6th Trick - Text

[vengefulshades]

[Oh, great. It's everybody's favorite nihilistic dead jerk of a villain. Just in case anyone forgot he was still on the lam.]



I know some of you have been dead before. Some of you have even died in this place.

So tell me. What does it feel like to die?

I imagine it feels like falling asleep. That last moment of consciousness when you can feel yourself falling, but you don't suddenly realize it and awaken. You just drift off.

It must be peaceful. Restful. Like falling asleep after a long day of work.

Is there anything afterward? Some people think so. They say there's another world after this one. Some kind of afterlife, or a world for spirits. Some people even think it's a paradise. People you've lost are already there to meet you.

Or perhaps it's a place of punishment, like hell. A place where people are tormented for their sins.

It must be nice. All of it. Any of it.



So what's the point of this? Nothing, really. Just some thoughts. But I wanted to issue a warning to everyone.

I'm coming back to Heropa, soon. I'm going to set my plans into motion once more. I won't go into details on how or what I'm doing, but I want everyone to be aware. I'll be there. And I'll be working again.

And if you see me, I want you to come and stop me. If you believe so strongly in your stupid justice, I want you to bring me to justice. Confront me. Make me pay. Kill me and put a stop to me once and for all.

Why? Because I'm a villain. And you're all supposed to be heroes. So do something about it.

If you don't, you may be the next person I take over. I can make you do whatever I want you to, and there's nothing you can do to stop it. I can control anyone I like. I could make you commit more crimes. Another murder. Maybe a real one this time.

Don't like it? Good. Then come and get me.

[All replies from "The Manipulator" will come from audio or text only.

NOTE: Further content warning in some of the comments, discussions of bloodless healing-factorish suicide attempts.]

Comments

[vengefulshades]

That depends on your definition of "in person." "I" am a ghost, and incapable of capture. But that doesn't mean you wouldn't be able to take custody of my body.

Let's just say that without my body, I'm forced to more extreme measures in order to do things. Measures that seemed to really, really offend everyone last time.

[purgation]

Perhaps it doesn't, but I am in no position to make such an arrest, you see. My responsibility here does not lie in the apprehension of criminals, but rather...the way Registered imPorts are perceived by the public. As your situation is completely new to me, I would be willing to take you on pro bono.

[A thoughtful pause, and then he adds to his proposal...]

What if we were to meet on your territory? A place you feel comfortable in, that will not yield control of the situation to anyone else.

You have nothing to lose by trying, is that not so?

[vengefulshades]

I'm not about to tell you where my territory is. And there's nothing stopping you from calling the cops on me before I even show up. Isn't that a responsible citizen's duty?

[But this intrigues him, somehow. He pauses a long moment.]

I will meet with you, if that's what you want. In your office, even. It would be interesting to meet you personally.

Can I have the phone number to your office?

[purgation]

A responsible citizen's duty is a matter of opinion, though I of course understand your reluctance.

[And then The Manipulator bends the proposal. Yuri does not quite see how meeting on his turf will put the ghost at ease, but he's not about to waste the opportunity now that it has presented itself.]

My office? Very well.

[There is a brief pause during which a text message is sent from Yuri to The Manipulator. The contents contains the address of his office as well his professional phone number.]

Do you have any personal requests?

[vengefulshades]

Not really.

What time will you be there to meet me?

[purgation]

That depends on you. I can be there during regular business hours or after hours if you prefer.

[vengefulshades]

It doesn't really matter. Just be there, and I'll meet you.

[purgation]

As you wish.

This evening, then. The office closes at five, but I will be there until seven.

[vengefulshades]

Great.

I look forward to speaking with you in person, Mr. Petrov.


((ooc: switch to action or do this elsewhere? :D))

[purgation]

The feeling is mutual. Until then.



[OOC: Action works for me!]

ACTION ZOMG

[vengefulshades]

[At the appointed time, in Yuri's office, there is no sign of Yomiel's appearance. Not until a quarter to seven.

