[ There's like, attempts at trying to organise his thoughts about the place regularly, but there's a lot of other things around the sides that look like three interlocked circles, or particularly one that looks like an altered form of the alchemical symbol for sulfur. In general there's a lot of crossed out shit for ideas that don't pan out and crinkles in the paper like he thought about trashing it but then flattened it back out to try again.
ALSO THANKS I'M GLAD I REMEMBERED NOW so much of this trial was me going 'oh yes I need to ask about x' and then forgetting to actually do that in the time of need. ]
...Just like that?
Well... at least that's one damn good thing to happen these last few days...
I'd say a damn drink but I can only press so much on your good graces.
[ Especially Famine's, which is particularly low. ]
this is true, but famine laughs. they truly have so little tolerance for people but daan is at least productive and leaves them alone, which wins points. so: ]
Wine or hard liquor?
[ they make a gesture for daan to follow them toward the southern point of the village ]
[ because daan works so hard he was all up there wrist deep in ichiban today ]
On occasion. I rarely have company for it, and so I rarely indulge.
[ they pass through the fog at the southern point of the village, and walk past the garden from all those sundays ago. the crow meets them halfway, bringing with it a sheet of paper. famine will raise a hand to retrieve it, taking the scroll and handing it over to daan ]
Wait here.
[ they will proceed further in, past some trees. for now daan can look over the list he receives:
[ Genuinely desperately hope Astarion just got Vampire and he had to look into the camera like 'thank you'. ]
Not much of a sole drinker, then. I wouldn't have presumed you were the type to drink socially.
[ Hello, crow. He accepts the scroll and looks through it while Famine goes off to get drinks, and he looks up at them. Or eye-level or down. Maybe Famine was secretly microscopic this entire time. ]
Twenty, which is about what I expected. Though we're down six of them now... seven, soon?
I don't imagine a lot of partners have been established this soon. Most people seem pretty reluctant to do it. Probably will be if this amount of death continues.
[ Famine only exists when I pc them... they can be any size they want if they exist in a nebulous state. ]
Thanks.
[ Honestly, thank god for this. He instantly seems just a little bit at ease, looking into the bourbon with a soft turn of the glass. ]
I wouldn't have expected you to... though I did hear you offer hints to who your own partner is. Whether to search or to avoid them, that's up for us to do in the end.
Do you think it's a good idea? That whole bond thing. Right now, it feels like there's a lot more losses than gains.
... When we first spoke, it seemed as though there was something you wanted but did not care to admit to in the open space with others.
My answer for you relies on your answers in return: how badly do you want it? Is there no other way for you to achieve it? Is it important that you see it through before you die?
[ He only stress-drinks because of the recent horrors... he wasn't always like that. Drinking is a recreational hobby otherwise, mostly because making drinks is fun. ]
...
[ Silence, for a moment, trying to remember. Well, it's not that hard actually. There's only one real thing on his docket that he can think of. ]
I was married. [ Quietly, mulling over his words. ] To a wonderful woman. I'd consider myself happy during that time -- until I was sent off to the front lines, because the Kingdom of Rondon got caught up in the Second Great War.
After the war... I went back home to the estate. First thing I did. I was worried because, she sent me letters and they -- stopped one day, all of a sudden. They get lost often... it's not weird for them to, often moving and in the thick of it all... it could've been nothing, but I couldn't shake off that awful feeling.
...
I was right. I found her dead. In the estate's basement, she -- ritual circle. A sacrifice. I think my father-in-law did it.
I tried every damn thing I could to bring her back, think I nearly went mad. Tapped into things I thought I'd long-since abandoned for it. None of it did a damn thing. And necromancy... necromancy doesn't work that way where I come from. I would've only desecrated her further trying that.
...
The next best thing I could ask for is answers. Why... for what reason? And what that damned symbol means.
[ daan really needed the bourbon for this. famine listens, because they were the one who asked all the questions. paying attention is the least they can do. they sip on their wine, mulling the words over.
perhaps a better person would offer comfort, or understanding. famine, as always, gives answers. ]
The wish could not grant you everything. It cannot bring your wife back to life, and then ensure you a happy ending with her. It could bring her to life, but you would need to survive this to get back to her and resume your bliss together. Or she can carry on without you.
Or you can get your answers, upon finding your partner here, and have those before you die. Regardless of if you die. But you would need to be prepared that choosing that means giving up on the idea of seeing your wife again, and endure a life without her if you survive this place.
