expulse | (no subject)

[ excuse you??? ]

I did, yeah. Though, I think in this case, reality might be worse than fiction. [ a pause as he thinks about how to word this. ] As you can guess, I have ... connections to Lemuria. The surface world is full of dangers, and humans speak a language not many other creatures of the deep really know. [ you know, cruelty. greed. not just for survival, either. ] So it's only natural some of them fall victim to the plans people have for them.

[ besides their obvious weaknesses, too.

but, he tries not to dwell on those. ]

I'm not saying I'm righteous by any means. It's just— I do believe people receive the judgment they deserve.

[ he looks back to sylus, not sure what reaction he expects. ]

[ His expression doesn't change munch, clearly interested in what Rafayel has to say, and without any judgment to pass. If anything, he looks like understands. He's mildly surprised that he's sharing this with him, even if Sylus is steadily piecing the story together.

He shrugs lightly. ]

Who are you answering to for whether it's righteous or not? Isn't it your own conscience?

[ He doesn't see any reason to worry about the judgment of others, when the one who has to bear the weight of his actions is Rafayel himself.

... But he doesn't really know what it's like to have loved ones or a family worry after you. ]

Besides, anyone who plays with fire should be prepared to get burned.

[ No one who steps foot into the world of illicit dealings should be surprised when their reckoning comes. Sylus isn't ignorant either, to just how quickly a house of cards can come tumbling down. ]

[ the words themselves aren't anything extreme. there's no quick jump to comforting him, or loose words in validating that he's a good person, and maybe that's why they come across as a lot more genuine. he knows sylus probably knows exactly what he's done.

his paintings, his voice, and the corpses that lay in wake of those mediums he uses. that's probably also why, it means a lot that he stays.

then again, maybe it's just laughable that it's a talk between two killers.

he's silent for a moment, before he releases an almost ironic sort of a half-laugh. ] You would say that.

I was once told by someone that "it wasn't that they forgot," but they chose their own happiness. That they moved on. Guess I just haven't figured out that last part. [ ... and maybe they're in the same boat in some ways.

isn't that what keeps them coming back to her? ]

[ He has heard stories, and if he thought Rafayel needed any advice from him, he would tell him that the language of your enemies can often be your greatest weapon. Use that understanding of their greed and their cruelty against them.

But he has nothing to teach him in that respect, so he doesn't offer him any assistance. He thinks that Rafayel could use it, but can't claim that he would accept it, and Sylus is a poor teammate, in any case.

He can offer his understanding, at least, though it might fall short of actual sympathy. It's hard to tell.

... ] How is a wound meant to heal when the blade is still lodged in it?

[ He is also not a picture of restraint. If there is something denying him what he wants, then he will remove it, regardless of the cost. What's the point in "moving on"? Becoming "better"? ]

Sometimes it is the world that needs to change, not you. [ Said arrogantly, but at least the smile he has when he looks at Rafayel seems self-aware. ]

You sure you aren't actually gunning for world destruction?

[ but, what sylus says isn't incorrect. he still hears the cries of his people in his sleep and they plague his every nightmare. maybe that's all the more reason that the grief he feels hasn't dulled since they've come to the surface. but, rafayel doesn't think about that now. almost like he lives in fear of the fact that if he dwells on it for too long, sylus would somehow know. as if he could read his heart.

maybe that's just the kind of vibe sylus gives. or maybe that's just how aware he is of his vulnerabilities.

still— ] Have I satisfied your curiosity?

[ He does smile at that, because well... He's not concerned with the world much. But if it's destroyed, then that might limit his ability to go on cute dates with the hunter.

Luckily for Rafayel, his eye on tells him about desire, not grief, so that much he can keep to himself. ]

No. [ Bluntly. ] There's still plenty I want to know.

[ How the hunter fits into all of this, primarily. He's curious, too, about the other Lemurians and what kind of lives they've built for themselves. What kind of life Rafayel wants for them... But he doubts he'll get that information today.

He's surprised Rafayel doesn't suspect he might want to abuse them himself. ]

[ their boba dates ]

On most tests, you don't get all the answers. Sometimes you have to take the pen and write them in yourself. [ as if to punctuate his point, he taps a finger over sylus' hand.

it's true that this is the extent of what he'll say. it's also the truth that it's more than he's told anyone outside of the context of what people have seen here, or his jokes about a sea god. ]

Now is it my turn?

[ You want to hold hands? But he doesn't mind, carrying the weight of what Rafayel has shared, and prepared to use that to continue piecing together the story.

He tucks his shard into his jacket pocket, and then lifts a brow. ]

I don't have any secrets.

[ Except those relating to his business. ]

[ he's not holding your hand!! gently gives it a flick... ]

That sounds like something someone who has a ton of them would say, actually.

[ ... ] You don't want to tell me about what you get up to?

[ Flicks back. ]

Are you that interested in Onychinus? Are you going to ask for the armoury passwords and my bank PIN next?

[ hey!!! turning his head quickly to give him a look???

tries to shoo sylus' hand further away from him. ]

Your weapons don't interest me, and do I look broke to you?

[ You flicked him first? Just keeps smiling at him. ]

You look greedy.

[ that's inconsequential... ]

That depends on what I want. [ ... and don't they both know what that is? ]

Anyway, I'm tired. Turn on a movie or something.

[ Turns on the TV.

Pornography plays. ]

[ WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!!!!

rafayel turns to stare at him. give him the remote. ]

[ THEY'RE IN A LOVE HOTEL? WHAT ELSE IS GOING TO BE AVAILABLE??

Hands him the remote. ]

[ he changes the channel...

and it's also pornography. ]

[ Looks at him judmentally. ]

[ in turn, he looks at sylus like it's all his fault.

he turns off the tv to pout in silence. ]

[ What the heck... Gently shoves Rafayel so that he's on his back and hovers over him. ]

[ he looks up at sylus and decides he doesn't like it...

he plants his hands down and tries to get up, before he almost hits his head on sylus'— ]

Move over. [ why are you making him a bottom ]

[ I'm not assigning him anything.

Stays put. ]

I'm taking in the view.

What's there to see that you can't normally?

[ trying to touch the console for the lights in the room...

he struggles before just pushing sylus' chest instead because it's easier. ]

Are you normally beneath me?

[ ?

Takes the hand pushing his chest and holds it. ]

No, but does it make a difference?

[ he looks at the hand sylus is holding...

and he applies a bit more pressure before giving up and laying back. he sighs loudly like a pet who doesn't pay rent. ]