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[bluescreenwhitedragon]

"This is Intensity. Leave a message."

Comments

[rollwillpowercheck]

I can't give up on them. That would just... make things worse.

[he considers the question, though.]

The rest of my unit... Sekhmet-san is serious, but she's too new for me to have more of an impression than that. Persephone-san is reliable for ordinary practical stuff but I feel like he'd rather fade away than actually show that he has feelings or opinions on things, so I never know what's going on with him. Sometimes it makes me want to scream. Nya-san is reasonable and kind half the time, and then he'll have these mood swings, and I don't know what to do. And I'm afraid Lavender-san is going to keep shrinking in on himself until he becomes a black hole instead of ever speaking up.

Oh, and Loki-san's graduating. Right into Hell's welcoming arms.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[He was about to say something else, but that last sentence gives him pause]

As in he's took Asmodeus's offer or...?

[rollwillpowercheck]

Yes.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

. . .

Well---

[Fuck]

Not who I would have wanted as a first choice.

[rollwillpowercheck]

Yasuragi, too.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

I heard about that one. I had no idea they were that much of a matching set.

[rollwillpowercheck]

Loki-san is devoted to him. Though I'll never understand why.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Charisma, Anubis. Charisma.

[rollwillpowercheck]

Charisma.

[he says it like it's poisonous.]

If someone's charming enough, they can get away with anything -- I shouldn't be surprised. Asmodeus seems to operate on a similar principle.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Oh no, that's power. The very embodiment of you can't hurt what you can't touch.

The well groomed gentleman look is probably just a facade.

[rollwillpowercheck]

Well, I hate it! I hate him! I hate all of this! Everyone just wants to make things worse all the time!

1/2

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

. . .

You're really close to cracking, aren't you?

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Would it be so terrible?

[rollwillpowercheck]

[opens his mouth to reply but

whoops

there are suddenly tears streaming down his face and all that comes out is a choked sob.]

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[THAT'S NOT WHAT HE MEANT.

Get mad, Anubis. Not sad. What did sad ever do for anyone????!

Grabbing him by the scruff of his shirt and pulling him closer]

They're not worth this.

[rollwillpowercheck]

[he's SMAD okay!! thumps a fist not really that hard on Intensity's chest as he's pulled in.]

They have to be! If I s-stop caring, then-- then how do I know I won't just go numb to everything?! It'd be so easy a-and I don't want... I won't give anyone that satisfaction!

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[Going to have to hit him like you mean it if you want it to phase Intensity]

Even when it does this to you in the process.

Breaking in front of a live studio audience is also giving them that satisfaction!

[rollwillpowercheck]

Is it?! Is having emotions and showing them and talking about them so fucking bad?!

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Obviously. Since they're being weaponized to be used against you.

You don't think that the producers think of ratings and drama every time scouting goes looking for a new idol? You don't think Asmodeus had a reason to take both of them under his wing so soon after Heaven's graduation?

You care at your own peril, Anubis.

[rollwillpowercheck]

I'd rather accidentally give them good TV than intentionally give up caring! That's-- that's the same as choosing Hell! And like you're one to talk.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

This isn't a fucking binary decision.

I'm not asking you to stop caring for everyone. I'm asking you to stop caring about righteous assholes who never learn a goddamn thing from their mistakes and are constantly surprised that actions have fucking consequences.

[rollwillpowercheck]

I'm saying-- I'm saying I don't know how! I'm afraid to...! B-because if caring about them could have changed things, and I didn't-- or if I g-get too used to not caring-- o-or--

[breaks off, shoulders shaking as the crying gets the better of him.

please hold.]

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[Puts both hands on his shoulders and looks Anubis straight in the eye]

You're not responsible for other people's actions.

[rollwillpowercheck]

[oh.

but-- but????





... oh.

stares at Intensity, unsure of how to respond.]

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Do you think caring more about Lucifel would have stopped what happened at the trial? Do you think caring more about your new dumb kid would have stopped him from killing Doodleman?

It's not like they didn't know what they were doing.