dear_mun | New muse, looking at @towerofanimus

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New muse, looking at @towerofanimus

Mundane?

...

I appreciate that you've put so much faith behind me, especially when you had such a variety of other individuals to pick from. You could have relied on a person like Phi, Clover, Sigma... even Tenmyouji or Quark. All of these wonderful people had something to give, something special as... what do you call it, a... a muse? Yes, that's right. Any of them could have been your "muse".

And yet... you chose me.

...

Thank you. I don't know why you decided to trust me, but... know that it means a lot.

I--

[...

She pauses, brushing a finger across her lips as her eyes flicker to the ground. What words to use...]

May I ask a question?

...

If it's alright, I would like to understand your reasoning for placing me inside this Tower. I know that there are other players there, and they could benefit from my aid, yes, but... this isn't the Nonary Game. From what I've learned, there isn't a plan or a purpose to the cruelty that goes on there. Many people die without a logical reason, sometimes more than once, just trying to find a way home to a world that may not exist...

I know the similarities are striking. But, are you, um... Are you really okay with this?

...

[For a brief moment, she looks very pained, her eyes narrowing. She was very... conflicted about all of this. Surely she didn't have to explain. Her mundane already would know why this was such a difficult choice.

Right?

Slowly, her features soften, a sad smile slipping onto her face.]

I see.

It's your decision. With all due respect, though... please, think it over carefully, okay?

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[Quark looks up at Luna from underneath the rim of his hat. There's something pleading in those big childish eyes of his. Still, he tries to hold himself back in his words--to not sound desperate.]

I think you have plenty of special things to give, Miss Luna.

[He grinds one of his feet into the ground beneath him, pulls at the straps on the sides of his hat.]

It makes sense that you got chosen. I mean...you're really nice. And you're trustworthy, too. You chose ally when you were playing the AB Game with Dio and me.

[Luna was the nicest person he had met in the Nonary Game. Well, not counting his Grandpa, of course.]

Edited 2013-07-14 05:57 (UTC)

[Oh precious Quark. Why someone so young had to be involved in the Nonary Game always tugged something painfully tight in Luna; something she couldn't exactly describe, even with the knowledge she possessed about their circumstances. That reason of his seemed more like an obvious fact to her, but the important part gets through: he trusts her.

Oh...

How delightful that felt, to have another rely on you. There's a simple honesty that rings in his words, strengthening her smile as she gently clasps her hands in front of her.]

That's right. If we all worked together from the very beginning, then everyone would be able to get 9 BP, and we could all escape together. That means that no one would have to be trapped. No one would have to die.

[There's a slight hesitation.]

...At least, that's the best solution that I can see. What do you think?

[At Luna's words, Quark's small, encouraging smile becomes wider and more characteristically vibrant.]

Yeah! If we all just help each other we wouldn't have to even worry about anyone getting hurt!

[A slightly bashful blush colors his cheeks, and he laughs under his breath.]

...although, I don't know why anybody really thinks about betraying each other in the first place. Isn't working together just the right thing to do?

[He puts his hands behind his head.]

I know that it might take a little bit longer, but then in the end everybody would win!

[If only they could rewind time and make everyone ally with everyone else. He and Dio and Luna had all cooperated with each other, but some of the other players in the Nonary Game had been less noble. Making sure everyone stayed put until all the bracelets were up to 9BP might be harder, now.

Of course, that was if Quark ever got back to the Game and out of the Tower.]

[She giggles softly.]

Yes. If everyone were to trust their partners and stay true to their word, then I'm sure everything would work out for the best.

But... I suppose it's not that simple, right? All of the other teams had some disagreements, after all. Perhaps they don't understand.

[There was other reasons, of course. But the fact that the others seemed to struggle with what should have been such an easy concept puzzled Luna. Wouldn't everyone prefer to stay safe? Surely no one wanted to remain stuck in the Game forever, and if one relied on Betray too much, that would guarantee at least one person being behind the others... and possibly being left behind for good.

