Inbox - Penance

[red_song]

...
Just say something. I might listen.

Comments

sometime mid-December

[tobetheone]

[Things have been different in the hotel since everyone else was crowded inside. There's enough people to make it feel like a real city. It's more like home this way. But the people have been acting strangely since the crowds moved in. Mega doesn't really appreciate how much discord there's been among the humans, but he isn't sure what can be done about them. Elena's said he shouldn't do anything too physical until his injury is healed, and apparently human bodies take forever to repair themselves.

That's how he came to be here, leaning on a railing overlooking the lobby. He glances back at the sound of a familiar melody. How nice of you to always announce yourself, brother.]

The decorations are really nice out here, don't you think? I wish the people were appreciating them more.

Re: sometime mid-December

[red_song]

[The announcement is for Mega, and Mega only. He moves forward to lean against the railing as well, thoughtful for a moment of the body heat coming off of his brother. How strange.]

They're frivilous.

[tobetheone]

[It's a little bizarre to Mega too. Proto has heat, and Mega can feel it. Temperatures are so strange and fluctuating.]

Frivolous things are nice. They make everyone happy.

[red_song]

[Temperatures were strange. Perception moreso. Body heat, especially close, felt so much warmer than hot air. why was that.]

Not everyone, Rock.

un: t3cHg0d69; text

[twatter]

[ The rudest thing one can do to someone is call, so Tech Boy's motto is always text -- even if he's probably not very far away in one of the tents. ]

yo. checking in to see how you made out with your bro. did lucifer bring him back?

UN: RedSong

[red_song]

[Very kind of him. Proto was not as fond of speaking aloud. His voice sounds wrong, because it isn't synthesized. He doesn't like vocal cords.]

He lives. He was, I believe the word is 'traumatized' by what he has experienced. This is nothing new. He has been through war before. He has been here before. He will recover.

I do not understand your username.

[twatter]

glad to hear it. everything worked out for the best except the fucking hotel is gone so now we're all sleeping out here like animals.

lol idk if you want me to explain it or.....

[red_song]

You say that while I rest on a bed that is shaped like a dog. You are quite accurate.

Yes, please explain. More data yields better interactions with the world.

un: t3cHg0d69; text

[twatter]

hey so like, you'd tell me if i fucked up, right? you'd be honest with me, right?

Re: un: t3cHg0d69; text

[red_song]

If you ask it of me.

[twatter]

do you consider it cheating on someone to like flirt with someone else?

[red_song]

From the data I have gleaned from other people, yes. Definitionally it is cheating. However humans are limited in understanding. Software can be compatible with multiple OSes. To be bound to a single platform is unwise and prone to destruction of viability of interaction.

[in person]

[swordofzero]

[Suzaku has been worried about Blues. Very worried but he's also not really... great at expressing that worry. There's nothing practical he can do to help. Things had been terrible and he's not sure what he can do or say to help matters.

But he also doesn't want Blues to think he is avoiding him. So it's approaching evening one night when he makes his way to Blues' suite and knocks softly at the door.]

[red_song]

[The knocking without answer brings Proto out from where he had been in his room, reading a book. When he opened the door he saw Suzaku and, relieved, moved immediately to hug his friend.]

Thank you, for all you did to save me. I didn't thank you then. I should have.

[swordofzero]

You don't need to thank me. [There was no world where Suzaku would have left Blues there, it was nothing that needed thanking for.

The hug is unexpected but he returns it, arms wrapping around him confidently. He's getting better, with some people, at letting them in.]

How are you feeling?

[red_song]

I do.

[Proto is learning to let people be kind to him too.]

I hate hell, even if I earned it and belong here.

[swordofzero]

Are you alright Blues? I hope things haven't been too bad.

[He's back? This is his way of announcing this.]

[red_song]

[Should he say it? Should he admit the vulnerability that Monika and Tech had determined from his post? For a moment he hesitates before responding. And then he decides he must be honest.]

Rock is gone. I am processing the grief of it. It is not easy. But I wish to be more like a person he could respect.

[swordofzero]

I am sorry to hear that. Who is Rock?

[He's even more worried now than he was when he sent the message. Someone close to Blues had disappeared.]

[red_song]

My brother. That was his true name, as Blues is mine. I didn't give anyone it before, because it should be his choice. But he is gone now. And I'm alone.

[And alone with Rock gone is very different from not spending a lot of time with Rock. Very different.]

My eyes hurt from crying at night. And my head too. IT has been a while and it still hurts.

[Suzaku, know it or not, has unlocked the deeper emotional connection level.]

text; un: techgod; backdated to before the TDM hits

[twatter]

yo, blues

i don't wanna worry you, but also i think you need to know about this...

i'm going away for a while.

there was a situation. it's messy and complicated, but it got resolved. i made a deal with mammon to save a few people, but because of the deal i gotta pack up and head back with mammon to his island for a bit.

i'll be back, tho. i promise you that.

[red_song]

Alright. Please, be careful. I don't want you hurt.

[twatter]

[ It's honestly a breath of fresh air that Proto doesn't ask the details. It's better for them both that he doesn't know. He doesn't need to worry on the heels of losing his brother and all the pain he's going through. ]

you know me, man. always careful 😉

i shouldn't be there for much longer than a month so i'll text you when i get back. take care of yourself in the meantime

[red_song]

[Oh, accepting doesn't mean that he won't worry. He's already worrying. He will likely continue worrying. He was not happy with this sort of emotion at all.]

I am very good at taking care of myself these days. And I have others to help me.

[odaystar]

To Whom It May Concern,

It has been years now since Hell has been redone and made even greater than ever before. And you, my prized guest, have made it twenty-four months in your journey towards redemption. I know that there have been bumps along the way and we haven't always seen eye to eye, but I do wish to show my gratitude. Together, we will all leave Hell one day.

I have handpicked gifts specifically for you to commemorate this anniversary. I do hope you enjoy them.

An enormous basket of decadent chocolates and sweets from across the human world. It also comes with a picture of his brother and another one of Sara.

A book on the different ways to have ice cream

Two vouchers to get out of torture. They may be transferred to another party.

Yours,
Lucifer