LOCKED TO preybeforemeals

[greatestcool]

[Ryuunosuke kind of hates work. He doesn't mind the stealing or the Pokémon training, but he does mind having to wait tables in the game corner. It isn't a difficult job and most of the time he's as cheery as usual despite his distaste for the job. What he really hates is the downtime. When he's not working with customers, he's at a loss for what to do. Sometimes he thinks about which customers would make for the most fascinating sculptures, but the majority of the time he's stuck sweeping areas of the floor and hating literally everything his life has become.

Who would have imagined he'd be here, dressed in one of those snazzy uniforms all the game corner employees wear (with leopard-print shoes; he's been scolded numerous times for them not meeting regulation, but it's not like he cares), looking bored out of his mind? He certainly wouldn't have, but then again he's never really held a real job for any length of time. One might even say that he's grown up during his time here in Johto, but that would be a horrible mistake. He's only here for the money, after all. It's not like he's really matured any.

Once he's sure his manager isn't looking, Ryuunosuke fishes his 'Gear out of his pocket and begins to flip through the recent network posts. That's also not allowed, but it's not like he cares about that. Worst case scenario, he'll get fired and he'll get a job at the Pokémon Center or something.]

Comments

[preybeforemeals]

[..................................uh]

I'm sorry, what?

[greatestcool]

Oh, I guess it's kind of a strange belief, huh? Well, in my opinion, that's the reason why God doesn't interfere with serial killers and other horrible people; he wants to be entertained by our antics, and what better way than to watch the evils of humanity? We're absolutely fascinating in that regard, don't you agree? There are really good people out there who will help others no matter what, and then there are people like me, who balance things out. For every good person you've got a villain! If God really wanted us to be an overall good species, you'd think he'd get rid of the evil ones, or at least create more good ones to balance them out, right? But he doesn't. He rarely interferes at all, so he must enjoy the show we're putting on!

[preybeforemeals]

[His eyes widen a bit at that, though it doesn't take him long to settle again; if anything, he seems entertained?

...so is it a bad idea to tell you that he once horribly desecrated a church, or...]

Never let it be said that you're dull, Uryuu-san - it's strange, yes, but you're amusing me.

[greatestcool]

That's the point! As long as what I do can be of some amusement to God Himself, I think I'm doing pretty well.

[Well, he seems flattered by that, if the stupid blushing is anything to judge by, that is.]

[preybeforemeals]

Why seek religion at all?

[greatestcool]

Because God is real! Who else would have designed us so that our insides are just as beautiful and vibrant as our outsides?

[preybeforemeals]

You just happen to believe in a God that's as evil as you are.

[There's surprisingly little judgement in that statement; as before, he seems more amused than anything.]

[greatestcool]

Oh no, no He's not evil! He's not exactly good either though, he's just like most humans! He does some good and some evil, but ultimately He can't really be classified as one or the other

[preybeforemeals]

Ahh, I see. Wouldn't allowing His creations to slaughter one another for His own amusement be considered an evil act, though?

[You are such a hot mess.]

[greatestcool]

Well yeah, but then he also performs miracles and then there's the whole thing with Jesus.

[RYUUNOSUKE, YOU CAN'T JUST SUM IT UP AS "THE WHOLE THING WITH JESUS" DEAR GOD]

[preybeforemeals]

Assuming that one believes in all that? Maybe.

[...Tsukiyama, how badly do you want to get into this discussion.]

[greatestcool]

You don't believe in it? Why not?

[He's always loved discussing religion, so Ryuunosuke seems more curious than anything else.]

[preybeforemeals]

Why should I? I've read about it, certamente, but I've never seen the need to believe in anything of the sort.

[greatestcool]

[Well, he's headtilting so hard that flower crown might fall off.]

Seriously? Were you raised in a non-religious household or something? I thought most people believed in God in some way.

[preybeforemeals]

Ah...I was raised around people who are like I am, actually! And a healthy belief in God isn't really something reserved for people like me.

[greatestcool]

"People like you"... what is it that you guys do, exactly?

