Ninth Scale - Audio

[ceasetoexist]

You know even after being here like, half a year, I'm always surprised by the dumb crap you horses keep thinking up. I mean, I guess Valentine's Day isn't exactly a tradition you idiots have on your own, but it's still a dumb idea. But you know what?

I guess what it's meant to represent isn't, much as some people here think it's something to be scared of. And I guess it's scary. I mean, it is I guess, if you're a weeny. Or just...have never had it or...

Know what? Love is super important. Here's why. Stick with me if you idiots think you can, cause here's a good reason.

I'm a pretty mean guy. I don't really hide it. And I do pretty mean things. But if you met me before the last place I was you'd see how nasty I really could be. I don't mean like throwing pies in each others faces or tripping one another or whatever you all think are war crimes. I did stuff that'd blow your little pony minds. And I was pretty sure I'd always be that way.

But then, the last place I was? And yeah, this is cliche, I met someone. A girl.

It started off pretty great, too. I mean first time I met her she put a weapon to my head because I was screwing around in her back yard making a map of the town we were in, so it was pretty romantic from the start. And you know, I guess people wouldn't think she had the best temperament: she was loud, and bossy, and sarcastic and rude.

She was a lot of the things I was. But underneath that? She also had a decency to her. She was brave where I was a coward, and and patient where I rushed at crap, and even though a lot of people wouldn't see it? She could be kind, when she wanted to be, when I was just a cruel jerk. I related to her because of the immediate parts of myself I saw in her but, you know. I came to care about her because of the better parts of her, and how she treated to me.

Like I said, I'm not a nice guy. No one had really been nice to me before, aside from my brother. ...And my neighbor, though I screwed him over in the end. He was my friend; I was never really his. But anyway? The fact that she showed me kindness, that she actually wanted to be my friend, include me in things...that was the first time anyone ever had. I dunno. I think at first I just wanted to impress her, but as time went on I guess I realized...

She taught me how to care, even if she didn't know she was. And because of that I actually had friends for once. Had a home. And because I could see myself in her but also something better than me, I wanted to be better than I was too. If I had never met her, who knows. Maybe my luck would've been crappy like it always was and I'd never try and change. Your luck would be crappy too.

See. I want to improve because of the people I know back there, and because of her. Because I love them. I love her.

And the reason I'm telling you this, something none of you losers deserve to hear in a hundred years, is because the fact that I love her and want to be better? Is the only reason I haven't decided to slit your collective throats and push your dumb, metaphorical bodies in front of a freight train by trying to find someone who could help me get back to them for the cost of betraying you. And I'd do it to. Because I don't care about you. But I care about her. And because I care about her, I can't. I can't think about selling you out or, if there were no takers on that, just rampaging about and ruining you idiots day on a daily basis.

That and if history is any indicator? I'm going to end up spilling this crap anyway when Valentine's actually gets here. I hate these places for that.

So if you're a complete moron who thinks love and relationships are really that fragile, consider this. It's because it isn't that you have one less psycho to deal with screwing you here.

You're welcome.

[Private to Giegue]

Hey boss.

Let's talk.

[Because he can't imagine a rant like this wouldn't attract Giegue's attention. Or that he'd have to defend himself over it.

Might as well jump right at the lion and get it over with.]

Comments

[Private]

[break_a_melody]

[He was listening. Boy was he listening, and he was processing everything Pokey was saying, searching for any hidden messages or double meanings that the boy might've hid. To say the least, hearing him speak of such topics the way he did wasn't... becoming. While normally, he wouldn't have thought much of the Starnowman's destruction seeing as how it's only natural Pokey would work with Giegue only as far as if there was a chance he could take everything for himself. That was a risk Giegue understood.

But there were too many uncertain variables now. He couldn't predict Pokey anymore. There was a growing danger here and in a different sense. Yet, Giegue wasn't willing to discard his most valuable pawn just yet. So he would entertain the boy if for a little longer. After all, he still has desires. That seemed to work well enough in the past.]

Love, huh? Your understanding has evolved since we last met. Before, yours was very narrow, mixed with disinterest.

