004 - [Accidental Video]

[makainoou]

[The video feed opens onto what was once a living room but which at this point is better described as a sty. Discarded food wrappers, game cartridges, and open books litter the floor. If Laharl owned more clothes, there would probably be dirty laundry, too, but thankfully there's just one pair of shoes in there somewhere.

A large television is the primary source of light in the room. Incongruously, a plush rabbit sits atop the TV, looking a little worse for wear.

The center of the room is occupied by an open coffin, where Laharl is sitting cross-legged, a controller in his hands. He looks to be playing an underwater racing game and, of course, growling to himself as he plays.]

Stupid seahorse, get the hell out of my way.

Comments

voice

[bufudine]

[Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...]

I haven't.

voice

[makainoou]

You really have lived a pretty sorry existence, haven't you?

voice

[bufudine]

[Wow rood! But Serph isn't about to deny it.]

Games like this didn't exist in my original world.

[Everyone was too busy killing each other to make games, you know?]

voice

[makainoou]

Seriously, though. Never mind video games, no one even had the creative spark to see who could run fastest?

voice; sorry for the slow, was on hiatus!

[bufudine]

We were busy killing each other.

[Said perfectly flatly.]

no worries!

[makainoou]

24/7?

That's almost impressive.

[bufudine]

[24/7 isn't a term he's heard before but after some thought, it becomes obvious what Laharl means.]

It was our programmed purpose.

[makainoou]

Programmed?

What, you guys had mind control devices installed?

[bufudine]

We were created without autonomy.

[What is a good example to illustrate his point...]

We were like those other racers in your game.

[makainoou]

So that's why you're such a dunce. You never had to think before.

[bufudine]

[He can't deny that. However, he does feel like he needs to make a correction here.]

We could think and analyse, as long as it was related to our objective. We were incapable of considering anything else.

[makainoou]

So you're a step above a vegetable. That doesn't count for much.

[bufudine]

[Serph's not really bothered by the comparison. It's true, in a way, after all.]

That was then.

[Anyway...]

So the aim in your game is to be the fastest?

[makainoou]

That's right.

You'd probably suck at it.

[bufudine]

[Ouch. That brings back memories.]

You seem to be having trouble.

[Said in his usual flat tone.]

[makainoou]

I almost won that time. That's not having trouble.

[bufudine]

[Okay, Serph can't help but poke a bit of fun at Laharl. There's the slightest hint of amusement in his voice.]

Almost winning isn't winning.

[makainoou]

It's a video game, not life. I can do it as many times as I want until it is winning.

...and it still gives you a trophy for second place.

[bufudine]

[Uh huh. Anyway...]

Enjoy your game. Good luck winning.

[It's said sincerely.]

[makainoou]

I don't need luck.