string theory [closed]

[kenosnpcs]

Without any warning or preamble, a set of messages are sent briefly over Communion.

To D and Matt, the message is simple. It’s time. Go to The Crown to meet Coalbrand. He’ll be the one getting you to the tower. And indeed, they’ll be welcomed by the demon with a glittering smile and cloying words asking if there’s anything he can supply them with. Whether they do so is up to them, but it’s not wise—that’s how you end up in debt to the house. But eventually, a magical slumber will greet them and they’ll awake within Aetós’s tower.

To Flat and Gen, the message is a bit more complicated, but it amounts to “it’s time to work”. Bring whatever you might need for a few days, since the work itself isn’t usually quick. But when they’re ready, come to The Crown. Aetós will meet them there.

Comments

[epiprocta]

[ While the other two members of this merry little band are distracted with each other and Aetos is off doing god-knows-what in preparation, Gen takes the chance to slink over to where D is standing around being his usual beautiful self. And as charming as always, he just parks himself leaning against the wall right in his vicinity. ]

Hey.

[ The nudge comes through Communion -- a tacit demand for privacy. ]

Didn't think you were this much of a complete fucking idiot. What were you thinking, volunteering for this shit.

[damnpire]

[Don't bully him. Flat is the one loudly announcing they are connected and also thinking they're all on a date.

As usual, he offers Gen his attention once Gen settles beside him and shoves in through the communion.]

I could say the same for you.

[Helping Aetos torture some poor souls.]

[epiprocta]

[ Please ... let's not talk about the accusation of this being a group date. He is stressed enough about Everything without having to deal with that extra dose of stupid on top of it all.

D's response earns a quiet click of the tongue before Gen crosses his arms, keeping his gaze trained ahead. ]

I'm not the one being experimented on, dumbass. There's nothing at stake for me here. Answer the question.

[ Too bad the double-whammy of this being Communion and their vampire-thrall link means it's incredibly obvious he's lying. There are stakes here. He just refuses to acknowledge it on any conscious level. ]

[damnpire]

[GEN IS SUFFERING. RELEASE HIM!!!

Luckily for Gen, D doesn't acknowledge the lying he feels from Gen. So many times is Gen lucky D does not acknowledge some things. Also, he doesn't think Gen would be here without stakes.

Gen doesn't exactly waste his time--not like this. He does waste it other places.]

I did not want only Zenith to have the results Aetos's experimentation might find. I want to figure out how to stop the Oblivion I saw inside the Tribune.

I didn't want anyone else to need to volunteer.

[FUCKING MATT. It's fine. Gen will probably ridicule him for a hundredth time on being a goody-two-shoes.]

[epiprocta]

[ D's right! Gen is absolutely going to turn his nose up at how much of a nauseating goody two-shoes he is.

Which is to say, he heaves a low sigh before slowly sliding down where he'd been leaning against the wall until he's lowered himself into a typical delinquent squat, back hunched and head ducked. It's the sort of posture that could pass off as just being exhausted at a glance, probably. ]

... what d'you even get outta playing the white knight like that.

[ But under that surface layer of ire is something more frustrated, more stresesd ... more confused. On some level, Gen does genuinely want to understand why D is like this. ]

It won't be worth it, you know. You can try all you want, but nobody'll ever appreciate you as much as you deserve. Ever.

[damnpire]

[The Asian squat... D glances down at Gen, then looks up at the others. Looks through them. The answer is so very simple for him, but he does not think Gen will understand the simplicity maybe.

The sheer ease in why he does what he does will continue to perplex and confuse Gen.]

I'm not looking for anything, [and his voice, while still deep, is soft in delivery.] Appreciation, or thanks. Those aren't things someone like me received much of before anyway.

[Would Gen laugh at him? Standing in a town on the Frontier, having a horde of ignorant humans threaten him and cast him out even after he had saved some of them from vampiric slavery, throwing money at his feet instead of giving it to him.]

It's fine just knowing no one else had to do it.

[Well, MATT (idiod), but listen.]

Why did you come to help him?

[epiprocta]

[ He raises his head just so D can catch a glimpse of the absolutely disgusted expression he makes, like he's about to barf. Which he almost is, actually? 'I'm not looking for anything,' ugh, like this fucker is actually real. It's honestly nauseating, that attitude. It's stupid and impractical and unrealistic, and most of all, Gen fucking hates the fact that D seems so unshakeable about it.

Unfair. It's fucking unfair that he gets to exist like that. That he gets to keep existing like that. ]

For myself.

[ And perhaps out of spite, Gen slathers his reply with as much selfish bite as he can, canting his head to give D a sharp sideways glance. ]

He's going to give me something I want, if I help him. That's all. I'm doing this purely for myself. I'll be hurting you purely for my own benefit. That's what you get for volunteering for this job. Sure makes your noble intentions worth it, huh?

[damnpire]

[If the answer surprises him at all (it doesn't), nothing bleeds through.]

People do what they have to do.

[But also Gen specifically. D expects nothing less. In fact, he would think Gen was a pod person if Gen said differently.

Nevermind he can feel the inkling of softer things from Gen sometimes. Like worry and anxiety.

You're going to feel what I feel. Are you sure this is something you want to do?

You can always change your mind. He will probably need you other times.

[epiprocta]

[ Tch. Fucking robot-ass motherfucker. Honestly, the worst type of person in the world to bully, because there's no good way to get a proper, satisfying reaction. Gen looks away with a huff at that milquetoast answer which says nothing -- frustratingly, implies no judgement -- as he fishes through his pocket

Victor probably won't approve of him smoking in here, but whatever. There's time before the actual procedure starts, and he needs the nicotine to soothe his nerves. Gen scowls as he parks a cigarette between his lips, digging through his pockets for his lighter next. ]

You're the one who said it. Gotta do what you gotta do.

[ It's not like he's looking for pain. A part of him did consider passing up this task. D's not wrong; it's probably an option that's still open. But ...

Gen stares darkly over the rest of the room as he finally retrieves his lighter, thumb simply resting against the wheel for a moment as he thinks. His next words are muttered quiet and muffled around his cigarette. ]

S'fine.

[ This is what feels right, in a way. What feels fair. ]

And what kind of idiot cares about the person about to do experiments on'em.

[damnpire]

[Hilariously, if Victor said anything about Gen smoking, D would probably (annoyingly to Gen) placate Victor somehow so Gen could smoke at least one. It's fair, having to do something like this to others. Regardless of whether or not Gen may or may not pretend to think nothing of it.]

You still have feelings.

[He wonders if this makes him a hypocrite. Him trying to dissuade Matt from reaching out a hand to Silco while he is still here forever picking Gen up out of the dirt when the chance arises.]

It wouldn't be so concerning if we weren't connected. You could ask him to postpone until after you kill me and I reawaken, if you want to sever the link.

[But no. Gen is a masochist like he is, isn't that right?]