[ they let their gaze fall over the gardens. they're well-tended to, even with death's passing. ]
[ His hand curls around the glass as he listens. He was honestly resigned to the idea that he couldn't bring Elise back -- hell, it was kinder to just accept that he couldn't. But then again. Maybe she'll be just fine without him. As far as he knows, second-only to his father-in-law's self-inflicted wounds, Daan thinks he may as well have put the knife in the Baron's hands to begin with. ]
...This quest for answers... some kind of answer... is really the only thing driving my feet forward at this point, if I'm honest with you...
I thought I was done for, in Prehevil. So many of the others died by the second day. More by the third, maybe even everyone if I'm totally being honest. Half-thought I died when I first woke up here. Go figure I'd just land in some kind of hell after everything.
Maybe I am. After all, it's just more of the same.
[ they make a gesture with their finger, swirling it in the air once to indicate the space around them ]
This is another world. All of you come from different worlds, that operate on different rules. For example: my world has no true gods or magic. The occult has no place in it.
[ cants head to the side, evaluating ]
You sound exhausted. However, I do believe you are awfully pessimistic.
That's true. You are in a fairly terrible situation right now. It would be foolish not to acknowledge that.
[ famine will reach out with their free hand to tap their finger against the center of daan's forehead ]
But just as you used to have a lot to look forward to, and then things got worse... that is proof enough that you are not a fixed point. I will not promise that things will get better. They might not.
[ Tapped. Kind of just naturally furrows his brows, as you do when somebody just gets in your space like that. But he seems a little zoned out, continuing to tip his glass back and forth absently. ]
That's true, old chap. That just might be true. Food for thought, isn't it...
In an age of darkness like that... what do you think waits there at the end? Or is your answer the same?
famine is quiet a long moment after that, swirling their wine in their glass in thought before taking another sip of it. they glance upward toward the weird fucking sky. ]
That is what I have been seeking to discover for myself. What is a reason worth living for? I don't have one.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
ALSO THANKS I'M GLAD I REMEMBERED NOW so much of this trial was me going 'oh yes I need to ask about x' and then forgetting to actually do that in the time of need. ]
...Just like that?
Well... at least that's one damn good thing to happen these last few days...
I'd say a damn drink but I can only press so much on your good graces.
[ Especially Famine's, which is particularly low. ]
no subject
this is true, but famine laughs. they truly have so little tolerance for people but daan is at least productive and leaves them alone, which wins points. so: ]
Wine or hard liquor?
[ they make a gesture for daan to follow them toward the southern point of the village ]
no subject
Had enough of wine. Personally, I like a bourbon.
[ Gathering these papers a bit so he can just shove them in his makeshift medbag manpurse whatever. ]
You drink?
no subject
On occasion. I rarely have company for it, and so I rarely indulge.
[ they pass through the fog at the southern point of the village, and walk past the garden from all those sundays ago. the crow meets them halfway, bringing with it a sheet of paper. famine will raise a hand to retrieve it, taking the scroll and handing it over to daan ]
Wait here.
[ they will proceed further in, past some trees. for now daan can look over the list he receives:
Bakunawa
Changeling
Ditto
Dragon
Gargoyle
Glawackus
Golem
Gorgon
Gumiho
Koromodako
Manticore
Mothman
Oni
Pixie
Qilin
Siren
Sphinx
Succubus/Incubus
Unicorn
Vampire
famine will return a few minutes later, glass of wine in one hand and then a glass of bourbon in the other ]
no subject
Not much of a sole drinker, then. I wouldn't have presumed you were the type to drink socially.
[ Hello, crow. He accepts the scroll and looks through it while Famine goes off to get drinks, and he looks up at them. Or eye-level or down. Maybe Famine was secretly microscopic this entire time. ]
Twenty, which is about what I expected. Though we're down six of them now... seven, soon?
I don't imagine a lot of partners have been established this soon. Most people seem pretty reluctant to do it. Probably will be if this amount of death continues.
no subject
no they're around the same height actually
but famine will offer the bourbon to daan, and take a sip of their wine as he begins theorizing ]
I cannot confirm nor deny. I listen to trends as you do, but only those in your same position can speak on their situations.
no subject
Thanks.
[ Honestly, thank god for this. He instantly seems just a little bit at ease, looking into the bourbon with a soft turn of the glass. ]
I wouldn't have expected you to... though I did hear you offer hints to who your own partner is. Whether to search or to avoid them, that's up for us to do in the end.
Do you think it's a good idea? That whole bond thing. Right now, it feels like there's a lot more losses than gains.
no subject
famine looks thoughtful at the question ]
... When we first spoke, it seemed as though there was something you wanted but did not care to admit to in the open space with others.
