Feelings Jam w. Regent & Faerzen

[17:29] <Regent> I mean
[17:29] <Regent> Clearly you dont care about Tarane enough to even tell her about this
[17:29] <Regent> Even though I'm sure she would be heartbroken
[17:29] <Lyra_Bel> Don't try and guilt me into things
[17:29] <Lyra_Bel> You and I both know that doesn't work
[17:30] <Regent> Guilt?
[17:30] <Regent> I just want you to talk to Tarane
[17:30] <Lyra_Bel> Why?
[17:30] <Regent> She deserves that much at least
[17:30] <Regent> Because she is your friend
[17:30] <Lyra_Bel> No comment
[17:30] <Regent> She cares about you
[17:30] <Lyra_Bel> Debatable
[17:30] <Regent> I dont care if you dont like her
[17:30] <Regent> She likes you as a person
[17:31] <Regent> The least you can do before "quitting"
[17:31] <Regent> Is tell her what you are doing
[17:31] <Regent> Tell you what
[17:31] <Regent> You talk to Tarane, have a good lengthy conversation,
[17:31] <Regent> And I'll take over for you and mount your defence for you
[17:32] <Regent> Otherwise we can just sit here doing nothing
[17:32] <Lyra_Bel> Not gonna lie
[17:32] <Lyra_Bel> The sitting sounds pretty tempting
[17:33] <Regent> Do you fear death Lyra?
[17:33] <Lyra_Bel> Meh
[17:33] <Lyra_Bel> Not as much as I did before the game started
[17:33] <Lyra_Bel> Seems like it's inevitable now, though
[17:33] <Regent> Huh
[17:33] <Regent> Wonder what your dad would say
[17:33] <Lyra_Bel> Dunno
[17:33] <Regent> If he saw you like this
[17:33] <Lyra_Bel> Good thing he's dead, eh?
[17:34] <Regent> Is he?
[17:34] <Lyra_Bel> Hope so.  Better than being stuck somewhere like this
[17:34] <Regent> Physically probably
[17:34] <Regent> But does that mean you will just ignore everything he ever taught you? All he has done to help you grow?
[17:35] <Regent> Clearly you must hate him if you aren't upset about his death
[17:35] <Lyra_Bel> Low blow
[17:35] <Lyra_Bel> But I still don't care
[17:35] <Lyra_Bel> Gotta love sociopathy, eh?
[17:36] <Regent> Do you want me to poke around in your brain?
[17:36] <Lyra_Bel> Go nuts
[17:36] <Lyra_Bel> Not my problem
[17:36] <Regent> Hmm
[17:36] <Regent> I think if I do *this*
[17:37]  * Lyra_Bel violently vomits
[17:37] <Regent> Oops
[17:37] <Lyra_Bel> Th-thats how we're doing this?
[17:37] <Regent> Sorry, I'm not too good at this
[17:37] <Regent> Whatever do you mean Lyra?
[17:37] <Regent> I'm just trying to help
[17:37] <Regent> Why do you care?
[17:37] <Regent> Oh wait
[17:37] <Regent> You don't
[17:37] <Lyra_Bel> Nothing stopping me from hopping off that edge seven hours early
[17:38] <Regent> I am
[17:38] <Regent> I am taking you into my custody as a mental patient
[17:38] <Lyra_Bel> Can't make me do stuff I don't want to
[17:38] <Regent> Oh can't I?
[17:38]  * Lyra_Bel vomits again
[17:39] <Regent> Involuntary muscle groups
[17:39] <Regent> Gotta love 'em
[17:39] <Lyra_Bel> Yeah
[17:39] <Lyra_Bel> Like the heart
[17:39] <Regent> Yep
[17:39] <Lyra_Bel> You could gimme a heart attack right now if you wanted to
[17:39] <Regent> I could
[17:39] <Lyra_Bel> Awesome
[17:40] <Regent> Hmm
[17:40] <Regent> What's this do?
[17:40]  * Lyra_Bel is suddenly filled with overwhelming, heart wrenching sadness, for no good reason
[17:41]  * Lyra_Bel clenches her eyes shut to try and keep from crying
[17:41] <Regent> Doesn't seem to do anything
[17:41] <Regent> Let's try again
[17:42]  * Lyra_Bel drops to the floor and curls up in a ball, against her will, from sheer and utter abysmal sadness
[17:42] <Lyra_Bel> This isn't fair
[17:43] <Regent> Hmm?
[17:43] <Regent> I couldn't make that out over the sobbing
[17:43] <Lyra_Bel> Cheap shot
[20:26] <Regent> Not as cheap as what will happen if you fail to defend yourself in that trial
[20:26] <Regent> Now
[20:27] <Regent> This part of your brain looks unstimulated
[20:27] <Regent> Let's poke that
[20:27] <Regent> *Lyra's sadness fills away and is replaced by a regular, normal, happiness*
[20:27] <Lyra_Bel> Heh, not "unstimulated"
[20:28] <Lyra_Bel> More like atrophied
[20:28] <Regent> Oh hey
[20:28] <Regent> I've not seen you smile before
[20:28] <Regent> You look nice when you are happy
[20:28] <Lyra_Bel> You're looking through my eyes, you still can't see me
[20:28] <Regent> Figure of speech
[20:28] <Lyra_Bel> And you made me giggle when we were seeing Faerzen
[20:29] <Lyra_Bel> But thank you
[20:29] <Regent> You weren't happy though
[20:29] <Lyra_Bel> Not happy now, not really
[20:29] <Lyra_Bel> But this is good enough
[20:29] <Regent> Anyways, I'm just gonna leave this bit on for a while if that is ok with you
[20:29] <Lyra_Bel> Yeah, feel free
[20:29] <Regent> Alright, Lyra
[20:30] <Regent> Can you talk to Tarane now and tell her what is going on?
[20:30] <Lyra_Bel> Do I have to?
[20:30] <Regent> Would you really rather she didn't know?
[20:30] <Lyra_Bel> Yeah
[20:30] <Regent> Are you resisting for your own sake or for hers?
[20:31] <Lyra_Bel> A little bit of both, I think
[20:31] <Lyra_Bel> Partially because it'll buy her a bit more time before figuring out what happens to me
[20:31] <Regent> It seems to me like you are mostly trying to avoid worrying her and talking about the subject
[20:31] <Lyra_Bel> And partially because she never tells me anything
[20:31] <Lyra_Bel> I think I'm bitter
[20:32]  * Regent sighs
[20:32] <Regent> Well
[20:32] <Regent> You can try to talk to her now to fix that
[20:32] <Regent> Her not talking, that is
[20:33] <Lyra_Bel> Or?
[20:33] <Regent> No or
[20:34] <Regent> I want you to do this at some point during the recess
[20:34] <Lyra_Bel> Do I have to?
[20:34] <Regent> Lyra
[20:34] <Lyra_Bel> Why worry her with something that won't affect her?
[20:34]  * Regent sighs again
[20:34] <Regent> Isn't Faerzen around here somewhere?
[20:35] <Regent> I'm no good at this stuff
[20:35] <Lyra_Bel> Sure you are!
[20:35] <Lyra_Bel> I'm feeling great
[20:35] <Lyra_Bel> Even if it's a fake happy
[20:35] <Lyra_Bel> That's good enough sometimes, right?
[20:36] <Regent> Hoh boy
[20:36] <Regent> I sure hope so
[20:37] <Lyra_Bel> Perfect!  So let's keep going with that
[20:37] <Lyra_Bel> What else can you force me to do?
[20:37] <Regent> Shit, what am I even doing here
[20:37] <Regent> I can poke around some more if you want
[20:37] <Lyra_Bel> Yeah!
