mooninthewater | Come Sail Away IC Inbox

[ He does smile at Ebalon, more interested in the fact that Ebalon called him "sweet" than the fact that he just said that everyone's dead and gone. Yes, there's still some trauma there, but his words feel so hallow at this point that it's fairly easy for Mizuki to dissociate himself from the situation. Dissociate himself from that seven-year-old child that suffered as much as he did. So, instead, he giggles. ]

No, it's alright. I took care of things after-... Well, complain, maybe... [ Hm. He takes a quick look around the space, and then back to Ebalon. ]

If you don't mind my asking... [ Ebalon will understand. Surely. ] If you were in my shoes, and later found that band of pirates, what would you do?

[He's still holding onto Mizuki's hand when the question pops up, and Ebalon looks rather thoughtful for a moment, blinking down at his companion and offering a smile. Yes, he understands. Mizuki is right to think that.

If everything was taken away from him... no, if someone messed with him at all... if someone took something he cared for away...

Well, Ebalon doesn't have much in the way of actual family, so he thinks about what would happen if those kids that are after him managed to actually fully disable Henir's Order, if all was for naught, five hundred years of planning down the drain...]

I would kill them without hesitation.

[ In a world like Terra, especially when surrounded by his coworkers, that's about the answer he'd expect. "Kill them". When they are so used to taking out "bad guys". When they are so used to war and death. Because these awful, terrible people are expendable. Mizuki never understood why people were so upset with him when he told them what he did. No one ever explained it to him, just telling him that it was "bad" and expecting him to understand. It doesn't make sense. If these people are truly expendable, then why does it matter what Mizuki does to them? He pouts against Ebalon now, like a child preparing to be scolded for admitting they broke their mother's favorite decoration. Just for a moment.

His look is much more serious once he starts talking. ]

…I wanted them to hurt. To take that pain I felt and pay it forward to those monsters. I can kill evil people, I can do that. But that didn't make me feel better here. I wanted them to be afraid. To hurt. To hurt. [ Hurt hurt hurt hurt ]

They were bad people. So it gave me a chance to use them. To see why they think the way they do. What makes an evil person's mind tick? And how long until it breaks? How much trauma does one need to experience to reach hysteria? Does insanity still give people the will to survive? How much is one willing to fight for their life, despite constant suffering? How resilient can they be? How much fortitude can the mind really have? All questions I could answer. [ And it felt so good to make them pay for what they did. But he doesn't say that part quite yet. That part seemed to unnerve people the most in the past. ]

…

And then I ate the ones that bore me.

…

And that's okay, because they're monsters…? [ An unspoken "Right?" Seeking validation, or, at least, seeking an answer for why it's wrong. ]

[Fantastic way to make Ebalon's twisted, sadistic interest in Mizuki quadruple. He had no idea that such a sweet, giggly little thing could be so fucked up, fucked up enough to torture and eat those who ever wronged him. What a fascinating case — but perhaps the word "fascinating" undersells it.

Captivating, alluring, spellbinding... those might be more apt words to describe the surge of emotions that overtake him in that moment. Oh, yes, he knew somehow that he picked the perfect specimen. They could be great together, the most terrible duo aboard this ship and perhaps across the universe itself. He leans forward a bit, tenting one knee and resting his elbow atop it, chin against his fist. It's a twisted, sick smile he wears, the kind that is inordinately satisfied with this confession. Exemplary.]

Of course it is. Huhu, none of the Masters were ever above murder, despite being the protectors of the world.

[Is it murder in war, or is it just war? The question doesn't matter much. Ebalon can't count the blood spilled by people who would consider themselves above him, can't count the bodies piling up, and he's always found it funny how those holier-than-thou will accuse and tear down just because they disagree with the method. At the end of the day, torture and murder are simply that. No one is above vengeance.]

You have to eliminate those that cross you in such a way, Mizuki. Besides, it sounds as though there was some science behind it, huhuhu... you performed your role to perfection. Really, you got rid of scum in doing so — imagine how many others they would have hurt if it weren't for you? In taking lives, you may have saved countless others. It's a heroic act, truly.

