psychophant: (✦ 61)

week 2 | post-trial

[personal profile] psychophant 2020-01-19 02:03 am (UTC)(link)
[So. That sure was a trial, wasn't it.

Iago manages to make it back to his room in one piece, and once the door is shut and locked he is going to do nothing but throw books at the wall and scream into a pillow for the next year because that was literally the worst!!! Everything about that trial was awful and he's never leaving this room again and he hates everything!!!

...He'll be in here throwing a fit for awhile, uh. Have... fun, Dist???]
psychophant: (✦ 62)

[personal profile] psychophant 2020-01-19 03:15 am (UTC)(link)
[Perhaps surprisingly, that gets an abrupt cease in all noise from the other side of the door, and for a couple of minutes there's blissful silence.

And then finally the door opens and Iago... well, okay, he doesn't exactly look put-together in the slightest, but his mask is on (minus the circlet in the back) and he's attempting to fix his hair a bit.

He initially tries to say... something, probably, before shutting his mouth and moving so Dist can join him inside. Only once Dist is in and he's got the door shut and locked does he speak up.]


...I apologize for... well, whatever you heard out there.

[His room is uh. Not looking too great?? It seems like he probably tried to clean up in the time it took him to answer his door, but you can absolutely see a few books on the floor he missed in his haste. Also the ones on the desk are sort of haphazardly thrown back on there, but shhhh, it's fine.]
psychophant: (✦ 37)

[personal profile] psychophant 2020-01-19 07:11 am (UTC)(link)
[The circlet's on the desk too, I forgot to mention that. He didn't go throwing that at the wall, thankfully!!

Anyway, Iago sits on the bed, clearly attempting for "prim" and falling entirely short. He's managing "stiff and awkward" but that's probably about what you expected given the... everything. Dist's words get his gaze to dart, and even though Iago's pretty much always making eye contact (often to the point of staring his conversational partner down), this time he isn't really able to look back at Dist.]


I... [gods] appreciate it.

[It's incredibly awkward in a way he never is and after a long moment he exhales slowly and some of the tension slowly begins to leave him.]

Had I realized the trial would turn into that mess, I would have offered your [our?] alibi earlier. I thought it best not to draw attention, but clearly that was going to happen anyway.

[There's something angry creeping into his tone at that, even though he's clearly trying to keep it under wraps.]
psychophant: (✦ 41)

[personal profile] psychophant 2020-01-19 07:41 am (UTC)(link)
[That first part is agitating - it really is getting to the root of the problem, isn't it? That even after all this time and effort, everything he's worked for falls apart in an instant because apparently he's not trustworthy. And sure, there are some unpleasant associations from back home, but at least back there they had reason to distrust him. This? This is... well, exactly as Dist put it - unfair.

He has an answer prepared for that, something that he can at least try to put forward without getting entirely consumed with the fury and frustration he's been venting at the walls since he stormed back here, but the second part more or less completely sends that thought process to a screeching halt. His gaze darts back to Dist and for a very long moment, Iago just stares.]


You were... concerned about me.

[He repeats it, as if to hear the words aloud, to allow them to really sink in. And for one incredibly bizarre moment, the only thing he can think is really?]

I... hadn't expected that.

[When was the last time anyone

No, he's not going to think about that, that isn't important. It takes him a moment to settle and for the blank, almost stunned expression to shift into something a bit more neutral. It's not quite natural, but he's... attempting.]


You did well not to draw attention to yourself. The last thing either of us needed was for them to start getting distracted by the idea of accomplices again. As completely stupid as Rideaux's words were, I don't believe I was ever truly in danger. So many of them are stupid, but even they had to see that I couldn't possibly be responsible.

[He's quiet for a moment longer and his gaze darts again.]

With that said... They certainly weren't kind to you either. I truly am sorry you were forced into revealing your power just to get them to shut up.

[The hard edge of anger isn't hidden anymore; maybe it's easier because what they did to Dist was horrid, or maybe it's just that - as stupid as it sounds, as it is - he does trust Dist. And if anyone is going to understand how furious he is, it's Dist.]
psychophant: (✦ 56)

[personal profile] psychophant 2020-01-20 08:31 am (UTC)(link)
[That first part... Well, he's not really sure what to do with the first part. It's uncomfortable in a way that's entirely unfamiliar and so the safest option is to ignore it for now. There's something more pressing to focus on anyway.]

As much as I dislike handing Rideaux and the others so much information, I do believe it was in your best interest to reveal your power. Given the size of the clothes found, they would have continued to press you - and apparently an alibi counts for nothing if I'm backing it up.

[That's just getting into pointless fury territory again, so he forces himself to exhale and push it aside.]

I'm entirely in agreement on that however. At this point, the best option truly does seem to be to lie low and make as many connections as possible to avoid becoming the least favorite in the group. While there are certainly those who will refuse to vote for someone innocent, there are quite a few of us who would be more than fine with voting out someone should we run out of time.

[He consider for a moment, then sighs.]

Though really, Dist, I don't believe you have anything to fear as much as some of the others in our group do. Keep your head down as often as you can during the trials, and you should be just fine.

[At the very least we've got Cumore being the first one to suggest voting for the wrong person and Rideaux making an ass of himself at every turn, so it's fine. You're not the worst asshole villain here.]

Still though... I would be irritated if they were to attempt to turn on you. I'm not entirely sure what more we can offer to give us a more solid alibi in the future, however.
psychophant: (✦ 96)

[personal profile] psychophant 2020-01-21 03:59 am (UTC)(link)
Shin has also been incredibly open about how the ability works, so it wouldn't surprise me if someone caught on and found it a reason to suspect you.