[20:38] <Regent> Well
[20:38] <Regent> Oh hey
[20:38] <Regent> We should clean up that vomit from before
[20:38] <Lyra_Bel> Yeah, maybe
[20:38] <Regent> Speaking of which
[20:38] <Lyra_Bel> Mmm?
[20:38] <Regent> What've you been eating lately?
[20:39] <Lyra_Bel> Um...
[20:39]  * Faerzen_Norstov pokes head in the window
[20:39] <Faerzen_Norstov> Did you say food?
[20:39] <Lyra_Bel> Stuff from Alex's food sack
[20:39] <Regent> Faerzen!
[20:40] <Faerzen_Norstov> I have some food, if you would like.
[20:40] <Faerzen_Norstov> I can assure you it is veeeeeery tasty.
[20:40] <Lyra_Bel> Nah, I'm okay
[20:40]  * Regent think-whispers to Faerzen
[20:40] <Lyra_Bel> Already had my requisite Last Meal
[20:40] <Regent> *I'm messing about in her head little, I'll explain that later*
[20:40]  * Faerzen_Norstov rolls her eyes
[20:41] <Faerzen_Norstov> *I'm not sure invading the privacy of one's mind is the best way to go about solving a problem, but very well, continue*
[20:41] <Regent> *Basically she is experiencing a light form of Mania right now, happiness from no real source*
[20:41] <Regent> *I didn't invade, she gave up her mind to me*
[20:41] <Faerzen_Norstov> *True**
[20:41]  * Lyra_Bel beams
[20:42] <Lyra_Bel> Alister was right, y'know
[20:42] <Lyra_Bel> The ten of swords DOES make things easier
[20:42] <Regent> *I'm afraid I may fuck up in here and mess up her brain*
[20:42]  * Faerzen_Norstov looks offput at Lyra with such a large grin on her face
[20:42] <Regent> *I'm a bit out of my league here*
[20:42] <Faerzen_Norstov> *Me too*
[20:42] <Faerzen_Norstov> *Please go easy on this, if you must do it at all*
[20:43] <Lyra_Bel> You're both so quiet.  What's up?
[20:43] <Faerzen_Norstov> What do you mean, Lyra?
[20:43] <Faerzen_Norstov> The ten of swords?
[20:43] <Lyra_Bel> That's one of my tarot draws, yeah
[20:43] <Lyra_Bel> Utter oblivion
[20:43] <Lyra_Bel> A loss so heavy that nothing else after it can possibly matter
[20:43] <Regent> "..."
[20:44] <Faerzen_Norstov> Well that is a cheerful thought.
[20:44] <Lyra_Bel> A sudden bolt from the sky that wipes you to smithereens!
[20:44] <Lyra_Bel> No, but it's okay
[20:44] <Regent> Hmmph
[20:44] <Regent> The Tower is a far superior card
[20:44] <Lyra_Bel> I dunno that one
[20:44] <Regent> *Tell me and I can influence her emotions or reflexes*
[20:44] <Lyra_Bel> All I know is ten of swords, fool, and three of cups
[20:45] <Lyra_Bel> ... I think
[20:45] <Regent> *I trust you more than myself*
[20:45] <Regent> Look it up
[20:45] <Lyra_Bel> Sure!
[20:45] <Regent> I think you'll find it more fitting here
[20:45]  * Lyra_Bel googles "tarot tower"
[20:46] <Lyra_Bel> Yeah, I guess
[20:46] <Lyra_Bel> But I prefer the swords and the fool
[20:46] <Regent> Destruction invites creation Lyra
[20:46] <Lyra_Bel> But oblivion invites peace
[20:47] <Faerzen_Norstov> *I don't trust myself with that at all**
[20:47] <Faerzen_Norstov> What is wrong with both of those being true?
[20:47] <Regent> *You think I'd fare better?!*
[20:47] <Faerzen_Norstov> *That's why I think we should drop it all together*
[20:47] <Lyra_Bel> Maybe they are both true.  I just think I prefer swords
[20:47] <Faerzen_Norstov> *I am not using cheap tricks like that*
[20:48] <Faerzen_Norstov> Destruction invites peace. It removes distractions and shows us what we really care about. Destruction also invites creation. Rising from the ruins of the old and learning from its faults and mistakes.
[20:48] <Lyra_Bel> That's what the page says, yeah
[20:48] <Regent> *If I dropped it right now she'd be her normal depressed self*
[20:49] <Lyra_Bel> But the swords mean that I don't ever have to worry about anything again
[20:49] <Faerzen_Norstov> *Whatever you want to do it fine, but I don't think you should do any more poking around than you already are.*
[20:49] <Faerzen_Norstov> *She is already unstable*
[20:49] <Lyra_Bel> Even if it means fake happiness, that's still better than more chaos
[20:49] <Regent> *This is better than suicidal*
[20:49] <Regent> Lyra
[20:50] <Lyra_Bel> Mm hmm?
[20:50] <Regent> Please don't talk about death like that
[20:50] <Regent> You are hurting me
[20:50] <Lyra_Bel> Why?
[20:50] <Regent> I don't want you to die
[20:50] <Faerzen_Norstov> *I didn't say there was anything wrong with what you are currently doing. I simply don't want to manipulate her more directly and overbearingly myself. I already know what happens when I do that and I'm finished with it*
[20:50] <Faerzen_Norstov> I concur
[20:50] <Lyra_Bel> Well, that's what the swords are for, right?  I'm basically already dead.
[20:51] <Regent> Lyra
[20:51] <Lyra_Bel> Now all that's left is the seven hours of peace
[20:51] <Regent> Please
[20:51]  * Lyra_Bel smiles
[20:51] <Lyra_Bel> Let's have some fun with it!
[20:51] <Faerzen_Norstov> Lyra.
[20:51] <Faerzen_Norstov> Please.
[20:51] <Lyra_Bel> Fine, fine.  What is it?
[20:52] <Regent> *Lyra's eyes start flowing green tears*
[20:52] <Faerzen_Norstov> You may have given up all hope for yourself, and while that saddens me, I can't force you to feel things you absolutely refuse to believe.
[20:52] <Regent> Sorry
[20:52] <Regent> That's me
[20:52] <Faerzen_Norstov> However.
[20:52] <Faerzen_Norstov> Think of the rest of us, think of me, think of Regent, think of the other players in my session you have yet to meet.
[20:53] <Faerzen_Norstov> Whether you realize it or not, we are all tied together in this game.
[20:53] <Faerzen_Norstov> Please don't be so selfish.
[20:53] <Lyra_Bel> ...
[20:53] <Lyra_Bel> Sorry
[20:53] <Faerzen_Norstov> There is little I can do in the moment if you cannot use yourself to motivate yourself to action.
[20:53] <Lyra_Bel> I'm just a selfish person, I guess
[20:53]  * Regent sniffs through
[20:53] <Regent> *Lyra
[20:54] <Lyra_Bel> Reggie?
[20:54] <Lyra_Bel> Can you stop with the happiness so I can talk?
