wizardmanor | Floor 2, Room 4

Of course I do!

[The outburst is probably the most vehement Mika has heard Phil yet.]

That's why I... that's why...

[... and then the fight all seems to go out of him and he just curls in on himself, wrapping his arms around himself and digging his fingers into the sleeves of his robe.

That's why I should have been the Human Kaleidoscope, not Gefion.

But Mika couldn't possibly understand that, couldn't understand why it's only right that he be the one to suffer in everyone else's stead. It's what he deserves, and nothing in this world or any other can change that much.]

... no one else should risk themselves for me if it comes down to that.

( The outburst surprises him, but it tells him he's getting somewhere, at least. He is, as Mika suspected, selfless, which is entirely the problem.

(Mika thinks this while still giving himself a pass to be self-sacrificial, though. Hypocrisy at its finest.) )

... They will. Because the people here are kind, to their own detriment.

( As he's unfortunately, unwillingly discovered. )

And if you don't lean on them and give them something they can help you with, they're probably going to do something stupid trying to help you out. Their blood will be on your hands, anyway.

( Blunt and almost cruel - but honest, in the only real way he knows how. )

[Selfless though he may be, Phil is also uniquely selfish as well, and it's the combination of the two that have caused just about every single problem in his life. He's all too painfully aware of this fact.]

They shouldn't be. Not to me.

[They absolutely shouldn't be.]

I don't intend to let anyone here be foolish on my behalf, well-intentioned or not. That includes you.

[He knows, after all, that even in this new world, his experience with magic in general likely far outstrips most of the others. That's one front on which he feels he can be confident.]

( This really is like talking to himself... )

... You haven't think I've said those same things?

( Not in those words; he's hardly so articulate. But his look is pointed. He's frenzied here twice. )

And look where that's gotten me - people lining up to stick their neck in my mouth. The people here are stupid to a fault, because that's what kindness is, in the end.

( He's not ungrateful; more - frustrated on their behalf; frustrated, and untrusting on his own. )

Besides. I doubt you could stop me even if you wanted to.

( Imagine having such low self esteem (and only okay at magic) and yet being kind of arrogant about your own abilities (because, to be fair, he's formidable enough back home). That's Mika. )

I don't want to have to. So please don't make it necessary.

[There's something so existentially tired as he says this. The people here are indeed stupid... stupid and kind, and a part of him envies that selflessness, the ability to put others first without so much as a second thought.

Is there any selflessness in him offering himself up as atonement for his own selfish actions? Of course not.]

You or anyone else.

[Because he doesn't deserve that kindness.]

Edited 2024-05-19 02:04 (UTC)

( Mika crosses his arms, raising his brow. )

So you want people to just sit around and watch you die. And you'll try to stop them if they don't.

( Pardon his French, but— )

What are you even sticking around for, then?

[The question cuts deep, not that Phil intends to let it show on his face beyond a brief flicker of something pained in those mismatched eyes.

"Phil... are you planning on dying?"

He hadn't answered then, and he isn't going to answer now, either.]

... there are things I still need to do.

( ... Mika snorts. )

Sounds like we're the same.

( Kinnie! He will regret this statement when he learns Phil sucks, but not today. )

But one of those things I need to do involves looking out for certain people, and if you're going to get in the way of that - even if it's indirectly, by not taking care of yourself - I am going to interfere.

I'm going to force you to get help or get better, even if that's not what you want, and even if you try to stop me. Because that's what I'm still around here to do. Understand?

[For a moment, Phil looks like he's gearing up to protest, like he's going to insist that Mika (and everyone else) shouldn't waste their time or efforts on him.

... and then he just deflates like a balloon, shoulders slumping.]

... yes. I understand.

[Because he knows that no matter much he might insist, people like this won't listen to him anyway. He's had enough experience on that front...]

( ... Mika sighs. He recognizes that self-defeating attitude, but if it means Phil listens to him, he's going to have to just deal with it - because clearly Phil's not the type you can affect any way but negatively (or so Mika believes).

He pushes himself up out of his seat, seeming like he's keen to end the conversation here while they still appear to have an understanding. )

Good. Glad we found an understanding, Phillip.

( Local Whole Grown Man gets pushed around by a forever teen... pls help him

If Phil has nothing to add, he will quietly and swiftly take his leave; not much one for small talk, and not presuming Phil is, either. )

Floor 2, Room 4

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