[ Power follows, of course. There are indeed blood stains on her bulky, red hoodie around the neck line due to the fact she let a camera douse her in its blood earlier, almost Flashdance style not that either of them would probably appreciate that reference. Thanks to Moriarty, though, she at least looks clean otherwise. ]
Nay. [ She begins to straighten up more pridefully, smirking. ] I had heard of such from the mortals, but such vulnerabilities is their lot in life, is it not?
[ The expression falters a little. Why is Makima asking her this. ]
Not all I spoke with thus far brought such a predicament to my attention. However, others agree that it should have been very difficult to take them by force so quickly. I suspect that at the least we may not fully recall how we were taken, and there may be cases of memory loss that did not leave obvious gaps.
[She pauses. The implication is too obvious, should make the fiend's skin crawl: For Makima, there were gaps. It was not even an elegant tearing away of flesh like Chainsaw Man's teeth would accomplish, but holes.]
Chainsaw Man has finally taken his place as an international icon, the most critical stage of the plan. The other disciples will not be pleased if their efforts come to naught.
[With the details of that last enormous battle blocked out, she does wonder how many of the other disciples are even left, and how far their loyalty would extend when their master was first neutered then neutralized. But if she hadn't killed Power yet, then there must be someone left in that world - who could find a certain cat soon enough. That had already been clearly seen. It should be implied, though. No sense in making the threat easy to recall should some regretful recollection be blubbered to all these strangers.]
[ Let's be real, Power doesn't exactly have a poker face, so Makima will probably be able to tell that once she gets into talking about Chainsaw Man becoming an icon, she loses the fiend, who betrays surprise.
No wonder she doesn't think that her memory has been tampered with - there aren't gaps in what Power thinks is her past. ]
Tis true I don't recall how I got here, nor have I seen De-- Anyone else in the division. May this be the work of another Devil?
[ There is something actually reassuring in understanding that there are gaps in Makima's memory; it's like seeing a god bleed. But by and large if anyone would know about the abilities of other devils, Power doesn't know anyone better to consult. ]
Something similar happened with Infinity Devil, though t'was a hotel...
That job was good work. [She exhales in relief that that battle hasn't been forgotten. Like she has to do when she's punched - it interrupts her lungs just the tiniest bit.] It does sound the most similar, but...
[She looks up at the camera on the wall, with its unholy schlorping attributes inside.]
Because Chainsaw Man is internationally renowned now, he should be known to all. However, have you not found most of the others ignorant of Devils themselves? And if the devil were to tamper with memories to that extent, why not render us ignorant as well?
[She looks at the young woman now. They need each other. Right?]
I believe you should approach this situation similarly to the Infinity Devil - with your intelligence - but aware that it may be outright distinct.
[ To Power, right now the closest Chainsaw Man has come to notoriety is his debut against the Leech Devil. His battle with Infinity was so internal she couldn't see it making news unless Makima put it there. It's not out of the realm of possibility, but... Could it be Makima is from the future? ]
We could simply be too powerful to wholly manipulate our memories like the rest of these curs.
[ But she doesn't seem as blusteringly certain. Makima makes a point she hadn't thought of, unsurprisingly. ]
The recording devices bleed when struck, though it looks naught of flesh! Perhaps these halls be merely the shell of some greater beast? Like a crab!
It's true that we should take pride in our fortitude. On that note... Power-chan, I believe that your heroic exploits will increase the credibility of Public Safety in this case as well.
[And her villainous exploits will also serve Makima's interests in another way. If she went wild over the discovery of blood, others could see that Devils (and Fiends and hybrids) were wild creatures.]
You are at liberty to speak with the others much as you would Denji-kun. You may report to me as the leader of Special Division 4. Though I recommend not directly discussing my individual actions too much. You see, people here are unfamiliar with the authority of Public Safety. I would like to build up an equivalent authority gradually so that my past and present actions can gain democratic justification.
[ Power is the most intelligent of the Fiends, but it doesn't necessarily mean she's smart. She folds her arms, drawing her thumb pensively over her lower lip. ]
So you wish to make these people trust you to lead them?
[ She tries to translate. ]
And you do not want me to tell them you are the Control Devil.
That's right. If pressed, you are to maintain the fiction that I am a twenty-five year old human woman who worked up to a merely intermediate position in Public Safety.
[Is that what she is now...? Just a salarywoman with a god complex? She's lost so much. Makima takes another step closer. Imposition still remains.]
Likewise, Chainsaw Man is to be discussed strictly as an eccentric new hunter of Devils. I believe that even the nonhumans here are not of provenance to be trusted so greatly.
[ Power visibly twitches as Makima steps closer, and while she doesn't back away, she does lower her chin. Her fingers curl in on themselves. She has no idea where she compares to the other Devil now in strength, but she's too afraid to test it just yet. She has no reason to when she believes Makima to be the best bet to make. ]
And what of being a Fiend should I say?
[ She's already let people know she isn't human, but like all Fiends, her head gives her away anyhow. ]
I imagine there may be others who sense your status readily, or at least could infer something along the lines of Devil and human, so it seems reasonable enough. If you have some wish to explain yourself differently, I'll see what can be done.
[Makima makes to pet Power on the head, peering at her horns in a sisterly way.]
Are these cameras you mentioned feeding you well enough? I don't know if we have the right equipment to drain your blood...
I see no need to explain myself differently. I've no cause like you to endear myself to these mortals and they cannot hope to overpower me. Except... I might call myself Devil. It seems there's no need to make a distinction here.
[ She doesn't want to admit to a weakness by calling herself a Fiend and explaining it. Surely Makima can understand.
