[ the life of a primal can be cruel, but sariel has no concept of cruelty; at the very least, he'll never understand why the Singularity and his crew fought so hard to convince him that belial isn't worth it. that he's just being used. isn't that his purpose? to be used by his superiors however they deemed appropriate. it's just how things are; there's no reason for it to be any different.
he thinks about what to say in response and ends up defaulting to one of his simplest answers. ]
I want to go see the ants.
[ if it were possible to go back to that residential park, that's where he'd be right away - but something tells him that can't be done. not anymore, not so easily. ]
They help me think sometimes.
[ or they help him stop thinking altogether, when things get really bad (as they usually do). ]
[ An expected answer, but Lucio still pretends to be a little surprised by it, tapping his chin contemplatively as he had seen the other moonblessed do on occasion while thinking. ]
...Ants? I believe I saw an anthill on the way here in the park.
[ It's interesting to see what primals marvel over other and what aspects of the Skydwellers and their lives appeal most to them. To Belial, it may be something as complicated as desire and intimacy, and to Sariel, it's the most inane of creatures, often ignored or forgotten until they start to become too invasive. But even simple things can become dangerous. A whole army of bullet ants will render any mortal numb with pain.
He holds out a hand invitingly towards Sariel after a moment. ]
Would you like me to take you to them? Perhaps, there is something we can observe together that went unnoticed before.
[ Which isn't untrue. The creatures of this land are different than those created by the Omnipotent. Who's to say they don't drastically differ from memory? ]
[ sariel quietly looks at the offered hand for the longest time, as if it's something foreign. he reaches out to take it in the end, but there are questions written all over his face. ]
But the sprites...
[ don't they still have to return them to the mage? as much as he'd like to head over to where the anthill is, he feels some measure of responsibility to return the ones they have acquired after he made a sprite explode earlier - even if it was all an accident. maybe it'll stop him from feeling this weird, tight sensation in his chest.
it's guilt, probably. ]
After we return them, I would like to see the ants.
[ he'll do his best not to be distracted by his own selfish desire to see the ants right away. ]
[ A soft sound flees his throat, amused that Sariel has taken this task to heart, but it seems the Moonblessed are more of a threat to the sprites than the other way around. However, it would be prudent to finish their assigned task first before wandering off on any dalliances, if only to ease Sariel's troubled mind. ]
At your insistence, I will come along. Remember -take heed not to get too close.
[ Lest Lucio be covered with a dozen or so spurts of sparkles from the amount of sprites he has casually dancing around him. Not that he couldn't clean it off easily, but the commotion alone... it would be quite something. ]
Do you plan on rejoining your master once more after spending some time with the anthill? I imagine this time apart may have given an opportunity to reflect on his misdeeds.
[ But knowing Belial... that is highly unlikely. Still, the primal isn't needlessly reckless and wouldn't bother causing trouble without due cause, especially in an area where he is vastly outnumbered and underpowered. ]
[ does lucio even need more sparkles? the presence of the sprites floating around him obediently seem to do a good enough job of illuminating his... already bright aura as it is. sariel has no comment in general, but not even he is safe from marveling at the strangest wonder of the world that's now accompanying him back to the mage.
it takes him a minute to realize a question has been asked. blinking, he tilts his head at that. ]
My master?
[ deputy head... ]
He found me earlier, while I was watching a memory from my past. [ he'll leave out the small detail where they ruined a part of the amphoria room. oops. ] I would like to stay with him if he'll let me.
[ he knows that it's a selfish desire but it's the simplest one he has. ]
[ That much had been expected, and he doubts Belial would deny him, though whether or not Belial even has a place to harbor him... the two of them had always happened to meet in public spaces. A part of him had wondered whether or not he was staying with Lucilius, but he had not sensed him at all when he and his clone had crossed paths on his rooftop.
If Belial didn't have an excuse to find somewhere to live before, he certainly has one now, though the reunion does continue to make him a bit apprehensive, if only because Lucilius will grow stronger the more of his loyal Primals appear. He would rather they not disturb the peace that the Prismals are tried to cultivate in their rebuilt home. ]
There is no reason why he would deny your request. You are yet valuable to him, and he sees something in you few others see.
[ But not for the reasons that he believes Sariel should be valued. Trying to convince him of such is no easy feat as he has been designed to believe what he is told without thinking beyond it, but perhaps, there may come a day where he might experience some of the free will that Sandalphon and the primarchs are starting to enjoy.
