[So Danny has had... a lot happen since he last saw Gray at the hospital. A man that was supposed to be very dead came back and now Danny has to deal with the consequences of that, along with whatever nonsense this world had with all that flooding.
But once things have died down from that and Danny is... an appropriate approximation of "calm" enough for this, he finally sends the Reverend a message.]
Can we talk? If you're not busy, that is.
[Not a "we need to talk" demand like before when he ran into him at the hospital, but a request he would very much like to have fulfilled here.]
[Implicit though the "correct" answer may be, a request is still a request as opposed to a demand or an insistence; it's more civilized, at the very least, even if Gray knows better than to assume the conversation will remain likewise.
Bluntly put, he does not foresee this being excellent.]
Of course. I certainly have time.
[He does not foresee this being excellent but there's no sense in ensuring it won't be. He can't even say he faults Danny for his behavior so far; it isn't as though things ended well.
So...fine, yes. Let's see what this is going to look like.]
Firstly, have you settled into this place somewhat yet? Figured out how things work here and such?
I've been here for almost four months now, so if you have any questions about something, I can do my best to answer them.
[This friendly "checking up on Gray" offer is not the reason he's contacting the priest, of course, but it's best to start from this point before he gets into the reason why he stopped being a big baby and contacted him today.]
[If nothing else, there's something to be said about it being at least somewhat easier to do all of this over text.]
I've been doing what I can, in that regard.
Those that are naturally from this place have been kind. Those that are have come from elsewhere haven't done anything objectionable. If anything is going to present difficulty in being here, it's the nature of the place itself.
[Loose translation: holy fuck the people here live like this]
[I mean there are some things better said in person than over text, but...]
... I assume you're referring to the goings-on in regards to the moon-cycles here.
[Man, how to ask this delicately... fuck it, he's just going to come out and ask it since this is text and he doesn't have to look Gray directly in the eye for this part of the conversation.]
Have you figured out yet which moon cycle affects you the most here?
[You know, he's been trying to avoid thinking about that sort of thing and was moreso referring to "the setting seems to be trying to kill us just, like, all the time for absolutely no discernible reason." But while we are not having this portion of the conversation in person then sure. Fine. We can discuss horny furry hell too, he supposes.]
I haven't. Which doesn't do much to narrow it down at this point, from what I understand.
[Either he's the mildest Sanguis in the world or he's Not Sanguis, and either way that's not telling anyone much of anything.]
I take it the effects will be unmistakable, whenever they do manifest?
Yeah, you'll... you'll usually know right away, when it happens. Especially if you suddenly end up with any animal ears or other body parts for a few days.
[Or especially if you're an Iris like Danny here, they can be in horny furry hell for ten days straight during some months.
So yes, so far either Gray is a lucky Sanguis blessed with no animal parts this month, or he's one of the other two from what Danny's theorizing here.]
[Which is either a step up or a step down from "That's unfortunate", depending on what mood we're all in today.]
Somehow I doubt that this is all you wished to speak to me about.
[This has been interesting, but he imagines something happened to cause the sudden shift from radio silence, and he can't picture this being all Danny's got on his mind.]
[He has an idea of precisely how Danny found this out, seeing as Danny...well, he is what he is, and Gray hardly expects him to be otherwise here. But...hm.]
When you die here, your entire body turns to crystal. And stays that way for a few days, until it breaks apart on it's own and you're considered "alive" again. However, it seems that the heart may still be crystalized in some manner on the inside, and thus it affects a person's emotions and well-being in that regard.
[So murdering people is... kind of pointless, because it's not permanent here. And a pain to deal with if you end up murdering the wrong person.]
So the closest thing to death that can be endured is metaphorical at best.
[That isn't to say it's not interesting - he would absolutely be lying if he said he had no morbid interest in wanting to see such a person before and after, solely for curiosity's sake. But removing the wrong person would obviously present an issue, given the consciousness would still be intact, if altered. Inconvenient, really, unless someone is willing to volunteer to be experimented with.
But that's for another time.]
I appreciate that you've told me this; it's a good thing to know, at any rate.
[The initial anger from seeing his murderer without warning back at the hospital hasn't completely disappeared, but it has at least waned a bit after having a week or two to be distracted by other things instead.
Now, how he feels about the matter is more hazy, lost in the fact that really, there is no point to killing your problems here, so... where does that leave him now? It's not like he can kill Gray and get revenge for it, the man will just come back, and probably be even less likable as a result if what happened with Jyuto is any indication. Not that he even wants to kill Gray, so... what are they supposed to do about the other person here now? He doesn't think Gray is going to start up another murder building again, but even if he was, that's not a question he really wants to ask in text. That sort of thing he would prefer hearing in person, honestly, among other things on his mind here.
