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

[memoryandtheft]

Somewhere in the vastness of the universe, there must be someone who would appreciate being grabbed at by a strange man in the middle of a torture chamber, despite having been subjected to such a chamber in its traditional capacity.

Toby isn't that person, and so she jerks away, blood slopping up over the rim of the glass and spilling sticky over the back of her hand with the violence of the movement. "Easy to say when you're the one with all the answers," she replies through gritted teeth - she may not have been much present on the network the past several weeks, but that doesn't mean she hasn't been listening, and with all that's gone before, it takes no real effort to guess at what exactly this is.

[callmemeibe]

"... very well," the being says, rather irritably. "Don't say I didn't warn you."

He seats himself in the electric chair, and watches Toby, waiting.

[memoryandtheft]

"A vague threat doesn't actually count as a useful warning," she replies, matching irritability with irritability. A more prudent woman might be more polite to strange entities making threatening remarks in the middle of a torture chamber, but given that she's been more provoking still to people who were actively torturing her, prudence isn't really in the cards.

[callmemeibe]

"My threats are never vague," he answers with a resigned sigh. "Do what you will; I'll be here when you're done. I've got all the time in the World."

[memoryandtheft]

"The torture and execution aesthetic isn't subtle, I'll give you that," Toby says flatly. She sets the goblet down with a deliberate, precise click. Droplets of blood still cling to her figures, the sticky feel of them inspiring both nausea and longing. That leaves both paths open, but for now, while this being is certainly an enemy, she has to acknowledge that this doesn't mean he's lying about potential ill effects.

"It's always nice to get past the pretenses early. Now, are you planning to tell me what you want me to do to avoid getting chained to the wall?"

[callmemeibe]

"It's also not my aesthetic in general," he answers, perhaps a little more snappishly than intended. "Most of this you see around you is Devil's work. Including that." He motions to the golden goblet, now dripping with blood.

"I wouldn't suggest finding yourself in the Hanged Man's company, if you wish to remain unchained," he continues, this time a bit more sardonic than irritable. "I have no intention of chaining you to a wall."

[memoryandtheft]

"So he's the honest one," Toby says. "Inasmuch as concepts like honesty apply to any of you. Good to know."

[callmemeibe]

Death raises an eyebrow, incredulously. "I suppose he is more... blunt than some of us, yes. But he is hardly honest. If you are looking for Honesty, you should speak to Sun." He shifts, crossing his legs the other way before adding, "I have not, nor will I ever, lie to you. There are simply some things I cannot say, due to the way this cycle has been set up. But I will answer what questions I can."

Death whips his hand, and a clean white handkerchief with skull lace trim appears in it. He gently twists the fabric in his bony fingers, offering it to Toby by holding it at arm's length toward her.

[memoryandtheft]

That resonates, and the small part of her that isn't burning with fury to stave off the cold horror of being trapped in another torture chamber so soon after the last files it away for future consideration.

She eyes the handkerchief dubiously, before glancing back up at his face. "Why," she asks after a moment, "didn't you want me to taste the blood?"

Despite his claims, she's not expecting anything approaching a truthful answer, but even a dodge or a lie will tell her more than she knows right now.

[callmemeibe]

"Because the bloodied chalice is Devil's contribution to this... admittedly ridiculous conversation space." He eyes the chains and goblet of blood with distaste - interesting since he seems perfectly comfortable in his electric chair. "I do not think you want to directly experience the mental patterns of a being who is seen across multiple worlds as evil incarnate. It would lead to adverse effects."