Christopher Chaos

[Usually when someone addressed him as 'Mr. Chaos' he was getting in trouble for something at school.

But he seems like he isnt in trouble. And yet...]

Um. Maybe. But I think I was fine with the one I had? Can I have that one back?

[Technically he had two and he liked both of them. You know, John and Hythlodaeus.]

From:

adamantea

Nope. John and Hythlodaeus are in charge of everyone who haven't had any monthly or permanent wardens yet, and John has his own personal inmate on top of that? So the Admiral tries out pairings like this to see who's the best fit for who.

I'm not that bad, at least.

From:

Yeah, I know. I read the book in the library when I got here.

[He still isn't sure he likes this.]

You probably aren't, but John is made of universe stuff, and I think he'd be a better fit. No offense, but you look like you have a lot of feelings and I don't want those.

From:

adamantea

God of feelings, yep. Part of that is that I have total control over my own feelings, actually, which is pretty great?

From:

[Christopher momentarily looks horrified, but he manages to school his expression.]

Feelings ruin everything, even if you have control of them. So I think maybe you can stay where you are and I'll be over here. Where you aren't.

From:

adamantea

You do actually have to do things you don't want to do sometimes.

[There's no way she looks that much older to Chris than his own age, given how perception of her works. And yet. For as nicely and sympathetically as she says it, how how docile her expression stays, this is absolutely a fucking threat.

She's not a god of madness, no. Not right now. She's been one before; ten thousand years is a lot of time to experiment in, when experienced linearly, and she gets bored. And she could do some beautiful work with his psyche! She could make him incredible. She won't, she knows she won't, but she also knows so very, very well that she could.]

We can meet one time, and I can give you some space after that, okay? You can't avoid me forever, we live on the same ship and I don't sleep.

From:

I do things I dont want to.

[not often, he is very resistive and stubborn, but he does sometimes.

He sighs heavily at her request, but here you are Poppy, proof that he is capable of doing shit he doesn't want to at all.]

That is acceptable I guess, but I could probably avoid you, nothing is impossible.

From:

adamantea

[She just lets that first one sit there. Statistically someone wins the lottery every once in a while, too.]

Okay. Do you want us to be in my cabin, yours, or somewhere else, like the Enclosure?

From:

astraymoon

Hey Christopher.

Where you at?

From:

[He is currently fiddling with his notebook under the fractal tree on the 8th deck. Seems to be his happy place for how weird it is.]

Peggy and I are in the common room with the tree. Eighth deck?

If you haven't sat under it, it's really nice.

[Also Fridays are monster club days. Is he going to tell Ger that? No. But he'll be happy for the company.]

From:

astraymoon

Oh, that one. I don't think I've napped there yet.

I'll come over and see.

[Does he know it's monster club days? Maybe. Does it matter? Not really, as he comes over, sees Chris, and moves to plunk down onto the couch close- but not too close- to Chris.]

From:

I think the tree is magic. It makes me feel nice when I sit under it, very conducive to thinking.

[He has his nose in his notebook when Ger sits down, but he does look up when he does, smiling at him.]

Do you want to see my horse robot notes?

From:

astraymoon

I like it.

[He feels...okay under here. Not like how tense he's been for days when he isn't over to John's trying to get something to eat, or trying to scrub like in mania so he won't get kicked off ship.

Maybe he should sleep here. Maybe here, the nightmares won't find him.]

Yeah. Love to see them. Sorry- I don't- I haven't found a notebook yet to make any for my side.

[And he scoots a little closer to see his notebook.]

Let's see?

From:

If i can figure out how it works maybe I can build you a special tree vibes nightlight... [Because he thinks he could sleep under here too and feel good about it. No nightmares.

He looks down at his notebook, realizing that this is the wrong page and violently turns back to horse notes. There is a lovely crayon scientific drawing of the horse with notes all around it in gel pen. It's not just colorful but very detailed.]

Dont turn the page!

[Cheerily and overly trusting he offers it to Ger.]

From:

astraymoon

Doesn't have to be a nightlight. You don't have to build me anything though Christopher.

[Oh, were those...hearts? Cute. He takes the book, and while he would love his own notebook, he's not going to chance going back and checking in his cabin. That's a scary place.]

Don't? Hmm...

[He starts. Trying to peek by curling the page a little back to see what Chris doesn't want him to see.]

From:

I dont have to, I want to! And if im going to build it anyway, it'd be nice if it was useful. [Some of the things he creates are not.

He does make a mental note to grab one of his spare notebooks for Germaryah when he gets back to his room.

He is watching him though, raising an eyebrow at the other boy playing chicken with him.

That sure is his hand on Ger's, stopping him from turning it any more.]

That's top secret. If you look at it your brain might leak out of your ears.

From:

astraymoon

It would be nice, but really- I don't need anything. It's not like I could pay you back for it.

[He really couldn't. There's no price he wouldn't pay for a sense of peace, especially when he sleeps.

Still, he can't help the flirty smile, or how his head tilts to take Chris in, leaning in a little.]

Oh? You sure it wouldn't be your brains leaking from your ears?

From:

Why are you paying for it? Im not selling anything...

[you're so weird sometimes Ger.

He looks up at the older boy and his nice smile and attempts to hold firm. He'snot blushing, you are!]

I look at forbidden knowledge all the time... I think I'm immune, but really. You shouldn't look. Its- its really boring.

Edited Date: 2026-04-03 11:41 pm (UTC)

From:

astraymoon

When you do something worth something, you pay for it. That's for goods or service. I do that with John for all the food he gives me.

[He likes to think he's paying him with food analysis and recipes.]

Now you're making me wanna look.

[His voice was teasing even as he bumped his forehead against Chris's goggles.]

But you sure you don't want me to see?

From:

I don't think thats right... you're my friend, is friendship supposed to be so transactional?

[His face flushes even more with that forehead bump, making a soft little noise before he pushing his lips out and together, unsure.]

Well, I don't blame you for being curious... maybe you can, but you can't laugh.

[His hand is still holding Ger's in place and he looks down at them, and then back up at Germaryah.]

You promise?

From:

astraymoon

It's more...not taking advantage of the cool stuff you can do. And some people do that at home to you. Don't lie.

[Christopher was brilliant and that drew takers in. He knew.]

I wasn't planning to laugh you know.

[His voice is still soft, and he hasn't moved his hand.]

But seriously. If you really don't want me to look, I won't look.

Promise. To not looking if you really don't want, or not laughing if you let me.

From:

I only do people's homework when I want to. I can say no...

[He pouts, just a little. If he makes a cool calming light hes going to give it to you, Germaryah. You can't stop him.

His pout is still in play, staring at his notebook before he pulls his hand away and wrings his hands together nervously.]

Well- I was brainstorming with Peggy about names, and I found my big box of crayons, the one with the sharpener in the back?

Anyways, I- I guess you can look.