[Is it?

...Ebalon does not care much for heroism, but his words are a twisted, sick comfort. Of course he thinks Mizuki did the right thing, because he would too, and it's as simple as that; but simply leaving it at that isn't going to build him up into the monster that Ebalon wants to see. No, he'll push Mizuki slowly in the right direction with honeyed words and well-deserved praise of this nature until he has Mizuki loyally wrapped around his finger.

Oh, what a lovely future they have together if it works.]

[ Isn't it always the sweet, giggly ones that are fucked up? Read more manga, Ebalon, geez. Though, once again, Mizuki doesn't really see this as "fucked up". It's apparently wrong, somehow. Though, when something felt that good, and when such bad people were taken care of in that way, then how does that classify as wrong?

Well, Ebalon doesn't seem to think it is. And Mizuki beams at him the moment he's called a hero. He disagrees, of course, but in the moment, he's very glad to hear it. It makes those fury-induced feelings and subsequent lashing out feel justifiable. And maybe if someone had actually sat him down to tell him why torture, even if it's on someone "evil", is wrong, instead of just saying it is, he may very well be hesitant about accepting such praise. But he's never received such a thing, so Ebalon's words ease him instantly. He knew he'd understand. He knew someone like Ebalon, so kind and forgiving, would understand his point of view. He was still nervous about it, but that feels so silly to have been now.

He squeezes Ebalon's hand and brings it up to press his knuckles to Mizuki's forehead, giving an elated giggle. Really, really? Perfection? How funny, he's never heard that before. But, oh, the validation is sweet. So sweet, and Mizuki's got such a horrible sweet tooth… ]

Well, mmh… I can't say it was… all perfect. Ehehe… [ And maybe, this part, Mizuki knows was a bit wrong. But not for the reasons others might think… ] I did leave some of them alive. [ The ones he recognized. The ones that his rage silenced the hunger in his head. ] And I know that leaving that evil is asking for trouble, but… I made sure they were broken. They're not gonna hurt no one anymore.

[ And how satisfying it is, to walk up to your home's killers and have them sobbing and pleading incoherently, with only broken strings of "Don't eat me"s thrown in once in a while. To see on someone's face that their brain knows nothing else besides fear. Evildoers truly deserve this treatment. Any remorse Mizuki might have for it isn't shown, if there even is any. ]

… Thank you, Ebalon. It's… it's really nice to hear someone say that.

Edited 2022-05-06 20:09 (UTC)

Huhu, as long as they are dealt with. You needn't thank me, however. I'm only being honest with you. After all... you did everything that I would've done. [And isn't that enough? To do as Ebalon does? He thinks that's plenty.] Breaking the minds of those who wrong you isn't necessarily "evil" or "wrong" so much as it is justice — don't you agree? "An eye for an eye", they say. A mind for a mind.

[He allows his hand to be moved and held in place like that, not bothering to take it back. Were he to take it back, it might just be snapped up again soon anyway, if not by Ebalon's own volition then by Mizuki's.

But... speaking of honesty, actually. The question crosses his mind as to how he's going to get Mizuki to trust him fully without committing just a bit more. That said, there are still things he doesn't want to give up, little secrets to be kept and told later, but he may be able to start simple. That is, assuming...]

Mizuki, can you keep a secret? It's nothing groundbreaking in its importance, but the topic of honesty made me think of it. I'd like it to stay between the two of us, if it's alright with you.

[ Just take his dang appreciation, Ebalon. Not that Mizuki is going to tell him otherwise, but he's certainly not going to stop thanking him for the things he does for Mizuki, either. Mizuki's a polite boy! A little eldritch-y and horrible sometimes, but polite!

