IC Contact

[garbagechild]

"... So I just talk? I start talking? .... Now? ... What's the light mean? ... Oh! HI, I'M WRATH, THIS IS MY MAIL VOICE, PLEASE LEAVE A--" BEEP.


[OOC: Want to thread with me but don't have a current post to do it on? Wanna send Wrath a private message? Wanna prank-call him in the middle of the night and then instantly regret it as he dials you back over and over and yells "Hello? HELLO?" into the mic? Pop a thread on here with the IC date and time and let's get playing!]

Comments

[garbagechild]

Wrath himself is odd.

He doesn't seem to be upset in the slightest-- his posture and expression are just as casual and relaxed as when he bounced over to receive his mystery gift to begin with.

"It's probably for the best. Lust says killing humans isn't a good thing to do anymore, even if we all did it once or twice in the past."

He speaks about it the same way someone might talk about jaywalking or downloading illegal mp3's.

[11121_assumption]

Walter couldn't help tilting his head, genuinely confused.

"You're not...angry?" So far everyone had reacted with rage. Anyone connected to Henry had threatened him, warned him, avoided him at all costs. But Wrath wasn't. They were just calmly talking. Wrath had even confessed to killing people in the past too. Was that part of what connected everyone who was brought here? Did they all have some blood on their hands? But that didn't make sense, so he discarded the thought in an instant.

[garbagechild]

Poor Walter. WELCOME TO THE CONUNDRUM THAT IS WRATH.

"Why would I be angry? You're on my team, and you're not going to hurt any of our humans."

He giggles a little bit, spinning idly on one heel with his arms out, seeing if his new Murkrow friend will hop onto one of them.

"I guess if we were in your world, we would have to be enemies. Because you would still be trying to kill Henry, and we would stop you since he's ours now. And if we were in mine, we would probably just use you like we did the scarred man, to complete Master's plan."

Twenty-one people probably wasn't anywhere near enough to make a Philosopher's Stone, but the ritual Walter speaks of sounds enough like something Dante would cook up to fool unsuspecting alchemists into doing her dirty work for her that Wrath figures Walter would be a prime candidate for manipulation, just as Scar had been.

"But we're not, we're here, without our Masters, and we wound up on the same team! So instead of fighting or killing, we can be friends!"

He finishes off that thoughtful musing with a big, guileless smile up at the ex-ghost.

[11121_assumption]

The Murkrow happily hopped down to one arm. Then fluttered to the other, trying to stay in the same 'place' while Wrath spun around. Like jump rope! Jump Arm!

There's several things that Walter doesn't like about what Wrath said. First was claiming that Henry was 'their's' now. Henry was his Receiver of Wisdom before he was anyone else's. Second was the casual, weak ties that meant Wrath would easily turn on him when it came down to him or Henry. Third, the admittance that he would simply use him in different circumstances. He couldn't be sure that those circumstances weren't so different ot their current standings with each other.

None of this changed that Wrath was still a good candidate to care for one of the Murkrow. Nor did it change that they were on the same team, as he had happily proclaimed. But it meant he would have to be careful - if Wrath thought that Henry was in danger, he could be used against him or to lure him into some kind of trap. He had seen it happen often enough in his childhood. Loyalty was a weak concept among humans, or human-like beings. And now there was complete clarity; Wrath's loyalty was flimsy and entirely likely to change.

Which meant they weren't going to be friends.

But Walter didn't voice those thoughts. He merely stood, brushing down his pants.

[garbagechild]

Wrath's loyalty was a very funny thing.

It was strong, but also particular.

Just as Walter's devotion to the Order had compelled him to kill two young children, Wrath's own Master still held far more sway over him than any of the friendships he'd managed to cultivate. He didn't like it. But fear is a powerful motivator-- especially to a child. Even an undead one. Would he stand between Dante and one of his new friends, if it came down to it? Until it actually happened... he probably wouldn't know.

And as for Henry... well, that was simple. Envy's humans were untouchable! Pack rules!

Either way, if he picked up on Walter's sudden chilliness, Wrath sure didn't show it.

Just continued to laugh and spin.

"Does he have a name?"

... He's referring to the Murkrow, but he doesn't exactly... clarify...

[11121_assumption]

Sadly, while Wrath might have an inkling of how corrupted and unhealthy his tie to his Dante was, Walter was still...conflicted in his views of the Order. In the very pit of his heart, he loathed them. He hated the suffering they had inflicted on him and the few...friends? Allies? Fellow children he had been raised alongside in the orphanage. He had no remorse for what he had done to any of the priests he'd killed, men responsible in part for his upbringing and the running of the Wish House. But he was still loyal. He still wholeheartedly believed in the faith they had taught him. Still believed he owed them for the most basic care they had given him, food, water, shelter. Still couldn't comprehend just how wrong it all was.

He wasn't sure what he was being asked to name. "My Masters?" He had to think. Who was his 'Master'? "I was raised by Father George. He taught me what I needed to know about the ritual. But after...it was Valtiel."

[garbagechild]

"Masters?" Wrath laughs. Not meanly, just with his usual childish delight. "No, I meant the nice shadow bird! Does he have a name? Or should I pick one?"

Humming, he tugged lightly at his new friend's bushy tailfeathers.

"He's very dark, just like Darkness. Maybe he should have a dark name, too!"

[11121_assumption]

Oh. Walter hummed thoughtfully, approaching them to get a better look at the bird who was clacking it's beak at Wrath, giving as good as he gave and tugging back on his hair playfully. There were several feisty ones among the Murkrow (no doubt taking after their mother) but this was definitely the most physically mischievous one. He had tugged at Walter's hair before, although Walter hadn't pulled on his tail feathers first.

"I gave them each names but you can name him if you like. I called him Blackout."

[garbagechild]

"Blackout? Oh, I like that!"

He laughed, continuing to play with his new buddy. Wrath-style play was particularly rough and grabby, but fortunately this bird seemed to be a kindred spirit.

"He's very good!"

[11121_assumption]

Yep, Blackout and Wrath were a perfect match, as the Murkrow eagerly bit and grabbed onto Wrath with his talons. If he was truly hurt, he'd squawk out or fly out of reach.

Walter watched them play, bringing his hands together. At least they were happy. Darkness was also pleased with this outcome; while he didn't encourage rough-housing, if both Pokemon and trainer were fine with it then there wasn't any harm, was there? Finally he nodded and turned to leave.

"Take care."