𝐃𝐄(𝐌𝐀𝐍)

CHANGE! CHANGE, O FORM OF MAN! FREE THE PRINCE FOREVER DAMNED! RELEASE THE MIGHT FROM FLESHY MIRE! BOIL THE BLOOD IN HEART OF FIRE! GONE! GONE! — THE FORM OF MAN — RISE, THE DEMON ETRIGAN!! RP BLOG FOR JASON BLOOD AND ETRIGAN THE DEMON WRITTEN BY SUIT

[formofman]

a fun thing about jason is most people probably look at him and think he’s into classical music, lots of strings and piano pieces, but then he turns on the sound system in his house and your ears are immediately blasted with the likes of sabaton, powerwolf, kamelot, and sonata arctica.

[jeelie-bean]

Black Book

[formofman]

     It did not take the Dark Knight long to locate the ones he suspected were responsible for the recent slayings, having used Jason Blood’s knowledge of the ritualistic nature behind them as a point in the right direction — one should expect no less from the city’s self-designated defender. As @knightnoir​​​​​ surveys the makeshift lair from the adjacent rooftop, something behind him begins to stir.

     One of the gargoyles turns its head to leer at the vigilante with smoldering red eyes, revealing itself to be more than a mere statue. The creature rises from its crouched position, announcing its purpose with a deep exhale that faintly smelled of brimstone.

"If Jason Blood lends his aid to Bruce Wayne during the day’s light, then it’s only fitting that Batman be abetted by Etrigan in the shadow of night.”

[kraniumet]

meet cute: it's raining and I see your battered bleeding body lying in the mud and I kick it slightly to see if you're dead

[formofman]

SUPERBOY

“oh.” 

sure, it’s an answer that covers the basics, but it’s also vague enough to leave superboy with more questions on his hands. he’s not really prepared to be asked something in return, so it takes him a second to shift gears.

“consider it a one-of-a-kind superboy house call! not exactly every day i see a guy turn into a demon, so… i figured it would be good to make sure you were, uh, back to this dude,” he says, re-adjusting the shades resting atop his head like it were some sort of widely respected item. they nest perfectly in his hair, without a strand out of place, and even in the dim lighting, his curls hold a definitive shine. he certainly doesn’t look like he belongs here, with his boyish face and his brightly colored costume, but he’s always been good at fitting in, and he’s interested. 

he looks around at the detailed exterior, the high ceiling. 

“does batman know you live here?”

     Jason quirks a brow, amused by the boy’s earnestness as he scrambles to answer the question with something beyond a desire — to him, a need — to satisfy his own curiosity. And now that touching is off-limits, Superboy wastes no time in looking at all of the books, paintings, tapestries, and other various novelties that furnished the loft, appearing especially interested in a prismatic crystal sitting on the end table; Jason doesn’t have the heart to tell him it’s just a paper weight.

"I should certainly hope it’s not an every day occurrence,” he replies, light-hearted enough that it passes for a joke. “‘This dude’ appreciates your concern. When Etrigan and I ‘switch places,’ it usually doesn’t last long. He... understands that I summon him for a specific purpose.”

     Usually.

     The sudden mention of Batman and the implication that his approval would be required for Jason Blood to reside within Gotham earns the boy another brief chuckle.

“Would he still be the ‘world’s greatest detective’ if he didn’t?” he asks playfully.

[occultsleuth]

“If you’re lonely, come be lonely with me.”

LOVESICK * @formofman

it isn't anything that will make them feel better come morning, but it'll suffice for the night, and that's the hardest part, isn't it? trying not to feel hollow and empty when nightfall turns the room dark, when it brings a quiet that turns all the wrong things loud, like john's tired, beating heart. like jason's - that doesn't beat at all.

john removes his trenchcoat wordlessly as he steps through the front door, makes his stumble towards the bedroom, and takes his shoes off by the nightstand while staring blearily out the window. he's worked two nights straight on a case that hadn't mattered in the end, only left him with the grotesque horrors he can still see behind his eyelids every time he blinks. and normally he'd be drunk by now - the obvious assumption, given that he smells like the whole bar - but that's only because his hands wouldn't stop shaking long enough to hold his own pint.

while jason enters and closes the bedroom door, john considers if he can manage a cigarette before sleep, but after he finally sits down on the edge of the bed, he finds that he has no energy to try. he waits for jason to settle in before pulling back the covers to join him, and waits another long moment of laying numb against the mattress before turning to his side and wrapping his arms around jason's torso from behind. his skin is smooth and clean and still smells faintly of cologne, and if he has qualms about john climbing into his bed in clothes damp with booze, he doesn't mention it.

they just lay like that until jason dozes, john staring into nothing for hours until the sunrise creeps into the room and his mind finally allows him to pass out into a dreamless sleep.

