[Game 18] Endgame

[arsgoetia]

It's early morning by the time they tidy up the house and fix the windows—leaving it as neat as they'd entered it, Tristan promises—and head out. Tristan seems to be itching to just get away from the place, though they can't return to the church, and it's now New Year's Day—so they head back across the border to the house in New York. Even Sariel comes along—albeit reluctantly—at Tristan's suggestion.

"To my understanding," Tristan says, "the kid's with Sera right now, which I'm cool with. I was a bit rough on him, so he might be sleeping it off for another little while—and like you all said, he might be a bit freaked out to see a dozen people staring at him. So let's leave him there for now. I can send you all home." He pauses.

"But if you want to come back soon . . . I can bring you back. No agenda necessary. If you don't want to come—well, let me know, and I'll try not to bring you."

Comments

[liarliarliar]

My family is gone now so you're replacing it.

Are we done embarrassing me now?

[psychopompous]

What.

[liarliarliar]

Are you going to laugh at me?

Or just lecture me?

It's okay. I don't need you to want me to pretend. That's why it's pretending.

[psychopompous]

I don't understand. Why do you want that?

[liarliarliar]

Because.... Lots of things! I don't know how to be alone! I need someone!

And if I pretend you look after me because you want to and not because you're told to then I feel like I have a big brother who cares about me! And I'm not as lonely! Do you know how lonely I am?! My family have all been murdered and Madison can't talk to me and I'm not close to anyone here!

So if I can pretend I have something everything is a little easier! And I feel safer in a world that scares me all the damn time! And I have someone who I can depend on and rely on who I love and....!

Trust me I know how stupid this all sounds! And I like you anyway! You stupid chicken! So I can pretend what I like!

[psychopompous]

[STARES AT HIM]

[psychopompous]

I'm not—I'm not—

[psychopompous]

Chicken??

[liarliarliar]

Puffed up pouty pissy poultry!

[psychopompous]

[PUFFS UP MORE]

Obviously I'm insufficient for your needs, then, aren't I!?

[liarliarliar]

No you're perfect!

[psychopompous]

What?

[liarliarliar]

You fulfill my needs fine.

Sure I wish things were better but there's no one else here I want to take care of me. Not now.

I didn't want to go with you at first at all. But I'm glad I did.

[psychopompous]

I—I am not human, Kano.

[liarliarliar]

So what?

Why is that suppose to change how I feel?

[psychopompous]

[dropping his gaze]

I do not have family anymore.

[liarliarliar]

Well technically neither do I.

So I'm making a new one. Just indulge me.

[psychopompous]

. . .

[sighs, closing his eyes]

He had a sister, once.

[liarliarliar]

Yeah? What was she like?

[psychopompous]

. . .

We haven't thought of her in some time.

[liarliarliar]

If you don't want to talk about it that's fine too.

My big sister was very kind and brave. She smiled a lot, even when things were painful.

[psychopompous]

Nissa was younger . . . she was much the same. She teased me a lot.

[liarliarliar]

You're easy to tease. Taking everything so seriously all the time.

[psychopompous]

No, it's just that others don't take things seriously enough.

[liarliarliar]

Some of us are allergic to seriousness.

[fakes a squeaky sneeze]