Once they arrive at the shop, Lucio directs the fairies to the owner, allowing the Prismal to safely encase them. ]
Do give your farewells to our small friends. They may find a more suitable home elsewhere away from the threat of colorful combustion. Shall we continue onward to our last stop of the day?
[ the sprites continue to float around them like oversized fireflies. it's probably a pretty sight from afar, but up close it just seems a little bit ridiculous - even more so that they keep flocking around lucio's irresistable aura. sariel continues to navigate his way back to the mage's shop while doing his best to avoid bumping into the floating sprites. he's fallen silent as he ponders over what lucio just told him -
belial sees him as valuable? he'd like to believe that's the case. he'll do his best to fulfill whatever role belial needed him to be - whether it's to be a tool or simply just someone to remain by his side. ]
Then... if he'll let me stay, that's enough for me.
[ a simple wish. no questions asked.
they reach the mage's shop not too long after that, and when the sprites are back to where they belong, he nods his head once. there's no shift in his expression, but his body language says it all: he's eager to go where the anthills are. ]
But yes. I would like to see the ants.
[ he'll follow a lot more closely this time, now that there's no threat of accidentally making a spite explode in a burst of glitter all over them. it's amazing how his entire focus is easy to capture once you mention ants around him, but he's always been so laughably uncomplicated.
[ As expected that he'd still remain fixated on the ants, but Lucio likes to keep his promises. With the last of the sprites delivered, he motions to Sariel to follow once more as they exit the shop and head towards the park. It's already close to sunset, the city painted orange-red by the last of the sun's embers, but the ant hill he'd spotted earlier is still prominently visible, practically left untouched though he'd seen Prismal children often jumping onto them to scatter the dirt everywhere and squash the ants. Perhaps, it's for the best Sariel isn't exposed to that sight as he can enjoy the small hill undisturbed, several small ants crawling methodically from the hole in the top.
Lucio crouches down to watch, trying to understand what the primal finds so fascinating and hypnotizing about them. ]
Please come close if you wish. Unlike the ants from our world, these have a hardened crystallized shell, similar to a lot of flora and fauna from this world. I have yet to find an answer for why that is, but the colors reflecting off of them are quite beautiful.
[ Much like he'd lured the sprites to him, he is able to attract a few ants onto his finger before holding them out towards Sariel to show him exactly what he means. ]
It may be to add a protective layer as their lives are already quite short and fragile.
[ An irony that Sariel should see himself in them given how difficult he'd proven to subdue. Ants are strengthened by their numbers, but Sariel is already strong on his own due to modifications he'd endured -perhaps even stronger emotionally than he may yet realize. ]
[ there are quick thank you's exchanged once the last of the sprites have been delivered safe and sound, but soon after that, sariel is ushered out of the shop with a shiny unicorn card with 'death' written at the bottom. he doesn't understand what it's supposed to be for but he does hide it away in his pocket, thinking it'd be useful later on. whenever that may be.
not that he worries about it too much, considering where they're headed. his mind has already switched focus on the ants they're about to see and not so much anything related to the task they were previously busy with. it doesn't take long for them to make it to the park, and while the scene laid out before them is beautiful as it bathed under orange-red light, nothing can compare to how fascinating the prismatic ants are in front of him.
his amazement is almost child-like, wide-eyed and innocent. ]
... Pretty.
[ he doesn't realize when exactly he'd decreased the distance before him and the ants, but it becomes obvious when lucio presents a few of them on his hand. his bright blue eyes blink out of surprise, backing off just a bit. he's reminded of the time when belial told him to be gentle with the ants, so as not to crush them - ]
If it can protect them like that, and help them live long lives- [ slowly, he extends his own hand to allow the ants to crawl on his fingers. their outer shell glimmer with all the colours of a rainbow under the setting sun. ] Wouldn't that be nice?
[ he would protect them all, if he could, but even he understands that sometimes the simplest wishes can be hard to grant. ]
[ A strange query to hear from Sariel, having never imagined he'd use his power to protect. Execute... yes, of course. But to guard something he cherishes- to take on a purpose outside of that which he's been given. To begin to think, process, and understand on his own. Perhaps, he's evolving in his own way, and Lucio is interested to see where that might lead him just as he'd watched Sandalphon and countless primals grow and change beneath the Singularity's watchful eye. ]
They might feel fortunate to have you guarding them. Given what i heard of the calamity, the animals here may have grown these hardened shells out of necessity to protect from the external forces.
