GODLY AUDIENCES - TAKAOMI SHISHIMARU

[divus]

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WEEK 3, TUESDAY

[divus]

[In the parlor, there's the usual set-up of snacks and tea/coffee for a table for two. The difference is that Beauty also has a book in their hand that they seem to be reading through the mask somehow. Upon hearing Takaomi though they look up and snap the book shut.]

Shishimaru-kun, welcome. Have a seat. [The rice balls are also out on display but at least one's missing? So. Beauty probably ate it.]

[bakaomi]

[ hm

he'll sit down. ]

Hey.

[divus]

[Beauty's also dropping the book on the floor with a thud to give Taka their full undivided attention. They lean forward, legs crossed at the knee and hands resting on their knee.]

What's on your mind today? [Let's jump right in, shall we?] Unless you just couldn't stay away much longer.

[bakaomi]

[ okay yeah, the book thing works.

beautamaki, why ]

I did say I'd visit again.

[divus]

[:)]

You did! You did, but that doesn't mean that you didn't come with an agenda in mind. [Pleasantly. Look Beauty's happy for the company but he's also aware he's not an immediate thought for someone like Takaomi.] ...the rice balls turned out nice, by the way. Thank you.

[bakaomi]

... oh. You're welcome, I guess.

[ moving on from the compliment ]

Why are you so nice to Senri?

[ that's actually not his main question but he wants to ask anyway ]

[divus]

[There's a pause...and a little laugh.]

Because he's been very kind to me. Kindness begets kindness, wouldn't you say? I've never had reason to be cruel to him, and he's a very interesting person.

[bakaomi]

You're pampering him.

[ he doesn't sound like, disapproving?

just. you're spoiling someone who's already a spoiled brat. ]

[divus]

Are you jealous? [This is a completely innocent question.]

[bakaomi]

[ very, very quickly ]

No!

[divus]

[Taka.]

Alright. [Beauty doesn't believe this at all.] ...Senri-kun and I have an understanding. He wanted to help me, so I would like to help him. Not to mention I think we're a bit alike, and it's been...nice.

[A singular doki.] I understand his deepest wishes, and I want to be sure he's able to succeed.

[bakaomi]

[ he's just

making an annoyed face ]

[divus]

...you'll have to ask him yourself, and continue to ask, because I've a feeling he hasn't spoken the whole truth and that's alright. [A pause.] There are some burdens that are too large to bear, so they're easier to avoid.

[bakaomi]

That's not surprising. He's a liar.

[ it's not said with the usual scorn he holds for that kind of thing though. ]

[divus]

Do you hold that against him? [Curious.] Why is it that he does that anyway?

[bakaomi]

... he wants people to like him. So he creates a persona that'll make him agreeable and pleasant, especially if it's a first impression.

[ he. avoids the first question. ]

[divus]

I see. [WELL THAT. MAKES SENSE. God.] I don't think it's a crime to wish to be liked. The world's a generally nicer place when you're adored.

[And yet.] ...and what about you? Do you care if people like you? Or, I suppose the question is, what's your persona, Shishimaru-kun?

[bakaomi]

... I don't care about that kind of thing, no.

It's too much of a hassle.

[divus]

Even if it's to remain in good standing with other people? [What kind of person are you, Taka?]

[bakaomi]

I'm not going to kiss up to someone just for that. If you want me to be nice, you have to deserve it.

[divus]

[...Beauty just starts laughing.]

How interesting. [In this moment, Beauty realizes once upon a time he has his own emo who was actually a megane but also just as ruthless.] And what has Senri-kun done to deserve your kindness?

[bakaomi]

... I wouldn't call it kindness...

[ he grumbles. ]

He's just trying to be honest with me.

[divus]

Senri has been honest with me from the beginning. Give him time and hopefully he'll be honest not only with you but with himself. [Thoughtfully.]

His wish is one I understand and have a bit of a personal investment in, you could say. Originally I was kind to him out of understanding and being gracious. Since then...he's come to understand some things himself and I believe he wants to help me.

I can't thank him enough for that.

[bakaomi]

... I see.

[ he guesses that explains some things, of why senri is always going on and on about beauty.

although it makes taka wonder why didn't he actually just switch to him, even before he started lying to people about his alignment. ]

You were never mad about him not choosing you as his god then?

[divus]

No. Ironically, despite the lies, I felt Sincerity was an excellent match for him. [Beauty props his head up with a hand.] The fact that he's continued to come see me even though I'm not his has been very nice. I'm used to entertaining guests, so...it's a mutual benefit that way.

[Surprise, Taka, it's just that Senri and Beauty are both lonely and needy idiots.]