Because he wants to fancy himself a man capable of heroism, and to be such a man, there must be another to play the villain. I could explain to you the needless specifics of either incident, but the truth is as simple as that.
Well, I don't. Last time was something of a special occasion, seeing as winding up in my brother's apothecarion is something I typically try to avoid. But if you wish to see a man cut open alive on dear Fabius' operating slab, why not simply ask him? You'll have ample opportunity. It's not as though the man has any other hobbies.
Not to say that I don't have my own interests in that whining bug, but that is another matter.
Because I know what he is capable of, and he isn't an incompetent sort. He and I have a business arrangement.
[ And, like, some other stuff related to the specific week where this happened, but those thoughts are something Lucius has not intention of confessing to. ]
Granted, I hardly know either of you, so I cannot comment on how similar or dissimilar you are. After all, I've only ever spoken with you on this device, and I only met Fabius once. He threatened to dissect me, and I laughed in his face. I simply didn't put a face to the name until now.
The point is merely that it benefits us both to keep our relationship a cooperative one. Too much bad blood has already spilled between us for anything more or less than that.
Now, do you consider your curiosity sated? I'd like to turn my thoughts to more pleasant topics - such as flaying a man alive, perhaps, or seeing him torn in half from collar to groin. I am a bit peckish.
'Deserve it'? I'm surprised. You didn't strike me as the type to subscribe to such trivial notions of worth. But, then again, it's as you said: you do work at a prison.
Whereas I would say that none do. Luckily, I don't care enough to quibble when the conclusion is the same in the end: all deserve equally what happens to them in the end.
Because my will is greater than anyone else's, and so whatever I desire is rightfully mine.
A man might merit killing for any number of reasons β but in the end, if his will to survive were greater than my desire to kill him, he would find a way not to die. Simple, isn't it?
[ That question finds its mark in a way AM's other queries haven't. Immediately, Lucius can feel unease prickle up his spine, the words teasing at thoughts he'd rather keep buried. He tamps them down before they've had the chance to coalesce into anything more than ill-formed shapes within his traitorous mind, and in the blank space left by their absence, his answer forms quickly. ]
No. It is a matter of destiny.
[ It isn't a lie, even if it is less than the whole truth. After all, does Lucius the Eternal seem like anything less than a man who supposes the very Fates look upon his life and smile? ]
[ Is this really the game we're going to play? he almost asks, but perhaps it will suit him better to play along for now. ]
It is what it is. I do not believe it is designed by some being with its own will - but there are times when a coincidence is simply too great, wouldn't you say?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
<0100000101001101>
Do you know why he has made more than one attempt on your life?
Don't worry. I have no plans of locking you up in the prison or anything of the sort. I'm simply curious.
<aeternus>
Because he wants to fancy himself a man capable of heroism, and to be such a man, there must be another to play the villain.
I could explain to you the needless specifics of either incident, but the truth is as simple as that.
<0100000101001101>
[It amuses him all the same. Typical human, of course, just wanting violence for the sake of it...]
Do you plan on doing it again?
<aeternus>
But if you wish to see a man cut open alive on dear Fabius' operating slab, why not simply ask him? You'll have ample opportunity. It's not as though the man has any other hobbies.
Not to say that I don't have my own interests in that whining bug, but that is another matter.
<0100000101001101>
<aeternus>
Because I know what he is capable of, and he isn't an incompetent sort. He and I have a business arrangement.
[ And, like, some other stuff related to the specific week where this happened, but those thoughts are something Lucius has not intention of confessing to. ]
<0100000101001101>
<aeternus>
Have you no one whose proclivities you simply find distasteful?
<0100000101001101>
Granted, I hardly know either of you, so I cannot comment on how similar or dissimilar you are. After all, I've only ever spoken with you on this device, and I only met Fabius once. He threatened to dissect me, and I laughed in his face. I simply didn't put a face to the name until now.
<aeternus>
The point is merely that it benefits us both to keep our relationship a cooperative one. Too much bad blood has already spilled between us for anything more or less than that.
Now, do you consider your curiosity sated? I'd like to turn my thoughts to more pleasant topics - such as flaying a man alive, perhaps, or seeing him torn in half from collar to groin. I am a bit peckish.
<0100000101001101>
I suppose my curiosity is sated for now.
Well, why don't you go out and find a man, then, to enact those desires on? There are plenty of humans here who deserve it.
<aeternus>
In any case, I think I will.
<0100000101001101>
Everyone deserves it.
<aeternus>
<0100000101001101>
<aeternus>
Do you know why it is that I was blessed as the Youngest God's Champion, AM?
<0100000101001101>
No, I do not know why.
<aeternus>
A man might merit killing for any number of reasons β but in the end, if his will to survive were greater than my desire to kill him, he would find a way not to die.
Simple, isn't it?
<0100000101001101>
I suppose it is simple, especially when you seem to have no consequences for failure.
<aeternus>
True enough! In either case, the point remains: Whatever you say a man deserves, it means far less than the will to make sure he gets it.
<0100000101001101>
Would you say then that you are still in Ryslig because that is your will?
<aeternus>
No. It is a matter of destiny.
[ It isn't a lie, even if it is less than the whole truth. After all, does Lucius the Eternal seem like anything less than a man who supposes the very Fates look upon his life and smile? ]
<0100000101001101>
Destiny is what, the will of a greater power?
<aeternus>
It is what it is. I do not believe it is designed by some being with its own will - but there are times when a coincidence is simply too great, wouldn't you say?
<0100000101001101>
Yes, I suppose. And yet the universe is full of great coincidences. But if that's what your definition of "destiny" is, I can't fault it.
<aeternus>
<0100000101001101>
<aeternus>
<0100000101001101>
<aeternus>