[You sleeping well, Haruka? Good. Little idols need their beauty sleep... but some time around midnight, the conch Lobelia gifted him will begin to vibrate and hum. If he listens closely, he'll be able to hear noise coming from within it.]
[He was sleeping, though "well" might be... questionable. This is not the most comfortable sleeping arrangement he's had.
He had almost forgotten about the shell, between the day Lobelia gave it to him and now. Still groggy from sleep, it takes him a moment to even register the shell is the source of the noise. Unfortunate he's still half asleep, because he grabs the phone and holds it up to his ear, mumbling a bit.]
[He just wants to chat! Nothing much. Sure, he only called Haruka this late at night to admire (and record) his sleepy voice, but that's his little secret.]
How are you faring? Have your colocataires been causing you any problems? If so, I can help with that.
[He does not want to wake Vergilius and get stabbed or⦠or laser blasted or something.
So thereβs some shuffling over the shellphone, as Haruka rolls upright and tries to exit the cabana as quietly as possible. Once heβs inside, he sighs.]
I donβt know. Thereβs a lot of things to worry about, especially when thereβs this wholeβ¦ human sacrifice thing. What if someone decides youβre a good target?
I think attacking someone with, like, magic or super strength is the complete opposite of self-preservation! Theyβd just kill me for that! Thereβs no way Iβll ever get the upper hand, and I donβtβ¦
Haruka, Haruka, Haruka... That's no way to think about these things.
[Lobelia lightly clicks his tongue.]
Who is to say you'll have the choice? If death comes knocking, will you simply spread yourself bare before it? Don't give up the battle before it's even begun!
[There's silence on the other end, suddenly, and the eerie calm of the night... Until warmth ghosts along the shell of Haruka's ear, Lobelia standing directly behind him.]
[This is probably a bad idea, but one of the first places he stops after the clownshow that was that trial is the Kingfisher cabana. He doesn't stay for long, but he does have to pick up something before he heads out towards the beach.
He's a bit nervous, holding onto the shell, but... between all the strange things he was saying and the odd intensity that comes and goes, and that weird... collection of his voice, he has too many questions. He should probably take Zelkov's (and Vergilius') advice to heart, but he can't help himself. He doesn't want to entirely shun Lobelia, odd and unhinged as he may be, but he doesn't exactly feel safe around him, either.
He holds the shell up, just like it's a phone, and there's a moment of hesitation - exactly when does this shellphone start transmitting? - before he speaks into it.]
[It starts transmitting the moment Haruka speaks into the shell, conveniently enough, and Lobelia's voice is quick to ring out in reply, cheerful as ever.]
[What a curious question. Lobelia tilts his head to one side, an eyebrow curiously raised.]
Mm, non, but I can't possibly answer such a vague question. It seems as if you're suggesting there's more I want out of you, and if that's the case, you ought to posit that more directly.
[So you're scared. The way Lobelia smiles isn't very kind, but it's not like Haruka can see it when he's cast his gaze downward. How very unfortunate.]
[What a gentle boy Haruka is, trying to think so kindly of him when he really ought to save his energy for someone worth his concern. All the same, Lobelia will gladly take his misplaced compassion.]
Hm... Where might this be coming from, Cher? Not only have you refused to concern yourself with your own safety, but now you wish to offer yourself up as a sac de boxe as a means to... what? Keep me occupied? Distracted?
No, nothing like that. I don't... know if you actually want to hurt anyone, but...
[He shrugs.]
I'm used to people who only want to use people and throw them away when they're done with them. That's just how it is. I feel like everyone else needs a break from whatever probably awful shit they've had to deal with, so...
If someone has to hurt, or get taken advantage of, or... whatever, it might as well be the person who doesn't really matter in this place. I can handle it.
[Or he thinks he can, despite how delicate he can be at times.]
...Now now, there's really no need to debase yourself, Cher. You're not as useless as you seem to think.
[It isn't as if Haruka's offer is coming from anyplace but one of barebones self-worth, otherwise Lobelia might take him up on the offer. As it stands, he doesn't care to grant anyone their death wish. Where would the fun be in that?]
In this place, our lives are all of equal value, yet that means little! Someone like you must survive to share your talent with the world! Surely it is your place to go on living while those who are moindre die off one by one.
Mm, and yet you felt it necessary to ask me such a frightening question?
[Can be really believe that Haruka isn't one of the people who sees him as a bad man? Regardless, Lobelia certainly doesn't look bothered. That's all that really matters, right?]
You don't trust me either. That much is plain to see. In fact, I get the feeling you're afraid of me...
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
WEEK ONE: midnight tuesday, cabanas.
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He had almost forgotten about the shell, between the day Lobelia gave it to him and now. Still groggy from sleep, it takes him a moment to even register the shell is the source of the noise. Unfortunate he's still half asleep, because he grabs the phone and holds it up to his ear, mumbling a bit.]
What the hell...?
[what kinda cursed shit is he hearing rn]
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Bonne soirΓ©e, Haruka. Where you sleeping?
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Well, heβs definitely wide awake now. Should he throw the conch? He should probably throw the conch, but what if something happens if he breaks it?]
β¦Yeah, I was. Itβs really late?
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How are you faring? Have your colocataires been causing you any problems? If so, I can help with that.
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[He doesnβt know French! Much less gratuitous French!]
Are you threatening someone?
