RITUAL 32 - never have i ever

[manwhofelltoearth]

WHO: you
WHERE: around the pasture
WHEN: morning 86

[so how are we doing, everybody? feeling a little more together? feeling a little furry, floaty, or both? well–don’t mind this newer Weed who’s just climbed up on a big rock, clapping his mildly bloody hands together to get your attention.

is that a new demon hovering around him? well–this might as well happen.]

‘Scuse me! I’m Father Argent, if we haven’t previously met. I know this is a little presumptuous and all, but it seems like most people could use a pick-me-up right now? So my friend over here and I have, well, arranged something. I hope you’ll indulge us today!

[and a little ripple of movement goes through the surrounding area, transforming it – the colours of this part of the pasture go pastel, and everything gets bubbly. rocks are now round and bouncy, the grass loses its edges and looks more like a carpet of fat succulents, fences look and feel kinda like pool noodles. you can bounce around without damaging anything, if you build up enough momentum, but even without doing that it’s just…nice to hang out on, soft and springy. there’s also some random clear spheres hanging here and there in the air, filled with small round crunchy snacks and drinks like popcorn, or pork rind and grain puffs, or gummies, or cold water, or weak beer. not enough to fill up on or really get drunk, but something to munch and keep you refreshed.

y’all are stuck here for a bit! and even if you’re not in immediate range or holed up indoors, you might feel the pull to come see what’s up – or simply be teleported into the ritual zone, in a bright popping flurry of bubbles.]

rules | turn-in | winners and prizes

Comments

[hardpity]

Like, I could go 'Never have I ever been a Weed'. Hehehe.

[mykidisthebest]

--Cheater!

[he doesn't even need to pop a bubble for that one]

Never have I ever had blue hair!

[hardpity]

WOW! Never have I ever had BLACK hair.

[mykidisthebest]

Well--never have I ever built a robot!

[hardpity]

[ the memory that shows for that is, alarmingly, an exhausted ten year old putting together a robot alone in a dark room Don't Worry About It(tm) ]

Never have I ever... raised children!

[mykidisthebest]

Never have I ever had a little bro--no wait.

[distracted by the bubble pop. what the

Lethe's own popped bubble shows a pile of monsters, three toddlers and two teenagers fully dogpiling Lethe onto the couch to rest. classic.]

Never have I ever been a Housewarden. How old were you when you build Pegasus?

[hardpity]

[ the memory is him remotely attending a housewarden meeting! the gangs all there except malleus ]

Oh, it took me two years but I started when I was ten.

Never have I ever cuddled a monster also.

[mykidisthebest]

[montage of monsters cutely sparkling at Lethe until he gives them pets or hugs]

...Two years is a long time to make a robot.

[hardpity]

Well, it wasn't just making 'a robot', it was my little brother, so it took longer. I had to create the self-learning AI and compile eight years of memories into it.

[mykidisthebest]

Can I ask...how you got the memories?

[hardpity]

Well, I couldn't exactly upload all of his from his POV. But it's not like we weren't together all the time. So I compiled events and backed it up with security footage or other footage like when we recorded his fifth birthday and made all that into the base for his self-learning AI. That kind of recollection obviously didn't include the feelings he had at the time, though, so it took him a little longer to start understanding those.

[mykidisthebest]

[whoa]

You really did a lot during those two years. I don't think I could have ever thought of something like that.

[hardpity]

Well, I wanted my brother back. At the time I was under the impression that if he had all the same memories it wasn't a new person, just a continuation of the one I lost. It's all I focused on for those two years. ... Well, my parents helped sometimes. So I'd like, sleep and stuff.

[mykidisthebest]

[tries to think about what he'd do if he tried to bring back his brother for two years

does not compute]

...I get it. Wanting him back at all costs, I mean. I couldn't even manage it for two hours, let alone two years. You're way tougher than I am.

And I'm glad--I'm really glad you have Pegasus with you now. He's a good kid.

[hardpity]

He's a really good kid, right? I love him. He's really worked hard too.

[mykidisthebest]

He really has. I can hardly believe how much he's learned in such a short period of time! Collecting all of those memories and making new ones is no easy feat.

[hardpity]

And, it's not like I was easy to deal with for a long time either, right? So when I was being a mess he was supporting me, WHILE learning to be a person the whole time...

[mykidisthebest]

When you put it like that he sounds superhuman.

[hardpity]

He is!! He's the best! He can beat up anyone!!

[mykidisthebest]

Please don't let him beat up anyone. I feel like he'd have fun playing with my brother, though...they could fight to their hearts content.

[hardpity]

The little brother big battle...

[mykidisthebest]

Yoohyun would have a lot of fun with that. But he'd definitely take it too far.

[hardpity]

I bet Pegasus would love a chance to use some of his beam cannons...

[mykidisthebest]

If they're really strong then Yoohyun would get a kick out of it. Maybe we can set up a playdate between them when we get home. Though it would have to take place in a dungeon, if we go to my world.

[hardpity]

I think that'd be fine...