[And if he does, there will be a charmingly cute crayon drawing of Germaryah and every bit of the paper that doesnt have the drawing is full of names in alphabetical order, some with little hearts or stars next to them for the ones he liked the best.]

It's easier to imagine whether it feels right to call you something when im looking at you... but you weren't there, so this worked just as good.

From:

astraymoon

Sometimes you should. So you learn not to be a doormat.

[He moves to catch Christopher's hand, so he can stim using his fingers too. Not stopping. It's not hand holding.]

And...huh.

[This is a crush. This is absolutely a crush. At least there's no Germaryah Chaos in there? It still makes him smile though- not in a teasing way, but soft. It's cute that someone could have a crush on someone like him.]

You can ask me to hang out sometimes. If you want. For naming. And robots.

From:

I'm not a doormat! [well, maybe sometimes he can be, but not so often any more. He definitely did get bullied a lot when he was younger though.

He blinks as Ger pulls his hand back, looking at them before he very slowly starts the routine over with the other boy's hand, gently squeezing the tips of his fingers between his own thumb and pointer finger. It might be a little weird, but this is what you wanted, right Germaryah?

It distracts him from getting too caught up in technically holding hands.]

Well, sometimes I can't sleep, and I think instead. Or I sleep and I think at the same time, and I wake up somewhere else.

But this was the first pass, um... are there any that stand out to you? [He sucks in a steadying breath before leaning in, pointing at one name in particular that had a couple glittery yellow gel pen stars around it with his free hand.]

I liked Cooper. Or Coop.

From:

astraymoon

Uh huh. I hope not.

[He has doubts. Many doubts!

But he still gives an encouraging nod. Yup, squeeze his fingers. It's not holding hands or being cute or anything! ]

Guess it's a good thing I'm camping around, because maybe you'd sleep walk up to my door.

[He offers a little finger wiggle. To see if it helps.]

These are all like...wolf related names, right?

...do you like Coop because it starts with a C?

From:

[that gives him the confidence to pull his hand in closer to his body, holding it in his lap and fidgeting with it. His smile is settling into something less nervous as he looks over the list instead of looking at Germaryah's cute smile.

He thinks maybe doing this will make it harder to discover that he is maybe having some feelings, and he is so good at hiding it. No one would suspect at all.

He does pause in his finger squishing though as his 'secret theme' is revealed, eyes wide.]

No! No...only- [there is a moments pause as he does some bullet quick math.]

89.6 percent of them. [That isnt all! He's not lying!]

Coop is also fun to say, but the C helps.

From:

astraymoon

[Ger absolutely knows there's feelings. What he doesn't realize is possible feelings on his side as his smile softens, letting Chris play with his hand, enjoying the sensation of finger squishing.]

You're very cute when you're all flustered.

[He promised not to laugh, so he isn't! But he does need to flirt. Gently.]

Cuz that's most of the list. But...Cooper is nice.

From:

Im not- No. I'm being chill? Yes.

Very chill.

[He reassures him while gripping his hand as if it were his own to keep himself from flustering more. Perfect strategy.

He does brighten up just a little when Ger says he likes the name, though.]

Nice enough to try on?

From:

astraymoon

Christopher Chaos?

You have no chill.

[He says it with affection though, and moves to kiss his hair.]

I'll try it on.

From:

[Oh.

Maybe having zero chill is a good thing? Except when Jordi says it and it sounds like a bad thing. Confusing.

His head ducks a little so he can hide the big, doofy smile, though.]

Thanks, Cooper.

From:

astraymoon

Of course, Christopher.

[He gently bumps his face against Chris's hair, smiling. Having chill is a good thing but well...when you know your boy is never chill? It's fine. He also has no chill.

That's why they're here.]

From:

[Having feelings sometimes is very nice, and its a shame that he has to let them go at some point.

But since he hasn't figured out how yet he might as well suffer through it a little longer.

He scoots just a little closer and finally turns the page back to his horse robot notes.]

I think if I spent a couple days in the cybernetics lab maybe I could finish a prototype... maybe longer though, they dont like to stay open as long as I would like them too, and I got my pockets checked before I left yesterday, so unless I build a portable shrink ray, I dont think I'm getting a welder out of that room.

From:

astraymoon

[Sometimes it's nice to just have soft fuzzy feelings. He doesn't want to think of how it'll go, how they could be in the future.

He doesn't pay attention to how they get close enough so that they were side by side, brushing against each other.]

I mean, I don't think you should take the welder out of there. Someone will get all freaked out, think you're gonna try to break something. We don't want that for you.

[He lightly wiggles his fingers, and points to parts of the robot horse.]

Think they'd let me in so I could help make parts of it?

From:

I dont break things. [He keeps telling people this and they never believe him!

Also he's still got Ger's hand in his, and its warm. He traces the little lines on his palm with his finger tips while he thinks.]

I don't see why they wouldn't...they let me in?

From:

astraymoon

We all break things, chere. Part of human nature.

[He feels himself shiver, and he closes his eyes briefly.The finger tracery...he didn't realize it would feel nice.

Maybe it's because he doesn't hurt so much anymore.]

Well...okay. I'll have to work with the notes here, maybe make some of my own...see how things connect, and explain why I'm here. And that I'm not trying to screw with your stuff.

From:

But I'm not human.

[It's against his brtter judgement that he doesn't add 'im a monster' to that statement, but he's trying to be nice to his friend.

Except his friend is being weird again.]

Why would you do all that if you could just show up with me?

From:

astraymoon

[He takes in a deep sharp breath, but he nods. He doesn't say the word. So they don't get into it.]

Well, if you're cool with that then...yeah. We can work on it. Together.

From:

Why wouldn't I be?

We said we were gonna, and I've...never really built anything with someone else before? I hope I'm nice to work with...

[Peggy thinks so but shes a bird.]

From:

astraymoon

I just didn't know if you wanted me to come in and tag out with you or not...but...yeah.

[Gently, he made to brush his nose over Chris's hair.]

We'll do it together. Starting tomorrow? Today, I can get used to being...Cooper with you.

From:

[He looks up at him, hair a wild mess as usual.]

Well, you're just trying it on. It's okay if it doesnt fit.

But I do like that you're trying it, Cooper.

From:

astraymoon

Me too.

I like it better then a lot of other things I've been called.

[It's new. It doesn't feel like his name, but it feels better then what he had.]

You wanna...keep going over the notes, maybe watch something together?

[It's not a date. Just a very chill hangout.]

From:

[Christopher's smile is bright as a sunbeam when Ger says he likes it. That was the goal, anyways. Even if it doesn't fit, he still likes it better than what he had.]

I'm not really good at watching movies, I get distracted, but I'll sit with you if you want to watch something?

From:

astraymoon

[He's so cute when he looks so happy like that. It helps Ger not feel so...alone. ]

Yeah, that's fine. Why don't you bring a book to read, and I'll watch something?

You can lean against me if you want.