Justice, though. Right. Because whatever happens to evil people doesn't matter, as long as they're dealt with. Though, Mizuki takes that a step further and wants to point out that it should also be his job to expel that evil. The eat it away so it doesn't have to hurt anyone ever again. In that sense, he truly does think that he did wrong by those that he kept alive to wallow in their hysteria. There's some part of Mizuki that doesn't care, and the other parts are too angry to disagree. So he just decides it's better to ignore that line of thinking. If he never does it again, then he's allowed to make that one mistake, right? ]

Mmh. I'm good with secrets. [ He picks his head up, pulling it from Ebalon's hand, though still keeping it within his own. ] I won't tell anyone.

[It really is something simple, a small request from a man who wants to be more involved than he already is. A truth to keep close to Mizuki's chest, not for any real decent reasons but just because that's the way he prefers it to be. There's a certain level of trust he's placing in Mizuki here, and he hopes it won't be misplaced.

He knows that it won't be. He wouldn't make this decision if it would cost him.]

It's about my name. Did I ever tell you that "Ebalon" is my last name? [He thinks he told César that fact, and that's it. Maybe a few other people back at that first party. Not many.] The Masters and I all use our last names as formality, even with one another, close as we were. That's simply how things are on Elrios. To be quite honest with you, I'd prefer to keep knowledge of my first name between myself and people I trust closely, such as you. ...and only you, at this point. It's easier to maintain formality that way. [Easier to maintain an identity that isn't his. His smile is soft and warm, friendly, and for once it isn't measured and controlled as finely as the dials on a radio.]

When we're alone together, Mizuki... would you call me Dantalion?

[Being "Harque" is getting boring.]

[ There's a little shake of his head. He's pretty sure he didn't even talk to Ebalon at the party, really, so this is all news to him. Though, it's also not a concept he's entirely unused to. After all, all the official employees at Rhodes Island have codenames they're supposed to use, so it's not too far off from last name formalities. La Pluma only got the "Rafaela" treatment because they met before she joined. He's pretty good about using everyone else's codenames.

"Trust closely", and "Only you" are strange to hear. A good strange, he thinks. The kind that makes him want to squirrel Ebalon alone like this more often. That's a good kind, right? ]

Of course! If that would make you happy, Dantalion. Ehehe... might take some getting used to.

It would, very much so. Thank you.

[People within Henir's Order directly know him as Dantalion, not out of warmth or anything like that, but because as far as the world of Elrios should know (and... no longer does, but that's not the point), "Ebalon" should very well be dead. And he is, technically. Mizuki gets to know ahead of any official joining, because Mizuki is trusted enough to know, and furthermore is trusted enough to stand at Ebalon's side like this.

It's obviously a big deal that he's not making a big deal out of, because such rampant displays of emotion are typically beyond him.

Regardless.]

You make me rather happy in general, you know. I feel as though you and I don't need to be quite so formal with one another. [He's not lying about any of that, at least, but his reasoning for such a statement are quite a bit twisted. Happiness can come from the little things, like finding out Mizuki tortured and ate people who he didn't like.] You've also taught me a great deal about this technology I've never seen before. Truly, what would I do without you?

[He would've continued to think that photographs are paintings, for one.]

[ Dantalion. He can't exactly go writing that down in his letters to the Doctor if he wants it to be a secret. Not that he would ever hide anything from the Doctor, but it's not like his letters are very well hidden. He'll just need to remind himself. Maybe he should just start hanging out with Ebalon alone more, so he'd get used to it? Is that an excuse?? Possibly. …Definitely.

He flusters a bit when Ebalon says he's happy around Mizuki, however. Yet another thing that means the world and more to this little jellyfish. Maybe he's just too easily readable? Or maybe his wants are just far too common? Whatever the case is, it gets a big, bashful smile out of him. ]

Ehe… I'm glad you think so. [ It might just be their world of difference. In Mizuki's eyes, they're very Prince and the Pauper. Nobility and country boy. Moon Master and moon jellyfish. Important mage and simple mercenary… ~~Actually, Ebalon's like way out of my league, isn't he?~~ ] Though, I'm sure there are other people on board who're able to teach you about tech stuff besides me. That said, I… I'm really glad it is me.

