(Untitled)

[no_justice]

There is a skeleton at the Bar, clothed in a robe of Absolute Dark and accompanying by a scythe so sharp it glows blue where the very atoms of the air are being split - if it were open.

The scythe is folded shut and leans against the Bar. The robe's hood is pushed back and the shiny white cranium shines under the bar's lighting.

He's eating a

Comments

[helpful_squid]

Oooh. That's interesting.

The skeleton is being considered from a few feet back and a few feet up by a puzzled-looking, curious ....

... we're not going to say squid, because it's not a Curious Squid, but if there's any creature on the Disc it physically resembles, the Curious Squid is probably it. Just in the same way that that scythe resembles Olaf's prized cheese knife, more or less.

[no_justice]

It's not that Death is unaware of his audience, it's just that...

...OK, we admit it, Death is anaware of his audience. When you're the personifcation of the ultimate Ultimate, you don't need to cultivate much spatial awareness.

So he continues with his curry until by chance, he catches a shape in the reflection on his drinking glass. Then he turns around.

Hello, he says, politely.

[helpful_squid]

The creature raises its tentacles. Other beings would have to go through a long and difficult learning process, but when you are speaking to Death, whatever means you use will be understood.

Hello. I do not think I know you, but I think perhaps I should. Am I correct in this?

[no_justice]

Not yet, Death says diplomatically. I'm Death.

[helpful_squid]

I see, says the creature. It is good to meet you, then. I did not know that you were an individual being; I had thought you were a process.

I am Weighted Forward. The humans call me Vergil.

[no_justice]

Yes, says Death. I am that too.

Pleased to make your aquaintance, Weighted Forward.

[helpful_squid]

Very much the same, says Weighted Forward. May I ask some questions? I am new here, and don't want to be rude towards those more senior to it than I.

[no_justice]

I don't mind, Death says. If you do not ask, you cannot learn.

[helpful_squid]

Except by experiencing, answers Weighted Forward, whose mun forgot the italicized name last time. Buggrit. And I think some experiences can only be had once.

You are Death; does that mean you are multi-present? Many of you in many places at once? There is always something dying.

[no_justice]

That answer is complicated and requires some time to properly formulate.

There is always something dying, he agrees. But I don't need to make a personal appearance at them all.

[OOC: Many apologies for the slowtime. I think I missed this notification]

[helpful_squid]

[OOC: No problem. I didn't get several of my notifs today at all.]

Weighted Forward considers this, and then makes a gesture of assent. I see. May I ask what it is that causes you to appear at one, and not another?

[no_justice]

There are a number of factors, Death admits. Including narrative significance, personal whim and the nature of the deceased.

I always make an appearance for magic users and royalty.

When you operate on a world where Narrative Causality is the most unbreakable natural law, certain things hold more sway than others.

[helpful_squid]

Weighted Forward is not entirely clear on the concept of 'royalty', as its existence has mostly been among the races of the Covenant. It's aware of a few titled humans like Lord Hood, though, and after some thought it decides that the Prophets probably qualify as something similar, but more absolute in their power.

I think we do not have magic users where I come from, it indicates. I would have asked if you were present when some that I knew died, but we were not very important, and there was a war going on.

It does not seem particularly upset; it is only stating the facts as it sees them.

Is it difficult work, to be what you are?

[no_justice]

I try to make an appearance at all major battles, which means he might well have been there, except Weighted Forward is not of the Discworld; Death sees no need to point this out.

It is a lot of work, he admits, but I am quite good at it. Busy but rarely overwhelmed.

[helpful_squid]

He probably wouldn't have been where the Huragok were anyway even if he were assigned that world to work with. The thick of the Battle of New Mombasa lay somewher eelse entirely.

I see, signals Weighted Forward. It considers what it has seen of dying, and what it knows of theology (mostly Covenant theology, not human), and eventually says, Is there anything about dying that you think I ought to know?

[no_justice]

Not yet, says Death. It's very easy to do.