[help]
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[Hehehe. Messing with Haruka is such a treat.]
If you need assistance, I'll gladly come along to help sort out your problems.
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Lobelia-san... I appreciate the offer, but I don't think my roommates are that bad...
[Yet. It's a strong yet, but he's pretty sure Lobelia is still worse.]
Besides, you have other things to worry about.
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[What would he have to worry about, he wonders? Well... why wonder when he can ask?]
What might those things be, by the way?
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[He does not want to wake Vergilius and get stabbed or⦠or laser blasted or something.
So thereβs some shuffling over the shellphone, as Haruka rolls upright and tries to exit the cabana as quietly as possible. Once heβs inside, he sighs.]
I donβt know. Thereβs a lot of things to worry about, especially when thereβs this wholeβ¦ human sacrifice thing. What if someone decides youβre a good target?
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What else? Renverser les rΓ΄les! That is to say... turn the tables on your adversary. You can't be victimized if you're the aggressor!
[Simple! How well can you defend yourself, Haruka?]
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Oh.
Wait.
Hold on a second-]
I don't want to attack anyone! That's insane!
[How well? Incredibly poorly, thanks for asking.]
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[β¦]
I donβt want to hurt anyoneβ¦
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[Lobelia lightly clicks his tongue.]
Who is to say you'll have the choice? If death comes knocking, will you simply spread yourself bare before it? Don't give up the battle before it's even begun!
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At least itβs over the shellphoneβ¦]
Iβm not- Iβm not going to just give upβ¦ Iβm just being realisticβ¦
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Realism would be preparing yourself for the worst! Waiting until the 11th hour will only guarantee your untimely demise... Heh!
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Lobelia-san⦠Are you going to get to the point?
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Boo!
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He jumps forward, unsettled by how Lobelia is already so close, and spins. His heart is pounding, and he presses a hand to his chest.]
L-Lobelia-san!
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[How wonderful! Good thing he's recording this!!]
Calme yourself, Haruka. You've nothing to fear. I just thought it might be nice to have a chat with you in person.
w2, post-trial
He's a bit nervous, holding onto the shell, but... between all the strange things he was saying and the odd intensity that comes and goes, and that weird... collection of his voice, he has too many questions. He should probably take Zelkov's (and Vergilius') advice to heart, but he can't help himself. He doesn't want to entirely shun Lobelia, odd and unhinged as he may be, but he doesn't exactly feel safe around him, either.
He holds the shell up, just like it's a phone, and there's a moment of hesitation - exactly when does this shellphone start transmitting? - before he speaks into it.]
Lobelia-san?
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Bonne soirΓ©e, Cher! How are you faring after today's little performance?
[If something is wrong, Lobelia is certainly not acknowledging it.]
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...I've been better.
[awkward,]
I didn't realize you had so many recordings of me, Lobelia-san.
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Bien sΓ»r! Many recordings exist of your immaculate performances, non? My collection should come as no surprise to you.
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[Well. Everything else. Itβs strange, but Haruka really doesnβt know how to approach all of this.]
Are recordings really all you want from me, Lobelia-san?
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Mm, non, but I can't possibly answer such a vague question. It seems as if you're suggesting there's more I want out of you, and if that's the case, you ought to posit that more directly.
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Haruka hunches a bit, nervous, and looks away.]
...Do you want to hurt me?
[He doesn't believe Lobelia does, but the way everyone seems so wary of him and with the trial behind them...]
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Do you truly think me that cruel, Haruka?
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[He wants to think the best of Lobelia, even if heβs so odd.
More then that, thoughβ¦]
β¦But if there is anyone you want to hurt, it might be better if it was me instead.
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Hm... Where might this be coming from, Cher? Not only have you refused to concern yourself with your own safety, but now you wish to offer yourself up as a sac de boxe as a means to... what? Keep me occupied? Distracted?
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[He shrugs.]
I'm used to people who only want to use people and throw them away when they're done with them. That's just how it is. I feel like everyone else needs a break from whatever probably awful shit they've had to deal with, so...
If someone has to hurt, or get taken advantage of, or... whatever, it might as well be the person who doesn't really matter in this place. I can handle it.
[Or he thinks he can, despite how delicate he can be at times.]
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[It isn't as if Haruka's offer is coming from anyplace but one of barebones self-worth, otherwise Lobelia might take him up on the offer. As it stands, he doesn't care to grant anyone their death wish. Where would the fun be in that?]
In this place, our lives are all of equal value, yet that means little! Someone like you must survive to share your talent with the world! Surely it is your place to go on living while those who are moindre die off one by one.
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[β¦]
Are you⦠actually thinking of hurting someone, Lobelia-san?
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Non, but if you continue to ask, I might just change my mind.
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S-sorry, Lobelia-san. I didnβt mean to imply anything bad about you.
[He ducks his head.]
I really donβt think youβre as bad as everyone else seems to, even if you say strange things.
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[Can be really believe that Haruka isn't one of the people who sees him as a bad man? Regardless, Lobelia certainly doesn't look bothered. That's all that really matters, right?]
You don't trust me either. That much is plain to see. In fact, I get the feeling you're afraid of me...
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[It absolutely is.]
Itβs justβ¦ hard to believe all you want is to listen to me. Thatβs not how it usually goes, so I just assumed you have to want more.
[So much of his life has just been being used, that it only seems natural that Lobelia would want to use him, too.]