[ He strolls in like he owns the place (Azul did tell him to make himself at home) and moves to flop down in a chair. ]
So, I thought we should talk - one-on-one. Out of all of the Players, I came after you the hardest as part of the task I was given to make you all hate me.
See, if I made you all hate me, you'd be extra motivated to leave this place as fast as you could. And once you found out Idia was here - regardless of whether he was your version or not - you'd drag him with you.
[ A faint smile and a scoff. ]
When I told you he was my most precious person, it was partially a lie. I could see how attached he was to me, how flustered I could make him. How comfortable he was in this world, but we were just partners working together. He said that Players became Mobs, but my only memories are of this world, of what I am - unlike the others. I had no emotions until Idia and Ortho came, I was simply a monster who best knew how to attack - not interact with humans or other beings.
[A long, drawn out sigh as a hand comes up to his face.]
Well, I must say you succeeded in spades, there. A little too well, even — I was quite close to swearing the both of you off and not trusting either of you, full stop.
[Which, well... he supposes he can't entirely blame someone so inclined towards violence to not realize they may be going overboard...]
I'm an asshole and I won't deny that. I didn't come here to earn the trust you did place in me, truthfully, because I probably don't deserve it. If things get rough, I fully expect you to lead the others in destroying me.
[Oh good grief, here he goes being so nonchalant again.]
Aren't you listening to what I'm saying?
Idia trusts you. And for things to work out, if we're to work together, we need to trust Idia.
And your savagery very nearly jeopardized that.
If you really, truly want this all to go as plan, you're going to have to make some compromises and explain yourself.
[A sigh.]
People hardly have to like you, and I doubt few if any will, but they need to see that you are, in fact, reasonable and a rational individual. It reflects badly on Idia otherwise - and when trust is vital, that can be a significant threat.
[ He leans forward in his chair, looking Azul straight in the eyes. ]
You aren't listening to what I'm saying. [ His tone is serious, as he rests his elbows on his knees. ]
You should never fully trust me. This isn't a joke, it's not a threat, it's the truth and a warning of what you may someday face.
[ Kele is still a Mob of this world, and right now he's in control of that, but the day may come when he's not. He is telling Azul how truly bad it can be and why he doesn't deserve full trust from anyone.
They can trust Idia all they want, but that has nothing to do with how much they trust Kele. Azul wanted an explanation and there it is. ]
I'm not explaining myself beyond that on that particular subject matter right now. Don't forget that the SCP is capable of listening in on conversations and things spoken aloud become a tool for it. I'm not spelling that matter out loud for anyone and everyone to hear.
[ He flops back against the seat again. ] If you have questions on my actions before, when I was playing the villain, you can ask them.
[He stares back at Kele for a moment, then finally looks off to the side.]
Fine... Just remember that what is in your control, you should at least show yourself to somewhat helpful to the team. For the sake of them trusting Idia, not necessarily you.
[He relaxes too.]
Very well. You tore out the heart of one of our own in front of many people. That was the point at which I nearly believed that there was no hope for you two.
[ A motion to where they are, mostly at the two of them. ]
What do you think I'm doing here? You had the most reason to hate me and not trust me even a little.
[ Kele isn't good at apologizing, if he's ever even done it before. But he's here to at least mend what he broke a bit. ]
If you recall, Dousuke jumped in front of Kurakai after spending all of his power. He sacrificed himself and that led to a worse outcome for Kurakai's death. Dousuke's death would have set the other off and everyone would have their hands full with him. You all could have ended up responsible for his death instead.
Either that, or Kurakai would have been the next to be "taken" like all the others that have been erased for your minds and turned into a Mob. Death at least reunited him with Dousuke and allows them both to keep their mental awareness. Not everyone was lucky enough to end up in Niko's domain or among your numbers of the new arrivals.
It was unfortunate that he had to go by way of Wither, but I don't do well against fire.
