maskormenacelogs | who even let these guys work here

Entry tags:

who even let these guys work here

WHO: karkat vantas and kirei kotomine
WHERE: youth center
WHEN: 13th of february
WHAT: that awkward moment when your boss is that crazy guy you met during the apocalypse.
WARNINGS: tbd.

[ As far as assigned jobs went, Karkat supposes his could have been a lot worse. At least he has plenty of hands on experience in counselling morons in their stupid, sad problems. No, his main issue with the position is the man who he's expected to work under. Kirei Kotomine is supposedly the name of the nutjob he'd found wandering around the rubble of the apocalypse gleefully babbling nonsense -- and although he hasn't displayed any further off-color behavior since he started his job, Karkat keeps a wary eye on him.

After a few weeks, though, merely keeping an eye on him isn't enough to satisfy Karkat's suspicion. It's time to get to the bottom of this. It's nearing the end of the work day, when Karkat approaches him -- for once with something largely unrelated to work. ]

Okay, I think we've danced around this issue long enough. [ He asserts, arms tightly folded across his chest. ] I think all involved can agree that you're overdue for supplying a fucking explanation.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ As sinful a person as Kirei Kotomine may be, he isn't foolish. In company, he appears polite -- if a little too forthright in his honesty -- but he is never too bold in his gestures. Perhaps, here and there, one comment or two seems too cruel, but it's never enough to condemn him.

What Karkat saw, however, is another matter entirely.

Kirei is seated at his desk now, trying to arrange the files of the students he will be expected to see and advise. This job is not welcome in the slightest, although the preparation is taxing. Karkat's interruption is not welcome for this reason, and Kirei lifts his head from his work. ]

For? [ Kirei prompts, as if he hasn't the slightest notion. ]

For. Oh, I don't know, I wanted you to tell me about quantum physics. [ Is the derisive reply, Karkat's lip curling for a sneer. ] Or maybe what the deal was with you before we arrived here. That's also an acceptable alternative.

Ah. That. [ Kirei sets the folders aside, offering Karkat full attention. Kirei may be dishonest in ways, withholding truths or twisting it, but he isn't one to put on a show acting like an innocent. He doesn't grow dramatic or fake shame. Instead, he responds quite simply. ]

It is difficult for me to remember specifics. I do recall I acted quite obscenely. [ Half truths. He did act poorly, but he is not at all regretting that. ] I saw the whole world fall, like Revelations, and how can any person respond to that?

Yeah, so did all of us, but I didn't see anyone else wandering around projectile wordvomiting nonsense in one of the most embarrassing displays I'd had to witness to date. [ There's a pause, and Karkat's already existing frown deepens. ] Revelations?

[ Human religion escapes him. ]

Edited 2014-02-18 18:07 (UTC)

[ The question takes Kirei's attention sooner than the indirect insult. Given Karkat's appearance, it's not hard to place him as one of a more 'different' world. ] Are you unfamiliar with the concept?

Where you came from, was there no God?

[ It's a purposefully overdramatic statement; to see how Karkat would respond. ]

Hahahahahaha.

[ The laugh isn't a kind one -- it's the sort of laugh you might give watching someone fall flat on their ass. ]

Where I came from, I was the closest thing to a God this planet could lay claim to.

Oh?

[ It's an amused inquiry, carrying the tone of a laugh underneath it. ]

Let me explain then: Revelations is from the book of God [ he doesn't specify 'my' God ] it tells of the apocalypse.

Tell me, when you were close to Godhood, did you have any similar experience?

I've witnessed so many apocalypses at this stage that I could probably write my own undoubtedly more accurate and informative "Revelations".

[ Another laugh, low and quiet, and Kirei nods his head. ]

That does explain why you handled it all so well. Others, like myself, lack your experience.

I was overwhelmed.

