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Perhaps another time.
I mean nothing against you by this. It is
[He hesitates. A comfort.]
a habit. You are not the only one. Even before I arrived here, this was not information I gave away willingly. I appreciate your understanding.
I mean nothing against you by this. It is
[He hesitates. A comfort.]
a habit. You are not the only one. Even before I arrived here, this was not information I gave away willingly. I appreciate your understanding.
[Diavolo was perfectly content to end their conversation here. But that singular ;) is enough to halt him in his tracks. A sudden rush of panic clutches him in its grasp. Has he been... misinterpreting everything? Marco's patience? His kindness? His nervousness?!
He wants to slam the laptop shut. And possibly burn it. He could get another. And he's even already started using a new username anyway. And it isn't as though Marco knows where he lives, or who he lives with, or any details about his life to possibly track him down for... whatever it is he may want.
He could ignore the message. Pretend he didn't see it. He could respond with a simple I have to go. Until next time. But his goal here is to make allies, and to keep them — that was the whole point making this apology! If he backs away now, after this, would it be taken as a slight? He doesn't have enough experience talking to people to know how to navigate this kind of thing properly. All he can do is press on and try his best.]
Are you implying you want me to call you something else?
[???]
;)
[??????]
He wants to slam the laptop shut. And possibly burn it. He could get another. And he's even already started using a new username anyway. And it isn't as though Marco knows where he lives, or who he lives with, or any details about his life to possibly track him down for... whatever it is he may want.
He could ignore the message. Pretend he didn't see it. He could respond with a simple I have to go. Until next time. But his goal here is to make allies, and to keep them — that was the whole point making this apology! If he backs away now, after this, would it be taken as a slight? He doesn't have enough experience talking to people to know how to navigate this kind of thing properly. All he can do is press on and try his best.]
Are you implying you want me to call you something else?
[???]
;)
[??????]
[Oh. Oh, no. Here, a number of potential outcomes run through Diavolo's mind. His urge to throw his laptop out the window has increased tenfold. But, on the flipside, he is not a coward. Shutting his computer down and moving on with his life would be a sign of weakness. Marco will not make a fool of him. Initiate Plan B: try to make Marco feel like the one in the wrong.]
I am aware. I met your husband. He made me breakfast - I'll admit he's very good at cooking. Is there a reason you're bringing him up?
I am aware. I met your husband. He made me breakfast - I'll admit he's very good at cooking. Is there a reason you're bringing him up?
[It's fine! Things are nearly back under control.]
Of course not. What would make you think that?
Of course not. What would make you think that?
Of course not. Such a thought would never cross my mind.
[And now, to shut off the laptop for the rest of the month. How to gracefully disengage from this uncomfortable situation?]
I have things to attend to now. I am grateful that this discussion was productive.
[...what were they discussing, again? Oh. The parasite incident.
...
...]
And
In the future
If you ever happen to see me in a situation where it seems I may be out of my right mind, under the influence of one of the many horrible things this peninsula has to offer
Do not indulge me
In fact, I would greatly appreciate it if you were to gently lead me out of harm's way. Lock me in a dark closet, or something along those lines.
Do not allow yourself to be seen doing so.
[And now, to shut off the laptop for the rest of the month. How to gracefully disengage from this uncomfortable situation?]
I have things to attend to now. I am grateful that this discussion was productive.
[...what were they discussing, again? Oh. The parasite incident.
...
...]
And
In the future
If you ever happen to see me in a situation where it seems I may be out of my right mind, under the influence of one of the many horrible things this peninsula has to offer
Do not indulge me
In fact, I would greatly appreciate it if you were to gently lead me out of harm's way. Lock me in a dark closet, or something along those lines.
Do not allow yourself to be seen doing so.
Edited 2022-02-07 13:47 (UTC)
I am counting on you, Marco Evangelisti.
[Ominous and almost definitely something Marco does not need to hear from Diavolo of all people.
He refrains from commenting on Marco's suspicious phrasing. Why invite conversation there? Diavolo is content to blame all of his idiosyncrasies on the ever-changing environment he is in. If Marco, for whatever reason, feels the need to do the same... then who is he to fault him?]
[Ominous and almost definitely something Marco does not need to hear from Diavolo of all people.
He refrains from commenting on Marco's suspicious phrasing. Why invite conversation there? Diavolo is content to blame all of his idiosyncrasies on the ever-changing environment he is in. If Marco, for whatever reason, feels the need to do the same... then who is he to fault him?]
Hello, Marco. It's Joshua. I have a question for you, if you've got a moment?
Thank you. Much appreciated.
Do you know anything about the Sea of Stars?
Do you know anything about the Sea of Stars?
So I've been told. I'm more than familiar with adjacent planes intended for the dead. There's usually a way to slip in, but it involves some work.
I heard there were some people that did manage to go there. Do you know anything about that?
I heard there were some people that did manage to go there. Do you know anything about that?
Oh? Is it that you don't remember, or you just weren't there long enough to see anything of interest?
Well, of course. The living aren't supposed to be in the realm of the dead. That's how it's supposed to work.
It's just that I picked up on something interesting about it, in talking to the Fog.
It's just that I picked up on something interesting about it, in talking to the Fog.
[Marco could explain that he meant it in a visceral sort of sense, beyond the obvious - that it felt like the environment itself wanted him out of there, not knowing or caring that he didn't very much want to be there either.
But that could get... strange, and it seems Joshua has something more insightful to share anyway, so...]
You talked to her?
But that could get... strange, and it seems Joshua has something more insightful to share anyway, so...]
You talked to her?
Only for a minute or two, before she flounced on me. Seems like she doesn't enjoy someone questioning her knowledge.
From the way she described it, it sounds like all past, present, and future worlds are connected via the Sea of Stars like rooms off of a corridor. I don't know if these worlds are visible in the Sea or not, but theoretically, you should be able to pass through any door both ways, right? Provided what she said is true, of course. She did say that before she got angry.
From the way she described it, it sounds like all past, present, and future worlds are connected via the Sea of Stars like rooms off of a corridor. I don't know if these worlds are visible in the Sea or not, but theoretically, you should be able to pass through any door both ways, right? Provided what she said is true, of course. She did say that before she got angry.
It's all a part of the integration, I assume. I understand very well.
Both of them seem to be able to access it, but even if they can control opening and closing the door between there and here, they can't seem to control what comes out. Elias also mentioned that the Sea isn't a place where gods belong, that it's a different type of force, but he also believes it could possibly be sentient. I have to admit, after everything I've heard, I'm inclined to agree.
Both of them seem to be able to access it, but even if they can control opening and closing the door between there and here, they can't seem to control what comes out. Elias also mentioned that the Sea isn't a place where gods belong, that it's a different type of force, but he also believes it could possibly be sentient. I have to admit, after everything I've heard, I'm inclined to agree.
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