[It's said falteringly, like he's still confused over it. Doesn't entirely know how to feel over it, even if he rationally appreciates the gesture.]
I'm not exactly the most trusted person myself, though... You'll have to work with more than just me.
[After listening to the explanation, he touches his head.]
Alright... well... People don't usually see that sort of thing in their lives, you know. The sort of death you chose was, erm... particularly graphic.
People are going to have trauma... And some may be afraid of you for it - or at the very least stressed.
[He gestures with his hands.]
Now, you can say all you want about not trusting you fully, but you understand that people can only deal with so much at one time before they either break or shut down, yes?
[ An asshole has to start somewhere. He's not expecting things to change in a single conversation. ]
Don't worry, I intend to. You're just the first stop.
[ Kele will be on his best behavior and start with small interactions. ]
That's the Wither for you. It was graphic and even without the addition of Wither, was intended to make people afraid of me. Can't force anyone to not be afraid of me now that it's done.
[ But he gets what Azul is saying. ]
Believe it or not but I do know how to get along with people. Now that Idia's decided to reveal things, I can just be my regular asshole self instead of trying to top every other asshole here in an attempt to make you all run away.
[After all that's said, he's quiet for awhile. Finally, he gives a sigh and gestures.]
I have to ask - is this all for the sake of diplomacy, or is there something else to it?
[Kele didn't seem like he'd be the kind of guy to feel bad over making others feel bad but... prior to this, he hadn't really expected anything at all, so. Maybe he'll surprise him.]
Like you said, we'll be working together going forward and while I am not the nicest guy around, I'm well aware of the bridges I burned playing my role a little too well before this. I'm not the kind of guy who looks back and apologizes for the shit I've done, because I'd be lying if I said I wasn't willing to do whatever it took to get you all to leave this place before it was too late.
[ So it wouldn't be an entirely sincere apology, just words disguised as an attempt to make one or the other feel better. ]
And instead ask you to keep your mind open to seeing the individual I actually am, now that the veil has been lifted, to decide how you want truly see me at the end of all of this.
However... I do believe there's more nuance to it than you give the situation.
Prior to coming here, I did something which ultimately distressed Jamil enough to send him into Overblot. I don't regret my actions. I believed those actions to be necessary both for my own purposes as well as his.
... but I do recognize that I caused him a lot of pain. That he suffered a lot directly due to my actions. And I believed that on its own was enough to merit an apology.
[For Jamil to be seen. For Azul to acknowledge and validate his pain. After all, they both knew what kind of person Azul was.]
Perhaps we differ there.
[He gives a nod.]
I do feel I have a clearer understanding now, at least.
[. . .]
I am curious... how is it that you and Idia came to be together?
[Given everything he'd told Azul, the logical conclusion that was that he was even more violent, even more unapologetic and hostile when he first met Idia.]
I just don't see how saying that set of words is any different.
[ He acknowledged that he was an asshole, more to Azul than most others. That he hurt him and even what his intent was behind that.
What does saying "I'm sorry" do except make it feel like he's asking for forgiveness, when they both know that Azul suffered? Kele acknowledges that, gave his explanation and isn't using "I'm sorry" to try to cover for that.
A shrug. ]
How does a video game character and a boy usually meet? Boy found sexy character, boy started chatting up sexy character, boy realized sexy character didn't have garbage repeating dialogue, boy eventually jumps into the game to meet sexy character.
Perhaps to you, it may not be. For living beings... language is a complex thing. Many things can be said within a couple of words under layers of subtext and context.
See, there's also a matter of pride. Explaining things doesn't feel like a concession in the same way "I'm sorry" does. And pride is a notoriously difficult thing to swallow, perhaps especially for NRC students...
[Truly, Azul isn't expecting Kele to actually give him this apology, at this point. He's merely trying to explain a complex subject to someone unfamiliar with the culture of living beings.]
