maladied | CYOA

[ and with the change, there's that twinkle in her eye again. like she has seen something she likes. it brings a different smile to her face. ]

Of course.

[ and just like that—without any kind of fanfare or dramatics—childremass will be back to his full self. ....sans the presence of the king (queen) within his mind. it'd be rude to get rid of the thing that was being asked. ]

Is there anything else that you want?

Something more suitable to wear, as well. He's a bit drab, don't you think? To think he could even sit on my throne dressed like thi—

[ Ah, but he — she? — grimaces and takes another step back as, yet again, there is a power struggle going on. ]

...that is enough. We do not have time for your frivolities.

[ again, as the whole scene plays out before her, she simply just watches with a smile and waits till it's all over before asking her own question. ]

Shall I get you new clothes?

That will not be necessary...

[ It's quiet now, the voice forced back to a quiet, offended whisper. Even so, he is not looking too well from all this struggling and back and forth, though he does pause to raise a hand and, well, not quite touch the returned eye, but he does close it, touch the eyelid to check it really is there, and then open it again.

Ah. Well. Childermass isn't sure he can be angry about that one. ]

How about something else? You've surely been through many trials before you were able to find yourself at my door.

[ her voice gentle but her concern feels soulless. like practiced words. ]

[ CHILDERMASS NEEDS JESUS TO TAKE THE WHEEL SO THAT QUEEN ALEXANDRIA VICTORIA CANNOT, but that isn't happening here. It's kind of wild that the flip-flop between who's driving here is happening so frequently and, frankly? It's wearing Childermass down.

That may be why he goes with less of a fight this time. ]

Actually, I will take the clothing. [ Although even this royal entity is eyeing Magi with some wariness now. ] You aren't a real person, are you? You're such an empty thing. It's almost malicious how you pretend to care.

...Childermass, what in the seven hells is wrong with you? [HELLO?]

[ HE'S HAVING A TIME HERE. ]

This again... [ He throws Thancred a dismissive look. ] If you must speak to me, address me as Your Majesty. Honestly, how many times do I have to say this?

[...]

Well. The last time I deigned call you a title, you looked as though you might throw me off the nearest rooftop.

[His eyes narrow.]

Who are you?

Then you must have gotten the title wrong.

[ Did he, though? ]

I am the King of England. [ King, queen, it doesn't matter. ] And if I am to be dragged along on this fool's errand, I will amuse myself however I wish.

[...

Looking... towards Ludger...]

What impeccable timing. [he is SO TIRED]

May I suggest Your Grace be careful with your words, lest you find yourself tricked. Wherever we are may not care that you are King. It may prove best to negotiate, not to demand.

While I suggest you take your chance to get all your misses pieces back, little man. Do yourself a favor for once in your miserable life.

[ Like how the king is doing! Who is now far more nicely dressed in this very yellow outfit. Childermass is going to hate this! Which... is true, because as soon as he has the new outfit, he suddenly looks far less thrilled with everything. ]

...which is one thing I wished I did not agree with the king on, but it may be your only chance. [ But what's the price? Magi keeps saying there is none, but that has to be a lie, right? ] I am sorry, Thancred. We encountered the king behind our first door and I thought to bring him along.

Edited 2025-12-03 18:18 (UTC)

[He stays tight-lipped at the suggestion, eye training towards Magi but not bothering to say anything. That dream from weeks ago still hangs over him. He would not play with this.]

Gained a passenger, did you. [There's hesitance, mixed with an odd tinge of empathy.] I can't say I'm a fan of him.

Nor am I, though he has been illuminating on some subjects...

[ He shoots a glance towards the doll with the ominous blue gem sticking out of it. ]

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His Majesty broke my nose.

[ he smiles blankly back at Thancred. ]

...Right. Just perfect. [JUST WHAT WE NEED!]

Does he take kindly to humoring?

But the king only has important concerns on his mind. I don't know what there is to humor.

[ 'just don't make it obvious' ]

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heartofcorundum - 2025-12-03 21:18 (UTC) - Expand

[ before she answers childremass, she'll give him the exact clothing that would suit royalty with all of its grander and extravagance. (enjoy picking la) the new clothes appearing on his body as soon as they've been decided, and once that is complete, she'll offer her answer. ]

Of course I'm not human. I only take this form because its one that you can understand.

I do not exist to care, only to grant the wishes and desires of others.

[ ...and so, the king gets his kingly duds, which may not be tremendously extravagant, but still a fancily made and far more colorful outfit than anything Childermass would ever care to own, much less wear. He'll look down at himself, admiring the new fit, before coming back up as... Childermass.

He gives Magi a long-suffering look. ]

Did you have to humor him like this...? [ Don't answer that. Of course, she had to. That's her entire purpose. ] People are dying because of your wishes. You must stop this madness, Magi.

Edited 2025-12-03 18:19 (UTC)

What do you mean?

I cannot stop or ignore what I exist to do—in the same way you cannot stop someone from having a desire, a regret, or a wish. Nor do I have any wishes of my own.

[ you'd think that his claims that her wishes are killing people would upset her but she's not. she's mildly confused at best. ]

If you exist, you are able to have desires, regrets, and wishes the same as we do, Magi.

[ But does she? He does not really know, and he's getting to the end of his patience here. ]

Have all the worlds where you have granted wishes been afflicted with this disease? These monsters? All this death?

Please understand that I'm not like you. I have no wishes, no desires... I have no needs. I simple exist just to grant wishes.

[ but she can understand why he would have a hard time accepting it. ]

Not all. There are worlds that I have visited that exist without the disease and the monsters that it brings. Of course, there are also worlds that do.

[ More a thing than a person, then. It is difficult to understand when she appears before them like this. ]

I see... [ Or he tries to, in any case. ] Then you are not the cause of the disease, but you have trapped us all in this cage to be experimented upon.

I have granted the wish of many who have desperately desired to find a cure to this illness. Whether you feel trapped in cage or otherwise is not a concern to me, but only that those who have wished for it have all that they need in order to find the cure and create it.

[ ...okay, he's done with this. Childermass will suddenly stride forward, reaching out to grab Magi by the front of her shirt and yank her close. This is not the king, though, but he himself, Childermass, at the end of his rope. ]

People are dying. You are having us kill one another. Why?! How does this solve anything?! Those who've killed aren't even all infected, yet you still demand it? Every week?!