audience: aventurine

[mygod]

Comments

[mygod]

The purpose of the machine was to be able to open an access point to an area away from the cult's eyes. It already wasn't ready by the time of the explosion, as the magical components that some of us aren't used to working with would've made travel back and forth near impossible from the way that your being would need to be unmade and remade in the transition. One of our tests went awry and Death paid the price, though these discoveries are also useful.

[ group projects are hard. anyway, ]

We still have the parts, though we haven't been working on rebuilding that just yet since we were searching for other avenues that wouldn't risk blowing one of us up.

[tactic]

Nehan—uh.

[ Him like do you guys even know your names. ]

Death thinks that the explosion is what's causing all these dimensions to appear. We could try looking for ways to control them? See if it's possible to open up certain ones, kind of like what your original plan was.

[mygod]

Call him what you need to. I know his name.

[ but titles are easier for famine to reach for ]

We can make another attempt without powering it up enough to run into another explosion, I suppose. We'll need to order the parts again, but it's not an impossible course of action.

[tactic]

Worth a try, right? Let's exhaust every option available.

[ And then, in a lighter tone, ]

And if one of you dies again, it's not so bad on this side.

[mygod]

[ a beat. normally famine would be willing to go along with the joke but, ]

I understand what you are saying from a place of efficiency.

[ dying isn't that bad, because it isn't true death. it keeps going. they might even be safer on the other side. ]

However, do not let this safety net numb you to the worth of anyone's life, including yours.

[tactic]

[ A soft exhale that could almost be a laugh. ]

I keep having to be reminded of that, don't I?

[ Back home, now here. ]

You don't have to worry about me. I have every intention of finding a way back.

[mygod]

Well now you're just flattering yourself.

[ okay rude ]

[tactic]

Look at what I have to resort to when you won't do it for me.

[mygod]

I'll give you praise that you earn, if you want it so badly.

[ it will probably still come with mockery but it's fine ]

Flattery would just be insulting.

[tactic]

If you say so.

[ The insults are familiar too. ]

How have you been, Famine?

[mygod]

Annoyed, exhausted, though at least I've decided to show my face to a few people.

[ are they bringing this up just to taunt aventurine? maybe ]

[tactic]

[ HELLO? ]

What? Why?

[ WHAT ABOUT HIM ]

[mygod]

[ well. ]

Technically I'm maskless currently, though you can't tell.

[ lol voice only ]

[tactic]

I can't believe this... I asked so nicely before, too.

[ This is annoying... He does not want to drink his own medicine. ]

[mygod]

Did you? Was that nicely?

[ 'what's under the mask'...... ok ]

[tactic]

I guess it doesn't matter now...

[ He'll NEVER KNOW! ]

[mygod]

Giving up so soon?

[ amused at first, then more certain: ]

We'll meet again.

[tactic]

Will you take off your mask then?

[mygod]

I may resist if it means annoying you.

[ plainly.... aventurine tried so hard to be annoying and famine is petty and will be the same in return

that said, ]

Ultimately, being duplicitous doesn't suit me. I'd rather meet you all straightforwardly anyway.

[tactic]

[ A small laugh. ]

I'll consider it an incentive.

[mygod]

Odd motivations.

[ point blank. there is a pause, almost like famine is weighing the wisdom of asking but: ]

And you?

[ how has.... aventurine.... been..... ]

[tactic]

[ PIKASHOCK ]

And me what?

[ He wants to HEAR IT. ]

[mygod]

I see you're prone to pushing your luck, Gambler.

[tactic]

Makes things more exciting, don't you think?

[ hehe ]

Come on. It won't kill you to say it.

[mygod]

No, but I do wonder if you would enjoy the attention too much.

[ there is silence, like famine is still resisting

but honestly they're too straightforward to refrain for much longer ]

Are you well? Uninjured?