From:

[Christopher's capable of finding joy in the simple things even when everything about him is so complicated. It helps that he really wants friends, and Germaryah is filling that role so well.

He pulls his notebook back to himself, planning on writing in it more instead of reading.]

Right here? Or did you want to go somewhere else?

From:

astraymoon

[Maybe they can be friends. Maybe. It would be nice. It just is the monster thing is, well, a little in the way of it.]

Sure, unless you got a TV in your room.

From:

I have my computer, but it's at the desk and I only have one chair.

Maybe I should build one and put it under my bed...I bet Nokov would like that.

From:

astraymoon

You'll be way too squirmy for me to sit on your lap. Or bed.

[Just. Completely casual about it. No big deal.]

Who's Nokov?

From:

Wait, you're sitting in my lap? [He thinks about this a moment, looks down at himself and over at Germaryah and then shrugs. Well? Okay. Seems he's figured out that while illogical, isn't impossible.

No more questions, he's already figured it out.]

Oh, he's the monster under my bed! I made it very comfy for him under there. Do you want to see? I bet you could fit...though I should knock first, just in case. [Oh what, Chris? The floor? Probably.]

Edited Date: 2026-04-10 01:07 am (UTC)

From:

astraymoon

I was thinking of it. But might be better on mine, considering the height difference.

[Ger you're the size of a small tree]

Would I be like knocking on the bed or what? How do you have...a monster under the bed? I thought there were filters that keep your cabin safe.

[Which is something, he's pretty sure, makes John and possibly Arthur grit their teeth when they find Ger crashed on a common room couch.]

From:

You could sit in my lap, I'll be fine. [He clears it, as if asking him to do so in order to prove it.]

Nokov is on my filter, I could put you on there too? In case you needed somewhere to go?

From:

astraymoon

But you'll tell me if I'm too heavy though.

[A statement. Not a question.He was taller, hence heavier.]

You can just...let me know when you want me to be coming over.

Filter is too dangerous.

From:

It'll be a fun experiment!

[Does that mean he'll say so? Jury's out on that.]

Why is a filter too dangerous? I want my room to be a safe place for my friends.

From:

astraymoon

You'll tell me if my butt is busting you up.

[Chris. Chris please.]

Thats why no filter. If I'm not on filter, I can't transform. So no Chris meal.

From:

[Christopher pauses, tilting his head.] That isn't how it works, Coop.

I can still see Aether when I'm in other peoples rooms, some of them I'd never even met before.

From:

astraymoon

It-it doesn't?

[He droops. There's no other word for it; he droops, and his lips part. That could have been...such a good work around.]

Even when you're not...on filter? Then what's the filter for...?

From:

No. I have lots of evidence that proves it.

[Information shouldn't upset you, Cooper, it should lift you up!

He puts his hand on the other boy's knee, patting it.]

I think it prevents people from entering if the door is locked. We could test this? Do you want to try and break my door down with and without the filter?

From:

astraymoon

Oh...

[But he wanted to have safe not body horror places!

He shook his head, and offered a quiet sigh, disappointed.]

No...that's okay. We don't have to try it.

From:

[Chris presses his lips together, unsure what to do with the other boy looking so sad.]

Does this mean you actually want to be on my filter then?

From:

astraymoon

[He was disappointed in the filter system. Boo.]

Yeah, sure Chris.

From:

Okay...

[He pulls out his communicator to change it, slowly leaning until his whole body bumps into Coops, leaning against him.

There, there buddy.]

From:

astraymoon

[He sighs because he's just...sad.

But he wraps an arm around him, wishing he did have a no transforming zone that wasn't completely stifling.

Boo.]

From:

[Christopher smiles despite himself, paying even more attention to his communicator even if he was done with the filter adjustment.

This is just friendly behavior and he isn't thinking about anything at all. Nope.

Except he glances up at Coop out of the corner of his eye, sees that pout. When he thinks maybe he's distracted enough to not notice he slowly sits up a little more, hand still on his knee and using it to push himself up so he can give the tiniest little peck to the other boy's jaw.

And then he's back down again, busy with his communicator.]

From:

astraymoon

[He felt his hand on his thigh, pouting still but...he got a peck.

He looks at him sidelong. And he waits until Chris is looking away, before kissing him on the cheek.]

From:

[Oh.

He almost fumbles his device even if he wasn't doing anything with it and the smile is ridiculous, he can't get rid of it. It's never going away.

There is silence for a few minutes before he can't help it, glancing up Cooper and actually looking at him instead of trying to be sneaky about it.]

Do- does kissing help you feel better?

[Purely scientific. Not asking because maybe he wants to distract the other boy from his sadness by potentially making out in the common room on the couch. Not. At. All.]

From:

astraymoon

[His smile is adorable. It's always adorable, but especially dorky cute right now.

He didn't smile, but he did relax, even as he kept thinking of how to keep himself from changing shape, even if it made him feel better. The question had him blink, and he glanced over.]

Kissing usually does, yeah. Sometimes...other things too.

[But he wouldn't broach those things with Christopher. He really wasn't ready for that.]

From:

[Chris frowns.]

My mom's a nurse, I know that. I just wanted to know if it helps you relax.

[He is very aware he isnt ready for the 'something else' either. But that doesn't mean he can't have a kids and a cuddle.]

From:

astraymoon

[He grunts. He gets what he's trying to say.]

Kissing can help. Your mom in a conversation about kissing, ain't relaxing.

[His voice was dry as he pecked the top of his head.]

From:

Oh... yeah?

[Noted.

He sits up a little more.]

Do you want to relax more right now?

From:

astraymoon

You know know what...yeah.

Yeah, I'd like to relax more. Right now.

From:

[There is a moments calculation as Christopher stares at Cooper's face, judging angles and distance and all the variables that might make this a risky endeavor. He blinks once, twice, and then his hands are on the other boy's leg and he's kissing him, sitting up and resting his weight on him.]

From:

astraymoon

[For a few moments, he thought that there was something on his face- or that he was going to grab his head.

Instead, it was a soft kiss. Coop's eyes fluttered, and closed, and he kissed him back.

This felt...warm.]

From:

[Christopher is learning, and he squeezes Germaryah's knee as he leans into it. There's something bubbling in his stomach, perhaps fluttery, but he ignores it for the fact that it's nice and he is slowly coming around to the idea that maybe it isn't crazy to want to do this for hours like some people say they do at school?]

From:

astraymoon

[He doesn't know if he'd do it for hours but- this is nice. It's a good feeling, like he's wanted.

Like Chris likes him.

His hands come up. Hover for a moment, before one of them smooths over his hair, and he motions their lips slowly together.

He thinks...he can almost taste sparks.]

From:

[There is perhaps an internal war of whether or not he has feelings, but if asked he wouldn't deny they are friends, or that he likes him.

It's the like like that he will stumble on and embarrassedly trip over himself to deny. Don't look at him like that, he is an emotionless robot. Who happens to enjoy kissing a lanky, southern werewolf.

