firstworldproblem | IC Inbox (Imeeji)

Hades: Then we will meet you shortly.

[And he will meet him at the park.]

Edited 2020-09-23 15:20 (UTC)

[Old man +1 in tow]

Thanks for coming. I will not go into too many details as we are in public and there are cameras, but as I mentioned in my message, Thancred is considering putting the original agreement you had with Noah in place.

He is willing to leave us a timeline, without interfering with it, and willing to secure the cooperation of others from his world, along with cooperating himself.

I was curious at the choice in venue. But truthfully I am more curious about what changed his mind.

[He gives Five a nod but really he will just let them talk a bit while he listens.]

I have been mostly locked up relaxing in our respective rooms for the past 7 days and since I was already outside I figured this would be easier. But we can discuss further details in the coffee room at Baritones, if you would like.

That said.

It would seem his relationship with Vergil and myself was the reason for it. I have staged a couple of intervention after seeing him at particularly low points because I was unable to ignore it.

While he has reservation about you and your kind he does not want to inflict unnecessary pain on us. I won't deny the possibility that he is trying to manipulate me and the kindness I have shown him so far in order to obtain information on our plans has crossed my mind.

But I think he's sincere.

No.

[He looks less surprised in general though... A little surprised at some of that. Brushing the back of his fingers over Emet's arm briefly.]

So he feels guilty for being an ass and he's grown attached to you and Vergil--when did that happen?

I did wonder if he would change his mind with time, though I expected Noah to convince him, not you.

I did try to convince him back when I heard he wasn't willing to go through with the arrangement, but I haven't truly made any attempt since then, since it went so terribly.

I will admit it came as a surprise for myself as well, hence why I mentioned manipulation being a possibility. Even if I believe him, I will not discount the risks and I will not take any decision on my own.

Which is exactly why I shared nothing of our plans, save for what I had told him on my first attempt, regarding time travel. Something which he must have already been aware of, since he knew about the arrangement.

He did mention he would be willing to make his case to you two directly, if you would hear him, and that he'd be willing to put this all in writing with the stipulation I would be the mediator. Regardless of his reasons, I do believe it is worth listening to. With due precautions put in place — which we will not be discussing in public.

As for when our relationship grew this close — I don't know about Vergil, but like I said. I have helped him during some difficult moments.

[He's going to shove the 'Thancred is now close to Five and Vergil' in a mental box and put that on a mental shelf for a time being. Not wanting to deal with it right now. Jealousy is an ugly thing!]

I would stop you there. His reasons are the most important factor. And if the reason he's considering the proposal is because of his fondness for the two of you, then there is no reason to discuss this further. My opinion will not change.

But do not think that I still don't believe that reserving a timeline for each is the best path forward. I do believe it so.

[He pats Lahabrea's back but directions his question at Five.]

And you are quite observant and almost know my heart as well as Cosmo. Knowing that, why do you imagine I'm refusing? And yes, I am testing you.

[He frowns a little as Emet speaks but leans back, arms crossed.

Jealousy is certainly a thing and there's a lot he wants to ask but fine, he will be silent for the moment, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, not interrupting.]

Because he should be doing this for your people and those who came before, not to spare my feelings, or Vergil's. To help because of that inevitably means he's discarding their importance and worth and considering them a footnote at best, if that.

But when I say his reasons are irrelevant I do specifically mean if we can use them to our advantage.

[He does smile at his correct assessment as he looks over the other two.]

Then reply however you wish. Scheme and plot to you heart's content. Claim my opinion as you like.

I will not expend the effort for they will change their minds within the month, fickle and forgetful as they are.

[He sighs.]

We will accept their offer. I do agree with both of you. I have no trust in their constancy but I will not refuse the possibility of even one more angle at achieving our ends, another tool to our kit, no matter how likely to fail. I will simply place no faith in it.

If we must pretend to believe them then I can play the part of suspicious but accepting. Try to go along with that at least, Alexander.

[ He didn't think he was gonna fail that test because he's very confident in how well he knows Hades but it's still pleasing to see him smile and his clear approval regardless!! ]

No, I think being sincere in this case is the best approach. I have already informed him that neither of you were likely to trust him, given that he was the reason the arrangement got broken to begin with, and the actions that were taken during that dream game.

His chief concern would be preserving his home and timeline, as well as ensure you will not be beholden by your God. As I said. I did not share any of our plans, and I do believe for the time being, it is best if we don't.