[20:54] <Lyra_Bel> I'd rather be miserable again than hurt you two
[20:55] <Regent> You hurt me more when you are sad
[20:55] <Regent> It is just less obvious
[20:55] <Lyra_Bel> Oh, sorry for that
[20:55] <Regent> I'll taper it down to a solid nuetral mood
[20:55]  * Regent does so
[20:55] <Faerzen_Norstov> *Thank you*
[20:55] <Lyra_Bel> Okay
[20:55] <Lyra_Bel> First of all
[20:55] <Regent> *Gentle sobbing*
[20:55] <Lyra_Bel> Pump up the anger
[20:56] <Regent> No
[20:56] <Lyra_Bel> Motivation matters right now
[20:56] <Regent> Anger is motivation without purpose
[20:56] <Faerzen_Norstov> You can make yourself angry, Lyra
[20:56] <Faerzen_Norstov> You aren't truly angry if you have nothing fueling the anger
[20:56] <Regent> < Master Yi quote. Booyah >
[20:57] <Lyra_Bel> Oh, I've got a whole lot of stuff to be mad about
[20:57] <Regent> l-Lyra
[20:57] <Faerzen_Norstov> Then do not ask Regent to instill false anger. That will get us nowhere.
[20:57] == Senpai_ [webchat@cpe-67-255-109-231.stny.res.rr.com] has joined #RPGStuck_Horrorterrors
[20:57] <Regent> Could we try without the anger first?
[20:57] <Regent> Please?
[20:57] <Lyra_Bel> Fine
[20:57] <Lyra_Bel> Your call, boss
[20:57] <Regent> Don't call me that please
[20:57] <Lyra_Bel> Sorry
[20:58] <Regent> *I feel so awful*
[20:58] <Faerzen_Norstov> *I'm sorry you have to be put through this*
[20:58] <Faerzen_Norstov> Lyra? Do you want to get down to business with this case?
[20:58] <Lyra_Bel> Let's.
[20:58] <Faerzen_Norstov> I was doing some thinking on the way over here and I have some ideas.
[20:59] <Lyra_Bel> Awesome
[20:59] <Faerzen_Norstov> I have no idea what the probability of us winning this case is, but it is almost certainly lower if we don't try.
[20:59] <Lyra_Bel> It's zero
[20:59] <Lyra_Bel> I mean, duh
[20:59] <Lyra_Bel> Question is how we survive the aftereffects
[20:59] <Regent> Insanity
[20:59] <Lyra_Bel> Yep
[20:59] <Regent> Plead insanity
[20:59] <Faerzen_Norstov> Here are my initial thoughts.
[20:59] <Faerzen_Norstov> There are three possible outcomes of this case given the current state of things.
[20:59] <Regent> Faerzen or I will be assigned caretaker
[21:00] <Regent> Problem solved
[21:00] <Lyra_Bel> That was the idea
[21:00] <Faerzen_Norstov> Case 1: You successfully plead insanity and the contract is null and void, as is the one you already sort of made with Abyss in this timeline.
[21:00] <Lyra_Bel> Go on, Faerzen
[21:00] <Lyra_Bel> Awesome
[21:00] <Lyra_Bel> Let's call that Plan A
[21:00] <Faerzen_Norstov> Case 2: You fail to plead insanity but are able to release yourself from the responsibilities of the bogus contract from Maskwraith's timeline.
[21:01] <Faerzen_Norstov> Case 3: You fail both of these are are subject to both contracts.
[21:01] <Lyra_Bel> Well, I'm liking Case 2 even more than the first one
[21:01] <Faerzen_Norstov> Or perhaps they can be interpreted to be the same
[21:01] <Faerzen_Norstov> Here is my first draft of a plan
[21:01] <Faerzen_Norstov> Currently, Case 1 and Case 2 are far preferred to Case 3
[21:02] <Lyra_Bel> Eeyup
[21:02] <Lyra_Bel> Although
[21:02] <Faerzen_Norstov> We need as many safety nets between us and Case 3 as possible.
[21:02] <Faerzen_Norstov> Yes?
[21:02] <Lyra_Bel> It ain't THAT bad
[21:02] <Lyra_Bel> Case 3 is the swords
[21:02] <Faerzen_Norstov> Let's not delve into the absolute value of each case
[21:02] <Faerzen_Norstov> The point is relatively speaking, Case 1 and 2 are highly preferred
[21:02] <Lyra_Bel> I take a long walk off a short cliff, problem solved, contract void
[21:02] <Lyra_Bel> Easy
[21:02] <Lyra_Bel> But yeah, I wouldn't mind the first two
[21:03] <Faerzen_Norstov> I can see your reasoning to prefer Case 2 to Case 1
[21:03] <Faerzen_Norstov> However, I do not think that is sufficient reason to not plead insanity
[21:03] <Regent> Lyra
[21:03] <Faerzen_Norstov> So I think that should be our first priority
[21:03] <Regent> Please don't talk about killing yourself
[21:03] <Regent> I need to go
[21:03] <Regent> Take me off
[21:03] <Regent> Right now
[21:03] <Lyra_Bel> Sure
[21:03]  * Lyra_Bel removes Regent
[21:03] <Faerzen_Norstov> *I'm sorry*
[21:04]  * Regent is shaking in Lyra's hands
[21:04] <Faerzen_Norstov> If the insanity plea falls through, then we can move forwards with the case of the alternate contract
[21:04] <Regent> Put me down
[21:04]  * Lyra_Bel places Regent on the floor
[21:04]  * Lyra_Bel closes her eyes and leans back against the wall
[21:05] <Lyra_Bel> Ugh
[21:05] <Faerzen_Norstov> What do you think of that?
[21:05] <Lyra_Bel> Sure.  Try for insanity
[21:05] <Faerzen_Norstov> I have something that may be of use in this case as well.
[21:05] <Lyra_Bel> Anything helps
[21:06]  * Faerzen_Norstov reaches into his periodic table sylladex and decaptchalogues something
[21:06] <Faerzen_Norstov> C - CARBON
[21:06]  * Faerzen_Norstov is holding a tattered folder covered in blood
[21:06] <Faerzen_Norstov> This.
[21:07] <Lyra_Bel> This
[21:07] <Lyra_Bel> Is... ?
[21:07] <Faerzen_Norstov> You have just spend an extended period of time with the man you call Maskwraith, is that correct?
[21:07] <Lyra_Bel> Yeah
[21:07] <Faerzen_Norstov> He assaulted you?
[21:07] <Lyra_Bel> No
[21:07] <Lyra_Bel> Kinda a creep, but no
[21:07] <Faerzen_Norstov> Really?
[21:07] <Lyra_Bel> Yeah
[21:08] <Lyra_Bel> Oh, wait
[21:08] <Faerzen_Norstov> I was under the impression he used physical force against you a number of times.
[21:08] <Lyra_Bel> Yeah, good point
[21:08] <Lyra_Bel> That was a thing that happened
[21:08] <Lyra_Bel> Forgot about that
[21:08] <Faerzen_Norstov> He showed you him murdering you.
[21:08] <Faerzen_Norstov> correct?
[21:08] <Lyra_Bel> Yep
[21:08] <Faerzen_Norstov> And generally being very creepy and morbid
[21:08] <Lyra_Bel> Sorta
[21:08] <Faerzen_Norstov> This folder here.
[21:09] <Lyra_Bel> Not the morbid sort of creepy, but still kinda both
[21:09] <Faerzen_Norstov> This is a detailed, thorough, and in-depth pyschological analysis of Maskwraith
[21:09] <Faerzen_Norstov> Complete with drawings, illustrations, research notes, and interviews
[21:09] <Lyra_Bel> I'm sorry but what
[21:09] <Regent> < If you stop typing in your /me's and use brackets instead it would be easier >
[21:10] <Lyra_Bel> Okay
[21:10] <Faerzen_Norstov> Clearly proving his insanity and his predilection to inflict that insanity on others
[21:10]  * Faerzen_Norstov wiggles the folder in her hands
[21:10] <Lyra_Bel> We're accusing craziness of being contagious?
[21:11] <Lyra_Bel> ... Actually yeah
[21:11] <Lyra_Bel> Yeah, that'd work
[21:11] <Faerzen_Norstov> Lyra.