The hand in his hair might catch some static too and Christopher leans in more, trying not to slip and fall into him.]

From:

astraymoon

[He doesn't know about the like like either. Attracted to yes. Likes kissing him, way too much. He would make the argument that Christopher is a mass of feelings, with so much static between them.

He slowly ends the kiss, but kisses the corner of his mouth and chin, one hand cupping the back of Christopher's head, the other giving his shoulder a squeeze.]

Here, get on my lap. You'll fall elsewise.

From:

[No feelings!!! Just electricity and kisses!

He may be pouting when Ger pulls back but he considers the space and very carefully maneuvers into the boys lap. He shifts and moves around like a dog circling a bed to get comfy, but he finds his spot.

How's that?

From:

astraymoon

Perfect.

[He smiled, and gave him a little peck on the nose. The whole circling and getting comfy was way too cute not to give him a little kiss for that.

All for electricity and kisses.]

Ready for more?

From:

[ohh my god. Trevor cannot believe this shit]

Hey.

Are you a demon in disguise or are you actually a child?

From:

[Christopher blinks down at his communicator.]

Demons can't be children?

Interesting...I suppose I shouldn't assume everything has to be born, some things are created- [You've set him off on a tangent, Trevor but he very much looks and sounds like his age.]

From:

Almost never. Never in my world, can't speak for others.

[oh my god]

So you're a kid. Great.

From:

Fascinating. Can you ask your demons how they came to be? Maybe I should make a questionnaire for next Monster Club...

[He taps his cheek thinking about it before he suddenly realizes that Trevor just called him a child.]

That's a weird thing to be upset about if you arent me.

I'd rather not be a child either. People withhold important information for some reason if they think youre not old enough to hear it.

Edited Date: 2026-04-03 09:02 pm (UTC)

From:

They're hellspawned, from a different dimension. Most come pre-cognizant from the damned souls of twisted human beings.

I know. If you're old enough to be here, you're usually old enough to know what the fuck is happening.

[speaking of what the fuck is happening..]

I'm Trevor Belmont. I'm going to try and kill the Admiral. You might get caught in the crossfire.

Do me a favor and try not to get killed, all right?

From:

Is that what your books say? They lie sometimes, trust me. The people who write them have an agenda.

[Says Christopher the monster to the literal monster hunter.

He does pause when Trevor introduces himself, frowning. First of all-]

I dont like swearing, so please stop. [And more importantly?]

Could you not? I like this ship, and if my friends die maybe we can be safe here, on the Barge?

She wants to keep her passengers safe and I don't think she can do that without the Admiral.

From:

The books I have are different, trust me.

[Two can play at that game]

Sure. Sorry.

And also no, sorry. I'm warning you on purpose, so that you and your friends don't die. But the Barge, and its evil master, has to go. Or I have to die trying to do it.

From:

[He isnt sure he believes that, but sure, Trevor. If you want to think that go ahead.

There is a little surprise that he does agree to stop swearing though. No one else has besides John and he's asked quite a few people.]

Why do you think he's evil? And just between you and I? I'm already dead. But technically here, I'm in-between and that suits me just fine.

[He might have to try and stop you, Trevor.]

Shame how though...I thought Doctor Jekyll and I had a strong bond... but he was a traitor. Hard to find good, honest mentors these days. Most of them are liars.

From:

I think he's evil because he kidnaps the unwilling dead, will not allow even death to be an escape, sends murderers back to the places where they murdered untold numbers of people, brings in untrained, uneducated idiots for wardens, does not bring back the victims of anyone he's brought in unless someone's feeling generous with a deal, tortures those he has, will not change anything about his methods unless there's a whole public outcry, and then pretends like it's all a coincidence no one can get along. The whole system is messed up.

..That's just off the top of my head.

From:

[Christopher has set his communicator down to take actual notes. He's curious as to what the general consensus is on the Admiral, because he has a very hard time figuring out who might be evil before they literally present themselves as evil two inches from his nose.

He does frown at what Trevor lists in his 'cons' column though, tapping the page with a sky blue sparkly gel pen.]

Well, first of all, he invited me here, and second of all I dont think Death is supposed to be an 'escape'?

I have a 1800 number you can call if you feel that way though, but I dont think it will work here.

[This is just scratching the surface, but give him a minute, maybe they can talk about the rest of them in a minute?]

From:

Yeah. He does that, now. Only about half of us he's kidnapped by force.

The fuck's a 1800 number..

What I'm saying is that sometimes people would rather die than be here, and we don't get to choose that.

From:

Is kidnapping evil? I suppose it should be considered evil, if you'd rather be somewhere else, but how would he know that if he kidnapped you instead of asking?

[Trevor, this child constantly questions whether or not he is evil, so his compass is a little broken. hope you're prepared for his curiosity and odd leaps of logic.]

I think a lot of that other stuff is just normal 'authority' problems. I don't know much about politics but usually people yell about them and nothing gets done unless they yell really loud, and for a really long time. And then who ever is in charge releases a statement about how its fixed when they just put up like, a new stop sign in some neighborhoods instead of do anything about gun violence.

[he chews on some more of the list that Trevor spoke about, making a wide sweeping motion with his hand for purely dramatic reasons.]

If we created a list with a wide range of criteria, I think you will find that within the parameters of DEI, some of the wardens you call uneducated and untrained might shine in other circumstances you would fail at miserably. And if they dont, then we move forward with removal, if efficiency is your goal.

Except you want to kill the Admiral, so I'm thinking that wont actually do anything for you.

I'd like to know though... I like numbers.

Edited Date: 2026-04-03 11:24 pm (UTC)

From:

Yes, kidnapping is evil.

[good fucking god]

What exactly are you asking, just so I'm clear?

From:

[Chris's expression might give you the impression that he isnt sure he believes that, Trevor. Needs more research.]

Well, you said the Admiral is evil, I dont think I'm really asking anything, just trying to decide if your hypothesis holds water!

I will have to stop you though, even if you are. This place is paradise, out of reach of Helwing and other unaffiliated hunters.

So, when they kill my friends for existing I can just ask the Admiral to save them and we can just live here instead. It's a very good plan, and you'll ruin it if you get what you want.

Edited Date: 2026-04-03 11:51 pm (UTC)

From:

Right. Good talk, kid.

From:

Was it?

[He smiles, the true meaning of that statement flying over his head completely.]

Great! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Well, if you are done with what you wanted to say, can I ask some more questions?

[He glances down at his notes and back up.]

To start, what are your weaknesses? Do you have any crippling fears? Do you need to breathe oxygen and can you survive subzero temperatures?

Oh, and... [He taps the paper again. Cant forget this last one.]

If you were a worm, would your loved ones still love you? Viveka told me that ones very important.

