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

[pellameno]

I'd imagine we have those here, too, they're just hiding.

[pyralisit]

They always do. They're good at that.

[pellameno]

I like to think I'm a decent judge of character, but you never know how well people are hiding. I wonder how many monsters I know already.

[pyralisit]

A few at least, I'm sure. [Cal included.] They're quite expert at hiding the horns.

[pellameno]

It's a good thing you're cynical enough to see them for me.

[pyralisit]

God knows you aren't. It's a part of your unending charm.

[pellameno]

I wasn't joking. We balance each other out.

[pyralisit]

I wasn't joking either. You do need a guardian and if I must be that spirit, I would gladly bleed for it.

[pellameno]

[ He doesn't protest; he does need someone watching out for him, and Cal's presence is always welcome. ]

Let's try to avoid bleeding.

[pyralisit]

I shall do my best, your lovely highness.

[pellameno]

[ Pell quirks an eyebrow. ]

Highness?

[pyralisit]

You don't want to be a prince?

[pellameno]

Hm. Apparently becoming royalty isn't all it's cracked up to be. For me, anyway.

Did Flick tell you?

[pyralisit]

[That's...worrying.]

Tell me what?

[pellameno]

About the Tigron. My resurrection, as it's to be. He doesn't know the details but apparently Thiede's string pulling doesn't end with my death.

[pyralisit]

[He knew it. He fucking knew it.]

Why should it? He's gotten his fucking hands all over everything and stained our souls with blood, why should he stop?

[pellameno]

Shhh. He can't reach us here. I don't dream of his eyes watching anymore.

[pyralisit]

He'd best pray not. I will strangle him myself.

[pellameno]

I believe you would. And that he'd punish you for trying.

Why did he pick me?

[pyralisit]

I don't care.

[He has to shrug at the question, though.]

I don't know. Because you're perfect, probably.

[pellameno]

[ He rolls his eyes, fond but clearly disagreeing. ]

No one's perfect. Certainly not me. I'm a codependent brat who needs a keeper. Do you know what a mess I've been here without you?

[pyralisit]

You're always a mess. At least it's a captivating one.

[pellameno]

...I'm not always a mess.

[pyralisit]

Usually a mess, then. It's enchanting.

[pellameno]

A beautiful disaster, am I?