IC Inbox 2 (Imeeji)

[firstworldproblem]

Comments

[deicider]

Cardinal rolls their glass between their hand and then takes a drink.]

Emet-Selch. You know my preferences as far as strategy goes. I'm not going to tell you it's any better in terms of. satisfaction. Good behavior doesn't keep you from getting screwed—quite the opposite. And no one even agrees on what 'good behavior' in a game even is. Dying politely gets frowned on almost as much as playing aggressively.

The only person who needs to be satisfied with your decisions is you. Are you?

[firstworldproblem]

I do not regret my decision nor would I change it. And while I could care less what the masses at large think, being called a martyr by Levity and being blamed as if I personally selected that six units would die is a bit much, don't you think?

[deicider]

Oh... [Levity!!!] Yes. I'm sorry.

[firstworldproblem]

What are you apologizing for? You did not accuse me of such.

But I am rather sour about it.

[deicider]

I knkw it's painful.

[firstworldproblem]

[He leans over to kiss Cardinal's forehead.]

I will survive it.

Tell me. Had Baritones not played hard, do you imagine the game would have gone any better?

[deicider]

It may not have gone as worse. But you saw how easily everyone jumped... Either wqy it would have been the same. Some units quietly giving up, otherz scrambling to get ahead. Your crime was being too obvious.

[firstworldproblem]

[He laughs.]

I was worried I wouldn't be able to tell which was mine. And it seemed more fair than playing at a guessing game. Do you know how many 'sins' we have?

[deicider]

Yeah, I don't think I picked out you or Cosmo. You have almost as many as you have enemies, I suspect.

[firstworldproblem]

'Tis our fate it seems.

Now, you were quite injured in the last game. What would make your day better?

[deicider]

No, it's not.

[Cardinal is very firm with that pronouncement. They finish their drink and lightly lean against Emet-Selch.]

Since walking is a pain, just let me stay in bed with you.

[firstworldproblem]

So adamant.

[But he does close his eyes briefly with a smile, appreciating the sentiment.]

A nice warm bath for you and then staying with me. How does that sound?

[deicider]

It's the truth. It will be behind you one day.

[They raise an eyebrow.]

A bath? Alright.

[firstworldproblem]

Not without more blood, sweat, and probably tears. But we'll get there.

I thought you liked water.

[deicider]

I suppose your bathtub is a more impressive body of water than most. Are you going to come with me?

[firstworldproblem]

I'm going to be administering it. When was the last time someone washed your hair for you? Also it would be rather unkind of me to not watch over you due to your balance at present.

[deicider]

[They blink, but do seem quite perked at the prospect.]

I don't know. That does sound nice. But don't make it sound like I'm going to drown in a bathtub.

[firstworldproblem]

I'm more worried about you slipping on the tile.

[He does stand and offer a hand.]

I would carry your normally, but I don't think my back could take it.

[deicider]

[They smile and take his hand. They can get to their feet fine, they just need something to help keep them upright.]

I can minister to your back when we're done.

[firstworldproblem]

I'm sure the Production thinks very highly of themselves for compounding that problem as a game effect.

[He takes them into his room and into the bath which is exceedingly fancy thanks to Cosmo. He sits them at the edge of the tub as he runs it extra warm finding scents and oils to put in it. And when it is ready, he will help them in.]

[deicider]

[It doesn't take them long to strip for as little as they wear in the summer. It's a little weird and frustrating having to be managed, but the fact that it's Emet-Selch makes them far less on edge about it, and they resolve to relax. They sigh as the warm water surrounds their limbs, taking in a deep inhale to take in the scents.]

[firstworldproblem]

[He is trying to be as delicate about it as possible since he knows Cardinal's issue with dolls so its more of a supporting hand or arm when he can manage. And when they are fully in he will lather up their hair in another scented shampoo of some kind and begin kneading their scalp.]

[deicider]

Mm-

[Cardinal buts into his hand like a cat. The combined heat of the bath, Emet-Selch's prescence, and his long fingers stroking through their hair are a potent argument for relaxing. Soon all their thoughts about the internal and external politics of the units and how to change them simply float away.]

You were right again.

[firstworldproblem]

[He laughs lightly. And it is more of a massage than a true hair cleaning, but that is the point.]

This might be my favorite room in BARiTONES for this very reason. And I am glad to see unwinding further.

[deicider]

High praise considering you packed a small world's worth of sights in here.

It's easier these days... I still think about it all the time, but I don't feel so compelled to make everything work. It used to drive me nuts.