[21:11] <Faerzen_Norstov> You saw your own murder.
[21:11] <Lyra_Bel> Yeah
[21:11] <Faerzen_Norstov> A crazy man with a crow's mask, burning eyes, and black wings.
[21:11] <Lyra_Bel> Uh huh
[21:11] <Faerzen_Norstov> Ripping your heart out and shoving it down your throat.
[21:12] <Lyra_Bel> Yeah.  I was mad at him for it
[21:12] <Faerzen_Norstov> That is a goldmine of evidence for a plea of insanity
[21:12] <Faerzen_Norstov> Not to mention this folder
[21:12] <Lyra_Bel> Faerzen
[21:12] <Faerzen_Norstov> On top of evidence for everything you listed in your pleas.
[21:12] <Faerzen_Norstov> Yes?
[21:12] <Lyra_Bel> I was mad at him for it
[21:12] <Lyra_Bel> Not for the killing part
[21:12] <Faerzen_Norstov> So?
[21:12] <Lyra_Bel> For killing me that way
[21:13] <Faerzen_Norstov> Even better then
[21:13] <Faerzen_Norstov> More evidence to pile on the platter that you aren't a typical human being
[21:13] <Lyra_Bel> Because I wanted my death to be more... significant
[21:14] <Faerzen_Norstov> I'm afraid nobody got a terribly significant death in that timeline.
[21:14] <Lyra_Bel> Then at least something BAD
[21:14] <Faerzen_Norstov> Except maybe perhaps Juan, he is the one I still have a dark spot about.
[21:14] <Lyra_Bel> Torture!
[21:14] <Lyra_Bel> Mutilation!
[21:15] <Lyra_Bel> I wanted to suffer for it
[21:16] <Faerzen_Norstov> Is there a particular reason you are sharing all of this with me?
[21:16] <Lyra_Bel> Insanity plea
[21:16] <Faerzen_Norstov> Okay, I agree then
[21:16] <Faerzen_Norstov> This is a good train of thought.
[21:16] <Faerzen_Norstov> What were the various bullet points you enumerated earlier?
[21:16] <Lyra_Bel> I don't even remember
[21:16] <Faerzen_Norstov> I was rather..... distracted at the moment
[21:16] <Lyra_Bel> I was seeing red, just said everything that came to mind
[21:16] <Faerzen_Norstov> That is precisely what it sounded like.
[21:17] <Lyra_Bel> Y'know what
[21:17]  * Lyra_Bel uses the Emerald Shades to start recording the conversation
[21:17] <Lyra_Bel> There
[21:17] <Faerzen_Norstov> What did you just do?
[21:17] <Lyra_Bel> He can't be the only one with evidence
[21:17] <Faerzen_Norstov> Are you recording this?
[21:17] <Lyra_Bel> Everything for the next seven hours
[21:18] <Faerzen_Norstov> That is actually a wise idea.
[21:18] <Lyra_Bel> Your glasses are a computer too, right?
[21:18]  * Faerzen_Norstov gestures in the air briefly to begin her recording software
[21:18] <Faerzen_Norstov> Yes, I just switched them on as well
[21:18] <Faerzen_Norstov> I am simply using them as a computing device at the moment
[21:18] <Lyra_Bel> Perfect
[21:18] <Faerzen_Norstov> Don't pay any attention to them
[21:19] <Lyra_Bel> Now we at least can prove the next time something stupid happens
[21:19] <Faerzen_Norstov> Let's please get back to the previous conversation, Lyra
[21:19] <Lyra_Bel> Sure
[21:19] <Lyra_Bel> Where were we?
[21:19] <Faerzen_Norstov> I brought up the fact that Maskwraith showed up
[21:19] <Lyra_Bel> Right
[21:19] <Faerzen_Norstov> And showed you him murdering your alternate self
[21:19] <Lyra_Bel> Okay
[21:20] <Lyra_Bel> And I was mad because she wasn't in enough pain
[21:20] <Faerzen_Norstov> He is a known mass murderer, thief, and rapist, and he showed you this. And that is what frustrated you the most?
[21:20] <Lyra_Bel> Yeah
[21:20] <Lyra_Bel> I
[21:21] <Lyra_Bel> I was ranting at him, about how much better a job I could have done
[21:21] <Faerzen_Norstov> Why would you want that for your alternate self anyways?
[21:21] <Lyra_Bel> ...
[21:21] <Lyra_Bel> Dunno
[21:22] <Lyra_Bel> Because that's how this game works, I guess
[21:22] <Lyra_Bel> That's how all games work
[21:22] <Faerzen_Norstov> What do you mean?
[21:22] <Faerzen_Norstov> Every game must involve painful demises?
[21:23] <Lyra_Bel> Zero sum
[21:23] <Lyra_Bel> If there's a winner, there's gotta be a loser
[21:23] <Lyra_Bel> And I kinda always envisioned myself as the loser
[21:23] <Faerzen_Norstov> But why were you disappointed, even frustrated, that that negative sum didn't get placed on you?
[21:24] <Faerzen_Norstov> Do you not wish to be on the "winner" side of that trade-off?
[21:24] <Lyra_Bel> Because I want to be the one that gets hurt for it!
[21:25] <Faerzen_Norstov> Is that some sort of self-satisfaction that you want to hurt yourself? What is the motivation behind that?
[21:25] <Lyra_Bel> I don't know
[21:25] <Lyra_Bel> Insanity?
[21:25] <Lyra_Bel> That seems to be the go-to answer for any questions about why I do stuff
[21:25] <Faerzen_Norstov> I'm not sure I would jump so quickly to use that word, Lyra. But I would agree there is a disconnect there.
[21:26] <Faerzen_Norstov> That is why we are talking.
[21:26] <Faerzen_Norstov> To dig deeper into this.
[21:26] <Lyra_Bel> No, that's not the issue
[21:26] <Lyra_Bel> The issue isn't WHY
[21:26] <Lyra_Bel> The issue is WHAT
[21:26] <Lyra_Bel> Quantity of evidence over quality
[21:26] <Lyra_Bel> How else am I deranged?
[21:27] <Faerzen_Norstov> Quite a great many ways, it seems
[21:27] <Faerzen_Norstov> I want to touch on one of those other ways
[21:27] <Lyra_Bel> By all means
[21:27] <Faerzen_Norstov> Digging deeper into this line of thought, this is where I wanted to continue to
[21:27] <Faerzen_Norstov> It seems to me that this thread of self-harm is quite pervasive
[21:27] <Faerzen_Norstov> Not just in this one case of you seeing your own horrifically violent murder
[21:28] <Faerzen_Norstov> You threw yourself out of numerous gates, one after the other
[21:28] <Lyra_Bel> That wasn't about me, though
[21:28] <Faerzen_Norstov> continuously self-inflicting more damage that could have easily been averted
[21:29] <Faerzen_Norstov> You knew you would likely die if you continued as you were
[21:29] <Lyra_Bel> I could have made it!
[21:29] <Faerzen_Norstov> You were lucky Regent stopped you when he did
[21:29] <Faerzen_Norstov> Not from what Regent told me.
[21:29] <Faerzen_Norstov> You came to visit me afterwards
[21:30] <Faerzen_Norstov> And I can personally say you were in incredibly bad shape
[21:30] <Faerzen_Norstov> Even if you had made it, you wouldn't have been in any fit state to help Alex
[21:30] <Regent> *Faerzen*
[21:30] <Faerzen_Norstov> *Yes?*
[21:30] <Regent> *Could you please take me out of the room?*
[21:30] <Lyra_Bel> I...
