TP - PERIDOT DORM 1.0

[impacter]

If any of the Peridots die, we shall make a new dorm PC (unless the dead, idk, become ghosts or something).

Comments

[heartstringless]

Invitation… One that ended up feeling like some kind of trap or. Experiment.

[Or holy test? That’s a little out of his wheelhouse — well. To a degree.]

Divine influences are more trouble than they’re worth.

[pimpplan]

[ there's a snort from across the way. ]

No kidding.

[heartstringless]

Have you had some experience, too?

[pimpplan]

Something like that.

[ How specific! ]

Lot of people will do a lot of terrible things if they think they've got some kind of divine mandate. Even if it all just ends up being one big con in the end.

[ Which really makes the idea of all of this having to devote oneself to Him and make a sacrifice all the more Bad™. ]

[heartstringless]

[Very!]

Maybe. But it seemed like everyone was pretty suspicious about this whole thing. I mean, no one looked very happy about what happened to that one lady, that's for sure.

gore ment

[pimpplan]

[ A shiver goes down Zelos' spine at mention of what happened to Donqui. That's going to take a lot of suppression. ]

No, but at least the guy can put his money where his mouth is. Maybe the risk of all... that [ makes a vague hand gesture in an unimportant direction ] is enough to run the risk of getting split into eighty different parts and stay that way.

[heartstringless]

[Ugh.]

...I hope I never have to see that again.

[impacter]

They sure do love to make their assumptions about the people trapped under their mighty thumb, don't they?

Still, he's gone and established a firm enough threat. For whatever reason he intends, he means us to take this seriously.

[Will he? Lol. It's fine, his Salt Levels should not be a surprise given the fuss he made at Sika.]

[heartstringless]

Right. That was made pretty clear…

[rip Don]

So what do we do? Play along?

[impacter]

For the moment, at least, I would recommend it. No use toeing the line if you don't know where it is to begin with.

Our intermediary seemed open to discussion and on a firmer middle ground than they could say, so perhaps we could start there in learning a little more about what power we actually hold here.

[heartstringless]

[He nods.]

Are you going to speak with them? They seemed to imply that if we help with... [well. he doesn't know] ...something, then there's a chance of this never happening to the people we care about.

[impacter]

When they'll deign to answer, I plan to be there.

I already tried once tonight and came up empty. We'll just have to hope the consequences of their intervention won't block them off completely from us.

[heartstringless]

Consequences... This "Father" really is something.

[ ... ]

Well, if you figure something out, and you need help, too, just let me know. I'm starting to think this "wish" might not be worth it.

[impacter]

Mm? Well, I think it would depend on the person. The invitation did say there was a wish at play.

Feelings are a powerful thing. A beautiful thing. But they can lead to people making choices they can't take back. And wishes can come from very desperate places.

[heartstringless]

They can, that's true. But do you believe a wish is worth it if it means killing innocent people?

[impacter]

I don't, no.

But who's to say others will feel the same?

[heartstringless]

[Ugh. That's a good point. P frowns.]

In other words, hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. I guess it's nothing new, but it doesn't mean I have to like it.

Have you met very many people yet? Talked to them? Anyone you think is...

[He trails off, but it's probably easily heard, unspoken: -the type of person to kill?]

[impacter]

I'd be more than a little concerned if anyone actually liked it, so I think your feelings are perfectly fine.

[What an open question, though... At least this poor boy's defenses are appropriately raised.]

We've only had one day, so I can't say one way or another. I think jumping to too many conclusions based on appearances isn't the wise thing to do.

Even our little vampire surprise seemed to look horrified at herself at the end of it all.

[heartstringless]

[Another good point. He nods.]

I know. I felt sorry for her... [He trails off, thinking, then continues.] Well. I guess part of this experience is bonding with each other. We can judge better from there on out.

[Though it sure would be great if no one killed anyone!]

[impacter]

For the most part, at least. All save for whatever fragment of us that has been lost. Shoved into another like a splinter of glass.

[It bothers him deeply that he doesn't know where to even start with what has been taken. His wish, of course, hasn't budged. But looking over an ocean to try to find a single ripple...

...]

I wonder if we'd even realize what might be missing from ourselves until it's too late. But... I guess the most we can do is rely on what we know we still believe. Those feelings, important and bright, that I talked about before, will still be just as powerful so long as we do not waver in them.

[heartstringless]

[The lost fragment. P puts a hand to his chest, contemplative.]

I don't feel any different... But how would I know if I am, or not, if that part's truly missing?

[Drops his hand, sighing.]

You're really confident about all this. I'll try to follow your lead, sir.

[impacter]

...I'm not the best person to ask about that, I'm afraid. But perhaps time will give us more answers.

[A beat passes. He's returned from the kitchenette by now (rip this dorm PC for sending Solomon in five directions at once rip), so he'll set aside one of the empty cups to pour a glass for the boy.]

I don't think I caught your name.

[heartstringless]

[He will just kind of hover around like a lost puppy, but he will also help if needed.]

My name is Pinocchio, sir. What should I call you?

[impacter]

"Pinnochio"?

Interesting. I think I remember a boy from an old story with that sort of name.

[Here, Mr. Hover Puppy, you're being offered a glass. Hydrate please.]

You can call me Solomon, Pinnochio.

[heartstringless]

Really? I've never met—or read of—anyone with a name like mine.

[Strange! He wonders, for the first time, why his father named him what he did.

Oh. He takes the glass.]

It's good to meet you, Mr Solomon. Even if the situation is not... very ideal. [He is just holding the glass.]