Audience: Mahito

[probe]

Comments

[touchups]

Yep! Not many, but a few.

[They all met terrible fates for some strange reason. Meanwhile, he tries to catch another bubble on top of one of the bubbles that clings to his finger.]

Just like a curse can't be anything but a curse, a human can't be anything but a human. That's why it's such a rare mentality where I'm from. Even when I run into it, it's an understanding that comes with inherent bias, you know?

[probe]

That's true, but part of being human is the capacity both to think and to change the way that you think about things, right? They can't change what they are, but they can change their perspective-- it's just that most aren't willing to do it, for one reason or another.

[can't believe this turned into philosophy while blowing bubbles.]

[touchups]

[IT SURE DID!! This is the second time Mahito's just taken a dive into weird philosophical waters with someone, very bad.

Speaking of, he will blow some more bubbles after popping most of the ones still in a reachable distance.]

Exactly! That's part of human nature. Even if they have the ability to change, they usually won't, because of this or that. They're contrary and stubborn, and they don't like admitting they're wrong. The ones who go against their nature to change anyway are always really rare, right?

[probe]

...yeah. Maybe a little too rare for their own good, but-- there's not really anything to do about that.

[you can't force people to change their minds. you can show them the truth as much as you want, but it won't do any good unless they're looking.]

[touchups]

Nope. [He does not seem to fussed by it.] It makes it more fun to find the people that stand out, though. That part's not bad!

[After a pause, inquisitively:]

Hey, are you human? Or were you? The way you talk about them kind of reminds me of someone who's sad about something they relate to.

[probe]

[they sort of.... wave a hand, vaguely.]

I, um, I guess? I don't know, maybe I still am, but- I'm okay with not being one, too.

[touchups]

[A little nod! That is such a funky answer but Envy is a funky avatar, so he rolls with it.]

It's a pretty good way to look at things! I think I'd probably like you the same whichever it ended up being, too.

[probe]

[oh! they perk up a little, a few more extra eyes opening up wherever there's skin peeking out from under their robes.]

You really would?

[touchups]

I think so, yep! [It's fine, probably! Since they're sitting together under this cursed blanket, he leans over a little, gently bumping their shoulder.] It's nice, talking to you. I think that'd be the same either way.

[probe]

[when he bumps their shoulder, they lean right back against him, except they don't pull away. it's a little tentative, they don't rest much of their weight there, but they're just testing if this is okay.]

I like talking to you, too. There's not always a lot of opportunity for perspectives like yours, y'know?

[touchups]

[Unfortunately for everyone but especially me, Mahito does not seem at all bothered by this! In fact, he actively encourages it by resting a little more of his own weight against them in turn.]

Hah, yeah? I guess even in my world, it's not like there are a lot of curses that can talk.

[Ah, the privilege of being a Deluxe Special Grade.]

Well! If you'd like, we can talk more, then. I don't mind your company.

[probe]

[good, suffer as i suffer. envy just settles in comfortably when they're encouraged, so now i suppose they are cuddling with a flea.]

I'd like that! You can bother me any time you want, okay? There's more of you talking to me than I thought, but- I'll still answer.

[touchups]

[gently and lovingly strangles you

Enjoy those flea cuddles though, Envy. He is unfortunately not an easily snappable twink so he's probably pretty decently comfortable.]

Hah! That's sweet. As long as you're not too busy, I'll come say hi, then. I don't mind the people who came here with me, but it's better being able to talk to everyone, you know?

[probe]

It is! Just as long as you don't ignore me too much to talk to them.

[envy, don't say that so casually.]

[touchups]

[He just laughs?? Like this is cute and not vaguely ominous coming from an avatar of envy??? Help.]

Ah? Don't worry, don't worry. You're my favorite- [For now, tragically and unfortunately for Envy.] -so I don't think that'll be a problem.

[probe]

Am I?

[they curl a little closer, there, getting comfy. cursed and terrible.]

I'll try to make sure I don't, um. End up boring you or anything, then!

[touchups]

[CURSED AND! TERRIBLE!! Mahito seems just fine with it, because unfortunately, of course he is. He will even reach for their free hand with his own so he can hold it, because he still likes slapping his palms on things even without his gumby touch.]

Hah! That's the last thing you have to worry about. [Also unfortunately, he's always very interested in things he can't understand right away! Bad.] You're fun to talk to, and everything's been interesting. I haven't been bored here at all, really.

[This will change Saturday, god bless.]

[probe]

[oh, they love handholding- they accept this easily, lacing their fingers together. it's maybe slightly awkward since envy's fingers are unnaturally long.]

Good! If you do start getting bored, you can let me know, okay?

[touchups]

[please know that i say with all the hate in my body that mahito has held hands with much weirder things before, and thus does not even seem to notice.]

Yeah? Will you help me out of boredom if I ever end up there?

[probe]

Of course I would. I mean- I'd do my best to, anyway, I can't promise I'd be good at it every time...

[touchups]

[Gives their hand! A reassuring squeeze!]

Just seeing what you come up with would be fun.

[probe]

I hope so, anyway.

[they squeeze his hand back, though, with a little smile.]

[touchups]

[Smiling right back! And then going back to blowing bubbles, which he will probably do until Envy needs their time back or he gets bored with it and trundles off to do something else, god bless.]