Edited Date: 2026-04-04 12:05 am (UTC)

From:

[A huff. God damn it. He's regretting agreeing not to curse at this child]

I'm a baseline human, so yes, I breathe and no, I can't survive the cold without a good coat. I don't fear much, except maybe not having the courage to stand up to injustice, inaction or never seeing my family again. It's not that I'm bragging, I really don't have much that cripples me like that.

And knowing my loved ones, probably. But that's a weird question.

From:

[Christopher takes notes with his sparkly gel pen.

This is all good information.]

As for me...

I breathe oxygen, and I get cold too, but I dont know if it would kill me? Maybe I should test that... [Off camera Chris asks 'Peggy, make note of this so we can see if I can experience frost bite and death by exposure.']

I'm not afraid of much either. Well, the lack of knowledge and understanding of my self and what I am, and my role in the universe is terrifying! And that perhaps being myself hurts my mom, she's a nice person but I dont think she wants to raise a monster.

[He thinks for a moment more.] oh! And non-nucleated boiling explosions. Microwaves are always ready to humble us with their majesty.

From:

[God, it’s like a tiny, blue haired Hilbert. Trevor refrains from smiling but only just.]

You didn’t want me to kill myself but you want to test for frost bite and exposure. Where the f-where are you going to test that? The Enclosure can’t kill you.

From:

Well if I do it here, I can conduct endlessly dangerous experiments on myself to learn more about what I am without potentially dying forever and also getting grounded! I'm not escaping anywhere! Well...maybe that isn't true.

They say you can escape in a good book and reading the data would be like reading a book on what makes me, me and I could definitely escape into that! But also not permanently die forever...

[This is all very important.]

And I dont know. Maybe if someone leaves me alone with their fridge for a while I can fix it so that it will become an exposure chamber... do you have a fri- [Wait a minute.]

Who are you again? I forgot to write it down when you said who you were.

From:

[oh god. And he talks endlessly like Sypha. Trevor smiles and lets him go on, content to listen]

Trevor Belmont. The kitchen has a walk-in freezer but you won’t get near it for long enough to freeze to death.

From:

[He remembers to write it down this time.

Turning his notebook around to show the camera, he reveals that while his notes are detailed there are things like stars, hearts and little beakers and other assorted doodles in the margins and all over. It is...chaotic to say the least.

Trevor's name is written out in a neat hand though, a little smiley face and star at the end.]

Like this?

And I dont need a walk-in. Im small enough I can fit in most refrigerators.

From:

Yeah, like that.

You’d suffocate before you froze.

From:

[Christopher frowns.]

What kind of scientist do you take me for? I'm obviously going to add a breathing tube so I don't suffocate.

I already know I need to breathe, that doesnt need further analysis!

From:

Are you the only one of your kind?

From:

I don't know... I think so? Adam told me that I was a unique sort of monster.

Unique how he barely scratched the surface of. Apparently "having a childhood" is more important than knowing what you are.

But I dont need him, I can figure it out myself.

Edited Date: 2026-04-04 03:32 am (UTC)

From:

Ignoring that for the moment…

So why are you testing extremes to the point of dying? You’re unique so the knowledge isn’t transferrable, you’d die off the ship, and stretching your limits that way just puts extra strain on you for no reason since you aren’t going to be in a spot where you’d willingly be exposed to the cold like that.

From:

I think I almost died once when I was experimenting on myself at home.

I got a lot of data out of it, but when I felt like I was just moments away from an epiphany, like I could see the truth in the numbers, my mom broke the door down with an axe and destroyed my machine...

But I cant say I might not be exposed to extreme cold. If Helwing gets ahold of me, maybe they'll torture me that way before they kill me? If I know my advantages, I can prepare for the future!

From:

You did that in front of your mother?

From:

I sleep walk, and when I sleep walk I build things. I...wasn't completely conscious until she tore me out of it.

I didn't- [There is some struggle there. Clearly he knows it hurt her, and he doesn't want that, but there is something else that calls him to do what he does and he can't resist it, or maybe he doesn't even try to.]

She wasn't supposed to see. I didn't do it to hurt her.

Edited Date: 2026-04-05 07:34 pm (UTC)

From:

[Trevor feels torn between saying the obvious and giving the kid a break. He's sixteen. Who hasn't done, stupid, fucked-up shit when they were sixteen? He's planning on doing far worse. He shakes his head, but lets it go]

Warn someone when you start doing shit like that here.

From:

[He considers this before his head cocks to the side.]

Well you know I want to, doesn't that count?

The more people I tell the more likely it is that it will hurt them, and they'll stop me. I dont want them to stop me, and I don't want it to hurt them, I want to learn.

From:

I'm a reckless idiot who's doing his own fucked-up thing and people want to stop me. I don't count.

They're going to learn when you end up on someone's monitor, dead.

From:

People including me! See, this is why no one can know, Trevor! I dont like calling anyone an idiot, but I think maybe I agree with you because you obviously know that, but are doing the opposite. That doesn't make much sense...

[He frowns at the flaw in secret experiments that may end up in his death, nodding seriously.]

If I can figure out how warden items work, maybe I can block the signal. Or, alternatively, campaign for a trusted Warden to be mine, permanently.

If no one revives me after death I can't learn anything, and that doesnt help me either. I should compile a list of Wardens who understand the importance of this research...

From:

If no one revives you after death, I'm pretty sure they get demoted. So you don't have that to worry about, even if you're hated.

Good luck on figuring out warden items. Even the smartest, most tech-advanced people I know haven't done it yet. You're not the first genius the Necromancer has scooped up. A lot of it is probably Barge magic.

Either way, whoever gets you is going to be at least a little hurt and upset you keep fu-...screwing up a chance at their deal. And most wardens get attached to their inmates.

From:

Well, I'm not versed in magic, but I can see how things work. If I spend enough time with it...Or perhaps even build a replica on top of the original so they still function as a key without proper tracking... [He taps his finger on his cheek as he thinks, tilting his head back and forth.]

Regardless, I don't intend on graduating. I suppose It might happen anyways, but I don't like change, I like how I am, and I only just learned what at least some of that means recently. So I think maybe they'll just have to be disappointed.

Pain is worth the knowledge, and death isn't the end. It's paradise.

From:

Careful with that sentiment. I feel the same and I get slapped with the label “death cultist”.

From:

I dont think you do.

If you thought the Barge was a paradise then you wouldn't be trying to destroy her.

From:

This isn't death. And this isn't the end.

From:

Oh... hmm.

well we could be suspended outside of time in a pocket dimension sustained by magic or Aether, but I distinctly remember being beaten to death by Bloody Jack, so.

I think maybe I am dead? What do you think comes after?

My mom is religious but she never made me go to church so I don't spend much time thinking about it. All I know is that people who remember you fall apart.

[which...hmm. That part makes him sad.]

From:

My world had what we called the Infinite Corridor. I think it's a different name for what we're traveling through. I've heard it called pocket dimensions and Aether before, though don't ask me where, I might have just read about it here.

