expiationlogs | ( closed 👻 the case of the murder-causing mind infection )

He was an annoying asshole.

[Scott's smile quirks up to a brief smirk because Dazai was irritating and kind of awful at times (really most of the time), but he really did go out of his way to support him for whatever reasons. Maybe he reminded him of his pupils back home in some way? Whatever the case, he misses him, but there's no point standing around thinking about his departure from this world. Disappearance. Whatever people call it.

He's far better now, mostly, at least he's far from the angry and isolated teen that first showed up in this world. It feels possible to believe what others are saying, what Charles is saying to him right now.]

But... yeah. Yeah.

[And back to the most invasive icebreaker in the world...] I don't know man, it feels pretty on par with the rest of the questions so far. Really asking things that are in those dumb philosophical quizzes.

Is it?

[ his confused head tilt is, in fact, far more confused at this particular question than any that came before — those, invasive and horrible as they were, he'd at least been able to think of the answers to immediately.

this one, though? ]

I just don't get it. What does it mean, "sacrifice"? Like, a sacrificial ritual? That's bullshit. Why'd I sacrifice anything?

[ all of a sudden, the screen flashes green, and charles blinks. he... answered the question, somehow? okay, sure, whatever! he doesn't really think he did, but if this gets him out of trying to puzzle it further, that's just fine.

(at no point in this does it occur to him that his answer was, in essence, nothing — because there is nothing he would sacrifice. because ultimately, to him, his own happiness ranks so low on the scale of things it doesn't even register. now, for others and their happiness? yeah, there's a lot he'd sacrifice, for sure. for himself, though? nope!) ]

No man, like--

[And Scott stops himself when the screen flashes green. Huh, guess that was pretty easy?? The mutant looks at the other with curiosity, wondering if Charles truly doesn't think he needs to sacrifice anything to be happy or if it's something more. Seeing that he's a ghost... someone that not only died to bullies but had an abusive father, he's kind of leaning towards the latter.

A contemplative look shifts on him, with Scott seemingly reading the other teen before he looks back at the words on the screen. He'll just remember this. Besides, he wants to try something out--]

Yeah, why should I sacrifice anything to be happy? Nothing.

[Unlike Charles, however, the screen flashes red, which makes him huff in indignation. That's so fucking rude dude!! He puts his hands on his hips while scrunching his face at it.] Guess it can't handle how confident I am.

[ shh just forget about it!! no need to perceive him about this too, thanks. charles just blinks, though, as scott tries it out seemingly in response to something he's said — except he didn't really say nothing, did he? oh well! no reason to look into that any deeper.

it's good that scott fights for the jokes here, though, as his indignant expression just makes charles burst out laughing. ]

Yeah, mate, that's it. [ his laughter is cut short, however, as the screen sees fit to flash them the next question — what do you hate most about yourself. charles stares at it for a second and then just groans. ] Seriously, what is up with this bloody quiz? Can't it just throw us a bone here?

[Yeah yeah, laugh it up man!! Scott half-heartedly shoves Charles's shoulder, but judging by the grin on him, it's clear he's not really upset. There's just no way he can let his friend laugh like that without reacting in some way!! Principle of the matter and all that.

But as the next question pops up and okay--]

I say that we just make up the rest of this shit.

[He declares, maybe a little too boldly, as he stares at the screen with some level of disdain. He's getting tired of this and who knows how many questions there are?! He isn't about to give well-thought out answers to over 100 questions!! Three is like his maximum.]

If they get upset, well, they can slap that crime on my parchment. 'Lying on a morality quiz.'

[ of course, charles makes a show of staggering sideways, as if scott's shove has been a lot more forceful than in actual reality — shush, this kind of silly joking helps him cope, okay!

but the bold declaration gets a bright, somewhat impressed grin out of him, because — ] Mate, that's brills! Right, who cares if we lie about this stuff? The thing moves forward even if we do.

[ so, really, it doesn't matter — at least it won't lock them in here until they speak the truth. ]

If they didn't want us to lie on this thing, then they shouldn't have allowed us to keep going.