[It was useful in gathering information about the ability, not-so-useful now that he knows Dist shares that ability.

At the question, Iago smirks.]


Given the list of powers, mine is the most obvious one - Illusio. I would question the Lady's sense of humor, but it sounds as though she didn't select our powers.

[He sighs after that's out there, though, waving a hand.]

Unfortunately, that first trial put everything about my power on full display. While it certainly could prove useful, it works differently from my own magic and so much of the first trial exposed almost everything there is to know about it. Using Illusio is something I would prefer to avoid; I'd rather not let anyone else know I have it.

[Partially because it's really not funny and partially because Iago always prefers to keep as much information to himself as he can.]

Given that it may come up in the future, I thought it best to let you know now, so you can confirm it, should it be necessary.

[In a situation like today's trial, rather. Proving that he doesn't have a power without revealing what he does have is the ideal here, although it isn't likely Dist will be taken at his word either.]

I can show you, if you'd like.

[Just so you know he isn't lying about it.]
psychophant: (✦ 97)

[personal profile] psychophant 2020-01-22 11:43 pm (UTC)(link)
It is a bit too obvious, isn't it? It doesn't work the same way my magic does, however, which is irritating.

[Though it's probably for the best this way, otherwise it literally would be just a downgrade of his own magic...]

Of course. What we learned in the first trial is all true. The drawing must be done on the inanimate object used for the illusion, so for example...

[He picks up one of those books on the floor and pulls a pen from his robes. Iago continues talking as he works on doodling arcane designs across the back cover of the book, which is pretty rude but that's certainly not going to stop him.]

The illusion is anything I desire it to be - and seems to have no limitations. Only three can be active at a time, and the whole surface needs to be covered for it to work.

[As you can see, he's got about half this book covered in doodles. With that, Iago activates it, and that half of the book seems to turn invisible.]

As you can see, [he taps a nail against the "invisible" half of the book] it is only an illusion, it still exists. But it's fairly impressive even if it isn't my magic.

[His is still vastly superior, though!!!]
psychophant: (✦ 96)

[personal profile] psychophant 2020-01-23 02:46 am (UTC)(link)
[Here you go! Feel free to examine it, it'll remain invisible even after Iago's handed it over.]

I've tested it thoroughly and it seems the illusions always last an hour, regardless of how many I have. I'm able to dispel the illusion whenever I want, however; so there is some flexibility with it.
psychophant: (✦ 89)

[personal profile] psychophant 2020-01-23 04:37 am (UTC)(link)
[He accepts the book and promptly dispels the illusion - it's back to looking like a perfectly normal book, albeit with those weird marks all over the back. In purple ink, of course.]

I would appreciate it. I attempted to ask Shin for more information about it, but he seemed unwilling to tell me everything he knows.

[Which is fair, it's not like he trusts Shin either, but come on!! Research!!!]

Can you summon a double here? I would like a chance to examine it further.
psychophant: (✦ 39)

[personal profile] psychophant 2020-01-23 05:12 am (UTC)(link)
[Has he told you you're the best person here (aside from himself) today?? Because you're the best person here (aside from himself).

Iago's up to examine the clone in an instant, reaching out to poke and prod it as he gets an idea of just what it looks like. It's a very convincing fake, right? Is there anything off about it in terms of appearance, or does it look exactly like Dist? And also while we're at it, can you feel any of of the poking he's doing...]


I hadn't realized it allowed a total of three copies... How fascinating.

[The limit of three times a day is interesting, however. Definitely something to keep in mind...

And then Dist continues and Iago looks up from his examination to make a face.]


Oh, how disgusting. [ewww!!] What sort of liquid was it? I imagine it wasn't blood...?

[But the idea of Dist just straight up murdering his replicas doesn't bother him at all, it's not like they're people, right?? So who cares?? You are a man of science and he respects that, and who wouldn't murder their weird double if given the opportunity??]
psychophant: (✦ 92)

[personal profile] psychophant 2020-01-23 05:33 am (UTC)(link)
Ah, I see.

[...probably for the best that we don't have three Dists running around all at once. No one needs that many Dists.]

Well, that's horrid. I can certainly see why you didn't want to give a demonstration of that. I'm fond of my floor the way it is, so I'll take your word for it.

[And also: that's so disgusting, eww.]

This is very valuable information to have in the event that a Klados duplicate is utilized in a murder, but I feel as though the odds of anyone using their powers to kill has lessened significantly now.

[Given that almost everyone's powers are out in the open now, anyway...]
psychophant: (✦ 48)

[personal profile] psychophant 2020-01-23 05:53 am (UTC)(link)
We'll have to be careful from now on. We don't know everyone's power just yet, and the last thing we need is to start jumping to conclusions again.

[thanks, rideaux!!!!!]

I appreciate the information, Dist.

[...But even more than that...]

And I'm... pleased you came to check on me.

[It sounds so... stupid to word it like that. It isn't anything he's ever wanted before, and yet...

Ridiculous. He just needed someone to complain with and to distract him, that's all.]
psychophant: (✦ 28)

[personal profile] psychophant 2020-01-24 01:53 am (UTC)(link)
[who allowed dist to be this cute???

also this entire week is just iago screaming into his hands so you know. it's fine, probably.]


I appreciate that as well, and please consider the offer returned. Should you ever need it, I won't mind offering you my company.

[It's weird and sort of uncomfortable, but maybe it's okay. Just this once.]

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