If this were really the afterlife, I'd see my family here. I think we were seized at the moment of death, or maybe just a second or two before, and dragged here.

From:

Oh...that sounds interesting. Have you been there before? I'd like to see it. And I have heard some people use Aether here, but I believe it's different. My Aether is the primordial chaos energy that gave the spark of life to the universe. It's what makes a monster a monster, according to Adam.

[And unfortunately he has to believe him since he has nothing else go go off.]

Maybe if this were the actual afterlife I would learn who my parents are...interesting concept. Do they only wait for you if they loved you?

Though I suppose they would have to be dead too...

From:

No, but members of my family had, and wrote about it. At least four, five now including me. No wait, maybe it’s six. Or seven, depending on how you count it. Fuckssake I hate this place.

That’s…weird. Never heard that theory before. But maybe. Ask the Necromancer, he might actually answer that one. Don’t ask John, he has a shitty habit of believing all universes are the same.

Sorry about your parents. Mine are…well. We believe in an afterlife where all our family is. There’s no waiting, it’s just…it’s there. Some of us have caught glimpses of it.

From:

Do you have their personal accounts? I'd love to read them. People say witness testimony isn't good enough for most things, but Clement has me believing otherwise... his family mural is their afterlife. It was very beautiful, full of magic and the souls of everyone passed, even his husband!

[Christopher tilts his head at the mention of John, the man he'd been following around much like a baby bird.]

I think maybe they could be and aren't at the same time. But I trust John. He hasn't lied to me, but I suppose he could be wrong... [He's also kind of the god of what Christopher is, so thats a little weird, but ah well. Sometimes he thinks he's a bad friend because he doesnt defend the ones he has, but does it really matter? Hard to say when he isn't quite sure of anything.]

I don't think there is anything to be sorry for. They might not even be dead. Adam wouldn't tell me. My mom wanted me, and I think thats supposed to be enough? It isn't, but I still love her.

Family is what you make it anyways...but Its good you have yours. Have you seen a glimpse of it? Or maybe if you tricked your mind into thinking it was moments from death you could...

That would be a fun experiment.

From:

Some of them.

Clement Varker? Didn’t know he was married.

John isn’t a liar. He’s just…he works on a scale that’s different from mortals.

Yeah, I did. Briefly. It wasn’t before the ship, and I wasn’t actively dying. That’s how I know it was real.

From:

I'm on the 8th floor if you wanted to share their accounts. [please want to Trevor, that sounds so interesting! He shakes his head at the question though.]

No, Clement the witch boy. I don't know who that other guy is. His mural is the only thing left untouched in the monster underground after it was destroyed.

But I guess that makes sense... A lot of things I see and know aren't really meant to be known... I just know it and it doesn't drive me mad. I think John is made of that stuff? Or he created it. Maybe. I should ask him...

[Chris has to wonder how much that is magic, or something else. Is the afterlife created by individuals or gods? Hard to say.]

I wonder if werewolves believe in the afterlife... I hope so, and if they do I hope it's nice there.

Edited Date: 2026-04-09 01:59 am (UTC)

From:

I've got the written diary of two of them with me, but I want them back. They're meant to go into the family library.

Oh. Right. Must be a more common name in the future. And yeah. Sounds like John.

Depends on the werewolf, to be honest. Not every human believes in an afterlife, either.

From:

[He pauses a moment, considering how badly Trevor might actually want them back, but since he says family library, he supposes it's important. Which means sigh, he should probably ask instead of just taking.]

Can I make copies?

From:

Hey, this is Chase, your warden for the month. Figured I'd come say hi since I don't think we've met yet. Want to meet up somewhere?

[If he doesn't get a response, he'll come looking in person. He's not above using his warden item to track a guy.]

From:

I am at work. But if you promise to try my new drink, I suppose you can come by.

[It isnt like hes doing anything important that Chase could ruin some how.]

From:

What's the drink?

[But he's already moving, heading that direction.]

From:

It's for my menu, I've been looking for something to really round it out. 5 is a good strong number anyways.

[He is at the bar, though he has some flasks and beakers on the counter, a scale. He looks like he's doing mad science rather than crafting a drink.]

From:

All right, I'll be right there.

[Alcohol, okay then. He can do an alcoholic drink.

He shows up a few minutes later, and he surveys the scientific apparatus hanging out on the bartop curiously.]

Are those for your drink?

From:

[Funny to assume that it's alcohol. If Chase notices the laminated menu on the counter, the drinks are strictly non-alcoholic. Chris is a bit straight edge, which is both a blessing to the Barge, and a curse on those who would want to order alcohol from the teen.

He refuses to serve it himself.]

They are! If I want to craft something, I have to get the measurements precise, or else what's the point of having a recipe?

[Except when he is given a recipe and doesnt follow it because he thinks he sees a better way.

He pushes a glass forward filled with a strangely colored liquid. It isnt smoking, but it looks almost milky in color. And in actuality it is a Huckleberry cream sparkling soda, delicious despite the odd look of it.

Christopher bounces on his heels waiting for Chase's review.]

From:

You're really serious about your drinks.

[Chase sounds amused, though, and he accepts the drink without hesitation, giving it a curious sniff before trying a mouthful. If the guy poisons him, he'll just come back to life in a few minutes, anyway, and then take away his toys so he can't do it again.

It doesn't taste like poison. It tastes pretty cool.]

Sweet. And fizzy. I have no idea what that flavor is, besides the cream soda part.

From:

No, Im serious about science. Baking and mixology is still science.

[He watches the other boy try his drink and smiles when he doesnt immediately gag. Its going over better than the pickle sparkling lemonade, at least, and that had made the menu.]

Huckleberry. I could probably cut it with something if its too sweet...

From:

Got it. I mean, I treat magic kind of like science, but I don't do alchemy-type magic so I'm not playing with bottles and bunsen burners or anything.

[He waves the drink a little, careful not to spill it.]

I'm all about energy and intention and stuff.

[Then he has more of the drink drink, trying to identify "huckleberry". The problem is he's never had huckleberry before. Now he's forever going to label this sweet flavor as "huckleberry".]

Well, anyway, it's good, if you like something really sweet. Not everyone will, but that's why you have a whole menu I guess. What else is on it?

From:

I don't play, it's all very serious work. [He mumbles, though he puts his chin in his hand, tilting his head.]

I haven't seen much magic. Mostly just mad science, but I did see a magic mural once. It held the ancestors of the witch family who created it. Clement was very nice... And it was super cool to think that magic could create an eternal afterlife for the souls of that family by blood or bond.

[He is aware that not everyone likes sweet, it's why this is the first sweet thing he'd added to the menu, it's very wide reaching, he thinks. Which should be great for making sure there's something for everyone!

He looks down at the menu, reading off it-]

So far? Fig, rosemary and fennel infused water and Pickle lemonade.