So after a moment, Gray will have Danny's address texted to him, and--]
If you're not too busy to continue this conversation in person, I'll be here.
[Or if not busy so much as doesn't want to look at Danny's face right now after... kind of being half the reason why Gray's experiment fell apart, he can't say he would be surprised by that either.]
[Perhaps he should be more bothered by the notion that Danny is being so insistent that they need to talk, that they have things to discuss at all; perhaps there should be some animosity there - would it be warranted? Honestly, he can't say that he's sure one way or another. The experiment had collapsed well before the building did; assigning fault to it now seems almost superfluous.
Regardless of his thoughts on the matter, he doesn't hold anger well, if he finds any to hold in the first place.
The amount of time between the text and his arrival is acceptable; not long enough to imply procrastination, not nearly brief enough to imply eagerness. But it's acceptable, and he'll be there, and the knock isn't soft but there's no harshness behind it. Just...let's see where this goes, then.]
[When Danny answers the door, his own reaction to seeing the man at least isn't the same annoyance from before, nor is it really excitement either. He's rather calm as he steps back to allow entry.]
Thank you for coming, Reverend. Please, come in.
[Danny's apartment is... well. It sure is rather monochrome. Either Danny had zero idea of what he wanted to personalize his living space here with, or he didn't care how it looked as long as it functioned well enough as a place to rest at. (Also, aside from how reflective the floor is, there are no other noticeable mirrors around... weird.)
Gray is free to take a seat if he wants, or stand, whichever he prefers as Danny looks over his coffee and tea storage for a moment, asking politely enough.]
Is there anything I can get for you while you're here?
[He's been in a few of these apartments by now and he's noticing a trend toward minimal decorating and color schemes otherwise being...what he would expect, just to bizarre extents. This isn't really an exception to that; weird, but not unexpected.
He'll remain standing for now, occupying space near one of the walls without leaning up against it; he's not so casual as to do such, but remaining reasonably out of the way seems prudent. Not minimizing presence, but acutely aware that this isn't his space to claim regardless.]
...No, that's fine.
[The offer isn't unappreciated, but it isn't really a part of what he's here for.]
It's good of you to be willing to make a second attempt.
[Ignoring one another forever isn't precisely feasible, but still.]
[Since Gray has chosen to remain standing, Danny does the same for now as he sets back down a coffee mug he had started to examine.]
... Well. I don't think it really helps either of us to just avoid each forever, nor do I think it's even possible to do so here.
[What with the way this world seems to like throwing wrenches into things.]
And I've had some time to think since we ran into each other at the hospital, and realized that I might have been too... emotional about the whole thing. I am still angry about what happened the last time we saw each other back home, but...
[There's a pause, and then he sighs.]
... but I don't hate you for it like I thought I would. So I don't--I'm not interested in getting revenge or something against you, in case you're wondering. It's not like it would undo having died, or even what ended up happening with Rachel and Zack, right?
[It's simple agreement, with nothing pointed or chiding behind it. because bluntly put it's true; besides, they're both already dead. Not that Danny necessarily knows for sure how that latter point turned out, but it doesn't seem like something worth dwelling on.]
I hold no resentment toward you, regarding what happened. Whatever my thoughts may be regarding all of that, it isn't worth seeking retribution over. Personal vengeance at this stage would solve nothing, even if it were something I found it acceptable to pursue in the first place.
[And it generally isn't; he's a fucked up person, certainly, but it's in a rather compartmentalized sort of way. Personal feelings have very little to do with his ultimate actions, if anything at all; whether that makes it any more or less fucked up is something for someone else to decide, perhaps.]
Nothing I've done has been because I hate you, or because I resent you in any way.
[At that, Danny sighs, as if he had been holding in an anxious breath while Gray had spoken. He isn't surprised by it, no, but...]
That's... a relief to hear, actually.
[He taps his fingers against the table here, a jerky nervous motion as he speaks, his other hand being propped up to rest his chin against as his gaze averts away from looking Gray in the eye.]
For the last four months I've been in this place, it's just been myself here. No Zack, no Rachel... not even Cathy or Eddie like I thought I might see, given how much I had first assumed that this was an afterlife of some kind. Not to say that I haven't tried to talk to other people, but... even though you prevented from succeeding in my goals, now there is someone here who actually knows me and is willing to continue a conversation despite that. Do you think it's strange, for me to be relieved about something like that?