It's also different because it places power in the hands of the aggrieved. An explanation of the simple facts of things really goes nowhere beyond an argument over who's more justified - a very subjective thing, really.
A heartfelt "I'm sorry", however, is... a chance for someone to reject you. It's a way a person truly shows they care about the feelings of another and respect what they think of them. It's equalizing, because you only give a true sorry to someone on your level - not someone you perceive as below or above you.
But hold on— Idia said specifically that he was sent here along with Riddle and Ortho to deal with an anomaly.
[Granted, a character from a video game that didn't have garbage repeating dialogue already sounded kind of anomalous, but Azul isn't really a gamer, so...]
[ He just thinks that humans are messy and complex and he doesn't care to keep up with too many at one time. Kele is much better at terrorizing people than comforting them and Idia gets the side of him that others aren't.
A shrug at what Azul says about what he was expecting.
Then he grins like the cat that ate the canary. ]
Isn't it interesting? I was already showing signs of genuine life when Idia and I first "met". While I say that I remember everything, that's hardly the case.
What you saw at the Witch's house, "You help me find him, and they'll never know". I wonder what that meant? Guess you'll have to find that out for yourselves.
[ Kele knows some things, but he's using this to spark interest. To encourage the Players to explore more on these kinds of things, rather than just be handed answers. There's a lot of mystery surrounding the Very Beginning, and the Players are best equipped to find out. ]
And then there's a frown at the part that follows.]
So earlier today you completely changed routes due to the urgency of the situation, and now you're dangling some tidbits like treats?
[He just looks at Kele for awhile, frowning... Everyone else came here. There weren't any other sentient creatures at first, it seems, if he was the only one showing signs of life. No family, no community...
Hm.
Finally Azul leans back and gives out a big sigh, tension escaping his body.]
Very well. I did notice you left me with a gift.
It has taken some time to recover from all what happened, but... I believe I and another should soon be able to make the trip.
I am naught but an NPC in this game. If I did ever have a human name, it is more lost to me than most other NPCs and Idia's Update 2 would prevent him from ever using it around me. I am the "final boss", the end of everything - not to be confused with the Dragon. Perhaps I was the first to encounter the SCP, or perhaps I am the SCP, or perhaps the SCP has used the game to manipulate everything so well that not even I can tell anymore. All I can do is dangle tidbits like treats to uncover the whole truth.
[ Any plans he says outright, any information he gives - it can all be used by the game in some way.
Ah. Kele taps his fingers on the arm of his chair. ]
That gift was the "prize of my choosing" for surviving my punishment. Back when I was making you all hate me. You and another would not be enough for that trip. I'm not even certain the entire party would be enough.
[ That's not a jab at their skills or abilities... just a warning. ]
Unleashing a being like me out into the real world? Sounds dangerous.
[ Kele would get scooped up by the Foundation the instant he stepped out of the shadows. ]
Where you'd be going, some of us NPCs would be more inclined to fight you than help you thanks to the rules of the game. Even the ones who have been helpful and friendly this entire time may turn on you in the dark.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
regna
(no subject)
Date: 2025-02-13 01:52 am (UTC)Azul gestures.]
Of course... make yourself at home.
[And he'll close the door behind him.]
(no subject)
Date: 2025-02-13 02:35 am (UTC)So, I thought we should talk - one-on-one. Out of all of the Players, I came after you the hardest as part of the task I was given to make you all hate me.
(no subject)
Date: 2025-02-13 04:44 am (UTC)[He used past tense. Does that mean it's over? That almost seems too good to be true.
But he goes ahead and sits on his couch, facing Kele, and nods.]
Go on.
(no subject)
Date: 2025-02-13 06:57 am (UTC)See, if I made you all hate me, you'd be extra motivated to leave this place as fast as you could. And once you found out Idia was here - regardless of whether he was your version or not - you'd drag him with you.
