AUDIENCE FOR: Emet-Selch

[guestservices]

Comments

[guestservices]

...yeah. Yeah, it was. Estelle was the one who asked after it - we talked about how like you it was to be that thorough.

[ they laugh a little, fidgeting where they're standing, shoving their hands in their pockets further. sort of flighty nervous energy, someone who wants to clearly run across the dream space to look him over properly and is trying very hard to respect emet's space a little. ] 's the worst way for your arm to get healed ever, but, 'm glad at least there's that.

[ktiseos]

So it is. I-

[he hesitates, a moment.]

...I suppose I was wrong, in thinking I could survive. But there is that, yes.

[guestservices]

... 's bad luck. You were prepared, and everything, just...

[ there's a notable frown in their voice as they trail off, and then shake their head. ]

[ktiseos]

Just not in the face of that, I suppose.

[and then he just about bled out from the face and it was awful thanks.]

I ought to have done something sooner.

[guestservices]

[ ... they shake their head. ]

You were conflicted about it. And - there's no going back and changing what already happened, either.

[ktiseos]

I am aware. But should my inaction truly end up costing him...

[guestservices]

[ ...

they look down, now, quiet for a long moment. ]

... I think he would've been more worried that you were hurt over anything else.

[ktiseos]

Of course he would. That is the sort of individual he is.

But that is precisely why it would be up to me. Even so, it was...

[he exhales a huff of a breath.]

Given everyone else's circumstances, it was too much of a risk to take sooner. There are too many people who are protected where I am not, and who will search for anyone else but one of theirs.

[and when that's the case for more than one group, and you're not part of any-- it's a lot riskier.]

...there were too few who would pursue my death compared to theirs, too, I suppose.

[guestservices]

People do tend to pick off the ones who are alone. Always how it goes. 's why... y'know. Gotta make lots of friends.

[ aquila says this quietly, rumbly voice a little saddened. they fuss at the edge of their glove, now, pulling their hands out of their pockets just to have something to do, and listening to emet talk. ]

All that, and, it was three different victims. You guys only get nine hours - 's bullshit. [ not a lot of time to process a lot of evidence. they sigh. ] ...So. What're you gonna do, now?

[ktiseos]

I have been. Or-- attempting to. Ultimately, I do not think most were as willing.

[sometimes you vibe with people who already have their circle.]

... I do not know, yet.

[guestservices]

[ mmm... ]

...'m not sure about that. I mean, maybe, but... iunno. Maybe you were in your head about it more than you thought about some of 'em, at least.

[ there's a little softness to that - it's not quite a joke, but a faint humor of recognition. go make some friends, you big dummy, even if it's hard. ]

...but, at least overthinking'd help you make a plan for that, right? Take steps.

[ktiseos]

A work in progress, I suppose.

This is-- not death as it should be, or as I have ever known it to be. It is strange to acclimate to this.

[guestservices]

Yeah, I know. 's weird for people who're normal with death, too.

[ that's a little bit of a joke again, this time a little lighter. ] So, don't feel too bad about that.

[ktiseos]

I certainly didn't expect to arrive to find we can apparently still be injured after our deaths.

[it's weird as hell!]

[guestservices]

Yeah. Promise you, that's not really normal.

[ they would know! ]

[ktiseos]

I should certainly hope not.

[why are bodies]

[guestservices]

[ who knows ]

...anyway. Beyond that, are you settling in okay? Your room's - it's you sized, right?

[ktiseos]

It is, yes. I've found it-- serviceable; there is little I require in a room.

[but. after a pause he adds:]

... I suppose I shall miss the previous one, however.

[the view of amaurot, the stars, the feeling that it was more like home.]

[guestservices]

...yeah. The mansion's not exactly as personalized, huh? I haven't been there.

[ they're frowning a little at that, actually, glancing around at the blank dream space. ]

[ktiseos]

Is Virgo the only one who is able to reach it?

[guestservices]

[ they nod. ]

Even this [ a gesture at the dream space ] didn't happen right away.

[ktiseos]

It is -- a bit of a strange way to meet, but preferable to having only messages, I suppose.

[guestservices]

Well... it's a sweet dream, right?

[ there's a little smile in their voice. ] And it's got its charms. Dreams can be anything you want 'em to be.

[ktiseos]

Can they, now. It may be altered?

[he glances around the space, considering.]

[guestservices]

Give it a shot and find out.

[ they gesture out at the blank space. ]