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[absentconstellation]

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[absentconstellation]

[ This is permissible. He rubs his head against Karkat's hand when he gets the chance. ]

That is why it bothers me.

[quadrangle]

[Spoiled cat. So spoiled. He doesn't stop petting, though.]

Because you don't like being in control or because it... because what?

[absentconstellation]

I am a constellation. No one should be able to control me.

[quadrangle]

[Except gravity, he's pretty sure? But those laws don't seem to apply in Pounce's universe, so he's... ugh, whatever. Scratching between kitty's ears instead.]

A lot of other people were controlled. I don't know if that helps, but it happened.

[He's pretty sure, anyway. He'd spent most of his time hiding out of sight (unnecessarily), but it's still true.]

[absentconstellation]

It does not. I have clashed with mages. I have never been controlled by one.

[ Mages don't have the gall to try, mostly. They know it's wiser to simply take him out of commission, not make a long term enemy of such immense power. ]

[quadrangle]

[Kitty had better not be sinking agitated claws into his lap, but Karkat supposes he could understand if he were. This whole situation is fucked up.]

First time getting controlled in Norfinbury too?

[absentconstellation]

[ Oh no, he only does that to people who've earned it. He's extending his claws, but he's very careful to move his paws so he doesn't actually get through the fabric of his pants. ]

Yes, it is.

[quadrangle]

[Pounce is the best cat. He's getting more soothing pets for the consideration along with some gentle scritches behind his ears.]

... It's going to happen again.

[Karkat says it reluctantly, knowing that the Cat hardly needs the reminder, but it's... something they both have to face eventually, isn't it? Even if neither of them want to.]

[absentconstellation]

[ He grumbles deep in his throat, almost like a purr, but terrible. He does tilt his head so Karkat scratches exactly the right spot. ]

I know.

[quadrangle]

[Why the fuck does he indulge this furbeast, he has no clue. He's not stopping, but still.]

Do you think it would help if you talk to other people who were controlled too? Or is this just a... constellation thing?

[absentconstellation]

[ He grumbles again, but quieter this time. ]

Perhaps Castiel.

[quadrangle]

... Huh. Yeah, I guess you would have a lot in common.

[Even if he still hasn't spoken to Castiel himself.]

[absentconstellation]

In a distant way. We are fundamentally different beings, but neither of us is mortal.

[quadrangle]

And you're both normally pretty powerful, right?

[Shit, he can't even imagine what that's like. Maybe if he'd actually ascended to god tier it would be different, but... well. He hadn't.]

[absentconstellation]

I should imagine so. Not the type to be controlled, under any circumstances.

[quadrangle]

[He heaves an aggravated sigh.]

I'd ask how this place even manages that, but what would even be the point? It's probably nanomachines, like that answer ever fucking tells us anything! Why not just rename them "shenanigans" or "bullshit pseudo-science magic that draws its reality-warping superpowers from subatomic go fuck yourself?" It'd clear up a hell of a lot more.

[absentconstellation]

I have been wondering that myself since I first arrived here. It is quite impressive, however they managed it.

[quadrangle]

[Of course the Cat doesn't even bat an eye. Time to very gently flick an ear.]

Maybe if the thing under the city actually were a horrorterror, it'd make sense, but everyone keeps saying the name is just a coincidence.

[absentconstellation]

[ He turns and tries (not very hard) to bite his fingers. ]

Why would that makes sense?

[quadrangle]

[He very considerately allows a moment's gnawing before resuming the all important pets.]

Huh, I guess I didn't tell you? Fuck, I don't remember. Horrorterrors are these dark elder gods where I come from. I don't know if they'd be capable of something like this place, but I wouldn't put it past them? Especially if the one in charge here was different because of some exposure to... whatever. But it's not, so it's stupid to think about.

[absentconstellation]

[ The Cat doesn't gnaw too hard. Just making a point, really. He resumes enjoying the petting, though he's still a bit grumpy himself. ]

The only ones who have any power over me are Father Universe and Mother Flame, who created the world and gave birth to the gods.

Perhaps your Horrorterrors are similar entities.

[quadrangle]

[... There's a terrifying thought. He shudders.]

I don't... think they are? But I guess I don't know who played whatever version of Sgrub made my universe before the scratch. Maybe the trolls from Beforus knew, but it's not like I can ask them now.

[absentconstellation]

No, indeed not.

[ His tail flicks about in interest. ]

It would take a great deal of power to construct the 'game' you described to me. If the Horrorterrors are a part of it, then surely the creator must be more powerful still.

[quadrangle]

Yeah, assuming it's not another self-perpetuating time loop? Maybe there's yet another timeline somewhere in my relative future that puts it all together.

[He's definitely growing agitated, but he's still petting the Cat. It's oddly soothing.]

[absentconstellation]

Perhaps.

In any case, it has very little bearing on our current situation.