves, too. But I'm sure we all appreciate it.

[A beat.]

What other things do you know outside of painting nails?

[probe]

[my god.]

There's only so much we can do for you anyway. [so they are on their own in a lot of ways.]

...I like to do a little of everything? Dance mostly. And I play video games? I like playing them for other people. And I guess I'm okay at drawing.

[commedia]

[Wow, another artist!]

Oh, you draw? What do you draw?

[probe]

It's just things for me! Animals, people, stuff like that. I like drawing stuff I remember, too. Kind of like keeping good memories in my own style.

[commedia]

What's your favorite thing to draw?

[probe]

Definitely people. I'm not as good as I could be, but I've been practicing more, too. [a pause.] We have a lot of time on our hands here.

[commedia]

Envy did say you were all here a long time.

[Enough to develop hobbies, it seems.]

Admittedly, I'm not very good at drawing people. You might have to give me tips.

[probe]

That's right. [while the basecoat on douman's hand dries, they will begin painting the other.]

Are you an artist, too?

[commedia]

Mm, not quite, but I have to draw for rituals and my shikigami and the like! Perhaps I should expand past that?

[probe]

Only if you want to. I think it's important to know a lot of things, but it's just as important to be really, really good at what you do. [but hm...]

What do you use your rituals and shikigami for? Can I ask?

[commedia]

Oh! To generate curses, and cause destruction!

[And a beat.]

Ah, but only if they're used just as they are. Even curses can help others, or benefit humanity. Even with my abilities, I still helped many, when I was alive.

[probe]

[they just nod like douman didn't just say they can create curses of mass destruction.]

Can they really be called curses if they're helping people then?

[commedia]

Of course. One person's salvation can mean the suffering of another. Things are balanced, like that. Kindness doesn't always come free.

[probe]

[...is this why douman's hair is the color of a yin-yang. they will wonder that privately as they mull over that.]

Are things really unbalanced if it's two people being saved instead of leaving one to suffer?

[commedia]

[haha hair symbolism :)]

You say that as if it happens all that often, when two people are saved. Unfortunately, people hold the worst parts of themselves in their hearts, and act more selfishly than they think. They would tear each other down for the sake of themselves, hm!

[probe]

[that seems to make them think of something because they go quiet again. quiet enough that they paint at least two or three of their nails before they reply.]

You don't think people can change their motivations for other people? Other things?

[commedia]

...

[Douman stares down at Lust, dark eyes piercing.]

Oh. The concept of a selfish person and the concept of a person who works for the sake of others are hardly separate. Of course, people can change, and act for the sake of others. I knew of a man who took on the grief of his people dying, over and over again, and became a figure that stood, steeped in vengeance. We all affect one another. All we have to remember is that even the most seemingly selfless acts can, at their core, be selfish too.