slightlytaller

Who are you, my mom?

I've got incense lit all around my apartment. Unless you have a better workshop, this is all I have right now.

If you're going to act like a child and force my hand, maybe.
(This is a joke.)

There are plenty of empty buildings you can claim. I'm already sharing a space; it's not mine to offer freely.

Thought that might be the case.

When we are under a little bit less Permanent Darkness, I'll do a better search around town. Honestly, I've been being careful about wandering too far from Cellar Door because of those butterflies. They're running amok and I can only do so much to avoid them.

Look down while you're out and about? I've been managing. I even have a few jars of those glowing orbs they drop to show for my efforts.

Then again, something always feels like it's watching in Gaze; I'm used to navigating with extra care.

I've collected a few jars myself, which have been a big help.

...Speaking frankly, I'm nervous. It's been a long time since I've been this untethered. Even when I thought I was acting alone, I've had help.

That's fair. You know I'm obligated to tell you that there are people willing to help aplenty around here, of course. Most of them are even decent. This is an inescapable saccharine truth.

So I keep hearing.

That will take some time to get used to. Mages aren't exactly well known for their benevolence where I'm from, and political games that put lives on the line aren't uncommon.

We're squids now.

But seriously: our lives are already on the line, without the addition of petty squabbling and infighting amongst ourselves. Collectively, I think we can all eventually get over ourselves.

[hhhhimself included, no one perceive his grudge against god, that's different.]

[On instinct, Waver double checked their conversation to ensure it was private.]

We can, but old habits are hard to beat. Gray, my Omen, resembles a cat that was run over to put a curse on me by an enemy. Having the title of Lord put a target on my head for many reasons, even if I am just a Faker in the role.

Point is: even having pets is dangerous in the society I know.

But, you seem familiar enough with a similar kind of life... aren't you?

Not really. I'm Sixth; we keep to ourselves, more or less. I'm not being flippant, I never left my Library until fairly recently, and only the one time.

But half of everyone else is an asshole, depending on where you look, sure.

...I'm not even inclined to hiking and I feel like we need to arrange a field trip.

Much of my youth and my twenties were spent in libraries, but I've still travelled across the world and demolished more than my share of tombs.

God no. I can't hike.

"Tomb-destroyer" is a much more intimidating title than Lord, if you ask me.

[particularly if you are a necromancer and there's a whole thing about some tomb somewhere? geez.]

'Lord' is a title I bear unwillingly, one that's almost too heavy for my shoulders but I am obligated to carry nonetheless.

'Tomb-destroyer' just... hurts.

I destroyed it out of necessity, or else artifacts belonging to my King would be used for purposes that stood against everything he believed in.

You told me about that, before. I didn't say it was a good title.

Thank you.

In only a few years, the true heir will come into legal majority and will be able to take it from my shoulders. Until then, I'm a dog to the family's will.

Here, too? That's exhausting. I might still be the Master Warden, but I'd lose my mind if I worried about the Library more than once every small age.

I don't mean try to forget, or pretend nothing abhorrent has ever happened. The unpleasant bits are still there. But still.

I suppose you're right.

It's just hard to put the facts of the reality I understand aside. Realistically, There's not much chance of seeing anyone I know in this city. People like Gray and my students, or Reines and the others within the official ranks of the Mages Association, should have little bearing on my decisions.

But. Like with other matters, I find it hard to let go of that which helps define the person I am.

You never know. People from my corner of space keep showing up.

[it's! getting! wacky!]

Anyway, I don't like the idea that it has to be one or the other. I doubt anyone here is letting go of everything from 'before' wholesale.

Then I'm going to pray to whatever gods care that no one like Reines or worse shows up.

It's nice, being free from that kind of headache for the first time in a decade.

You... do have a point.

My necromancer friend from home worries about me. I overheard him stating once that I have a hard time keeping my footing in the present-- whatever that means from someone who is similarly haunted by his past.

Edited 2022-04-26 02:58 (UTC)

That's the spirit. Genuinely, I hope you feel better about it soon.

And is this a case of it taking one to know one? Maybe he sees something of himself in you.

Maybe.

Although at first brush we seem different, that might be part of why we mesh so well. We can't forget our crimes nor our goals. And, frankly, I don't want to.

How have you been adjusting to life in this world? It's much bigger than a library.

So you're friends.

[he sees you, sir. that's friendship.]

I prefer it here with the sun gone out, frankly. The city is a shambles and I'm tired of butterflies, but I've been enjoying the company.

With that person? Yes.

With the sun? No.

Although I'm used to the day-night cycle, the sun and I are barely on speaking terms. My best work is done at night when everyone is asleep.

That said, it's good to hear that you're enjoying the company. Even the more headache inducing parts of your timeline, from what it sounds like.

No one is friends with the sun.

I'm not enjoying a solid half of them. It is what it is.

That is way too familiar.

Are you sure our worlds have no overlap? This isn't the first time I've heard things that were uncannily familiar from a stranger.

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