[ Ah. Flattery, the weakness of any creature with a combination of little to no self esteem and a lot of pride. There's a flicker in Karkat's expression, taken off guard, before he fixes the irritated scowl back in place, drawing himself up a little taller. ]

Yeah, well. I guess we can't all be as composed in the face of widespread catastrophe and suffering as I am. Fine. [ He lifts a hand, pointing a finger directly at Kirei's face. ] You get a pass, for now, as long as you keep that shit under wraps from now on.

[ Kirei smiles, but not too broadly. Even with his convenient alibi, it would be wise not to make too many imPorts overtly suspicious of him. ]

I assure you, I will be very prepared for the next apocalypse.

[ It's meant to seem lighthearted, but there is an honesty in it as well. It was quite a sight to behold last time, and well worth repeating. ]

But tell me more about yourself, Karkat Vantas.

[ Karkat's hand drops to his side, rather than resume the tight knot of folded arms, and the look he gives Kirei is appraising. Trying to evaluate whether or not the interest is genuine, or some set up for a joke at his expense. ]

You'll have to be more specific. I'm a pretty big deal, there's a lot to cover.

[ Kirei arches a brow, then rests his elbows on the desk, fingers knitting together. ]

I certainly can't expect someone to likens themselves to a God to have a simple story.

We can start with the most relevant: this place is said to summon heroes. Do you think that's an accurate description of yourself?

[ Everyone always leads with the questions Karkat doesn't want to answer. On the word heroes, something in Karkat's posture tenses up -- one of his hands curls into a fist. ]

No. [ Whatever he might want, whatever he might have tried, the answer to that question has been proven by experience. His voice is sharp. Harsh. ] No, I don't. I have more important things to do with my time and effort than gallivanting around in some stupid disguise pulling purrbeasts out of trees.

[ As Karkat's response gets more tense, Kirei's smile spreads wider. He shrugs his shoulders and he nods, as if this is all perfectly understandable. ]

I thought not.

After all, a God would have much more important things on His hands, wouldn't He?

[ His lips are smirking, tone somewhere between joking and sincere. He wants to see how far Karkat will illuminate the comparison, or if he'll shy away as he did with the idea of heroism. ]

[ It's much easier to call himself a God than a hero. He never wanted to be a God, and never believed himself to be one -- it was never authentic. ]

Damn fucking straight. Although, uh... [ How to put it? ] The universe I made kind of blew the fuck up a while back, where I came from.

[ He is not sure how something 'kind of' blows up, but his attention is snared. ]

Oh? [ The idea of such a tragedy: not just a world, but an entire universe, has him leaning forward in his seat. ] And how did a thing like that happen?

The genetic code was flawed. [ He walked into this. While Kirei leans forward, Karkat has to suppress the desire to step back. ] I made a mistake, when we were making it. It was sick.

[ Noting Karkat's retreat with some amusement, Kirei tilts his head. ] I was not aware a universe could become 'sick.'

What did you do?

There are a lot of things about how a universe is born and dies you probably aren't aware of. [ And likely wouldn't believe, for good reason, if given the whole story.

There's an irritable sigh, and he pinches the bridge of his nose, before snapping-- ] I gave it cancer, okay?

[ Kirei is silent for several seconds. Karkat is likely correct: there's things of Karkat's world that Kirei does not know nor understand. The idea of an entire world infected by cancer? It seems surreal, but surely things from Kirei's history would inspire a similar reaction.

Kirei finally replies, and his tone is deceptively gentle. ]

Do you really blame yourself?

It's got nothing to do with blaming myself. [ That gentle tone only seems to get Karkat's hackles up even further -- pity is what he reads in Kirei's tone, and it's a reading he disdains. ] And even if it did I don't see what that has to do with anything we were talking about. Because it doesn't have anything to do with it. Nothing is what it has to do with it.

Next question.

[ His smile returns as a twitch in the corner of his mouth, as Karkat overcompensates. ]

Forgive my misunderstanding.

Well, [ He begins, considering him. ] with that taken into consideration, did you have much time to act as God at all?

