[ video ]

[barebacking]

[The NV sits open in his lap as he holds his gnome at his side, lightly petting its head. Shushing the creature as it continued to moan softly of its pain. It was still weakened from the battle which they had lost. His head gave a slight tilt, as he stared at what appeared only to be a book to him.]

Empty pages? [Pause, then instant surprise.] No

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[ysobritish]

[Liquid, on the other hand, is sitting on the edge of a roof, the NV in his hand. There are bandages over a few parts of his body, but he seems to be unaffected by any pain.]

You are not in Hell, stranger, nor any version of the afterlife. Read back your own sins. That is not our duty nor desire.

[The last part... he'll just be ignoring. That's more Ocelot's line of work.]

Video forever.

[barebacking]

[A soft noise, before smiling sweetly.]

Is that true? Is that how it is? You wouldn't lie to me, would you? Am I really allowed to breathe this air? Given a second chance of life? Is that what you are saying? [A slight tilt of the head as his hair falls over his face in doing so, still slightly bloodied from the battle he lost.]

Also Video forever

[ysobritish]

It appears so. Even the shadows are given life in this place.

[By which he means himself, not just the monsters.]

Everyone lies, but this is the truth. You have been granted life anew, so it seems.

[barebacking]

Even shadows? Am I not allowed to shine brightly here? [Either.]

I wonder what I had done to be given such an honor. Could everything I did be rewarded, because I did it for the greater good? You believe me, don't you? I was doing everything for someone else.

[ysobritish]

Shine as brightly as a star, if that is what you desire. It is no concern of mine.

...I could say the same thing, but in the end, our sins are our own to bear. This place brings people here regardless of sins or glories. No one knows why.

[barebacking]

I will do so. If this is my second chance, I will repair the damages within my heart. Piece them together so carefully so that even the light will shine through those splinters.

No judge? No executioner? We are merely here to live. The Gods are cruel in their whimsy. Cruel and kind.

[ysobritish]

Your heart?

Do not be surprised if others try to perform the roles of judge or executioner. They seek to emulate the worlds lost and are occasionally intolerant of differences. None of it matters if they do not have the strength required to enforce their wishes.

[barebacking]

Mm. My heart. Do you want to see it?

The strength is only measurable by one's will. Their courageous will. This world sparkles and shines so beautifully. I've never seen such wonders. [closes his eyes as he tilts his head toward the slight breeze] Even if you say it is not, this is almost the Land of the Gods to me. So pristine and lovely...

[ysobritish]

[A soft sigh.]

Wouldn't that kill you?

This wretched place is no holy land. You were informed of the monsters?

[barebacking]

Perhaps.

Ah, so there are monsters here, too. Monsters with the faces of men, or monsters that know no better.

[ysobritish]

[Silence for a moment.]

Then why make such an offer?

Both. Following the sound of the sirens at night, it has been advised to take shelter inside safe buildings.

[barebacking]

I wonder if you would take it up. I wonder if you would be able to see my soul in those moments. But you say that is not your concern ... so, perhaps, it is not nice to ask you to do so.

Safe buildings? These towers of majesty? Where is safe? Can I believe anywhere is safe knowing I cannot feel him here?

[ysobritish]

If you're content to have this new life, then I would recommend not offering to throw it away.

Most buildings in this place are darkness proofed, I gather. The Tower Apartments are, but there are other places. Almost anywhere closed off.

[barebacking]

I am content as I can ever be. Life is important ... will the Gods let him come here, too? How much longer will I wait to hear his answer? Three years was so long ... but I was so diligent.

... are you concerned about me? Would you come to hold my hand and take me to where it is safe? Or would you watch as I let myself be murdered here? Or would you turn your face away and pretend it never happened? What sort of man are you?

[ysobritish]

Whoever you are waiting for... they may be here already. Time works strangely here. If they are not, simply be patient. Three years is nothing on the grand scale of things.

[...]

Tch. Of course I'm not concerned. [Tsun tsun, dere dere.] But that depends on you. Looks are deceptive. The most capable people I know would not have appeared so to anyone who did not know them.

[barebacking]

Hm, I suppose not. I would wait an eternity for him. Time works differently. Have you seen him? Have you seen my Urick? Is he without scars? Without pain? Without a pact? Is that why I cannot feel him?

[A soft laugh.] Are you frightened of me?