Private Conversations

[dominioned]

The confessional before you is ornate and well maintained, ebony colored wood embellished with the visage of two angels. A jet black curtain separates the confessional from the rest of the Church, offering a surprising degree of privacy to any eavesdroppers nearby. Unlike the rest of Krakow, the inside is dimly lit by a small light bulb securely attached to the ceiling which emits a faint red light. While the atmosphere isn't exactly cozy, it is private.

A smooth voice calls out to you once you've sat down, familiar enough to identify the speaker despite the partition between you.

"Welcome welcome. I take it something is on your mind?"

We're in a museum now, Harry.

Comments

[psychophant]

[He doesn't even need to consider the question, he already has his answer:] Zangetsu. He's exceptionally irritating at even the best of times, and his unpredictable nature is likely to be a liability for us all.

[That's entirely true, but it's also at least 60% because of the Pizza incident. He's still very angry about the Pizza incident.]

Though Rideaux is and always will be my first pick.

[dominioned]

[ Pizza would be proud???? ]

Naturally. I can't say I feel similarly if I had to choose.

[psychophant]

[no!!! shut up it's just because pizza was still useful to him!!! that's all!!!]

I imagine he's been even more annoying to deal with on your end. How is he still alive.

[It isn't even a question, he's just so done.]

[dominioned]

Zangetsu? He reminds me too much of old acquaintances.

[psychophant]

Does he? Others like you, perhaps?

[Nonhumans he means.]

[dominioned]

Indeed. [ He both looks and sounds so unimpressed. ]

[psychophant]

I can certainly see why you find him annoying, then. He certainly is frustrating to deal with.

Is he the one who irritates you the most?

[dominioned]

...no, but he's certainly on the list. It's not like I honestly expected better from a creature like him.

[psychophant]

Fair enough. I'm still not entirely sure exactly what he is, but it doesn't really matter all that much anymore.

[He doesn't have access to whatever awesome powers he once had, so whatever!!]

You won't tell me who irritates you the most, will you?

[dominioned]

If the metric we're using is irritation, that answer is easy. Osaumu Dazai.

[psychophant]

That's certainly fair. He's easily one of the most obnoxious people I've ever met.

[IT'S GONNA GET REAL WORSE AT THE END OF THE WEEK!!!!!!]

[dominioned]

Hoh? Even outside of Krakow?

[ F. ]

[psychophant]

[considers this.......]

I've been forced to deal with all sorts of nobles and ridiculous people in positions of power, but at least with them I was aware I was going to hate every minute of it. Dazai can pretend to be a normal person sometimes, so it's never clear whether you're dealing with him being halfway normal or being irritating.

[........that's a yes.]

[dominioned]

...he is perplexing, I will admit. [ Honestly that might be why he finds him irritating. ]

[psychophant]

Are you more fond of people you find predictable, then?

[hey wait a minute what are you saying about him huh!!!!!!!]

[dominioned]

Not at all. They're incredibly boring. [ His lips draw into a taut line, his displeasure palpable. ]

There are several characteristics about humans I find intriguing, but they do not necessarily align with each other. In Dazai's case he is not a mix I have come across before, and it is rather... like serving chamomile tea alongside shellfish.

[psychophant]

Ah, I understand. I can see what you mean as well - he has the potential to be interesting, but the way he goes about it comes off as grating instead.

[That's how he feels!!! Rembrandt gets him.]

Is the Lady someone you find interesting?

[dominioned]

Something like that, yes. [ It's just ??? ]

It would be a rather poor decision if I found my current profession boring, wouldn't it? [ Notably, that's not a real answer. ]

[psychophant]

[dazai is an enigma]

That's certainly true, but this is only a temporary arrangement, is it not? It isn't as though you have to find your employer interesting.

[dominioned]

...in my field of work, it matters more than not. At least to me, personally.

[psychophant]

Have you had many interesting employers over the years, then?

[dominioned]

I would say so. My last employer in particular was... fascinating, at least until the end.

[psychophant]

Did something happen to them? Or did they simply change their mind and become someone you found dull in comparison?

[dominioned]

[ He's quiet for a long time and when he speaks it's after a heavy sigh and a shrug of his shoulders. ]

In the end, he was nothing more than a coward.

[psychophant]

[...This probably isn't something Rembrandt will talk to him about, but...]

Will you tell me about him? What happened that changed your opinion so drastically?