IC SUGGESTION BOX

[lordofthering]

A real suggestions box hanging outside of the Ringmaster's "office."
Slot takes paper letters and perhaps very small animals.

Comments

[lordofthering]

I feel like this conversation is punishment enough, on its own.

[She looks him over, arching an eyebrow. She does hope they actually talk about it. Both of them are very difficult, in their own ways.]

I'm not sure what you're looking for, Papyrus. I'm not going to punish you for something you were compelled to do by the Void, even if the consequences were terrible.

[spaghettimonster]

[As families do, some of those difficulties are habits of pushing too hard to be unlike the other's sort of difficulty. Reactions, of trying not to be what he dislikes.]

Oh... You're not?

[He's startled, and looks right back at her again.]

I thought... Not a punishment, but, an opportunity of self-reflection. Like running a gauntlet! One where the important thing is, not getting to the end, even though that's important too, but that you really try.

[Papyrus leans back, looks up at the sky.]

But... If that gauntlet, is instead a conversation? That's fine.

[lordofthering]

[She can't help but feel endeared by him, saying stuff like that. Its like when he asked to have cat feet out of solidarity. The Ringmaster is quiet for a few moments, and then:]

If self reflection is what you want... perhaps discussing your feelings would be advisable. You sounded like you'd had a bit of an epiphany a moment ago.

[spaghettimonster]

Urk. W-Well... I said I would! And I'm not a skeleton to go against his word. Which is, uh...

[He takes a minute to gather himself, staring up at those stars. They look a lot more real than the glowing crystals of the underground... But are they like the moon, here? Smaller and a lot closer than the 'real' ones are? Rita's book has a lot to say about real stars, and... and Sans has been here long enough he might know more about these. He should ask, later. They could talk up here, too.]

...Most days, I know myself very well. Even when what I know, is that I don't know something. And I know my magic just as intimately! Exactly the effect my magic would have... How much harm it could possibly do... How to pull back, to not do too much.

[Even with the situations he's found himself in, out here... Others are the ones to make the call, whether someone needs to die.]

But, I never thought about what would happen, if I was me, but... without that. Not minding hurting people. Because, I never want to hurt anybody! To... kill anybody. So I'm always pulling that last blow.

And... then... I didn't.

[lordofthering]

[She has some questions, but she wants to allow Papyrus to go over this thought, since that's what they're doing now. One thing she isn't sure of, though:]

Do you feel your actions as a Harbinger impact the person you were before and will be after? The Void is a force outside of your control.

[spaghettimonster]

Maybe?

[He isn't sure either, but he's sure he isn't sure, and tries to explain it.]

It's... like Portland, isn't it? Not exactly me, but not not me. Different, in ways I didn't choose to be...