![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
[ McGillis is right to stick around the magic books, because sometime in the evening, Sage steps out.
There's a pause as the puppet watches McGillis for a moment or two, but it eventually speaks up. ]
Waiting for someone?
[ The tone in Sage's voice suggests that they know he's most likely waiting for them, but may as well ask, right? Also... this puppet now has cat ears and a tail, both white. ]
There's a pause as the puppet watches McGillis for a moment or two, but it eventually speaks up. ]
Waiting for someone?
[ The tone in Sage's voice suggests that they know he's most likely waiting for them, but may as well ask, right? Also... this puppet now has cat ears and a tail, both white. ]
[ They match! McGillis has some fluffy cat ears and a much fluffier cat tail, matching his shade of light blond. The ears perk up when Sage makes their appearance, even before McGillis fully turns to face them.
Or more like... looks down to face them. The puppet to McGillis height differential is noting to sneeze at. ]
Indeed, and you're just the puppet I'd been hoping to see.
[ Important question: are the cat features on the puppet a lifeless costume or are they as animated as the puppet itself is? ]
Or more like... looks down to face them. The puppet to McGillis height differential is noting to sneeze at. ]
Indeed, and you're just the puppet I'd been hoping to see.
[ Important question: are the cat features on the puppet a lifeless costume or are they as animated as the puppet itself is? ]
More of the latter, though above all I was simply hoping for a conversation.
[ Out of the puppets, Sage is the one he's had the most pleasant experience speaking to, despite the fact that they also seem to be among the most cagey. Picking his poison. ]
Would you like to sit with me, or are you in a hurry?
[ Out of the puppets, Sage is the one he's had the most pleasant experience speaking to, despite the fact that they also seem to be among the most cagey. Picking his poison. ]
Would you like to sit with me, or are you in a hurry?
[ Despite the fact that it would be vastly easier to just pick up the puppet and carry it along with him, McGillis is still on the bodily autonomy trip and won't make any such attempt.
We'll just have to take a moment until we arrived by a window-close set of seats. As he sits, he has to awkwardly take care to not squish his tail between his body and the back rest. ]
... I assume whatever this is, it's not your doing? You do not appear the type for such frivolities.
We'll just have to take a moment until we arrived by a window-close set of seats. As he sits, he has to awkwardly take care to not squish his tail between his body and the back rest. ]
... I assume whatever this is, it's not your doing? You do not appear the type for such frivolities.
[ And he's so right for that! Sage appreciates it, even as the puppet has to pitter patter along after him.
The puppet watches as McGillis awkwardly sits, the tail clearly in the way. With a little jump, it hops up into a seat. ]
No, it is not. I have no use for such a spell, and would not waste precious energy on it.
The puppet watches as McGillis awkwardly sits, the tail clearly in the way. With a little jump, it hops up into a seat. ]
No, it is not. I have no use for such a spell, and would not waste precious energy on it.
[ It will never stop being weird to be talking to these tiny creepy things, but McGillis has learned to compartmentalize. If you really squint, this is just a miniature person, it's fine. ]
That is a relief as much as it unsettles me.
[ He didn't want to have to argue with Sage about the necessity (???) of kitty ears... ]
This place really has a mind of its own - I'd so far assumed that its impact only extended to our surroundings, but our bodies seem to be equally in its hand.
That is a relief as much as it unsettles me.
[ He didn't want to have to argue with Sage about the necessity (???) of kitty ears... ]
This place really has a mind of its own - I'd so far assumed that its impact only extended to our surroundings, but our bodies seem to be equally in its hand.
[ Yeah, it's totally fine!! Maybe the creepiness can become mundane...
Anyway, now that it's sitting, the puppet gives a nod—as much of one as a puppet can. ]
Yes, that would seem to be the case. That our bodies are under the purview of this realm lies in conjunction with its ability to twist perception, such as the residential area that you and yours found yourself in upon arrival.
Powerful magicks are at work to be able to so efficiently impact a group as large as this. In comparison, I only have so much power at my fingertips... which is why I find the magick used at hand both fascinating and troublesome.
