Seven ★ Video

[wasthemaster]

[It's assumed that Draco is around somewhere despite not being on camera immediately, judging by the fact that when the feed starts travelers are greeted with a nice view of a bedroom wall absolutely covered in diagrams, charts, graphs, drawings and notes. Literally every square inch of the wall above the bed is covered in paper marked with random colored pens. It's assumed the rest of the room is set the same way. In the background, anyone listening can hear a coffee maker brewing a new pot.

War's never been one of Draco's favorite things, but the battles in Asgard have made him think of his home world and the situation he's in. He hates thinking about it, but he's started dissecting everything he knows…hence some of the charts that are overlaying some older charts. When Draco begins to speak, he's still out of the line of vision, if only because he can't exactly face the city just yet.]

…I know this man at home who's trying to, more or less, recreate the entire world. A perfect world where everyone's exactly the same and everyone who's considered less than worthy is punished severely if they're not outright killed immediately. [This is bad. This is a bad idea to be bringing this up, but Draco's full of bad ideas and bad decisions lately.] Actually, his favorite method is to torture them severely before sparing them and then murdering them with a flick of the wrist.

But the thing is, despite the fact he's more or less a slit-nosed homicidal freak, he has a large following. Many follow him out of fear, but there are just as many who follow out of loyalty. There are many people who actually, genuinely believe our world will be better if we follow his plan for destruction and reconstruction. It's messy and violent, and yet they go along with it anyway. Funny how that works, isn't it? One has to wonder why. [It's probably for the best that Voldemort's not around to hear that one of his servants is basically disregarding everything he's been taught. But after his last conversation with Jade? Maybe he really doesn't have to be constantly fearing for his life...maybe just every other day.

Let's get to the point, shall we? His hand appears in the frame of video and he's pinning a fresh piece of paper to the wall above the bed. He soon takes out a pen and in a neat, elegant scrawl writes something on the top of the page.

The art of persuasion and manipulation

His hand hovers in midair for a moment before he withdraws it.]

What is the fine line between persuading people and manipulating them? And, as a bonus question, what is the fine line between safety and fear? Sometimes I have to wonder if the rulers of this world aren't any different, what with having to do their bidding without even asking us. And yet we do it anyway because we're told it's better this way. [He knows it's a stretch, but it's still a valid point in his opinion.] As you can see, I've plenty of room on the paper so give me something worth writing.

Comments

[wasthemaster]

You should have other things to worry about. I'm fine. I'm not feeling particularly suicidal today and that's pretty good. [But he just watches her hand, slowing down briefly to allow that.]

It's just odd, I suppose. I guess I just don't like knowing I'm being monitored to make sure I don't go over the edge.

[nukeoleptic]

I don't know how someone so sometimes-brilliant can be such a dumbass sometimes. [ If he allows it, then she's not letting go of his sleeve. ] I'm not monitoring you, and I'm not particularly worried about you going over the edge. I've died. They'd probably just bring you back like they did me.

I just.. think it'll be good for you if you get out of your room every week or so.

[wasthemaster]

Yes but that's entirely different. [He's of the opinion that if he were to eventually really snap and try to cut off his own arm and kill himself he wouldn't be coming back anytime soon.] And I'm not a dumbass.

[Lip-quirk.] I mean I do have to go to work, you know. That constitutes as getting out, doesn't it?

[nukeoleptic]

[ If he's not going to pull his sleeve back, she's just going to keep hold of it, then. No reason not to, right? ]

First of all, you are a massive dumbass, don't fight with me, I'm a girl and I will always win this battle. And second of all- no, not really. Though I bet you do get some sort of sick pleasure out of charging me an arm and a leg for those dumb sleeping draughts.

[wasthemaster]

[Nah, guess not. He doesn't seem to particularly mind either.]

You and Rapunzel share that opinion. [He can't help but grin. Yes. Yes, he does enjoy that part.] That's what happens when you grow up in a privileged lifestyle. I've always had money, but now I don't, so I'm making up for the fact. Besides, you can't complain too much considering the fact that they work.

[nukeoleptic]

[ She knows he's grinning, so she can't help but give him a hard time. ]

Do you know how many hours' overtime I have to put in to get one of those things? You have a shoddy grasp on economics, Draco. Make 'em cheaper and more people will buy more.

[wasthemaster]

So I've heard. I came down on the original price when Euri and I first opened shop, you know. [But he makes a show of shrugging his shoulders as though he's really contemplating something.] But perhaps we'll run a Christmas sale.

[A beat.]

...do you think there's actually Christmas in Asgard? It's bound to be close now, isn't it?

[nukeoleptic]

I have no idea. I'm not even sure that Asgard runs on the Gregorian calendar, does it?

[ And suddenly, her fingers are squeezing on Draco's sleeve. ]

--but if it does, I can celebrate my birthday with Dave and Rose, oh my god!! Our birthdays are December first, second, and third- I could actually celebrate, hehe!

[wasthemaster]

Fairly certain that's a negative, Captain.

[He's a bit bewildered by her sudden enthusiasm if only because he wasn't expecting the sleeve grab.] What? Oh. Erm. Well yes, I suppose you could do that. Even if Asgard's on a different calendar people have celebrated birthdays here just by guessing. Rapunzel and Nakama had a party early in the summer. Euri acknowledged my birthday and gave me a plant. [Which is still growing and is perfectly happy in his room.] if you want a party that badly, then throw one.

[nukeoleptic]

John and Davesprite and I've celebrated on the ship, but it was different. And I don't really want a party, but maybe we could have cake, that would be great.

[ A little sheepishly, she pries her hand off of him. ]

I'm sorry I missed your birthday. Is there anything you want?

[wasthemaster]

Then we'll get someone to bake you a cake. Probably not me, I only do cupcakes. [That's even a stretch, but you know what that's okay.]

[A shake of the head.] No not really. Nothing that you could provide me with, but thanks for the offer. I kind of kept the day to myself. Euri just happened to know about it because we were discussing ages.

[nukeoleptic]

I like cupcakes! I don't mind cupcakes.

[ She pushes her hand back into his pocket, exhaling a low breath. ]

What happens when I leave again and come back older than you? Huh?

[wasthemaster]

Then I'll get someone to make you cupcakes. Green with silver sprinkles.

[He lifts an eyebrow.] That's not going to happen, so don't push your luck.

[nukeoleptic]

You don't know.

[ She flashes him a smile. ]

Anything's possible here, right? -- and why silver sprinkles?

[wasthemaster]

Believe me, that is something I'm fairly certain won't be happening anytime soon. And because silver and green go together, that's why. Silver's also a wintery color.

[nukeoleptic]

What do I win if it happens?

[wasthemaster]

I don't know. What would you want?

[nukeoleptic]

A puppy?

[wasthemaster]

...a puppy. Just a puppy would make you happy? [Don't give him any ideas, Jade...]

[nukeoleptic]

My dog was my best friend growing up. I don't think any other dog would ever be as clever as him.

[wasthemaster]

I know, I know, you've told me. [Walking in silence for a moment. The gears in his head. They be turning.] You're sure Bec was a normal dog?

[nukeoleptic]

Nope! I'm actually a hundred percent sure he wasn't. That's where I got a lot of my powers from, back when I merged with Jadesprite-- he was, oh, what did Dave call him? An omnipoterrier.

[wasthemaster]

Like a Familiar. That makes a lot more sense.

[nukeoleptic]

I think I would've been his familiar more than the other way around.

[wasthemaster]

Well unfortunately any dog you get here in Asgard isn't going to be able to use powers. It'll just be a regular, stupid dog. That barks. And slobbers.