Two ☠ Text

[lingeringfear]

I've been told that if you keep a body cold enough, it will retain its features for years, frozen in time. Can you imagine yourself like that? Your blood and your bone frozen solid, with skin and hair and everything, eyes open and wide and staring sightless into the world. I'd like you to really think about it- dying in the cold, that is. Preserved perfectly forever.

It would be an interesting way to keep you all from complaining, don't you think? A quick snap freeze and you're all immobile. If we're being honest, I think that would probably be the best solution to our interpersonal problems- but I'd want to keep you just barely alive somehow, conscious enough to still feel fear. Frozen and screaming. Take a minute and think about it. I rather like the idea.

...oh, also, Rage apparently won Hope's stupid poll. He's making the preparations to revive her and you should expect her to awaken at the end of the month.

Comments

[64th]

How exciting.

So, what do you think of humans so far?

[lingeringfear]

I'm not sure.

[He has to think about that for awhile.]

You're very... wild. Most of you have no control over your feelings whatsoever. It makes my job easier in ways and harder in others. You're also very outspoken and resistant, which is annoying.

[Fear pauses for a moment, before shrugging.]

You're more varied of a species than I'm used to, as well. I find myself growing fond of some of you, though the majority of you are still a nuisance to deal with.

[64th]

[ she can't really argue with any of that. humans are kind of an outspoken nuisance. ]

Some people think being outspoken and independent are some of the best traits humans could have. We're all individuals. Everyone's a little different. As you've figured out by now.

[lingeringfear]

So are we, but we're different in a less annoying way.

[To put it frankly.]

Are you proud of being outspoken?

[64th]

I'm not annoying. [ she considers his question a moment. she's survived as long as she has by knowing when to bite her tongue, but that doesn't mean that's when she's at her best. ]

I am proud.

[lingeringfear]

[He makes a face, like he's breaking a particular bit of bad news.]

You're a little annoying.

[64th]

[ rude! ]

No I'm not.

[lingeringfear]

I don't think that's for you to decide.

[Literal 5 year olds.]

[64th]

Why do you get to decide?

[lingeringfear]

Because I'm the one judging you?

[64th]

Does Hope think I'm annoying?

[lingeringfear]

You'd have to ask him that.

[64th]

I think you're annoying.

[lingeringfear]

[Flat stare.]

I can think of a few better things to call me.

[64th]

Awww, did I hurt your feelings? Do you have feelings?

[lingeringfear]

I do. Contrary to what I can only assume to be popular belief, I am not the embodiment of fear. I can feel emotions just as vividly as your kind, if not moreso.

[He frowns.]

But more to the point, you didn't hurt me. I don't much care what you humans think of us.

[64th]

It's not a contest. [ she rolls her eyes. ] But I think you do care.

[lingeringfear]

Why would you think that?

[64th]

Because there's not just one of you. We can choose who we want to help. If I don't like you, I won't help you. And Hope will get everything.

[lingeringfear]

You can choose to help someone, but as I've learned, you can't choose to not feel fear if you're frightened by something.

[His smile here isn't particularly pleasant.]

I don't have to give you a choice to help me.