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[outofoffice]

[ Rather than a voicemail, there's just a brief melody on a lyre ]

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NOTIFS NO

[cryovision]

Don't spoil it too quickly.

[Hrrrmmm. He agreed to talk but now he's not sure he wants to?? He never wants to, but yelling into nothing didn't help and he's here, so. He may as well.

Still, he sips his drink and frown a bit before he says anything.]

...There was a troublesome game.

[outofoffice]

Hmmm . . . that's two in a row, isn't it?

[cryovision]

Hm? The last one wasn't so bad. Cecilia & I had a lovely time, in the end.

[Of course not having a choice about it wasn't like, good, in any capacity, but they had fun and are fine!]

[outofoffice]

[ Ahahaha;;;;;;; ]

How fortunate indeed!

Well then, this one must have been considerably worse.

[cryovision]

I take it you had a rougher time.

[can he dodge his own problems for just a tiiiny bit longer maybe]

[outofoffice]

Hmm? Are you hedging?

Should I take the wine back?

[cryovision]

--You should not.

[POUT. You're too hard to manipulate!!]

It was a labyrinth where we were tasked with maiming one another. There were mind-controlling aspects.

[outofoffice]

. . . Ah.

To encourage reluctant participants along, I assume?

[cryovision]

Yes. ...I was the only Sorbet there, but we won.

[outofoffice]

[ a h ]

And how much did the mind control factor into your victory?

[cryovision]

...It's hard to say.

[And that's what he's upset about! He can't tell how much was manipulation and how much was just his own inner darkness and now he trusts himself even less than usual and wants to crawl into a hole.]

I thought that everyone else was playing seriously. And that, if I didn't, my teammates would die. But I can't claim I wouldn't have enjoyed the fighting regardless.

[outofoffice]

Are you wondering at the moral implications of playing to win in a game like that? It's only human nature to want to survive.

As for enjoyment, well . . .

[ a pause ]

Some of you just get off on that kind of thing, you know? It's not that unusual.

[ CHILDE. ]

[cryovision]

It's not that kind of enjoyment, you crude bard.

[Really. Who do you think he is!!]

[outofoffice]

That's what they all say! ☆

[cryovision]

[lightly kicks venti in the knee! He's too lazy to get up and too tired to be cool.]

Nice to know you're thinking about me getting off.

[outofoffice]

[ COMPLETELY SHAMELESS: ]

That's the hazard in a place like this, isn't it?

[cryovision]

I suppose I should just be flattered, hm?

[gently attempting to push venti over now. with his foot.]

[outofoffice]

[ He flops over with a little oof, like the literal lightweight he is. ]

Obviously!

[cryovision]

Aha! Behold, I have toppled a god.

[ :) ]

[outofoffice]

You have sullied divinity with your foot.

[cryovision]

You were already being awfully filthy, my dear. I doubt I could sully you further.

[outofoffice]

[ Throwing an arm over his eyes in a mock swoon ]

How dare you! I'm merely an innocent witness to the myriad crimes of this world.

[cryovision]

Oh, sure.

[Pavo finishes his mug of wine and, after making a sad face at it, flops over in the grass next to Zephyr with a sigh.]

I am, admittedly, a terrible perpetrator of crimes.

[outofoffice]

Is that why this sinner comes looking for absolution?

[ Letting his arm flop back into the grass ]

Unfortunately, this god sees no crimes deserving of it!

I could lie and tell you that the wine has been sanctified, though.

[cryovision]

[ahahaahahahahahHAHAHAH "sinner" is a great word and Pavo definitely doesn't flinch when he hears it]

Hmmm... Perhaps it's my future crimes that might need absolution. Is that something I can get in advance?