In search of Destruction

[mari_grayson]

Mar'i is not sure how long she has been following Delirium. She doesn't dare to take her eyes off Delirium for a moment. No glances aside, despite the fact that she would enjoy the journey under other circumstances. She wishes she knew. She's worried about how long she's been away from home. She's worried that she's spending too much time

Comments

[bigbang_theory]

Suddenly there is a presence where previously there was not. Or, if you prefer, where there always was. This is how things work with this one.

All right, now what?

[mari_grayson]

"My lord?" Mar'i bows politely. "I'm called Nightstar. Your sister Delirium was kind enough to guide me here. May I speak with you for a little while?"

[bigbang_theory]

I don't see why not.

A gesture, and a table constructs itself out of nothingness, then two chairs. He reaches into his makeshift travelpack and pulls out a lump of cheese, a loaf of good bread, and a couple of knives.

Asiago? It's quite fresh.

[mari_grayson]

"Thank you, my lord." Nightstar moves to one of the chairs. "I appreciate the courtesy."

[bigbang_theory]

No trouble, and I was in the mood for a bite myself.

He neatly carves a few slices off the loaf, and cuts up a slice of cheese to make an impromptu sandwich.

So, you're here because...

[mari_grayson]

Mar'i makes a sandwich for herself. "I don't think you're going to like this, my lord. I'm here because your realm is being ... um ... taken away from you."

[bigbang_theory]

He snorts a bit.

Sorry. It's just - well, this is hardly the first time somebody has worried about that happening.

He takes a bite of his sandwich.

Needs some mortadella.

And it appears. He opens his sandwich and places some slices of meat in it.

[mari_grayson]

"It's not just a matter of worrying about it, my lord. The usurper is wielding your power with catastrophic results. My universe--"

She cannot hide her tears, not even for the sake of diplomacy.

"My universe," she finally manages to say, "was destroyed by him. Your brother took me into his service because he worried about you being in danger, not to mention the rest of creation."

[bigbang_theory]

I understand that you've been having rather a lot of problems lately. I sympathize, really I do.

But these concerns, ultimately, are very overblown. If one universe is destroyed, that's one against an infinite number. Considered in the scope of infinity, you have to understand that whatever this "usurper" is doing, in the end, it's still going to amount to nearly nothing - and all of it should be reversible.

[mari_grayson]

"My lord? Your sister, Death--she's frightened of the usurper. Has she ever been frightened of anything?"

[bigbang_theory]

Very often, if we're being honest. My big sister does so tend to form attachments, moreso than most of us with the exception of Dream. And with attachment comes potential loss, and with that, fear.

I'm sorry, this must sound horribly cold, and I don't intend for it to sound that way. It's just a matter of scale. You understand?

[mari_grayson]

She puts down her sandwich. "Not the way you do, my lord, but it isn't just one universe at stake. It's many of them. How can you say that's reversible?"

[bigbang_theory]

I said "more or less" reversible. Which it entirely is.

Remember, we each in our way define and control our opposite by embodying what we do. Death defines Life, therefore she has power over it. Dream defines Reality, therefore he has power over it. And I define Creation. I'm sure you follow.

[mari_grayson]

"But do you still? Or does Crout--the usurper? He's broken so many natural laws: why can't he break this one?"

[bigbang_theory]

An unconcerned smile.

He's broken nothing. He's merely bent a few rules. Rules bend back.

And another bite of sandwich.

[mari_grayson]

"My lord, with all due respect, how can you know that? And if it's so trivial, why did your brother Destiny call me a harbinger and have so many copies of himself walking around?"