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[There's some hesitation before he replies again.]
Did E+L have lieutenants the last time?
Did E+L have lieutenants the last time?
Hmm.
It's funny, but they look an awful lot like bootleg versions of the three of us. Plus another one that I don't recognize.
I have access to my abilities from home here, so I'm going to see if I can track down E+L. If I can, I'll let you know.
It's funny, but they look an awful lot like bootleg versions of the three of us. Plus another one that I don't recognize.
I have access to my abilities from home here, so I'm going to see if I can track down E+L. If I can, I'll let you know.
oh
yeah uh
be there in a bit?
[Yeah it will take the teen a bit. He lets Josh and Neku know where he's going before heading out. He gets lost at one point.
He shows up eventually, looking a little ragged from his adventures, knocking gently, toes digging a little into the ground to reduce the need to dig.]
yeah uh
be there in a bit?
[Yeah it will take the teen a bit. He lets Josh and Neku know where he's going before heading out. He gets lost at one point.
He shows up eventually, looking a little ragged from his adventures, knocking gently, toes digging a little into the ground to reduce the need to dig.]
Yours is called Morca, if you're curious. Mine is Mooshua, which frankly makes me sound like I'm a Minotaur. I didn't sign off on this, and I assume you didn't, either. They're almost identical, aside from hair colors and the like. It makes me wonder...
Yes. They're a bit more potent than what I asked for from Elias, so with any luck, I'll be able to find what I need. I'll be careful, don't worry. It's all just a little bit of investigating.
Yes. They're a bit more potent than what I asked for from Elias, so with any luck, I'll be able to find what I need. I'll be careful, don't worry. It's all just a little bit of investigating.
That's an understatement.
[ Seems half the followers of the gods are prone to their thinking being clouded by whichever one they throw their lot in with. It's a mess, and it only seems to be getting messier — rising tension between both sides and disregard for anyone who refuses to pledge. Abbacchio is sure there are bad apples in either camp, but it seems that those who are the most vocal are those on the side of the fog. It has him reassessing where he himself stands, but that can wait for another time.
Instead, he's watching Marco quietly, it's not a particularly heavy shelf — especially not with their strength — he's beginning to get the idea that Marco isn't one for dirtying his own hands. ]
So, what's your plan after this? I imagine you won't be retaliating.
[ Seems half the followers of the gods are prone to their thinking being clouded by whichever one they throw their lot in with. It's a mess, and it only seems to be getting messier — rising tension between both sides and disregard for anyone who refuses to pledge. Abbacchio is sure there are bad apples in either camp, but it seems that those who are the most vocal are those on the side of the fog. It has him reassessing where he himself stands, but that can wait for another time.
Instead, he's watching Marco quietly, it's not a particularly heavy shelf — especially not with their strength — he's beginning to get the idea that Marco isn't one for dirtying his own hands. ]
So, what's your plan after this? I imagine you won't be retaliating.
[Marco nods, mildly perplexed, and immediately remembers that neither can Joshua see him nor are words going to appear on his phone if he doesn't write them himself. Right.
In any case, strange as that is - and as much as he would like to know what Joshua is thinking - something else weighs more heavily on him right now.]
You're not mad?
In any case, strange as that is - and as much as he would like to know what Joshua is thinking - something else weighs more heavily on him right now.]
You're not mad?
Absolutely not. [Somehow, Marco's tone is simultaneously firm and nervous.] And I hope nobody else is planning to do it for me. It wouldn't solve a thing. Harry needs...
[A pause, and Marco sighs. He's not sure what Harry needs, but...]
He doesn't need to have his beliefs confirmed.
[A pause, and Marco sighs. He's not sure what Harry needs, but...]
He doesn't need to have his beliefs confirmed.
[Hm? That's an odd question. He pauses, watching the words for a moment. Marco isn't nearby, or he could just skim the intent off of his surface thoughts.]
Mad? About what, the fakes?
Mad? About what, the fakes?
If he keeps behaving the way he has been lately, then I don't think retaliation for this is what he should be worried about.
[ He lost someone, didn't he? Someone who meant a lot to him. He knows how difficult that is, knows how easy is it to backslide — Abbacchio had others around him, though, who kept him from slipping too far. ]
Well, no. The peninsula itself will do that much for him. No, I think he needs people, stable influences. Unfortunately, aforementioned behaviour doesn't make him look the most appealing.
[ He lost someone, didn't he? Someone who meant a lot to him. He knows how difficult that is, knows how easy is it to backslide — Abbacchio had others around him, though, who kept him from slipping too far. ]
Well, no. The peninsula itself will do that much for him. No, I think he needs people, stable influences. Unfortunately, aforementioned behaviour doesn't make him look the most appealing.
No, and I don't think I am either. Call it a conflict of interest — I might be able to relate in some respects, but… [ Harry is a lot. ] And that's the greater issue, isn't it? Whether or not he'd be receptive to such attempts.
[ Abbacchio adjusts the shelving unit, begins tipping it towards one side. ]
That's not why we're here, though, move that end this way slightly.
[ Abbacchio adjusts the shelving unit, begins tipping it towards one side. ]
That's not why we're here, though, move that end this way slightly.
No, of course not. If anything, it's quite the opposite.
You've been having... a difficult time lately. Laying low and staying safe is a good option.
You've been having... a difficult time lately. Laying low and staying safe is a good option.
[Relatability... That's a large part of it, too. It's what makes Marco think he understands what Harry is going through, as well as what makes him certain that he's one of the people Harry is least likely to listen to.
He can't help wondering exactly to what extent Abbacchio relates, too, but it strikes him as a poor idea to pry right now.]
Ah - right. Like this? [Another mumble:] I suppose this is a more productive way to help than what I was planning on.
He can't help wondering exactly to what extent Abbacchio relates, too, but it strikes him as a poor idea to pry right now.]
Ah - right. Like this? [Another mumble:] I suppose this is a more productive way to help than what I was planning on.
▜ see.
If you think so...
[There's a lot he could say. "I'm not fit for fighting." "I'm not fit for war." "I'm not fit for much of anything these days and haven't been for quite some time, really."
It's best to cut himself off before he says too much.]
Don't mind me.
Good l░ck.
If you think so...
[There's a lot he could say. "I'm not fit for fighting." "I'm not fit for war." "I'm not fit for much of anything these days and haven't been for quite some time, really."
It's best to cut himself off before he says too much.]
Don't mind me.
Good l░ck.
[ Marco is more than free to pry, even if he might not get any solid answers. Abbacchio is still in an odd spot when it comes to discussing that particular matter with people he's less familiar with.
… Even if the talking about it might actually be good or helpful. Instead, it's easier to ignore it. ]
Exactly like that, yes— though, if I might, what exactly were you planning on doing?
… Even if the talking about it might actually be good or helpful. Instead, it's easier to ignore it. ]
Exactly like that, yes— though, if I might, what exactly were you planning on doing?
Marco, I messaged you in the first place to make sure you were okay. Not to berate you for not being here.
Don't worry about us over here. I'll keep an eye on things. Reira is here, too. I know she'll help.
Please, focus on staying safe. I get the feeling this is going to get worse before it gets better.
Don't worry about us over here. I'll keep an eye on things. Reira is here, too. I know she'll help.
Please, focus on staying safe. I get the feeling this is going to get worse before it gets better.
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