14. Voice

[infidus]

The spirits of this world are remarkably ill-behaved. It would be one thing if it simply wandered about slaughtering things. Cliche, perhaps, but effective even so. And while they say that spirits ought to rest easily, I am familiar enough with death to know how infrequently this ideal is made reality

Comments

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[velvet_zealot]

The natives are fragile. One would think you'd try your hand at...more resilient prey.

For projects, that is.

[ A snort. ]

I suppose you want them alive and unharmed, too?

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[infidus]

Alive, yes. I'm not especially concerned about how harmed they may or may not be.

As for their resilience, I expect it to increase quite markedly, by the time I've finished with them.

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[velvet_zealot]

Why bother...?

[ He sounds markedly unpersuaded. ]

[ Not that he normally needs persuasion. Hm. ]

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[infidus]

Oh dear. What sort of question is that?

private video~

[ladyofthesouth]

What a dreadful sense of humor you have, my dear Sousuke. I wouldn't be so careless.

[She pulls her fingers idly through her hair anyway, perhaps for a little dramatic emphasis. Because she needs that.]

It's terrible to think that anyone leave their things... adrift like that.

private video~

[infidus]

We must always find amusement in whatever ways we can, don't you agree?

[He laughs, softly. Almost affectionate.]

I must admit, the past few weeks have managed to liven things up a bit, haven't they? So much death, and such great losses - permanent and otherwise. Personal and otherwise.

Though I admit that I find hanging corpses around in alleys to be rather gauche.

[A little pause, and then...]

Sousuke?

[This makes him chuckle.]

[A little.]

private video~

[ladyofthesouth]

Perhaps the ones responsible were finding their amusement by leaving them there? Which doesn't make it any less tasteless, of course... it's almost as if the people of this city have no respect for the dead.

[And she cannot, unfortunately, keep a slight tremble out of her voice at the end there - from holding back laughter.]

[She presses her fingers to her lips and looks rather coyly at him.]

Yes. That is your name, isn't it?

private video~

[infidus]

Ah well. The dead have little reason to complain about respect. Particularly if they intend to linger around and cause trouble.

...still. It makes for quite the interesting tale, don't you think? A dead child, still maintaining her grasp on the world she left behind. It's almost admirable how she has maintained her individuality in the face of such an event.

Pain has strengthening effect, you know. The way fire can temper steel.

[A little pause. He regards her evenly.]

So it is. But not many address me with such familiarity.

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[godslaying]

How 'bout six of one, half a dozen of the other.

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[infidus]

That seems acceptable enough. I should like to see the effects of power on a body's reactions.

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[godslaying]

And I get to choose the bodies. Ain't I just the lucky one.

[No, really. It should be fun!]

[girl_unlocking]

[Deep breath. Debates sending a text response, as she's not confident in her ability to bluff right now. Decides that would look somehow worse. Switches to her voice default and...]

I'm here.

[just breathe, make it sound even, it's just a normal question, just a question like it would have been before]

What's up?

[infidus]

How nice to see you active again. Were you interested in continuing your lessons?

...and what is it, exactly, that happened to you?

I'm interested.

voice

[girl_unlocking]

[Back to square one, right? And Priscilla had said that...

...it shouldn't have to be anyone's job. Protecting her from her own stupidity? Yeah, no. Chin up, Dawnie. Maybe it won't be so bad.]

Sure. I might even ...dazzle you with my progress. [A whole year's worth of random things.]

I...

[Doesn't want to lie. Doesn't want to tell the whole truth, either.]

...had a spell. Magic. I think the Mist made it ...all wonky. It was pretty stupid of me to try. Lesson learned, I guess.

voice

[infidus]

Spells are quite dangerous to play with, if you have little experience with them. I suppose you've learned that well enough.