it shall set you free etc etc

[deathkid]

» POST: a top level for your character(s) » RESPOND: to other characters ICly. your characters are now trapped in an elevator together. » UH OH: neither character can lie. » ADDITIONAL, OPTIONAL COMPLICATIONS: at player discretion characters may also... a. be unable to remain silent when asked questions b. be unable to speak around the truth when answering c. be compelled to reveal truths/secrets unprompted THE POWER OF THE ELEVATOR COMPELS YOU.

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[antietam]

You were just using Ronan, weren't you?

[ragnarsson]

No. I wasn't.

[The blunt words are out of his mouth before he can even think. But he'll be damned if he has to utter one syllable more than he absolutely has to.]

[antietam]

[ That's not the answer he wants! So he tries again. ]

But you didn't care about him.

[ragnarsson]

I cared about him as much as I care about anyone.

[It's not that simple understanding a psychopath's mind. Ivar is inherently selfish and everything he does works towards his own goals. But at the same time, he's able to form connections with some people, and understand them to some extent. It had gotten complicated with Ronan, much more so than he wanted to when he eventually started to form a crush on him.]

[antietam]

Ah. [ There it is. ]

So most people get your apathy, but the ones who interest you get your care.

[ragnarsson]

As if it's all so simple.

[Not that Ivar feels the need to explain himself to Adam at all.]

Why bother asking when you've clearly already made up your mind about me?

[antietam]

Because you keep trying to lie to me. It's annoying.

At least have the decency to acknowledge how messed up you are.

[ragnarsson]

Less often than you think. It's much more entertaining to tell people the truth and watch them second-guess themselves.

[Ivar loves playing head games with people. He's manipulative, always saying whatever he needs to get what he wants. He snorts softly at Adam's next words.]

I completely acknowledge that about myself. But it's not changing anytime soon.

[antietam]

I don't expect you to change. I do expect you to get what's coming to you.

You can't go around treating people like toys.

[ragnarsson]

Perhaps. Perhaps not. But I doubt you'll be around to see that happen.

[Ivar does believe that he's fated by the gods not to die until he accomplishes all that he's meant to. It gives him the recklessness to do what he pleases until then.]

Maybe when they stop acting like chess pieces, I will.

[antietam]

[ That makes him scoff. ] Oh, like you're so special. Ronan and I knew someone just like you, but without the excuse of being a Viking.

He destroyed himself. What do you see in your future?

[ragnarsson]

A king dead, also a queen, and a kingdom for the taking. And then comes immortality.

[Sounds a bit like a riddle, doesn't it? But he's still telling the truth.]

And what do you think lies in yours, hmm? Some happily ever after with your boyfriend? That's not how life works. Just when you find real happiness, life has the nasty habit of snatching it away again.

[antietam]

What do you mean by immortality? [ He doesn't understand the rest of that. ]

There's your problem. Happiness isn't something you can find. You have to make it. As long as I have Ronan, that's easy. [ He stops. It's more than he meant to say. ] We both know how to deal with life.

[ragnarsson]

The key to true immortality is not to live forever. It's to make sure your name lives on forever after you die. I plan to do just that.

[He'd done a fairly good job of it too. People still knew who Ivar The Boneless was even more than a thousand years after he'd died.]

So you say. But it seems there's always some unforeseen circumstance no one is ever prepared to deal with. I'd say it's coming, but considering your attitude, I think it already struck for you.

[antietam]

But it doesn't matter how your name lives on? As a tyrant or a hero?

[ Adam has to worry too much about his imminent future to think about things beyond his death. He can't relate. ]

Unforeseen circumstances? Yeah, we've had a few of those. I wouldn't be surprised if more were coming.

[ragnarsson]

History is written by the victors. And I always end up winning, one way or another. But to be known whether for cleverness or cruelty, that I don't mind.

[He'd end up being remembered for both. By the standards of his time, he was a great leader respected by his people. But by modern day standards, he was a savage barbarian. That was just the way things happened.]

And what has happened to you before?

[Might as well take advantage of this honesty to learn something about Adam.]

[antietam]

Except in your case, your people didn't write. So who do you think wrote it all down?

[ A hint that he has been researching Ivar's history. The Vikings were defeated before, after all.

He sees what Ivar is doing with the question and takes a moment to try to hold it back, but he can't resist the urge to say something truthful. ]

I wouldn't know where to start. [ That is true. ] The more you try to control your life and everything around you, the more things will go wrong. [ He shakes his head, wanting to go back to questioning Ivar. ]

Why is it so important to you, winning and being famous?

[ragnarsson]

I suppose the English did. And being remembered by my enemies is still being remembered.

[He saw no way for him to really lose. Any way he looked at it, he'd be remembered.]

And you do seem to love control.

[One of the many reasons he and Adam were never going to get along. Ivar was the same way, plus a lot more ruthlessness and psychopathy.

He doesn't want to answer that question, but he's forced to with the truth.]

...because otherwise I'll have nothing. Do you really think anyone would ever remember a cripple otherwise?