[Is this taking advantage of the system? If so, fine by him, because yeah, screw the system!! Charles and him are going to do whatever and get through. If something actually bad happens from all their lying, then he'll just take responsibility. It'll be fine. Charles doesn't need to go through more shit--

Okay, but to 'answer' this next question... Scott thinks about it for only a few seconds before that grin returns.] I hate that I'm not like 6'3".

[Another flash of red from the screen.]

[ screw the system indeed! a part of charles is a tad bit mad they didn't do this from the start, actually — could have saved him a lot of embarrassment.

scott's answer earns him a sharp bark of a laugh as charles then grins at him, shaking his head. ] What, aiming to be taller than me, are you?

[ hey now, that's not allowed! never mind that he intentionally slouches down most of the time to appear less tall than he actually is. scratching the side of his neck, charles shrugs and says, ] Hate that I'm not smarter at different languages. Would be right good, that, but I never had the knack for it.

[ it's not even technically a lie — he does hate it, but hardly the most about himself, and so the screen flashes red for him, too. ]

Dude, it feels like I'm shorter than all my friends! Isn't it supposed to be the opposite when an American is around??

[Totally rude!! ~~especially since he's 6'3" in the comics~~ He's not sure how that happened, as Scott never considered himself short before coming here, but it really feels like it now. At least he can take stock in the fact that his girlfriend is pretty short, but it suits her!! God, okay, they really need to get through with this so he can go back to said girlfriend; he's tired of standing out here in his pajamas!

But different languages... he's never really thought about that, especially since he can understand everyone here. Huh. A thoughtful expression crosses his face at that, with Scott actually agreeing with his sentiment.]

I didn't really try that hard, but... it would be good knowing a couple. [Scott snorts a little.] Especially Japanese. We're lucky that this place just does all the translating for us, huh?

See, that's what you get when you buy into stereotypes.

[ he shrugs, grinning pointedly as he actually straightens up into his full height, shoulders rolling back from the slouch. he even manages to stand like that for a full, well, not even a minute, really, before he's just sticking his hands into his pockets and nodding thoughtfully at what scott is saying. ]

Yeah, it really is. I bet most of us just wouldn't understand each other at all if it didn't. [ then, muttered, ] Damn, I don't even know if he's speaking English or Japanese...

[ anyway! ] Right! Best move on to the next one, innit? Otherwise we'll be here all night.

Yeah yeah, whatever, mate.

[Scott grumbles half-heartedly with no actual heat, because it's Charles and he's grinning and so it's really hard to actually be annoyed with him. Besides, they're... actually kind of making the most out of their current situation by being absolute idiots about this and he doesn't want to really spoil the mood over something really stupid.

Also, he heard that Charles. There's a pointed look sent towards his direction, one that speaks of nosy questioning later on. Not now, because they're in the middle of this thing, but later on... there's no escape. It could just be a friend Charles is talking about, but that's why he's finding out later.

As for the next question 'what do you hate about others,' well, that's easy.]

I hate people taller than me, obviously. [Red beep.]

[ they are, it's true; this whole thing might suck, this whoole week might suck, but at least this? this isn't so bad. if he had to get stuck here, trying to make the most of a series of really terrible questions... well. he's pretty chuffed it was scott he ended up getting stuck here with.

he's expertly ignoring that pointed look, instead listening to scott's response and just, well. he can't help but burst out laughing at the deadpan delivery, sort of bending in half as he gasps for breath that he doesn't need. ]

That — [ hold on, he's still laughing, right, there we go, ] That was brills. [ okay, his turn, then. ] People shorter than me. Obviously.

[ don't mind him as he loses it again and just laughs his way through the red beep — ]

[There's no stopping Scott as he joins Charles, the mutant not quite bending over but the brightness behind his shades dim just slightly as his eyes close from laughing so heartily. Not that he'd consider himself super serious or unfriendly, at least not nowadays, but it feels like a long time since he's laughed like this and it's nice. Ghosts, man, who knew they would be like this?

It's probably just Charles, honestly.]

Fuck off man.

