mental link (inbox)

[unsea]

there are NO OTHERS like us.	i taught him that he had NO EQUAL
i understand the desire TO REMAIN FREE	peace, on my terms. (WITHOUT REMORSE) [or you] will cease to exist.

( CODE BY WHAMBAM )

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[decommission]

[ His gaze falls upon the offered hand, but Steve's not looking to buy what the Darkling's selling. Doesn't fully understand the nature of it, doesn't trust it. Ren did, though, in his grief-stricken state - would he do the same again? Would the others? Too much about their powers function like two way streets.

Eyes narrow, lifting to the Darkling's face again. ]

We're supposed to work together. [ Trust each other. ] But we've each got our choices to make.

[ Which is to say again that there's a line drawn, dividing them. ]

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[ Thought as much. Still, it hadn't hurt to make an offer. To extend the courtesy.

He was anything but impolite. Conniving, corrupting and utterly dedicated, yes. Impolite? Naaaaaaah. ]

I don't stand against the nest, Steve. [ Far from it. ] Ah, but it's not just choices.

[ There may be a line, but he will insist that it was not he who drew it. ]

It's whether or not we will accept one another for who they are, not who we wanted them to be. That's unity.

[decommission]

[ He believes that much, the promise that the Darkling wouldn't stand against the Nest willingly. It'd be like cutting your own arm off, their short battle alone did enough harm.

Problem comes when they've both got opposing ideas on what standing against the Nest means.

His jaw tightens as he shakes his head. ]

I don't believe that. Sometimes you have to do better, try harder.

[ Ren's like an angry toddler with the power to wreck a whole room with his tantrums. ]

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I would never wish for you to be anything other than the better man, Steve. [ Ah, a clever turn in the conversation. A denial and an easy compliment.

Steve is bright. Steve is a man made of better angels and a sense of duty. He could very well be among the best of them, and where would he be, without - arguably - others to reflect that. The Darkling is too old, too honest about what he is, to change in his ways.

And Ren - is confused and violent, but must be allowed to be if he's ever going to find a way that was not forced upon him by another. ]

But, I want what is best for us all. My methods are not wrong, only different. Accept that, or do not. We already know where one another stands.

[decommission]

[ The compliment doesn't do much to mollify him, his mouth twisting at one side. He'd say there's plenty wrong with any method that involves inciting someone already prone to murderous violence into more of the same, and it's hard for him to find any good intentions in that choice. He can't ever (won't ever) budge -

and it's only a small, foreign voice within him that protests, that craves simple agreement, that reminds him of the echo of blows turned back on broodmates, but it's enough to - maybe for the first time in his life, feel a crack of uncertainty on his stance.

He pushes it back with more force than necessary, his tone flattening. ]

I guess that's all there is to say.

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[ The voice speaks to him as well, and it is a cool, rational voice. The best thing to do, for the betterment of the whole, would be to compromise with Steve. To lead by example, to put aside pride and find a common ground - they would be stronger for it, if he could do this. They would all be empowered by it, and it sings - wisely, to his sense of command. To control. To his prior role as a leader and general, to do this.

( Like hell. ) There are other ways, ones that do not require relinquishing his resolve. ]

I suppose it is. I admire you, Steve. You, and what you'll do for us all.

[ The polite way of saying "unstoppable vs. immovable" maybe. ]

[decommission]

[ If Steve could say the same, he would. As it stands - he gives the Darkling a measuring look before moving to step outside the room to head toward -

he doesn't know yet. Probably to hang around the living area until the Darkling leaves.

Awkward. ]

[unsea]