She accepts the petting, though it is in the way a stray animal accepts such things... warily, tolerating, on their best behavior in a new environment. ]
Human fare nourishes me and there are supplies in this kitchen. I only wish it were pure blood...
Tis strange, though. The blood of the camera, it tastes unlike any I've known, and I have tasted much.
[Gears are turning in Makima's head. It seems this is a favor that comes with a price.]
If they blackmail us with pictures, I can always say that the limited supply of pure blood is why your hellish features are so diminished compared to other Devils.
[She runs her thumb over her palm thoughtfully. She'd gotten off the topic before but Power has sharp senses and can flaunt them more openly in her different role.]
Perhaps it really is a creature, one that would be impossibly large in ordinary past experience... Bioluminescence might be a better explanation than fuel transported to the ocean at great cost.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
not that either of them would probably appreciate that reference. Thanks to Moriarty, though, she at least looks clean otherwise. ]Nay. [ She begins to straighten up more pridefully, smirking. ] I had heard of such from the mortals, but such vulnerabilities is their lot in life, is it not?
[ The expression falters a little. Why is Makima asking her this. ]
Unless you...?
no subject
[She pauses. The implication is too obvious, should make the fiend's skin crawl: For Makima, there were gaps. It was not even an elegant tearing away of flesh like Chainsaw Man's teeth would accomplish, but holes.]
Chainsaw Man has finally taken his place as an international icon, the most critical stage of the plan. The other disciples will not be pleased if their efforts come to naught.
[With the details of that last enormous battle blocked out, she does wonder how many of the other disciples are even left, and how far their loyalty would extend when their master was first neutered then neutralized. But if she hadn't killed Power yet, then there must be someone left in that world - who could find a certain cat soon enough. That had already been clearly seen. It should be implied, though. No sense in making the threat easy to recall should some regretful recollection be blubbered to all these strangers.]
no subject
No wonder she doesn't think that her memory has been tampered with - there aren't gaps in what Power thinks is her past. ]
Tis true I don't recall how I got here, nor have I seen De-- Anyone else in the division. May this be the work of another Devil?
[ There is something actually reassuring in understanding that there are gaps in Makima's memory; it's like seeing a god bleed. But by and large if anyone would know about the abilities of other devils, Power doesn't know anyone better to consult. ]
Something similar happened with Infinity Devil, though t'was a hotel...
no subject
[She looks up at the camera on the wall, with its unholy schlorping attributes inside.]
Because Chainsaw Man is internationally renowned now, he should be known to all. However, have you not found most of the others ignorant of Devils themselves? And if the devil were to tamper with memories to that extent, why not render us ignorant as well?
[She looks at the young woman now. They need each other. Right?]
I believe you should approach this situation similarly to the Infinity Devil - with your intelligence - but aware that it may be outright distinct.
no subject
We could simply be too powerful to wholly manipulate our memories like the rest of these curs.
[ But she doesn't seem as blusteringly certain. Makima makes a point she hadn't thought of, unsurprisingly. ]
The recording devices bleed when struck, though it looks naught of flesh! Perhaps these halls be merely the shell of some greater beast? Like a crab!
no subject
[And her villainous exploits will also serve Makima's interests in another way. If she went wild over the discovery of blood, others could see that Devils (and Fiends and hybrids) were wild creatures.]
You are at liberty to speak with the others much as you would Denji-kun. You may report to me as the leader of Special Division 4. Though I recommend not directly discussing my individual actions too much. You see, people here are unfamiliar with the authority of Public Safety. I would like to build up an equivalent authority gradually so that my past and present actions can gain democratic justification.
[Because she is always right.]
no subject
So you wish to make these people trust you to lead them?
[ She tries to translate. ]
And you do not want me to tell them you are the Control Devil.
no subject
[Is that what she is now...? Just a salarywoman with a god complex? She's lost so much. Makima takes another step closer. Imposition still remains.]
Likewise, Chainsaw Man is to be discussed strictly as an eccentric new hunter of Devils. I believe that even the nonhumans here are not of provenance to be trusted so greatly.
no subject
[ Power visibly twitches as Makima steps closer, and while she doesn't back away, she does lower her chin. Her fingers curl in on themselves. She has no idea where she compares to the other Devil now in strength, but she's too afraid to test it just yet. She has no reason to when she believes Makima to be the best bet to make. ]
And what of being a Fiend should I say?
[ She's already let people know she isn't human, but like all Fiends, her head gives her away anyhow. ]
no subject
[Makima makes to pet Power on the head, peering at her horns in a sisterly way.]
Are these cameras you mentioned feeding you well enough? I don't know if we have the right equipment to drain your blood...
no subject
[ She doesn't want to admit to a weakness by calling herself a Fiend and explaining it. Surely Makima can understand.
She accepts the petting, though it is in the way a stray animal accepts such things... warily, tolerating, on their best behavior in a new environment. ]
Human fare nourishes me and there are supplies in this kitchen. I only wish it were pure blood...
Tis strange, though. The blood of the camera, it tastes unlike any I've known, and I have tasted much.
no subject
[Gears are turning in Makima's head. It seems this is a favor that comes with a price.]
If they blackmail us with pictures, I can always say that the limited supply of pure blood is why your hellish features are so diminished compared to other Devils.
[She runs her thumb over her palm thoughtfully. She'd gotten off the topic before but Power has sharp senses and can flaunt them more openly in her different role.]
Perhaps it really is a creature, one that would be impossibly large in ordinary past experience... Bioluminescence might be a better explanation than fuel transported to the ocean at great cost.