AUDIENCE FOR: Emet-Selch

[guestservices]

Comments

[guestservices]

So, sounds like you've got to find those qualities in other people here.

[ they tilt their head back for a moment. though the veil is completely opaque and shows nothing, emet can see they have a small pin on their collar, shaped like a sun that i definitely forgot to mention the first tag here. ]

Think you've already started doing that, too. Least, as far as I've watched.

Trust is a two way street, though. Them being persistent, that's one thing, but you gotta let them in, too. Yeah? Can't just expect whoever it is to run to you the whole time and you take the one step towards them to meet in the middle.

You're getting close to Lup, right? Think there might be anyone else that fits those qualifications?

[ktiseos]

I do not see what business it is of yours, whether I do or not.

[he mutters, turning to look out over the water. the pin doesn't go unnoticed, but-- it's not a symbol that's easy to look at, not in a place like this.

they'd love everyone. it'd kill them, to see them die.]

Or my opinions of others, for that matter.

[guestservices]

See, you're doing it to me right now.

[ their tone is fairly easy as they say this, a little wry. ]

Think of it this way. I'm anonymous, yeah? Someone who sees all your interactions, but doesn't know you well enough to make any judgements. You also can't see my face, so you can't tell if I'm making a face about it. [ teasingly. ] I make a good wall to talk to!

Besides. I'm pretty - [ there's a beat, and emet can probably hear them grin. ] Emotionally intelligent, if I say so myself. Advising's my thing.

[ktiseos]

I do not believe for a moment that you shall make no judgments.

[he says, his tone SO dry.]

But I've no need of your advice, regardless.

[guestservices]

[ they laugh, and it’s genuine. ]

Fine, fine. But, hey! You did say you liked persistent people! Just saying!

[ktiseos]

Mayhap so. But I do not desire, as you put it-- a wall to talk to.

[guestservices]

[ hmmmm. they tilt their head, bird like. ]

What do you desire?

[ktiseos]

Naught which you could provide.

[guestservices]

Probably not.

[ a beat: ] Can try, though.

[ktiseos]

I expect there is too much you either cannot or would not say of yourself for that.

[given that as a whole they came off unwilling to say too much about themselves.

the anonymity doesn't really help, when he'd rather hear things like this from someone he's actually gotten to know.]

[guestservices]

That's pretty likely, too.

[ there's a little bit of sympathy in their voice; they turn their head, and gaze out at the water for a minute. thoughtful, if a little melancholy - and after a moment, it's their turn to cough up a petal, though they catch it rather deftly down their sleeve. ]

Thinking about him again? Your hostage.

[ktiseos]

...among others.

[it's fine. the petal coughing is mutual, though emet also quickly gets rid of it.]

[guestservices]

[ this time, they do not try to perceive. ]

What would they say? In this situation. Any of the people you're thinking about.

[ktiseos]

...I do not think they would disagree with you, which is, frankly, highly annoying.

[guestservices]

[ help they snort ]

Yeah? Sounds like I'd like this guy.

[ktiseos]

Everyone seems to.

[it's a little fond.]

[guestservices]

[ that's gay

this time, the teasing returns, but it's mild. ] You sure seem to.

[ktiseos]

...that is why he is my hostage, I am sure.

[another cough. an olive petal slips free.]

I cannot-- I refuse to allow any harm to come to him.

[guestservices]

[ aw, buddy.

they continue not to perceive it. or, well, they probably perceived but they're being polite. they've pulled one of their own petals from earlier, maybe? it's of a yellowish color. either way, they're just absently tearing it into little pieces as they talk. ]

Mm. Host likes to hit where it hurts. [ so, that makes sense. ] Iunno this guy, but, he'd probably tell you not to let any harm come to you either. Just a hunch.

[ktiseos]

I know. And I know, despite what that message last Sunday said, he would not wish for me to go to such lengths to protect him.

[still. if it was someone else or vax...]

[guestservices]

Probably not.

[ a little shrug of their shoulders. the petal tearing continues. ] Are you thinking about doing so, anyway?

[ktiseos]

... I do not desire to leap to it, no.

[but. along those lines.]

Do you have any idea of what happens to them, if we should die?

[guestservices]

... you can probably guess.

[ mm. they fold their arms as they toss the last of the petal to the wind. ] It's in the contract.

[ktiseos]

The one I do not recall in full, naturally.

[local bureaucrat Will remain annoyed about this, thank you!]

[guestservices]

[ they

just kind of look at him

for a long moment. ]