[Private/Visual]

[ceasetoexist]

Sure has. Know what else has?

[And that's when Pokey turns the communication to visual. And when he does?

He's grinning from ear to ear. Not a happy one, not a kind one, but the kind of smile Giegue would always expect from the boy. That cruel, mean little smile the boy was so capable of, that showed disdain and cruelty towards the world in general.]

My ability to lie. I mean, I was always great at it but, you know. Since you and I had to part ways? I've gotten ever better.

What do you think? That the nerds here bought it? Been having to pretend to be nice with them for a while, I thought telling them a sob story might help seal the deal on what they think of me.

[He isn't serious, but he's answering so easily and so succinctly with this that Pokey is hoping to...well. Not take Giegue off guard. But try and gauge Giegue's reaction to him saying it. To see how far he can go, to see how much Giegue will walk alongside this game of pretend. He'd like to think he can trick Giegue, but Pokey doesn't really think he can, even if it's worth a shot. A shot to either show himself as loyal or ineffectual, a way to, either way, try and ease Giegue's mind into assuring itself it could use Pokey as a pawn.

It's time to dance on knives, and see just how long he could before slipping and cutting himself to pieces.]

[break_a_melody]

... So this heartwarming experience you've shared of this brave, caring girl who beyond all odds opened to you, teaching you bravery and empathy... is just an elaborate fabrication and nothing more.

[Just as Pokey is testing Giegue, Giegue will also gauge the boy, meeting his red eyes in kind. Despite being at such a young age, Pokey could lie like the best of seasoned career politicians. If honed more, he could have entire populations dancing to the beat of his drum. He could even bend the whims of aliens to his whims.

Giegue refused to be gullible. But he didn't want his investment in the boy squandered either. And so, he'll toss another knife.]

Oh, yes. I thought as much. It could only be a fabrication.

[ceasetoexist]

Good to know you weren't taken in by it. I was afraid maybe, you know. You'd turned into kind of an idiot along with being without your power.

[He tries to keep it 'good natured', to stay frivolous and mean spirited in his own way about the remark without showing any personal anger at the comment. He'd started this dance. It'd be idiotic to get tripped this early on, even if he can't help missing a beat here or there out of spite.]

Though I guess I was wrong about that too. For a moment I almost thought you might have been behind all the crap happening a few weeks ago. The Starman was cool, at first, until I realized it was pretty ugly and lame and would've died the moment someone lit a match.

Kind of surprised you haven't started getting serious yet.

[break_a_melody]

[Yes, the Starman. The one that Pokey made sure to clobber and put down... So that's his reasoning, then, for what he did. And well, it may just as well have been true. Giegue was just surprised he even bothered.]

Serious... Hm. If I had all the same advantages I did in your Earth, nothing would hold me back from doing what those Windigos did. Except more effectively. I've always been serious, Pokey. So serious that I'm not willing to squander the chances I'm afforded at conquering this world.

[In other words, he's being careful. He needs to be careful.]

... I require power. More power. I know what I have now isn't enough. ... and it may not have been enough back in Eagleland either.

[ceasetoexist]

[The dragon tilts his head, lifting his small, clawed palm in a gesture of "what next".]

Who knows. Maybe it wasn't.

[Hey Giegue. Guess what?

He knows something you don't know~]

Dunno, but if you ask me power shouldn't be too hard to find here, right? I mean magic is a pretty common thing here. Has to be something we can use to boost your strength.

[break_a_melody]

Ah, yes. I've been looking into that...

[And as of now, he does have an ally who's magically inclined. But Pokey needn't know of that.]

Hm. What do you think about recruiting? I wonder if you'd know anybody that can assist us in this field. If not through ability, then knowledge would suffice. I have more than enough pawns to seek out the power for me.

[ceasetoexist]

Recruiting?

Could be possible. Most of the people here are broken and hurting so we could take advantage of that. A lot of 'em have short tempers and anger issues. Despite all their lovey-dovey crap, things like the windigos or whatever showed they're willing to show who they really are when worst comes to worst.