[ … ]

If I can say so, too, though… You're perhaps the first person who I feel might see things the way I do, Dantalion. And that's very comforting.

Edited 2022-05-07 16:35 (UTC)

[Ebalon shouldn't be in anybody's league. He should be far removed from leagues forever and forced to die alone.]

I'm sure there are others who could, yes, but I'm hardly interested in learning about them from anyone else. I don't believe others would let me play that Tetris game for several consecutive hours.

[He sure did hog the system. Uh... whoops? It was kind of fun though, when luck was on his side and he got the pieces that went where they should go. Puzzle games are good, perhaps. Tetris probably isn't even that much of a puzzle game, someone give this man like, Cut The Rope or something.]

That's quite beside the point, however. Am I truly the first person who sees eye-to-eye with you? [Circumstances of psychopathy or the worlds they come from, or both?] It must be... ah, isolating, I suppose is the word I'm looking for. Almost like you cannot trust anyone else, lest they pass judgement onto you unfairly. Do I have the right of it?

[ If anyone else on the ship had a Tetris console, they might let Ebalon play. Who's to say!

Mizuki just laughs slightly nervously at Ebalon's analysis. He's always sort of felt isolated. But constantly craving to be in a hivemind that you can't quite connect with will do that, not that Mizuki is at all aware of it. Or, more likely, in denial about it. As for the rest, well…

…

Yeah. It's a little unnerving for it to be spelled out like that, though, so he doesn't exactly answer with a yes or no. ]

… An old man saved me, when I was bleeding out. From there on, he raised me. He taught me everything I needed to know about the world. That we should absorb the good from around us and expel the bad. That, in that way, we will better ourselves, and make the world that much more beautiful under the stars. I really did try to live that truth. But… [ A beat. ] He never really taught me what "good" is. What "right" is. And so I… can't make choices for myself anymore.

I don't know how to. I just mess it all up.

I see. If I may...

[He's going to anyway, that's just formality.]

Humans — no, all sentient races believe in good and evil, right and wrong, but the definition is often nebulous. Some cultures, for instance, see killing as simple self-defense, while others may cast them out and shun them. It truly varies depending on the person you speak to, as well as how they were raised, what their background was, or elsewise. Even then... such moral contrivances often have to be put into some sort of perspective.

For instance, the blanket statement "murder is wrong" could be considered to be "always true" and often is, by many people. Lines begin to blur in the name of retribution, vengeance, or things such as the death sentence — your tale is just that. Some will cast you out for doing what was "good" for you, and others like myself will embrace you for taking charge. Then, you have issues with a bigger scope. What does one do when someone, say, kills millions in a mass homicide?

[lol]

Is it right to kill them for their crime? But then, what if the rule of society is "murder is always evil"? Does that not make everyone involved hypocritical?

...

Mizuki. There are many philosophies within the world, and none of them are free of hypocrisy. Why worry about "good" versus "evil" and "right" versus "wrong", given that? It simply doesn't matter.

[ Mizuki listens. Truly, he does. He even does his very best to absorb this information that Ebalon is giving him. He would have done so for anyone, of course, but he tries even harder for this man who's done so much for him. Left quite the impression on him. Makes all sorts of twisty knots in his stomach and flutters in his heart.

Which is why he looks a little ashamed when Ebalon finishes speaking, shaking his head slightly. ]

I... can't understand that sort of rationale. Of course I'm going to worry about good and evil. The good make the world beautiful. They are so full of love and stories that make the world under the symphony of galaxies and astral bodies thrive. Good people that should see the moon and the stars, because the universe exists to be seen by them.

And the evil... I know how to deal with them. It's why I eat them. That way their evil is no longer in the world, and they have no way of snuffing out the good. [ "But Mizuki, they're already dead." Yeah, apparently even their corpses are evil? Mizuki's brain works in mysterious ways. ] So long as people exist, there will always, always be those to cull the evildoers among them.

