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[ diluc help. i'm glad he's just full-on hades right now. shoma is oblivious to the ears at the moment, but he's listening to what's being said before he grins slightly. ]
A notebook's not the worst thing to have. I have a lot at home when I don't want to type everything up. Besides, we're only gonna be here for a few days. Souvenirs aren't a bad idea.
A notebook's not the worst thing to have. I have a lot at home when I don't want to type everything up. Besides, we're only gonna be here for a few days. Souvenirs aren't a bad idea.
[ he smiles a little. ]
I envy your technology. What wouldn't I give to have less paper around the manor. [ his KPIs would be through the roof? he's being held back by archaic methods of transcribing... ]
—But you're right. A small memento would be nice. If not for yourself, then perhaps someone else.
I envy your technology. What wouldn't I give to have less paper around the manor. [ his KPIs would be through the roof? he's being held back by archaic methods of transcribing... ]
—But you're right. A small memento would be nice. If not for yourself, then perhaps someone else.
The...manor? [ MORE RICH PEOPLE??????????? well no diluc owns a tavern so honestly maybe this makes sense, so okay, he is less concerned. the kitty ears swivel again though. ] We're here, so...you could always take advantage of what we have. Maybe they'll let you take something back to Teyvat to make life easier.
[ he seems to be just touching everything for the sake of touching at this rate. ]
If you like it, you should take it. That's all I'm saying. [ he says, as someone who has never had the luxury of retail therapy in his life. ]
[ he seems to be just touching everything for the sake of touching at this rate. ]
If you like it, you should take it. That's all I'm saying. [ he says, as someone who has never had the luxury of retail therapy in his life. ]
[ UNFORTUNATELY, ]
...Perhaps. Is there anything you'd like to bring back to Earth?
[ watches him get his lil paws (metaphorical) over everything... ]
I'll think on it. I'm more interested in finding something for you.
[ he picks up a fur hat and deposits it over shoma's kitty ears. double the fuzz, heh. ]
...Perhaps. Is there anything you'd like to bring back to Earth?
[ watches him get his lil paws (metaphorical) over everything... ]
I'll think on it. I'm more interested in finding something for you.
[ he picks up a fur hat and deposits it over shoma's kitty ears. double the fuzz, heh. ]
I don't know yet. [ and this is genuine, he really hasn't entirely thought about it. ] Probably some of the tech when we see the full scope of it, but maybe some other stuff from other planets. I...don't really buy a lot of stuff for myself these days.
[ there's a surprised noise when there is suddenly a fur hat, and he looks up. there is also now a puffed-up cat tail to join the ears because the movement startled him. ]
You're the kind of person who would rather focus on other people, aren't you?
[ there's a surprised noise when there is suddenly a fur hat, and he looks up. there is also now a puffed-up cat tail to join the ears because the movement startled him. ]
You're the kind of person who would rather focus on other people, aren't you?
But is that attention you actually want? [ some people revel in it, and some people just suffer. he kind of thinks diluc might be the latter. ]
It can be taxing at times, but I'm used to it for the most part.
[ so... not exactly a yes. but not exactly a no. diluc is reserved now, but he used to be quite sociable as a youngster. ]
How about you? I'd think your skills are bound to attract attention.
[ baby genius... (tears up in ai:s) ]
[ so... not exactly a yes. but not exactly a no. diluc is reserved now, but he used to be quite sociable as a youngster. ]
How about you? I'd think your skills are bound to attract attention.
[ baby genius... (tears up in ai:s) ]
[ nodding along....can't relate...but nodding along. that seems fair.
but there's an, like, awkward little smile with that. ]
I would rather it didn't most of the time. [ so fuck no, please leave him alone. but he seems to think about this. ] But I don't mind if people acknowledge my skills, even if sometimes I don't really get why.
[ sometimes you are a baby genius and you both like the praise but also are modest and also don't want to be perceived about so many other things. it's complicated. ]
but there's an, like, awkward little smile with that. ]
I would rather it didn't most of the time. [ so fuck no, please leave him alone. but he seems to think about this. ] But I don't mind if people acknowledge my skills, even if sometimes I don't really get why.
[ sometimes you are a baby genius and you both like the praise but also are modest and also don't want to be perceived about so many other things. it's complicated. ]
[ he smiles a little. ]
Wanting recognition is natural. It's an affirmation of what you do. Sometimes, it's necessary to grow.