Don't think I know anyone off the top my head though. Probably wouldn't be hard to find some sucker to trick into it though.

Why? You find anyone?

[break_a_melody]

A few people. They're pawns, mainly.

[No reason to mention the out and out collaborators.]

Do keep a look out, then. A mindless army of thralls is useful in that it's expendable, but it contributes nothing in the way of intelligence.

[ceasetoexist]

Don't have to tell me twice. Has to be someone we can work with or trick here. If we got brought here, anyone could have.

[break_a_melody]

Hm. I've been meaning to ask: is there anybody here brought from that other world you're so fond of? There must be. It couldn't have been just you.

[ceasetoexist]

Could be, but none I've met or recognized. Place was pretty big and even I couldn't know everyone, especially with how many people the stupid place dragged in and then spat out.

[break_a_melody]

What I'm trying to say is that I hope you're not lying to me with how skilled you've become at that. Too much anyway.

[ceasetoexist]

C'mon.

You think I'd really be dumb enough to lie to you?

[break_a_melody]

... I wouldn't say dumb.

[ceasetoexist]

Foolish then, whatever.

Even if I wasn't working with you I wouldn't be dumb enough to try and work something against you.

[break_a_melody]

Hm... I should hope not. It's for your sake that you make me assume you're still loyal. Not that I'm saying you've ever done so, but feel free to lie, cheat, and steal around me. That's just who you are and I tolerate that. But if you ever do turn on me, be certain that you make it count.

[His red eyes grows wider and darkens.]

Because then, you will have given me a reason to take back everything I've invested in you. With interest.

[ceasetoexist]

Hey, hey boss. I know I've been snippy since I got here but considering you're my best ticket out of here?

You can count on me.

[To betray you.]

[break_a_melody]

... All the foolish people who made the mistake of trusting you. Of loving you. I'll take them all away. You'll desperately seek out your paradise, but it will never be yours again. All that waits for you with betrayal is an eternal nightmare.

[His voice is low and a kind of intensity follows it. Though Giegue's naturally a humorless entity, this one seemed moreso.]

I would like you to be happy, Pokey. But whether that's what you want, you'll have to prove that to me.

1/2 [Visual/Private]

[ceasetoexist]

[All the foolish people.

You don't know how angry it makes him to hear that. You didn't know them. You couldn't have known them, what makes you think you get to disrespect them?

It isn't even the pointing out of the loss of what had been his, of the fleeting happiness he'd managed to have, if only for a few, hard years. It's the disrespect, even if just in that instant, so carelessly thrown out that Pokey can't stand. It should be such a little thing; Giegue himself probably considered it one of the less important parts of his threat, Pokey was pretty sure. But to him it was the harshest.

And so, before he can catch himself.]

Shut up.

[ceasetoexist]

I'm not going to lie and say I wouldn't betray you if the chance for something stronger came along but hey guess what here? That's unlikely, just like it was in Eagleland. The people here are ugly and stupid, just like they were in Eagleland. I'm not sure how much more I have to prove I'm hitching my wagon to you because you're my best bet here.

[His voice is acidic, vitriolic, and he's having to keep it up to try and hide any possible panic that might have been coming. To hope that he can keep Giegue thinking that he's just angry and annoyed at being challenged so repeatedly, not because Giegue hit a nerve.]

I mean, if you don't want my help just say so. But I'm getting tired of having to prove I'm loyal when I proved it when I decided not to crush you to death the first moment I saw you here.

Cut it out with the happiness guilt crap, you sound like my dad.

[break_a_melody]

[There was no two ways about it. Something changed inside the boy. Giegue could tell and it remained a variable unaccounted for. He was worried what may come of it. But maybe pushing the boy too hard would just accelerate it. Ah. Humans. They're really such a troublesome bunch.

Even Pokey was becoming difficult to predict. He had little idea of how to handle it, but needless to say, it's probably prudent to back down here. Giegue relaxes and gives a sigh.]

Fine. I doubt you'd openly defy me anyhow no matter how much you've changed. That's enough for today, then.