It is why I stick so close by heroes. If they can tell me what to do, I trust their judgement. Like you, Dantalion.

Is that so? I guess we differ a bit there.

[But he can still work with it. Mizuki can't make his own decisions about such things, yes? So that means Ebalon can do it for him. Easily.

He conveniently ignores the other parts about culling evildoers. It's not evil if it's useful, is it? Blowing up the El was useful, what he found within it was useful, knowing that the world of Elrios is so very fragile is more useful information than he could've ever hoped to learn back in Seven Tower. Such excuses seem so contrived, used a thousand times over to justify even the most heinous acts over the years. Oh, he knows, he knows how morally fucked up it is to start an entire apocalypse just to see what was within the El itself, heard from so many people just how furious Solace is with him for being manipulated into such, knows one day he's going to have a "little brother" with a sickle swinging at his throat...

Oh, but the grand things he found out about magical ability just from ten years of experimenting on Noah alone? Those are worth it. Those little moments... though evil, and he knows they're evil — wouldn't be able to have this philosophical talk with Mizuki if he didn't — are based in the very good deed of scientific advancement. A necessity.]

How much do you trust me? Knowing that I see the world in shades of grey, that I would be able to discern the "good" from the "bad", even if society as a whole may disagree... would you still allow me to guide your hand as I did that day with Lady Jenny's attack? You can be honest with me, huhu.

[If it's a no? Ebalon can regain that trust. He'll wait for the day to come, like how he waits for everything else.]

[ Disheartening, on the one hand, that there's still some parts of Mizuki that no one understands. Parts that need to be "fixed". But, on the other hand, he supposed this is a part of himself that he doesn't like very much. He wants to be able to sort the "rights" and "wrongs". He knows they exist. He knows things can be sorted like that. He knows it. Because he knows that the world can eventually be completely good. That all evil can be expelled. That people can smile, and there doesn't need to be anymore trauma. Someday.

He gives Ebalon a sweet smile all the same. Is he worried that something like this would make Mizuki upset? Does he care that much? He squeezes his hand. ]

I don't think there's a proper scale for something like that. But don't worry. The Doctor back home also didn't see things so succinctly, but they still made their judgements through a valiant lens. That's all I really care about. As long as that's something you're okay with?

[When one builds a utopia in such a way, does it not mean that they must use evil methods to expunge the other evils from the world? To build it in their image, which some may call tyranny? Mizuki's logic is perfectly flawed, in the way that the logic of youthful, in-over-their-head sorts like him always have flawed logic. Yet, that flawed logic is what makes him both an interesting specimen and someone able to be swayed. Or so Ebalon thinks, anyway. Some people are too stubborn for their own good.

Mizuki, he can fix you. He can make you worse.]

Oh? Of course. If that's really all that needs to be done.

[Valiant, like... commanding him to dispose of or disable Jenny to save everyone else? Yes, he supposes in some way that could be valiant.]

Honestly, Mizuki... you're so much kinder than I am, even for everything you just told me earlier.

[ Really, Mizuki's definition of "valiant" is very loose. He sees Ebalon's suffering to make the antitoxins as valiant. He sees Ebalon's protection of Mizuki when he, himself, is "in danger" (lol) as valiant. He doesn't need to prove himself anymore, as Mizuki has already deemed him a hero. As horrible as that is.

"Kind", though? People have been calling him that so much on this cruise. How strange… ]

Ehehe… I guess? If you say so. I think you just might be spoiling me. [ 'You'll find out how selfish I am.' ] But I have to disagree. Compared to you, I mean. I… um… [ … ] Y'know! Think you've been so nice… and even this is… nice. [ He flusters, sort of looking away from Ebalon to stare at the scenery of the compass and definitely not to hide his blush. ] I've just been all over the place, really, but you've always been so pleasant and- and even thinking about me first and stuff and I could never do that… Y-you let me stay with you, though, when I… y'know. And you've been listening to me a lot, and…

[ Holy shit, stop saying words, Mizuki. ]

[If Ebalon were a more romantically-inclined man, he might just do that tropey thing that's in books where you kiss someone to shut them up. Unfortunately, he is an asshole, so this does not happen.

