[OPEN] How much of it's genetics? How much of it is fate?

[chronomancer]

Characters: jade!Eridan & YOU! 
Setting: Workshop
Format: Starting with action, but I'll match you.
Summary: Eridan emerges from his self-imposed exile for a while to clean his rifles.
Warnings: Eridan's deadpan. Potential violence if he gets pissed; lots and lots of rifles. Gamzee. Gory, ironic death via Gamzee. Goddammit, Gamzee.

[He started off with one. And then he doomed himself a few times. And well. It wasn't like he could just let them go to waste, when they started piling up.

Laser rifles need a different type of maintenance than the usual kind, but it's still maintenance in the end.

So there's a sullen troll, half hidden behind a pile of guns, carefully cleaning one by one. It's a methodical and repetitive process, but it's not like Eridan seems to mind too terribly. He's just minding his business, but hey. Maybe if you ask very nicely, he'll give you one.

Maybe.]

Comments

[chronomancer]

I wouldn't know about fair, but it happens, you know? Even without horrorterror things involved. Like earthquakes and natural disasters, right? Those don't have a will and kill things that do.

[He makes a thoughtful noise, looking down the hole of a barrel.]

And, I mean, I'm pretty sure Nep's lusus had a will, because it was her lusus and all. But over all, I don't think talking about will is a good base point for these kind of things. Because when you take into consideration predestination and the like, it gets really murky.

[heavenscorpse]

[She still looks dubious.]

...All right, but I don't have to be happy about it.

[chronomancer]

[Eridan laughs a little, shaking his head.]

No, you don't have to be happy about it.

[He sighs.]

There's very little to be happy about, when it comes to that.

[heavenscorpse]

Well, there is one thing. I'm glad you're still here.

[chronomancer]

...oh.

[SDLFKJHGSDLFKJGHDFLKGJSDFGLKSDF, STOP THROWING RANDOM FEEL-GOOD THINGS AT HIM, HE NEEDS TO PREPARE FOR THOSE.]

[heavenscorpse]

[She just smiles at him like she has no idea she caused a mental bluescreen, because really, she has no idea.]

[chronomancer]

[After a moment, so he's gathered his wits about him, he offers her a small smile.]

I'm glad you're still here, too.

[heavenscorpse]

Thank you.

[She wishes a real person could've been here instead of her, though.]

[chronomancer]

[Rather than saying anything else about that, he nods.]

Is there anything else you'd like to tell me?

[heavenscorpse]

I'd tell you anything, you're a good listener.

[chronomancer]

Oh.

[He shrugs.]

Thank you, any time you need it, I guess.

[heavenscorpse]

Mmmhm. And I'm not sure what a secret is.

[chronomancer]

Oh. Well, you know. Something you don't feel like telling anyone else? Like, something you want to keep to yourself, for whatever the reason.

[heavenscorpse]

Talking to people gets you closer, though.

[chronomancer]

Yeah, but respecting people's right for privacy gets you even closer. I mean, there're things people only tell others they trust, so you know you're close to someone when they tell you their secrets and such.

[heavenscorpse]

Oh! I see, I get it now. That makes sense.

[chronomancer]

Mhm. So you know. You're allowed to keep secrets if you want, and to share them with people you trust.

[heavenscorpse]

Thank you for helping me out again.

[chronomancer]

It's no problem, really.

[So not looking up from these rifles, woo.]

[heavenscorpse]

Am I distracting you?

[chronomancer]

Oh no, it's alright.

[There's an awkward pause here.]

I don't mind your company.

[heavenscorpse]

I don't mind yours, either.

[chronomancer]

I'm glad.

[He doesn't quite believe you. But please don't take it personally, he doesn't even believe his boyfriend or his girlfriend when they say that.]

[heavenscorpse]

Do you spend a lot of time here?

[chronomancer]

Not really, but it's a good place to do this.

[Cleaning rifles, he means.]