⚔ // stress in solitude

[discutio]

[Once Saturn had left, Ignis took a slow breath to steady himself before standing and speaking again.]

I think we have a fair amount of things to discuss, after that. But we'll also need to rest and recover here; We may be able to take it at Saturn's word that he won't alert Cyrus to us, but overstaying our welcome by more than a couple of days is unwise--that means we need to take advantage of this as much as we can.

[Strategy was easier. The words came naturally, and he was able to hold focus.]

If anyone needs me or wishes to assist, I'll be in the kitchen. I'm aware we just ate, but I presume we'll all be more comfortable if one of our own makes breakfast in the morning.

Comments

[takestheblame]

In theory, having emotions in a world where almost nobody else has gives you a lot of power and control over everyone. I'm sure that appealed to at least one of the Commanders.

[He'll be surprised if none of them are like that]

[eudaimonikos]

Sure, but it’s limited. They’re all supposed to become like that eventually, that’s the whole point.

[sigh]

Maybe one of them just thinks they can put it off or something. Stupid gamble, though.

[takestheblame]

Cynthia did show it's not impossible to somehow resist the brainwashing. One of them may think they do that without Cyrus finding out.

[Unless he missed something a week ago when she talked to them in Veilstone]

[eudaimonikos]

What on earth is her deal, anyway? She's been presumed dead for five years, and really she was off not being brainwashed somewhere? Could've at least tried to have her dragon zap Cyrus from a distance.

[takestheblame]

It could be she didn't have the chance to do that. Where Cyrus' supposed to be? Where does a man who got rid of all emotion hide?

[eudaimonikos]

Maybe he's in space.

[Michael waggles his fingers dramatically, but he's...not sure he's entirely joking, actually?]

Or spreading this to other continents, it sounded like that was maybe a work in progress.

[takestheblame]

Rather ambitious of him to try to extend his plans to other worlds if he's not done with this one.

[eudaimonikos]

That's the name of the game. He could've just started a normal cult - [He waves a hand.] - bought some land somewhere, poisoned them all after a few years.

[takestheblame]

...tell me that's something that didn't actually happen where you're from.

[Well, if hell has so, so many humans, the odds it actually happened are...way too high for comfort. Damn!]

[eudaimonikos]

[Michael makes that facial expression and head movement combination that basically translates to Welllllllllllllllllllllllllll.....]

Have you ever heard the expression "don't drink the Kool-aid"?

[takestheblame]

I don't even know what Kool-aid is.

[Year 2005 in Japan doesn't have many American products, you see]

cw: jonestown apparently

[eudaimonikos]

Oh - it's a flavored drink mix. You buy it as a powder, mix it with sugar and water. Disgustingly sweet.

In 1978, there was a cult leader in Guyana who made a big batch full of cyanide, and then everyone in the community was forced to drink it. Nearly a thousand people dead in total.

[takestheblame]

[That's undescribably awful. All Kiryu can do is make a face of horror and disgust]

That's...

[He can't describe it. Several words come to mind, but none seem completely fitting]

[eudaimonikos]

[Kiryu feels...much worse about this than Michael does, huh.

This is uncomfortable suddenly.]

I could tell you how the guy's being tortured now, but people don't always seem to like that.

[takestheblame]

I can imagine it. That's enough for me.

[He really doesn't want to imagine torture, especially because he's glad that person is receiving some sort of punishment. He's a tad ashamed to feel that, but he's glad]

[eudaimonikos]

Fair enough.

[That went down a weird conversational path.]

Cyrus would be even more screwed, by my world's standards. Doubt the same exact ones apply here, though.

[takestheblame]

Ghosts exist, and so do deities, but would this place even have a hell?

[Who knows, maybe hell is unique to only your world, Michael!]

[eudaimonikos]

[Shrug]

Better hope for everyone's sake that my type doesn't. The way they are now, none of these people would stand a chance of getting into heaven.