Anyway, now that it's sitting, the puppet gives a nod—as much of one as a puppet can. ]
Yes, that would seem to be the case. That our bodies are under the purview of this realm lies in conjunction with its ability to twist perception, such as the residential area that you and yours found yourself in upon arrival.
Powerful magicks are at work to be able to so efficiently impact a group as large as this. In comparison, I only have so much power at my fingertips... which is why I find the magick used at hand both fascinating and troublesome.
Edited 2025-11-18 02:40 (UTC)
[Lobelia had been whisked to the restaurant by the whim of a curious note left, of course, by a rather fascinating man. Order and chaos, was it? Lofty concepts that deserve a longer conversation, and McGillis was right to choose a restaurant as the venue.
By choice, Lobelia arrives early. If McGillis had the same idea, he'll find Lobelia perusing the wine rack, assessing various vintages with muted interest. If he prefers punctuality down to the minute, he'll instead find Lobelia settled in a booth that offers a clear view of every door and exit in the restaurant. In either case, he is greeted with a warm smile and a genial wave.]
Bonne soirée, Monsieur McGillis. Tell me, did you have much trouble braving the cold to get here?
By choice, Lobelia arrives early. If McGillis had the same idea, he'll find Lobelia perusing the wine rack, assessing various vintages with muted interest. If he prefers punctuality down to the minute, he'll instead find Lobelia settled in a booth that offers a clear view of every door and exit in the restaurant. In either case, he is greeted with a warm smile and a genial wave.]
Bonne soirée, Monsieur McGillis. Tell me, did you have much trouble braving the cold to get here?
[ McGillis raises a hand to his chin, considering something. It hadn't occurred to him before, but with how malleable their perception of physical reality has been... ]
Could it be the case that our bodies haven't transformed, but rather that we are being made to perceive them as such?
Could it be the case that our bodies haven't transformed, but rather that we are being made to perceive them as such?
[ By the time the scheduled meeting actually rolls around, McGillis had enough opportunity to experience the weekly haunting for himself that he feels thoroughly on edge. It's not the greatest mindset to meet one of their strange companions in, but it also makes the meeting feel more urgent. He needs something to not make him go out of his mind, something to keep him grounded. Progress. Forward movement. Power.
McGillis takes off the jacket he's grabbed from the clothing store just earlier and takes his seat opposite Lobelia with a smile. ]
Not at all - it's a stark drop in temperature, but you have to be adaptable when your work has you traveling a lot. Are weather changes of this kind common for this place?
McGillis takes off the jacket he's grabbed from the clothing store just earlier and takes his seat opposite Lobelia with a smile. ]
Not at all - it's a stark drop in temperature, but you have to be adaptable when your work has you traveling a lot. Are weather changes of this kind common for this place?
It could be, though I would wonder why there are emotional reactions to these changes, were it merely perception.
[ But it's a thought, one Sage takes into consideration. ]
I have a thought exercise, if I may, as I believe you may have a valuable perspective. Were you to pull the strings and develop a spell potent enough to shift the realities of a group of this size, what would your goal be?
[ But it's a thought, one Sage takes into consideration. ]
I have a thought exercise, if I may, as I believe you may have a valuable perspective. Were you to pull the strings and develop a spell potent enough to shift the realities of a group of this size, what would your goal be?
[McGillis is composed, polished like expensive porcelain. Lobelia can hear the barest threads of tension in his voice. A man too aware of himself to show discomfort, and too proud to pretend he doesn't feel it. Fascinating.]
Your adaptability is commendable. I'll admit I've never been fond of the cold, nor very tolerant of it.
[He smiles, soft but edged with curiosity. Lobelia's gaze turns to the windows, the snow shivering restless against the glass. Is this normal here? Lobelia shrugs, suggesting he neither knows nor cares to bother himself with the answer.]
Alas, I would not know. I've been here longer than you, but not so long that I've had the time or inclination to study the weather.
[He tilts his head, studying McGillis with frank interest. That is where his attention lies.]
