Test 6.

[azumods]

EMOTION After the discussions with Lucas, he seems calm enough; any visible nerves around you, muted though they may have been, seem gone entirely by now, and he seems sure that Mesprit will be able to make the right decision when it comes to what to do. Besides, even if it isn't displayed prominently it's clear that he's concerned about it; whatever is making it affect the Pokémon in the cave like this is more than a bit of a worry, even if the feelings flooding though those of you here haven't stopped, either - the sense that things will be okay somehow, the odd comforting presence, hasn't faded. Perhaps it's a good sign for things to come. Perhaps it's promising, perhaps it's meant to be an invitation. Perhaps it's a request for help. Either way, Lucas recalls Torterra - he isn't immune to the despondency flooding through the cavern either, though it seems it's taken a little bit longer to hit him - and he'll gesture for you to follow him; he weaves easily through the stalagmite structures everywhere, and after a while the lot of you will become aware of an area emanating a warm glow in front of what looks like another corridor. It's soft and pink, and looks more like a dim light than anything solid; however, touching it or pushing against it will prove to be like trying to move a steel wall reinforced with concrete, using nothing but your bare hands. In other words, for a soft pink glow, it's very, very firm. Lucas shifts a bit in front of it. "This is it. I've been working on it for a few days now, but nothing really seems to work - I've tried teleporting around it, but that doesn't work, and Pokémon moves won't break it at all. "I really think Mesprit is back there; we need to help it." Do your best; that's all anyone asks of you right now.

Comments

[azumods]

[(well that's going to get a weird noise from lucas, who is over in the corner of this round room somehow GOOD TO KNOW THAT YOU'RE NOT A POKEMON HE SUPPOSES)

...That said, that. Okay, you know what, you're going to get a sense of amusement from the barrier, along with the general warmth that implies you're being listened to.

Some people don't feel things as much. That's okay, too. It takes all kinds, and anger and confusion are as important as anything else.]

[eudaimonikos]

There's some reasons I started with whether or not humans are valuable.

[That was to Lucas, I guess.]

Wow, this is a lot, huh? Lotta...talking about feelings. [He sees those other threads and he is so uncomfortable.] Man.

[azumods]

[There's a pause before a sense of confirmation comes through.

Yes. You don't want to, though. And that's okay. Some people don't like to, or aren't good at it.]

[eudaimonikos]

I could be great at it if I wanted to!

[oh my god Michael]

Just kind of a stupid thing to do. In my position, this whole thing you've got going seems fine for you.

[azumods]

[...There is so much mild confusion at that.

Is it stupid to have friends, too? In your position.]

[eudaimonikos]

I mean, yeah. Objectively.

[Michael puffs up indignantly at...well, he's not sure what.]

It hasn't been great for my career, or general self-preservation. But I mean, whatever. I'm totally good at it.

[azumods]

[...Michael...

It takes a moment, but eventually there's an answer.

Why do you do it, if it's objectively bad for you?]

[eudaimonikos]

I mean, it's not all bad. It's not even really bad. [He folds his arms.] Depends what it is you want. Just, for my species, it's a stupid thing to do.

But you know. Humans. Why do I have to tell you this, you know how it is.

[MAKE MICHAEL SAY FEELINGS]

[azumods]

[...

Maybe I want to see you be good at this, like you say you can be.]

[eudaimonikos]

[Michael makes an indignant noise.]

I'll have you know that I'm plenty good for my humans back home! And Janet! Even though...everything. And I think people like me here, too! They wouldn't if I were just some sort of horrible torture monster, right?

[very pointedly, he does not look to anyone else here for any kind of input on that last part]

[discutio]

I've met worse daemons, certainly.

[heritrix]

I've met worse priests.

[hyruglyphics]

I... like Michael?

[anythingforyou]

I like him well enough, really, he's not bad company.

[bloodspent]

Michael's fucking great, okay.

[divinedescendant]

I'm rather fond of him myself.

[semistableman]

He's a fun guy to talk to.

[swiftasacoursingkawa]

[Sheepishly raises hand.]

I've met worse football team captains.

[Sorry, Michael.]

[azumods]

[...THERE IS A LOT TO UNPACK HERE.

I never said you were just some sort of horrible torture monster, and I don't think anyone here thinks that, either. There really is a lot of caring here. For everyone, including you.

Do you like them too? The people here.]

[eudaimonikos]

[Michael is.....definitely something by what's happening downthread. It sort of looks like panic and embarrassment; he keeps his eyes on the barrier and fiddles rather hard with his cufflinks because he cannot deal with that right now?]

I mean, sure? Yeah? [he does he's just really flustered]

[azumods]

[That gets a brief pulse of curiosity.

What sort of things do you like about them? It doesn't have to be sappy. Just honest.]

[eudaimonikos]

[Michael smiles. In a way that looks like a grimace. Of pain.]

Is this really necessary?

[azumods]

[A brief wave of confirmation.

Yes.]

[perfectselfie]

I do. He makes me laugh.

[hyruglyphics]

[ Mmm... You know, she's sort of caught up in her own thing and also hearing out other people's stories, but she takes this moment to sort of laugh at that. Just a little amused snort. ]