Prompt 41 / Cult for Null: (Cw Again for: Mind fuckery & Manipulation)
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“They called it cult, so I killed,” Satrne affirms to you, not seeming to be all too upset or disappointed in the choice it had made. Well not yet, anyway.
Even you have to admit though, that the unwavering loyalty that it shows in trying to defend your good name is pleasing. You ended up quite lucky with a guard as dedicated as Satrne is to you, it made controlling it nearly effortless.
“It was very kind of you to defend my name, Satrne, but I think you know that killing so rashly may only affirm such rumors to outsiders looking in, don’t you?” Your tone isn’t judgemental or harsh, but you can tell they now feel guilty for their incorrect action. They don’t want to make you look bad.
Tattered teal fins flatten back against their head and they avert their gaze to the floor, wisely choosing not to say anything. Satrne does not try to defend himself, already convinced that he was utterly in the wrong here.
“I know you are passionate, it is something I admire about you--”
Its fins come forward a bit and a tinge of color hits its face at the praise.
“However,” Pinned back they go once more, “You know you should only kill at my behest when it is in everyone's best interest or if I am in danger.”
There’s a glint of purple in their eyes as they reply, “I know.”
You lay an almost affectionate touch to their cheek as you gaze down at them, so kindly, so pleasantly. You know they are weak to their pale affections for you and you have no qualms with abusing it, either.
“You want to grovel and beg for my forgiveness, don’t you?”
The purple glint still strong in their eyes they reply promptly, “For a chance.”
You smirk, you can’t help it really, but in moments like this a glimmer of your more genuine emotion shines through. If you have any that belong to a real you, that is.
You let your hand fall from his face, feeling the leather of your gloves catch faintly on his tough skin. There’s no reaction on his part, of course, because he is completely entranced by you at this point.
“You may leave Satrne, remember my generosity in forgiving you and the guilt that you feel. You may behave as normal when you shut the door behind you on your way out.”
Like a stiff soldier having received their orders, he turns, hefty reptilian tail dragging limply behind him, and exits the room. As instructed, once the door shuts you feel your mental leash on him relax. Through the wood, you hear a miserable-sounding curse in a language you don’t know. Context alone tells you that he was likely cursing himself for disappointing you.
Before long you hear a set of steps grow quieter when he walks away from you until there is only silence left in the wake of your chat.
Alone in your office, you muse thoughtfully to yourself, face as blank as stone, with a dull tone of voice to match, “If what I seek constitutes a cult, then I may as well be the empress.”
Caught up in your egotistical thoughts, you don’t notice the jade-blooded troll lurking in your rafters.
Prompt 21 / Danger for Null: (CW: Manipulation, mind fuckery, etc.)
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With a gentle voice and an even gentler hand, you place your fingers lightly on the shoulder of the mutant sitting beside you in your office, offering reassurance to them. Now was the opportunity you had been searching for, they were confiding in you, and they were beginning to trust you.
And they didn’t know it yet, but they would follow you to the ends of Alternia, too, in due time.
“I’m grateful that you felt comfortable enough to tell me this, it must have been difficult.”
“Y-yeah… yeah, it was, but… well, I know you wouldn’t judge me. Us mutants always have each other, right?” Their wide, hopeful eyes look up and into yours.
“Of course,” you reassure, “you will always have support with us here. I would never turn my back on you.” You offer them a small, kind smile.
A twitch of their own smile flashes across their features in return to yours and their shoulders slump visibly, as if hit with a wave of relief by the affirmation.
These trolls are always the same; different packaging on the same core components. Well, some of them had bells and whistles, so to speak. You were always especially pleased when those ones would follow your lead.
No time to waste with inner musings though, the train of thought passing you by in a matter of seconds.
With a hint of purple glow falling upon their face, you start the process of rooting yourself in their mind. Nothing like the thrill of control.
“I think, after everything you have told me, we can both tell that even your friends are a danger to you, as sad as it is to admit.” You sound sorrowful, as if your heart were breaking for them while you stated this fact.
Their features slacken, just a touch. “My friends... Are a danger?”
‘Open to it, but not sure,’ You observe, ‘Another nudge then it is.’
“Only someone close to you could have hurt your lusus in such a way, my friend. If they came for your custodian, they may come for you.” Reassuring and soft-voiced, as if you don’t want to upset them. “Going home could very well put your life at risk.”
A slow, dazed nod, “Yeah, you’re right Null… I don’t.. want to get hurt. I deserve to live.”
They haven’t broken eye contact since you started your manipulation. They’re already struggling to form thoughts you haven’t instructed them to and they hang on your every word.
As expected, this one was very vulnerable. Weak-minded.
“Then stay with us, you will be safe here.” Your eyes have gone to their fully natural color, deep black, and vibrant purple.
“I’ll stay with you, so I’m safe.” they agree, without hesitation.
“You trust me.” It's a fact.
“I trust you.” They confirm.
You snap your fingers and they blink a few times, coming back to themself. They trust you implicitly now.
“Thank you for letting me stay here, Null, it means a lot.”
This is from Jejune's perspective because you Can't have Null's.
Also, the original ask was sent by @quiescent-trolls , but I'm pretty sure Tumblr deleted it after I drafted the ask so <3
Google Docs Link
Surely it's not a good sign when your boss calls you in to chat alone... and before your therapy session is supposed to start, no less. Hmm. No, you don't think you'll take that chance, actually.