Her lips press into a thin line and she sighs tiredly, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.]

I hope that doesn't cause anyone trouble in this Tower. I know the objective isn't exactly the same. But...

[She trails off. Death loomed as a much greater threat here for everyone than it ever had been in the Game. What could have been a simple change of points back home could equal something far worse here, and with so many people crammed into the same situation, a collective effort for change was both incredibly important and yet logistically harder to compute.

Luna didn't want to admit it, but... she was scared.]

[With a shake of his head, Quark's expression sobers.]

It is that simple, though. Or it should be. Why do adults like to complicate things so much? We're all people and we all want to go home. That should be all that matters.

[The only reason it wasn't simple was because it was being made to be something other than that. At least, that's how Quark saw it. He looks at his feet.]

That's true in the Tower, too. We all just want to go home--where ever home is.

[As far as he knew, anyway. There was much, much more going on behind the scenes than he could possibly know.

Really, Quark would settle for anywhere his Grandpa was. Even the Tower.]

I, um... I'm not sure anyone enjoys complicating things, Quark, or that people even do it intentionally. They may just be confused, scared, or hurt -- not everyone knows what to do with those feelings. Situations like these... well, I'm not sure if it would help at all.

[Human beings could become unusually cruel and illogical when put under stress or danger, couldn't they? It was a very unstable concept to continuously adapt to. Sure, some people could predict the actions of others... but those were very few in number. Luna knew that very well.

...

There's a concern to Quark's sudden shift of mood. He had never been so somber in the time Luna had seen him. She bends down slightly at the waist, eyes softening.]

Um, Quark? Is... is there anyone there with you?

[Quark's silent as he takes in all that Luna says. She's right...he knows that she is. It was just hard for him to express or understand such things, being as young as he was. Even if he was smarter than your average ten-year-old.

But when the topic changes more specifically to the Tower, he does his best to look reassuring.]

Well...Mr. Dio just showed up not too long ago...

[He laughs, even though the chuckle is a bit on the small (and unconvincing) side.]

We're even roommates! Just like when we woke up in the AB room together.

[His voice becomes even softer.]

I keep trying to find my Grandpa. I check every day, but he's never anywhere.

[More and more often Quark was beginning to wonder if he'd ever see his Grandpa again. He was so used to seeing the old man each and every day that two months was like an eternity.]

Quark...

[Her shoulders slump a bit. So, Tenmyouji was not present after all. Quark acted so differently around the older man, even when they were playing the Game. Maybe there was a sense of comfort to have a guardian around? And with that comfort gone, it was no wonder he looked so blue.]

I'm so sorry.

[She hesitates, her hand raising as if to reach forward, before she thinks better of it and lets her fingers fall.]

Ah... Are you alright? Have you been eating? Sleeping? Is Dio treating you kindly?

[Out of everyone, Luna wasn't exactly sure Dio fit as the best choice to be with the boy. But maybe his answer would surprise her.]

It's okay.

[Quark doesn't like how sad Luna looks. She's such a nice lady, she deserves to be happy and to smile all the time. So he tries to sound more convincing than how he's feeling, rubs the back of his neck bashfully.]

I mean, sure, Mr. Dio wasn't my first choice [or second or third] but I'm really just happy to have someone with me that I know. Even if Mr. Dio doesn't seem to like me very much...

He's still really loud and says a whole bunch of grown-up words that Grandpa told me I'm not allowed to say, but it's not like he's really doing anything wrong.

[He's just kind of a jerk. But he's always been kind of a jerk. Quark knew he really couldn't be all that bad, though. Not when he hadn't stopped the boy from choosing ally against Luna.]

I'm eating fine, though! They don't have a lot of good food but it's not too bad and I carry around snacks with me in case I get hungry at random places! And, uh...

[Sleeping was...a whole different story. Overall sleeping hadn't been too bad but June had been a special case (or so it seemed). Quark had spent many a cramped night in small, obscure crawlspaces to avoid being attacked by monsters in the night. He wasn't too sure how wise it would be to tell Luna about that though.]

