Conversation Space III.

[powersthatbe]

A poured concrete floor and cinder block walls are lit by a single bare light bulb hanging overhead. Shackles dangle from brackets on every side, and the chair in the center of the room is clearly an electric chair. A tall glass sits on top of a stool made of what looks like pure gold - but the liquid inside it is almost definitely blood.

Comments

[powersthatare]

THERE ARE DANGEROUS BEINGS WHOSE NATURE YOU DESPISE. AFTER OUR VICTORY, WE COULD RETURN YOU TO YOUR WORLD WITH THE POWER TO DESTROY THEM ALL. IF YOU SERVE US WELL.

[stopinthenameofawe]

Destroy... all of them?

That's tempting. That's really, really tempting, even if Melissa knows there would be good people to die in that too. But it would eliminate it all, make it no longer a plague upon her planet, no chance of anyone else having to suffer how she and Thorne had. It's enough to make her listen, at least.

"...And what, exactly, would serving you well involve?"

[powersthatare]

REPRESENT OUR ARCHETYPE IN DEEDS.

[stopinthenameofawe]

"Which means...?"

[powersthatare]

GREED. LUST. WRATH. PRIDE. ENVY. SLOTH. GLUTTONY. BE SELFISH. PLEASE YOURSELF. ACT ON YOUR FEARS, YOUR HATREDS. BIND OTHERS TO YOUR WILL. SEE THE DARKNESS IN ALL THINGS. DEFY THOSE WHO WOULD LIMIT YOU.

[stopinthenameofawe]

So basically, be the shittiest possible person she can be. She's not liking her options here. "How exactly does that benefit you?" That's a better question than what happens to her if she refuses.

[powersthatare]

There's a tangible pause.

IT IS NOT YOURS TO QUESTION SUCH THINGS.

[stopinthenameofawe]

"I guess I'm just greedy for information," she says, sarcasm dripping from her voice, "Why the hell not?"

[powersthatare]

GREEDY...

I DO NOT INTEND TO DELIVER YOU WEAPONS WITH WHICH TO DEFY ME.

[stopinthenameofawe]

"Knowing what I'm helping you with is a weapon I could use against you?" This is said with intense disbelief, but if he's actually serious...

[powersthatare]

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. IT IS WHY WE BLANKED YOUR SLATES ONCE BEFORE.

[stopinthenameofawe]

That's right. She feels like she heard about that. "We've learned too much before, you mean." Good. That means they can find out again.

[powersthatare]

YES. AND CHILDREN SEEKING FIRE WILL BE BURNED BY IT.

[stopinthenameofawe]

Did you have to use a fire metaphor? "What happens to everyone you didn't pick if you win, then? Or is that too dangerous too?"

[powersthatare]

THEY WILL BE GIVEN ONE CHANCE TO SUBMIT. WHEN THEY REFUSE IT... THEY WILL BE CAST INTO THE PIT.

[stopinthenameofawe]

"Charming." Not charming. She can think of at least once person she cares about that wouldn't submit of his own free will.

[powersthatare]

FINESSE AND POLITESSE ARE NO PART OF MINE.

[stopinthenameofawe]

"Of course." She's feeling more and more pissed that he picked her. Not that any of them are good options, but seriously? "Can I go now?"

[powersthatare]

CAN YOU?

Its tone is gloating, mocking... but also, curious.

[stopinthenameofawe]

Melissa eyes zie, not at all sure if she can. But she tries very hard to teleport and be anywhere but here.

[powersthatare]

It does not work. But the moment after she registers its failure, she reappears in Liminal Space, just where she had vanished from.