Setting up a position of power.

[shinetheblind.livejournal.com]

[Near the edge of the woods a structure is being built. The structure is gradually beginning to take shape as looking like a smaller version of Pegasus's Castle (all in white), and the builders are NPCs (dressed all in white). And, as the color (or lack thereof) suggests, Light is behind all of this. He has to have a good place for himself and his servants, no? Feel free to approach him; he's sitting on a pile of building materials that have been painted white ready for use, to survey the project.]

Comments

[rainbow-herald.livejournal.com]

[Johan is still unable to speak since the see/hear/speak no evil virus doesn't end until tomorrow. But he's more than capable of shooting a hate-filled glare towards the Light once he comes across this. And he does, quite fiercely.]

[shinetheblind.livejournal.com]

Oh, joy. It's contagious.

I thought I only had to deal with Juudais like you?

[rainbow-herald.livejournal.com]

[He is the only Johan he knows who has the power. In his early days that baffled him. Now he's come to realize that he is the one who is different. But it doesn't matter.]

[In reply, he just shrugs some and looks sharply at the NPCs building the castle, then back at the Light. The implication is "what the hell are you doing?"]

[shinetheblind.livejournal.com]

You begrudge me a place to stay, Johan?

*jack*

[hollowlightwave.livejournal.com]

[Juudai is nearby, just hanging around, mostly to keep an eye on the Light of Ruin... figuratively, anyway, considering he's clearly blind right now, with his eyes thickly clouded over. He's got Yubel's senses to guide him, though. He also can feel Johan's particular brand of power nearby, so he carefully maneuvers over to it with her silent guidance, unaware he can't speak at the moment.]

Johan?

[rainbow-herald.livejournal.com]

[Johan's eyes widen as he sees that Juudai is blind, and he reaches out to take Juudai's hand, squeezing it. Ruby Carbuncle jumps onto his shoulder and trills, hoping that Yubel or Hane Kuriboh will pass on the message that Johan can't talk right now.]

[Also, Light, he will 'answer' you with a sharp look that clearly doubts he believes you're just building a place for yourself.]

[shinetheblind.livejournal.com]

[Oh, joy, it's the other one. Light leans back on his pile of building materials.]

Whatever's that look for?

[hollowlightwave.livejournal.com]

[Juudai gets the message from Hane Kuriboh, who appears by his side and chirps back, a little worriedly.]

...Oh.

[He wonders if this would be a good time to mention his deal with the Light to Johan... though he's sure he probably won't like it. Juudai looks in the direction that the Light's voice is coming from, and then down at his hand clasped in Johan's, like he's trying to come up with something to say, but continually turns up with nothing.]

Uh... Johan...

[rainbow-herald.livejournal.com]

[Johan shoots another look at the Light, wishing that he had something to write with right now.]

[Then he looks back over at Juudai and squeezes his hand curiously, wanting to know what's on Juudai's mind.]

[shinetheblind.livejournal.com]

[He watches them. He might be deaf, but he can always try lipreading!]

[hollowlightwave.livejournal.com]

...I think I may need to talk to you.

[He's not sure how to word it so Johan doesn't flip out, in truth... if there even is a way.]

I've... decided to side with the Light, tentatively. Because I want to see how it really treats its... servants, among other things. That's why I was in the area to begin with, actually.

[Hane Kuriboh whimpers a little, not liking the idea either. Yubel, as well, hovers ever-present around Juudai, but then pokes at Johan's mind, requesting to open a temporary link.]

[rainbow-herald.livejournal.com]

[Johan just flat out stares. If he weren't already mute, he'd be struck dumb in shock. He flicks a quick glance at the Light, then back to Juudai, then opens up that link that Yubel wants.]

[hollowlightwave.livejournal.com]

["He's lying. He wants to scope out the Light's plans and expose it in the process." That's all she tells him initially, careful not to transmit any stray emotions along with her message. Truthfully, she is not keen on the idea either, but will support and protect Juudai as much as she can if he insists on being stubborn.]

[rainbow-herald.livejournal.com]

[JOhan stares, and luckily enough that stare can come off as "you are doing WHAT?" regardless of what he knows, so it's unlikely to give aawy anything.]

[He does squeeze Juudai's hand harder, transmits quickly back to Yubel I think he's crazy. But I'm going to pretend to be very angry about this so the Light doesn't figure out what's going on. Let him know, please.]

