Steven 'Sharpteeth' Durante (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
fingersandteeth) wrote2022-02-21 05:11 pm
fingersandteeth) wrote2022-02-21 05:11 pm
Here's an idea: keep my name out of your goddamned mouth.
Noted.
[He doesn't have time for this.]
[He doesn't have time for this.]
Some of us aren't keen on airing laundry about mistakes. But good. On all fronts.
I don't plan to elaborate past what I told him so far. And if I have to use it as a teaching example again (and I might because it's a useful one), I'll just say 'myself and two others' or something like that.
After a couple days, Hythlodaeus sends a message containing an image of a very fussy looking cake in the shape of a sleeping Tropius.
I hope you are enjoying yourself. I found myself taking the time I would ordinarily with your cooking lesson to make a cake.
Do you have a favorite Pokémon, Steven?
I hope you are enjoying yourself. I found myself taking the time I would ordinarily with your cooking lesson to make a cake.
Do you have a favorite Pokémon, Steven?
Edited 2020-08-11 06:28 (UTC)
More or less, yeah. Jack got us a room at the fanciest hotel in Eterna City and it's very comfortable. I've been doing tourist shit and interviewing the other Otherworlders and talking into my recorder about the tourist experience here.
Jack is mostly just experimenting with Sinnoh liquor, but that's Jack.
I found an herb store that made me think of you. I'll snap some pictures when I go back and you can tell me if there's anything you want me to bring back for you as a souvenir.
Your cake looks cool. Is that fondant or modeling chocolate on top?
I'm not sure if I have an absolute favorite pokemon species, just a type (Ghost) but I do have a favorite pokemon of *mine* and that's Fail Whale, my wailord.
He's an asshole, but he's *my* asshole. You know?
After a moment he adds,
I. Wasn't sure how pissed off at me you still were over. Well. You know. Which is why I haven't texted lately.
Jack is mostly just experimenting with Sinnoh liquor, but that's Jack.
I found an herb store that made me think of you. I'll snap some pictures when I go back and you can tell me if there's anything you want me to bring back for you as a souvenir.
Your cake looks cool. Is that fondant or modeling chocolate on top?
I'm not sure if I have an absolute favorite pokemon species, just a type (Ghost) but I do have a favorite pokemon of *mine* and that's Fail Whale, my wailord.
He's an asshole, but he's *my* asshole. You know?
After a moment he adds,
I. Wasn't sure how pissed off at me you still were over. Well. You know. Which is why I haven't texted lately.
Chocolate, of course. Chocolate and banana are a sublime combination, wouldn’t you agree?
I shall do my research and write you a recipe soon enough, then.
Hmmm... You have known me for a short while, Steven. To be clear, I never did stop being truly angry.
Yet I alone am in control of my thoughts and actions.
Does that upset you?
I shall do my research and write you a recipe soon enough, then.
Hmmm... You have known me for a short while, Steven. To be clear, I never did stop being truly angry.
Yet I alone am in control of my thoughts and actions.
Does that upset you?
That you're still pissed off at me?
I don't know.
I don't think I'd quite realized you still were. Because you've been so kind to me. But it makes sense in a way, that you might be. And just-- focusing on other shit.
You're so controlled. I envy that.
(And, weirdly, your ability to evoke such visceral terror with a single unhinged grin. How the fuck do you even do that and how do I learn it?)
I don't know.
I don't think I'd quite realized you still were. Because you've been so kind to me. But it makes sense in a way, that you might be. And just-- focusing on other shit.
You're so controlled. I envy that.
(And, weirdly, your ability to evoke such visceral terror with a single unhinged grin. How the fuck do you even do that and how do I learn it?)
You can be controlled too, Steven. You just have to want it.
(This is simply another aspect of control. Or perhaps, a slight loss of one. Either way, it is much easier to take a man who possesses himself more seriously.)
My anger has a purpose, Steven. You will become a better man with my guidance. One that does not make me angry, one worthy of being truly forgiven.
(This is simply another aspect of control. Or perhaps, a slight loss of one. Either way, it is much easier to take a man who possesses himself more seriously.)