He's talkative when he's flustered. Ebalon supposes his entire presence is making it worse? It's actually somewhat validating, and were he the type to put stock into such things, he might feel quite elated with just that little factoid alone. As ever, what he's more interested in is having Mizuki coiled around his finger.]

It's natural that I would think of you so often. [And despite all that exposition, he says that so smoothly.] I'm particularly fond of you, after all, and you're the first person here I formed any real bond with. You're quite interesting to be around as well. Really, I have nothing but nice things to say about you. Of course I'd show you something like this and allow you to stay with me. It's the least I can do, isn't it?

[ Hey, what the fuck????????????????????

How can he just! Say that! Mizuki was just trying to point out the nice things he does and then Ebalon's gotta go saying shit like "I'm fond of you". What the fuck! What the fuck. (What the fuck.) Oh, calm down, Mizuki, your little heart is gonna pop right out of your chest at this point. Also, say something, instead of just sitting there like an intoxicated idiot. ]

Ah- I... umm... Ehehe... [ Okay, actually, maybe don't say anything. This is worse.

His camouflaged stingers sway in the air around him, their tips curling to look more akin to hearts and reflecting as such in their shadows. He bites his lip to try and recollect himself a bit, but this is just... so much. This is so much. What the fuck is he supposed to say? "That's swell!" Yeah, right. His country bumpkin ass probably would if he didn't have at least some amount of restraint. Can they go back to talking about torturing pirates? At least Mizuki can dissociate a little while doing that.

So he does the mature thing instead. He has one of his tendrils hook onto the edge of the platform, pulls himself away from Ebalon, and falls into the drink. Goodbye, Ebalon, he is become one with the water. ]

Oh— Mizuki?

[There he goes. Tragic, really, the little hearts in his shadow were an adorable little display. Although, perhaps more comical than that is the way Mizuki just sort of... goes. He actually manages a chuckle at that one.

That's fair. That's a fair response.

Ebalon creeps closer to the water's edge to peer into the depths where Mizuki disappeared from, debating on if he should peel off his stupid gay little bolero and the corset-thing he wears over his robes and go for a dip. Would that kill Mizuki? Would Mizuki just never come out of the water again? If that's the case, he supposes he could have a pocket Mizuki at all times, but that's a lot less fun.]

[ Mizuki is not too far below the water's surface, as it seems he's just kind of letting himself gradually sink (notably, not very quickly) instead of doing any sort of swimming. His hands are very promptly covering his face, and unheard giggles make him shake a bit. He does feel a little bad that he just left Ebalon up without so much as a tell where he was going, but also he deserves it for flustering Mizuki so much! That's supposed to be his job. His otomes have spoiled him, making him believe he's good at making cute anime waifus blush. Alas, he's just the easy one to blush.

It doesn't seem like he's going to make any sort of attempt to come out until he calms down, though. You're already wet, Ebalon, don't be a coward. ]

[Fair deal.

Ebalon takes a minute or two to wear a little less clothing so that he doesn't sink like a stone the second he plunges in. Goodbye to the bolero and the corset and... also the blue robes, those have to go too, and shoes and socks. The pants can get wet, they're just slacks, and it's not like he has much else to swim in.

So! Sufficiently stripped from the waist up, with his clothes sort of half-folded by the blanket and books, Ebalon approaches the edge of the water where Mizuki's shadow is just sort of... sinking, and slides into the water a little bit to the left of him.

Once he's fully submerged and can see Mizuki, he smiles and waves.

Hi.]

Come Sail Away IC Inbox

INBOX

❝ Hmm? What's up? ❞

no subject

1/2

2/2

no subject

no subject

i feel like i needed to put up a CW ages ago

cw: these two.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)