[jlaction]

[formofman]

JOHN CONSTANTINE

 JOHN LIFTS HIS GLASS like maybe he’ll meet jason’s proposed toast, but throws it back at the last second, instead. all the while, maintaining his gaze with his immortal colleague, the corners of his eyes crinkling with a leery glint.

“ah mate,” john says, setting his empty glass down on the table with a firm clank and strong burn in his throat, and an almost mocking smile, “close but no cigar.” it’s almost a cheeky gesture that he takes this time to retrieve a cigarette from his breast pocket. with practiced ease, he lights it, managing to take a drag before he falls into the back of the chair again. on contact, he exhales a cloud of smoke, wondering if jason will refill his glass for him while he’s at it, since there’s some underlying implication that there’s something special about today.

“wining an’ dining little ol’ us is all jus’ well and nice innit, but what’re you really gettin’ at with all this, eh?” he gestures, with a neutral expression, because while the con-man side of john is offended at jason’s lack of commitment to this charade by revealing his cards so early on, the other part of john isn’t just going to put it in his hand, either. 

“do you need a favor from a world class bastard, or are you just gettin’ lonelier in your forever age?”

     Jason's eyebrows rise, then fall, at John’s gesture — or lack thereof — and he exhales through his nose as he sets his glass down with a much softer clink.

"Is that so,” he says, more to urge John to elaborate rather than to pose an actual question. Jason’s tempted to make an equally cheeky remark about the cigar ( he doubts the turn of phrase is merely coincidental, given John’s most recent brush with their mutual acquaintance ), but settles for flashing a small yet knowing smile — which slowly fades into a thin line when John finally continues.

     Now it’s Jason’s turn to lean back in his seat. He regards John for a moment, tilting his head in a way that the other man probably reads as an indication of annoyance. Or worse: pity. “I understand this may be a foreign concept to you, John,” he begins, leaning forward to take the other man’s emptied glass and proceeds to refill it, “but when you are a guest in someone’s home, they're typically expected to provide you with a degree of hospitality. Hence...”

     Jason slides the drink back towards John, staring at him all the while. “... my hospitality.”

“It's exhausting, isn’t it?” he continues before John can get a word in edgewise, now replenishing his own glass. “Always assuming anyone who makes the effort to engage with you does so only because they want something from you. Do us both a favor and set aside that chip on your shoulder, would you? Just for today.” He pauses to take a sip of his drink, allowing the Mezcal to linger on his tongue.

“But I will admit,” Jason says, almost as an aside, lifting the glass up to examine the clear liquid it held, “that alcohol tends to taste better with company.”

[lifeinpoetry]

I want my body to feel my body. I want my body to feel.

Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore, from The Freezer Door

[formofman]

❝ we must keep to the shadows.  ❞ for etrigan

UNCHARTED SENTENCE STARTERS | @mystictricks

"HA! If subtlety is what you require, then you should have gone to Blood, because what you’re really looking for is a stick in the mud!”

     Etrigan lets out an awful guffaw, but the hellish cacophony abruptly ends when he notices Zatanna’s glare. The demon grunts and scowls back at her, one of his overly large fangs snagging his bottom lip which only further emphasized the... pout. 

“Hrgh..."

“Fine! Fine, Etrigan will abide by this one rule, even if it makes him look like quite the fool. Although I will admit there is a bright side, and it’s that I get to play pretend I am like our dear friend the Bat.”

     The demon grabs his tattered cape and pulls it across his chest, hiding his menacing face behind the fabric in a way that’s reminiscent of the Dark Knight. His finned ears wiggle, indicating his newfound excitement at the task ahead of them.

     This was going to be a long night...