A truce and a mutual agreement to not interfere with each other's plans, for the time being, should be all that we need. And if you do feel as though they've earned any amount of trust, we can work toward cooperation.

It goes without saying that I will take absolutely no step without your full knowledge and consent, and should there be developments, I would let you know. But I have informed Thancred of this as well, and I already tricked Noah once — a repeat is unlikely to happen. I do not think I would be able to obtain any relevant information from their ends either.

Then being sincere, they have offered us nothing. No truce. No path forward. If you and Vergil were to be taken by the production or graduated, would their fondness of you hold over? I highly doubt it. All that have asserted is that you are and Vergil are charming in your own ways. A fact that everyone was already clearly aware.

[Shrugging at Lahabrea.]

Not that I need to pretend anything as they do not speak to me. When I informed the Exarch of Thancred's choice he didn't even bother to reply. A further testament to how much they cared. But I will muster the strength if needed.

Edited 2020-09-23 17:25 (UTC)

You misunderstand, Five. To accept at all is to deceive, as you can see.

[He shrugs back at Emet-Selch.]

And yet I do not mind being truthful about our suspicions to a degree, they will expect that, and so our "act" of disbelief will be an act only in that it will involve any amount of an idea that we could believe.

But even to simply agree at a truce as if we have any intention of believing that it will not be broken at their earliest whim and convenience is a farce. But a farce we must play all the same, for hope ever demands it.

I want nothing to do with their schemes or spying on them. If they can make this agreement to simply return to the plans between Noah and Alexander of before than that is more than enough. Even to simply not interfere with each other's plans.

I have no intention of interfering with them, Five, and I do believe you canny enough to keep from leaking our secrets.

It is simply... Tiring. To play at their whims. Yet we will not refuse.

You simply cannot ask us to place any actual faith in it. Act as if we might warily, yes, but no more than that.

Or do you think them so enlightened they would accept a truce with an entire lack of any faith in them? I personally think that would render it moot entirely, they would grow offended as if we had no reason to treat them to such disbelief.

Edited 2020-09-23 17:41 (UTC)

Well I certainly wasn't aware of all this charm I apparently have.

[ There's something about the way Hades says it that is odd, and he's looking at him like he's a puzzle to figure out. Lahabrea's words do distract him, though, so he directs his attention toward him, quiet for a few moments as he considers their words ]

I do not want either of you to do or agree to anything you don't want regardless of how convenient it would be for our plans. While I yearn for efficiency it will not be at your expense.

I won't ask you to act or truly place any faith in them. And if you do not want to negotiate or talk with them they'll have to accept that. It's their fault the agreement fell through, to start with.

[ a pause, and then he adds ]

But I'll admit I am starting to wonder whether I am getting ahead of myself again, regarding how much I can help. I don't want to ignore your feelings.

'Tis not that we don't wish for it, but it has to be somewhat believable.

When I came at the decision to propose the solution to the Exarch it did not come at an easy conclusion. It was a realization I would let at least one timeline fall to their hands, my brethren gone forever. That they would be the shepherds of their star and, while likely it would fall to ruin, it was theirs and theirs alone. For their loved ones, for the future they would try in vain to build. To believe in them for a moment and wish for their happiness.

Truthfully I think I'm less insulted when they simply wanted us to perish in all timelines over that they've made two friends that are worth more than this entire timeline they plan to 'sacrifice' to us.

[He touches his mask like he wants to pinch the bridge of his nose.]

You are not overstepping, Five. And truthfully while I agree with Alexander in principle, I am more mercenary.

We do not have the luxury of rejecting even the slimmest and most unlikely chance at making our road even a little easier. Should they falter again, renege once more upon their agreement, which I believe they shall, then we will already be expecting it, and no loss. But if it succeeds by some miracle, it is worth putting up with one more farce upon the way.

[ he may not be overstepping but he does feel as though this may be a little beyond what he can achieve. Still. A truce is all they need so far and if they both wish to pretend they believe it, it's probably fine ]

Then I'll be informing them of your agreement to a truce, but inform them you are not particularly interested in discussing the matter with them, unless you change your minds.

Though I should specify that while Thancred did cite his fondness of us as a reason, hearing out his motives from him directly would be better. It is possible he's mentioned that as his primary motivation because I was the one he was talking to.

If they wish to discuss, 'tis fine, but they could actually talk to us rather than use you as a proxy. Another point on why this seems so terribly fleeting.

And do not think we don't appreciate you trying, Five. The fault has never been on you. I actually would be delighted if the option were truly back on the table. But I agree with Cosmo. We might as well try.

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