I'm curious to what someone does, when handed that level of power.

We were barred from entry to the universe we created. We couldn't get in, because of the way the cancer I gave it chose to manifest. All we could do was watch.

I see. [ he remarks a bit pensively. He wonders at that: watching not just an entire world burn, but to see a whole universe destroy itself. It's a grander scale than he ever imagined possible... and now it fills him with curiosity and promise.

He takes a pause, as if mulling this all over, before he continues. ]

Most would break under the weight of such a thing... yet here you stand.

You're an extraordinary person, aren't you, Karkat?

[ Taken off guard, Karkat's scowl slips, revealing a much younger-looking, much more honest expression -- outright confusion. Of all the reactions he'd expect to someone finding out he'd been responsible for an entire universe dying, being called extraordinary was not one of them. ]

I... guess? [ Comes the hesitant response, at first, before some part of him remembers it needs to save face. ] I mean, yeah, I'm incredible and my accomplishments are incredible, even the ones that ended in the most enthusiastic screaming failure the multiverse has ever witnessed, the fact that I'm even taking time out of my busy ex-godly schedule to acknowledge your existence should have you paralyzed with all consuming awe.

[ Kirei doesn't miss it: that way Karkat's face seems to open up. His heart is far from hardened, as much as he seems eager to appear otherwise, and that... that is a wonderful piece of potential.

Kirei smiles a little wider and he chuckles softly. ]

Forgive my hesitance to grovel; my vows belong to another God. [ He feigns thoughtfulness for a moment, turning a seemingly playful reply into a more sincere invitation. ] But I would offer my services in other ways, if you wish it.

[ Karkat's brow furrows again, this time with guarded curiosity. ]

Your services. What kind of services?

As a priest, I have experience in providing counsel.

[ that may be why he has this job in the first place ]

It need not be a religious practice; I am content to offer my ear, should you desire it.

I have experience in providing counsel too. In case you didn't notice, we're counselors. [ Comes the dry response, before he shrugs. Some part of him can appreciate the gesture, but if anything, he's said too much this conversation-- and isn't keen to reveal much more of himself. ]

Are you going to tell me anything about yourself, or was this intended to be a one-sided game of twenty questions?

That is presuming you have faith in our government to actually place the right men in the right jobs. [ commotion on the network has not made this a very promising assumption ]

If you have questions, I am willing to answer. Although I will say my life is nowhere near as eventful as yours seems to be.

This has basically been my job in everything but an official capacity for longer than I really give enough of a shit to quantify. [ He sizes Kirei up, trying to think of a question... ]

Do you think hero is an accurate descriptor, of yourself?

[ Kirei offers a small shake of his head. ] No, I do not.

Perhaps, in a way, I served God's will and did His work -- I killed in His name -- but that would describe me among the faithful, more than the heroic. I do possess the means to fight, if that is how one qualifies it; however, you would expect a hero to have the desire to use those means for greater purposes, and I have no such inspiration.

[ Kirei allows a beat, thinking on how much to admit, before he continues. ]

Yet I believe there is a reason I am summoned here, and given such a title.

[ The more Kirei mentions God, the deeper Karkat's scowl gets. Killing in his name...

His chronic disdain for religion aside, he's had bad experiences with people killing in "God's" name. ]

Don't tell me you think it's connected to religion. [ The scoffing way he says religion leaves no room for doubt regarding his views on the subject. ]

Not at all.

[ Kirei dismisses this simply. Odd words to be coming from a man who has been with the Church since birth, but Kirei is far from a true priest. He lived his life in service of God, and it offered him no salvation.

That is why he turned to another object, another messiah, to answer his questions... but the Grail is no longer here. ]

If the answer was religion, I would have been left to continue on my own path, would I not? [ It seems like simple reasoning. ] I believe this is something else.

After all, the machine calls for heroes; not disciples.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

who even let these guys work here

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject