SEVEN VICES, WEEK 1, WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON

[takanome]

[Wednesday is when Takao really loses it and starts wishing he could have activity so much as to attend class. It's been bad. This is like the whole last part of ninth grade after getting back from summer vacation, all over again: Exercising alone and then nothing, literally no serious competition until he got into high school. There were trading cards and English lessons, sure, but that wasn't the same as something meaningful.

He's in his room after lunch, in front of the closet, wondering whether a hat will at all help his ears to stop ringing with the sounds that fill the spaces between seconds. This is stupid. He saunters into the hallway and leans presumptuously on the doorway right across from his. Bright colors. Visual stimulation. That's the best idea he's had all year... he means all day. He can't wait for her to correct him when he says shit like that.]

Whatcha doing on that thing, Miss Vice President?

Comments

[dereban]

I wouldn't know; I'd have to ask them specifically... But those are good motives to remember, in case for the future.

[ If the motives do end up changing. ]

[takanome]

You're sure they'd answer if asked, and not deny it, like, "oh, it's just a random sin"?

[He hums loudly, each second separating the feeling of rise and fall in his throat.]

I guess I sort of am an envy instead of, like, Sloth. Does Miss Vice President feel like a wrath?

[dereban]

I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't. [ She shrugs her shoulders, not even caring that much. ]

To be fair, I'm going to tell the truth and say that I believe that I could fit most of the sins, in a sense. But... wrath fits me pretty well. But I'm not going to kill someone for a stupid reason, you know.

[takanome]

Yeah... There's no good reason to kill someone! I mean, even self defense or protecting someone else is...

[Takao falters for some time - he has never had to ask that question.]

Well, here, it doesn't even help anyone, so there's no good reason.

[dereban]

If it's to protect someone else, it may be a noble cause, but... it'll cause problems in the long run.

[takanome]

Maybe that's what we have to fear the most.

[it was a recurring theme in conversations Dhaos and Hinata led. Takao flicks away his eyes with the effort of recalling something so long ago.]

"I can't stay here and be killed if it will hurt the people important to me."

[dereban]

... Maybe. [ She says that in the most unconvincing tone, her eyes almost blanking over. ]

Someone dying means hurting not only them, but everyone else, too. And that includes their friends and family.

[takanome]

So... It's still a pretty bad reason. Even if those people are literally in danger without you coming back... how the hell do you know that nobody else is in the same situation?

Well, maybe that's what the "occupation" entry is for, haha.