[center][h2]Mr. Vakk and Mr. K’nell[/h2][/center] [hr] There had been a silence, even in the crashing of the ocean against the rocks of the small island, as Vakk merely stared into the air in a deep thought. The thoughts of K’nell spreading his attack amongst the gods deeply troubled him, knowing that any future plans would be destroyed if all the gods were rallied against this minor offense. He had not thought that Li’Kalla would have been allied to any other god given her seemingly anti-social disposition, apparently she had been deceptive. The Lord of Talk let out a sigh before he retreated to the depths of Sanvādam, mentally preparing himself for what may happen in his meeting with the likes of K’nell. The Dream God was an unknown entity and Vakk knew that he would have to tread carefully, past experiences shaping his plans and easing what was a natural aggression. The darkness of his realm allowed him to concentrate, looking back into Li’Kalla’s memories to find the essence of K’nell and grow familiar with it. A mental lock had been made as Vakk came out of the false memories, preparing to speak through Galbar and directly into the other god’s mind. [color=9d8618]”Vakk wishes to speak with you, dreamer.”[/color] Vakk’s word ran through Galbar, silent to all others except for K’nell’s mind. With that, Vakk relaxed his senses, his muscles, and his thoughts as he simple let go of reality for a moment to attempt to drift to sleep. However, as much as he tried to deceive himself of this relaxation, Vakk felt that he could not sleep as it was not in his nature. The power he would be surrendering was what concerned him, there would be no escape if K’nell meant him harm, but it was a gamble he would have to take. Knowing the price, the Lord of Speech let out a relaxed breath before the whispers of his Echoes faded into the background. Sleep had come. [hr] A black plastic telephone rang sharply. The secretary's veteran hand came down quickly and scooped it up to her ear. She nodded and carefully placed the phone back down, standing up from her cushioned computer chair, “Mr. K’nell will see you now.” Vakk blinked, his form having been replaced with that of a brown haired man in a simple brown suit who sat in a cotton seated chair. The smiling secretary stood by a door across a thin blue carpet, her freshly painted fingertips on the copper knob. Other people who were waiting in their own chairs looked at Vakk expectancy. The Lord of Talk looked around, exceptionally confused at the sight that surrounded before he looked down at himself, only adding more to his confusion. He looked over his hands, he remembered having those once but it had been a long while since he had the experience of opposable thumbs. Perhaps, all would bring them back into fashion. Vakk shook himself out of his stupor before standing from the seat. Vakk straightened his tie, something that came naturally to a foreign object. His steps rang against the hard floor as Vakk felt truly nervous approaching the door, making sure his hair was slicked back correctly and that his suit didn’t have any wrinkles. How Vakk knew to do these things, he did not know nor did he exactly have the mind to care. The secretary pushed the door open for Vakk and the man stepped through. There was a click as the door closed behind him. In front of him was a wide, spacious office with long and low cabinets and drawers on one end, and a bookshelf on the other. In the middle sat a squat yet regal desk, with floor to ceiling windows behind it, revealing the twinkling city skyline amid the purple dusk sky. A wide smiling man sat at the desk. He was dressed in a midnight black suit with an equally black tie and a freshly shaven face. Combed silvery white hair sat atop his head and sparkling eyes were held underneath a creased brow, “Mr. Vakk!” A grainy smooth voice called to the Lord of Talk, “Please take a seat.” His hand motioned to a padded chair facing the desk. “Could I get you anything? A coffee, perhaps a drink?” The smiling man lifted a tiny tin, “Smoke?” Vakk skeptically moved forwards, giving a suspicious look. He stepped towards the desk as he began to speak, [color=9d8618]”For someone who slanders me, you are remarkably… generous.”[/color] There would be a silence following before Vakk rubbed the lower part of his nose as he glared upon K’nell, eyes narrowing further. [color=9d8618]”Why?”[/color] he asked, leaning back into his chair. “Ah,” K’nell let out the sound as he pulled the tin towards himself, “Before we get into it, I don’t suppose you mind if [i]I[/i] smoke, then?” [color=9d8618]”By all means,”[/color] Vakk said, making a nonchalant motion for K’nell to do what he wanted. “Very good, then,” K’nell said as he stubbed a brown cigarillo between his lips and struck a match. He brought the glowing stick to the end of the cigarillo and let out a few puffs, his hands illuminating as the cigarillo caught. Exhaling, he let out a smooth cloud of smoke. Vakk watched silently for a few moments, before he spoke, [color=9d8618]”Now, onto business.”