maskormenace | (no subject)

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[On the network is what appears to be a young boy, about 12 or 13 years old. For a moment, he stares quite soulfully at the video output impossibly deep, black eyes, and then pokes at the screen with one fingernail.]

Not even a proper imp in there, how's that for you...?

[He pulls back and mimes clearing his throat. A voice far, far more booming than is fit for the child's face resounds across the feed.]

Right, broadcast. AHEM. This is just a friendly, non-suspicious question, inquiring on when the next coup or violent overthrow of this government is going to be. Not that I'm actually advocating it, I just know you humans really can't resist.

I'm pretty handy with a popcorn machine if anyone can provide good seats.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Is this going to be a long and complicated sort of rant or a short but explosive sort?

Apologize and it'll be the latter.

I can't apologize for the truth. I ran a focus group and way more attention was paid when I made it all top heavy.

Excuse me. A focus group?

Well. One person. I told Mandrake to bring friends, but that really was my mistake. I should have known better.

Wh - rude!

But true.

And even if it weren't rude, it's completely inappropriate to parade my body around like some...object. You're being very objectifying right now.

To be absolutely fair¹, that is what it is. Cleverly piloted, yes, but still.

Right. And your essence is just a great lot of mist, then, is it?

That's different.

Oh, yeah? Why? 'Cause it's yours?

Can you think of a better reason? I can't.

Well, it's the same thing with me and my body!

This is one of those weird touchy issues isn't it?

If by weird you mean completely predictable and honestly you ought to have known better.

[ It's a quick shift back. She puts her elbow on her chin, looking at the camera imperiously. ]

Really? If it wasn't about how your object looks, how come you're hiding back where you're 'conventionally' pretty.

[ And that actually flummoxes her. She opens her mouth, closes it again, and then bites her lip, eyeing her other self. Then she looks away. Her cheeks have gone pink. ]

Stop that. Because - I don't want to explain to people about it. That's why.

[ Agreeably, he turns into something else, fluffy red tail curling around him. Less agreeably, he keeps talking. ]

Oh? And what about it is so embarrassing? "I trusted a djinni?"

Edited 2017-01-12 14:41 (UTC)

What?

[ She blinks, shakes her head - ]

No - no, that's not it at all. I just don't...It was a personal experience, what happened amongst us. I don't want to chat about it to just...anyone.

Huh. [ It's a change in gears, really. From Ptolemy who just wanted to publish every detail to foster the human and spirit connections. But for all they were similar, Bartimaeus had to admit, there was as many differences. ]

All well and good, but you can't tell me your answer wouldn't be "shove off, I'm beautiful" if you wanted it to be, and no further explanation.

[ Her mouth thins, but she actually relaxes at that response. At least he doesn't seem hurt. ]

That'd just make people more curious.

[ A hesitation, then - ]

And...If it were just me - then all right. But...Nathaniel.

[ Too practical on that count to be hurt, he'd claim. ]

I'm not following.

Well, he's been here before. In this world. People knew him.

And I'm sure he was charming and popular by the simply act of dressing like a greased quilt and black and darkness and trying really, really hard to be mysterious.

Or are we talking about the part of the story where he was like "oh I'm going to be a dumb and idiot master at the very last minute." I mean, not that he was't all along, but it was a pretty phenomenal height of someone should dye all of his clothes canary yellow and make him wear a sign saying "Ask Me About My Parental Issues and Chronic Halitosis" sort of idiot.

[ Maybe there's some feelings there. One or two. ]