![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
You have no ground to limit the kind of payment I would request.
[He says, a little sharply.]
So perhaps you should cause sadness in another.
[He says, a little sharply.]
So perhaps you should cause sadness in another.
[His whole body turns stock still, numb.
His greatest shame.
The silence of Sorrow's temple turns damning the longer he takes to answer. Come on Danse, this isn't hard. His greatest shame? He's got plenty to pick from. A lifetime of bad choices, each one a source of shame. But if he boiled it down to just one, to the source of everything that's gone wrong...well. That's easy, isn't it?
Everything went wrong because of him. Because of his existence. Because--...]
...I failed to execute myself when I found out that I am a synth. I am a mockery of the human race. Technology gone wrong. A traitor to the Brotherhood and everything it stood for. But when I should have pulled the trigger, I ran. I was confused. I couldn't think. My instincts told me to survive, so my legs carried me away.
[His voice is toneless, distant, almost like he's reciting facts rather than his deepest darkest secret. Expression blank and devoid of emotion. But just look into his eyes, Sorrow. Gazing into the past, staring at every painful memory and reminder. Hollowed out with guilt and despair, with self-loathing and hurt and yes, shame.]
Because I failed to adhere to the code, the Brotherhood of Steel was destroyed by the very woman I sponsored into their ranks. My brothers and sisters died. Arthur and Haylen died. I invalidated every sacrifice made by those who threw down their lives for the Brotherhood's cause. The enemy we set out to defeat become the ultimate masters of the Commonwealth.
And yet I am still alive.
His greatest shame.
The silence of Sorrow's temple turns damning the longer he takes to answer. Come on Danse, this isn't hard. His greatest shame? He's got plenty to pick from. A lifetime of bad choices, each one a source of shame. But if he boiled it down to just one, to the source of everything that's gone wrong...well. That's easy, isn't it?
Everything went wrong because of him. Because of his existence. Because--...]
...I failed to execute myself when I found out that I am a synth. I am a mockery of the human race. Technology gone wrong. A traitor to the Brotherhood and everything it stood for. But when I should have pulled the trigger, I ran. I was confused. I couldn't think. My instincts told me to survive, so my legs carried me away.
[His voice is toneless, distant, almost like he's reciting facts rather than his deepest darkest secret. Expression blank and devoid of emotion. But just look into his eyes, Sorrow. Gazing into the past, staring at every painful memory and reminder. Hollowed out with guilt and despair, with self-loathing and hurt and yes, shame.]
Because I failed to adhere to the code, the Brotherhood of Steel was destroyed by the very woman I sponsored into their ranks. My brothers and sisters died. Arthur and Haylen died. I invalidated every sacrifice made by those who threw down their lives for the Brotherhood's cause. The enemy we set out to defeat become the ultimate masters of the Commonwealth.
And yet I am still alive.
Edited 2017-03-17 09:00 (UTC)
[On the other side of the feed, Glacius' one intact mandible tucks tightly against the side of his face, the alien equivalent of a human tightening their jaw. His initial reaction would be to outright object, but he suspects that might this surpisingly temperamental god more sullen... so instead he decides to play along for now. If Sorrow requests something beyond the bounds of what he is willing to do, he can always decide he's not going to play along; the marshal may be willing to suck down his pride to some degree, but he's not one to let himself be bullied, or to have his morals stripped.] Just tell me what you had in mind... though if you wish to get the chance to sap from a will more powerful than any human's, I suggest you at least keep my terms on yours.
...interesting.
[Is all that he feels the need to say about that. It's not an uncommon theme that he's seen from humanity so far- shame in living, guilt and regret over being alive or somehow failing to die. It's a sentiment that he can't quite comprehend, but it's starting to help him shape his idea of these people, who hold so many things over their own lives.
He considers it for a moment, the desperation, how it seems to be viewed as cowardice... and then nods, accepting the offering.]
Very well. Your plants will grow, and they will be free from your poison. Do you require anything else of me?
[Is all that he feels the need to say about that. It's not an uncommon theme that he's seen from humanity so far- shame in living, guilt and regret over being alive or somehow failing to die. It's a sentiment that he can't quite comprehend, but it's starting to help him shape his idea of these people, who hold so many things over their own lives.
He considers it for a moment, the desperation, how it seems to be viewed as cowardice... and then nods, accepting the offering.]
Very well. Your plants will grow, and they will be free from your poison. Do you require anything else of me?
Your emotion is inevitable. You think yourself a great warrior, but everything bows to me in the end.
[His tone is final, cold, though without any hint of anger. But, whether it's due to Hopes repeated insistence to try to coexist with these people, or if Sorrow simply has plans for Glacius that require not being on his permanent shit list, he relents, if only slightly.]
Scrub off the paint on my temple. One of you thought fit to decorate it, and I am in no mood for frivolity.
[His tone is final, cold, though without any hint of anger. But, whether it's due to Hopes repeated insistence to try to coexist with these people, or if Sorrow simply has plans for Glacius that require not being on his permanent shit list, he relents, if only slightly.]