My anger has a purpose, Steven. You will become a better man with my guidance. One that does not make me angry, one worthy of being truly forgiven.
I know. I know. I'm working on it, honestly. Along with the cognitive empathy exercises. I don't know if it's apparent yet, but I *am* working on it.
And-- I do understand, I think. I *want* to be a better man. I'm not all that content with the me that I am now.
... although and I hate to ask, because it feels like I'm begging for scraps of compliments, but. *Is* there anything about me as I am now that you find at all... god. I don't even know. Likable. Acceptable. Worthy of attention? Or are you still just doing this because it's better strategically in the long run to turn an enemy into an ally rather than crush them and lose the resource they represent? I guess what I'm wondering is if I'm a fool who's altogether too willing to provide emotional support to someone who doesn't even really like me, just because I like *you* despite myself and also I'm getting something out of it. I guess it doesn't even have to be the me that I am now, it could even be that better man you want me to be, I just.
Fuck. I don't know. I guess it's that I get the impression that Hades actually *likes* Tyler to some degree or did until he hurt you and as he keeps stressing to me, *you* have absolutely no reason to actually like *me*.
And-- I do understand, I think. I *want* to be a better man. I'm not all that content with the me that I am now.
... although and I hate to ask, because it feels like I'm begging for scraps of compliments, but. *Is* there anything about me as I am now that you find at all... god. I don't even know. Likable. Acceptable. Worthy of attention? Or are you still just doing this because it's better strategically in the long run to turn an enemy into an ally rather than crush them and lose the resource they represent? I guess what I'm wondering is if I'm a fool who's altogether too willing to provide emotional support to someone who doesn't even really like me, just because I like *you* despite myself and also I'm getting something out of it. I guess it doesn't even have to be the me that I am now, it could even be that better man you want me to be, I just.
Fuck. I don't know. I guess it's that I get the impression that Hades actually *likes* Tyler to some degree or did until he hurt you and as he keeps stressing to me, *you* have absolutely no reason to actually like *me*.
Despite your shortcomings, Steven, I do like you. I need you to understand the nature of our relationship. I cannot share myself with those I cannot control. I have purposefully placed myself in a position to control you as I need to, but that does afford you the ability to truly see me, Steven.
I don't let many see me. I like to watch, and it does diminish my ability to do that— being seen...
It is not troublesome for you to ask such a straightforward thing of me, I am not forthright with such compliments otherwise. You do have qualities I appreciate and admire. A love for arts, a zest for life, a desire to protect your comrades. These are all positive qualities that you have not yet had the time to fully explore and enforce in your own personality.
I do like you, Steven. At the same time I can be angry with you. Emet-Selch spends quite a lot of time angry or irate with me, yet I am secure that I cannot lose his love so easily. So... be at ease, Steven. I will guide you well.
I don't let many see me. I like to watch, and it does diminish my ability to do that— being seen...
It is not troublesome for you to ask such a straightforward thing of me, I am not forthright with such compliments otherwise. You do have qualities I appreciate and admire. A love for arts, a zest for life, a desire to protect your comrades. These are all positive qualities that you have not yet had the time to fully explore and enforce in your own personality.
I do like you, Steven. At the same time I can be angry with you. Emet-Selch spends quite a lot of time angry or irate with me, yet I am secure that I cannot lose his love so easily. So... be at ease, Steven. I will guide you well.
No, no, I do get it. I'm not used to anger burning so cold that I can't even detect it, but I do get that you can be angry with people you like. I just-- wanted to make sure you liked me at all, I guess. Silly as it is.
And-- I get not wanting to share yourself with people you can't control. I do. Even if it's soft control, like you're doing with me, where you use favors and persuasion and knowledge of my own psyche to manipulate me where you need me to be. That's-- well. I think that's my preferred method, too. Even if there's something nice about the thought of just *making* people do what I want them to, ordering them around and what have you, I *know* that it's not the smart way, nor the best way.
I *am* glad that you like me. And that you're teaching me.
And-- I get not wanting to share yourself with people you can't control. I do. Even if it's soft control, like you're doing with me, where you use favors and persuasion and knowledge of my own psyche to manipulate me where you need me to be. That's-- well. I think that's my preferred method, too. Even if there's something nice about the thought of just *making* people do what I want them to, ordering them around and what have you, I *know* that it's not the smart way, nor the best way.