[ people can't just exist in a void, regardless of how shy they are or aren't... ]
...But there's freedom in solitude as well. Not having to listen to what people think of you, or expect from you.
[ crying that diluc is trying really earnestly to give him this soul-searching advice at the wizened age of 23ish. ]
Wanting recognition is natural. It's an affirmation of what you do. Sometimes, it's necessary to grow.
[ people can't just exist in a void, regardless of how shy they are or aren't... ]
...But there's freedom in solitude as well. Not having to listen to what people think of you, or expect from you.
[ crying that diluc is trying really earnestly to give him this soul-searching advice at the wizened age of 23ish. ]
[ wow hi everything is!! so terrible and shoma really did just have to witness another (extra) gruesome execution!!!
anyway i'm putting them at the bar, but shoma is probably the only person in their crew diluc wouldn't serve booze to. fortunately for him, diluc favors non-alcoholic drinks anyway. he makes him his best approximation of wolfhook juice (berry-flavored). ]
...How're you doing?
anyway i'm putting them at the bar, but shoma is probably the only person in their crew diluc wouldn't serve booze to. fortunately for him, diluc favors non-alcoholic drinks anyway. he makes him his best approximation of wolfhook juice (berry-flavored). ]
...How're you doing?
[ everything is terrible!! everyone really had to witness two girls and their issues bleed out in front of god and everyone!
so they are at the bar, and while he kind of does eyeball the drink diluc's made he isn't going to say no. juice is fine.
he considers downplaying it like usual, because nobody really needs to know how much garbage resides in his head at any given moment, but sometimes things happen to you that change your perspective on life. ]
...probably about as good as everybody else? Maybe a little worse. It's hard to say. [ because he liked both of them, and he didn't think either of them deserved this. ] The ending...really escalated really fast. It was hard to be ready for that.
[ though. ] I feel like I should be asking you that as well. We were all there.
so they are at the bar, and while he kind of does eyeball the drink diluc's made he isn't going to say no. juice is fine.
he considers downplaying it like usual, because nobody really needs to know how much garbage resides in his head at any given moment, but sometimes things happen to you that change your perspective on life. ]
...probably about as good as everybody else? Maybe a little worse. It's hard to say. [ because he liked both of them, and he didn't think either of them deserved this. ] The ending...really escalated really fast. It was hard to be ready for that.
[ though. ] I feel like I should be asking you that as well. We were all there.
[ diluc personally handed him a baby juice...
but also, yeah. it feels dishonest trying to avoid what's paraded in front of them on a weekly basis.
and, both girls were closer to shoma's age. diluc imagines he'd been closer to them—he knows shoma had specifically been with shouxue thursday ngiht. ]
I'll admit I wasn't prepared for it, myself.
[ and he is not unacquainted with death. ]
...I'll be all right. Though... it's difficult to accept right now. It was never right before, but it feels especially wrong, now. Does that make sense?
but also, yeah. it feels dishonest trying to avoid what's paraded in front of them on a weekly basis.
and, both girls were closer to shoma's age. diluc imagines he'd been closer to them—he knows shoma had specifically been with shouxue thursday ngiht. ]
I'll admit I wasn't prepared for it, myself.
[ and he is not unacquainted with death. ]
...I'll be all right. Though... it's difficult to accept right now. It was never right before, but it feels especially wrong, now. Does that make sense?
[ you ever invite a girl to come curfew with you so she isn't alone and then find out she killed a friend? very fun, very cool. ]
Don't take this the wrong way, Diluc, but that does help a little. [ it means that this is out of the norm, and that he isn't a baby for being unprepared. even if he did look away in the end (and even if mizuki forced him to look away even further.) ]
It makes sense. We always knew this could happen to any of us, but to see the impact in real time and know there was no way to stop it...it's wrong. They didn't really choose to do this to themselves, but we had to make a choice and it cost a lot. [ literally how in the hell did we tie. ]
Don't take this the wrong way, Diluc, but that does help a little. [ it means that this is out of the norm, and that he isn't a baby for being unprepared. even if he did look away in the end (and even if mizuki forced him to look away even further.) ]
It makes sense. We always knew this could happen to any of us, but to see the impact in real time and know there was no way to stop it...it's wrong. They didn't really choose to do this to themselves, but we had to make a choice and it cost a lot. [ literally how in the hell did we tie. ]
[ SWEET SHOMA...
diluc shakes his head. ]
Not at all. [ the execution was brutal, and without warning—it would be strange not to bat an eyelash at how it had all happened. ]
Right. [ OUR FUKKEN TIE... ] ...Not only that, but they had to take matters into their own hands.
