((cw: suicidal ideation and attempt, weird self-cesty vibes due to the nature of his crime.))
[Fandaniel looks down the street. It is almost unfamiliar with every window darkened and only the light of the full moon illuminating the faces of each building. Somewhere nearby, a block away maybe, he can hear the sound of Chosen clashing with a wandering beast.
What do you think of them?
Voiceless words drift through his mind. A presence suddenly leans against him. Despite the hood he wears, he can feel the sensation of something nuzzling against his neck. Lips feather against his ear.
Whatever it is, he can feel it silently urging him to turn and face it.]
What do I think of who?
[He decides entertaining the question is better than giving the formless entity what it wants.
The Chosen.]
Alas, poor fools.
[Yes, the voiceless words agree. You are better than them. You can see the tragic meaninglessness of existence for what it is! And yet...
Fandaniel doesn't answer. After a minute passes in silence, the words in his mind continue for him.
And yet you are also worse than them. The revelation has made you a monster unable to live in their world any longer... It doesn't have to be that way.
At this Ascian does whirl in place, turning to see...nothing. The presence pressed against his body seems to withdraw as if startled by his sudden movement.]
Oh? And what would change things? Please do enlighten me, oh, faceless entity!
[Shadows darken and arise, swirling from the cobbles. They coalesce into a cloud, at the center of which hangs a bright scarlet glyph that Fandaniel knows only too well.
Love me.
The Ascian cackles.]
Ha! I see! Is this another trick of the AI? Some senseless attempt to see me redeemed? Well, I am not falling for it. Who is less deserving of love than I, the worst man in the world?
[His shadow self ripples as if in disappointment.
Fandaniel lifts a hand, snaps his fingers, and conjures a pistol into his grip. The shadow ripples again, this time in grim amusement.
A bullet will not harm a being of pure aether.]
Well, then, I am in luck! 'Tis not supposed to harm you!
[Fandaniel crows and holds the muzzle of the gun against his temple.]
I'm holding myself hostage until you leave. Hmm... I wonder, will pulling the trigger force you to disperse? Is your being anchored to mine?
[Movement in the street ahead pulls his eyes from his shadow. It's hard to mistake the flaming clock heading in his direction for anyone else.]
Dante! Turn around, won't you? This is a private conversation.
Madness (closed to Dante)
[Fandaniel looks down the street. It is almost unfamiliar with every window darkened and only the light of the full moon illuminating the faces of each building. Somewhere nearby, a block away maybe, he can hear the sound of Chosen clashing with a wandering beast.
What do you think of them?
Voiceless words drift through his mind. A presence suddenly leans against him. Despite the hood he wears, he can feel the sensation of something nuzzling against his neck. Lips feather against his ear.
Whatever it is, he can feel it silently urging him to turn and face it.]
What do I think of who?
[He decides entertaining the question is better than giving the formless entity what it wants.
The Chosen.]
Alas, poor fools.
[Yes, the voiceless words agree. You are better than them. You can see the tragic meaninglessness of existence for what it is! And yet...
Fandaniel doesn't answer. After a minute passes in silence, the words in his mind continue for him.
And yet you are also worse than them. The revelation has made you a monster unable to live in their world any longer... It doesn't have to be that way.
At this Ascian does whirl in place, turning to see...nothing. The presence pressed against his body seems to withdraw as if startled by his sudden movement.]
Oh? And what would change things? Please do enlighten me, oh, faceless entity!
[Shadows darken and arise, swirling from the cobbles. They coalesce into a cloud, at the center of which hangs a bright scarlet glyph that Fandaniel knows only too well.
Love me.
The Ascian cackles.]
Ha! I see! Is this another trick of the AI? Some senseless attempt to see me redeemed? Well, I am not falling for it. Who is less deserving of love than I, the worst man in the world?
[His shadow self ripples as if in disappointment.
Fandaniel lifts a hand, snaps his fingers, and conjures a pistol into his grip. The shadow ripples again, this time in grim amusement.
A bullet will not harm a being of pure aether.]
Well, then, I am in luck! 'Tis not supposed to harm you!
[Fandaniel crows and holds the muzzle of the gun against his temple.]
I'm holding myself hostage until you leave. Hmm... I wonder, will pulling the trigger force you to disperse? Is your being anchored to mine?
[Movement in the street ahead pulls his eyes from his shadow. It's hard to mistake the flaming clock heading in his direction for anyone else.]
Dante! Turn around, won't you? This is a private conversation.