[Which isn't precisely a comment on whether it's strange or not - plenty of strange things are understandable at their core, after all. But it's crossed his mind that perhaps he's fortunate to have someone here that he recognizes, certainly; perhaps it's something he should state outright, but he's never been the best at voicing things like that, has he.]
Seeking out the familiar in a situation like this... It's something to be expected, I'd think. Especially when our particular sort of familiarity isn't the sort easily replicated through others, however it may have turned out in the end.
[There's something to be said for total honesty. And also running an experiment involving a fucklot of murder, but that likely goes without saying.]
[... Speaking of which though, that does bring to mind a question Danny's been wondering about since Gray's arrival.]
I apologize if you don't have an answer for something like this yet, but... do you have any plans for what you'll be doing now that you're living here in this place? I assume that you'll find work as a Reverend in some regard...
[... Though the real question Danny is getting at here is "are you thinking about doing another experiment involving murder"...]
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divinesight) wrote2020-02-21 08:46 pm
un: doctorize
But once things have died down from that and Danny is... an appropriate approximation of "calm" enough for this, he finally sends the Reverend a message.]
Can we talk? If you're not busy, that is.
[Not a "we need to talk" demand like before when he ran into him at the hospital, but a request he would very much like to have fulfilled here.]
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Bluntly put, he does not foresee this being excellent.]
Of course. I certainly have time.
[He does not foresee this being excellent but there's no sense in ensuring it won't be. He can't even say he faults Danny for his behavior so far; it isn't as though things ended well.
So...fine, yes. Let's see what this is going to look like.]
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Firstly, have you settled into this place somewhat yet? Figured out how things work here and such?
I've been here for almost four months now, so if you have any questions about something, I can do my best to answer them.
[This friendly "checking up on Gray" offer is not the reason he's contacting the priest, of course, but it's best to start from this point before he gets into the reason why he stopped being a big baby and contacted him today.]
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I've been doing what I can, in that regard.
Those that are naturally from this place have been kind. Those that are have come from elsewhere haven't done anything objectionable. If anything is going to present difficulty in being here, it's the nature of the place itself.
[Loose translation: holy fuck the people here live like this]
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... I assume you're referring to the goings-on in regards to the moon-cycles here.
[Man, how to ask this delicately... fuck it, he's just going to come out and ask it since this is text and he doesn't have to look Gray directly in the eye for this part of the conversation.]
Have you figured out yet which moon cycle affects you the most here?
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I haven't. Which doesn't do much to narrow it down at this point, from what I understand.
[Either he's the mildest Sanguis in the world or he's Not Sanguis, and either way that's not telling anyone much of anything.]
I take it the effects will be unmistakable, whenever they do manifest?
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[Or especially if you're an Iris like Danny here, they can be in horny furry hell for ten days straight during some months.
So yes, so far either Gray is a lucky Sanguis blessed with no animal parts this month, or he's one of the other two from what Danny's theorizing here.]
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["How" is also sort of implicit there, but all in due time, really.]
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Iris.
[isn't it punny that this is the one Danny got side-lined with]
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[Which is either a step up or a step down from "That's unfortunate", depending on what mood we're all in today.]
Somehow I doubt that this is all you wished to speak to me about.
[This has been interesting, but he imagines something happened to cause the sudden shift from radio silence, and he can't picture this being all Danny's got on his mind.]
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[...........]
I only just found out recently that death doesn't work here the same way it does back home, in regards to what happens if we die in this place.
[Or, you know... murder someone here, to be more specific...]
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[He has an idea of precisely how Danny found this out, seeing as Danny...well, he is what he is, and Gray hardly expects him to be otherwise here. But...hm.]
And where might the differences lie?
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[So murdering people is... kind of pointless, because it's not permanent here.
And a pain to deal with if you end up murdering the wrong person.]no subject
[That isn't to say it's not interesting - he would absolutely be lying if he said he had no morbid interest in wanting to see such a person before and after, solely for curiosity's sake. But removing the wrong person would obviously present an issue, given the consciousness would still be intact, if altered. Inconvenient, really, unless someone is willing to volunteer to be experimented with.
But that's for another time.]
I appreciate that you've told me this; it's a good thing to know, at any rate.
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[See, this conversation wasn't so hard, they managed to last this long.
... So of course Danny fucks it up eventually when, after a moment, he texts back--]
We didn't really get to talk like I wanted to before. At the hospital, I mean.
[Yes Danny, Gray knows what you meant by that.]
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And I assume you intend to see that rectified. Very well, then; I'm hardly opposed.
