PCs for Brilith

[shortforever]

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[shortforever]

No. I knew that, once they figured out it was me, a coupla people would stop focusing on the trial all together. So I thought I should try to get them to solve the other murder first before I confessed. But that didn't work out.

[infire]

[ hm. ]

Better to speak up, and help us eliminate the evidence, than to waste time letting them focus on what they want. Their attention wanders too easily for that.

[shortforever]

Yeah, I guess you're right. I probably should've come clean at the start. But when I saw everyone- even people I thought were my friends- saying all that stuff? I just...couldn't.

[Despite the tough act he puts up, Chuuya actually does want acceptance from others.]

[infire]

[ ...aha. brilith has to count herself among that number, for some of the things she said in anger. ]

I can tell you right now, Chuuya, that I have more respect for someone who owns up to what they've done than someone who hides it when there are more important things to focus on.

[shortforever]

Yeah, I already know how you feel about it.

[He has ears.]

So you want me to own up to it all, then?

[infire]

...You already have for today, unless there's something you haven't said. The others aren't likely to trust you as much as before, though, even if you do say everything. As much as I'd like to, I won't be able to help you with that.

Will you cooperate if they want to restrain you next week?

[shortforever]

[And there's where he really starts to get defensive. Or, well, 'worked up' is probably a better explanation. Because he's got some anxiety about being restrained, as Brilith is about to find out.]

C'mon, you guys can't really mean to chain me up. What good would it even do? I've got the message loud and clear, I won't kill anyone else except in self-defense.

[infire]

I won't, no. I know you didn't kill her for your own sake, and I appreciate that you spoke up.

[ if it were just that, or if he'd done it for the sake of killing like stefano, that would be a different story. ]

But I doubt I'll be able to stop them if they try. Whatever they do, they'll want you to cooperate, if you plan to regain their trust.

...For what it's worth, though, you still have mine.

[shortforever]

I'll sit on the fucking roof before I get chained up again.

[There's something dark about the way he says that. Hm.

But the moment passes, and he's giving Brilith his full consideration.]

I just- they can want cooperation all they want, but I've got limits. And if they try to treat me like an animal, then I can't keep any promises to 'behave myself'.

[infire]

[ a long, quiet moment passes before she speaks again. ]

If there is anything I can do, anything at all, I will not let them treat you that way.

[ her voice is almost a whisper, but there is the fury of millions of years behind it. ]

[shortforever]

[His first instinct is to immediately close off and say he can handle it himself, because that's how it's always been. He doesn't trust people, even those he cares deeply for. It's hard, trusting someone else to take care of him.

But that's what friendship is, isn't it? It's trust. And maybe if he had been more trusting then today wouldn't have happened.]

...hopefully it won't come to that, but thanks.

[Something about her voice is a little scary, too. He does not want Brilith as an enemy.]

[infire]

[ well. she's glad he isn't fighting her on that. but it leads her to another question: ]

Is that what they did in your world? Held you captive? Or was it Arahabaki - or both of you?

[shortforever]

I'm sure they did for a while, but I don't remember that part of my life. I don't remember a single thing before the explosion that destroyed the city I woke up in. I was like...seven-ish, at the time? So while I'm sure they chained me up for the Arahabaki experiments, that's not what I think of.

Literally everybody I know back home just wants to use me for something. Even Dazai, he just sees me as a form of amusement. But everyone wants to control me and tell me what to do, and I hate that. I just...don't like being held down. I've been arrested and put in jail before, I've been held captive by people before too. I can't stand people trying to control me. Even if it's for a good reason, I just can't sit still for it. It feels like I'm going to burst right out of my skin if I don't get away.

I know, it sounds childish, but it is what it is. I'm Chaos, and Chaos isn't supposed to be chained down.

[infire]

...I don't think it's childish at all, actually.

[ it sounds horrifying. it sounds like hell. ]

That isn't the kind of life that anyone should have to lead, no matter who they are. Isn't there something you can do about it? Anything?

[shortforever]

Probably? I could just ditch everyone and be by myself. But that's kinda lonely, you know?

[infire]

[ . . . ]

If we find a way out, like they say we can... if I go. You could come to my world, if you want.

[ she's hesitant, unsure... because why would he want to? and why would she even suggest it, when... ]

[shortforever]

You sure your own god of chaos wouldn't get mad at having another one hanging around? Because wherever I go, Arahabaki goes.

[infire]

Kali might be offended, but there's hardly anything that wouldn't anger her, as far as I can tell. I doubt anyone but her would be bothered if you came.

And no one needs to know about Arahabaki, anyway, unless you choose to say something yourself.

[shortforever]

I mean, I don't usually talk about him, but wouldn't other gods be able to sense him? Normally I don't exactly hide my powers or anything. I just don't say where they come from.

[infire]

The gods have Insight, so they'll know the instant you look any of them in the eye.

[ she's absolutely doxxing all those bitches so chuuya doesn't have to find out the hard way like she did. ]

I can't guarantee that they wouldn't try to make use of you - Chandra certainly would, as he has no value for anyone's life outside of how useful they are to him. But you don't follow our gods, and they can't force even those who do to follow their orders. What you do would be your choice, and yours alone.

[shortforever]

That's about what I gotta deal with already, so it wouldn't be much of a change.

[He does sound interested in the idea, but he's hesitant to outright accept it. There's something holding him back, perhaps.]

...We'll see. There's something I gotta do first.

[infire]

Well, I won't stop you. Whatever it is... good luck.