jikan_network | [video] un: theballadeer

No, it wouldn’t.

[Only because if anyone did anything he didn’t like and refused to stop, he’d probably kill them. But we don’t talk about that.]

Quite the power you have there, not everyone can create vessels. Unless of course, that’s a common occurrence in your world.

[He waves a hand dismissively.]

It’s your world not mine, I can’t claim to know if any of that could allow you a body in this realm.

By all means, prattle. I have nothing better to do.

I see. You're that type, then.

[There's nothing offensive about the way he says it - it's really as if Zakri is just stating a perfectly normal fact.]

I don't know how normal it is. I live in a realm limited by imagination, and I only really know things from that measure.

[Humming, Zakri tilts his head and adjusts his glasses, sliding the chain back over his shoulder.]

Well, I do find it more fun to prattle on in someone's presence. There's a certain irritating lag to machinery, after all.

But if you insist, I suppose I could chat about whatever subject comes to mind. I do like the attention.

[Does he always say it that way? Yes, yes he does.]

That type?

[He arches a brow at that.]

A realm bound only by imagination sounds... chaotic.

I'm not opposed to listening. Hearing about how other worlds work has been interesting enough.

That type.

[The repetition is just a confirmation, amusement in his eyes.]

Endlessly confident, that is. Probably unwavering in determination. Remarkably rare, in my long experience.

[At the idea of chaos, Zakri's grin broadens more.]

Being the product of one's subconscious mind, it's pretty chaotic, yes. Nothing is truly impossible there. Faces pined after, circumstances dreaded, any number of... ah. Surreal thoughts.

You said you dream, didn't you? If that's the case, then you more or less know how my world works, I should think.

When I visit the sphere of someone's dream with their grace, I become whatever they want me to, really. [That makes him sound a little like an addict, maybe. Or an addiction. Zakri scratches his cheek thoughtfully at that realisation.]

To be clearer, this happens regardless of what I had hoped to be. Outside of my internal personality, I am quite literally bound by the imagination of my partner. Whether they see me as a dead friend or lover, a monster, a half-melted clock always chasing them toward their goals - whatever they think, I am.

And, really, I am as powerful as they expect. It's a truly thrilling realm to live in.

[A pause, followed by the sharp, rhythmic tap of fingers on the table.]

Although it can be inconvenient, I suppose. Mouths full of sharp teeth, bodies that constantly slough off limbs... yes, imagination can be inconvenient.

[Scaramouche lets out a soft chuckle, vaguely amused.]

Do I take that as a compliment or an insult.

[The words come off as more idle musings than an actual question.]

I said I dream, not what I dream of.

[Though what he means by that he doesn’t offer any elaboration on, choosing to leave it there.]

So do you often invade people’s dreams?

Because inconvenient sounds like an understatement. While interesting, I can’t see how anyone could find that fun. Being molded by the whims of another.

Edited (you saw none of those autocorrects) 2021-09-15 04:50 (UTC)

I wonder.

[Even if they had been an actual question, Zakri would have responded the same way, to be honest.]

And yet, that doesn't mean you don't have an inkling of what I mean, does it?

[If you're going to claim to Zakri that your dreams are all linear and perfectly lifelike, then... honestly he's probably gonna disbelieve that or assume it's just lack of creativity on one's subconscious. Not the end of the world either way.]

Mm? Of course, when I'm invited. It takes so much effort to do anything when I'm not.

[He waves his hand, then sticks his tongue out. It's hard to say if it's playful or just in thought, or if he just... does that.]

I usually enjoy it. Even in cases like that... well, you get to understand someone, no? I find it delightful, really, experiencing things so deeply, or unwinding the things that make their dream so unpleasant. I don't always want such a heavy meal, though, so I do prefer when they dream sweetly over nightmares.

It's just what I like, though. The attention is good, so even being a stand-in for something lost, something regretted... it's convenient. I have no interest in any deep connection, and both parties get to enjoy themselves.

It might, or it might not.

[Whichever it is, he doesn’t elaborate. He’s not here to talk about what exactly his dreams are like, or if they’re anything like what a normal person would experience.]

So you need generally need permission.

I can see learning to understand someone from their dreams, but it sounds excessive to constantly be doing so with no actual use for that knowledge.

Are there others like you?

Generally speaking.

[He's happy to move past the subject of Sacaramouche's dreams specifically - who knows? He may see them yet.]

Oh, I wouldn't say there's no use, really. As a creature of dream, they're also my nourishment. Entry person's dreams... "taste" a little different, so to speak.

I'm sure there are. I've never met one, but dreams are vast.

[With literal billions of people on his earth alone, he'd be shocked if he was the only one.]

What happens if you don't have permission?

[Seeing his dreams wouldn't be a happy time for either of them.]

So there's possibly more of you, but not enough that you're fighting over your food. None here then either, that you know of.

Probably, it's a dire emergency.

[It's rarely a happy time when he's in a dream without permission, after all. Still...]

