AUDIENCE FOR: Emet-Selch

[guestservices]

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[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. ]

[ktiseos]

[well. the experience he has from the simulations room makes it easy to focus on an image, a place, his eyes closed. home, with all its tall, glittering buildings and spiraling spires.]