asgardeventide | [video

[It's a day after the explosion of Spring and superpower exhibition, and Pyro's just sitting in -

- well, it's a new room. Bigger, more homey than the dorm-style rooms of the God Houses, and his candle number appears to have doubled to compensate. The light is still flickering and uneven, but it's much brighter than it was during his broadcasts from Baldr. Anyhow, those who were there to hear him rant and rave about Freya being spared and Freyr being saved might think he's appeared to shit all over that party, but he's staying quiet on that front for now. (Who knows how many psycho kids one of them might have, after all.)]

Since we're so big on Democracy here, thought I'd put something up to a vote.

Instead of random surges in our powers that have nothing to do with anything, how about the gods put their heads together and see if they can gather up enough strength to make the powers work outside the city? Y'know, where most people are actually being attacked and either dying or coming close to it?

It's just a thought.

[He's still sore about his near-death experience during the weapons expedition, but no one needs to know that! There was the big freakout about the blonde girl not coming back for so long, after all; this could all be about her.

If you don't know Pyro at all, anyway.]

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[He's about to crow about how right he was when her words actually sink in and his eyebrows shoot upward.]

I know you're not flirting with me, Ghani.

[ Whoops, someone hit a nerve. ]

Don't call me Ghani.

[ There is actual honest to god audible tension in her voice there. ]

And you are quite right, I'm not flirting with you.

You don't ever call me John and I'll never call you Ghani again. Fair?

[He's surprised by the sudden tension, especially from someone so outwardly calm.]

Guess everyone's got buttons to push, if you look hard enough.

[ Her calm returns with a breath, and she gives him a dry little smile. ]

Oh yes, everyone. And I might allow you to call me Ghani one day, if you earn it. But I promise to never call you John regardless.

Good. No one earns that right with me, because the name's worthless.

[Unless they just persist until he gets tired of correcting them, Oswin. He finds himself grinning at her again, though.]

You were right again, though. Anything worth doing is usually dangerous.

And yet you told me about it.

[ She's just saying. And he does have a bit of a knack for making her smile, doesn't he? Because now that small smile of hers is widening again and getting back its warmth. ]

As for danger, I'd be lying if I tried to deny that I feel the same way. Partially at least. I've still ended up being the voice of caution often enough, but that says more about my usual company than it does about me, I think.

Edited (because sometimes I just really want to fix my wording :|) 2013-07-04 13:40 (UTC)

[He tips his head down to where his name is displayed on her side of the screen: John Allerdyce beneath his face.]

It's the only way to get me privately on these bracelets. Either the gods didn't care or they were fucking with me from day one. So it's worthless, but I can't just forget it. [His jaw twitches a little, with obvious and very real anger about that.]

[That brings back a smile, though it's twisted into more of a smirk.]

I can get you a lineup down the street who'll tell you how useless that is with me, but I bet you've already figured that out, too.

[ She nods with a sort of 'fair enough' expression on her face when he points out that the name is right there on display, it was an obvious explanation and needling him had been a bit unnecessary. Then she shrugs a little with a smirk of her own. There might be a touch of bitterness in it. ]

Did I say I was a successful voice of caution? I'm very used to young men who will not be swayed from their path.

Then we've got an understanding.

[He certainly looks satisfied. It sounds like she knows when to back down, which is pretty much the best he can do around here.

Until his brow furrows.]

Almost. Why d'you keep doing it if it never works? I've never gotten the appeal of that brick wall.

Because I care.

[ And the fact that he couldn't figure that out for himself says rather a lot about Pyro, Ghani thinks. ]

[He lets out a little sniff, but she'll be able to pick out the signs in his expression that point to how deeply that simple statement actually touched him.]

That's one of the biggest weaknesses you can have in a war.

[ It's touching in return that it did affect him that way, and she shakes her head a little with a smile. ]

If you don't care about the people you fight with, what's the point?

The cause. Fucking shit up. Revenge. Payback. Take your pick.

Respect 'em, sure, but care about them and you'll spend all your time watching every back but your own.

What are you fighting your lonely fight for, then?

Edited 2013-07-20 00:54 (UTC)

It's not lonely. I've got allies. I've got people I respect. But that's not gonna stop me from looking out for number one.

And I think that's obvious. I'm fighting for the right to exist.

The obvious answer isn't always the only one.

So, what makes you consider someone an ally? And what makes you respect a person?

I'll ally myself with people who actually understand the situation. What's at stake. What has to be done. And I'll respect them if they prove they're willing to do it.

You're very confident in your own ability to understand whatever situation you're in, aren't you?

When it's life or death, how many options should there really be? Anyone who makes it more complicated than that is the one who doesn't get it, not me.

And when it isn't life or death?

Maybe then we can talk about attachments. Until then, allies are safer and more useful.

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