GODLY AUDIENCES - TAKAOMI SHISHIMARU

[divus]

Comments

[bakaomi]

It bothers me when they're annoying about it.

[divus]

You're very confusing when your words hardly match your actions. [Oh well.] But I suppose that's an expectation?

[bakaomi]

[ SQUINTS ]

How do my words not match my actions?

[divus]

You do realize we can see all of the trials even when we aren't hosting, yes?

[bakaomi]

... shut up. He was freaking out.

[divus]

[Just. Silence for a moment.]

...would you like some advice, Shishimaru-kun?

[bakaomi]

What is it?

[ not really but he'll listen anyway ]

[divus]

You've spoken to me about Senri not always being honest, but I would like to see you be honest with yourself as well. [You know. That's bad advice maybe.]

Or at least, perhaps, consider that relying on someone else and genuinely caring about them isn't the worst thing in the world. He deserves that much.

[bakaomi]

[ he opens his mouth to say something

and then closes it. ]

Well, you're the Senri expert.

[divus]

As I've said, we have an understanding. [There's a beat.] ...there's a boy from my old life that used to be annoyed with me quite often and I think at one point he wanted to punch me a lot. He's been my best friend for several years now and sometimes he still undermines me and becomes irritated with my rationale and plans.

But we're honest enough and that's made everything much easier.

[bakaomi]

[ ... ]

It's just complicated, with him.

[divus]

[Beauty should also maybe consider that a.) not everyone is like him and b.) that shouldn't be present-tense because he hasn't spoken to that boy since he ascended. Ah well.]

Complicated in what way? Something besides the lies?

[bakaomi]

It... just is...

[ this is not something he knows how to talk about ]

[divus]

...understood. [IS IT?] All the same, I hope you consider what I've said anyway.

[With that, Beauty shifts to rest his head on his hand.] Now. I've asked you several questions. Is there any that you'd like to ask me?

[bakaomi]

[ god they just talked about senri again for another hour

this is terrible ]

Let me see if I even remember.

[divus]

[Be honest with urself Taka...]

My time is yours and yours alone. [Take your time, but also.] I have that effect on people sometimes, my apologies.

[bakaomi]

... yeah.

You're pretty chatty.

[divus]

In my old life it was my duty to spend several hours entertaining guests. But you can learn quite a bit about people from what they do and don't say. I like hearing about people.

[So. He'll talk to anyone who'll listen.]

[bakaomi]

... someone I know told me that's what it means to make an affinity with someone.

[divus]

Do you believe that?

[bakaomi]

I think that.... that's not something I'm ready to do. There are people that I like. And... I guess, at times, the dumb rabbit is one of them, even if he's suuuuuper annoying.

[ he will never be unable to insult him. ]

But I can't really make the type of connection that you want me to.

[divus]

[It's hard to see, but the slight shift in posture seems to suggest the figure smiles.]

At least you can acknowledge that. I would say that there's progress. You don't have to be able to right away, or ever. In some cases you may never be ready outside of a handful of people.

But a connection is still a connection.

[bakaomi]

[ listen... he can admit it to himself, at times, it's just the saying it out loud and confiding that to other people is what's like pulling teeth

the most impressive thing is how quickly he vomited feelings at merriment, really. ]

You guys really are like therapists.

[divus]

[That's because Merriment is also useless when it comes to feelings, but anyway. There's a laugh.]

If only we could solve our own issues. [...] Wait did someone say that?

[bakaomi]

You'll never know.