audience: aventurine

[mygod]

Comments

[tactic]

Looking for something in particular?

[mygod]

You do realize how asking goes against the sentiment, no?

And if I were to say that I seek only the truth?

[tactic]

[ A short huff of breath. ]

Then you'd be wasting your time trying to seek it from me.

[mygod]

[ laughs ]

Admitting you are a liar is a truth.

[ they don't sound upset about it, more amused than anything ]

[tactic]

Not only that. I don't know what I am or what I'm not.

[ He used to think he was worthless but now he's not so sure?? ]

[mygod]

[ bursts into tears AVENTURINE MY FAVORITE BOTTOM IN THE WHOLE LAND

famine is unmoved but listen they're wrong ]

Why is this not the first time I'm hearing this....

What makes it uncertain? Do you not know yourself?

[tactic]

[ remembers reading this in bed at midnight and being clocked across the face ]

I'm in the process of deciding who I am.

[mygod]

[ 🥺🥺🥺 ]

Oh? And who would you like to be?

[tactic]

[ He smiles softly, a thoughtful expression coming over his gaze as he gives his response some thought. It feels silly, sharing something like this with a complete stranger, but he's done it before. ]
 
... Someone who, when my journey comes to an end, can look back and think that my life was one worth living.

[mygod]

[ this is so sad he dies later tonight who could do this ]

What would your measure be to determine that? [ tilts head ] Wealth, legacy, love? Something else?

[tactic]

[ WHO COULD DO THIS ]

I guess that's what I'm trying to figure out for myself.

[mygod]

[ who could do this..... ]

What has your life been filled with thus far? Process of elimination is an available strategy.

[tactic]

[ Oh boy........... ]

Gambling, mostly. Chasing after higher stakes, and then higher ones after that.

[mygod]

[ they aren't entirely surprised given aventurine's whole motif but still ]

Oh? Adrenaline chasing? Did you enjoy it, or were you simply good at it?

[tactic]

[ HMMMMMMM ruins this ]

You're really trying to get to know me.

[mygod]

[ shrugs ]

I now find myself curious.

[ tilts head ]

I did not think that would be the question that would spook you.

[tactic]

[ Aventurine like MY WALLS... builds them higher. ]

Maybe I didn't think it was fair. I know so little about you, after all.

[mygod]

[ they raise a hand, counting off their gloved fingers silently for a moment ]

You may ask... three questions. If I decline to answer, you may change your question.

[ famine asked 6 so they said aventurine gets half ]

[tactic]

[ you are so stingy ]

Let's start off easy with the first question. How old are you?

[ shakes ]

[mygod]

[ yuul you are so afraid it's so funny ]

26. [ a beat ] And older than you.

[ how do they know this ]

[tactic]

[ LETS OUT MY BREATH SO HARD I START COUGHING

Anyway. He is mystified by the second part, but he's already got another question in mind. ]

How long have you been with the cult that brought us here?

[mygod]

[ HELPPPPP AAAAAA I SHOULD'VE SAID 16 no.... you're safe... ]

Hmm... A few months now?

[tactic]

[ ONLY A FEW MONTHS... He looks taken aback by that, but okay. ]

... What was your life like before joining the cult?

[mygod]

[ they cross their arms and tilt their head, thinking on their answer ]

... Complete. Dull.

I was between personal projects, and had no new challenges left. Only mountains of paperwork for red tape that I didn't care to uphold. My life's work was finished and no one needed me for anything in particular. I actually think I was becoming a crutch that was hindering their growth the longer I stayed, because people will always rely on the powerful and familiar instead of exploring what they can become.

So I left when the opportunity for something new and interesting came up.

[tactic]

[ ............ Huh. ]

You remind me of someone I know.