summonthesuit | IC Inbox

So I've been told.

[By Marco and Reira in particular, their concern at his occasionally flippant attitude obvious.]

You must understand that I am not alone. If I lose some important memory, some vital part of myself in death — then Doppio will be there to remind me of who I am. If, by chance, I lose something worth forgetting, then there is no harm done. There, I believe, is more to gain here than there is to lose.

[Diavolo's tail flicks. There's the slightest trace of annoyance at the way Steven denies him, but he attempts to push it down.]

But ... if it is your desire that I not interfere, then I will not press.

[There's the lightest flicker of a smile, just a quick twitch of the lips, at the mention that Doppio will remind Diavolo of who he is. There's no guarantee that Doppio will be around in this place as long as is needed, but Steven hopes he will be. The notion of having someone there to keep you grounded... It's nice. Better than Steven's own tactic of writing everything important to him down in journals.]

It's... fine if you interfere. I just don't want it to come at the cost of your life, is all. That's just a bloody waste, innit? But if it turns out you can talk some sense into them- [His hand moves gingerly to his chest, fingers lingering above his heart.] Or you're powerful enough to keep them from causing harm... Then yeah. Go for it. Whatever it takes.

[And he does mean whatever it takes.]

Then, with your permission, Steven ... I will do my best. To communicate if I can, and to defend myself if I can't.

[This was not remotely the point of their meeting — but it is so much better than any of his original intentions.]

If I am correct ... then the two of you have something incredibly precious. I would hate to see that go to waste.

[Something precious, huh? Now that's bittersweet. He had something precious with Marc, even if at first he'd been suspicious. Maybe it's the same here. Maybe he's misunderstanding just what sort of person this hypothetical other would be.

Even though his brow is still set in a painful frown, he manages to send a smile Diavolo's way.]

Thanks. ...Really. It's hard to find folks who get it. But I reckon you have experience with this sort of thing, yeah? [He is, of course, referring to Doppio and Cervo, unaware of how deep this thing really goes.]

Is it so obvious? [Diavolo returns a solemn smile. It does not occur to him that Steven would know of the deer and his connection to Doppio. Cervo is too secretive, too quiet. What remains of his coffee is getting cold by now; he takes a quick sip before continuing.

A few short months ago, he wouldn't dare reveal such a secret. But circumstances have changed. Doppio knows, now, and so do the others from their world. Here he has an opportunity to share a little, to commiserate, to speak to someone who understands. What can he do but take it?]

I was once the same as you. Or, perhaps more accurately ... I may have been closer to the other you mentioned — the one from home.

[He what- Steven's eyes widen a little, his fingers running along the side of his coffee mug. Diavolo's like Marc? Does that mean he's the oldest in a system? Or the one with true memories? The one who would always jump in to take over from someone who was unaware it was even happening? ...All of that?]

Oh... I didn't think... [He shakes his head. It's nice to meet someone else like him- like Marc- but he shouldn't be happy about it. They're in the same predicament.] Sorry. That means you're missing someone important now, right?

[A little mix; nearly all of the above.]

No need to apologize. I confess that it is sometimes ... lonely, in this body by myself, but I have had time to grow accustomed to it. But, no, I would not say I am that missing him just yet. [Another sip, to finish the rest of the cup.] It has only been a few hours since we last parted, after all.

He's here?

[There's a twinge of jealousy, just out of reflex. He remembers how much he'd wanted Marc here, how conflicted he felt when it did happen and how much it hurt when Marc vanished again. He should be happy for Diavolo, but at the same time, he's on edge about it.]

[The change in tone is noticed.]

Mm. He arrived here first, all alone for nearly two years before I would join him. It's a miserable thing to think about. We, I think, were not meant to bear life alone. Not he and I ... and not you and yours.

[Two years... Steven can't even imagine. He's only been here for about six months, himself. But maybe he'd had his one chance already and he lost it. Maybe he'd done something wrong, or maybe it was just bad luck.

He stares down at the table, his voice getting progressively softer and shakier as he speaks.]

Marc was here before. That's his name- Marc. Got here two months after I did. Lucky, right? Except... It only lasted for about two weeks. Maybe three. I wasn't... I wasn't home when he left. Because of... That old mining town. I was sent there and he... He wasn't.

Oh. I am... deeply sorry to hear that.

[It's hard to find words to describe the wave of sympathy he feels. "Sorry" doesn't feel like nearly enough. It's empty and meaningless, but it will have to do for now.]

Nothing can truly replace what you have lost. But ... you must press forward. You were not meant to be alone ... and so you are not. Someone is already here to fill the void left behind in his absence. It is a wonderful thing.

[He's meddling, he knows, in business he has no right being in. If the roles were reversed, if it were a stranger explaining him to Doppio, the conversation would have ended in blood within the minute. But, more than the urge not to interfere, he is driven by something else. The desire to connect, perhaps.]

[A wonderful thing... It's so strange to hear someone describe it like that, and yet, it fills him with gratitude and hope. He's reminded of Marc's little speech outside the Gates of Osiris. "You are the only real superpower I ever had". If Marc has that power, maybe Steven has it too.

His fingers are still fiddling with the coffee cup, but he's steadied himself enough to meet Diavolo's gaze again.]

Thanks. I needed to hear that, I think. Makes me wish it is true, just so I can... I dunno, try and get an actual connection, I s'pose.

I have the highest of hopes for you both.

[Smiles are always so out of place on his face. The look he gives Steven in turn is meant to be something softly reassuring, but the mood doesn't quite carry to his eyes. There's an intensity there that does not waver.

He'll meet the other someday, track them down and pull them into a conversation. But, for now, they are silent. Incapable of speech entirely, perhaps, if they are anything like Cervo. And so, for now, the only people in this entire cafe who are relevant are Diavolo and Steven. And, admittedly ... Diavolo has been neglecting to pay attention to one of them.

That realization is somewhat unnerving. He's almost ashamed when it strikes him that he was so badly distracted by the glimmer of potential within Steven that he failed to focus on the man himself.]

Was there anything else you wished to speak about? I ... lost sight of my initial reasons for approaching you.

[Intensity or no, Steven does consider the sentiment reassuring. Someone who gets it having high hopes for the situation... It's just nice. It makes him feel heard and understood. It gives him hope in turn. That's why a faint smile dawns on his own face.

But the question causes him to blink, as if he's being startled out of reverie.]

Oh! Uhh... I dunno, I'm just happy to chat with another Naphil, really. I think I've been here long enough to get a handle of the... The lifestyle so to speak, but there's still little differences between two folks of the same monster type, yeah? I mean, just look at all the wings you've got. That's real impressive.

IC Inbox | Ryslig

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welcome to diavolo's wild theorizing and worldviews based on a sample size of 1

Amazing! Beautiful!

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WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, HASNOFEAR. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 13.15.15.14 * HASNOFEAR has joined 13.15.15.14 <HASNOFEAR>** Hello! This is Steven Grant! If you need something, just leave me a message and I'll get back to you asap!