audio; un: centuryegg

[fellsound]

( the voice that pipes up on the network only does so after a prolonged pause, and when it does, it's... flat. quiet. spacing out words carefully as though it's trying very hard to think of the right way of phrasing things.

or like it's simply never figured out how to talk correctly. )

... What are humans like, in your world? Are they... good?

( he's met humans here, both otherworlders and natives, and seen Red Wine post asking how Food Souls would be treated on other worlds, but he asks the question anyway.

Cordyceps would not approve of this, but Cordyceps isn't here. the situation is different. the aims and goals are different. and the people he listens to are different too. )

Comments

[judgementor]

Ah...

[Something does clench up in the centre of his chest at that. He knows enough of what had happened to Century Egg to understand what a large step that would be for him, and yet... he also knows Century Egg well enough to realise that if he tilts himself into this wish without any caution, it could go very badly.

But he isn't going to discourage him. Not at all. He'll just watch from a distance and make sure no one is taking advantage.]

That's good... I'm glad. I know you'll find people here who can treat you well.

[fellsound]

( it's a little easier to think that way here. these people aren't Tierran. they don't even understand what a food soul is. and they're both nice and impossible to avoid unless he stays in the house constantly.

if only practically, he needs to trust people here enough that they stand a chance of returning to their home world again. so he can be reunited with Cordyceps, bathe in his light once more, and take his rightful place as his weapon. )

... Hm. ( he thinks he's met a couple already, at least. ) I hope... you're right.

[judgementor]

[It does help, a little, to not have that mixed responsibility, weight and stigma of being a Food Soul hanging over you. Red Wine has grown used to it, and of having to explain exactly what he is if someone questions it, but he doesn't mind that as much.

Mostly, people just treat him like another person... and that's nice, most of the time.]

If it ever happens that I'm not, you'll have me at your side. [If anyone dares harm Century Egg...]

I promise.

[fellsound]

( mostly, not being a Food Soul is something Century Egg has regarded as a problem. he doesn't have the same strengths and abilities as he did back home.

but being devoid of all of the awareness and expectation that comes with being one... that's kind of nice, he realises. )

...Thank you.

( he doesn't know what else to say. Red Wine has been nothing but helpful and giving since they met. has shown him a different kind of kindness to that of Cordyceps and Chishui Moth Tea.

he can only repay that in bloodshed, should Red Wine ever need it. )

can we wrap this one?

[judgementor]

[Ah, the strange promises that Century Egg somehow has the ability to pull out of him. He knows they are things that the other Food Soul needs to hear, and at the same time Red Wine knows the value of an oath and wouldn't simply say things in order to gain the other's trust.

He knows that if it comes to it, he'll follow through.]

Of course.

[Though that doesn't mean he doesn't feel discomforted by all of it, regardless...]