[ last week had not been kind by any means, but pitting two guilty against each other, with no hope of survival for either, is especially vile. ]
diluc shakes his head. ]
Not at all. [ the execution was brutal, and without warning—it would be strange not to bat an eyelash at how it had all happened. ]
Right. [ OUR FUKKEN TIE... ] ...Not only that, but they had to take matters into their own hands.
[ last week had not been kind by any means, but pitting two guilty against each other, with no hope of survival for either, is especially vile. ]
[ you never know, maybe we have some real sociopaths who would just go "oh neat." in all seriousness...that's definitely the other part that bothers him. ]
Do you think that's because we voted for both of them? I'm trying to figure out why everything changed as much as it did, but I keep getting stuck.
Do you think that's because we voted for both of them? I'm trying to figure out why everything changed as much as it did, but I keep getting stuck.
...It could be. Since we reached a tie, both were found guilty. Which is to say, if the votes had been skewed one way or another, perhaps only one of them would've been sentenced.
[ ... ]
That said, with both identities brought to light... I don't know that the senior crew could simply allow either one of them to go free.
[ regardless of intention, there must be some sort of protocol for them to follow. eudora is all about senseless protocol. ]
...I don't know. It's all speculation.
[ his voice goes a bit quieter. ]
[ ... ]
That said, with both identities brought to light... I don't know that the senior crew could simply allow either one of them to go free.
[ regardless of intention, there must be some sort of protocol for them to follow. eudora is all about senseless protocol. ]
...I don't know. It's all speculation.
[ his voice goes a bit quieter. ]
[ no. he likes speculation. it's better than just going "whoopsie this is how it is now", and it's better than people withholding what they're thinking or feeling just because of his age. ]
We've only ever had one guilty party until now, so it's possible. I was talking to the Captain about this yesterday. In voting for both of them, we missed learning what might happen if we have two guilty parties and only one vote. And I don't...want to suggest it, but it's likely now that this thing's multiplying, this won't be the last time we see more than one culprit. I'm pretty sure you're right that with both of them identified, we had to address it.
...it's the jump straight into an execution that worries me. It wasn't like last week where it was subduing a threat we didn't know existed. They just decided the two of them were a threat without warning.
We've only ever had one guilty party until now, so it's possible. I was talking to the Captain about this yesterday. In voting for both of them, we missed learning what might happen if we have two guilty parties and only one vote. And I don't...want to suggest it, but it's likely now that this thing's multiplying, this won't be the last time we see more than one culprit. I'm pretty sure you're right that with both of them identified, we had to address it.
...it's the jump straight into an execution that worries me. It wasn't like last week where it was subduing a threat we didn't know existed. They just decided the two of them were a threat without warning.
[ diluc has no business withholding anything when shoma is as intelligent, if not vastly moreso than most of their crew. and though there is a genuine desire to protect the boy's innocence, his life is far more important. that's at stake the longer they're trapped here—it would be foolish to try and keep one of their brightest minds from helping find a way out. ]
I understand. I also think it's likely there will be more than one culprit going forward. Our situation has only grown worse, though we don't know the exact reason for it.
...All we know so far is that we're under observation, and something is driving us against our natural behaviors. We've been forced to follow a schedule [ after 3 weeks of observation ], and commandeered to move however Eudora sees fit. [ boarding the ship, attending trial, forced removal from the holding cells, etc. ]
...It's like we're pieces on a board, and they're getting more liberal about disposal.
I understand. I also think it's likely there will be more than one culprit going forward. Our situation has only grown worse, though we don't know the exact reason for it.
...All we know so far is that we're under observation, and something is driving us against our natural behaviors. We've been forced to follow a schedule [ after 3 weeks of observation ], and commandeered to move however Eudora sees fit. [ boarding the ship, attending trial, forced removal from the holding cells, etc. ]
...It's like we're pieces on a board, and they're getting more liberal about disposal.