[ It's one of many theories, at least, but he does feel a little bit at ease knowing Sariel has something to preoccupy himself. It won't stop Belial and Lucilius from binding him to their will, but he will simply have to wait and see how such a reunion will play out in this land.
As their purpose here is yet unclear, he doesn't know when and how they will return. Lucilius is likely to grow restless the longer he remains and will continue to try and unravel whatever secrets both this land and Lucio himself contain. It may be that he and Sariel will eventually meet as enemies, but he can enjoy this placid moment between them a bit longer, his hand gently patting Sariel's shoulder encouragingly. ]
I will leave them well in your hands, though should you ever wish for a bit more lively companionship, you may call upon me.
and thas'a wrap...! until the next himbo thread. u_u
[ maybe there will come a time where sariel is going to be caught in between his desire to avoid hurting anyone and his desire to protect the one he trusts most. that might very well be the future he's walking towards without hesitation, considering he has never been the type to waver when it comes to things like this - but until that day comes, he will remain the fallen angel who chooses to protect rather than harm another living being. ]
Yes. I will do my best.
[ the smile that now graces his features seem so small and barely noticeable, but it still conveys the quiet contentment he's experiencing now that he has the prismatic ants to keep him occupied. he doesn't really hear lucio's offer for livelier companionship, but maybe that's for the best.
regardless of what happens in the future, at least sariel can look back at this day and remember the kindness he was shown, even if it's as miniscule as helping him ferry lost sprites and locating the ants he loves so much. ]
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■ ɴᴏᴛ ғᴀᴀsᴀɴ
[ the life of a primal can be cruel, but sariel has no concept of cruelty; at the very least, he'll never understand why the Singularity and his crew fought so hard to convince him that belial isn't worth it. that he's just being used. isn't that his purpose? to be used by his superiors however they deemed appropriate. it's just how things are; there's no reason for it to be any different.
he thinks about what to say in response and ends up defaulting to one of his simplest answers. ]
I want to go see the ants.
[ if it were possible to go back to that residential park, that's where he'd be right away - but something tells him that can't be done. not anymore, not so easily. ]
They help me think sometimes.
[ or they help him stop thinking altogether, when things get really bad (as they usually do). ]
no subject
...Ants? I believe I saw an anthill on the way here in the park.
[ It's interesting to see what primals marvel over other and what aspects of the Skydwellers and their lives appeal most to them. To Belial, it may be something as complicated as desire and intimacy, and to Sariel, it's the most inane of creatures, often ignored or forgotten until they start to become too invasive. But even simple things can become dangerous. A whole army of bullet ants will render any mortal numb with pain.
He holds out a hand invitingly towards Sariel after a moment. ]
Would you like me to take you to them? Perhaps, there is something we can observe together that went unnoticed before.
[ Which isn't untrue. The creatures of this land are different than those created by the Omnipotent. Who's to say they don't drastically differ from memory? ]
no subject
But the sprites...
[ don't they still have to return them to the mage? as much as he'd like to head over to where the anthill is, he feels some measure of responsibility to return the ones they have acquired after he made a sprite explode earlier - even if it was all an accident. maybe it'll stop him from feeling this weird, tight sensation in his chest.
it's guilt, probably. ]
After we return them, I would like to see the ants.
[ he'll do his best not to be distracted by his own selfish desire to see the ants right away. ]
no subject
At your insistence, I will come along. Remember -take heed not to get too close.
[ Lest Lucio be covered with a dozen or so spurts of sparkles from the amount of sprites he has casually dancing around him. Not that he couldn't clean it off easily, but the commotion alone... it would be quite something. ]
Do you plan on rejoining your master once more after spending some time with the anthill? I imagine this time apart may have given an opportunity to reflect on his misdeeds.
[ But knowing Belial... that is highly unlikely. Still, the primal isn't needlessly reckless and wouldn't bother causing trouble without due cause, especially in an area where he is vastly outnumbered and underpowered. ]
i can't look at lucio the same anymore
it takes him a minute to realize a question has been asked. blinking, he tilts his head at that. ]
My master?
[ deputy head... ]
He found me earlier, while I was watching a memory from my past. [ he'll leave out the small detail where they ruined a part of the amphoria room. oops. ] I would like to stay with him if he'll let me.
[ he knows that it's a selfish desire but it's the simplest one he has. ]
me neither... me neither
If Belial didn't have an excuse to find somewhere to live before, he certainly has one now, though the reunion does continue to make him a bit apprehensive, if only because Lucilius will grow stronger the more of his loyal Primals appear. He would rather they not disturb the peace that the Prismals are tried to cultivate in their rebuilt home. ]
There is no reason why he would deny your request. You are yet valuable to him, and he sees something in you few others see.
