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"And empty words are evil..."

"Why so much grief for me?"

"We will never be here, again."

"We men are wretched things."

"His descent was like nightfall."

"I say no wealth is worth my life!"

"I'd punish you, if I had the power."

"Is he not sacred, even to the gods?"

"Even a fool may be wise after the event."

"There will be killing 'til the score is paid."

"My every impulse bends to what is right."

"You will never be lovelier than you are now."

"And fate? No one alive has ever escaped it."

"The blade, itself, incites to deeds of violence."

"You must endure and not be broken-hearted."

"Death and the strong force of fate are waiting."

"You, why are you so afraid of war and slaughter?"

"I am a soldier; I have seen worse sights than this."

"I promise you I will do everything just as you ask."

"If any man obeys the gods, they listen to him also."

"He lacks the sense to see a day behind, a day ahead."

"You wine sack, with a dog's eyes, with a deer's heart."

"Like the generations of leaves, the lives of mortal men."

"Come, friend, you too must die. Why moan about it so?"

"The sort of words a man says is the sort he hears in return."

"Let us give in to grief, however briefly, in each other's arms."

"Still, we will let all this be a thing of the past, though it hurts us."

"Take courage, my heart: you have been through worse than this."

"No man or woman born, coward or brave, can shun their destiny."

"There is a time for many words, and there is also a time for sleep."

"The roaring seas and many a dark range of mountains lie between us."

"Why have you come to me here, dear heart, with all these instructions?"

"The lover’s whisper, irresistible… magic to make the sanest man go mad."

"Men are so quick to blame the gods: they say that we devise their misery…"

"What are the children of men, but as leaves that drop at the wind's breath?"

"You’d run no risk of death; you lack the heart to last it out in combat, coward!"

"Any moment might be our last. Everything is more beautiful because we’re doomed."

"Of all creatures that breathe and move on earth, none is more to be pitied than a man."

"The proud heart feels not terror, nor turns to run... and it is his own courage that kills him."

"Now I am making an end of my anger. It does not become me, unrelentingly to rage on."

"Hateful to me as the gates of Hades is that man who hides one thing in his heart and speaks another."

a selection of dialogue prompts from the game resident evil requiem. feel free to change pronouns / details as needed.

‘we found another body.’

‘perhaps it’s time for you to face the past? confront that fear head-on.’

‘i won’t force you to go, but do you think you can do this for me?’

‘there might be answers inside.’

‘why am i even here?’

‘you have been on that thing all day.’

‘we need to keep our voices down.’

‘tell me what’s going on.’

‘now is not the time. stay close.’

‘i’m calling the police!’

‘i’m so sorry. this is all my fault.’

‘i’m the one that brought you here.’

‘we have so much to do.’

‘you’ve got to be shitting me.’

‘don’t do anything stupid.’

‘someone help me!’

‘well, fuck. let’s make this quick.’

‘back to square one.’

‘we’re running out of time.’

‘you gotta stay calm.’

‘where the hell am i?’

‘don’t come any closer!’

‘what the hell was that thing?’

‘i’ll be fine. i hope.’

‘you can’t see, can you?’

‘why are you in there?’

‘who made a mess? why the mess?!’

‘what if i can’t get out?’

‘this might be useful.’

‘so loud… my head… keep it down!’

‘don’t fuck with me.’

‘it’s your fucking fault!’

‘give me a fucking break!’

‘you laughed at me!’

‘well, at least it’s easier to walk around now.’

‘come in. i won’t harm you.’

‘why did you kidnap me?’

‘it took forever to find you.’

‘you’re not like other people, you know. you’re quite… unique.’

‘there’s no escaping your destiny!’

‘did anyone hurt you?’

‘please, i really need your help.’

‘you handle this. i’ll handle… that.’

‘i thought that thing was dead!’

‘you’re an investigator, right? well, investigate.’

‘when was the last time you brushed your teeth?’

‘you are an ignorant fool.’

‘you’re a dead man walking!’

‘sorry, i was a little tied up.’

‘hope i’m not next.’

‘you felt that one, huh?’

‘sorry, but i’m not on the menu.’

‘you’re killing me.’

‘well, hey. at least we’re in it together, right?’

‘oh god, i really don’t wanna go in there.’

‘ugh, it got in my mouth…’

‘hold on tight!’

‘why’s it so loud?’

‘let’s play.’

‘here, i kept this safe for you.’