[/color] His voice was cold and calculating as both men knew what the subject was about, only there being the matter of who went first. It was Vakk’s initiative that dove him to go first, asking a most curious question, [color=9d8618]”What is your relation with the goddess, Li’Kalla?”[/color] K’nell dabbed the end of his cigarillo onto an ashtray and sat up, “Now, Mr. Vakk, it has come to my attention that you had filed a complaint in regards to the process against you for the harassment of a Miss Li’Kalla. As you are aware, I have approved your hearing and have been provided the security VHS for review, but as always, I’m here -- for you.” “Please,” K’nell folded his hands together and smiled, “I’m all ears.” Vakk blinked a few times, [color=9d8618]”VHS?”[/color] “Yes, you might remember that one of our stockholders’ is avidly against betamax, now please,” K’nell leaned forward and wiggled his nose free from some lingering wisps of smoke, “I’d like to hear your complaint.” The Lord of Speech gave K’nell a confused look for a second longer before clearing his throat and playing along with whatever K’nell was on about, [color=9d8618]”These accusations are unjustly placed on me. You do not know enough to divulge such a conclusion, as ludicrous and outlandish as the situation may seem.”[/color] He cocked his head before meeting K’nell’s gaze, his voice going into a more professional tone, [color=9d8618]”I would like to see the evidence of this harassment.”[/color] K’nell smiled behind steepled fingers. He let his arms fall to his desk and furrowed his brow, “I think we are getting ahead of ourselves. First could we define the situation you are referring to so we can both work on this issue, together.” [color=9d8618]”I believe we both know the situation..”[/color] Vakk stated before a smile came to his face, before he continued in a voice most familiar to K’nell, [color=9d8618]”Mr. K’nell.”[/color] “Ah, I hope you will understand; this is all for the sake of clarity,” K’nell raised a hand, “Before we move into the details of the processing case, it would benefit us both if you could define the situation you believe you are in, and how you see it.” Vakk leaned back into his chair, his smile still across his face before he spoke in his normal voice, [color=9d8618]”Very well. I believe that the situation I have been placed in is one of sabotage and greed. For you see, I do not deny having harassed Li’Kalla, I will say that I had been tricked and controlled. It was Eurysthenes who had ordered my assault and it was him who was pulling the strings. He was in control of me and I had no power to stop him. It was not until the brief fight between Li’Kalla and I that I had broken free of his control.”[/color] His eyes went over K’nell’s form once more before he asked a more off topic question, [color=9d8618]”What exactly is this place? I am not familiar with any of these… things.”[/color] Vakk made a general gesture around him before resting his head in a hand. K’nell sat back in his chair, “I see, now please correct me if I am misrepresenting your story: Mr. Eurysthenes had taken control of your body and forced you upon Miss Li’Kalla, to which only during physical violence between you two did you regain control and-- then what?” [color=9d8618]”I ran. She had become... something else. Also, it should be made clear that Eurysthenes was after an artifact, a box that he sought to weaponize and take control of additional gods.”[/color] “And what box was that?” K’nell steepled his fingers. [color=9d8618]”A music box to soothe, Li’Kalla. She found my form to be quite terrifying and I could see she was anxious. I made it as a gift to calm her”[/color] Vakk fiddled with his tie again, finding it mildly uncomfortable, [color=9d8618]”You will have to excuse my motions, I am not used to this form.”[/color] K’nell waved a hand, “Don’t worry, I understand that these sorts of situations can be stressful.” He opened a lower draw on his desk and looked up, “If you’d forgive me, but before we go any further, I was hoping you wouldn’t mind if I took a few notes to better aid the process?” Vakk motioned for K’nell to continue with a smile. K’nell gave Vakk a thankful nod and pulled out a pad of yellow paper and a pen. He clicked the pen and pressed it against the first leaf on the pad, “Right, so you had made a music box for Miss Li’Kalla in order to soothe her anxiety around you, correct?” He started to jot his words on the paper. Vakk nodded in response. “And Mr. Eurysthenes had confronted you and told you he wished to turn this box into a weapon?” K’nell peeked up from his notepad. [color=9d8618]”Indeed, he thought I would comply. As you could guess, I did not.”[/color] “Certainly not,” K’nell agreed with a wide smile, “As I said, we are here for [i]you[/i]. Now, did Mr. Eurysthenes explain how he planned to turn a music box of soothing anxiety relief into a mind control device?” Vakk sighed, growing more annoyed at K’nell’s antics as time wore on, [color=9d8618]”We are gods K’nell. He would most likely have used some of his divine magic to transform it.”[/color] “I see,” K’nell scribbled something down and cleared his throat, “So upon denying him access to your box, he did what?” [color=9d8618]”Overpowered my mind and compelled me to assault Li’Kalla.”[/color] “Okay,” K’nell continued to write, “So, if I have this correctly. You had created a music box for the purpose of soothing miss Li’Kalla’s anxiety. Mr. Eurysthenes desired this music box and asked you to give it to him so he may weaponize it into a mind control device, upon your refusal he took control of you mind regardless and forced you to assault Li’Kalla, to which you were broke from your reverie when she had transformed into something different. Does this sound correct?” [color=9d8618]”It may sound like madness, but yes.”[/color] “This is a safe space, Mr. Vakk, no one here is accusing you of madness,” K’nell gave a reaffirming grin, “Now if you please, what are your prior relationships with Mr. Eurysthenes and Miss Li’Kalla before these incidents took place?” [color=9d8618]”Eurysthenes has been… troublesome to me. I tend to try and avoid it most times, but there is something about him I am drawn to. It could be the mystery and cryptic nature of it that I would like to solves,”[/color] Vakk said before he looked down and gave a sorrow filled face. Some tears welled up in his eye but none of them would fall, [color=9d8618]”Li’Kalla is a kind girl. I like to talk to her, K’nell, she is such a lovely being to be around. To hurt her… it makes me…”[/color] He stopped speaking a turned away from K’nell, wiping his face on his sleeve [color=9d8618]”Forgive me.”[/color] “It’s quite alright, Mr. Vakk,” K’nell produced a handkerchief from his front pocket and handed it over the desk, “Would you like to take a break?” Vakk accepted the handkerchief, wiping away his tears, [color=9d8618]”No… no… I must see this through without interruption.”[/color] “Very well,” K’nell nodded, “You are strong to do so, do not doubt that for a second. Now if you don’t mind, could you go into detail about what you mean when you say that you and Mr. Eurysthenes have had a troubled past together?” [color=9d8618]”He trapped me in its maze and nearly drove me to insanity, is what itdid. That’s how it was able to easily take control of my mind, driving me to unending agony by being forced to complete his puzzles and riddles. Yet, it is my fault for going back to it to try and solve the true enigma that is Eurysthenes.”[/color] With a furrowed brow, K’nell tapped his pen against his chin, “And how did this scenario end, on what terms between you two?” [color=9d8618]”It made me sacrifice part of myself to escape. It made me attack myself. I am sure you could imagine I am not very fond of it.”[/color] “Certainly not,” K’nell agreed once more, “So would you say this scenario ended with you two as enemies?” [color=9d8616]”Yes.”[/color] “And how long after this incident did he approach you to reveal his machinations?” K’nell looked up. [color=9d8618]”Not too long after. I was a bit broken at the time so the timing of things was… strange, I did not know what to think other than to try and get away from it.”[/color] “And if you could, what were his exact words to you when he revealed his grand scheme,” K’nell placed his pentip on the paper in preparation. [color=9d8618]”Please, do not make me relive the memory, K’nell. I do not wish to have a healing wound, reopened,”[/color] Vakk detested, clearly looking quite emotionally spent from having talked about the subject. “Mr. Vakk,” K’nell let his pen rest on the pad and he leaned his elbows against the desk, “While I won’t force you, I want to remind you that I am here for you, and this would only serve to improve the process. Would you like to give it a try, or should we continue without this statement in particular?” Vakk kept silent for a few moments, merely looking at K’nell before letting out a drawn out sigh. The next time he would speak would be in a quite maddened voice, one much different from, [color=9d8618][i]”Vakk. What is the desire that I possess? It is material yet not, corruptible and able to control thought? What is it?”