[ A faint smile and a scoff. ]
When I told you he was my most precious person, it was partially a lie. I could see how attached he was to me, how flustered I could make him. How comfortable he was in this world, but we were just partners working together. He said that Players became Mobs, but my only memories are of this world, of what I am - unlike the others. I had no emotions until Idia and Ortho came, I was simply a monster who best knew how to attack - not interact with humans or other beings.
1/2
Date: 2025-02-13 08:00 am (UTC)I see...
2/2
Date: 2025-02-13 08:00 am (UTC)Well, I must say you succeeded in spades, there. A little too well, even — I was quite close to swearing the both of you off and not trusting either of you, full stop.
[Which, well... he supposes he can't entirely blame someone so inclined towards violence to not realize they may be going overboard...]
(no subject)
Date: 2025-02-15 01:43 am (UTC)I'm an asshole and I won't deny that. I didn't come here to earn the trust you did place in me, truthfully, because I probably don't deserve it. If things get rough, I fully expect you to lead the others in destroying me.
[ Things will have to get really rough, though. ]
(no subject)
Date: 2025-02-15 01:57 am (UTC)Aren't you listening to what I'm saying?
Idia trusts you. And for things to work out, if we're to work together, we need to trust Idia.
And your savagery very nearly jeopardized that.
If you really, truly want this all to go as plan, you're going to have to make some compromises and explain yourself.
[A sigh.]
People hardly have to like you, and I doubt few if any will, but they need to see that you are, in fact, reasonable and a rational individual. It reflects badly on Idia otherwise - and when trust is vital, that can be a significant threat.
(no subject)
Date: 2025-02-15 02:50 am (UTC)You aren't listening to what I'm saying. [ His tone is serious, as he rests his elbows on his knees. ]
You should never fully trust me. This isn't a joke, it's not a threat, it's the truth and a warning of what you may someday face.
[ Kele is still a Mob of this world, and right now he's in control of that, but the day may come when he's not. He is telling Azul how truly bad it can be and why he doesn't deserve full trust from anyone.
They can trust Idia all they want, but that has nothing to do with how much they trust Kele. Azul wanted an explanation and there it is. ]
I'm not explaining myself beyond that on that particular subject matter right now. Don't forget that the SCP is capable of listening in on conversations and things spoken aloud become a tool for it. I'm not spelling that matter out loud for anyone and everyone to hear.
[ He flops back against the seat again. ] If you have questions on my actions before, when I was playing the villain, you can ask them.
(no subject)
Date: 2025-02-15 04:46 am (UTC)Fine... Just remember that what is in your control, you should at least show yourself to somewhat helpful to the team. For the sake of them trusting Idia, not necessarily you.
[He relaxes too.]
Very well. You tore out the heart of one of our own in front of many people. That was the point at which I nearly believed that there was no hope for you two.
(no subject)
Date: 2025-02-15 05:11 am (UTC)What do you think I'm doing here? You had the most reason to hate me and not trust me even a little.
[ Kele isn't good at apologizing, if he's ever even done it before. But he's here to at least mend what he broke a bit. ]
If you recall, Dousuke jumped in front of Kurakai after spending all of his power. He sacrificed himself and that led to a worse outcome for Kurakai's death. Dousuke's death would have set the other off and everyone would have their hands full with him. You all could have ended up responsible for his death instead.
Either that, or Kurakai would have been the next to be "taken" like all the others that have been erased for your minds and turned into a Mob. Death at least reunited him with Dousuke and allows them both to keep their mental awareness. Not everyone was lucky enough to end up in Niko's domain or among your numbers of the new arrivals.
It was unfortunate that he had to go by way of Wither, but I don't do well against fire.
(no subject)
Date: 2025-02-16 01:34 am (UTC)[It's said falteringly, like he's still confused over it. Doesn't entirely know how to feel over it, even if he rationally appreciates the gesture.]
I'm not exactly the most trusted person myself, though... You'll have to work with more than just me.
