IC Inbox (Imeeji)

[firstworldproblem]

[It just goes directly to the beep.]

Comments

[firstworldproblem]

You're holding back, and I'm having trouble deciphering out why.

[deicider]

[Doesn't seem to know how to take this; seems faintly distressed for a moment.]

I'm not trying to conceal anything. I assume Valour told you everything in detail.

[firstworldproblem]

He told me his version, but it is colored in his opinions and preconceptions. I trust him implicitly, but he also was... is under duress.

[He folds his arms lightly and tilts his head.]

I'm not trying to be antagonistic. You are just taking this rather hard, and is not being able to protect Five really the core? I will admit I was livid at Avante in general earlier, but that is what emotions do. There is no shame in it.

[deicider]

[Cardinal looks at Emet-Selch like he is an alien and totally stalls out on a response for a long moment.]

I'm not- [and then, trying a different sentence:] It doesn't- [stopping again.]

[One more time.] I'm taking this at an appropriate level. How - how else should I be taking it? [Their tone is trying for reasonable and rhetorical and landing somewhere in "I don't know if I'm allowed to be asking this question".]

[firstworldproblem]

[At that expression, he takes a moment to reflect.]

Now, I wonder if I'm seeing specters and ghosts where there are none. Mayhaps I am more rattled than I originally thought.

[He looks up at Cardinal.]

I do believe I've been unknowingly unkind to you. I do not mean to judge, dictate or belittle your actions and feelings.

[deicider]

[¿¿¿¿???

Cardinal looks like they're trying not to look confused.]

You're allowed to.

[firstworldproblem]

Allowed perhaps, but I do not wish to.

[He laughs.]

I've had a rough realization recently. It has left me little more upset than normal. However, you do seem a bit more upset yourself.

[Goes to touch them.]

Forgive me for checking.

[deicider]

You haven't ever treated me unfairly.

[Cardinal says firmly. They're tense, but they don't move away from being touched. They just look like they're not sure what to do, watching for a cue.]

[firstworldproblem]

[He doesn't have CR check!]

Did you not say earlier that at times when you get emotional, your feint gets away from you? I simply had to check.

[Pulls his hand back.]

[deicider]

[Ears go red a bit.]

That was a game effect, not a habit!

[firstworldproblem]

It seems I've misunderstood. Well, that is good to know.

[deicider]

Please don't say things like that, if it happens to anyone, it will be me.

[Before Cardinal's life goes further out of control,]

You were saying, a realization. [again like they're trying not to sound hesitant.]

[firstworldproblem]

You do enjoy your thrills. Not that I blame you.

My most promising avenue for Rejoining has fallen through. A path of lesser bloodshed. But it cannot work if all are not in alignment.

[deicider]

There's no chance...?

[firstworldproblem]

Outside of wishing someone in the Production away. Or being very clever to get rid of them, but if the tracks were not perfectly cleansed another piece would fall out of place.

[deicider]

[tips their head mildly.]

That seems like a surmountable problem.

[firstworldproblem]

It is too risky to try now even if it was. Easily would I be identified or accused with no evidence.

'Tis a proposition that must wait.

[deicider]

[Cardinal nods.]

It's must be hard, to have it so close.

[firstworldproblem]

We were hardly near its completion, but it was the most promising path. It is truly regrettable and has been plaguing my mind of late.

And has put me in a sour mood besides. So I might have been more harsh in my judgements.

[deicider]

[glances at him, observing him.]

You keep going easy on me.

[firstworldproblem]

That's because I like you. I see no reason to be upset.

Though I am beginning to feel I do see a side of you that most others do not. Where some would see overbearingly righteous, I see an idealist.

[deicider]

[Cardinal seems to have finally relaxed back to normal emoting. They rub a hand briefly over their face.]

An ineffective idealist.

[firstworldproblem]

You foe is quite at an advantage. Consider it a setback.

And perhaps your reach is too broad. I doubt all of us could come together, but perhaps you could make a small pocket and call it your own.

[deicider]

You're right. I'm trying, but... [Cardinal makes a noise, amused but with a bitter edge.]

My reach used to be the whole world. [They flex their hand, fingers spreading out.] Now it feels like I'm missing a limb.

[firstworldproblem]

The laws of reality have changed for you. For everyone. Perhaps you simply need to grow a few extra set of limbs to replace the ones you've lost.