Scrub off the paint on my temple. One of you thought fit to decorate it, and I am in no mood for frivolity.
Sadness is a part of life. Just because we experience it does not lessen us.[Or mean that they have bowed to anyone, but Glacius bites back the immediate urge to respond with that, understanding that same thing that Sorrow has when it comes to not making unnecessary enemies... especially when said potential enemy seems to posses the ability to warp the environment and even their minds to his will to elicit the emotion for which he was named. He is also simply surprised that the god has relented in any way--it has tempered him somewhat.]
It shall be summarily removed. Shall I send you the references and notes before or after the completion of this task?
It shall be summarily removed. Shall I send you the references and notes before or after the completion of this task?
Not to take any thunder from Delight-- [Too soon?] --but got to thinking over the last few days...
Managing the bar wasn't so bad. Actually, um. Sort of liked it? Would like to keep it going, but the only problem is a lack of supplies and some equipment and stuff. Was also thinking of something less like a bar and more of a stage lounge, for anyone who's more musically inclined. [Unlike Rey and, well -- more like her girlfriend. Maybe.]
In return, it'd be helpful to you as well. You wouldn't have to manage it, and we can provide all the brew once we have everything we need. Alcohol is a depressant, too. Not that it makes you sad, but if you drink while in a certain mood, it tends to heighten that emotion. So with the right atmosphere, right music, right disposition...
It's a win-win, really.
Managing the bar wasn't so bad. Actually, um. Sort of liked it? Would like to keep it going, but the only problem is a lack of supplies and some equipment and stuff. Was also thinking of something less like a bar and more of a stage lounge, for anyone who's more musically inclined. [Unlike Rey and, well -- more like her girlfriend. Maybe.]
In return, it'd be helpful to you as well. You wouldn't have to manage it, and we can provide all the brew once we have everything we need. Alcohol is a depressant, too. Not that it makes you sad, but if you drink while in a certain mood, it tends to heighten that emotion. So with the right atmosphere, right music, right disposition...
It's a win-win, really.
That isn't my only role, but it's something that I offer.
Before. It will give me time to experiment.
[Short and to the point, not bothering to argue with the first statement. He is what he is- and Glacius is something else. Arguing semantics would get them nowhere.]
[Short and to the point, not bothering to argue with the first statement. He is what he is- and Glacius is something else. Arguing semantics would get them nowhere.]
You're saying that I would take up Delight's position in supplying the bar, in exchange for no more power than I was already given when the bar was previously open?
[He's not being harsh, but the proposition isn't quite as appealing to him as it could be. If they have a location and management then it wouldn't nearly be the investment that Delight had, but the continued supply might be annoying.]
[He's not being harsh, but the proposition isn't quite as appealing to him as it could be. If they have a location and management then it wouldn't nearly be the investment that Delight had, but the continued supply might be annoying.]
it's called a golden flower.
[There's an image file attached. A fairly detailed pencil sketch of a pretty if otherwise nondescript sort of flower.]
species from the surface, back where i come from.
corollas with five to six yellow petals.
sticky seeds.
edible, too. people liked to turn 'em into tea back home.
[There's an image file attached. A fairly detailed pencil sketch of a pretty if otherwise nondescript sort of flower.]
species from the surface, back where i come from.
corollas with five to six yellow petals.
sticky seeds.
edible, too. people liked to turn 'em into tea back home.
[At least she's used to harsh. Pretty much expects it from someone like Sorrow.]
Not really. Am saying you simply supply the means for a lounge -- and allow us to be in charge of replenishing the resources with them ourselves. Self-reliance.
Unless there is something else you'd like in return.
Not really. Am saying you simply supply the means for a lounge -- and allow us to be in charge of replenishing the resources with them ourselves. Self-reliance.
Unless there is something else you'd like in return.
Very well. The plant I am requesting is known as an Oriachne's Tear, a rare, magic-bearing blossom. [Glacius pauses, trying to remember anything else Carlisle has told him about it. Thankfully, he is an attentive listener.] It usually only produces one seed when it blooms, though on rare occasions it can bear two, and the seeds are so lovely that it can be mistaken for jewelry. The seed itself is nearly the size of an egg, roughly oblate, and varies wildly in color, but is often a dark, crystalline emerald with bright violet veins. And because the bloom of the plant has magical properties, this ornate seed can be used as a cache for magic.
[The ice alien pauses once more to let all that sink in, then attaches a file on his phone. It contains elaborate scientific illustrations of the plant in question, complete with abundant notes on various details on color, texture, growing conditions, uses, and much more. The pages of the journal he's taken snapshots of look remarkably similar to the illustrations and notes provided by Carlisle earlier... probably because the drawings and notes were made by the clergyman. As such, the same knowledge and attention to detail is there, which should hopefully be quite helpful to Sorrow.] There. That is as much information on it as I currently possess. Sufficient?
