DAY 006

[inflori]

( Hey. )

[ Petre is unusually quiet when he reaches out to the station as a whole. All the fellow hosts, awake or currently resting, get a pressing nudge that won't relent until he has their attention. ]

( Is anybody's powers changing, sorta? Like. In a way that you don't even know they are. )

[ There's reluctance to show any true uncertainty in his voice. Misato told him that wanting everyone to think you were a threat was only a sign of your weakness... or something like that. All he knows is that this feels like showing vulnerability. He doesn't like it, but he's more curious than proud right now. ]

( ... I keep changing whenever I look in the mirror. )

Comments

[inflori]

[ Sup, did you miss Petre sulking at you because you don't give him 100% of your attention ]

( What do you mean. )

[narcissithstic]

[Well he missed Petre. The rest, though....]

(I mean that you claimed your power has changed. That it— and what it's left you— are unrecognizable.

And I've never seen you use your power before.)

[inflori]

( Yeah, you say that like you want to see it. )

[narcissithstic]

(Was I so inobvious.)

[Exhibit A: a dick.]

[inflori]

( Are you gonna help me? )

[narcissithstic]

(Why else would I come to you in your time of need?)

[inflori]

( 'Cause you're bored, probably. )

[narcissithstic]

(I lack the capacity for boredom.) [His mind knows no peace, there is never a moment of silence, even when he is still. Alone.]

(So if you doubt my sincerity, say it now.)

[inflori]

[ How can anyone lack the capacity for boredom, are u ok. ]

( And I thought I was being obvious.

You don't give a shit about me, you just want me to be your pass time. )

[narcissithstic]

[He will never be ok.]

(Is there something so terrible about that?)

[inflori]

[ WOW... HOW DARE... ]

( Do you wanna find out? )

[narcissithstic]

(Power is obtained through perserverance, through -guidance-. That I choose to give you mine should matter more than the weakness dwelling in your heart.)

[inflori]

[ Well. His silence says it all, doesn't it. He's hesitating. ]

( Then - fucking guide me all the time. You don't get to ignore me and come back expecting me to have waited for you. )

[narcissithstic]

(All the time?

Did she coddle you so much that you know no peace without someone at your side?)

[You're one to talk, Ren.]

[inflori]

( It wasn't coddling! )

[ Another snap of anger. ]

( You bitched and whined when Cathaway wasn't there for you. Because you felt alone. )

[narcissithstic]

[That's different-

-no, it isn't. And even he can't make a sturdy enough case for it.]

(I...suppose I might understand.

But I cannot always be physically at your side. It is impossible, Petre.)

[inflori]

( Where are you all the time? )

[narcissithstic]

(Serving the Nest.)

[Where else would he be? Where else would he possibly be more needed?]

[inflori]

( Do you do anything for fun. Like, ever? )