...I think I'm getting better at sleeping there, now.

Edited 2013-07-15 18:26 (UTC)

Oh my... you sound so confident. You really are very brave, Quark.

[She doesn't think Quark would lie about something like this. Why would he? It must be so horribly scary for him. But if he's figured a way through it, then that was for the best.

There's another concern that lingers, although she keeps her smile steady as she speaks. The last time she has seen Quark, he hadn't been in the best of shape.]

Are you feeling alright? Do you feel sick?

[Aw, shucks! You can't blame a kid for blushing at that sort of comment, can you? Especially when such a nice, pretty lady like Luna is the one giving it. He grins a little, sheepish, chuckles under his breath as he shrugs.]

Sick...?

[Quark thinks about it. But he can't remember feeling sick. Scared and in denial at certain points, sad and lonely, definitely. But sick?]

I don't think so...

[Of course, he can't know about the virus just waiting to blossom from where it sleeps inside of him. He can't know how close he was, in the timeline he's from, to getting dizzy and passing out.]

Why?

Why...? Well, I guess I just wanted to make sure. The Tower appears to be very large, with many varieties in its residents. If there isn't adequate medical care, a disease could easily spread.

[Of course, she keeps the specifics tucked away. No need to scare him if he was unaware, but... hmm. Had the virus simply diminished its effects? He's acting healthy enough - none of the peculiar behavior he had been exhibiting before his collapse and subsequent sedation. There's no doubt Radical 6 is still in his system, unless whoever captured him was able to remove it or administer Axelavir.]

You look like you are doing very well, though. Maybe my concern is groundless.

The question is, are you okay with this, Luna?

[Coming from anyone else, the question would sound like one of concern. Coming from Dio? It probably just sounds condescending.]

So far this place is like the Nonary Game on steroids. [He doesn't sound too worried when he says that - he hasn't died yet, he's mostly avoided most of the really crappy stuff going on, and, well, he thrives in this sort of environment. As long as he's looking out for number one, he's going to be okay.

Besides, the world being destroyed just isn't a big deal to him.]

You just keep going along with whatever anyone else says. That kind of thing is going to get you eaten alive there.

[Never in her existence has a human being made Luna so uncomfortable. Must Dio always put others down so quickly? Her mental retreat is practically visible, her head tilting away as she takes a small step backwards.]

Well... no, I suppose I'm not.

[She sighs quietly. There's an inner conflict in this matter, one she can't explain to Dio - the Third and First Laws are contradicting with the information she's already been given. The First trumped all. She knew that well enough. Even if she were concerned about her own safety, knowing that there were going to be people in danger and that she could very well play some role in assisting if she were present was difficult to simply ignore or logically push away.

Even if she was uncomfortable... Did she really have an option?]

But it's not a matter of what someone says or doesn't say. At least, I don't think it is. After all, whether I go or not is an action that is completely out of my control. Even if I hold negative feelings, that doesn't change that I could end up there at any time.

All I can do is... wait.

[His expression becomes a lazy smirk as she steps back. Yes, Luna was the same as ever. It's somewhat comforting to see that even his time in the Tower and Luna's time preparing to go there hasn't changed that. Dio isn't one who really needs constancy, per se, but that doesn't mean he can't appreciate it.]

You're doing it again.

[He shrugs. It's none of his business if Luna lets herself get strung along or not - but that won't stop him from pointing it out.]

You're so damn accepting of it. "It's out of my control." "All I can do is wait." It's like you don't make your own choices.

[A dick move? Yes. But Dio is the king of dick moves.]

What...? Why don't you think this is my own choice?

[Maybe it does sound pretty defeatist, but it's as close to a firm decision as she can make. She simply made the choice that was most logical, given her current restrictions. Apparently Dio didn't agree... or maybe he was just attempting to provoke her. Luna couldn't tell.]

What, isn't it obvious?

