(no subject)

[thekingsgambit]

[This afternoon finds one failemp in his usual haunt in the library, practically walled in by piles of books on the occult. Yet, the laptop in front of him reveals only a blank page. He stares harder at the open curse book at his side, as if he could will the words to stop swimming together in his head. Thus far, he has managed little success.]

Comments

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Looks like he's going to snap back and then draws back in his chair and puts his attention on the laptop.]

... Was the book the only instance of this?

[ascendthethorns]

That's yet to be determined.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

I see...

I will look over that one when you are finished with it then. It would be useful to determine its variations from the other... incident that month.

[ascendthethorns]

You'll have to be more specific; last October saw many... incidents.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

The spirit that posed as... someone else to people.

[ascendthethorns]

The apples.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

Ah, the apples.

[Guilt guilt guilt.]

[ascendthethorns]

[sees that guilt and raises him a look of "you and your fucking guilt"]

Then no, you won't be the one to conduct that research.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

—What? As one who experienced its effects first-hand, I know precisely what details to compare. I can evaluate its accuracy.

[I can make everything that occurred then mean something.]

[ascendthethorns]

It's still too personal.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

That is irrelevant. I know how to manage. Such parameters would limit research to only those who had nothing to do with the incident at all.

[ascendthethorns]

Manage though you might, you will still lack the objectivity to approach this from a neutral perspective.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

Neutrality is not necessary to compare data!

[ascendthethorns]

I will not be swayed, Lelouch. The very fact that you're arguing with such vehemence speaks volumes as to your suitability to this task.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

As if you are any more suitable, considering your own involvement.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Ah hell.]

[ascendthethorns]

[death glaaaaare]

Your argument is flawed. I cannot claim to understand how it felt to fall beneath the influence of that accursed spirit and therefore can be objective about the effects of her influence in ways that you can't.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Staring back at screen again before slowly starting to grab some of the books to form smaller piles, tone dropping...]

... Fine. It... makes sense to split up the research in any case.

[ascendthethorns]

[seeeeeeeeeeeething]

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Stillll moving those books. Looooong pause.]

... That was a mistake. I should not have brought it up.

[ascendthethorns]

You are learning.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Okay, closing that laptop.]

I should go back to the cabin. Did you want to take one last look at these before that?

[ascendthethorns]

No.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

Ah.

[Selecting one of the piles and moving its contents, along with the laptop, into a knapsack by his chair before attempting to heft the bag onto his shoulder, with a slightly winded huff.]

[ascendthethorns]

[watching to see if he can manage]