video

[pyralisit]

[The video comes on perhaps a few seconds too soon, showing Cal sitting in front of a window, a lit cigarette in his mouth. There's not really any way to tell what he's looking at outside, but after a few moments he takes the cigarette from his mouth and extinguishes it, exhaling more smoke.

Judging by the haze in the air, he's been there a while.

Once the cigarette is out, he turns to look directly into the camera. This is a very human way of communicating and he isn't sure that he likes it.]

Are we supposed to believe this place isn't actually hell? [Because so far the only good thing about it is Pell. Not that he's ever had a particularly safe life, but the ridiculousness he's seen in the short time he's been here is beyond acceptable.

He almost lights another cigarette, but thinks better of it, and sighs instead.]

All this for what, to stir up some emotions? [He laughs, but the sound is joyless.] Be careful what you wish for and all that nonsense.

So what happens when they get more of us than they can handle?

Comments

[circumitus]

Means that, for some people, this is more like a second chance. Sure, things aren't always sunshine and rainbows in this city. But then, did not come from a place that was all sunshine and rainbows before, either.

[pyralisit]

Nobody does.

[circumitus]

Exactly the point.

[pyralisit]

They're at least far more candid about the games here.

[circumitus]

[Yyyup.]

So, still think that of this as "hell"?

[pyralisit]

Either that or it's a dream. Both have varying probabilities of being real but I'd prefer the one that means I won't wake up.

[circumitus]

Wait. You mean you'd rather this be hell than a dream?

[pyralisit]

There are things I'd rather not lose.

[circumitus]

Sounds like you have something here worth keeping.

[pyralisit]

In point of fact, I do.

[circumitus]

So, given the choice, would you rather be here?

[pyralisit]

Is that not what I just said?

[circumitus]

Figured. It's just an uncommon sentiment.

[One that Rey does, in fact, share.]

[pyralisit]

No. With this cheery atmosphere?

[circumitus]

Things can be plenty cheery. Sometimes in abundance when Delight decides to have a field day.

[pyralisit]

That sounds like a riot. And if I don't want them messing with my emotions?

[He can guess the answer to that one, though.]

[circumitus]

So far, Delight has maintained a stunning track record of avoiding direct meddling with your feelings.

Save for the fireflies, maybe. Wasn't feeling much of anything at the time to have been affected by those, though.

[Hooray for the emotions off switch. Like that's a thing that exists.]

[pyralisit]

Fireflies? What does that have to do with anything?

[circumitus]

[Sigh.]

Delight made fireflies, which made people feel happy.

[pyralisit]

Sounds like a bloody waste of time.

[circumitus]

Never claimed it was productive.

Besides, seems like most of the assholes running this place have too much time on their hands to give a shit about what they do with it.

[pyralisit]

Then why do they care so goddamn much?

[circumitus]

Because they claim to draw power from us when they fuck with our emotions?

You must be new here. [Or newer.]

slkjfdlfk oh my god I am so sorry I don't know what happened or how I lost this

[pyralisit]

What gave it away?

I take it the indignation will fade eventually.