[shinetheblind.livejournal.com]

[Frown frown frown. He really hates being deaf.]

[hollowlightwave.livejournal.com]

[Yubel retreats, and Juudai nods, grinning "nervously".]

...Yeah. So that's how it is. Uh... sorry? Ehehehe.

[rainbow-herald.livejournal.com]

[Johan gets the most absolutely furious look on his face ever, the kind most people associate with "I am one step away from ripping your lungs out". He drops Juudai's hand with a snort of 'disgust' and steps away from him, half-turning his back for a moment, then whirls on him.

He touches his deck as if wanting to challenge Juudai, then shakes his head with a loathing glance. The message of 'you're not worth it, traitor' is rather loud and clear.]

[shinetheblind.livejournal.com]

[Oh, now he's interested. Hearing or no hearing, he's going to smirk down at them.]

Must you have your little lovers' tiff here?

[hollowlightwave.livejournal.com]

[All he can do is feel his hand being let go of. Yubel relays the rest of Johan's actions to him telepathically.]

Johan...

[And then he tosses a kind of annoyed glance at the Light.]

Ugh, come on. You're lucky I'm even cooperating with you at all at this point.

[rainbow-herald.livejournal.com]

[Johan nods fiercely at that, then shoots the Light a loathing glower that speaks volumes of how much he really does hate it.]

[shinetheblind.livejournal.com]

[...well, this is a bit awkward. He can't exactly respond properly, since he obviously didn't hear what Juudai said. So he just frowns irritably and looks away without responding.]

[hollowlightwave.livejournal.com]

[Upon getting no response, Juudai frowns right back.]

...What? Don't I get a reply?

[imprisondmartyr.livejournal.com]

[Comes in impassively to report on what he's observed on the island so far, but the building catches his eye (and it would surprise him, were he able to feel such a thing).]

This is a good beginning, my lord.

[shinetheblind.livejournal.com]

[He glances over, but doesn't answer. Seems he didn't hear you, Yuusei...]

[imprisondmartyr.livejournal.com]

[Well, he had to come over and report regardless-and he's rather aware of his hoarse and soft voice. He comes closer.]

Is everything going according to plan?

[shinetheblind.livejournal.com]

[Light blinks, then prods Yuusei's mind.]

#I can't hear. Something this place has done, no doubt.#

[imprisondmartyr.livejournal.com]

[Yuusei looks appalled and nearly voices his thoughts before remembering that Light is currently deaf, and instead lets those thoughts float to the surface where they can be easily read.]

*This...

...If it wasn't for me finding you here, I would have cursed this island for doing such a thing...*

[shinetheblind.livejournal.com]

#It's no matter, Yuusei, and it's bound to pass soon.#

[imprisondmartyr.livejournal.com]

*I understand. Such a mere thing would not keep you down.*

[shinetheblind.livejournal.com]

#It will not pause our plans. When this is complete you may stay here.#

[imprisondmartyr.livejournal.com]

*At most, it is a grievous insult to you, my lord.

Aaa, I shall. It would be a waste of your efforts otherwise.*

[shinetheblind.livejournal.com]

[He smirks and folds his arm.]

#Well, if nothing else it shall look rather impressive, no?#

[imprisondmartyr.livejournal.com]

[There's a nodding of the head at that.]

*Aaa.*

[pitcrow.livejournal.com]

Aw, sweet! Is this for us? [Look who's just dutifully bounded up to check in and just spotted the castle in the works.]

[shinetheblind.livejournal.com]

[Glance.]

...

[pitcrow.livejournal.com]

[And the poor boy is going to mistake that silence for some form of disapproval, given that he isn't exactly aware of what's been going on.]

Ah... sorry. I didn't mean to bounce around like a hyperactive kid or anything. It's just... really cool. Building a castle and all. Dad always said I was bad at the decorum thing....

[shinetheblind.livejournal.com]

[Mental prod is go!]

#This place has stripped me of my hearing, Ben.#

[pitcrow.livejournal.com]

Oh.

Um...... [Goddamnit people talking in his head is weird. Even if it's not the first time and even if it is the Light it's still weird. And since this is presumably another weird Island thing there's a brief bit of wondering as to how he managed to dodge that bullet (given how often he tends to get hit by such things) that the Light may catch before he actually starts intentionally trying to brodcast his thougts.]

