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

[nukeoleptic]

We've cuddled other times on the couch, Draco Malfoy! I'm perfectly aware of your middling-to-average cuddling ability. I just happen to look past it.

[wasthemaster]

I refuse to believe my cuddling is subpar. I'm a Malfoy, Jade. Malfoys are rarely subpar at anything.

[nukeoleptic]

[ And Jade, ears drooped, simply fixes him with the most pitying expression she can muster. ]

[wasthemaster]

[...he just gives her a look that clearly says he believes she's off her rocker before gently shoving her shoulder.] Oh shut up.

[nukeoleptic]

[ She laughs again, visibly delighted and stumbling dramatically. ]

Oh, come on, the shop I'm talking about is up here.

[wasthemaster]

About time. [Hand going back into his pocket then.] I've grown used to flying everywhere that walking's sort of strange.

[nukeoleptic]

You're buying.

[ Jade rolls her shoulders back, stepping forward and turning so that she's walking backwards in front of Draco and facing him. ]

[wasthemaster]

I was already planning that, actually. Figured you're running low on the sleeping potion anyway so I'll gain the money back that way. [He's actually pretty amused by this whole thing, though occasionally he's glancing over Jade's shoulder to make sure she won't run into anything.]

[nukeoleptic]

I told you that I used to be narcoleptic, right? Sort of.

[ She's also doing the same. ]

[wasthemaster]

What does that even mean, "sort of"?

[nukeoleptic]

Something else was causing me to fall asleep, not true narcolepsy. But I used to just- [ She snaps her fingers. ] -fall asleep like this.

[wasthemaster]

Jealous. So is it better, or is it worse?

[nukeoleptic]

I kind of miss it. Then again.. that's when I'd fall asleep here and wake up on Prospit. Now I mostly just have weird dreams.

[wasthemaster]

I suppose it could be worse then. [He stops then.] ...this the place?

[nukeoleptic]

[ She nearly thumps into a pole. ]

-- oh! Yes, I think so.

[wasthemaster]

[No, that wasn't an amused snort.] Shall we then? Or would you rather continue navigating blindly?

[nukeoleptic]

Lead the way, Draco.

[ She drops down to her heels, smiling at him and laughing under her breath. ]

[wasthemaster]

Someday I'm going to lead you right into trouble. Just watch. [But for now he's going to lead her into the pizza place. Walking and taking a break has actually given him some semblance of an appetite.]

[nukeoleptic]

Oh, don't be ridiculous. I'm the one who's going to lead you into trouble.

[ She twists, turning to follow him into the restaurant. ]

[wasthemaster]

[Looking over his shoulder at her to talk.]

I might welcome that, actually. A break from the research and the like.

[nukeoleptic]

The next time a battle breaks out, I'll drag you along instead of Sollux.

[wasthemaster]

I can shoot arrows now. I'm 100% useful. [So useful in fact that he's become distracted and is looking at food. Why? Because pizza and teenage boys who haven't eaten for ages.] And you wouldn't even have to make me pancakes if I died.

[nukeoleptic]

Oh, you liar. I'd have to make you a thousand waffles if I got you killed.

[ But she's distracted more by the heat of the restaurant than the menu. ]

[wasthemaster]

Waffles, yes, but not pancakes. [Can you buy pizza by the slice here? He's going to demand it anyway and order himself four slices before turning to Jade.] Are you joining me, or are you going to stare into space?

[nukeoleptic]

[ She snaps herself out of it, moving to stretch up next to him, inhaling deep. Oh, wow, this smells good. ]

You should get me a piece with every topping on it.