[real-rorschach]

Jason Blood AKA Etrigan the Demon in Justice League Dark #1 (2018)

[formofman]

❝ looks like he was killed. ripped to shreds actually. ❞

UNCHARTED SENTENCE STARTERS | @shedeadly

     It’s a truly grisly sight to behold: what was once a man has been reduced to little more than a haphazard pile of wet bone and red flesh. Were it not for the scraps of cloth and clumps of hair, one might not have realized they were human remains without closer inspection — a task even the most seasoned of medical examiners would be hard-pressed to do, Jason thinks. “Indeed. And while there are a number of animals native to the area capable of doing just that, they’d also pick it clean or carry it back to their den. This poor soul’s body seems to be mostly in tact, if... undone."

     Jason crouches down in front of the corpse, grimacing a bit as the pungent smell of blood invades his nostrils. It seems death is the only thing his body can react to anymore. He lightly dabs a fingertip atop the pool that’s formed underneath the pulpy mass, and instinctively rubs it against his thumb. “Hm. Still warm. That, coupled with the lack of scavengers, means the kill was recent. Very recent.”

     His stomach tightens at the implication.

     Talia’s silence doesn’t help; Jason can practically feel her eyes boring into the back of his head. He looks over his shoulder at the woman, but makes no move to stand up and face her. Maybe he believes staying in such a vulnerable position will reassure her. “Talia, I didn’t — Etrigan didn’t do this. I would have known if he did. I swear.”

[rslashrats]

bi people have so many powers and can cast so many spells

[formofman]

❝ should i be flattered, or worried? ❞

UNCHARTED SENTENCE STARTERS | @shedeadly

“I believe that, ‘Daughter of the Demon,’ would entirely depend on whether you wish Etrigan to be your foe or your friend.”

     The demon chuckles; it’s a terrible sound that rises up from the depths of his wretched bowels and fills the air with the sharp stench of brimstone. He approaches the woman with heavy, deliberate steps, and though his impressive frame easily towers over her, Etrigan stoops low enough to inhale a whiff of her scent.

“Ahhh, it is just as I expected; there's no other demon here, merely a daughter now neglected.” But perhaps I can assist you in earning a new, more fitting title...”

     The demon’s mouth widens as he gazes upon Talia al Ghul with... amorous intentions.

“Mother of a demon — now doesn’t that sound delightful?”

[edenmemes]