Tell me, Monsieur McGillis... what drew you to such a curious topic as order and chaos? Or rather, what made you think I would be a worthwhile partner for that conversation?
Your adaptability is commendable. I'll admit I've never been fond of the cold, nor very tolerant of it.
[He smiles, soft but edged with curiosity. Lobelia's gaze turns to the windows, the snow shivering restless against the glass. Is this normal here? Lobelia shrugs, suggesting he neither knows nor cares to bother himself with the answer.]
Alas, I would not know. I've been here longer than you, but not so long that I've had the time or inclination to study the weather.
[He tilts his head, studying McGillis with frank interest. That is where his attention lies.]
Tell me, Monsieur McGillis... what drew you to such a curious topic as order and chaos? Or rather, what made you think I would be a worthwhile partner for that conversation?
[ Down to business, then. It suits McGillis just fine - even his idle question was nothing but a lead-in that would have gotten them here sooner rather than later. ]
I'm sure you're already aware that your study has been made quite public last week - and being fascinated by books as I am, it was hard to resist surveying the selection.
[ He'd amend that this was before he knew it was Lobelia's, but they both know he would have checked it out even sooner if he had known. Besides, McGillis expects that Ramuda has already recounted this escapade to Lobelia to begin with. ]
You seem interested in the topic. And more than that, you seem the only one of your group to enjoy the goings-on in this place. I was wondering if those two aspects were related?
I'm sure you're already aware that your study has been made quite public last week - and being fascinated by books as I am, it was hard to resist surveying the selection.
[ He'd amend that this was before he knew it was Lobelia's, but they both know he would have checked it out even sooner if he had known. Besides, McGillis expects that Ramuda has already recounted this escapade to Lobelia to begin with. ]
You seem interested in the topic. And more than that, you seem the only one of your group to enjoy the goings-on in this place. I was wondering if those two aspects were related?
[Lobelia leans back slightly, as though the answer pleases him more than it should. McGillis's interest is deliberate, but not unkind— that makes him infinitely easier to speak with than the average scholar who only wants to pick him apart.]
Bien sûr, I am interested. The world bends in peculiar ways here, and I enjoy knowing what shape it chooses next. If that happens to be related to commande and chaos... well. I've always had a soft spot for grand ideas.
[His smile spreads, warm but undeniably sharp.]
But you give me too much credit, Monsieur McGillis. I am only as informed as anyone who listens closely and looks where others don't. If my... enjoyment of the goings-on gives me an edge, then that is simply a happy coincidence.
Bien sûr, I am interested. The world bends in peculiar ways here, and I enjoy knowing what shape it chooses next. If that happens to be related to commande and chaos... well. I've always had a soft spot for grand ideas.
[His smile spreads, warm but undeniably sharp.]
But you give me too much credit, Monsieur McGillis. I am only as informed as anyone who listens closely and looks where others don't. If my... enjoyment of the goings-on gives me an edge, then that is simply a happy coincidence.
And that is no matter to me. I did not come here because I expected you to have the answers we've been craving.
[ He expects the puppet collective would do a lot less running around like headless chicken if they knew that much. There's clearly much and more they are hiding, but when it comes to the Third Power in control of the settlement, they appear genuinely lost. ]
You are looking at this world from a different angle than the rest of them - or even the rest of us. Happy coincidence or not, it makes your perspective cover blind spots that the rest of us may leave unattended.
So what do you think? Is our mysterious Third Power more fond of chaos or order?
[ He expects the puppet collective would do a lot less running around like headless chicken if they knew that much. There's clearly much and more they are hiding, but when it comes to the Third Power in control of the settlement, they appear genuinely lost. ]
You are looking at this world from a different angle than the rest of them - or even the rest of us. Happy coincidence or not, it makes your perspective cover blind spots that the rest of us may leave unattended.
So what do you think? Is our mysterious Third Power more fond of chaos or order?
Mais bien sûr... a coincidence can still be useful, non?
[His smile tilts, thoughtful, an edge of amusement cutting through it. McGillis gives him too much credit. He enjoys it far more than he should.]
