LUCAS.

[tactic]

this is just a placeholder

Comments

[faithkept]

It was only in jest! Throwing a demonic bible into a fire with equally demonic runes written around it may very well have horrible effects.

[A normal fire, on the other hand!]

[tactic]

We could take some of the fire from the pyre. That wouldn't have demonic runes on it.

[ It would just come from demonic runes. ]

[faithkept]

[Maybe the fire will become less demonic if it's separated from its demonic core...]

Hm... Or, we could simply start a fire elsewhere without involving the pyre?

[STOP TRYING TO BURN THE EVIL BIBLE.

Oh yeah, while he's contemplating this, a word finally projects over the collar of his fancy white shirt. It just says Nadia.]

[tactic]

[ Bonds over stupid ideas...

But Aventurine's gaze flits over to the collar of Lucas' shirt, and then there's a moment's pause before he has to ask, ]

Would you rather I ignore the words that come across you?

[faithkept]

[Hopefully they do burn it and get megacursed.

There's a little sound of surprise at that, though, and he glances down at himself but he cannot see something on his own collar.]

Oh... Has something appeared? [HE HATES THIS ACTUALLY. WHAT IF HIS OWN ALSO SAYS MURDERER FOR SOME REASON AND THEN HE'LL LOOK LIKE A DOOF FOR STARING AT AVENTURINE'S.] ...I suppose you can ask, if you have questions. I ought to have asked you the same, earlier.

[Said in a note of gentle apology, even though he feels like Aventurine was okay with him not saying anything.]

[tactic]

[ You could call Aventurine a slur and he'd bounce back.

But since he has permission... ]

You've got "Nadia" on your collar there. [ Points. ] I'm assuming a name?

[faithkept]

[AVENTURINE PLEASE.]

Oh! [OH HIS NADIA. He places a hand against his collar, a bit reflexively.] It is, yes. Nadia is my little sister.

[tactic]

[ SISTER MENTION

Aventurine freezes, suddenly self-conscious of the possibility of something similar appearing on his own body, but he quickly recovers. ]

Is she... okay?

[faithkept]

[SISTER MENTION!!!!!

Aventurine can now live in fear knowing that he may be next... There's a little bit of thinness in his smile, but:]

She's doing better.

[tactic]

[ That is such a scary answer, but it could be worse!! IT COULD BE SO MUCH WORSE. ]

What happened to her? If you don't mind me asking, of course.

[faithkept]

[IT REALLY COULD BE!!!!

In any case he's going to look back on this conversation when a few other people ask him about his sister tomorrow and wish everyone could have the same level of tact Aventurine has.]

She was unwell for a time. [Not the sick sister. A little wryly:] Even when the immediate danger has passed, it's impossible to stop worrying.

[Or being afraid.]

[tactic]

[ He can be a real pain in the ass sometimes but at least he has EQ!!!

Anyway, this mood drop is crazy. Aventurine nods quietly, some part of him pained, but he musters up a small smile. ]

Well, I'm glad she's doing better. And I hope you can see her again soon.

[faithkept]

[WELCOME TO MG!!!!

Lucas is grappling with this mood drop and preparing to toss it away like a frisbee though, because he hates 1) being the center of a conversational topic and 2) being responsible for bringing down the vibes. None of that here!!]

Thank you very much. I hope for the same, especially in that it would mean an end to our trial here.

[tactic]

[ He senses it... ]

We can go back to talking about burning the cursed Bible.

[faithkept]

And get the both of us in trouble with our esteemed kidnappers?

[Yeah time to burn the bible!! Except, he like. Hesitates for a second. And then:]

...I take it the word you've been given is one you don't wish to discuss.

[tactic]

[ Just... sighs. ]

Lay it on me. What does it say?

[faithkept]

It's very pointedly saying you've taken lives.

[He won't call Aventurine a murderer to his face... that says he's a murderer.]

[tactic]

[ HUH... It could have been worse! ]

Oh, that's not so bad.

[faithkept]

[Yeah! It could have been his own sister lore, whatever that apparently is!]

...It isn't?

[tactic]

[ HMMM... Since Lucas was so forthcoming about his sister, Aventurine won't just brush this aside. ]

That was a long time ago... It was something necessary for my survival.

[faithkept]

[He is SO CLEARLY itching to ask more, but he also feels like "hey so why was it necessary to do a murder" isn't a great question to pitch to someone you've known for like two whole days.]

I'm sorry that you found yourself in such a situation... And so young, too.

[BABY AVENTURINE MURDERER.]

[tactic]

[ Now THIS he will wave aside. ]

It's fine. It's hardly a passing thought these days.

[ Which is obviously untrue considering it keeps showing up on his body. ]

Though I suppose it helps us get to know a little bit more about each other.

[faithkept]

[It's okay he's not going to point that out at ALL because he is 1) too polite and 2) doesn't want to acknowledge the truth of it for himself either.]

I wonder what the intention is... Unfortunately, I can't help but paint every aspect of this place in a concerning light, given the nefarious end goal.

[tactic]

I think that's the smartest thing you can do. My first thought was that this was meant to fracture us, but people have been more understanding than I'd initially given them credit for.

[ Everyone in this place (minus some people) are so good wtf. ]

[faithkept]

[you can say karma

His smile at that is faint but fond because unfortunately he's the type of idiot who gets attached quickly.]

Many here are kind and thoughtful, and will withhold judgment without understanding. It's not a terrible thing, though it's concerning in its own way.

[Why did the cultists choose the happy friendship group for their sacrifice!!!!]