“Thank you, th–that’s very nice of you Saima.” He murmurs, head still bobbing away as he spoke as if that would clear the air of his awkwardness.
“How are things Saima? How’s, ah, your pro–programming going?” Setau stutters out, the thought that he didn’t recognize Saima right away making him tenser, eyes beginning to glow a faint neon.
“You’re welcome. I’m doing alright – the programming has been going well. And I’ve been hanging out in creative spaces which is always a good time.” They were willing to stay calm and casually converse.
However, the sight of Setau’s eyes glowing a faint neon didn’t get unnoticed and they did pause. “Setau – your eyes are glowing. Is there something you need to admit there? Cause I mean – I could tell you something fairly related in return if that helps you any.”
“I realize they are a rather fanciful race, lotsss of fantasssy content in their world– but goodnessss, I think I know what I am better than they ever could.” What even was a mutant? Ayumu didn’t know much about pop culture so the reference had gone over his head. However, he certainly did not take it as a compliment.
“Meaningsss change over time it ssseemsss. Sssnakesss are no longer in ssstyle.” He snorted.
“Honestly. They have problems among themselves because of that – they don’t want to actually believe people who self-identify differently than the norm. It’s not surprising that they wouldn’t listen to your own self-definition even if is much more accurate than anything they could say.” Their observations of what humans had gotten up to only seemed to confirm the experiences of what Ayumu had to deal with. Quite unfortunate all around really.
“True. Hah – yeah they’ve got new animals to revere and attempt to ‘protect’ so to speak.” A droll roll of the eyes.
“Really?” Ivar paused as he glanced down at the coffee in his own mug for a moment, seeming to think to himself on the subject. “Mm.. But doesn’t it get.. kinda pointless? They aren’t exactly going to last long and all..” He’s maybe being a bit insensitive.. but he wasn’t one to realize such emotional topics as something you needed to treat lightly around.
“Hm the reasons I do it isn’t exactly for them. It just gives me something to do a lot of the time. Otherwise, I’d just be wandering alone a lot – which I enjoy but could use a change of pace. Of course, the more interesting tasks involve me hanging around artists and creative types since there’s a chance their work will survive their lifetimes. I am something of a patron after all.” Although it does seem pointless for people whose existence aren’t very long at all – until they have a more consistent group of spirits to be around, they have to do their best.
A pause as they think further about it. “Besides, in doing these things for them I get to remind them of a past they might have never got to experience themselves. The role I play is to remind people of the potential for magic that lurks within this land as part of stories. So it gives me a sense of purpose. ”
“Exactly. I have been told on many occasssionss that I could not be a god– one called me a mutant at one point. I do not underssstand it.” It wasn’t even as if he really used his godly status for anything. He didn’t grant prayers or protect anyone, truthfully he just wanted to eat and sleep without people bothering him. To exist without anyone being up in arms about it.
“I do not know why they fear sssnakesss ssso much either. When my father wasss my age he said humansss usssed to revere and ressspect them, leaving giftsss by the shore for sssafe passssage through our watersss. We do no harm unlessss provoked– can they sssay the sssame?”
“A mutant. Huh – that’s really particular. As if the only reference they have for people who aren’t limited by human restraints is..comics. That’s really wild.”And yet, not terribly surprising that they would refer to someone like Ayumu as a mutant rather than actually take the others word when self identified.
“I think a lot of things have changed in the way humans lived over the years. They definitely used to revere and respect snakes, I remember seeing that for myself. They really can’t say the same, not as a group.”
His nervousness was always causing him trouble. Not only did it make many interactions become awkward or uncomfortable for both involved but when it all became too much, accidents like these always seemed to happen– and make him even more nervous.
“O-Oh! You–You’re right!” Oh, goodness, he hopes Saima doesn’t think less of him for not exactly remembering. He usually prides himself on remembering a face but no doubt he wasn’t so concerned about Saima’s face and more on not coming off as suspicious. “I’m v-very sorry!”
It was obvious that Setau’s nerves had gotten in the way of him remembering that they had met before. So they couldn’t be too mad at the accident, it would only be more embarrassing for him.“Ah it’s fine – you clearly had other things on your mind. So I didn’t want to give you a hard time.”
“I find it mossst funny that ssso many believe in higher powersss or aliensss…thingsss like that– yet I reveal myssself asss a god and they become very irate about it. I do not even asssk to be prayed too. All I want isss a little ressspect.”
The snake laughs out loud, clearly amused by their friend– they were friends now, no? They both shared this dislike of humans, surely they were bonding at this point. “Even if I were sssimply a sssnake, I ssstill feel confident that I could easssily take a few down.”
That point was one Saima could totally relate to all too well. “They are so stubborn and irate about it. Like they refuse to acknowledge the proof before their eyes as if it doesn’t matter. I’m not interested in being prayed to either but at least treat me decently. It really shouldn’t be difficult to give some respect.”
This encounter had turned out to be a good one and Ayumu seemed like a good friend for Saima to have. Because honestly, they needed someone they could vent about nonsense to. “Oh you definitely could take down a few of these humans – they are quite fragile for all their big talk.”
“Mm.. Thank ya..” Berwald frowned, just holding their hand for the time being as he relaxed into his chair for a moment. He knew he was not the best company at that moment.. “Would ya want t’.. do somethin’..?”
“You’re welcome.” They gave a little sigh. “Ah – not much in a state to do much. But I suppose getting cozy somewhere wouldn’t hurt too much. That seems like a safe way to pass the time. Maybe there’s an album that we can listen to.” Although Berwald clearly didn’t make for a lot of company, they could still make do with what is going on now.
“..I apologize.” Berwald mumbled a bit, moving to reach to take Saima’s hand, looking at it for a moment with a small sigh. He didn’t mean to drink so heavily around them.. But he had never been the best decision maker while drunk. “I’ll not..”
“No need to apologize, it happens sometimes.” They let Berwald get a hold of their hand, slowly entangling their fingers with his. “I just want to make sure that you take care of yourself. I know you can but – it’s worth checking on you from time to time.”
“That isss ssstill no excussse to bother me with sssuch thingsss. I do not want their sssmellinessss to get on me.” His nose wrinkled, clearly still finding humans to be rather repulsive in most cases.
“I cannot even explain myssself in my sssnake form. At leassst in my hybrid form I can tell them that I mean them no harm. It isss like they would rather deal with what they perceive to be a dumb animal than anything that could be a greater being than them. They do not do well when their mediocrity isss pointed out ssso blatantly.”
“True. That’s just a potential reason why they would do it. I still think it’s pretty annoying of them to do that. Proof that they feel like any other existences are there for their entertainment.” They give a little bit of a tired scoff, having witnessed entirely too much of how humans depend on their surroundings to serve as entertainment.
“That’s so real. Because they see themselves as somehow superior to animals, they can feel okay dealing with you in that form. But realizing that they are mediocre at best, and they just seem to lose it. Humans for you, everyone.” They sarcastically do jazz hands.
“I’m used to it by now.” He nods, gaze dropping to his ink stained hands, dabbing at his now saturated handkerchief. “I didn’t get any on you, did I? This tends to splash quite a bit…” Setau murmurs, hoping to focus on the othe rthan himself.
Saima looks down to check if there was any ink on them, only to not find any. It seemed a bit surprising since that ink appeared to be widespread but – maybe they had only arrived too late to get any of it on them. “It appears that it didn’t really get on me. I seemed to see the aftermath of all that.”
Seekesotsibteadmist 