You see patterns where others see noise. That alone sets you apart. And if my enjoyment merely sharpens what was already there, then I am flattered to be of service.
But as for your question... Chaos and order are siblings, not opposites. One breathes life into the other. Whatever power governs this place... mm, I doubt it is so rigid as to choose only one. It seems to feed on tension. On imbalance. On what people reveal when pressed.
[He gestures lazily with one hand, as though brushing away dust, though his eyes remain fixed on McGillis with bare interest.]
If I had to guess? It favors whichever stirs the pot most beautifully. Order can be oppressive, chaos can be dull. But the interplay... that is where real artistry lies.
[His smile tilts, thoughtful, an edge of amusement cutting through it. McGillis gives him too much credit. He enjoys it far more than he should.]
You see patterns where others see noise. That alone sets you apart. And if my enjoyment merely sharpens what was already there, then I am flattered to be of service.
But as for your question... Chaos and order are siblings, not opposites. One breathes life into the other. Whatever power governs this place... mm, I doubt it is so rigid as to choose only one. It seems to feed on tension. On imbalance. On what people reveal when pressed.
[He gestures lazily with one hand, as though brushing away dust, though his eyes remain fixed on McGillis with bare interest.]
If I had to guess? It favors whichever stirs the pot most beautifully. Order can be oppressive, chaos can be dull. But the interplay... that is where real artistry lies.
[In his search for Yugamu, McGillis will find him in the arcade fucking around in the bowling alley. He's lying on the floor in front of the lanes and just shoving balls down toward the pins. When his ball returns, he uses his stupid stretching arms to grab it without getting back up.
He doesn't seem depressed exactly as much as just sort of completely zoning out? Tired, maybe.]
He doesn't seem depressed exactly as much as just sort of completely zoning out? Tired, maybe.]
Edited 2025-11-24 22:08 (UTC)
[Yugamu flips onto his back so he can look up at McGillis.]
I'm think I'm having an episode of teenage angst.
[Said so forthrightly it feels like a joke. But also it's Yugamu so who knows.]
I'm think I'm having an episode of teenage angst.
[Said so forthrightly it feels like a joke. But also it's Yugamu so who knows.]
[ McGillis is just standing next to him, staring down. This is a considerable distance because he is tall. Looming... ]
Aren't we all.
[ This is a joke, but only for legal reasons. He stares for a moment longer, and then decides to just...
Sit.
Also on the floor.
Hi, here he is, hanging out crosslegged on the bowling lane. ]
Aren't we all.
[ This is a joke, but only for legal reasons. He stares for a moment longer, and then decides to just...
Sit.
Also on the floor.
Hi, here he is, hanging out crosslegged on the bowling lane. ]
[McGillis looks so fancy and regal that Yugamu is visibly surprised to see McGillis sit on the floor. He rolls the bowling ball over to McGillis. Have a throw, buddy.]
You and Ramuda were close, right? I'm sure you're the most thrown by what happened.
You and Ramuda were close, right? I'm sure you're the most thrown by what happened.
[ Maybe McGillis is not as fancy as you think he is...!! Or maybe the last week just broke him completely, that might also be a factor. He's... not having a throw though because he's still no fun, unfortunately. ]
... yes, we must have looked that way to you.
[ And he'd be lying if he that it hadn't been representative of their relationship up to that point. ]
He made his choices.
... yes, we must have looked that way to you.
[ And he'd be lying if he that it hadn't been representative of their relationship up to that point. ]
He made his choices.
I didn't talk to him too much, but we got along. He seemed fun.
[But then yeah..... The hell was all that about!!!!]
I found myself getting mad when he said he killed miss Sasaki simply because she was a convenient target... But then I realized what a hypocrite I was, with all the strangers I've killed. Even though I've decided to switch careers, that doesn't undo all of those deaths, does it?
[But then yeah..... The hell was all that about!!!!]
I found myself getting mad when he said he killed miss Sasaki simply because she was a convenient target... But then I realized what a hypocrite I was, with all the strangers I've killed. Even though I've decided to switch careers, that doesn't undo all of those deaths, does it?
Page 1 of 6