[After listening to the explanation, he touches his head.]
Alright... well... People don't usually see that sort of thing in their lives, you know. The sort of death you chose was, erm... particularly graphic.
People are going to have trauma... And some may be afraid of you for it - or at the very least stressed.
[He gestures with his hands.]
Now, you can say all you want about not trusting you fully, but you understand that people can only deal with so much at one time before they either break or shut down, yes?
(no subject)
Date: 2025-02-16 01:54 am (UTC)Don't worry, I intend to. You're just the first stop.
[ Kele will be on his best behavior and start with small interactions. ]
That's the Wither for you. It was graphic and even without the addition of Wither, was intended to make people afraid of me. Can't force anyone to not be afraid of me now that it's done.
[ But he gets what Azul is saying. ]
Believe it or not but I do know how to get along with people. Now that Idia's decided to reveal things, I can just be my regular asshole self instead of trying to top every other asshole here in an attempt to make you all run away.
(no subject)
Date: 2025-02-17 04:25 am (UTC)[After all that's said, he's quiet for awhile. Finally, he gives a sigh and gestures.]
I have to ask - is this all for the sake of diplomacy, or is there something else to it?
[Kele didn't seem like he'd be the kind of guy to feel bad over making others feel bad but... prior to this, he hadn't really expected anything at all, so. Maybe he'll surprise him.]
(no subject)
Date: 2025-02-17 11:11 pm (UTC)Like you said, we'll be working together going forward and while I am not the nicest guy around, I'm well aware of the bridges I burned playing my role a little too well before this. I'm not the kind of guy who looks back and apologizes for the shit I've done, because I'd be lying if I said I wasn't willing to do whatever it took to get you all to leave this place before it was too late.
[ So it wouldn't be an entirely sincere apology, just words disguised as an attempt to make one or the other feel better. ]
And instead ask you to keep your mind open to seeing the individual I actually am, now that the veil has been lifted, to decide how you want truly see me at the end of all of this.
(no subject)
Date: 2025-02-18 12:12 am (UTC)[He drums his fingers against his thigh.]
However... I do believe there's more nuance to it than you give the situation.
Prior to coming here, I did something which ultimately distressed Jamil enough to send him into Overblot. I don't regret my actions. I believed those actions to be necessary both for my own purposes as well as his.
... but I do recognize that I caused him a lot of pain. That he suffered a lot directly due to my actions. And I believed that on its own was enough to merit an apology.
[For Jamil to be seen. For Azul to acknowledge and validate his pain. After all, they both knew what kind of person Azul was.]
Perhaps we differ there.
[He gives a nod.]
I do feel I have a clearer understanding now, at least.
[. . .]
I am curious... how is it that you and Idia came to be together?
[Given everything he'd told Azul, the logical conclusion that was that he was even more violent, even more unapologetic and hostile when he first met Idia.]
(no subject)
Date: 2025-02-18 01:22 am (UTC)[ He acknowledged that he was an asshole, more to Azul than most others. That he hurt him and even what his intent was behind that.
What does saying "I'm sorry" do except make it feel like he's asking for forgiveness, when they both know that Azul suffered? Kele acknowledges that, gave his explanation and isn't using "I'm sorry" to try to cover for that.
A shrug. ]
How does a video game character and a boy usually meet? Boy found sexy character, boy started chatting up sexy character, boy realized sexy character didn't have garbage repeating dialogue, boy eventually jumps into the game to meet sexy character.
1/3
Date: 2025-02-18 01:40 am (UTC)See, there's also a matter of pride. Explaining things doesn't feel like a concession in the same way "I'm sorry" does. And pride is a notoriously difficult thing to swallow, perhaps especially for NRC students...
[Truly, Azul isn't expecting Kele to actually give him this apology, at this point. He's merely trying to explain a complex subject to someone unfamiliar with the culture of living beings.]