uncharted sentence starters

❝ if you’re done lying to me, then you should stop lying to yourself. ❞ ❝ it’s not going to be easy, you know. ❞ ❝ well, it sounds like you’re working for a nutcase. ❞ ❝ make sure that you’re safe. ❞ ❝ look, i wanted to tell you! i wanted to! but how could i? ❞ ❝ see? i’m not just a pretty face. ❞ ❝ i’m sorry for what happened to you. ❞ ❝ i think i have a bit more experience with this thing than you do. ❞ ❝ wait, wait, wait. something about this feels kinda hinky. ❞ ❝ what a warm and homey place, huh? ❞ ❝ i’m willing to forgive and forget. for old time’s sake. ❞ ❝ looks like he was killed. ripped to shreds actually. ❞ ❝ these guys have been tailing me for weeks. thought i lost them. ❞ ❝ should i be flattered, or worried? ❞ ❝ so with our luck, what’s the odds this volcano is going to erupt on us? ❞ ❝ i hope i don’t go to hell for this. ❞ ❝ i can handle this. i’m tough. i grew up with nuns. ❞ ❝ fair warning, last person who betrayed me wound up dead. ❞ ❝ you told me you’d say out of trouble. ❞ ❝ how do i know you’re real? ❞ ❝ don’t ever point a gun at me again. ❞ ❝ make sure that you’re safe. ❞ ❝ i have made a lot of mistakes. a lot. i’m not a perfect man. ❞ ❝ i had a lousy father. lousy childhood. ❞ ❝ sounds terrible. check his wallet. ❞ ❝ let’s not forget who walked out on whom. you don’t get to be jealous.  ❞ ❝ progress demands sacrafice. ❞ ❝ shut up. i really thought you were gone this time. ❞ ❝ i can’t leave you alone for one minute, can i? ❞ ❝ on a scale of 1-10, how scared were you that i was gonna die? ❞ ❝ i can’t walk away. i’m tired of walking away. ❞ ❝ even an enemy must be fed and sheltered. are you my enemy? ❞ ❝ we can still stop him. i can help you. ❞ ❝ gotta say, you have a real knack for breaking things. ❞ ❝ do as i say not as i do. ❞ ❝ looks like hell spit you back out. ❞ ❝ what’s your story, anyway? ❞ ❝ i don’t take big risks without a good payday. ❞ ❝ i guess it runs in the family, huh? ❞ ❝ you can’t reform the villain and save the day. it’s just not done like that. ❞ ❝ sorry, i just need to get my head back in the game. ❞ ❝ this isn’t our fight. it’s my fight. ❞ ❝ i won’t let them hurt you. ❞ ❝ skip the mind games. you don’t know me. ❞ ❝ no offense, but your ancestor was a right asshole. ❞ ❝ you’re unusually quiet. what’s up your bum? ❞ ❝ that was my last cigarette. ❞ ❝ okay, well, why don’t you just walk away? ❞ ❝ why this obsession? i’m just worried. ❞ ❝ i can’t…i can’t breathe…i just…can’t breathe… ❞ ❝ don’t touch me. get away from me. ❞ ❝ if you let these bastards win - after this - i will never forgive you. ❞ ❝ you’ve got your pride all tangled up in this thing. it’s making you reckless. ❞ ❝ any trouble you shoot first and ask questions later. ❞ ❝ dangerous to be out so late.  ❞ ❝ easy now. look at me. ❞ ❝ my leg! don’t touch it! i know it’s broken! ❞ ❝ are you going to join me, darling? ❞ ❝ this is my gig. you want your share, you play by my rules. ❞ ❝ we don’t get to choose how we start in life. real greatness? it’s what you do with the hand you’re dealt. ❞ ❝ i always felt that we were destined for something great. ❞ ❝ you should relax. you’ll live longer. ❞ ❝ i taught you better than that. ❞ ❝ so that’s a no? felt like a no. ❞ ❝ quit acting like you’re gonna lie down and die, all right? ❞ ❝ i have a spare bed.  ❞ ❝ is there no bottom for your ignorance? ❞ ❝ even cornered dogs bite back.  ❞ ❝ that one is my favourite. it makes your eyes twinkle.  ❞ ❝ admit it. you’re gonna miss this ass.  ❞ ❝ you think i’m a monster, but you’re no different from me.  ❞ ❝ how many people have you killed? how many?  ❞ ❝ you will not stand in the way of destiny.  ❞ ❝ you stick with me, i’ll teach you a few things. ❞ ❝ well, if you’d like, i can tell you where to stick it. ❞ ❝ face it, genius, you’ve been played. ❞ ❝ yeah, keep smiling, asshole. ❞ ❝ i got nothing to prove. ❞ ❝ don’t hand it to me. i’ve had everything handed to me ❞ ❝ you don’t know when to give up, do you? ❞ ❝ you stick your neck out, you’re asking to lose your head. ❞ ❝ oh, and now you’re blushing. ❞ ❝ just so you know, it’s not my first lost city. ❞ ❝ are you always this clever? ❞ ❝ i was trying to rescue you, as a matter of fact. ❞ ❝ you know, at this point, i’ve run out of words. ❞ ❝ what do you say we really ruin this guy’s day? ❞ ❝ whether you die or not, i don’t really care. ❞ ❝ i thought you…i saw you get shot. ❞ ❝ it’s like a camera. you just…point and shoot, right? ❞ ❝ god, who’s being unprofessional now? ❞ ❝ i always knew you were gonna make something of yourself one day. ❞ ❝ let’s just pretend i skipped all of sunday school. ❞ ❝ oh no you didn’t do that. that’s not funny! ❞ ❝ save the world, triumph over evil. ❞ ❝ are you trying to kill me? ❞ ❝ know what i love about partying with a bunch of crooks? nobody cares that you smoke indoors. ❞ ❝ you gave me a goddamn heartattack. ❞ ❝ i’ll die a thousand deaths before i let you win.  ❞ ❝ i didn’t tell you because i was afraid…of losing you. ❞ ❝ what ever happened to just living a normal life? ❞ ❝ even if you think you’re protecting me, you don’t have a right to shut me out like that. ❞ ❝ i mean… thanks for saving me. ❞ ❝ en garde, dickhead. ❞ ❝ i love you. ❞ ❝ come on! we can get out of here together. ❞ ❝ everything i touch turns to shit. ❞ ❝ how did you find me anyway? ❞ ❝ i’ve got my eye on you. ❞ ❝ you were going to sell me out, weren’t you? ❞ ❝ love to know what you’re thinking. ❞ ❝ well, well, well. get it? ‘cause you know, it’s a well. ❞ ❝ it’s a shame we’re leaving empty handed though. ❞ ❝ okay…yeah…how do i look? ❞ ❝ thank me after we get out of this alive. ❞ ❝ you’re lucky that i found you when i did. ❞ ❝ they’re just saying that because it gets to you. ❞ ❝ look, if you’re into shady stuff it’s totally cool. ❞ ❝ ha. that’s my girl. ❞ ❝ i made a promise that i was done with this life. ❞ ❝ listen, sunshine, the world doesn’t care. ❞ ❝ well, that’s it. now you know everything. ❞ ❝ don’t even think about not coming back. ❞ ❝ you know, i shot the man who told me that. ❞ ❝ i thought that i’d be satisfied. instead, i’m left with this strange feeling of emptiness.  ❞  ❝ as thrilling as the next adventure may be, in the end, you’re always left with that same feeling. ❞ ❝ you know, i didn’t think i could trust you either. ❞ ❝ i almost lost you once before. i just can’t do that again. ❞ ❝ don’t even think about not coming back. ❞ ❝ that’s it! no compassion! no mercy! ❞ ❝ sentimentality in this line of work will get you killed. ❞ ❝ i need your help…and you need mine. ❞ ❝ i kept your tears in a jar. ❞ ❝ i expected you to have my back.  ❞ ❝ tell you what. when i get back, pizza’s on me. ❞ ❝ death. it smelled like death. ❞ ❝ so they have beaten you, eh? your quest’s over?  ❞ ❝ you listen to your mum, okay?  ❞ ❝ trust me - your ego will mend.  ❞ ❝ i hope i live to regret this.  ❞ ❝ these men were all shot.  ❞ ❝ be a lot easier just to let go.  ❞ ❝ what? no witty remark? nothing clever to say?  ❞ ❝ seems like i am always saving your ass. ❞ ❝ i never asked for any of your bloody heroics. ❞ ❝ the guys in prison used to say, ‘you can steal to eat or you can steal to get rich.’ i say, why not both?  ❞ ❝ you were never a chocolate and flower kinda girl.  ❞ ❝ i don’t have your luck. people like me know when to walk away from the table.  ❞ ❝ appreciate the update, captain obvious.  ❞ ❝ you made your choice.  ❞ ❝ don’t tell me you’re buying all into that supernatural nonsense.  ❞ ❝ i couldn’t sleep last time i saw that.  ❞ ❝ it’s actually nice working with a woman for a change. ❞ ❝ i’m lucky you’re on my side. ❞ ❝ do you really think all this really could be true?  ❞ ❝ you know, it’s kind of romantic down here.  ❞ ❝ just wish i’d brought something to read.  ❞ ❝ you can relax. we’re safe here. ❞ ❝ i am surrounded by traitors and fools.  ❞ ❝ just don’t get us killed. ❞ ❝ what are you shaking for? ❞ ❝ parents must be worried about you. ❞ ❝ i wonder what you’re really scared of…not bullets, or blood, or broken bones… ❞ ❝ i don’t need your bullet-ridden-corpse on my conscience. let’s go. ❞ ❝ yeah, i’m fine. oh, but - you’re bleeding. ❞ ❝ i do seem to attract the scum of the earth. ah - no offense. ❞ ❝ all this grandeur, hidden away from the world.  ❞ ❝ if we don’t make it out here, i just want you to know - i hate your guts. ❞ ❝ i’ve got a bad feeling about this place. ❞ ❝ that’s my blood. that’s my blood. that’s a lot of my blood. ❞ ❝ you should play the hero more often. it suits you. ❞ ❝ eyes ahead, don’t look down. ❞ ❝ here - grab my hand. ❞ ❝ no matter what it is, you’re supposed to come to me so we can work it out together… as a team.  ❞  ❝ you know nothing is ever truly destroyed. just purified and reborn.  ❞ ❝ you just - totally crushed that moment. you know that, right?  ❞ ❝ you’re a selfish dickhead.  ❞ ❝ i do speak a little bit of ____, you know. wait, what did you say? ❞ ❝ i know you. you’re no hero.  ❞ ❝ i wish you could’ve been there. ❞ ❝ hey, are you happy? ❞ ❝ you’re not gonna pass out on me or nothing, are you? ❞ ❝ look, i…um….i’m not good with the whole people thing.  ❞ ❝ i’ve had worse nights, believe me.  ❞ ❝ let’s find somewhere a little more private. ❞ ❝ hey, take it easy. you’ve been out for almost half an hour.  ❞ ❝ to rule people, you first must sow chaos.  ❞ ❝ it’s not stealing if it was mine to begin with. ❞ ❝ take me with you. ❞ ❝ i’m left with this strange feeling of emptiness.  ❞  ❝ anyone ever tell you, you have a funny idea of romantic?  ❞  ❝ it’s nothing that years of therapy won’t fix.  ❞ ❝ no. it’s my turn to walk away.  ❞  ❝ nothing about our lives have been fair, but we’ve made it work. ❞ ❝ your people will beg me to save them.  ❞ ❝ we’re not on a first-name basis.  ❞ ❝ you know nothing about me.  ❞ ❝ do tell. maybe over some drinks?  ❞ ❝ we must keep to the shadows.  ❞ ❝ hey, you cool? ‘cause i need you to be cool.  ❞ ❝ you must be tired of these lectures. i know i’m tired of giving them. ❞ ❝ here, take this. you’ll catch a cold. ❞ ❝ is that a sin? i think that’s a sin. ❞