[21:30] <Faerzen_Norstov> *Yes*
[21:30] <Lyra_Bel> I at least could have been there for him!
[21:31] <Faerzen_Norstov> In your dying moments?
[21:31] <Regent> *I believe I am on the verge of a panic attack*
[21:31] <Faerzen_Norstov> That hardly seems helpful to anyone!
[21:31] <Lyra_Bel> And his, yeah
[21:31] <Faerzen_Norstov> Please pardon me for a moment.
[21:31]  * Faerzen_Norstov walks over to Regent and picks up the crown
[21:31] <Lyra_Bel> Hm?
[21:31] <Regent> The crown is shaking visibly
[21:31]  * Faerzen_Norstov walks outside and sets the crown on top of a gas pump before returning to inside
[21:32] <Lyra_Bel> Again?
[21:32] <Faerzen_Norstov> Please, continue
[21:32] <Lyra_Bel> Bluh
[21:32] <Lyra_Bel> Why does he keep bringing me to these interventions then absconding?
[21:32] <Faerzen_Norstov> Because he cares about you.
[21:32] <Lyra_Bel> Couldn't have at least forced me to take him out?
[21:32] <Faerzen_Norstov> And he hates to see you hurting.
[21:32] <Lyra_Bel> I ain't hurting
[21:33] <Faerzen_Norstov> That is the problem.
[21:33] <Faerzen_Norstov> Your mind and life are so scarred that you aren't hurting at all anymore, even when you should be.
[21:33] <Lyra_Bel> That's not how it works
[21:33] <Lyra_Bel> It's not that "oh you're just so used to it that it doesn't affect you"
[21:33] <Lyra_Bel> I like it.
[21:34] <Lyra_Bel> Okay?
[21:34] <Regent> < It literally is just that though >
[21:34] <Faerzen_Norstov> Case in point.
[21:34] <Faerzen_Norstov> Anyways, let us not continue discussing Regent.
[21:35] <Faerzen_Norstov> If you were Alex, and even if you were dying on the pavement, slowly fading form consciousness
[21:35] <Regent> < Man, poor Regent >
[21:35] <Faerzen_Norstov> Do you really think it would help him to see his friend fall from the sky and kill herself too?
[21:35] <Faerzen_Norstov> I daresay not.
[21:35] <Lyra_Bel> ...
[21:35] <Faerzen_Norstov> That is not being there for him.
[21:35] <Faerzen_Norstov> You said it yourself.
[21:35] <Faerzen_Norstov> You enjoy it.
[21:35] <Lyra_Bel> Then what should I have done?
[21:36] <Faerzen_Norstov> almost anything but that
[21:36] <Lyra_Bel> Forget that I may have killed him and gone on with my day?
[21:36] <Faerzen_Norstov> I am sure if you had taken some time to reasonably and calmly think through things you would have thought of something.
[21:36] <Faerzen_Norstov> You are a smart girl, Lyra
[21:36] <Lyra_Bel> No comment
[21:37] <Faerzen_Norstov> All throughout this game, you have talked about simply throwing yourself off a cliff or performing some equally harmful act just to kill yourself
[21:37] <Regent> *Faerzen hears painful sounding, soul wrenching sobbing from Regent in her head*
[21:37] <Faerzen_Norstov> Not just that gate incident
[21:37] <Lyra_Bel> Because I wanna see what stops it from working
[21:37] <Faerzen_Norstov> Why do you think there must be something?
[21:37] <Lyra_Bel> That's how the game works
[21:38] <Lyra_Bel> Grind you down without QUITE breaking you
[21:38] <Lyra_Bel> Then forcing you to claw your way back up
[21:38] <Lyra_Bel> Just in time for the next disaster
[21:38] <Faerzen_Norstov> The game breaking you and you breaking you are two very different things, Lyra
[21:38] <Lyra_Bel> How so?
[21:39] <Faerzen_Norstov> How are they not? Do you really think you lack that much agency that any action you perform is instead the fault of the game?
[21:39] <Lyra_Bel> Yep
[21:39] <Lyra_Bel> I've been trying to do stuff myself
[21:40] <Lyra_Bel> But then another bombshell gets dropped, the playing field changes, and I gotta focus on the new mess
[21:40] <Faerzen_Norstov> I cannot disagree with that. I have a rather full platter of mess myself. Not that I can say it compares to yours, however.
[21:40] <Faerzen_Norstov> But is that justification for just further self-harm?
[21:41] <Lyra_Bel> It's not pointless
[21:41] <Lyra_Bel> It's... a side effect, let's call it
[21:41] <Lyra_Bel> Of taking that necessary next step
[21:41] <Regent> *The sobbing in Faerzen's head is suddenly cut off entirely*
[21:42]  * Faerzen_Norstov quickly looks outside at the gas pump
[21:42] <Faerzen_Norstov> *Regent?*
[21:42]  * Lyra_Bel follows Faerzen's gaze
[21:42] <Faerzen_Norstov> *Regent?*
[21:42] <Regent> The crown is there as normal, shaking violently
[21:43] <Lyra_Bel> He's talking in your head
[21:43] <Faerzen_Norstov> No, he isn't
[21:43] <Lyra_Bel> Telling you something bad
[21:43] <Faerzen_Norstov> He is suddenly entirely silent
[21:43] <Lyra_Bel> Welp
[21:43] <Faerzen_Norstov> He was crying earlier.
[21:43]  * Lyra_Bel stands up, walks outside, and puts on the crown
[21:44] <Faerzen_Norstov> Lyra, careful! He is not okay right now at all.
[21:44] <Regent> No response vocally from Regent
[21:44] <Lyra_Bel> Who is?
[21:44] <Regent> Just shaking
[21:44] <Lyra_Bel> *Reg?*
[21:44] <Regent> *I don't want to talk to you*
[21:44] <Regent> *Take me off*
[21:45] <Lyra_Bel> *Yeah you do, and no I won't*
[21:45] <Regent> *Give me to Faerzen*
[21:45] <Lyra_Bel> *Make me*
[21:45] <Regent> *Please*
[21:45] <Regent> *I'm really hurting right now*
[21:45] <Faerzen_Norstov> Is he answering you?
[21:45] <Lyra_Bel> Yeah
[21:45] <Regent> *I don't want to upset you, or control you anymore*
[21:45] <Regent> *Please take me off*
[21:45] <Regent> *Please*
[21:46] <Regent> *Please*
[21:46] <Regent> *Please*
[21:46] <Faerzen_Norstov> What is he saying?
[21:46] <Lyra_Bel> *Y'know what the best thing about being a sociopath is?*
[21:46] <Lyra_Bel> *I don't need to care about what you want.  So thanks for that*
[21:46] <Lyra_Bel> Nothing
[21:46] <Regent> *Lyra vomits violently*
[21:46]  * Faerzen_Norstov walks over to Lyra and yanks the crown off of her head, putting it on
[21:46] <Faerzen_Norstov> LIAR.
[21:47] <Faerzen_Norstov> *Regent, are you there?*
[21:47] <Faerzen_Norstov> *Calm down, it's okay, you're on me now*
[21:47] <Regent> *Take me away*
[21:47] <Regent> *It hurts*
[21:47] <Regent> *It hurts so mucj*
[21:47] <Faerzen_Norstov> *I know it does, and I'm sorry*
[21:48] <Faerzen_Norstov> *I am really truly sorry that this sucks so much*
[21:48] <Lyra_Bel> ... Faerzen?
[21:48] <Faerzen_Norstov> *What would you like me to do?*
[21:48] <Faerzen_Norstov> Yes?
[21:48] <Lyra_Bel> You aren't happy either, are you?