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Now, how he feels about the matter is more hazy, lost in the fact that really, there is no point to killing your problems here, so... where does that leave him now? It's not like he can kill Gray and get revenge for it, the man will just come back, and probably be even less likable as a result if what happened with Jyuto is any indication. Not that he even wants to kill Gray, so... what are they supposed to do about the other person here now? He doesn't think Gray is going to start up another murder building again, but even if he was, that's not a question he really wants to ask in text. That sort of thing he would prefer hearing in person, honestly, among other things on his mind here.
So after a moment, Gray will have Danny's address texted to him, and--]
If you're not too busy to continue this conversation in person, I'll be here.
[Or if not busy so much as doesn't want to look at Danny's face right now after... kind of being half the reason why Gray's experiment fell apart, he can't say he would be surprised by that either.]
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Regardless of his thoughts on the matter, he doesn't hold anger well, if he finds any to hold in the first place.
The amount of time between the text and his arrival is acceptable; not long enough to imply procrastination, not nearly brief enough to imply eagerness. But it's acceptable, and he'll be there, and the knock isn't soft but there's no harshness behind it. Just...let's see where this goes, then.]
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Thank you for coming, Reverend. Please, come in.
[Danny's apartment is... well. It sure is rather monochrome. Either Danny had zero idea of what he wanted to personalize his living space here with, or he didn't care how it looked as long as it functioned well enough as a place to rest at. (Also, aside from how reflective the floor is, there are no other noticeable mirrors around... weird.)
Gray is free to take a seat if he wants, or stand, whichever he prefers as Danny looks over his coffee and tea storage for a moment, asking politely enough.]
Is there anything I can get for you while you're here?
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He'll remain standing for now, occupying space near one of the walls without leaning up against it; he's not so casual as to do such, but remaining reasonably out of the way seems prudent. Not minimizing presence, but acutely aware that this isn't his space to claim regardless.]
...No, that's fine.
[The offer isn't unappreciated, but it isn't really a part of what he's here for.]
It's good of you to be willing to make a second attempt.
[Ignoring one another forever isn't precisely feasible, but still.]
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... Well. I don't think it really helps either of us to just avoid each forever, nor do I think it's even possible to do so here.
[What with the way this world seems to like throwing wrenches into things.]
And I've had some time to think since we ran into each other at the hospital, and realized that I might have been too... emotional about the whole thing. I am still angry about what happened the last time we saw each other back home, but...
[There's a pause, and then he sighs.]
... but I don't hate you for it like I thought I would. So I don't--I'm not interested in getting revenge or something against you, in case you're wondering. It's not like it would undo having died, or even what ended up happening with Rachel and Zack, right?
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[It's simple agreement, with nothing pointed or chiding behind it. because bluntly put it's true; besides, they're both already dead. Not that Danny necessarily knows for sure how that latter point turned out, but it doesn't seem like something worth dwelling on.]
I hold no resentment toward you, regarding what happened. Whatever my thoughts may be regarding all of that, it isn't worth seeking retribution over. Personal vengeance at this stage would solve nothing, even if it were something I found it acceptable to pursue in the first place.
[And it generally isn't; he's a fucked up person, certainly, but it's in a rather compartmentalized sort of way. Personal feelings have very little to do with his ultimate actions, if anything at all; whether that makes it any more or less fucked up is something for someone else to decide, perhaps.]
Nothing I've done has been because I hate you, or because I resent you in any way.
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That's... a relief to hear, actually.
[He taps his fingers against the table here, a jerky nervous motion as he speaks, his other hand being propped up to rest his chin against as his gaze averts away from looking Gray in the eye.]
For the last four months I've been in this place, it's just been myself here. No Zack, no Rachel... not even Cathy or Eddie like I thought I might see, given how much I had first assumed that this was an afterlife of some kind. Not to say that I haven't tried to talk to other people, but... even though you prevented from succeeding in my goals, now there is someone here who actually knows me and is willing to continue a conversation despite that. Do you think it's strange, for me to be relieved about something like that?
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[Which isn't precisely a comment on whether it's strange or not - plenty of strange things are understandable at their core, after all. But it's crossed his mind that perhaps he's fortunate to have someone here that he recognizes, certainly; perhaps it's something he should state outright, but he's never been the best at voicing things like that, has he.]
Seeking out the familiar in a situation like this... It's something to be expected, I'd think. Especially when our particular sort of familiarity isn't the sort easily replicated through others, however it may have turned out in the end.
[There's something to be said for total honesty. And also running an experiment involving a fucklot of murder, but that likely goes without saying.]
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I apologize if you don't have an answer for something like this yet, but... do you have any plans for what you'll be doing now that you're living here in this place? I assume that you'll find work as a Reverend in some regard...
[... Though the real question Danny is getting at here is "are you thinking about doing another experiment involving murder"...]
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