From:

Okay, pickle lemonade is a weird choice, but the fig one sounds downright festive.

[He shakes his head a little.]

Magic murals with souls attached are bigger than I can do, right now. I did create a living mouse and a couple tarantulas, though. I'm working up to a human body.

From:

Pickle juice is actually full of electrolytes and paired with lemonade is supposed to be incredibly refreshing after a work out. [Chris does not work out, but it was weird enough he gave it a chance and actually liked the combo.

But then Chase has to mention creating human bodies and his interest is completely pulled away from talking about work.]

You can create creatures from nothing?

Facinating... I brought Peggy back to life, but i wasn't able to replicate it... she got hit by a truck, it was awful.

Shes fine now though!

From:

It might be good for you, but it sounds like it tastes gross.

[He shifts and holds up a hand, letting a spider form up on his palm.]

Started with these. They're temporary, spell-flesh, powered by a tiny demon spirit. I've been able to summon these ever since my magic came in. I can do bigger spirits, but not here, this place isn't really connected to the world the way where I come from is.

From:

[Christopher watches as the spider comes to be, mouth slightly open, eyes wide before he blinks a few times, frowns and hits his head with the heel of his hand as if attempting to knock something in place.]

Come on, I want to-

[And like a flashlight you hit to get the batteries to work, his eyes blow out blue and flicker with a sort of electrical energy.

He smiles big, satisfied before waving his hand at Chase, come on, lets see it!]

Do it again, I want to watch it happen.

From:

[Chase looks amused, but he's run into that reaction before, so he lets the spider dissolve into ash on his palm, then the ash disappears, too.]

One, two, three.

[Bam, new spider. It forms up in the span of about a second, looking like it's forming up from ash the same way the first one disappeared. He is in fact summoning a tiny demonic spirit, an "imp", mostly brainless and more of a source of power than anything else, and the spider's form is solid magic.]

My eyes used to do weird things, too. I fixed that with my deal. They'd go all black whenever I used magic. What's that mean, when yours do that?

From:

[Chris watches intently as he counts down, can see the way the magic forms in his hand, eyes wide. He hasn't gotten to see much magic aside from the spirits in Viveka's choker, and he is fascinated by it. The colors and glass strands that seem to connect before the blue stutters out and his eyes are their normal blue again.

He is a little distracted, but he does look from the spider to chase when he's asked.]

Oh, it's- I can see your magic, what it looks like, what anyone looks like...see the math that makes up your clothes, the chair... [He gestures around, to the whole room.] I can't control it, but it's beautiful, all of it...

And sometimes I can see how to make things better if I look at it long enough.

From:

thereisnoif

Sometimes Nokov is in the space Christopher made for him under his bed, sometimes he's not. It's not always easy to know which it is, unless he emerges when Chris is awake in his room. It's also often hard to tell how long he's been there, as he doesn't technically need food and sometimes just spends a good chunk of time semi-meditating in the scraps of his night that he can wrap around him.

It can also be hard to say how much he's aware of what's going on around him, even though he doesn't seem surprised to see Chris in less than prime condition from where he's sitting at the end of his bed. Nokov staring at you has a way of waking someone up, whatever state they'd been in before he appeared.

He generally uses that instead of little things like 'words'.

From:

Chris has been sleeping a lot. Not only has the double death toll been rather miserable, but Germaryah being upset with him has made it even more miserable.

He tosses and turns in his sleep, conflicted as he is, but without any passion behind it, even so stressed he hasn't been sleep building. It's unusual and when he can feel Nokov's eyes on him, he blinks his eyes open and tilts his head just enough to catch the god at the end of his bed.

He slowly blinks once before his head falls back flat on his pillow. Peggy readjusts herself in the nest on the windowsill.

His voice has started coming back, but its hoarse with disuse, "hello." Not depressed enough to say hi to his friend at least?

From:

thereisnoif

The lack of sleep building is somewhat unusual, though that at least appears to have a straightforward enough cause.

Once Nokov can see that Chris is awake and aware of him he turns down the intensity of his staring, so at least Chris doesn't have that to add to his discomfort as he falls back on his pillow.

"You died." Whether Nokov was already aware of that or not, the air of slight annoyance about that would remain.

From:

"I didn't mean to." A pause, chewing it over before he adds, "the first time."

And maybe Nokov will be upset with him for that too. Maybe he deserves it. Maybe that irritation is because hes already annoyed and hes here to tell him how they arent friends any more.

From:

thereisnoif

"These things happen."

It's pretty easy to kill humans, and Chris can come back, here, so Nokov isn't that annoyed that he's temporarily not in the best shape.

He's far more patient than he can appear. Though, admittedly, he often comes off as less 'impatient' than 'potentially somewhat depressed'. It's probably better for Chris' mood that Nokov can't read his mind, so doesn't have any reason to say that he can't tell him that they aren't friends any more because he doesn't think they're friends. As an attempt at comfort it would fall flat.

"You shouldn't stay up here."

From:

Chris would also object to being called human, because he isn't one, but ah well. If only they were capable of telepathy like The Eleven.

"You want me to go down there?"

From:

thereisnoif

"Yes."

It's night, but the darkness Nokov can find there is still better.

From:

He slowly pushes himself up with a grunt and rolls out of bed onto the floor. Its practically sparkling in here since Germaryah cleaned and he stares sadly at the spot where his pizza experiment had been.

The mold colonies had been scrubbed from existence before managing to achieve sentience.

He sighs dramatically before rolling again and falling down the few feet under the bed in front of the couch. It hurts but hes far better at taking blunt force than stabbing. He doesnt get up from the floor where he landed.

From:

thereisnoif

Nokov had noticed the difference, but he'd decided to ignore the mess from the beginning so he ignore the lack of it too.

He drops onto the couch with a good deal more grace. Practice (and, yes, the lack of a death toll) can do a lot. He considers Chris for a few moments, before deciding he'd probably be better off on the couch. Nokov isn't that much stronger than a normal human, but Chris isn't the heaviest weight even as a dead-weight, and he does end up just sort of rolling him onto the couch. At least he hadn't dropped him on the floor.

"Who killed you?" It's mostly just a neutral inquiry. Nokov does like knowing things, and he hasn't decided yet if their contract means he should do something about it.

From:

Chris rolls limp onto the couch and settles with his head on the other boy's leg. He lays there a moment before glancing up at him, "stupid raising man."

Which is his usual nickname for The Ghoul, one hes used many a time.

"He asked me a question, and I answered and then he started stabbing me... I should have asked for his screwdriver."

From:

thereisnoif

Nokov does listen to him, even if it's not always easy to see (it's partially difficult because he likes to be concealed by darkness), so he nods, recognizing who Chris is talking about.

"Do you want me to kill him?" It's an inquiry free of judgement.

From:

The question hangs in the darkness and Christopher considers it.

If he were a good person, if he wasn't evil, what would the answer be? What makes a good person? The ability to look passed transgressions? He is a person who, in certain instances, holds a grudge. Maybe he isn't good for that reason.