[21:48] <Lyra_Bel> You're stuck doing stuff you'd really rather not
[21:48] <Faerzen_Norstov> Why would any of us be happy right now?
[21:48] <Lyra_Bel> And everyone around you is forcing you to keep going
[21:48] <Regent> *Bawling noises inside Faerzen's head*
[21:48] <Lyra_Bel> Because if you don't, things'll go even worse
[21:49] <Faerzen_Norstov> Welcome to my life, Lyra. I just try and learn to deal with it.
[21:49] <Faerzen_Norstov> It seems things always seem to work that way around me.
[21:49] <Faerzen_Norstov> Or at least, I make them work that way.
[21:49] <Faerzen_Norstov> Sometimes, I can't tell which.
[21:49] <Lyra_Bel> Welcome to Sabath
[21:50] <Faerzen_Norstov> *Shhhhh, it'll be okay Reggie. I'm here*
[21:50] <Faerzen_Norstov> Essentially, yes.
[21:50] <Regent> *She's so alone*
[21:50] <Regent> *So alone and its so awful what she has been through*
[21:50] <Faerzen_Norstov> *Yes. Yes, she is, and yes, it is awful*
[21:50] <Lyra_Bel> ... Except no
[21:51] <Lyra_Bel> No, that's not it
[21:51] <Faerzen_Norstov> Hmm?
[21:51] <Lyra_Bel> There's more to it, isn't there?
[21:51] <Lyra_Bel> This isn't Salvation War, there isn't suffering for its own sake
[21:51] <Lyra_Bel> It's like
[21:51] <Lyra_Bel> This whole thing
[21:51] <Lyra_Bel> This... feelings jam, or whatever you wanna call it
[21:52] <Lyra_Bel> It's like the end of the least child-friendly Disney movie ever
[21:52] <Lyra_Bel> Right?
[21:52]  * Faerzen_Norstov smirks
[21:52] <Faerzen_Norstov> That is the most depressingly apt analogy I have heard in quite some time.
[21:52] <Lyra_Bel> No, because it's like
[21:52] <Lyra_Bel> After this whole mess
[21:52] <Faerzen_Norstov> *I don't expect to be able to fix her. I'm done with trying to fix people.*
[21:53] <Lyra_Bel> We're just now getting to actually working stuff out
[21:53] <Faerzen_Norstov> *But what I can do is be here for her*
[21:53] <Lyra_Bel> In one big epiphanic chat shoehorned in right before the finale
[21:53] <Lyra_Bel> Or after, depending on how you interpret our chances
[21:54] <Faerzen_Norstov> I suppose.
[21:54] <Lyra_Bel> But Sabath isn't that bad
[21:54] <Lyra_Bel> Or it is, but the other kind of bad
[21:54] <Faerzen_Norstov> Oh really?
[21:55] <Lyra_Bel> It's not that... lame
[21:55] <Lyra_Bel> Or egregious
[21:55] <Lyra_Bel> Or pathetic
[21:55] <Lyra_Bel> It's BETTER than that
[21:55] <Lyra_Bel> It's a thing, and it's really really good at what it does
[21:55] <Lyra_Bel> Yeah?
[21:55] <Faerzen_Norstov> I can wholeheartedly agree with that statement
[21:55] <Lyra_Bel> But it's bigger than us
[21:56] <Lyra_Bel> We're ants looking at the door mat of a skyscraper
[21:56] <Faerzen_Norstov> It is a whole lot bigger than us. And one of its parts is that it functions as a trial by fire, and damn that fire is hot.
[21:57] <Faerzen_Norstov> I have been digging and digging to learn as much as I can about this game and I am certain I have only scraped the tip of the iceberg.
[21:57] <Regent> *Lyra, I'm sorry*
[21:58] <Lyra_Bel> That can't be it, though
[21:58] <Regent> < That was out loud >
[21:58] <Lyra_Bel> Huh?
[21:58] <Regent> I
[21:58] <Regent> *sniff*
[21:58] <Regent> I should've been better,
[21:58] <Regent> At helping you out
[21:58] <Lyra_Bel> Stop
[21:58] <Lyra_Bel> Stop right now
[21:58] <Regent> You are always so alone
[21:58] <Faerzen_Norstov> Regent, this is in no way your fault
[21:59] <Regent> I could've done better
[21:59] <Regent> I can't even do anything to fix this
[21:59] <Regent> Look at me
[21:59] <Regent> I'm worthless
[21:59] <Faerzen_Norstov> Perhaps, perhaps not, but that doesn't mean any of this is your fault.
[21:59] <Faerzen_Norstov> You can't be expected to fix people!
[22:00] <Regent> All I've accomplished
[22:00] <Regent> Is mercy killing an elderly pony
[22:03] <Lyra_Bel> First of all
[22:04] <Lyra_Bel> Screw you for not listening to me when I said to stop
[22:04] <Lyra_Bel> Second of all, thanks for ignoring me when I said to stop
[22:04] <Regent> Everything I do is worthless...
[22:04] <Lyra_Bel> Third of all, shut up with the worthless talk
[22:04] <Faerzen_Norstov> How can you even say that, Regent?
[22:04] <Lyra_Bel> Because we're all worthless, that's the whole point
[22:04] <Regent> It hurts so much
[22:05] <Lyra_Bel> Fourth of all, I made you kill the pony
[22:05] <Lyra_Bel> FIFTH of all, you saved my life at least twice
[22:05] <Lyra_Bel> So I'm a little offended you prioritized a dying horse over those
[22:05] <Lyra_Bel> Sixth, I ain't lonely
[22:06]  * Regent whimpers in pain
[22:06] <Lyra_Bel> And not just because of the menagerie of voices in my head
[22:07] <Lyra_Bel> This, this thing.  This mental breakdown about how you aren't able to magic away my issues?
[22:07] <Regent> Lyra
[22:07] <Lyra_Bel> Reggie
[22:07] <Regent> You don't know how hurt you are
[22:07] <Lyra_Bel> Fine
[22:07] <Lyra_Bel> How hurt am I?
[22:07] <Regent> I'm like the opposite of a sociopath
[22:08] <Regent> I emphasize very well
[22:08] <Lyra_Bel> Empath
[22:08] <Regent> If you realized how hurt you were
[22:08] <Regent> Your reaction to it would be way worse than what I am feeling right now
[22:08] <Lyra_Bel> Reggie, please listen to me
[22:08] <Lyra_Bel> I'm not hurting right now
[22:09] <Lyra_Bel> Okay?
[22:09] <Regent> Ok
[22:09] <Lyra_Bel> Maybe it's good that I ain't the best at realizing things
[22:09] <Regent> No
[22:09] <Regent> You can't be helped until you realize this
[22:09] <Lyra_Bel> I don't think I need help, though
[22:09] <Regent> I've seen it all before
[22:09] <Regent> Hell
[22:10] <Regent> I've lived it all before
[22:10] <Lyra_Bel> ...
[22:10] <Faerzen_Norstov> That doesn't mean you should be expected to fix it though, Reggie!
[22:10] <Faerzen_Norstov> Saying "I could have done better" is meaningless
[22:10] <Faerzen_Norstov> Because everyone can always say that
[22:10] <Lyra_Bel> It's running away
[22:10] <Regent> What use am I if I can't save her
[22:10] <Faerzen_Norstov> Nobody is perfect and you've done a damn good job of helping Lyra.
[22:11] <Lyra_Bel> Regent, you've kept me from dying at least twice
[22:11] <Faerzen_Norstov> Lyra isn't your sole responsibility to mend all by yourself.