[ sorry, the cat ears have sprouted back and are sticking out from around his headphones. sometimes these things just happen when you're very intrigued and curious about topics. swiveling. ]
...I spoke with some of the crew, actually. I've been working under the idea that maybe it was the nanites that were doing this, but a few of them tested their own on Thursday and didn't see any differences at all. So whatever's causing people to change...it's something else entirely. I was going to go see Io tomorrow to look at the results and maybe run my own tests tomorrow. [ he sounds a little uneasy about that, but just a blip and it's gone immediately after. ]
The scheduling thing is what freaks me out a little. Like it's good to know when to expect certain things, but why? It makes it harder to know when the changes really start, too. Like...do things trigger only on Thursday night? Sheba told me she had been feeling angry--well. Both of them were. But that it got worse during that time period before things happened. Iiii couldn't really get an answer out of Shouxue, and I didn't wanna push her when I got the feeling she just wanted this to be over.
[ and he respected that. still... ]
Scien and Eunhyuk had things that they wanted, or things they were angry about. Some of us think that whatever this thing is is preying on the anger and the desires of people that they're keeping hidden. So I'm wondering if things are more obvious to this thing and it decides who to possess or whatever because of it. Like how Scien and Dahut were asking for blood to study right before Scien was possessed to take Dahut's heart.
But it's speculation, too. All we really know is there are certain forces we can't get out of, and Nut & Bolt is responsible for this and caring less about what happens to us or the senior crew. [ and despite talking this through rationally...he's freaked out! why are they are on a murder ship with no answers! ahhhhhhh!!!! ]
...I spoke with some of the crew, actually. I've been working under the idea that maybe it was the nanites that were doing this, but a few of them tested their own on Thursday and didn't see any differences at all. So whatever's causing people to change...it's something else entirely. I was going to go see Io tomorrow to look at the results and maybe run my own tests tomorrow. [ he sounds a little uneasy about that, but just a blip and it's gone immediately after. ]
The scheduling thing is what freaks me out a little. Like it's good to know when to expect certain things, but why? It makes it harder to know when the changes really start, too. Like...do things trigger only on Thursday night? Sheba told me she had been feeling angry--well. Both of them were. But that it got worse during that time period before things happened. Iiii couldn't really get an answer out of Shouxue, and I didn't wanna push her when I got the feeling she just wanted this to be over.
[ and he respected that. still... ]
Scien and Eunhyuk had things that they wanted, or things they were angry about. Some of us think that whatever this thing is is preying on the anger and the desires of people that they're keeping hidden. So I'm wondering if things are more obvious to this thing and it decides who to possess or whatever because of it. Like how Scien and Dahut were asking for blood to study right before Scien was possessed to take Dahut's heart.
But it's speculation, too. All we really know is there are certain forces we can't get out of, and Nut & Bolt is responsible for this and caring less about what happens to us or the senior crew. [ and despite talking this through rationally...he's freaked out! why are they are on a murder ship with no answers! ahhhhhhh!!!! ]
[ the way i lost this tab several days ago ahhh but i'll also get us something fresh today. ]
Yeah, that's exactly it. I...[ here's the thing. this is actually kind of a point of contention for him, so even if diluc's only 23 shoma does find himself thinking about these things on and off. ] ...there are a lot of things people think of me that I wish they didn't. So I'm trying to find ways to offset it. If that means using my brain, then that's what I have to do.
Yeah, that's exactly it. I...[ here's the thing. this is actually kind of a point of contention for him, so even if diluc's only 23 shoma does find himself thinking about these things on and off. ] ...there are a lot of things people think of me that I wish they didn't. So I'm trying to find ways to offset it. If that means using my brain, then that's what I have to do.
[ I'M STILL GONNA RESPOND TO SUNDAY THREAD, also backdates this for us, wherever they are shoma will see the following memory:
you were born to the highest station of status and wealth in mondstadt—the ragnvindr name, an uncrowned bloodline in a country without a king. you have lived your life in service of your city, and endeavored from your earliest memory to fulfill your father's dream, passed onto you.
and you succeed where your father had failed. you are blessed by the seven, granted a pyro vision at the age of 10—a mark of divine potential, even ascension to godhood. you then earn the title of cavalry captain of the favonius at the age of 14, a mere four years later—the youngest ever in the ranks of the ordo.
even as a child, you work tirelessly to the bone for the merest scrap of your father's praise, for the glory of the knights. it's all you've ever known, and you foolishly believe, heart and soul, that it is your righteous calling. you burn ever brightly, and you burn true.
and then you turn 18.
and your father dies, on the night of your birthday.