[He's not one to prattle on about choices - not really. His choices had been made for him from the beginning.]

You don't sound like you're making a choice. You sound like you're trying to convince yourself that it's okay to let someone else make the choice for you.

[...baiting people was just one of his many hobbies.]

Oh, I see...

[Her brow furrows. She stays quiet for a long moment, a knuckle pressed against her mouth as she thinks.

...]

I'm sorry, Dio. It must sound like I'm simply giving up. But I'm not. All I want is to believe my mundane can be trusted. That's the choice I've made. I can't pretend that I have control when, realistically, I don't. It's not giving up. It's just... reality.

I know you probably don't think so, but I... I don't think it's wrong to want to trust someone with something important.

Edited (wooo more grammar OKAY I'M DONE EDITING NOW) 2013-07-20 00:44 (UTC)

If you're gonna keep saying that, whatever. It's not like I can change your mind.

[Dio shrugs. Some people could just be so stupidly altruistic. She was seriously going to get herself killed one of these days, and ~~it probably would be his fault~~ he wasn't going to run around trying to save her. He was no hero.]

But for fuck's sake, make sure you take care of yourself while you're there. I can already tell the little brat's going to get attached to you, and it'll make him sad if you die.

Oh -- oh, yes, of course! Oh, but please, you both shouldn't worry about me. If it's as dangerous as you say, then it's important we look out for ourselves, as well as each other!

[Teamwork was the best option in the Nonary Game; surely the same would apply here. There would be no need to worry about your companions abandoning you or turning on you, and everyone could find a way out together. That was the best option for all involved, wasn't it?]

I'm not worried. I'm just saying, don't make the kid cry by being too selfless or anything.

[Because Dio has to live with the little brat and he so did not sign up to babysit him or wipe his tears. That is his story and he is sticking to it, though someone more optimistic might think he was just using it to hide how he cared.

Hah. Dio, caring. Yeah right.]

N-no, I'd never want that...

[Quark + crying = a very guilty Luna. If she did what was important for all of them, they could hopefully avoid that, right?? And if it did... well, hopefully she could make it up to him. She would just have to be put back together, and these people apparently had the technology to bring people back from the dead. Why not her, if the worst happened?

...]

Um... Why are you so concerned about Quark?

I have to share a room with him, and let me tell you, I do not want that brat's sniffling to keep me up all night.

[The kid was already upset enough about his grandpa not being around. Dio didn't want to have to look out for him any more than was really necessary, and god forbid he actually have to be nice to him so he'd shut up long enough for him to get his beauty sleep.]

Hmm...

[It was a tricky situation. Luna couldn't easily lighten the impact of death, especially on such a young child. She wishes Dio could be a little more accepting.]

Well... Could he stay with me? If what I heard is correct, everyone present in the Tower is able to return from death within 24 hours. Should the worst happen, it would only last for a day. If... um, if Quark is that upset, he can come talk to me.

Hey, you're more than welcome to take him off my hands any time you want to.

[It's not like Quark is his kid or anything. He was so not ready to sign up for a parent's responsibilities, and if Luna wants to take care of him, more power to her.]

Dunno if the administrators would like that we're not sleeping in our assigned rooms or shit, but fuck 'em.

Oh my... Are they really that strict?

[To keep order made enough basic sense. But it sounded more and more like the Tower was run (or supposed to be run) like a well-oiled machine. What in the world could they be planning?]

Who cares? It's about time someone threw some sand in their gears.

[Dio please that's going to get one or both of them killed. ...actually, that's probably why he's suggesting it.]

Perhaps. But... well, if there are rules, then more than likely there will be punishments for breaking those rules. Is it really that smart to test something like that when you don't know the consequences?

[Yes, she realizes that it was her idea in the first place, but she wasn't aware that something so simple might cause trouble.]

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New muse, looking at @towerofanimus

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hahahahah the icon keywords made me choke

that was what i was going for :'D /TAKES A BOW

/applause!!

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