IC Inbox 2 (Imeeji)

[firstworldproblem]

Comments

[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.

[firstworldproblem]

With the way you are melting, can you really disagree? And it isn't only my enjoyment, but watching all of you get the moment of relaxation that you deserve.

Good. That would be an exercise in madness. Though I daresay you are carving your own space. Perhaps in time you can widen it, but at least for the moment you can pick and improvise in the section you have made.

[deicider]

I'm just following the instructions of my dear, wise mentor.

[They turn a little until they find one of Emet-Selch's fingers to kiss.]

I just hate that nothing has changed. This is not however I want you to see humans. But I recognize that trying to engineer that through games simply isn't going to. work.

[firstworldproblem]

At least your old mentor still has a few tricks up his sleeve.

[He smiles softly at that before gently washing out their hair ensuring he doesn't get anything in their eyes.]

I wouldn't say nothing. Take BARiTONES for example. We were a mess when I joined, but we have come together in our own. Now doing that on a community level is much more difficult. And games are engineered for the opposite of your goals.

Besides, you give me hope for humans. Almost more than anyone.

[deicider]

[Hums.]

Yes. I recognized avante would never help anyone so long as we were so divided. But it took a long time to get even this far, and units are in flux do much. These days I'm not even sure about most of the other units' internal political. People don't want to be lumped in with their units but in truth, if unit identity were stronger people wouldn't feel like crap about everything.

[They're going to guess Five beats them in that category, which they can live with. It's still very high praise. Cardinal catches one of Emet-Selch's hand and squeezes it.]

I want to give you much more than that.

[firstworldproblem]

But you are making progress with Avante, and you know as well as I that these things take time. The units do also seem to be in flux at the moment. We will see how it all turns out.

[Five is technically immortal so he gets lumped in with Lahabrea actually. No competition with Cardinal for mortal lifespan.]

Do you think I would invite just anyone to Amaurot?

[He pauses joking.]

Absinthe aside.

[deicider]

[It's better than bursting into tears but Cardinal's pulse still flutters when Emet-Selch mentions it, a physical ache squeezing their chest.]

... No, I don't think that. [They swallow a bit, sinking deeper into the water.] ... I can still barely think about it. But I have considering more, if I can't go back to my world, how I can keep honoring its values.

[firstworldproblem]

[He kisses the top of their head.]

No matter where you go, you will honor it. And you will honor the spirit of your Bash as well. That simply the type of person you are, Cardinal Chases Dawn.