AUDIENCE 🚀 GREGOR

[dropoffs]

Comments

[bulls]

A butcher, huh. You... have a lot of interesting yous... that are out there in the universe, hm?

[ interesting. he seems to mull this over and just bumps shoulders quietly with him. the stage lights go out dimly, and somewhere from behind, backlighting. someone is running lines.

"I don't know if I'm good or evil. Stupid words, anyway... But I'm trying to be gentle to others and hard on myself. I know how to sympathize and not judge. I try to love whoever I touch. That's the only answer I have."

the shadow of a girl in a knit cap staring at a script, pacing. ]

Each one of mine is all the same - if not weaker than the last for their predecessor's mistakes.

[verminous]

Yeah. It's... different from what you've mentioned before, I mean he actually... butchers people as food. Sometimes the memories stick a while after using an Identity. Makes me feel a little sick, after I've been him.

[he shakes his head, trying not to linger on that, and just rests his head on his shoulder.]

Think yours must be stronger in a way, too, for the experience. They've all come back from more and more.

[bulls]

[ just pauses a little at that, and maybe he thinks about. in some ways... perhaps. but. uh. anyways. ]

Why would you have to... be him in the first place?

[ hate that. ]

What kind of circumstance requires that?

[verminous]

Depends. Usually it's because the manager feels like we need his experience more than my other selves-- different tactics for different fights, y'know? His experience isn't usually necessary, but everything has its applications.

[dante's not the type who'd make them use identities they dislike unless they're genuinely useful. at least r.b. gregor isn't as strong as n corp sinclair... poor sinclair.]

[bulls]

I see... so whatever this manager of yours dictates.

Sounds familiar.

[verminous]

...sure is.

But Dante is... they try to make the right call.

[bulls]

Sounds like a difficult job on their end as well.

Making choices you can live with - it's not easy.

[verminous]

Nothing's easy, back there. But they're doing what they can.

[he's quiet a few moments, before-]

Hey. I know it's gonna be a rough week for you, but... give me some sign when you're done, all right? I wanna come see you after.

[bulls]

It's going to be a rough week for everyone. I'll be in great company.

[ looking at him head on now. ]

Metis will be taking care of me. I think Adra would rip my own leg off and beat me with it before she allowed me to take care of it myself somehow... haha.

[verminous]

Good. She should-- but tell Metis I said thanks.

[love that catboy.]

You know how it is, though. Sometimes you'd rather check in yourself.

... some things I'd rather hear from you, too.

[not from the profile updates.]

[bulls]

[ he just sheepishly shrugs because he does not control that! ]

Hey now...

[ a laugh. ]

Well, I'll see about getting what rest I can so you can have that.

[verminous]

Don't just rest for my sake, you stubborn--

[ELBOWS HIM.]

... but if that's what it takes to talk you into getting any sleep, then I'll use it.

[bulls]

[ hey! don't elbow! elbows back!!!! ]

I'm going to be running about quite a bit this week between my regular duties and the extra procedures.

So. Just... don't be nervous if it takes a while, alright?

[verminous]

...yeah, I know. I already know you'll leave yourself for last. Just-- don't let 'a while' be too long.

[sighing, as he shifts to lean against him a little more heavily.]

Let people pick things up for you, if they can. Everyone's gonna want to help where they're able.

[bulls]

Don't worry. I'll make sure of that.

[ lets him lean heavily, leans back so they are just counterbalancing each other's lean comfortably. ]

... I will dole out what I can, but some of it must remain my job. Alright?

[verminous]

I know it does. Just don't carry what you don't have to on top of it.

[he gets it, and some things really can't be shared, but--

divide the rest of it. at least some of it. that's all he asks.]