cinnabar.

[nonbelligerent]

Comments

[nonbelligerent]

I think most people here have realized that about you at this point.

Given the difficulty, do you think you would've preferred not going through this?

[globs]

Of course. I don't want to be here.

[ a pause. ]

You want to go home, too, don't you? Even if it's hard...

[nonbelligerent]

Yes. Though if my world is going to be in danger either way, I'd rather deal with the threat here and now.

[globs]

You believe them, then?

[ Cinnabar still hasn't decided. ]

[nonbelligerent]

Not necessarily, but the risk is too great to dismiss what they say right away.

[globs]

... I guess. They did bring us here, somehow, and that corruption thing seems real.

[ after a few seconds of hesitating in their usual awkward way, they go to sit down at the table again, the chair miraculously holding their weight. ]

I don't think I can trust them yet, though.

[nonbelligerent]

That's very fair.

[globs]

[ Cinnabar hums, resting their head on their arms as they slump forward onto the table; the orbs of mercury always orbiting them seem to have calmed down slightly, retaining their round shape, despite how nervous they are about having someone spend this much time with them. ]

If you don't sleep... What do you do all night?

[nonbelligerent]

Practice my element, mostly.

[globs]

[ they turn their head over their shoulder just slightly, peering at him curiously. ]

Really...?

[ they still haven't really tried to use theirs... ]

[nonbelligerent]

Most other people aren't around, so it's a convenient time.

[globs]

Have you managed to do anything useful with it?

[ the question seems born of an innocent curiosity rather than any strategic motive. ]

[nonbelligerent]

I wouldn't say useful. I haven't really used it for anything outside of practice yet, especially since I prefer to keep it private.

[globs]

[ Hmm. They can't say they can think of anything useful to do with water outside of cleaning things, either. Although his specific ability might be something entirely separate. ]

I haven't even tried to use mine yet, [ they confess. ] It feels like there's no point.

[nonbelligerent]

Well, it's everyone own prerogative. I prefer to have the option just in case, rather than regret not having it.