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[ghostlocked]

[It's late when Harlan folds and decides to go to the network for a distraction. He would vastly prefer not to do this, but, well. That's why it's called folding.]

cant sleep.
tell me stories.

[ooc: feel free to threadjack and use this as a sort of storytelling free-for-all!]

Comments

[ghostlocked]

ngl this language is skeevin me out.
not here for someone spoutin words like sinners and innocent.
u dont get to judge ppl like that.
im harlan.

[stealyoursoul]

Were I anyone else, you could judge me. But I can see the difference between a sinner's soul and a innocent one. There's a stain that never goes away. So yes, I do get to judge people for what they've done, when they've done something so bad they can't come back from it.

[Their shadows forever act differently, detached from the main body, and moving around behind them like some terrible wraith.]

And what terrible sins are on your soul, hmmm? Bet there's a few skeletons in the closet you don't want anyone to know about.

[It's a shot in the dark since he can't see the state of Harlan's soul yet, but Leo's been doing this for twelve years. People who tend to get defensive about what he does tend to be the worst kind of sinners.]

[ghostlocked]

lmfao are u shitting me?
thats an incredibly fucked up line of thinking. i can pick that out from miles away despite dealin w. a lot of fucked up thinking of my own rn.
thats how fucked up that is.
no ones innocent and no ones some kind of one dimensional evil thing. ppl are more complicated than that.
and after that ur expectin me to what? cop to some dark shit so u can sort me into a broad stroke category after talkin for like five mins online?
yeah u clearly kno enough abt ppl to judge them.
fuck off.

[stealyoursoul]

Say whatever you like. People in glass houses shouldn't throw rocks. I've met a few good sinners in my time, but repenting for a lifetime of wickedness will still never change the original taint upon their soul.

[Then Harlan tells him to fuck off, and well, there goes any chance of Leo trying to behave himself. He's back into that self-righteous mode that contains nothing but judgment for people around him and which has aggravated his siblings on many occasions.]

Oh yes, you've done something serious in your past. I can tell. What was it? Kill someone because it was you or them, a mater of survival? Take someone by force because they rejected you? Tormented some poor soul till they finally begged for death? Maybe if I follow the scent of blood in this city, it will lead me to you.

/threadjack

[lifetothefullest]

[Lance, as usual, has been stalking conversations, and he feels like this conversation might need an interruption. And by 'might', he means 'definitely.']

This is a good opportunity to remind everyone that most of these network conversations are public, and so it's wise to consider that others might be reading them.

[The 'this is a terrible first impression' is left unsaid.]

Additionally, during an event is not the best time for these types of discussions.

[stealyoursoul]

[Oh look, someone else for Leo to be irritated with. At least now he's not thinking of tracking down Harlan and possibly stealing his soul when he gets his powers back any longer.]

And who the hell are you? Someone's mother?

[lifetothefullest]

[Well, mission accomplished at least.]

I wish I had that kind of authority.

We all just have enough to be concerned with at the moment without fighting with each other.

[stealyoursoul]

He started it.

[See, this is why occasionally Leo comes off as twelve instead of an adult. Blame being created as a teenager with an attitude that he never grew out of.]

People always find a reason to fight. It's in their nature.

[Cynical? Yes. But after listening to the scum of the earth confess their sins for well over a decade, Leo doesn't see much good in people.]

[lifetothefullest]

Perhaps, but people can also find reasons not to do so if they choose to.

[Not that Lance is super convinced that many people here care to do so, but they can and sometimes a reminder helps.]

[stealyoursoul]

You've got more faith in humanity than I do.

[Not that it's hard to do. Leo's just about at the point of thinking there's no goodness left anywhere in human beings.]

And you've taken it upon yourself to keep the peace around here?

[Something that reminds him a little of the man who had taken him and his siblings in, Henry Flynn. A reluctant leader, he mostly just wanted to keep the city of Verity intact. No easy job when there's was monsters running around all over the place.]

hey lance did you want some misdirected aggression

[ghostlocked]

obviously.
ive got it handled.

great sure his favorite

[lifetothefullest]

I'm sure you do, but handling it just may not actually be the best choice at the moment.

[In other words, disengaging may be the better option. Also he's not at all actually sure that Harlan has this under control, considering everything going on, but he won't mention that at the moment.]

[ghostlocked]

wtf else am i supposed to do w. this piece of shit?
did u miss the part where hes threatening me?
this guy sounds fucking dangerous lance. im not just gonna let that go.

private

[lifetothefullest]

[Just taking his own advice on the private conversation thing here before responding.]

I've noticed, which is why I don't think attracting his attention while affected by an event is the best plan.

I'm not saying let it go, just that you should be careful, especially right now.

begrudgingly private; cw vaguely suicidal ideation

[ghostlocked]

[Ugh, fine. Harlan switches over too.]

it doesnt fucking matter.
better he come after me than anyone else anyway.

[He'll appreciate Lance looking out for him in the morning, but, well. Now he's just mad.]

[ghostlocked]

thats exactly my point. its no more my place to judge ppl than it is urs.
ur making a lot of assumptions. im not telling u shit jackass.
but sure if my not answering ur stupid fucking questions is enough to condemn me in ur eyes then eat ur heart out.
im not a person u want to fuck with.

[stealyoursoul]

Tsk, confession is good for the soul. And I've heard a lot of confessions in my time.
[Which is generally why he's so cynical. Most people use their last moments more as time to provide excuses for just why they had to sin in the first place than any chance to repent.]
I'm so scared. Try and do anything to me and I'll happily end you.

[ghostlocked]

i could give a shit abt confessions and souls.
those arent things. not in the sense ur describing.
dw. ur not worth my time.
that said? same to u.

[stealyoursoul]

And it's people like you that are the reason I never feel guilty about ripping their souls right out of their eyes.
Word of advice: better get that condition of yours checked out before it gets any worse.

[ghostlocked]

wtf are u talking about?

[stealyoursoul]

I know an asshole when I see one.

[Mainly because he's one too.]

That condition can be fatal.

threadjack the second; text; private

[aroundthecoroner]

[Oh, look, a kindred spirit. Michael doesn't like kindred spirits. But there's really no mistaking it, this line of conversation is a much less subtle version of his own hunting technique.

Michael knows Harlan would want him to stay out of this, probably. He knows he should show some restraint. But this week, there is no restraint.]

Stop it.
I know what you're doing. I see you.
Touch him and I guarantee you won't like what happens.
Don't think me not knowing your name or face will help you, either. I don't need it.

[stealyoursoul]

[Well, well, today is just a course in how to piss off people and make enemies in one conversation or less.]

Oh? You think you're gonna stop me? That's cute. Please try, I'd love to see what happens.
Maybe I'll take your soul too and finally get a decent meal in this place.

[aroundthecoroner]

I'm not here for your dumb pissing contest.
I said my piece.
You want to come after me that's one thing.
Leave Harlan the fuck alone.

[stealyoursoul]

Don't think that I won't. And when I rip your soul out, know that you have no one to blame for it happening but yourself.
He made his bed. Now he can lie in it.
[Well, this has sufficiently done enough to put the two of them on Leo's radar. He knows where to find a pair of free meals.]