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Not all...
["the time" is how that sentence is supposed to end, but he cuts off with a strangled moan.]
["the time" is how that sentence is supposed to end, but he cuts off with a strangled moan.]
... [self-consciously combs at her hair with her fingers, didn't realize it was such a mess.]
It's a neat trick, if you rather do it that way. [not the sort to insist there's a right way to do anything, rather Sparkles feel welcome to participate on its own terms.] But... I wouldn't suggest outright impersonating anyone.
It's a neat trick, if you rather do it that way. [not the sort to insist there's a right way to do anything, rather Sparkles feel welcome to participate on its own terms.] But... I wouldn't suggest outright impersonating anyone.
[he laughs, holding him that much closer.]
There's a distinctly lessened sense of accomplishment, but it's certainly still fun...
There's a distinctly lessened sense of accomplishment, but it's certainly still fun...
"What could your issue possibly be?" he snaps, expression becoming all the more soured.
"Like I said, this can't be something you're apathetic about it. You're doing something, and you have a reason. I know that whatever this is is cyclical. Higgsbury told me about the bodies that turned to sand, and others have told me about the ghosts they let out of the engine. I've heard stories about previous cruises. And I know a thing or two about a cycle of madness powering a reality. Like I said, this may not be the world I came from, but it's similar enough for me to know that while something doesn't necessarily need to give, sooner or later, something will desperately want to give. The rules will change, the game will shift, and you'll either be left scrambling when you find there are new powers are at play, or you'll have built your bastion and prepared for the worst."
"Now, I know you have very little reason to trust me in anything. Give me no grand plans, tell me little to nothing, but give me something. Let me earn that trust. Give me a grain of something to do that will help you prepare for whatever turn this ship will have to make. Or don't, and leave me in the cold. You're entitled to that option as well. But for the gods' sakes, don't put on an act of being aloof and apathetic. It's unseemly."
"Like I said, this can't be something you're apathetic about it. You're doing something, and you have a reason. I know that whatever this is is cyclical. Higgsbury told me about the bodies that turned to sand, and others have told me about the ghosts they let out of the engine. I've heard stories about previous cruises. And I know a thing or two about a cycle of madness powering a reality. Like I said, this may not be the world I came from, but it's similar enough for me to know that while something doesn't necessarily need to give, sooner or later, something will desperately want to give. The rules will change, the game will shift, and you'll either be left scrambling when you find there are new powers are at play, or you'll have built your bastion and prepared for the worst."
"Now, I know you have very little reason to trust me in anything. Give me no grand plans, tell me little to nothing, but give me something. Let me earn that trust. Give me a grain of something to do that will help you prepare for whatever turn this ship will have to make. Or don't, and leave me in the cold. You're entitled to that option as well. But for the gods' sakes, don't put on an act of being aloof and apathetic. It's unseemly."
Hmph. I don't think I like being on this side of the fence.
[the side where he reacts loudly and instinctively to people biting his ears, if that pout is anything to go by.]
...But I'm not sure, so. Maybe you should do that again.
[the side where he reacts loudly and instinctively to people biting his ears, if that pout is anything to go by.]
...But I'm not sure, so. Maybe you should do that again.
[a little while after Fio's text, Skulduggery skul-makes his way over to the guest services desk, looking for a little faceless-to-faceless with Friday. not even gonna say anything at first, just observing first.]
[He takes a sharp breath in, but that's the only startle reaction he allows himself. He has a friendly smile plastered on his face already as he spins around.]
Hi. It's good to meet you. I'm Max. Here, these are for you. I wasn't sure what flavors you like, so there's a little bit of everything.
[He offers out the plate.]
Hi. It's good to meet you. I'm Max. Here, these are for you. I wasn't sure what flavors you like, so there's a little bit of everything.
[He offers out the plate.]
[ She smiles gently, far more at ease than when she initiated the conversation. Possibly the happiest she's looked as of late. And very relieved. ]
...Sometimes, friends have misunderstandings or little fights. It's... a normal thing that happens. [ This feels a little new and scary for her too. Passengers closer to her age vanished after a short period on the ship. Children back home were bullies or the ones that she thought were friends ended up betraying her. Sparkles may be her first real "kid" friend to have stayed with her for so long. ] Good friends talk things out. I'm glad we can talk.
And... I forgive you.
...Sometimes, friends have misunderstandings or little fights. It's... a normal thing that happens. [ This feels a little new and scary for her too. Passengers closer to her age vanished after a short period on the ship. Children back home were bullies or the ones that she thought were friends ended up betraying her. Sparkles may be her first real "kid" friend to have stayed with her for so long. ] Good friends talk things out. I'm glad we can talk.
And... I forgive you.
It can be. But last year a bunch of people were possessed by ship ghosts. Including Fio. So if you go around in somebody else's body, you might make people think it's happening again. And instead of fun, it might make people legitimately upset. Which isn't really the vibe of Halloween. It's more... [wiggles her fingers] SpooOoOoOoky~
Wasn't sure how they slipped free in the first place. But I wanted to help them not be trapped anymore. It seems awful, in the Nothing.
But a few passengers smashed the glass containers. After we woke up from your... Labyrinth. So. [frown] I don't really know what becomes of a soul after that. If they're released back into the universe. Or are gone forever.
But a few passengers smashed the glass containers. After we woke up from your... Labyrinth. So. [frown] I don't really know what becomes of a soul after that. If they're released back into the universe. Or are gone forever.
[Max suppresses a shudder.]
N-no. Um. No, I never went in the maze. But some of my friends did.
N-no. Um. No, I never went in the maze. But some of my friends did.
I can look very different, sometimes, actually. Have you ever seen a dog?
[Fio suggested maybe Sparkles hasn't. Not up close.]
These are called macarons. The outside cookie part is made of meringue and almond meal and the inside is frosting with different flavors and fruit jellies added in. Try one. They are sweet.
[Fio suggested maybe Sparkles hasn't. Not up close.]
These are called macarons. The outside cookie part is made of meringue and almond meal and the inside is frosting with different flavors and fruit jellies added in. Try one. They are sweet.
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