sort-of voice-test for a sort-of oc.

[scryinghope]

Please don't.

Yes, I know that won't stop you. I don't even need to be in your head to know that. I also happen to know that a little bit of pleading will at least make you feel guilty while you put me through all the things you're planning.

You see? It worked. At least now I can suffer with the petty vindictiveness of knowing that a fictional character made you feel bad. I'm like that on occasion.

Comments

[skeletonenigma]

Ask a psychologist a question...

Actually, let me expand on that question. Say I do change in the way you hope I will. Where's the balance? I can't just stop being sorry one day, even if I wanted to, because there's no one left to pick up the slack. If I stop shouldering the responsibility for Vile, it's like saying everything that happened is okay. It's not. It never will be. If I stop thinking that way, where does the judgement come from? What stops it from being okay? What stops me from thinking of it as being okay?

[scryinghope]

I'm not saying to stop taking responsibility, Skulduggery. Taking responsibility and letting others have a say in your punishment are two different things. You'll never stop being sorry, and I hope you never will--with all best possible implications.

But that doesn't mean you should cut us off. Let us help you shoulder that burden. If it makes a difference, view it as an extra punishment. We're taking control of your punishment away from you. You have control issues too, in case you didn't notice.

[skeletonenigma]

Wouldn't my viewing it as an extra punishment defeat the purpose of what I'm supposed to try and achieve?

[scryinghope]

That depends on your perspective. The point here is for you to let go. If it helps you to let go by viewing it as a punishment to put your fate in others' hands, it's not really exclusive to the purpose.

[skeletonenigma]

Alright. I'm putting my fate in your hands. What next?

[scryinghope]

How about some lunch? I'm hungry, and you do have a skin to eat with nowadays.

[skeletonenigma]

And you wonder why I'm so reluctant to let others handle punishment. Very well, lunch it is. Where did you have in mind?

[scryinghope]

Hence viewing the lack of control over your punishment being the punishment. And I don't know. How about some pizza? Real Italian pizza is nothing like modern pizza. I've never had modern pizza before.

[skeletonenigma]

So I should see this lunch as punishment, solely because it wasn't my idea?

I could get used to that.

You know, I don't think I've had modern pizza either.

[scryinghope]

Now you're getting the idea.

Clearly this is an oversight on both our parts which needs to be remedied. Any suggestions? It's been nearly a century. I think most of the restaurants I know have closed down.

[skeletonenigma]

Valkyrie usually goes for hamburgers when she's hungry. I know places to call for quick pizzas, if that's what you're looking for.

[scryinghope]

I haven't had a hamburger, either. Why don't we just take a walk and see what we find? You can fill me in on what I've missed.

[skeletonenigma]

You know everything you've missed. Why do you need me to explain it all again? I never pegged you for someone who doesn't pay attention.

[scryinghope]

That's the funny thing about perceptions: they change with every person I speak to. And, as you reminded me, I can't cheat by reading your mind.

[skeletonenigma]

You want my perspective on everything you've missed? Have you got a couple of years?

[scryinghope]

I'm dead. I have all the time in the world.

[skeletonenigma]

Death is wasted on the dead.

[scryinghope]

Perhaps, but then who would have it?

[skeletonenigma]

Let me rephrase. Death is wasted on those who know Archangels.

[scryinghope]

Technically, I didn't know Gabe and I still managed to give you a prod.

[skeletonenigma]

Oh, good. You see my point.

[scryinghope]

That death wasn't wasted on me? I thought you liked me, Skulduggery.

[skeletonenigma]

What I like and what I don't like rarely seems to affect who actually dies.

[scryinghope]

That depends on how evil your mun is feeling at the time.

[skeletonenigma]

And we're back to what we were originally talking about. Excellent. You should probably get used to that, Descry. There's very little you can do about it.