Nobody walks in the door. Nobody knocks. But the phone rings.]

[purgation]

[A phone ringing after hours is not apart from the norm. From his office bureau, Yuri lifts the receiver and holds it to his ear. A simple press of a button connects him to the appropriate line and he greets the individual on the other end with a practiced and professional recital.]

Yuri Petrov, Registered Heroics advertising. How may I help you?

[vengefulshades]

[It's very strange, the voice on the other end. It seems not to be coming through the phone so much as it's speaking directly in Yuri's head.]

Good evening, Mr. Petrov. Sorry to have kept you waiting.

[purgation]

[Strange indeed. Were his hallucinations not strictly limited to visions of his father, Yuri might suspect the phone call of being some kind of auditory trick. Of course, it also helps that he recognizes the caller's voice.

Calmly, he flips opens a notepad, thumbs off the lid of a nearby pen with one hand, and then prepares to write anything of importance that might be said.]

Good evening. [He pauses momentarily.] The Manipulator, I presume?

[vengefulshades]

That's right. I'm right here in the room with you.

So, you wanted to talk. Let's talk.

[purgation]

[!!

It's instinct to look left and right, from his bookcases to his plant and back again, but there is no sign of anyone in the room with him. Only the red light on the phone signifying an occupied phone line.]

...Is it mandatory that we remain on the line in order to speak with one another?

[vengefulshades]

No. But I find it usually makes people more comfortable to have the phone in hand.

It's a little less disturbing than speaking with a voice in your head, don't you think?

[purgation]

[Actually, he's...used to it. Though the Manipulator's answer brings to mind another question.]

If it is unnecessary, I do not require it, though I thank you for the consideration. [His pen hovers over the notepad a moment longer before he lays it down.] Tell me, are you in the room or in my head, precisely?

[Though he's inclined now to guard his thoughts very carefully either way.]

[vengefulshades]

[I've been around the block a few times with the living, you see. I know how they tend to react.

Anyway, I'm in the room. I'm "reaching out" to speak with you in your head.

I'm not "within" you, if that's what you're worried about.

[purgation]

Not worried so much as curious.

[Laying down the receiver upon the cradle once more, Yuri folds his hands together atop his desk.]

Thank you for agreeing to meet with me...although I must admit, this is not quite what I expected.

[It is strange not knowing precisely where to look. In the end, Yuri finds himself staring straight ahead feeling very much like a blind man.]

Have you given my offer to help you any further consideration?

Hi, I don't know how to html.

[vengefulshades]

You thought I'd actually come see you with my body in person, right? Sorry. I'm a fugitive. I'm not that reckless.

I've considered it. But what I want to know is what you're planning to do with me, exactly. I only want one manner of "help."

Don't even worry about it, I failed at icons a few nights ago. XD It happens.

[purgation]

Not precisely given your initial mistrust, though on some level...I think that I perhaps wondered if you would be so bold.

[And so lucky.]

Ah...you will forgive me if I refuse to play a direct hand in the end you wish for, I hope? I should like to point out that it does not limit my ability to still be of service. As I mentioned before, I am a formidable researcher.

[vengefulshades]

You and everybody else. But it's not like you actually have the abilities I need anyway, now, do you?

[Nobody ever does. At least, nobody he's found yet, obviously.]

What do you intend to research, exactly?

[purgation]

I am afraid I do not...

But that isn't to say I would be incapable of finding someone who may.

[Yuri unclasps his hands, palms open in a small, but meaningful gesture.]

It is my job to get to know imPorts and what they are capable of, after all. All I would need from you is a more thorough understanding of what precisely you may have tried in the past...

With any luck, you will find the reprieve from your limbo you have been searching for.

[vengefulshades]

What I've tried?

[A moment of silence.]

I've tried an awful lot of things, Mr. Petrov. Too many for me to start from the beginning with. I've probably even forgotten some of them.

But I will answer your questions, for the most part.