[ But not for the reasons that he believes Sariel should be valued. Trying to convince him of such is no easy feat as he has been designed to believe what he is told without thinking beyond it, but perhaps, there may come a day where he might experience some of the free will that Sandalphon and the primarchs are starting to enjoy.
Once they arrive at the shop, Lucio directs the fairies to the owner, allowing the Prismal to safely encase them. ]
Do give your farewells to our small friends. They may find a more suitable home elsewhere away from the threat of colorful combustion. Shall we continue onward to our last stop of the day?
the sparkliest himbo
belial sees him as valuable? he'd like to believe that's the case. he'll do his best to fulfill whatever role belial needed him to be - whether it's to be a tool or simply just someone to remain by his side. ]
Then... if he'll let me stay, that's enough for me.
[ a simple wish. no questions asked.
they reach the mage's shop not too long after that, and when the sprites are back to where they belong, he nods his head once. there's no shift in his expression, but his body language says it all: he's eager to go where the anthills are. ]
But yes. I would like to see the ants.
[ he'll follow a lot more closely this time, now that there's no threat of accidentally making a spite explode in a burst of glitter all over them. it's amazing how his entire focus is easy to capture once you mention ants around him, but he's always been so laughably uncomplicated.
it's probably better that way. ]
no subject
Lucio crouches down to watch, trying to understand what the primal finds so fascinating and hypnotizing about them. ]
Please come close if you wish. Unlike the ants from our world, these have a hardened crystallized shell, similar to a lot of flora and fauna from this world. I have yet to find an answer for why that is, but the colors reflecting off of them are quite beautiful.
[ Much like he'd lured the sprites to him, he is able to attract a few ants onto his finger before holding them out towards Sariel to show him exactly what he means. ]
It may be to add a protective layer as their lives are already quite short and fragile.
[ An irony that Sariel should see himself in them given how difficult he'd proven to subdue. Ants are strengthened by their numbers, but Sariel is already strong on his own due to modifications he'd endured -perhaps even stronger emotionally than he may yet realize. ]
no subject
not that he worries about it too much, considering where they're headed. his mind has already switched focus on the ants they're about to see and not so much anything related to the task they were previously busy with. it doesn't take long for them to make it to the park, and while the scene laid out before them is beautiful as it bathed under orange-red light, nothing can compare to how fascinating the prismatic ants are in front of him.
his amazement is almost child-like, wide-eyed and innocent. ]
... Pretty.
[ he doesn't realize when exactly he'd decreased the distance before him and the ants, but it becomes obvious when lucio presents a few of them on his hand. his bright blue eyes blink out of surprise, backing off just a bit. he's reminded of the time when belial told him to be gentle with the ants, so as not to crush them - ]
If it can protect them like that, and help them live long lives- [ slowly, he extends his own hand to allow the ants to crawl on his fingers. their outer shell glimmer with all the colours of a rainbow under the setting sun. ] Wouldn't that be nice?
[ he would protect them all, if he could, but even he understands that sometimes the simplest wishes can be hard to grant. ]
no subject
They might feel fortunate to have you guarding them. Given what i heard of the calamity, the animals here may have grown these hardened shells out of necessity to protect from the external forces.
[ It's one of many theories, at least, but he does feel a little bit at ease knowing Sariel has something to preoccupy himself. It won't stop Belial and Lucilius from binding him to their will, but he will simply have to wait and see how such a reunion will play out in this land.
As their purpose here is yet unclear, he doesn't know when and how they will return. Lucilius is likely to grow restless the longer he remains and will continue to try and unravel whatever secrets both this land and Lucio himself contain. It may be that he and Sariel will eventually meet as enemies, but he can enjoy this placid moment between them a bit longer, his hand gently patting Sariel's shoulder encouragingly. ]
I will leave them well in your hands, though should you ever wish for a bit more lively companionship, you may call upon me.
and thas'a wrap...! until the next himbo thread. u_u
Yes. I will do my best.
[ the smile that now graces his features seem so small and barely noticeable, but it still conveys the quiet contentment he's experiencing now that he has the prismatic ants to keep him occupied. he doesn't really hear lucio's offer for livelier companionship, but maybe that's for the best.
regardless of what happens in the future, at least sariel can look back at this day and remember the kindness he was shown, even if it's as miniscule as helping him ferry lost sprites and locating the ants he loves so much. ]