[22:11] <Lyra_Bel> More including all the times the pen helped
[22:11] <Regent> And what have you shown for it?
[22:11] <Regent> more suicidal urges
[22:11] <Lyra_Bel> They aren't suicidal urges!
[22:11] <Regent> You want to die
[22:11] <Faerzen_Norstov> Perhaps we can grow past whatever those are eventually!
[22:11] <Regent> And are willing to
[22:11] <Lyra_Bel> I do not want to die
[22:12] <Regent> Grow past?
[22:12] <Lyra_Bel> Willing, sure, if that's what it takes
[22:12] <Faerzen_Norstov> You can't expect Lyra's entire psyche to be fixed in a mere 6 days
[22:12] <Lyra_Bel> There's nothing wrong with my psyche!
[22:12] <Regent> Grow past?
[22:12] <Regent> Heh, Lyra
[22:12] <Regent> There is
[22:12] <Lyra_Bel> No
[22:12] <Lyra_Bel> Y'know what?
[22:12] <Lyra_Bel> No there's not
[22:12] <Regent> You are depressed and sociopathic
[22:12] <Lyra_Bel> Not depressed
[22:12] <Regent> No?
[22:12] <Lyra_Bel> No
[22:12] <Faerzen_Norstov> Let's not debate this right now.
[22:12] <Regent> Last time you felt happy
[22:12] <Regent> Go
[22:13] <Lyra_Bel> How long do I get to think?
[22:13] <Regent> 10 seconds
[22:13] <Lyra_Bel> The ogre
[22:13] <Regent> What about it?
[22:13] <Lyra_Bel> Killing that ogre in the spider caves?
[22:13] <Lyra_Bel> That felt good
[22:13] <Regent> You know what
[22:13] <Regent> Ignore me
[22:13] <Lyra_Bel> No wait, after that
[22:13] <Regent> I clearly don't know what I'm doing
[22:14] <Lyra_Bel> You know that feeling when a plan comes together?
[22:14] <Regent> Let me just shut up
[22:14] <Lyra_Bel> No, you don't get to do that
[22:14] <Faerzen_Norstov> Reggie, this is the point though. Yes, you see all of these things wrong with Lyra, but you can't at the same time expect yourself to be able to solve every single one of them!
[22:14] <Regent> WHY CANT I?
[22:14] <Faerzen_Norstov> You are placing entirely unreasonable burdens and responsibilities on yourself.
[22:14] <Faerzen_Norstov> Why could you?
[22:14] <Lyra_Bel> Because people aren't perfect!
[22:14] <Faerzen_Norstov> Why could anyone?
[22:14] <Regent> I've been around here forever!
[22:14] <Regent> I know so much!
[22:15] <Faerzen_Norstov> So?
[22:15] <Regent> Why can't I fix her problems
[22:15] <Lyra_Bel> Stewing in misery, reflecting on mistakes
[22:15] <Faerzen_Norstov> You're more effective but that doesn't mean you're perfect
[22:15] <Regent> She deserves that much at least
[22:15] <Regent> All I want
[22:15] <Regent> Is for Lyra to end up ok
[22:15] <Lyra_Bel> I'm going to
[22:15] <Lyra_Bel> Okay?
[22:15] <Faerzen_Norstov> Then the three of us can work together to make that happen.
[22:15] <Faerzen_Norstov> Isn't that what we're trying to do here with this case?
[22:15] <Regent> ...
[22:16] <Lyra_Bel> Regent, listen to me
[22:16] <Regent> Everything hurts
[22:16] <Lyra_Bel> Worst case scenario
[22:16] <Lyra_Bel> We fail, I jump off cliff and die
[22:16] <Lyra_Bel> Right?
[22:16] <Regent> No
[22:16] <Regent> That can't happen
[22:16] <Regent> You can't die
[22:16] <Faerzen_Norstov> Lyra, please!
[22:16] <Regent> No
[22:16] <Regent> No
[22:16] <Regent> No
[22:16] <Regent> No
[22:16] <Lyra_Bel> Course not
[22:16] <Faerzen_Norstov> That is no way to motivate anyone
[22:16] <Regent> No
[22:16] <Lyra_Bel> So what keeps me alive, huh?
[22:16]  * Regent starts muttering
[22:16] <Faerzen_Norstov> Please actually shut up about killing yourself.
[22:17] <Lyra_Bel> SABATH!
[22:17] <Lyra_Bel> Sabath keeps me from dying!
[22:17]  * Regent is shaking again
[22:17] <Lyra_Bel> Keeps me from giving up when everything hurts
[22:17] <Lyra_Bel> RIGHT!?
[22:17] <Regent> NO'
[22:17] <Faerzen_Norstov> NO!
[22:17] <Regent> NO
[22:17]  * Lyra_Bel bursts into laughter
[22:17] <Regent> YOU ARENT RIGHT
[22:17] <Regent> AUGH!!!!!!!!
[22:17] <Lyra_Bel> Oh yes I am
[22:17] <Faerzen_Norstov> You assume this game makes you invincible because it wants you to suffer
[22:17]  * Regent screams in pain
[22:17] <Lyra_Bel> What I was saying before
[22:17] <Faerzen_Norstov> That's not how this works.
[22:17] <Lyra_Bel> I ain't suffering!
[22:18] <Lyra_Bel> It's a Disney movie
[22:18] <Regent> you
[22:18] <Regent> you are
[22:18] <Lyra_Bel> Needs to end with an epiphany
[22:18] <Regent> Faerzen
[22:18] <Lyra_Bel> Happy ever after
[22:18] <Regent> Please
[22:18] <Faerzen_Norstov> You might not feel like you are suffering, but the rest of us are, I can assure you that.
[22:18] <Regent> Take me far away
[22:18] <Regent> Let me forget everything
[22:18] <Lyra_Bel> Stop running and listen to me!
[22:18] <Regent> It hurts so much
[22:18] <Lyra_Bel> Life lessons, right!?
[22:19] <Lyra_Bel> Happy endings?
[22:19] <Faerzen_Norstov> You're not teaching anyone life lessons, Lyra!
[22:19] <Lyra_Bel> I'm not
[22:19] <Lyra_Bel> Sabath is
[22:19] <Regent> It hurts
[22:19] <Lyra_Bel> Stop arguing and just LISTEN TO WHAT I'M SAYING!
[22:19] <Faerzen_Norstov> YOU'RE NOT SAYING ANYTHING
[22:19]  * Lyra_Bel takes a deep breath
[22:19]  * Regent whimpers
[22:19] <Lyra_Bel> Four apocalypses
[22:19] <Lyra_Bel> The universe splintering apart
[22:20] <Lyra_Bel> New worlds, reproducing everything
[22:20] <Lyra_Bel> Solving entropy
[22:20] <Lyra_Bel> You were wrong, before
[22:20] <Lyra_Bel> We aren't defending them
[22:20] <Lyra_Bel> We're raising them
[22:20] <Faerzen_Norstov> Those are equivalent
[22:20] <Lyra_Bel> They're close
[22:20] <Regent> *Help*
[22:21] <Regent> *Please*
[22:21] <Lyra_Bel> Happily ever after
[22:21] <Regent> *Help*
[22:21] <Lyra_Bel> The rule isn't uncertainty
[22:21] <Lyra_Bel> I was wrong about that
[22:21] <Lyra_Bel> I was wrong about a lot of stuff, but now I get it
[22:21] <Lyra_Bel> The rule is LEARNING
[22:22] <Lyra_Bel> You can't get complacent
[22:22] <Lyra_Bel> Not because it's trying to break us down, but because it's trying to build us up!