[He doubts he'll get a straight answer, but he's curious.]

[preybeforemeals]

[And for a moment Tsukiyama is quiet, and he reaches out and adjusts that flower crown where it's slipped to the side a bit on Ryuunosuke's head; though he's still smiling, the expression is offset by the look in his eyes being unusually serious, studying, and he traces his tongue along the inside of his teeth while he considers.]

Since you told me your secret, perhaps it's only right that I tell you one of mine, non? After all, that's what friends do. But unlike you, Uryuu-san, I do care if this is spread around, so please don't say anything.

I would hate to have to do something about it when I can't properly enjoy it here.

[His tone is light, cloyingly so, strongly offsetting the words themselves.]

Maybe once every week or two, someone beautiful goes missing. Sometimes they're found again, sometimes they aren't; they're never...intact, when they are, even if they're still alive.

[He pulls away from Ryuunosuke then, withdrawing his hands from those flowers and re-establishing some distance; he runs one of them through his own hair, the fingertips of the other slipping slightly beneath the open collar of his shirt, fingertips kneading into his skin a bit while he speaks.]

They call me "Gourmet."

[He smiles again, though it's not a particularly nice expression.]

I once knew a girl, Karube-san - she had the most beautiful eyes I'd ever seen. Absolutely wonderful, bellissimo, I had to have them - !

So I tore them out of her head and ate them, because that's the kind of monster I am.

[greatestcool]

[Ryuunosuke knows exactly where this is going the moment the word "gourmet" is brought up. He doesn't interrupt however, and he continues to look fascinated all the way through Tsukiyama's explanation.]

Oh.

[That's all he says for a moment once Tsukiyama is done, but he doesn't look bothered by it at all, just a bit confused.]

That's kinda gross, sir.

[...Aren't you glad you confided in this guy?]

Ah, but don't worry! Your secret is safe with me! But if you don't mind me asking, why do you want to eat people? Is it the taste? I think most people are really horrified by that idea on some deeper level. I've killed more people than I can count and I've never tried it because the idea kinda disgusts me-- oh, but I guess there must be some people out there who aren't disgusted by it, since there have been reports of it before!

[preybeforemeals]

[Well, if he's fazed at all by the general sense of "ew" pervading that answer, it's not evident on his face.]

Tell me why it disgusts you, first. I'd be lying if I said I didn't expect it to, but just humor me, hm?

[greatestcool]

Well, the thought of eating people just naturally disgusts me? It's not something I've ever really thought about before.

[preybeforemeals]

I see.

[He doesn't sound disappointed, per se, but his expression does falter a bit before he continues.]

It's a matter of predation to me, for one thing - why shouldn't I take pleasure in hunting down and killing those that would like to consider themselves some sort of apex predator? It reminds them of their place. I'd go so far as to say that if I'm strong enough to do as I please, then it's my right to do whatever I want - after all, who's going to say that it's not?

Otherwise, it's the taste, yes. Nothing else even comes close.

[greatestcool]

Hmm, well that's certainly an interesting way to look at it! I'm not going to pretend I have any reasons like that for why I target people; I just like to kill.

I've never tried eating anyone before. What does it taste like? Chicken or something?

[preybeforemeals]

[It takes him a while to respond, though he's obviously mulling it over; he manages to bite back the initial disgusted reaction he was tempted to put out there, though - comparing anything to human-made food still strikes him as viscerally wrong, even if he's capable of eating it here.

He manages to find something suitable eventually, however.]

To you? It would probably taste like high-calibre veal. Not quite full beef, but not too young to lack firmness and distinct flavor. That's the closest thing I've encountered.

[greatestcool]

I don't think I've ever had veal, actually.

[He tips his head a bit in thought before reaching up to check that the flowers are still in place.]

Have you managed to eat any of it here? I mean, obviously anyone you try to do that to will come back and they probably won't be happy, and since no one's said anything about it, I'm assuming you haven't.

[preybeforemeals]

...I haven't. It's been terrible, Uryuu-san, absolutely terrible.

[TSUKIYAMA.]