‘do you maybe… wanna leave with me?’

‘it’s not safe here.’

‘we need to keep moving, okay?’

‘it’s okay, we’re not infected.’

‘you don’t need to worry about me.’

‘are you lying to me?’

‘have you seen the same shit i’ve seen?!’

‘look, we’re out of options here.’

‘how much longer do you think any of us can survive?’

‘we can help each other.’

‘it’s a deal.’

‘found you.’

‘hello, gorgeous.’

‘i can’t stop the bleeding.’

‘hey, hey, look at me. we’re gonna be okay.’

‘i’m sorry. i know it hurts.’

‘i need to keep you safe.’

‘are you listening? i said stop!’

‘you feel lost, but you’re not. you’re exactly where you need to be.’

‘i’ve been waiting for you.’

‘i’ll just go it alone.’

‘we’re in this together. till the end.’

‘i’ve always been good at working in the shadows.’

‘just don’t do anything too risky, yeah?’

‘gonna have to find another way around.’

‘you’re a real pest, you know that?’

‘haven’t you had enough?’

‘looks like someone else was here first.’

‘guess the only way in is through then.’

‘looks like they left in a hurry.’

‘something’s missing.’

‘i’ll have to shoot it down.’

‘so the rumours were true.’

‘don’t be ridiculous.’

‘i thought i had a short fuse.’

‘don’t mind if i do.’

‘some things never change.’

‘watch your back.’

‘this is my lucky day.’

‘do you still think about what happened there?’

‘sorry. this isn’t the time, we need to focus.’

‘this day just keeps getting better and better.’

‘i don’t give up that easy.’

‘i’ve had enough of you!’

‘i know the feeling.’

‘should’ve worn a helmet.’

‘so many attempts. so many failures. such a waste.’

‘it’s past our bedtime.’

‘please just be a bad dream.’

‘what’s done is done. you need to focus on the future.’

‘i had a feeling you’d make an appearance.’

‘sorry, but i don’t have time to spare.’

‘i’m gonna do some digging.’

‘i guess this is my stop.’

‘this is one very deep hole.’

‘just so you know, i’ve killed every plant i ever had.’

‘i’m getting the feeling i’m not wanted around here.’

‘we finally meet.’

‘didn’t realise i had such a big fan. how about an autograph?’

‘worried about me? how sweet.’

‘sneaky bastard.’

‘coming from you, that’s quite the compliment.’

‘time to finally get some answers.’

‘don’t embarrass yourself. you can’t beat me.’

‘you still need me, right?’

‘me? feel like a million bucks.’

‘where does this take us?’

‘your guess is as good as mine.’

‘how long was i out?’

‘i couldn’t make a difference.’

‘i’m coming with you.’

‘i don’t want any more regrets.’

‘whatever it takes, count me in.’

‘if anything happens to me… you promise… you’ll end this.’

‘you think you can give me a boost?’

‘this is it. i did it.’

‘where have i seen this…?’

‘life takes unexpected turns, don’t you think?’

‘looking back, do you feel that the choices you’ve made have contributed to… your present circumstances?’

‘what you sow, you reap. isn’t that the natural order?’

‘what would you like the world to know?’

‘i’m not a young man. i don’t have the energy i once did.’

‘your body can’t take much more.’

‘i’m gonna settle this.’

‘haven’t changed much, have you?’

‘let’s get this over with.’

‘what kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?’

‘humans cannot predict when death will come for them. this is why they have hope.’

‘i was wrong… and i am plagued by guilt.’

‘happiness cannot be achieved at the expense of others.’

‘i think that’s enough for today.’

‘aren’t you beautiful?’

‘is there anything else you’d like to tell me?’

‘i’ve said my piece. i only hope it serves as a requiem for those who have passed.’

‘this is finally my chance to do something.’

‘please wake up. come on, wake up.’

‘i was just resting my eyes.’

‘let me help you.’

‘i don’t know the password.’

‘i can buy you some time.’

‘fulfill your destiny, and all will be forgiven.’

‘at least… i could save you.’

‘please know that you are my hope.’

‘there’s nothing special about me.’

‘do you know how much time and money i wasted on this?’

‘don’t you see the genius?’

‘your ignorance is staggering.’

‘it seems your skills have… diminished.’

‘sacrifices must be made! in the grand scheme of things, a few lives are nothing.’

‘give it up. it’s over.’

‘there’s no way out, is there?’