But since that isn't really what you were implying - if I'm in dream that way, my limitations are only bound by my own energy. I can, at a cost, do effectively whatever I want to help or harm. I simply don't care to pay the cost, typically.

Yes, that is about correct. Although... I'm not certain we couldn't coexist if there were more. I'd rather be intimate with another of my kind than assume otherwise.

[Look at you being delicate with your wording, Zakri.]

How exactly do you help in a dream?

[He can think of a few ways to harm someone from that kind of situation, but help? Nothing comes to mind.]

Well, if another of your kind ever shows up let me know how it goes. I'd love to know if they share that sentiment of yours.

Hmm? Oh, that's relatively simple - though it does depend on the type of dream. If my arrival is unwilling? Typically, I'm looking for a source. Tearing away or unmaking whatever someone left to leave another in that state, or that creature itself...

[His gaze darkens when he talks about it, the friendly whimsy draining out of his voice to be replaced by venom.]

There are quite a number of creatures that abuse the subconscious of others for their own gain, or simply to harm without reason. For me, as a creature who can only truly exist in the subconscious of others, that's no different from salting the earth.

[... and then it's gone, as though the topic had never slipped into that territory at all.]

Oh, I'm certain we'll have some differences. But if you like, I'll let you know. Anything for a little attention, hmm? ♡

Are creatures like that common? How do they benefit from making such a mess, or is it just another food related reason?

Please do, this whole thing is interesting enough.

[Though Scaramouche doesn’t actually look overly interested.]

Common... I suppose they're fairly common. There certainly always seems to be something plaguing mortals. As to why? I can't really say. Perhaps they're just like mortals that way - sometimes, some people simply get enjoyment from seeing the pain of others.

[Hey, Scaramouche doesn't have to look overly enthused to prove he's interested. Sometimes, people are just like that.]

Mm, I'm glad to hear that. Although - what should I call you, in the event we speak again, I wonder?

You think they plague mortals because they’re sadistic.

[That manages to get a small chuckle out of him.]

Wouldn’t that be something. Creatures playing around in someone’s dreams just because they found it entertaining.

[Being mean for the sake of being mean, who could ever understand such a concept? Couldn’t be him.]

You can call me The Balladeer.

I think it's not an unreasonable guess. Though, that's not unusual. Even I do that much - entertainment and sustenance are fairly interchangeable when one has a plethora of things one finds pleasurable.

[He finds it interesting, that reaction, but... well. It's one of those things he'll just keep in the back of his mind. As long as someone is convenient... he's not above using them and being used himself.

That's just how it's always been, isn't it?]

The Balladeer. You don't strike me as a composer or a singer, so that is curious. But then, your secrets are your own. You can call me Zakri.

But your idea of fun isn't sadistic, is it? I won't judge if it is.

[As though he'd have any right to judge if that were the case.]

You barely know me, I could easily be either of those things.

[Or maybe he's just a little skirmisher, who knows.]

Delighted, Zakri.

Oh, not terribly so. I engage in a little sadism where it's wanted, but I'm much more of a masochist.

[His grin widens a little more, fangs just barely visible on the screen.]

Just a hunch. I never mind being proven wrong, especially since I just say whatever I want anyway.

[Half the time he's not wrong. That's not the point.]

Truly delighted. I'm certain that will only continue when we meet in person.

You know that's something most wouldn't want to admit, considering all the judgmental stares you could get for that.

[Is he judging? Maybe.]

I'm not looking to prove one way or the other, but maybe in the future you'll figure it out.

Oh, I'm sure it will.

It really isn't my problem if mortals take issue with those who are honest with themselves and others. Those who are interested will find something useful in me, and those who aren't... well. No one is right for everyone, no?

[Go ahead, judge him. See if he cares.]

If it becomes important, I'm sure I will.

Did you have any other questions, then? I'm happy to answer, or reconvene at another time. We've deviated quite a lot from the topic you started with, after all.

How bold. Though I suppose that's true, if you're someone to care about those things.

[If the sadist isn't judging the masochist, is everything really right in the world.]

No, I think that's all for now. You may not know much about gods, but dreams can be just as interesting. So we may have deviated, but it has been no less entertaining.

Is it bold if you don't have an opinion? I suppose, if you say so.

[That depends on if your sadist is a good S&M sadist or just a Sadist, I guess.]

You've a point there. I haven't met that many who would find talking about dreams so intriguing. Perhaps sometime you'll deign to agree to a visit. Until then, I wouldn't want to sour my invitation, so I'll let you chat with others, hm?

[Why not both.]

I’ll consider it, should there ever be a reason. Or maybe if I ever find myself bored.

It truly was a pleasure speaking with you Zakri, have fun in those dreams of yours.

[Are they not at least a little mutually exclusive?]

Boredom is a reason, after all. I'll undoubtedly have fun inside and out of dreams, I always do.

You have fun with whatever it is you've got planned, too.

[And there he wiggles his fingers, reaching out to terminate the connection. They'll meet up again, sooner or later.]

[video] un: theballadeer

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1/2

2/2 I hate this man

it’s okay i love him

lmaskdhgur i'm glad

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