My answer for you relies on your answers in return: how badly do you want it? Is there no other way for you to achieve it? Is it important that you see it through before you die?
no subject
...
[ Silence, for a moment, trying to remember. Well, it's not that hard actually. There's only one real thing on his docket that he can think of. ]
I was married. [ Quietly, mulling over his words. ] To a wonderful woman. I'd consider myself happy during that time -- until I was sent off to the front lines, because the Kingdom of Rondon got caught up in the Second Great War.
After the war... I went back home to the estate. First thing I did. I was worried because, she sent me letters and they -- stopped one day, all of a sudden. They get lost often... it's not weird for them to, often moving and in the thick of it all... it could've been nothing, but I couldn't shake off that awful feeling.
...
I was right. I found her dead. In the estate's basement, she -- ritual circle. A sacrifice. I think my father-in-law did it.
I tried every damn thing I could to bring her back, think I nearly went mad. Tapped into things I thought I'd long-since abandoned for it. None of it did a damn thing. And necromancy... necromancy doesn't work that way where I come from. I would've only desecrated her further trying that.
...
The next best thing I could ask for is answers. Why... for what reason? And what that damned symbol means.
no subject
perhaps a better person would offer comfort, or understanding. famine, as always, gives answers. ]
The wish could not grant you everything. It cannot bring your wife back to life, and then ensure you a happy ending with her. It could bring her to life, but you would need to survive this to get back to her and resume your bliss together. Or she can carry on without you.
Or you can get your answers, upon finding your partner here, and have those before you die. Regardless of if you die. But you would need to be prepared that choosing that means giving up on the idea of seeing your wife again, and endure a life without her if you survive this place.
[ they let their gaze fall over the gardens. they're well-tended to, even with death's passing. ]
That is a choice only you can make.
no subject
...This quest for answers... some kind of answer... is really the only thing driving my feet forward at this point, if I'm honest with you...
I thought I was done for, in Prehevil. So many of the others died by the second day. More by the third, maybe even everyone if I'm totally being honest. Half-thought I died when I first woke up here. Go figure I'd just land in some kind of hell after everything.
Maybe I am. After all, it's just more of the same.
no subject
Searching for knowledge and answering my curiosity is also the only reason why I still persist. It is not that I do not understand.
Do you wish for it to end, once you find your answers? Do you not believe there is still more in life to discover past the suffering?
no subject
I feel like I've spent my whole life running from this... occult bullshit, but again, and again, and again -- it comes back for me.
I'm tired of it, all this... waiting around until something finally catches up to me. Taking away everything I've got while at it.
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What will you do if you find there is no escape? Give up? Or seek coexistence?
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[ And yet, he doesn't know. He's exhausted. ]
Even this place... it's a temporary escape. I know it'll find me again.
no subject
[ talk about unlucky ]
You could always escape to somewhere else, if you survive this. Or do you believe it has the power to follow you across worlds?
no subject
The most interaction I had with "another world", or what might count as it, was on the other side of a Rher sigil.
That was hellish in its own way.
no subject
[ they make a gesture with their finger, swirling it in the air once to indicate the space around them ]
This is another world. All of you come from different worlds, that operate on different rules. For example: my world has no true gods or magic. The occult has no place in it.
[ cants head to the side, evaluating ]
You sound exhausted. However, I do believe you are awfully pessimistic.
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Wasn't always like this. Had lots to look forward to.
But here I am, in another cult's fucked up ritual to the gods, adding more blood to my hands.
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[ famine will reach out with their free hand to tap their finger against the center of daan's forehead ]
But just as you used to have a lot to look forward to, and then things got worse... that is proof enough that you are not a fixed point. I will not promise that things will get better. They might not.
But they can always be different.
no subject
That's true, old chap. That just might be true. Food for thought, isn't it...
In an age of darkness like that... what do you think waits there at the end? Or is your answer the same?
no subject
[ a beat ]
So many people have asked me this question lately.
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Can only keep marching forwards toward it, whatever it is.
There's no stopping it, is there?
no subject
[ ah.
famine is quiet a long moment after that, swirling their wine in their glass in thought before taking another sip of it. they glance upward toward the weird fucking sky. ]
That is what I have been seeking to discover for myself. What is a reason worth living for? I don't have one.
And yet I am still here.
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[ He finally drinks. The weird moment of temporary mania passes, back to his usual regular dimmed aura. ]
And yet, you're still here.
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