[22:22] <Lyra_Bel> Because there's more to learn, and it isn't letting us give up
[22:22] <Faerzen_Norstov> This is similar to what I was saying before
[22:22] <Lyra_Bel> This isn't Salvation War, there is no suffering for its own sake
[22:22] <Lyra_Bel> Power through the pain, right?
[22:23] <Regent> *Faerzen*
[22:23] <Faerzen_Norstov> *Yes?*
[22:23] <Regent> *It hurts so much*
[22:23] <Lyra_Bel> When things are done, when we've made it past every issue
[22:23] <Lyra_Bel> We'll be... ideal
[22:23] <Regent> *I can't think*
[22:23] <Lyra_Bel> No more self-deprecation, or anger issues, or sociopathy
[22:23] <Faerzen_Norstov> *Yes it does. What do you expect me to do about it?*
[22:23] <Faerzen_Norstov> *I can't change the fact that it hurts*
[22:23] <Lyra_Bel> Sabath isn't breaking us
[22:23] <Lyra_Bel> It's fixing us
[22:24]  * Regent whimpers and moans
[22:24] <Faerzen_Norstov> Or
[22:24] <Faerzen_Norstov> Alternatively, it is also forcing us to fix ourselves
[22:24] <Faerzen_Norstov> or else we are all doomed
[22:24] <Lyra_Bel> Same thing, functionally
[22:24] <Lyra_Bel> Except we aren't allowed to die, right?
[22:24] <Faerzen_Norstov> No
[22:24] <Faerzen_Norstov> Failure is always an option
[22:24] <Faerzen_Norstov> Nothing says this seed has to bloom
[22:25] <Faerzen_Norstov> We can simply... lose
[22:25] <Lyra_Bel> I'm gonna disagree with you there
[22:25] <Faerzen_Norstov> There is nothing in this game that forces us to win
[22:25]  * Regent buries itself into Faerzen's chest
[22:25] <Faerzen_Norstov> That isn't a game at all
[22:25] <Lyra_Bel> What if I told you I've seen the future?
[22:25] <Regent> < I mean like cuddling, not violent stabbing >
[22:25] <Faerzen_Norstov> What if I told you you don't know what future you saw?
[22:26] <Lyra_Bel> I probably wouldn't care!
[22:26] <Faerzen_Norstov> That was *a* future
[22:26] <Lyra_Bel> In at least one alternate timeline, we won
[22:26] <Faerzen_Norstov> All you know is it is possible to win
[22:26] <Lyra_Bel> It's possible!
[22:26] <Faerzen_Norstov> But not inevitable
[22:26] <Lyra_Bel> But the rules aren't trying to screw us over anymore
[22:26] <Lyra_Bel> Or they never were, really
[22:26]  * Regent is silent
[22:26] <Lyra_Bel> It's like...
[22:26] <Faerzen_Norstov> This is what I was trying to tell you earlier!
[22:27] <Faerzen_Norstov> It is a test. A trial
[22:27] <Faerzen_Norstov> Designed to be hard but winnable
[22:27] <Lyra_Bel> Then you suck at explaining things
[22:27] <Faerzen_Norstov> No
[22:27] <Lyra_Bel> Because this is new information to me
[22:27] <Faerzen_Norstov> You suck at listening and understanding things
[22:27] <Lyra_Bel> That too
[22:27] <Faerzen_Norstov> Especially when you're mad
[22:27] <Lyra_Bel> Granted
[22:27] <Lyra_Bel> You're absolutely correct
[22:28] <Lyra_Bel> But
[22:28] <Faerzen_Norstov> This is what I was saying before, and you refused to believe me.
[22:28] <Faerzen_Norstov> You were quite adamant.
[22:28] <Faerzen_Norstov> I am glad Maskwraith showed you what he did.
[22:28]  * Regent all at once fills Lyra to the brim with a sense of calm
[22:28] <Lyra_Bel> I was being...
[22:28]  * Lyra_Bel smiles
[22:28] <Faerzen_Norstov> That you now actually understand fully that the game is winnable
[22:28] <Lyra_Bel> Not just winnable
[22:28] <Faerzen_Norstov> and not just a foolish hope that I tried to instill in you
[22:29] <Lyra_Bel> Way more than "winnable"
[22:29] <Lyra_Bel> Thank you, Reggie
[22:29]  * Regent doesn't respond
[22:29] <Lyra_Bel> Reggie
[22:30] <Regent> Please stop fighting
[22:30] <Regent> I can't listen to this
[22:30] <Lyra_Bel> We aren't fighting
[22:30] <Regent> I need help
[22:30] <Lyra_Bel> Don't we all?
[22:31] <Faerzen_Norstov> I can't argue with that.
[22:31] <Regent> Not all of us are in extreme emotional pain
[22:31] <Faerzen_Norstov> I also can't argue with that.
[22:31] <Lyra_Bel> You're an empath
[22:31] <Lyra_Bel> Shouldn't you be picking up the happiness, then?
[22:31] <Regent> No
[22:31] <Regent> I've been a part of you
[22:32] <Regent> I know exactly how much you are hurting without realizing it
[22:32] <Regent> All of that pain you aren't feeling
[22:32] <Lyra_Bel> I'm smiling, Reg
[22:32] <Regent> Is redirected to me
[22:32] <Lyra_Bel> For real this time
[22:32] <Regent> That's nice Lyra
[22:32] <Lyra_Bel> Stop absorbing my pain.  Give it back
[22:32] <Regent> No
[22:33] <Lyra_Bel> Please
[22:33] <Regent> No
[22:33] <Regent> You don't deserve it
[22:33] <Regent> Nobody does
[22:33] <Faerzen_Norstov> You don't deserve it either, Reggie
[22:33] <Regent> No, I don't
[22:33] <Regent> I won't let Lyra endure this
[22:34] <Lyra_Bel> This is emotional pain we're talking, right?
[22:34] <Lyra_Bel> Just to be clear
[22:34] <Regent> Yes
[22:34] <Lyra_Bel> Then share some
[22:34] <Lyra_Bel> Give back half
[22:34] <Regent> No
[22:34] <Regent> No
[22:34] <Faerzen_Norstov> I'm not sure I follow.
[22:34] <Regent> It doesn't work like that
[22:34] <Regent> You don't understand
[22:34] <Lyra_Bel> Of course I don't
[22:34] <Lyra_Bel> And that bothers me
[22:34] <Lyra_Bel> Which gets redirected to you
[22:34] <Lyra_Bel> You're in a feedback loop
[22:35] <Regent> It also doesn't work like that
[22:35] <Lyra_Bel> Oh
[22:35] <Lyra_Bel> Then how does it work?
[22:35] <Regent> Let me just talk to Faerzen alone, ok
[22:35] <Regent> Please
[22:35] <Regent> We can talk about this later
[22:35] <Lyra_Bel> Will we?
[22:35] <Regent> I just...
[22:35] <Regent> Can't be near you right now
[22:35] <Lyra_Bel> Promise me we'll talk later
[22:35] <Regent> I do
[22:35] <Lyra_Bel> On camera
[22:36] <Regent> I promise
[22:36] <Lyra_Bel> Alright then
[22:36]  * Lyra_Bel steps outside
[22:36]  * Lyra_Bel gets to work drawing a new pair of wings, smiling to herself
[22:36]  * Faerzen_Norstov closes the door
[22:37]  * Regent's shaking gradually lessens over time
[22:37] <Faerzen_Norstov> Is that better?
[22:38] <Faerzen_Norstov> Thank you for explaining that bit back there, by the way.
[22:38] <Regent> A little
[22:38] <Faerzen_Norstov> I didn't realize simply being in the vicinity of Lyra hurt you so much.