I *am* glad that you like me. And that you're teaching me.
Most people do hate being ordered around. It is best to lead them by the nose without their realization. But if you aren’t careful, manipulation will earn others’ scorn much faster and much more permanently.
I really must insist that you continue to try to get along with Emet-Selch. He really is a very sweet man.
I really must insist that you continue to try to get along with Emet-Selch. He really is a very sweet man.
Sweet to you, maybe. He's an utter bitch to me. (And yes, I brought it on myself.)
But I'll do my best. At the very *least* I won't be the first foresworn.
But I'll do my best. At the very *least* I won't be the first foresworn.
Give him time, and he may surprise you. Strange as it may seem, he is a very forgiving man. You two just may get along yet.
[Steven receives a textless message with a file attachment: a single photo of a beedrill wearing a Champion's ribbon around its neck, hovering above a.... let's say a 'distinctively shaped' Banette, which is holding its own ribbon up in its creepy little hands, apparently showing it to the Beedrill.
The shot provides a really great view of the Banette's bulbous and impudently-jutting derrière.]
The shot provides a really great view of the Banette's bulbous and impudently-jutting derrière.]
I see Plush Rump is really living up to his name these days.
(I'll watch the whole thing when we're back in Johto, but as soon as you sent the picture, I scoured staryutube to find the video where they announce your team and present them with the ribbons. The way Lance choked on his words when he got to Plush Rump? Absolutely *priceless*.)
Still, congratulations. Any plans of opening up a gym to get that sweet gym leader stipend?
Oh and do you want any souvenirs from Sinnoh? I mean, besides copies of everything I've been recording for 'An Otherworld Tourist's etc etc.'
(I'll watch the whole thing when we're back in Johto, but as soon as you sent the picture, I scoured staryutube to find the video where they announce your team and present them with the ribbons. The way Lance choked on his words when he got to Plush Rump? Absolutely *priceless*.)
Still, congratulations. Any plans of opening up a gym to get that sweet gym leader stipend?
Oh and do you want any souvenirs from Sinnoh? I mean, besides copies of everything I've been recording for 'An Otherworld Tourist's etc etc.'
Edited 2020-08-15 19:00 (UTC)
A Gym... I'll think about it.
I didn't mention this before, but one of the reasons I've remained on base here in Rocket HQ is to keep John from tracking me down. Building a Gym is doing pretty much the opposite.
But I've laid low long enough.
I think it's about time I start asking for trouble to find me, rather than the other way around.
As for Sinnoh, bring me whatever you think might be relevant or unique.
I didn't mention this before, but one of the reasons I've remained on base here in Rocket HQ is to keep John from tracking me down. Building a Gym is doing pretty much the opposite.
But I've laid low long enough.
I think it's about time I start asking for trouble to find me, rather than the other way around.
As for Sinnoh, bring me whatever you think might be relevant or unique.
Oh Jesus, yeah. I can see how that would be a thing. John's a nice kid and all, but I remember enough from early Homestuck that I wouldn't want to give him access to place of residence, lest he deploy his Prankster's Gambit.
That said, gyms aren't mandatory and I suspect that more often than not people just use them as an excuse to get the Aurora League to build them whatever structure that gym is attached to. (At least, that's what *I'd* do.) So don't feel like you've got to force it.
Anyway, good luck with looking for trouble.
As for your souvenir, I'll see what I can do. Maybe there'll be something at Special Field Trip #1 tomorrow.
That said, gyms aren't mandatory and I suspect that more often than not people just use them as an excuse to get the Aurora League to build them whatever structure that gym is attached to. (At least, that's what *I'd* do.) So don't feel like you've got to force it.
Anyway, good luck with looking for trouble.
As for your souvenir, I'll see what I can do. Maybe there'll be something at Special Field Trip #1 tomorrow.
Edited 2020-08-25 21:11 (UTC)
Yeah.... the Prankster's Gambit isn't exactly the problem. But it's nothing to lose sleep over.
See you in a few weeks.
See you in a few weeks.
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