video; un: youradhere

[buildingcastles]

Hi, guys.

[The man on the other end of the network smiles awkwardly. He's gearing up for a conversation, but drawing attention to himself is a new experience. The way he draws a breath and fidgets makes it obvious that he's still feeling out the network.]

So, this is definitely on the list of moments that make you think you might be dreaming. It sounds like we have people from just about everywhere here. Someone tell me this isn't the weirdest thing you've ever had happen to you. It'll make me feel better.

Before you got here, did any of you have strange things happen? You know, things out of fantasy movies or fever dreams for everyone else? What's the weirdest thing that you've ever seen?

[He laughs, mixing an exhale into it as he ducks his head.]

Sorry, I'm trying out the whole coaching thing. My name's Christian. Apparently I'm working with the Gramarye Magic Research people as a life coach, so if anyone wants to get a drink sometime and discuss tragic life choices, I have a really open schedule. I'd say we can do lunch too, but is that weird? I don't want to be weird.

Comments

[buildingcastles]

But not all things are the same.

[ Just like following some spirits can lead to death while others might be friendly. Christian does agree that Dodger has a point. Believing in too much is deadly. But he's the kind of person that wants to preserve the magical realm as a whole, even with the risks. ]

Maybe you just need to find the right thing to believe in? One that won't turn out as so much of a disappointment.

Maybe you aren't. [ Christian smirks back, not offended by that. ] That would be all right.

[smokedout]

[God, Christian puts Dodger off in the most infuriatingly attractive way. That response gets a quiet laugh out of him, and it almost sounds genuinely happy. Not the bitter chuckle he usually sticks to.]

Are you always this damn understanding?

[buildingcastles]

Right now, I'm pretty sure I don't really understand anything. I'm just asking what you think because I'm hoping you'll be able to help me understand a little more.

[The laugh, though, gets a warm smile from him.]

But I do know that you don't have to be what other people think of as human to be a fun person to talk to.

[smokedout]

[Dodger's brows raise a bit, and he lets out a snort of amusement.]

You spent a lot of time around mutants and demons, Christian?

[He honestly wouldn't be surprised if he takes the 'demon' thing literally.]

[buildingcastles]

Are you saying you're a demon?

[Christian opts to dodge the question this time. He can't let the other man get every jab in without teasing back.]

You have to believe in them for that.

[smokedout]

I'm saying I'm the closest thing my world's got to them.

[He's a near-untouchable, amoral, murderous psychopath with fire coursing through his bloodstream, so... pretty close?]

And I guess legally speaking I'm not a human being. So at least you got that much right.

[buildingcastles]

You're human. Trust me.

[Because he knows a spirit when he sees one and Dodger isn't that. Whatever he is, he's still human.]

I get busy, that's all. It's complicated.