( video | un: revanche )

[nilhilistic]

[ rafal turns on the feed, looking deeply irritated. so really, no different from his usual expression. ]

It appears I have been sentenced for destroying a person's door. Which, in my defense, was entirely deserved due to their appalling lack of manners and generousity.

[ and they denied him his candy. rude. ]

And as such I have been tasked with . . . bonds. Specifically the strengthening of them, physically, or creating new bonds.

What does this entail? I require clarification. I wish to get this over with.

Comments

[conflictresolution]

Indeed, I am technically dead already. I died as no-fun as I lived.

You need to pay someone to hug you. They can explain it.

[nilhilistic]

So I win regardless.

I rather live in ignorance than to pay someone for that knowledge.

[conflictresolution]

Hardly. You could grow to be a fun being in your latter years.

And a prude. My, my, no wonder they assigned you this task.

[nilhilistic]

That seems highly unlikely.

A prude about . . . hugs? That is your stance?

[conflictresolution]

Stranger things have likely occurred. You have done quite the about-face already according to your own words.

I expect your prudish about more than hugs as well. Besides, bonding is more than a simple embrace.

[nilhilistic]

[ hm. ]

You're not wrong. On both counts.

I never had bonds before. Not with siblings, not with people. It was for a long time, a liability. A danger.

Those instincts are hard to purge.

[conflictresolution]

They are a liability and a danger. They always will be.

[And he made a point of not encouraging anyone to engage in them.]

Have you considered the consequences for failing instead?

[nilhilistic]

I assume they would limit my power further.

And I will not allow that.

[conflictresolution]

Yet this place is forcing you to endure them on threat of greater punishment. Do you not resent that stipulations?

[nilhilistic]

I have endured far worse at the hands of my own father.

I can outlast these petty machinations.

[conflictresolution]

And what are you going to decided to do with your requirement to 'bond'?

[nilhilistic]

I have been given plenty of suggestions.

And plenty of contenders willing to help me.

[conflictresolution]

Then there is nothing left to be said, it seems.

[nilhilistic]

I'm quite capable of handling my obstacles after all.

[conflictresolution]

So it would seem.

[nilhilistic]

Do you doubt it?

[conflictresolution]

I do. You've given me no reason to not doubt you.

[nilhilistic]

You are inherently predictable that way.

[conflictresolution]

Perhaps with that purpose.

[nilhilistic]

Do you trust anything at all besides yourself?

[conflictresolution]

I do, yes. Do you?

[nilhilistic]

I have. It has benefited me.

[conflictresolution]

So you're a better dragon for it, are you?

[nilhilistic]

Ha! Unlikely. The kind of dragon I am doesn't do well with trust and kindness.

It has more to do with personhood.

[conflictresolution]

And yet here you are building bonds. Our overlords will be so proud.