[formofman]

SUPERBOY

 the man’s voice comes unexpected, startling kon out of his curious train of thought as he turns, eyes following the cube as it levitates out of his hands and into the jason’s. he watches as it collapses and disappears too, all the more intrigued when he learns that it leads to another realm. it only makes him wonder what all the other seemingly normal looking knick-knacks around here do. maybe something that can grant him wishes, or give him a fortune of the future; there doesn’t seem to be a limit as far as magic goes… and his lack of invulnerability towards magic should leave him cautious rather than excited, but for reasons he can’t explain, being around jason makes him feel safe.

“cool seeing you, too.” kon says, not exactly landing that opener as casually as he had aimed for, but pushing on with a friendly smile, “and yeah… he kinda just rhymed a lot , took what was stolen from doc. then left me a riddle to deal with the homunculu myself.” 

not something he seems stressed about in the least ( he is a superhero after all ), just something he’s not quite sure how to comment on. 

“sooo… this ‘other half,’” he repeats, avoiding the word demon at the risk of sounding offensive, “…is that also you, or…?”

     Jason can’t help but chuckle at the fact that the first thing Superboy mentions about Etrigan isn’t that he’s a monster or a demon, but rather the creature’s penchant for rhyming. “Ah, yes, that — I suppose you could say it’s his preferred method to communicate. It’s actually quite impressive, if I’m being honest, though this ‘quirk’ has also proven to be somewhat... inconvenient at times, as you may have experienced.”

     While he knows summoning Etrigan had ultimately been necessary, Jason is still relieved to see that the demon’s sudden involvement hadn’t disturbed the boy. On the contrary; Superboy seems cautiously curious when it comes to the subject of magic, though that’s to be expected given his inherent vulnerability to it. “He must have thought a riddle would provide you with all the help you needed in order to stop the ritual and heal your wound,” Jason says, lifting his hand in reference. “And he was right. Well done.”

     Jason cants his head as he patiently waits for Superboy to finish his thought, and though he ought to have anticipated such a question to come up eventually, it still catches him off guard. “No,” he answers, almost too quickly, but takes a more measured approach when he elaborates further: “Jason Blood and Etrigan the Demon are two separate beings, thankfully, but magic has kept us bound together for a very long time. By reciting an incantation, I can ‘switch places’ with him, which is what you saw happen at Cadmus.”

     This is a sufficient enough explanation; Jason sees no reason to burden the boy with all the gory details, especially when he’s in the midst of figuring out his own identity and everything that entails. It will be fascinating to watch unfold, that much is certain.

“... But I can’t imagine that’s why you’re here, is it?”

[prokopetz]

Older male characters in mentorship roles will inevitably be interpreted by the fandom as surrogate fathers to their charges, even though “weird uncle who is somehow very wise and a complete fucking dumbass at the exact same time” is a more appropriate characterisation nine times out of ten.