video; un: youradhere

[buildingcastles]

[Since the last network post went so well, Christian has decided to go to the next step. He might as well see just how far he can push things, right? Sure.]

Hey, guys.

[He even waves awkwardly with the device set up so he can use his hands.]

So, just a few things. First, what's the best way to go about inviting people to a company picnic? I've never really done anything... remotely company related, so any advice is welcome. And on that note, I don't know how many of you are familiar with the Gramarye Magic Research, uh, people, but I thought it might be helpful for all of us to say hello. To each other and everyone else, since researchers tend to close themselves into rooms and never get any good action, right?

Maybe we should try to make friends. Branch out some.

[Or he can sound ridiculous. That's always been a staple of his life anyway.]

How about one last one for the whole class: Have you ever seen a demon?

Comments

[buildingcastles]

Unpredictable, yes. But that just means you can rely on humans to get creative. It wouldn't be any fun if we were boring and routine all the time.

[Although Loki does have a point about pleasantness. Humans can be unpleasant.]

Some are bigger dicks than others. But we're okay.

[dothelokimotion]

Creativity can only go so far. And I find mortals to be severely limited by whatever ethos is current with the times.

[buildingcastles]

You're kind of a sourpuss. I mean, you're not wrong, but we're more than the sum of our parts. Not everyone is limited in the same ways.

[dothelokimotion]

[ "Sourpuss" ]

Oh, indubitably. But we're not arguing the case of humans against others, are we?

[buildingcastles]

I'm just saying you should give us the chance. Because some of us are more fun than others and you'll miss out if you ignore everyone equally.

[dothelokimotion]

Most likely, I'll spare myself future pain and agony if I ignore everyone altogether. Finding that one good human seems like an impossibility.

[buildingcastles]

You know, pain isn't always a bad thing. I mean, it's not something you want all the time, but it can be good for you sometimes, right?

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki levels a flat look at him. ]

Are you now discussing the merits of pain?

[buildingcastles]

Oh. Um. [ Give him a second. ] Is this one of those questions that has a wrong answer?

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki squints at him. ]

How have you survived this long?

[buildingcastles]

I think I'm doing pretty good so far.

[ What? Wrong answer already? ]

[dothelokimotion]

I suppose someone has to believe that.

[buildingcastles]

Sometimes it only takes one to believe in something.

[dothelokimotion]

Then you can do it and save me the trouble.

[buildingcastles]

I could, but it doesn't work as well if you're already the thing you believe in. That's a basic principle of belief. Like you can't pay yourself or something.

[dothelokimotion]

. . . That is the strangest thing I've ever heard.

[buildingcastles]

Okay, that really can't be the weirdest thing you've ever heard. It's so basic.

[ He might be teasing him a little, but it's gentle and friendly. ]

Weird would be like you can't give gloves as a gift unless you get some in return or whistling chases bad luck away unless it's at night, because it attracts it. That's weird. And ridiculous.

[dothelokimotion]

Belief has never been my purview. I do not have it.

[ And people don't believe in him anyway, so there's little point. It tires him out to try. ]

. . . You've given this a lot of nonsensical thought.

[buildingcastles]

Everyone has belief in something. That's part of who we are. You don't even have to try. It just happens.

[ He doesn't bat an eye. He does, however, shrug. ]

I mean, not really. I was just throwing out some examples.

[dothelokimotion]

[ His eyes narrow. ]

I do not. And I will not repeat myself on this. Belief is a mortal domain, to keep their lives going.

[ It's a paltry lie at best, but there is truth in there. Loki does not want to believe, cannot believe any more. He used to, but all of that fell apart. ]

[buildingcastles]

[ Christian meets his eyes, and for once the gray is even and not a flicker of nervous energy. It's steady and calm, like an abandoned lake. ]

Do you believe you exist?

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki inhales sharply, an angry hiss. ]

Does it matter? Loki is a construct.

[buildingcastles]

It always matters. Whether or not I or anyone else believes, you are here. Or you aren't. But that's the question that probably bears asking most.

Do you think you're here right now?

[dothelokimotion]

Of course I am — [ Loki bites his tongue, irritated. ]

I will not run circles around this pointless debate.

[buildingcastles]

Well, then you believe in something.

Even if it's just existence.