[Comes his retort, spoken between snorts of mirth and amusement. A part of him wants to retaliate and mention that he'll probably grow at least a few more inches, but he's too busy trying to recollect himself.]

[ he has to stop and wipe some actual tears of laughter out of his eyes, though scott's retort makes him aim a purposefully bright grin right at him in response. ]

Can't, I'm literally stuck here. And you're stuck with me! [ his smile persists through this, like it's the most hilarious thing he's saying — come on, just give him this, it's at least a bit funny.

and then he looks at the next question and promptly rolls his eyes. ]

Preferred method of murder? Oh bloody hell. Uh, suffocating someone in a pile of puppies.

[ a flash of red, and charles just shrugs. come on, your turn, scotty-boy. ]

[YOU'RE STUCK WITH HIM, CHARLES--

The retort doesn't manage to leave him, because he's too busy catching his breath and then snorting when he hears his friend's response to the new question that's proposed for them. It really is a good thing they're taking this in the least serious manner possible, because normally that question would really get Scott to freeze up, but Charles is out here talking about puppies and being the utmost ridiculous still.

It's really, really nice. Besides he's already briefly mentioned hurting someone in the past--]

The only thing better, or I guess worse, is suffocating someone under a mountain of ice cream.

[If he really thinks about it, that would probably actually suck, but whatever! It's still a bullshit answer and one that garners another red beep.] Hey! I didn't mention that I'd be merciful and at least give them their favorite flavor.

Hmm, [ charles makes a humming sound, tapping his chin with his fingertip as if taking this completely seriously, ] Nah, I think I'd still take the puppies over the ice cream. Even if you got my favourite flavour.

[ and then, as the screen flashes them the next question, charles heaves a sigh of relief. would you hurt the person across from you, it says, and, ]

No. No, I bloody wouldn't.

[ it's an easy answer for him, that, and the screen takes no time to flash green, this time. charles just gives scott a soft, genuine smile at that; of course he wouldn't. ]

More ice cream for me.

[To perish or whatever, but Scott doesn't stray long on that topic as the next question appears before them.

Despite this supposedly being another personal question or whatever, the answer to this comes so easily to him. It's such a sharp contrast to everything before this, knowing what to say without any complications. There really is no need to lie or make this into another dumb joke and it seems like Charles is of the same mindset as him when he answers the question with an easy smile. Yeah, of course not.]

No, I wouldn't. [He could've answered it with a little more gusto and exaggeration, but he wants this answer to fully sincere as he looks at Charles. The screen flashes green at him and heh, they're still probably going to get a failing grade after this.

And then there's the next question: Would you give your life for the person across from you?]

Heh, it's seriously asking that? [...He might be delaying just a little on this question.]

[ charles grins at that — it's nice, this, having at least one question that is easy to answer, nothing complicated whatsoever. and to know that scott shares the sentiment... equally nice. not that charles doubted him; scott's shown his character plenty of times already.

and then the next question flashes at them, and — ]

Oh, bloody hell. [ and the thing is — no easy out here, is there? it's a yes or no, and if you answer dishonestly, the screen will show it. and so he actually treats this one seriously; gives it the consideration it deserves, really, thinks of everything he's learned of scott, thinks of the rules this place seems to operate on... and in the end, well. not a hard one, this. ]

Yeah. [ the green from the screen paints his face a strange hue, for a moment. there's a quiet earnestness to his eyes, a soft tilt to the corners of his lips as he shrugs. ] Given that we come back when we die here, and I've already died once, anyway... if it came right down to it, if it meant keeping you from dying —

[ another shrug. and then his grin turns wry as he says, ] Don't feel like you gotta say the same. I'm already dead, yeah? Not worth dying for a dead guy, is it?

[It's really no surprise to see the screen flash green as Charles gives his answer. He's just a really good guy, that's all to it. Those memories he received from his other self already gave that impression and finally meeting him as his actual self had only reinforced those feelings. Maybe even more so, since learning more about the ghost and seeing just how friendly and empathetic he is.