‘i’m not gonna leave your side.’

‘i guess this is it then.’

‘i feel better than i have in ages.’

‘thank god. i’m glad you’re okay.’

I will not be great

Michael A Davenport, 3,090 Degrees Fahrenheit (Oil on canvas, 2025)

❝  legend  has  it  the  wind  was  unusually  strong  on  that  day,  too.  ❞

❝  huh,  it  seems  i’m  immune  to  coffee  now.  ❞

❝  if  we’ve  got  nothing  else  to  do,  why  don’t  i  tell  you  a  story ?  ❞

❝  have  you  ever  kept  goldfish  as  pets ?  they’re  very  cute.  ❞

❝  the  wind’s  so  strong      !  it’s  blowing  my  voice  back  at  me.  ❞

❝  respect  must  be  given  to  the  will  of  every  creature.  ❞

❝  mm ?  night  already ?  time  seems  to  slip  away  when  i’m  with  you.  ❞

❝  best  flavor  in  the  world ?  the  sweet,  sweet  taste  of  victory.  ❞

❝  pff,  real  men  don’t  carry  umbrellas…  oh  boy,  wow,  it’s  really  starting  to  pick  up. uh  quick,  c’mon  get  yours  out !  c’mon,  quick,  quick,  quick !  ❞

❝  well,  guess  what        you’re  not  the  boss  of  me !  ❞

❝  shh !  you  hear  that ?  oh  no…  it’s  a  ghost,  RUN !  psyche.  ah,  i  got  you  good  there !  … i  got  you,  didn’t  i ?  ❞

❝  we  should  look  for  a  place  to  take  shelter.  i’ll  be  fine,  but  i  don’t  want  you  catching  a  cold.  ❞

❝  nothing  can  be  accomplished  without  rules  or  standards.  ❞

❝  there  are  leaves  around       and  i  know  just  the  tune  to  accompany  them,  if  you  wish  to  hear  it.  ❞

❝  the  birdsong  at  daybreak  is  nature’s  gift  to  us.  let  us  go.  our  journey  begins  anew.  ❞

❝  what  say  you  join  me  out  at  sea  someday  when  the  weather’s  fine ?  ❞

❝  the  damned  will  sooner  die  again  than  lay  a  hand  on  me.  ❞

❝  many  mortals  fear  lightning…  incomprehensible.  fear  of  something  so  common.  ❞

❝  once  the  snow  is  thick  enough,  we  can  eat  it…  ❞

❝  i’m  far  from  human.  i  can’t  make  much  of  human  emotions.  ❞

❝  i  deal  in  death.  if  you  cannot  bring  yourself  to  kill       speak  my  name.  ❞

❝  if  you  lie  on  the  grass,  you  can  feel  the  heartbeat  of  the  world.  ❞

❝  could  we  maybe…  find  a  peaceful  resolution  instead ?  ❞

❝  yawning  without  covering  your  mouth ?  uncouth.  ❞

❝  don’t  try  and  get  me  to  cook.  i  can  take  care  of  anything  else,  but  not  that.  ❞

❝  desserts !  cavities  are  no  big  deal       you  can  just  replace  your  teeth.  ❞

❝  hey !  you’re  not  sneaking  off  to  get  a  midnight  snack  without  me,  are  you ?  ❞

❝  peace  and  tranquility  seems  to  be  all  the  rage  nowadays,  but  it  gets  dreadfully  boring  after  a  while…  ❞

❝  strange  tastes,  you  say ?  you  seem  to  misunderstand  me.  ❞

❝  when  the  sun’s  out,  bathe  in  sunlight.  but  when  the  moon’s  out,  bathe  in  moonlight.  ❞

❝  remember,  one  day  i  will  conquer  the  world !  ❞

❝  i  didn’t  know  you  were  such  a  slacker.  ❞

❝  you’re  not  scared  of  the  dark  are  you ?  that’s…  interesting.  ❞

❝  leaving  already ?  see  you  next  time,  then.  don’t  make  me  wait  too  long,  though.  ❞

❝  lonely ?  me ?  not  with  someone  here  nagging  me  all  the  time,  that’s  for  sure.  ❞

❝  careful !  in  this  kind  of  wind,  it’s  easy  to  get  hit  in  the  head  by  flying  rocks.  ❞

❝  i  found  a  really  weird-looking  lizard !  want  me  to  show  it  to  you ?  ❞