I'd rather not possess a bug, if it's all the same to you.
[It's a cheap deflection and they both know it--even if it's true--and Jamil falls silent while he stalls answering Momo's real question. Because... well...
After several seconds, he finally admits:]
...There were some that volunteered. Only so that I wouldn't possess their friends, so it isn't as if they weren't benefiting.
[Momo gives a soft, understanding sort of laugh at the initial statement, so at least he's not offended even if it's clearly a deflection - but from the subtle shift in his expression at the answer that follows, that's about what he was expecting. He would've been far more surprised if it had been discussed at all and absolutely nobody had volunteered.]
Still, that's volunteers. So multiple people have already disproven the thought that nobody would. And I think people would be willing to discuss boundaries on both sides, if they're prepared to do it in the first place.
[Given the more self-serving line of thinking Jamil seems to be taking, Momo figures framing it in that way - both parties discussing how to go about it - may make more sense to him than saying some may still be concerned with not making it an even worse experience for him than it already is. He feels most people who've been here even a little while understand that being a Spectral is difficult for a variety of reasons.]
[Jamil sniffs. Truth be told, Momo is getting to him, but Jamil is just too stubborn to admit it without poking holes in things a little more.]
And what am I supposed to do? Walk up to people and just ask if they'll play host for a while? You tell me how I'm suppose to get people to agree to that without threatening their friends first.
[Momo's brows arch with a sort of...almost familiar, dry amusement. Jamil's not the first person he's met who's been prone to assume everyone is self-serving just because of their own outlook, though he makes for an easier discussion than Ryou ever had.] Well, you've already asked people at this point, haven't you? So you can bring it up with them again now that the topic's come up. I think you're overestimating how much the friend-threatening is affecting this - some people are going to be more willing than you might be in the opposite situation to just help someone.
[Some, not all, certainly. But most can also see the broader picture that letting someone reach starvation point is going to endanger more people without directly having to have their friends threatened about it, as well.]
[Jamil stares at Momo for a long, long time, his eyes narrowed into slits and his mouth pressed into a thin line. Finally, he throws up his hands with a click of his tongue, exasperated. He doesn't really have anything else to say in his defense and he'd like to be done with this conversation.]
Fine, whatever. I'll ask permission next time if it's so important to you. Is that what you want? Anything else?
[Momo simply waits Jamil out on the response - he gets the impression the pause is because he doesn't have much of an argument left, and that's confirmed when he finally does answer. So Momo claps his hands together cheerfully, apparently content with that for now.]
Communicating and handling it before it gets to a situation like that was the idea, yeah! Ah, and-- [His smile widens a little too much, hinting at the very tips of his mandibles, currently looking like small black fangs next to his normal fangs.]
Please don't involve Yuki in this again, even by asking. I'm sure you understand?
[His tone is calm, but to a degree that wraps back around into a certain flavour of unsettling; he's well aware there's no need to be actively threatening about it, because Jamil knows full well that if Momo catches him possessing Yuki again he's going to get a faceful of nightmares at best.]
[Momo certainly doesn't need to be actively threatening--message received. Jamil eyes him, his expression pinched (and a little pale), before turning away with a huff as if Over This.]
No need for that. I can keep my distance.
[He'd have stayed far away even without the reminder--not worth the risk of Momo retaliating, not when there are so many other options.
The rest, well... he won't have to keep his promises if nothing actually gets back to Momo, but he can worry about that problem later.]
[For now, that's enough for Momo - Jamil's reluctance on the communication front does have him wondering about how he's handling this whole Spectral situation onwards from when they last spoke about it, but in this case, it's likely best not to push on it. Still, as he stands up from the seat, his smile softens a bit.]
Good. But if anything else comes up, you're welcome to come talk to me. No strings attached.
[He would hope he's got others around him he could theoretically talk to, but he knows some people balk at raising certain things with certain people, so he might as well offer the option.]
[Momo gives a bit of a puff of familiar laughter; Jamil's difficulty with this sort of thing makes him think of ZOOL, in some respects, particularly Haruka who's about the same age. Not used to this sort of communication, consideration, and so often tending to be dismissive of it.]
I did say anything else. We're all going through a lot here, and I still remember our talk about what happened in October. Having a disagreement doesn't mean I won't still support you where I can.