[The ice alien pauses once more to let all that sink in, then attaches a file on his phone. It contains elaborate scientific illustrations of the plant in question, complete with abundant notes on various details on color, texture, growing conditions, uses, and much more. The pages of the journal he's taken snapshots of look remarkably similar to the illustrations and notes provided by Carlisle earlier... probably because the drawings and notes were made by the clergyman. As such, the same knowledge and attention to detail is there, which should hopefully be quite helpful to Sorrow.] There. That is as much information on it as I currently possess. Sufficient?
Interesting. [His voice cracks quietly, and his hands at his side clench tightly.] You think the farce that was my life is interesting!?
[He shouldn't be getting angry. There's no point in expecting these gods to completely understand how he'd work. Those at home didn't get it either. People didn't understand why he was so crushed to learn he was a synth; they knew of his hatred of synths, but they could not comprehend why he couldn't simply just accept that he was wrong about synths. Why he was so insistent that all synths were monstrosities, man's attempt at playing god gone wrong.
Nora hadn't understood either, but she had accepted that he may never be able to accept his past, or his lack of a one. Instead she tried to help him carve a better future for himself, hoping that in the process, somehow, he'd come closer to acceptance on his own.
No one else had understood. But she alone had accepted. And Danse sincerely thought he could live with that. He sincerely believed that they might've had a happy ending.
Stupid.
It really takes just the slightest crack to breakdown the wall. Danse is angry, but he's also in real anguish and pain and sadness, and it's all pouring out from him with the force of an unleashed dam. He's trying hard not to lose his temper, but damn it does Sorrow's clinical and detached manner make that hard.] Are you so devoid of the capability for empathy that the only thing you can derive from my suffering is an interesting bedtime story!?
[He shouldn't be getting angry. There's no point in expecting these gods to completely understand how he'd work. Those at home didn't get it either. People didn't understand why he was so crushed to learn he was a synth; they knew of his hatred of synths, but they could not comprehend why he couldn't simply just accept that he was wrong about synths. Why he was so insistent that all synths were monstrosities, man's attempt at playing god gone wrong.
Nora hadn't understood either, but she had accepted that he may never be able to accept his past, or his lack of a one. Instead she tried to help him carve a better future for himself, hoping that in the process, somehow, he'd come closer to acceptance on his own.
No one else had understood. But she alone had accepted. And Danse sincerely thought he could live with that. He sincerely believed that they might've had a happy ending.
Stupid.
It really takes just the slightest crack to breakdown the wall. Danse is angry, but he's also in real anguish and pain and sadness, and it's all pouring out from him with the force of an unleashed dam. He's trying hard not to lose his temper, but damn it does Sorrow's clinical and detached manner make that hard.] Are you so devoid of the capability for empathy that the only thing you can derive from my suffering is an interesting bedtime story!?
Okay!
[As soon as she sends the text, she heads off to search the stores for another sad candle. Eventually, she finds one that is a pool of wax on a plate, which looks like it was once a candle whose wax was just reheated and a new wick dipped in it for re-use. Resourceful but not pretty, a sure sign of sad times.
Faith brings this to Sorrow's temple and lights it with a pinch of the wick. Now that she knows he likes them, she comes by every few days to check on the state of the candle, a fresh one in hand for when the current one has gone out.]
[As soon as she sends the text, she heads off to search the stores for another sad candle. Eventually, she finds one that is a pool of wax on a plate, which looks like it was once a candle whose wax was just reheated and a new wick dipped in it for re-use. Resourceful but not pretty, a sure sign of sad times.
Faith brings this to Sorrow's temple and lights it with a pinch of the wick. Now that she knows he likes them, she comes by every few days to check on the state of the candle, a fresh one in hand for when the current one has gone out.]
I am not devoid of empathy.
[He corrects quietly, watching as Danse wrestles with his many emotions. There's pain there, he can feel it, but also rage, which doesn't really help him at all. No matter- he's already gotten what he wanted and the rest of this conversation would be irrelevant.
Still, it gives Sorrow a little pause, and his eyes flick downward for a moment in consideration.]
I have priorities. I cannot pour my heart into every sadness that comes my way. Your kind does not work the same way that we do- I wouldn't expect you to understand.
[But...]
Your contribution is valued. I have given you what you wanted. Is that not enough?
[He corrects quietly, watching as Danse wrestles with his many emotions. There's pain there, he can feel it, but also rage, which doesn't really help him at all. No matter- he's already gotten what he wanted and the rest of this conversation would be irrelevant.
Still, it gives Sorrow a little pause, and his eyes flick downward for a moment in consideration.]
I have priorities. I cannot pour my heart into every sadness that comes my way. Your kind does not work the same way that we do- I wouldn't expect you to understand.
[But...]
Your contribution is valued. I have given you what you wanted. Is that not enough?
I see.
[He pieces through the attachments as he considers Glacius' knowledge, carefully looking over each one.]
This will do. When you're done, there will be two of them potted on my altar.
[He pieces through the attachments as he considers Glacius' knowledge, carefully looking over each one.]
This will do. When you're done, there will be two of them potted on my altar.
You can create alcohol yourselves?
[That's interesting.]
If I didn't have to supply it, I might be more interested.
[That's interesting.]
If I didn't have to supply it, I might be more interested.
Page 5 of 14