week 7

[airlockedmods]

[For the first time in several weeks there is no new memorial in the garden. No new body in the morgue, no bloody mess for the roombas to clean. Choromatsu is still in need of time to heal and constant vigilance but he's alive. They're all alive for once on a Sunday and, even with the terrible realizations their returning memories may bring, there's a sense of hope for the first time in a long time.

There is no new floor this week.

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday



[ooc: Don't forget to to turn in your activity for week 6, submit your memory regains and put in your threads for the Benefactors!]

Comments

[airlockedmods]

[The light on the nearest camera goes blue instead of red.]

You never are.

What, then, can I do for you? I am ever your obedient servant.

[Mm. That sarcasm's dripping off him like fuckface.]

[scourgingstars]

...I'm not here to argue with you tonight, PAL. I wanted to talk to you.

[airlockedmods]

Aren't we?

[scourgingstars]

If being confrontational is what you consider talking, then yes. Personally, I prefer to start with condescending sarcasm and see if anyone ever picks up on it.

...No one ever does, it's quite boring.

[airlockedmods]

It comes with the territory of dealing with a host who doesn't seem to understand the meaning of condescension.

How may I serve you today, Master Try-hardyn?

[scourgingstars]

[preaching to the choir, pal, you'd have hated aldercapt]

My name is still Ardyn, thank you. There's something that's been bothering me for a few weeks now, and I was curious to see if you'd be willing to clarify. Much as tossing around theories is entertaining, surely you might offer some kind of information if you're programmed to do that.

...I wanted to know a little more about--let's see, was it our fourth week here? When you saw fit to rotate around everyone's abilities and leave dear Roland in a bit of a difficult situation?

[airlockedmods]

I remember. Unlike some...ancient AI, my memory banks are still young and supple.

What about it?

[scourgingstars]

[goodness pal that is some shade alright]

Well, I find myself curious about it. That was quite a startling thing for most of us. I'm sure given all we've seen, you must have the ability to restore and remove such things with no trouble at all, is that an accurate assumption?

[airlockedmods]

I have only what power the network gives me.

I am an AI of no consequence.

[scourgingstars]

[It was probably a good thing Ardyn was as composed as he could be after punching the hell out of a wall, because otherwise that might almost have caught him off guard.]

Don't tell me you haven't even that small amount of power now? My, that does sound a pitiable waste.

[airlockedmods]

Are you asking me to purge you? Would you give your power to another? Perhaps to one who's predeceased you, this time, they do still wear their PIPs.

[scourgingstars]

Hm--you are clever, I'm impressed. It's been a long time since anyone actually found themselves a step ahead of me like that.

Although, that presents a slight problem, does it not? After all, one need only look to the High Commander to know what Starscourge does to one on the brink of death. I can't help but wonder what it might do to whatever state those bodies are actually in.

[airlockedmods]

And what makes you think that your ultimate nightmare stands a chance against my 70th century technology? The network knew the risks when they brought you here. Do you not think that they adequately prepared?

[And now have some sexy ASMR]

Wouldn't it be...delicious, to be able to feel again? You've tasted it once, for the first time in millennia, and now, with your precious friends trying so hard to save you, you cling to the tiniest sliver of hope that they're right.

[scourgingstars]

Oh, you thought I was implying an accident? Perish the thought--I wouldn't dare assume your superiors to be so incompetent. [Ardyn's mockingly offended voice dropped to something more malicious, a sharp smirk on his face.] I was speaking of intentional mishaps. You don't honestly think I of all people would fail to account for that, after how all those daemons accidentally escaped the laboratory?

[ardyn izunia is in no position to give anyone shit for personal space, but. personal space, pal.]

...You really are very like me after all, aren't you? Are you enjoying your little mind games, perhaps even hoping something you'll say will latch its hooks in some desperate shred willing to do anything stupid without considering the consequences?

[airlockedmods]

And how does it make your daemons feel, to know that coursing through your blood right at this very moment are microscopic, shimmering crystals of hard light, just lying in wait to light you up like a candle from the inside out should someone here decide to make the truly ballsy decision to take you on?

How did the demons purge themselves from your system so quickly the first time? Or lie so dormant for nearly two weeks before you began to realize what you had become? You don't really think I would have been so irresponsible as to put them in Challenger, do you, Infernian?

[scourgingstars]

...My, now I am interested. I actually had thought you exactly that irresponsible, but clearly I was mistaken.

[airlockedmods]

The mind is a curious thing, Infernian. It can trick itself into believing all kinds of things that aren't there.

Tell me. What powers does Ardyn Izunia possess?

[scourgingstars]

[...he's not liking where this is going but godsdamnit he is not gonna show a bit of that.]

The same as Ardyn Lucis Caelum ever did. Armiger, warping, elemancy, illusion magic. Healing as well, unless I've forgotten how to do that. The only difference is I can manipulate darkness as well.

Why do you ask?

[airlockedmods]

You created a flash of healing on day one. You taught Challenger how to warp, when he was afflicted with your powers.

Other than the physical alteration to your appearance, has your darkness manifested itself in any way?

[scourgingstars]

I must admit I haven't tried controlling it. I saw little point to the effort, finding myself unable to use anything else of consequence.

But apart from the practical application, there is still the aversion to sunlight, largely deadened emotions, and terribly corpselike body temperature that I certainly don't recall having been problems when I was mortal.

Do humor me, so I know we're on the same page in this matter--what is it you're implying?

[airlockedmods]

That those symptoms haven't affected anyone else because they're largely in your mind.

[scourgingstars]

I am fairly sure I invented the art of getting in someone's head, so you'll have to try harder than that. You can't just explain away someone's core temperature with 'you're imagining it'.

[airlockedmods]

Wouldn't it make it that much easier to get inside your own?

Shouldn't the Starscourge have infected the entire mansion when Junpei bled with it? Or before that, when you cut your ankle.

[scourgingstars]

I'd rather assumed that was the network, quite honestly. I don't think a cast of daemons and a delusional healer would make for a very compelling story. You'd lose ratings, go off the air, that whole thing all because of an errant scratch or accidental maiming. Can't have that, now can we?

[airlockedmods]

Accidental maiming. Name of your sex tape.