[Jamil is silent, his expression pinched. He unfortunately remembers all too well going to pieces in front of Momo in the weeks after they'd been abducted by Patho-Gen, but he considers it an embarrassment and not something he'd ever want to repeat. Momo reminding him of it does very little to improve his mood.]
I... appreciate your previous assistance, but that doesn't make us friends. [Imprint aside. Don't worry about it.] I can agree to stay out of your business if you'll stay out of mine.
I don't have to be someone's friend to support them, you know? And the imprint means we'll have to be around each other at least a little. [He's unperturbed by the less than enthusiastic reaction, though he does understand not wanting to make a habit of it, given how he tends to treat his own instances of falling apart. So his smile quirks a little, acknowledging but not exactly apologetic.]
I'm pretty nosy, so I don't know if I can make an agreement like that. But you know where to find me if you need me, anyway.
[He has been to Momo's apartment before, but he has no intention of actually invoking the privilege. As far as he's concerned, he'll never seek out Momo of his own volition.]
For my part, I hope we don't see each other. Take care.
[He doesn't wait for Momo to try and keep him here. In the next moment, he's already melting into the shadows of the square, eager to get back home where he's not at risk of being lectured.]
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[It's a cheap deflection and they both know it--even if it's true--and Jamil falls silent while he stalls answering Momo's real question. Because... well...
After several seconds, he finally admits:]
...There were some that volunteered. Only so that I wouldn't possess their friends, so it isn't as if they weren't benefiting.
[As if that invalidates the altruism somehow.]
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Still, that's volunteers. So multiple people have already disproven the thought that nobody would. And I think people would be willing to discuss boundaries on both sides, if they're prepared to do it in the first place.
[Given the more self-serving line of thinking Jamil seems to be taking, Momo figures framing it in that way - both parties discussing how to go about it - may make more sense to him than saying some may still be concerned with not making it an even worse experience for him than it already is. He feels most people who've been here even a little while understand that being a Spectral is difficult for a variety of reasons.]
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And what am I supposed to do? Walk up to people and just ask if they'll play host for a while? You tell me how I'm suppose to get people to agree to that without threatening their friends first.
[Is that really the only option...]
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[Some, not all, certainly. But most can also see the broader picture that letting someone reach starvation point is going to endanger more people without directly having to have their friends threatened about it, as well.]
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Fine, whatever. I'll ask permission next time if it's so important to you. Is that what you want? Anything else?
[He is not going to go around apologizing.]
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Communicating and handling it before it gets to a situation like that was the idea, yeah! Ah, and-- [His smile widens a little too much, hinting at the very tips of his mandibles, currently looking like small black fangs next to his normal fangs.]
Please don't involve Yuki in this again, even by asking. I'm sure you understand?
[His tone is calm, but to a degree that wraps back around into a certain flavour of unsettling; he's well aware there's no need to be actively threatening about it, because Jamil knows full well that if Momo catches him possessing Yuki again he's going to get a faceful of nightmares at best.]
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No need for that. I can keep my distance.
[He'd have stayed far away even without the reminder--not worth the risk of Momo retaliating, not when there are so many other options.
The rest, well... he won't have to keep his promises if nothing actually gets back to Momo, but he can worry about that problem later.]
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Good. But if anything else comes up, you're welcome to come talk to me. No strings attached.
[He would hope he's got others around him he could theoretically talk to, but he knows some people balk at raising certain things with certain people, so he might as well offer the option.]
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About what? I've already told you I have no interest in possessing a bug.
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I did say anything else. We're all going through a lot here, and I still remember our talk about what happened in October. Having a disagreement doesn't mean I won't still support you where I can.
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I... appreciate your previous assistance, but that doesn't make us friends. [Imprint aside. Don't worry about it.] I can agree to stay out of your business if you'll stay out of mine.
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I'm pretty nosy, so I don't know if I can make an agreement like that. But you know where to find me if you need me, anyway.
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I suppose I do.
[He has been to Momo's apartment before, but he has no intention of actually invoking the privilege. As far as he's concerned, he'll never seek out Momo of his own volition.]
For my part, I hope we don't see each other. Take care.
[He doesn't wait for Momo to try and keep him here. In the next moment, he's already melting into the shadows of the square, eager to get back home where he's not at risk of being lectured.]