A part of him wonders if Charles would say the same thing if he wasn't dead, if he'd be this certain and earnest, but it's an uncharitable thought that Scott immediately chases away. Maybe he's still assuming a lot of out him, but he has a feeling that the answer would be 'yes' anyway. It doesn't matter. Charles isn't lying now and he's smiling at Scott like it's okay if he doesn't feel the same way.]

...

[There's a long pause from Scott as he looks from Charles to the question that's still awaiting his response. How does he genuinely feel? Isn't it kind of silly to give up his life to someone that already died? Maybe so, but also... they're alive right now. Even if Charles is a ghost and everything, he still feels shit, right? Has all his memories and emotions. Isn't that most important thing?

Those sort of questions aren't things he usually thinks about, but...

Isn't it true that the person he loves the most is technically dead too? Her time is limited here as well. Scott closes his eyes for a moment, the mutant looking serious and thoughtful (and maybe a little grief stricken) and far from the teen that bullshitted half of his earlier answers. Memories weigh heavily down on him, but he allows it, thinking about the people he's grown close to in this world.

He's going to be as sincere about this to his friend.]

Yeah, I would.

[And there's a flash of green.]

[ he means it — not worth dying for a dead guy, not when scott is alive and vibrant and good, when there's no situation charles can think of where it'd be worth it for scott to die instead of him; no situation where he'd be worth it, for scott to die for him.

and yet, that is what scott answers — after thinking about it, too, not making a decision based on a gut feeling like charles is wont to do, but taking his time, his expression betraying just how seriously he's taking the consideration... and still, still, that is the conclusion he comes to.

charles blinks, feeling strangely unmoored, wrong-footed, like he has heard the words spoken, but there is a disconnect between hearing and understanding. ]

You... [ he manages, then, voice shaking. ] You — seriously?

[ but of course. this is scott, after all... and even after knowing him for such little time, charles can tell he's the kind of a person stories are written about, the kind who will step up when needed, who chooses to do what is right, not what is easy.

so he says, with a wobbly smile, ] You're a bloody good person, Scott.

Yeah.

[Scott reaffirms, responds softly, but confidently, his smile small but entirely sincere and warm. He still doesn't know Charles all too well (or maybe he just knows the bits that are too private), but he's officially in friend territory for the mutant and that's all that matters. Not to mention that based on what he heard, it feels like someone should fight for Charles, risk their life because his father and his 'friends' in the past fucking failed him. Someone should be on his side and fighting for him, especially since he's separated from Edwin.

It might as well be him. Mutants, ghosts, friends with no future, he'll fight for everyone he cares about.

Seeing Charles's reaction, Scott's smile turns encouraging and supportive. Sure, he's a good person, he tries to be, but what matters is seeing his friend believe him like this.]

Come on man, we're friends after all. [A more lighthearted comment to go with the almost fragile air around them.]

[ there is something to be said for starting a friendship the wrong way around — all of their private secrets laid out on the ground between them, while the more mundane things, the normal things are lacking.

but then again, charles hasn't been one for normal friendships since his death, has he? edwin, crystal, niko — it's the same thing for all of them. ]

... Yeah. Yeah, we are.

[ his voice, less wobbly now, is nothing but warm.

and then, a bit wryly, ] You think this thing'll let us go, now? Not that I'm not enjoying your company, but... got somewhere to be. Guessing you do, too.

[Scott can only smile, although it's edged into a small smirk, hearing Charles reaffirm their friendship. Okay, enough of that, right? Getting too touchy.]

Yeah, my bed has my name on it.

[He just wants to go to sleep and be warm!!

But then there's the last question, finally, asking if they think if the person across from them is a gnosia or human. Guess answering 'ghost' isn't what this stupid thing is asking for, but Scott's pretty sure that Charles isn't infected with that disease. Hard to think he was pretending all that.]

Human.

Right, yeah, it's bed time for the squishy humans.

[ which is fair! he'd really like to sleep, too, actually... if only. he rolls his shoulders back, blinks as the final question appears, and it's — well. seems right weird, that. why would it be asking this? ]

Well, what's the point of this one, then? [ with a shrug, ] Human, then.

( closed 👻 the case of the murder-causing mind infection )

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