[/i][/color] His voice went back to normal, [color=9d8618]”Those are the only words I can explicitly remember. Though I remember the answer was music. After that, it gets harder to remember until I was assaulting Li’Kalla.”[/color] “So he never explicitly mentioned the box itself?” K’nell flipped a page in the notebook, hardly looking up. [color=9d8618]”No, but I see no other reason for it to send me to Li’Kalla it other than to retrieve the music box. But it was not there, for it had been stolen by a ‘Hermes’.”[/color] Vakk said, remaining unblinking at K’nell, watching him write. “I see,” K’nell looked up, “So his capture and plans for the music box is an assumption?” [color=9d8618]”I suppose, but it would be a strong assumption, given our rivalry.”[/color] “Of course,” K’nell nodded, “And so to recap so far: you have a rivalrous relationship with Mr. Eurysthenes to which the last time you spoke, he mentioned a riddle denoting neither a plan nor substance to which afterwards you found yourself assaulting Miss Li’Kalla and then so on.” He waved his pen and flipped the page, “What brought you to the conclusion that he had taken over your body in explicit desire to retrieve your music box from Miss Li’Kalla?” [color=9d8618]”Because it was all I could think about during the assault. I could not control what I was doing to the poor girl before I came back into control.”[/color] “Oh,” K’nell sat up, “So during your loss of control, he was feeding you his plan mentally?” [color=9d8618]”More or less, feeding instructions to me. Basic ones to where I eventually could piece it together.”[/color] “Ah!” K’nell nodded in agreement,” So it wasn’t an assumption?” [color=9d8618]”Given that he is not directly state his intentions, it would still qualify as an assumption. At least, as far as the weaponization goes.”[/color] “And how did he come to know about your music box?” K’nell bit the end of the pen, “Did he ever say?” [color=9d8618]”No. I do not know how it knew of the box, but it did.”[/color] “I see,” K’nell paused for a bit, “Do you think --to the best of your knowledge-- that Mr. Eurysthenes and Miss Li’Kalla have had social interactions before this encounter?” [color=9d8618]”No.”[/color] “Very good,” K’nell put his pen down and folded his hands together, “Could you by any chance, describe the events of the actual assault, both leading up to it and during.” [color=9d8618]”I remember it vividly. I had gone up to her mansion, no doubt my aggression at the time had scared her into hiding so my tendrils invaded her home before dragging her out. I asked where the box was. She said she did not know, so I tortured her. I- I broke one of the wings Azura gave her. When she told me that Hermes had taken it, I remember getting out a single warning to her, not to trust anyone. It was those words that broke her, I-I didn’t mean for it to come out the way it did but I was not in control! I- I… I fled the moment I could gain control of myself.”[/color] Vakk looked at the floor, keeping his head in his hands before repeating a few words to himself. [color=9d8618]”I am a coward.”[/color] “Now, now,” K’nell comforted, “What did you do as soon as you regained your composure?” [color=9d8618]”Like I said, I ran,”[/color] Vakk said before continuing on with his repetition of the word ‘coward’. K’nell finished catching his notepad up with a quick swipe of his pen. He let the pad fall to his lap and steepled his fingers, “Mr. Vakk with your permission, I’d like to lead us through a hypothetical.” Vakk looked up, breathing a little before shakily nodding his approval. K’nell inclined his head and began, “Let’s say --as horrible as it may be-- that you succeeded in your assault and came upon the music box. With it in hand you return it to your rival; why do you suspect they needed the box to control minds, and how would it be used to do such a thing?” [color=9d8618]”Music can sway the hearts and minds of those who listen to it, my box is technically the same in that it soothes the listener. Yet, if Eurysthenes got a hold of it, no doubt he would have the melody be of control, the box could be used to amplify his powers to work on multiple gods, simultaneously.”[/color] “So the box was already somewhat of a manipulation, if you will, and Mr. Eurysthenes would simply alter it to make that manipulation suit him?” K’nell tapped his chin in thought. [color=9d8618]”I suppose,”[/color] Vakk shrugged. “Is this not a correct statement?” K’nell picked up a small white vial, “Wouldn’t Mr. Eurysthenes in this hypothetical simply be altering the manipulative nature of the device to serve a devious purpose?” [color=9d8618]”Yes,”[/color] Vakk nodded. “Good,” K’nell put the vial back down and put the pen back to the paper, “Pardon another hypothetical, but let’s say you had the box and were of a similar ire of Mr. Eurysthenes; in this case, what would be your end goal, or in other words, the reason you felt the need to torture Miss Li’Kalla and steal away a box of manipulation in an attempt to control the Gods?” [color=9d8618]”I cannot think of such things, K’nell. I will not discuss the possibility,”[/color] Vakk stated, shaking his head to dismiss the subject. K’nell placed his pad down and leaned back in his chair. After a moment or two he laced his fingers together and smiled, “Mr. Vakk, I must say I am inclined to believe your story.” Vakk allowed a small, restrained smile to come across his face before he spoke in a more grateful tone, [color=9d8618]”This brings much happiness to my heart. Does this mean you will recall those ‘magpies’?”