It's also different because it places power in the hands of the aggrieved. An explanation of the simple facts of things really goes nowhere beyond an argument over who's more justified - a very subjective thing, really.
A heartfelt "I'm sorry", however, is... a chance for someone to reject you. It's a way a person truly shows they care about the feelings of another and respect what they think of them. It's equalizing, because you only give a true sorry to someone on your level - not someone you perceive as below or above you.
Is any of this clearing things up?
2/3
Date: 2025-02-18 01:41 am (UTC)... I don't know what I was expecting.
[That's about as typical Idia as you can get.]
3/3
Date: 2025-02-18 01:44 am (UTC)[Granted, a character from a video game that didn't have garbage repeating dialogue already sounded kind of anomalous, but Azul isn't really a gamer, so...]
(no subject)
Date: 2025-02-18 02:23 am (UTC)[ He just thinks that humans are messy and complex and he doesn't care to keep up with too many at one time. Kele is much better at terrorizing people than comforting them and Idia gets the side of him that others aren't.
A shrug at what Azul says about what he was expecting.
Then he grins like the cat that ate the canary. ]
Isn't it interesting? I was already showing signs of genuine life when Idia and I first "met". While I say that I remember everything, that's hardly the case.
What you saw at the Witch's house, "You help me find him, and they'll never know". I wonder what that meant? Guess you'll have to find that out for yourselves.
[ Kele knows some things, but he's using this to spark interest. To encourage the Players to explore more on these kinds of things, rather than just be handed answers. There's a lot of mystery surrounding the Very Beginning, and the Players are best equipped to find out. ]
(no subject)
Date: 2025-02-18 03:12 am (UTC)[He feels very much one of those types to Azul...
And then there's a frown at the part that follows.]
So earlier today you completely changed routes due to the urgency of the situation, and now you're dangling some tidbits like treats?
[He just looks at Kele for awhile, frowning... Everyone else came here. There weren't any other sentient creatures at first, it seems, if he was the only one showing signs of life. No family, no community...
Hm.
Finally Azul leans back and gives out a big sigh, tension escaping his body.]
Very well. I did notice you left me with a gift.
It has taken some time to recover from all what happened, but... I believe I and another should soon be able to make the trip.
(no subject)
Date: 2025-02-18 04:16 am (UTC)I am naught but an NPC in this game. If I did ever have a human name, it is more lost to me than most other NPCs and Idia's Update 2 would prevent him from ever using it around me. I am the "final boss", the end of everything - not to be confused with the Dragon. Perhaps I was the first to encounter the SCP, or perhaps I am the SCP, or perhaps the SCP has used the game to manipulate everything so well that not even I can tell anymore. All I can do is dangle tidbits like treats to uncover the whole truth.
[ Any plans he says outright, any information he gives - it can all be used by the game in some way.
Ah. Kele taps his fingers on the arm of his chair. ]
That gift was the "prize of my choosing" for surviving my punishment. Back when I was making you all hate me. You and another would not be enough for that trip. I'm not even certain the entire party would be enough.
[ That's not a jab at their skills or abilities... just a warning. ]
(no subject)
Date: 2025-02-18 05:21 am (UTC)Azul's brow furrows and his head tilts as Kele explains to him. The final boss...]
Have you ever wanted to be more?
[It might seem an odd direction to take the conversation, given how it's been going. Perhaps it has something to do with how Azul had just shifted.]
The entire party... Do you mean the Players, specifically? And if so, couldn't we request assistance from the others, or even yourself?
(no subject)
Date: 2025-02-18 10:21 am (UTC)Unleashing a being like me out into the real world? Sounds dangerous.
[ Kele would get scooped up by the Foundation the instant he stepped out of the shadows. ]
Where you'd be going, some of us NPCs would be more inclined to fight you than help you thanks to the rules of the game. Even the ones who have been helpful and friendly this entire time may turn on you in the dark.
(no subject)
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