You were taking your usual post-stolen snack nap up in the rafters when your rest was disrupted by the calm, monotone voice you’d come to know as your employers. Your boss told you he needed to speak with you ‘immediately’ as if it could be more urgent than your food coma. You’re not one to rush things in your downtime, but you don’t think that matters to him in the least.
Honestly, the guy still calls you friends, but you haven’t felt that way in a really long time. Debt that you owe him be damned, you know what friends are like and this isn’t it. Well, you think you know at least, but that’s hardly the point.
No need to start trouble that you can’t handle though, so you comply with his ‘request’. Mostly. Look, he doesn’t need to know he won’t be talking with the real, physical you. Secrets never killed anyone. Hah.
After you spend a minute lying on your back and thinking you remember that you were supposed to be heading down for your chat. Right, okay, here you go. Staying in your prone position you sweep any hair on your face off to the side and open your extra eye, the ring around your pupil glowing a bit brighter as you manifest your duplicate, an exact copy of you sitting on the rafter beam beside you.
Ugh, you really are the sexiest bitch in this place, huh?
With a smirk you tilt your head to gesture to the floor below and close your lower two eyes, focusing all of your attention on perceiving through your duplicate. It jumps to the floor, landing in a stylish three point that none of your coworkers are around to appreciate. ‘Typical’, you think to yourself.
In only a couple of moments, you see the face of Null through your duplicate, the door to his ‘office’ creaking open to reveal the snake himself.
“Hey boss man, what can I do for ya? Need some intel?” you project your voice through the duplicate, your true self is moving their mouth but no sound comes out from it.
“My darling June, I’ve noticed that you’ve seemed…” His head tilts to one side and his dark eyes flicker to you from where they’d been staring at the wall a second prior, then he continues.
“...Somewhat distant recently, would you be willing to tell me why?”
Yeesh, just June? What a dick, he knows you hate that. Regardless though, your duplicate makes a deep bow, holding one side of the cloak out for a bit of dramatic flair. “Sorry, Null, it won’t happen again! You’ve just been hanging with our dearest Divine a lot recently, so I didn’t want to intrude.”
Standing back up you see the faintest quirk of one brow upon his face.
Shit, did you overdo it? No, no, surely not, he knows you’re a bit dramatic but there’s no way he takes you seriously enough to think you’re being ingenuine, right?
Up in the rafters, you can’t help but swallow nervously. You did just wake up, so you’re not exactly at the top of your game here.
Null steeples his fingers, “Oh please my friend, no need for such a grand apology. I was simply concerned for your well-being. Drawing back from others is often a sign of other things…”
He sounds genuine, but you’re keen enough to pick up the hidden implications. You and he are the least connected and he knows it, so it isn’t really all that surprising that he’s wary of you straying.
“Still looking out for me as always, huh? You make a jade blush, honestly!” Your duplicate gives a shy laugh, lifting a hand to rub at the back of its head in seeming embarrassment. “Really, I’m fine, just giving you your space. I prefer to play with that sewer beast of yours anyway, my jokes tend to go right over Parl’s head, y’know?”
This seems to placate his suspicions a little, as it plays into what he knows and it isn’t really a lie, either. Null rests both hands on his desk, posture relaxing just a touch.
“Is that all? You know I can appreciate your humor as well, Junebug.” A relaxed smile takes place on Null's otherwise neutral features.
Well, that’s what it looks like, however, you don’t really trust any expression this guy makes at you. “You know, that’s a good point! I always tend to think of you all serious because of our working relationship n’ all, must just be subconscious association haha.”
Null inclines his head in understanding, his expression sympathetic towards you.
“I apologize if I’ve seemed too harsh or reminded you of your guardian in some way but please, why don’t we spend the day together tomorrow, Junebug? It would be nice to have your company and counsel.”
You allow your physical self to grimace, really you can’t help it, he had to bring up your ‘lusus’? He’s really trying to bring you down here. What are you going to do though, deny his ‘request’? Not a smart move.
“Ah, man, if it wouldn’t get in the way of your business, I’d be game! Might have to cancel some plans with Caorse, but no big deal- he’s lame anyway.” You honestly can’t help but snicker a little bit through your duplicate at the slight, but it just adds to your act so it doesn’t worry you.
“Yes, well, we can speak on Caorse another time, but I am sure he will understand.” Null moves around the side of his desk and settles down in his chair then gestures for the door, “I thank you for speaking with me, Jejune. I’ll eagerly await your company tomorrow.”
The smile on his face makes you sick-- you just know he’s gonna try and fuck with your head tomorrow. At least you made it out of this without him trying something like that, though, you really didn’t feel like pretending to get brainwashed today.
“Right, right, see you then! I’ll bring snacks!” your duplicate replies cheerily, stepping back out through the door and closing it before disappearing into thin air. Above, your third eye closes and you lift your hands to your face, rubbing your eyes in frustrated exhaustion.
You can’t help muttering to yourself as you smush your face further in exasperation, “Fuck, tomorrow is gonna suck real bad, isn't it...”
> Null is currently at the Ball, socializing with what seems to be a good deal of folks; mostly ones that gravitate toward his presence throughout the event. Despite that- he interacts with each person or group with the energy to match whatever attitude they bring, seemingly unbothered by the near-constant, shifting attention.
> In fact, Null even accepts a few dances and hands out plenty of business cards as the night goes on. By his side stands Satrne, his short but dense bodyguard who remains silent in the presence of others unless prompted to speak by Null.
> Any time that someone approaches, Satrne gets tense, but Null seems to either not notice... or to ignore the reaction entirely as he continues chatting.
> All of the food and drink to be had that night are first tried by Satrne before Null ever touches it.