He's reminded of the look on Germaryah's face, how upset he was that he'd died. He didn't like that, though he did like that he cried for him, that implies mutual feelings, if they exist any more. But would he cry for the Ghoul?

He doesn't like the Ghoul, and he can follow that line down far enough to say that he hates him. But they're both immortal on the barge, death isn't permanent. What good would that do? Would it make him feel better?

Do feelings matter when it comes to death?

"I don't know. I think in some ways yes, in some ways no." Theres so much going on in his brain as he considers all that he wants, why and what it could do for him.

"I suppose the first question I have would be how? Would anyone know it was you?"

From:

thereisnoif

Nokov waits as Chris thinks about it.

He's killed a lot of people. He wouldn't say that he's ever killed for no reason. It's not that he cares about being a 'good' or 'bad' person (he considers that a mortal affliction), but he isn't a wasteful one. Sometimes that reason is a matter of revenge.

There are plenty of necessary deaths, and the rush of vengeance can be extremely necessary to properly continue to lead you life. He doesn't know if it's necessary for Christopher, but, he feels, it usually is it's simply that not everyone is able to see it clearly.

It's vengeance that carries virtue.

"They wouldn't know." He's killed a lot of people! He knows how to make it work! "I would wait for an appropriate port. If there are enough people there are people who can be accused of carrying out such an act."

From:

"Hmm." He feels like he should ask The Eleven what he would do in this instant, though reaching out and calling for him feels like a lot of effort right now. He's very tired.

"The longer we wait, the less likely someone might think it has anything to do with my death... Maybe I'll think about it. How long does the offer stand? Is there a time limit on how long I should hold a grudge? Because I think I'm very good at it... I might not like him until I'm eighty years old."

From:

thereisnoif

"You can hold a grudge forever," Nokov says, just as matter-of-fact. "Sometimes it goes away after you kill someone, but sometimes it's still there. So, you can wait."

He can hold a grudge for much longer than seventy years or however long it will be until Chris is eighty, so he doesn't see a reason for him to give it up. Being good at holding onto grudges is a positive, in his opinion. So, the offer stands as long as it needs to.

Now that that's settled:

"I have a question about your plans." He thinks he has something of an outline about them, even if it can get a bit vague.

From:

"I think I can hold one forever." He has continued to hold his grudge against Adam and he hasn't even barely thought about him for the last two months outside of telling people how much he doesn't like him and that he can't be trusted.

He looks up at Nokov, tilting his head, "What sort of plans? My plan for tomorrow? For the next week? for the rest of my life?" Be more specific, friend.

From:

thereisnoif

"For the rest of your life."

Apart from holding a grudge forever, though that is a good plan.

From:

"Oh."

Well? He thinks about this for a moment, his tired brain lazily flowing along with the question, "I'm going to find out who I am. And I'm going to stay here forever, and convince the Admiral to turn this place into a paradise for monsters, so that when they die, they can come here and never have to be hunted again."

From:

thereisnoif

"They won't all want to come here," Nokov points out. "It's a ship, and it would get very crowded." There are a lot of practical problems, which Nokov has never brought up when he's heard parts of this before. He didn't have anything to say about it, so there had been no reason to.

"I have something better."

From:

Christopher frowns. He doesn't like it when people correct him, or tell him he's wrong. "If the Barge and I become better friends, maybe she'll let me help expand...we could build something beautiful together, take care of everyone and let them live into eternity." It's a very nice dream, he thinks. And even though he doesn't think the Clerics deserve any sort of anything, it doesn't involve a war that he doesn't know how to fight. Here, they're set apart, and it's better that way.

He does tilt his head though, slowly raising a hand as he stares up at the older boy from his spot in his lap, touching his nose with the tip of his finger, "What do you have?"

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thereisnoif

"You know that there are people who still won't want it." It's possible that Christopher does not, in fact, know this, but Nokov has a (perhaps unwarranted) belief that Chris' ability to make things transfers into an ability to understand how things work. Nokov isn't the most socially adept person, but he knows how to deal with people, and that means he's aware that they can want very different things, including ones that might sound objectively 'lesser'.

"I'm going to make a new world. Perhaps some of them could come there." He's in an extremely generous mood, tonight.

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"Then I'll change their mind. They'll want it." He says stubbornly, as if he is the kind of person who is charismatic and socially equipped enough to change anyone's mind about anything.

Though a new world...one that Nokov would create? Finger still on the tip of his nose, he considers it and boops it again. Perhaps that would be acceptable. "One where monsters would be accepted and not killed for existing?"

From:

thereisnoif

The first part is clearly ridiculous, so as Nokov is in a generous spirit, he just ignores it. Even if Chris was the most charismatic and socially equipped person in the universe he wouldn't be able to do that, and Nokov is certain that Chris... isn't that.

He pokes him, but not as hard as he could.

"It wouldn't be a better place to go if they were just to be killed."

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"I can't know if it would be if I don't ask," Don't poke him, he feels gross. Only he can poke.

But that doesn't mean he doesn't think that maybe he can rearrange his plans, or let that be plan B.

"If I wanted to get there I'd need to graduate. I wasn't planning on doing that."

From:

thereisnoif

There is such a thing as a foolish question, but Nokov still rests his hand against Chris' forehead. There's a coolness to them that can help, even if Chris isn't actually sick.

"Why not?"

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Oh, that feels nice. His hand flops back down, eyes closing as he takes in a deep breath and exhales. Double death toll had really given him one hell of a headache, and it didn't help that both deaths had involved head injuries. Next time he will consider these things when requesting someone kill him for science.

"Because I'd need to change, and I don't want to. There isn't anything wrong with me."

From:

thereisnoif

He huffs lightly.

"That's another reason there are some who would not want to stay here, no matter what. You know that there will be those who wish to grow older and have children and go through the other steps of 'life'."

It's a different type of change, perhaps, but it's still change.

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Christopher considers this, considers what he'd seen in the mural in the monster underground.

"They'll all want their own mural...I suppose. That's natural. But eternity is worth so much, don't you think? All that time to learn...I think it's worth it."

From:

thereisnoif

"It might be worth it to you, but that doesn't mean it will be to them." Not everyone can be special! "Mortals often don't want eternity. Their minds are different. They'll want a world, even if it means they'll eventually die."

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"Well then they're wrong! And I think most monsters live longer than humans do. If they aren't killed. A lot of them are immortal. Though I don't know if I am. Which is why finding out what I am is still first on the list. If I could have eternity outside of the Barge, then perhaps that would be the best of both worlds!"

From:

thereisnoif

Chris lacks clear logic, but Nokov has long been aware of that. He knows his name, after all.

"If they're immortal that's all the more reason they might want to settle down on a world rather than traveling here. There's no advantage to it for them, even if there might be for you." So, Nokov is willing to offer some space on his new world.

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