[/color] “I’m sorry,” K’nell steepled his fingers, “What I mean to say, Mr. Vakk, is that I believe your story, up to the point you claim it was not of your own doing. In other words, Mr. Eurysthenes was never involved.” [color=9d8618]”Do you suspect another god?”[/color] K’nell blinked, “You. I believe by your own admission that you had assaulted Li’Kalla with no further help from any other God, in an attempt to retrieve your box of manipulation to which you planned nefarious deeds.” “You see,” K’nell picked up the pad and began to flip through it, “Mr. Eurysthenes has no history with the box or Li’Kalla, and your story is ever changing up until the assault, to which you define and describe in match with other evidence. You admit to the assault. You admit to the creation of the box. You admit it is a tool of manipulation. You pose plans beyond Mr. Eurysthenes that match your own mindset, in other words, since Mr. Eurysthenes is not a possible character in this incident, these ideas and machinations are your own. You further go on to claim Mr. Eurysthenes is your rival and then accuse him of atrocious crimes in your own defense, creating a bias that cannot be ignored and on top of that you denied being able to think of such things after directly posing and assuming them yourself.” Vakk’s eyes narrowed, any form of emotion draining from his face, [color=9d8618]”You dare to assume I intended to harm Li’Kalla? You dare?”[/color] He raised himself from his chair and put his hands on the desk before, he lowered his voice to a growl. [color=9d8618]”This is an insult to me, Dreamer.”[/color] K’nell raised his brows and looked up at Vakk, “Did you intend to harm Li’Kalla?” He folded his hands. [color=9d8618]”I would never,”[/color] Vakk growled, moving his face closer to K’nell’s face as anger and rage began to fill his expression. Then, the feeling passed causing Vakk to turn away from the other god, his hands behind his back. [color=9d8618]”Very well. But considering this insult, I must remind you,”[/color] he began before his voice went to that Li’Kalla’s before speaking in a cold and sinister tone, [color=9d8618]”Hermes. She will be trampled like a flower in my path when the time comes. Like you. It was your creation who caused this thus the true fault is to be put upon you, Mister K’nell. Justice will be served for her thievery, whether it is paid in her blood or your own, I care not. For soon, the box will be mine once more.”[/color] With those parting words, Vakk calmly walked towards the door, to leave. “You're as contradicting as the day is long, Mr. Vakk,” K'nell rose from his seat, his voice still unusually stalwart “I'm afraid this won't look very well on the final report.” [color=9d8618]”And I am afraid that any peace between us has been burned. Yet, what could I have expected of a god of dreams? That is where you live, your own deluded world. It is that deluded world that will be your fall, dreamer.”[/color] Vakk stated, before opening the the door and slamming it behind him. He could hear gentle laughing from behind the door, the other people sitting in shock as they looked up from their seats. Then. He awoke. [hider=Summary] Vakk decides to go to sleep to confront K’nell about the magpies, but comes too in an office waiting room. After being told that a “Mr. K’nell” is ready to see him, he is escorted to an office door. Through the door he finds K’nell behind a desk and an overview of a city landscape. He is prompted to take a seat and offered refreshments, which he declines. Vakk opens up, wondering why K’nell cares about Li’Kalla but the conversation quickly turns into an HR hearing over Vakks misconduct. Vakk defends himself, being hit at all angles by seemingly harmless questions, until finally K’nell reveals that he has acquired new evidence through the hearing and believes that Vakk had assaulted Li’Kalla, and furthermore how and why he did it. (A true Gottem) This j’accuse turns into Vakk brooding and growling at the God of Dreams and then with a final grit, he threatens the life of Hermes and leaves with sinister words. [/hider]