divus | GODLY AUDIENCES: SASUKE UCHIHA

[Merriment doesn't do anything right away, letting Sasuke stare at them before waiting patiently for an answer.]

Clever. I'd like to see you try. [The tone's still casual but bordering on protective, a slight edge that usually isn't there but still mostly calm.] He has something Disorder doesn't? Like what?

[For a brief second, his face looks almost fond, but it's gone as quickly as it appears, and he goes back to fiddling with the armbands.]

He has something I gave him. Why don't you go bother him instead of me if you want answers?

[Again, he looks back up.]

He's too young. Why is he a god?

[SIGH.]

Or you could just ask for it back. And I'm not done with you yet.

[What a strange question.] You know that's like saying I'm too old to be a god. He was given the choice just like the rest of us. Whoever chose us saw something in him that made sense.

I told him to keep it.

[What a bothersome god!!! It really does feel like he's being big brothered, not that he knows how a healthy big brother relationship goes after the age of, like, five or six.]

If he's the youngest, who is the oldest?

Then I don't understand why you want it back, but okay. [It's a good thing Merriment has an insane amount of patience for this sort of thing.]

Anyway...I am. You can see my point.

I'm allowing him to borrow it.

[He's trying so hard to dodge and skirt around this whole long con without giving it away.] I'll destroy you first if you're oldest. [Is this a joke? Is he serious? HE SOUNDS SO NONCHALANT. Curse him please. WAIT THIS IS MERRIMENT DON'T]

Does he know it's just borrowing and not for keeps? [Child logic. Also Sasuke what in the HELL are you doing.

...Merriment slides off of the table then, stepping closer again and waiting patiently, staring down at Sasuke.]

Go on then. I'm waiting. [It's also hard to tell if Merriment's serious or not??? God.]

He knows I'm going to want it back when this is all over.

[Dang, get off his back. Just because he was trying to manipulate others doesn't mean he's being mean to Justice...!!]

Are you important to Justice? [Sasuke glances up fully--all the way up--at Merriment, but doesn't budge.] Do you know if you're important to him?

[TRUST NO BITCH. But somehow that answer seems to satisfy Merriment because that subject gets dropped.

Instead...that question seems to blindside them. There's a pause like they don't know how to answer, moments passing by as they think.]

Yeah. [It's not quite as sure as they'd like, but it's there.] Yeah. I am.

[...hm.]

[Very slowly, Sasuke bends and picks himself up like some kind of rising emo, teen phantom, standing at his full height, taking the wire and the armbands with him. Merriment has, like, almost ten centimeters on him??

He tips his head back and squares his shoulders. He looks like he is ready to throw down!!!

But then he turns away to walk off to another part of the lab.] I have better things to do than destroy you right now. Later. [???]

[....?????????]

Wait, what? [NO!!! Merriment's moving, practically gliding across the floor.] That's it?

[Carefully, Sasuke fans out the bands and the wires. He starts digging through drawers and shelves, lifting out wheel cogs, putting them down to measure the size.]

I'm busy. [Shut up, he doesn't want to hurt Justice's feelings, so he can't kill Merriment.] Besides, your death will be a surprise.

It's how ninjas work.

Edited (html stop) 2019-02-27 14:32 (UTC)

My death is always going to be a surprise. [Flatly. But okay, sure, ninjas. Merriment goes quiet again, this time just watching Sasuke work.]

...what're you even making?

Edited (wow where did some of my words go.) 2019-02-27 17:56 (UTC)

Retractable wires for weapon manipulation. [He doesn't look up, so this makes it seem as if doing this is completely normal!!] You all blocked my chakra and ninjutsu, so I have to make a mechanical version.

[He pauses for a moment, though still doesn't look up.]

I want you to do something for me.

[That's. Hm.] I have no idea what any of that means, but sure. Sounds fair. But if you use it for a murder it'll be a little obvious.

[That's for Sasuke to deal with though, and Merriment pauses again.]

So okay. Let me see if I have this right. You start a rumor threatening one of my kids, you threaten me, you're making weapon manipulation...weapons, and you still want a favor? [This is all said fairly idly like Merriment's not even mad, just extremely curious.] We'll see. What is it?

[There's a 72% chance of Merriment saying yes.]

[wow, don't listen things this is just how he functions ALRIGHT]

I want you to do or give something nice to the girl, Madoka Kaname. [He finally looks up at this. Merriment gets his full attention.] Whatever you want in return for it, I'll do it.

[...Sasuke what in the actual??? Like okay, fine, that won't be difficult for Merriment because they happen to like Madoka, but that wasn't at all what they were expecting.]

...am I saying this is from me or from you? [Why are you like this you goddamn goblin.]

[He doesn't forget nice things done for his brother. (◡_◡✿)]

It's from you, not me.

...alright. I can do that, but for a price. [The god crosses one ankle over the other, arms folded over their chest mostly for dramatic effect.]

If you ever decide to willingly switch teams again, align with me. [Sasuke even gets a free choice, how now.] I don't know what your plans are, kiddo, and I don't know how long you want to stay with Disorder, but that's my condition.

Can we agree?

[Sasuke considers this for a moment or two. Merriment, at first, doesn't seem to have any useful powers. Not as bold as the others. But they're crafty. One is perfect for reconnaissance, the other two are perfect for finding people who spend too much time together...]

Fine. It's a deal.

[One of two things are going to happen: Disorder is going to kill him, or Disorder is going to kill him.]

[RIP ninja-san]

Good. Then I'll get something to her right away. [With that, Merrimwnt seems to back off, no longer looming over Sasuke. ] No destroying my kid, switch if you feel like changing alignments again, and Madoka gets a mysterious gift. I think that about covers it.

Unless you have anything else to say?

A nice, mysterious gift.

[Please don't give her something awful.] Hold on. [Leaning back, Sasuke reaches inside his shirt (does he even have pockets, i have no idea) near his belt. He offers something out to Merriment.

It's a small, almost origami folded piece of paper. The silhouette of a man and a woman are on the outside; the one in the middle holding their hands is smaller. There's a spiral drawn in the center on the "child."]

Give this to Justice.

I'm not going to give her something awful. [They sound scandalized by that???] Goes against my job.

[There's a pause after that because job, sure, but before they can continue Sasuke's pulling out a piece of paper.

...somewhere under that maybe there is a good kid.]

I'll give him this, too. From me or you? [Just to check.]

[If he's smiling, it's very hard to tell because his face doesn't really change. His black, almond eyes are softer, though.]

Me.

...okay. [That seems to relax Merriment enough and the paper gets tucked away somewhere safe.] I'll make sure they get everything.

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