Audience: Mahito

[probe]

Comments

[probe]

So I've noticed. [they did research about this! also wow, weird.] Our rules are fairly straightforward.

Everyone has a preference. [...they do not specify what their preference is.]

[touchups]

Ah, that's a relief.

[Which he says very genuinely... Thank god for straightforward rules. Mahito may be a lot of things, but complex scheming chessmaster extraordinaire is not one of them. Anyway despite this punkish answer, Mahito just presses on curiously.]

Hah, I guess. So? What's yours?

[probe]

[they set the wine glass down on a nearby surface, folding their arms over their chest as one of their claws taps against their elbow in thought.]

While killing people off isn't my first priority, or an option I necessarily condone...do what you must in order to sufficiently indulge and get what you want.

[touchups]

Haha...

[HE JUST "HAHA"s because he knows Greed likely knows that murder is a great way for Mahito Mahitoson to indulge.]

That was a pretty careful answer. [BUT THEN HE'S seemingly immediately distracted by something else, holding his hands!! Out!!] Hey! Can I see your hand?

[probe]

[yes. ha ha. they sure do know!!! but also like...sure. that is just how that's going to go.

also, they don't reply to that because they're very aware it's a carefully crafted answer and mahito doesn't get to know why. regardless!]

Your powers won't activate by touching me. [it's said flatly, but they do hold out one hand. it's cracking in several places, veins thick and dark while black pointed claws are at the tip of each finger. go ahead. do whatever.]

[touchups]

[i personally am very tired on greed's behalf

Mahito on the other hand is just here to have a good time and doesn't seem particularly fussed about the fact that he's not getting any straight answers.]

I already know that!

[He's tried so much. He just keeps trying. Probably especially on Tamaki because he thinks it's funny. He probably tried a little on Sloth too, just for the hell of it. Y'all need to stop letting him touch. BUT TOUCH HE DOES, except it really is just out of curiosity this time. He holds their hand between his two, flipping it to examine both sides and then gently tapping one of the cracks.]

Does it hurt?

[probe]

[this is why mahito isn't finding himself shoved into another dryer right now. but greed lets mahito examine their hand. i have to mention it's also kind of a large hand. the crack feels a little warm, but greed doesn't seem too fazed.]

Not particularly, no. I've grown used to it.

[touchups]

[He should be shoved into another dryer.

ALSO WHY ARE SO MANY OF THESE NPCS SO BIG. He is just holding onto their fingies now.]

Yeah? What was it like before this?

[probe]

[he can have the fingies! also funny you say that because mahito is actually a little taller than greed.]

Smoother. [very vague.] Less...flawed.

[touchups]

[yaoi hands..........]

Huh. [He's keeping the fingies.] How'd this happen, then?

[probe]

[this is actually uncomfortable but they make no moves to pull their hand back.]

Growing older. Changing. It's the natural progression of things.

[touchups]

[Please free Greed.]

Oh. Sounds bad. [Being an ageless concept, he can't relate!] Do you miss how it was before?

[probe]

What would be the point of missing something unattainable? I've set my sights on other things.

[that is to say greed is more focused on what they can take for themselves rather than something that's already gone.]

[touchups]

Hah! Yeah, I guess you have a point.

[He's the sort of existence that only looks forward, so that's some logic he can vibe with. He also finally lets their hand go.]

If I ask you what things your sights are set on, am I just going to get some weird non-answer?

[probe]

[greed's hand immediately folds back against their chest as they cross their arms.]

Most likely. [they're honest, at least.] You and I are of two different minds and the things I want are things you won't understand.

[it's not even meant to be rude? it's that they're pretty sure mahito really won't understand because of who (what?) he is.]

[touchups]

[He seems to consider this for a second, humming and tapping a finger against his cheek. He doesn't seem offended in the least, either way.]

...Yeah, you're probably right. There are a lot of things I've read tons and tons of stuff about, but I still don't really understand it.

[probe]

[they. mimic the motion? somewhat. it's more like a tap against their temple.]

Is it a lack of ability, or a lack of will? [does mahito not understand because he can't, or because he does not want to?]

[touchups]

[Again, he seems to give it a moment of real thought. Just a moment, though; he's pretty sure in his answer, briefly touching the center of his chest. Simply:]

A curse can't be anything other than what it's born to be.

[probe]

[an interesting answer...]

And what would a curse want from a situation like this?

[touchups]

[Well, that's an unfortunately easy question to answer.]

Mm? What do I want out of this? You guys already know a lot about us. Don't you know what our wishes are? [There's a light, teasing laugh.] Or do you mean aside from the wish?

[probe]

[flatly:]

The destruction of humanity will eventually cause you to run out of humans. [so, yeah, aside from the wish.]

[touchups]

[Unfortunately, he just laughs about it. HUMANS!!]

Hah! Yeah, that's true. [A beat; his hands drop back to the arm of the chair.]

--Hey, you know how curses are born, right? If so many humans put all their fear and hatred and anger toward the same thing, it's a pretty powerful force. Those are the things I understand the best, so if I could see more of that... I think that'd be good!

[HE SAYS THIS... with such a genuinely cheery smile... alexa play only happy when it rains.]

[probe]

[there's a very, very soft whisper from inside greed's hood and it sure sounds like "what the hell."]

I'm aware, yes. And if humanity erred to the side of positivity, what then? [what happens to curses when people aren't angry and afraid?]

[touchups]

[YOU DID THIS, GREED. YOU PICKED THE FLEA FOR YOUR POKEMON TEAM!!

Anyway he wrinkles his nose about that, like it's a nose-wrinkling matter.]

Then I'd be really bored. [Unfortunately, curses that are already born are just Here Forever until they get their stupid asses exorcised.] But it's not like people will ever really be able to leave behind those kinds of feelings.

[probe]

[mistakes were possibly made.]

They won't. Humanity will always instill fear and distrust in one another regardless of the circumstances...[...they seem like they want to say more, but they trail off before they change their mind.]

Have you spoken with the others aligned with me?