your father dies because he dared to defy the gods, and wielded a heretic power at a severe cost. you do not know how he obtained it, and you did not know he had it to begin with. he dies in unbearable agony, and you take his life with your own two hands to free him from it. you can feel as he stills in your arms, as he draws his final breath.
blood continues to bloom across his waistcoat. rain falls. ]
and you succeed where your father had failed. you are blessed by the seven, granted a pyro vision at the age of 10—a mark of divine potential, even ascension to godhood. you then earn the title of cavalry captain of the favonius at the age of 14, a mere four years later—the youngest ever in the ranks of the ordo.
even as a child, you work tirelessly to the bone for the merest scrap of your father's praise, for the glory of the knights. it's all you've ever known, and you foolishly believe, heart and soul, that it is your righteous calling. you burn ever brightly, and you burn true.
and then you turn 18.
and your father dies, on the night of your birthday.
your father dies because he dared to defy the gods, and wielded a heretic power at a severe cost. you do not know how he obtained it, and you did not know he had it to begin with. he dies in unbearable agony, and you take his life with your own two hands to free him from it. you can feel as he stills in your arms, as he draws his final breath.
blood continues to bloom across his waistcoat. rain falls.
[ looks at this memory. i see.
anyway this is a lot. there are a lot of things he does and does not find familiar in this memory, and as it plays out in front of his eyes he finds a strange tightness in his chest at the sense of wanting to make a father proud, and then finding your father hasn't quite been truthful with you.
there's a fight, and there's danger, and there's a man too foolhardy who thinks he can do better than fate allows and the feeling of confusion and anguish and uncertainty all wrapped up in this. and the decision to end it...it can't have been an easy one.
so when he comes out of it, he pauses, staring at diluc quietly like he's debating how to talk about this. ]
...what a shitty birthday present. [ just. just saying. ]
anyway this is a lot. there are a lot of things he does and does not find familiar in this memory, and as it plays out in front of his eyes he finds a strange tightness in his chest at the sense of wanting to make a father proud, and then finding your father hasn't quite been truthful with you.
there's a fight, and there's danger, and there's a man too foolhardy who thinks he can do better than fate allows and the feeling of confusion and anguish and uncertainty all wrapped up in this. and the decision to end it...it can't have been an easy one.
so when he comes out of it, he pauses, staring at diluc quietly like he's debating how to talk about this. ]
...what a shitty birthday present. [ just. just saying. ]
[ after having what must be a dozen other people audience to his father's death, diluc is a bit exhausted from talking around it.
so, shoma's comment comes as a complete surprise. he's actually startled into laughter, though coming from him, it sounds like a snort. ]
Mhm. I don't recommend turning 18.
[ literally the worst day of his life. watch out, shoma, that'll be you in a few years.
...diluc is still tense from having to relive his father's death for an umpteenth time, but it's easier to relax with a bit of dark humor. ]
...I'm sorry you had to see all that.
so, shoma's comment comes as a complete surprise. he's actually startled into laughter, though coming from him, it sounds like a snort. ]
Mhm. I don't recommend turning 18.
[ literally the worst day of his life. watch out, shoma, that'll be you in a few years.
...diluc is still tense from having to relive his father's death for an umpteenth time, but it's easier to relax with a bit of dark humor. ]
...I'm sorry you had to see all that.
[ there's a lopsided sort of smile to that, though it's hard to say if it's to the laughter (?) or the comment. but...he shakes his head. ]
Believe it or not it's not the worst thing I've seen this week. [ all of you are. a lot. ] ...and it's like I said to somebody else. I wish there was something better to say in this situation, because no matter how many times you hear "I'm sorry for your loss" or "you did what you could" or "it wasn't your fault for not noticing" it doesn't change that it happened and it doesn't change that it changed the rest of your life. And it doesn't change that it's still hard to think about no matter how many years it's been. So if anything, I should be apologizing to you for making a situation where you had to rewitness it.
Believe it or not it's not the worst thing I've seen this week. [ all of you are. a lot. ] ...and it's like I said to somebody else. I wish there was something better to say in this situation, because no matter how many times you hear "I'm sorry for your loss" or "you did what you could" or "it wasn't your fault for not noticing" it doesn't change that it happened and it doesn't change that it changed the rest of your life. And it doesn't change that it's still hard to think about no matter how many years it's been. So if anything, I should be apologizing to you for making a situation where you had to rewitness it.
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