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.

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Er - what?

[ There's a certain way that a bird can cock their head and put it nearly back up into their shoulder blades that is almost comical. ]

What do you mean, what? Are you doing all right.

I wasn't exactly expecting that one.

Yes. I mean, as well as can be expected.

Are you quite sure? You've gone through a lot of crap lately. And all of this has got to be - well. Disorienting.

[ What is this... consideration ........ stuff. The bird stares a long moment, avian features never exactly expressive, but there's almost a blank look to them. ]

I mean, if you want complaints, I've got a list. I've even got proper citations and everything.

[ She's encouraged by that total shock - she thinks that might mean she's getting somewhere. Or, alternatively, it might just mean he thinks she's weird and it's a pointless question and she's wasting her time...Well. Regardless. ]

Go on. Let's hear it.

[ For all of his bluster, the bird doesn't answer immediately. A bit awkwardly he starts,¹ ]

Well, there's going from one shady government, giving a shady deal while at war to another one not looking a wit nicer. [ There's a pause here.² ] Really, I'm vaguely convinced they haven't quite fine tuned the control mechanisms.³ I'm not just talking about me, though, I'm talking about anyone with powers. It completely disrupts the whole balance of all of these countries.⁴ But no one's going to listen to me about that.

[ He seems to get his wind here, and just gets rolling on it. ] On top of that, the Other Place isn't mine, I checked. Which makes it extremely creepy to even be there and what's worse it throws me back out here whenever it feels like it. Like I don't belong there either. The only thing good about it is that I don't hurt like my Essence is on fire.⁵ I assume you're fleshy half of things is keeping you nice and buffered from that.

While I'm at it, I'm going to lodge a formal complaint that the idiot who last contracted me showed up and shoved off without having the common decency to leave a message. "Oh, you were right." wont be in the vocabulary, but I would take a "I owe you one" that means nothing because he's popped off anyway like the fool he is, or even a "thanks" but frankly, I'll settle for some shallow, petty praise.

[ Ah. She had responses to the other things, but the last one throws her for a loop. Because - yes. Yes, that one she understands well. Her eyes drop to her knees, and her throat tightens, and she offers a soft: ]

Yeah. That...I wish he were here, as well.

[ She takes a breath. ]

What's all that about your Other Place, though?

[ He doesn't say anything to that first soft comment. He doesn't have to.

The roc ruffles, as if offended. Enormous feathers go everywhich way. ]

I don't think it's a proper place here. Not the way it should be.

Well - tell me more about it.

[ The bird cocks its head, quizzically. The tone is, for once, more curious than defensively sharp. ]

Which bit?

The Other Place here.

[ There's a heavy exhale through the beak... And the two playing kids drop to the sand with thumps as Bartimaeus settles back into a more comfortable form. ]

It seems like the one back home. Works the same, feels the same. Nothing in the way of time, direction or solid substance there. But there's no one else either... I get all comfortable and pop! Back out here - right where I went in.

I mean, the advantage being is that I don't need someone to send me there. I can just ... well, leave when I want to. Bring things in, too. Which is also weird.

Like - objects?

[ That does seem weird. The Other Place is so...non-physical. ]

Yeah. Whole bodies, according to that sheet. [Because that is clearly an object. ]

Like - dead bodies?

[ That's both a little horrifying - that they'd suggest it - and...well, it's also potentially useful, frankly. ]

I'm going to assume live ones by the context.

Oh.

[ Huh. ]

Would they stay alive in there?

Dunno...

I'm going to say that probably depends on how much I like them.

[ Gruesome. Well; no help for it. She nods once. ]

Well. Would you keep me alive in there?

Yyyyyes.

But why don't we experiment on someone expendable? Like the hypermanic midget.

[ Hands on hips - ]

He is not expendable. Anyway, you did challenge my will to do it. So here I am, volunteering.

[ And...rather hoping he doesn't say yes, and hoping he does, because the Other Place is remarkable, and also it'll probably kill her. ]

[ Bartimaeus is similarly torn. Because, on one hand, company, on the other hand, it'll probably kill her. ]

Aren't we being hasty here?

Edited 2017-02-01 02:02 (UTC)

[ She lifts her chin defiantly. ]

Are we? I hadn't noticed. Because that's how little hesitation I have in being willing to do this if it'll prove to you my trust in you.

[ And here is where, predictably, Bartimaeus dooms himself. ]

Is it that important to you?