//Sorry? This place sucks like that. But......... It's just the standard bit of island bullshit weirdness, right? Nothing permanent?//

[shinetheblind.livejournal.com]

#I presume it will pass before long, yes. If it continues, I'll find myself another body to use; it's no real loss either way.#

[pitcrow.livejournal.com]

//Good. It better end soon, though. Even if you can get around it, this pain in the ass place just pisses me off.


Anyway, I've been asking around about the Signers and stuff like you wanted me to.// [He straightens up a bit, quite obviously pleased with himself.]

[shinetheblind.livejournal.com]

#Oh? What did you find?#

[pitcrow.livejournal.com]

//Honestly? I don't think any of 'em can be trusted. Yusei... you know, the one who's with us, he was telling me about how one of the Earthbounds thinks it has a claim on him or something. And it's been agressive in trying to take him. The Signers are hard to pin down. They seem to think they're in the right but everyone thinks the side they're on is totally in the right.// [Potential irony of that statement: totally lost on him.]

//If I'm not out of line in suggesting it, sir, I think we'd be better off in trying to get them fighting amongst themselves. At the very least it could keep all of them too busy to aly with our enemy.//

[shinetheblind.livejournal.com]

#That is a brilliant idea, Ben!# [He smirks cruelly.]

#Our main problem is numbers, after all... what better solution than to let them cut down their own numbers? That is the perfect plan... and you'll be rewarded for coming up with it. Now, do you have any idea how we can prompt them to tone their fighting up?#

[pitcrow.livejournal.com]

[He beams. Quite obviously pleased that his idea is so well received. Although working out how to go through with it... that's tricker.]

//The trick is gonna be finding the most dedicated ones. I mean, ones like the dead me, or them twin Yuseis, they don't seem to be inclined to fight anyone unless they're backed into it. But there's gotta be some that are still itching to fight, especially if they're new around here and pulled from the height of the battles. The Dark Signers seem like the more proactive ones, plus they're the ones with an actual leader.... other than, you know, their deity of choice.

At the moment they're disorganized, sorta left to their own devices and all. And since from what I can tell most Dark Signers got revived for a chance at revenge, that's what the strays are focused on. There's no real overall threat save for against maybe one or two of their numbers, so the Signers don't seem to care. But if the Dark Signers get gathered under someone again and start stirring up shit on a massive scale, the Signers should react. I think that's the way things always go with them.

We just gotta figure out if the Dark Signers' leader is here. Or prod one of the odd Earthbounds around here into causing trouble since they'll probably follow their gods. Ask 'em why they're so lax in letting the servants of the Dragon hang around or something.//

[Yes, he's still an exposition machine. It's in the blood.]

[shinetheblind.livejournal.com]

[Congratulations, Ben, you've earned some more evil grinning from Light.]

#And some would only fight if backed into it, you say? Because, you know, in theory if we increase the fighting between those who do want to fight regardless, even the apathetic of both sides would join!#

[He leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees and his chin on his hands.]

#Well, in that case, your next assignment will be to try prompting the Dark Signers into battle. Be subtle with it though, if you can. Just a comment here and there would probably be best. It might also be best that you do not mention me in connection to all of this; there is, after all, the possibility that some clever spark might decide to turn their attention on us instead, and given that our problem is numbers as it is...

As well, it would be helpful if you could try to gain more for our cause. Some will not be connected to either force, after all, so we can use them to boost our numbers. Those who will be difficult to prompt into fighting, but could be swayed to our side, are another option, and since we'd be both increasing our numbers and decreasing theirs...#

[He grins.]

#You will already be rewarded greatly for the information you've found, and this brilliant idea of yours. Stealing allies away from the Dragon or the Earthbounds will ensure even more rewards.]

[pitcrow.livejournal.com]

[He looks uncomfortable for a moment, since he had been namedropping while trying to dig up information. But just a little bit. It shouldn't be too bad. He hopes. Lifting his chin slightly as he gives a sharp nod.]

//Just being a part of this is reward enough, boss...... But I ain't gonna say no to cool shit either. I'll do what I can. You can count on me.//

[shinetheblind.livejournal.com]

[He notices the discomfort, but he can deal with that later, right?]

#Then go, Ben. Do me proud.#