taxonomites | visual :: later he saw that each weed was a singular knife

One moment, he is Uther Doul, a quiet, occasionally sly mercenary in the employ of Lady Petrana, and in the next, he is En-Doul. While he appears younger, it's unlikely that will be the first thing people notice. Far more shocking is that his skin is darker, no longer tanned by the salt and sea, but chymically tanned into well-crafted leather . After assuring himself that he is whole and hale, he examines his surroundings. The room is strange and brighter than he's become accustomed to, but his eyes are no longer susceptible to being injured by sudden changes in light. Instead of organic tissue, attached to the orbital socket is a thin inlay of metal, housing a pair of translucent, milky spheres. In dim light, it's possible to discern a pale, blue light at the core of the glass.

The window is open and the room is cool, but despite only wearing a linen kilt, fine sandals, and a pectoral necklace made of tiny, iridescent blue feathers. Unexpectedly, there is a strange silver bracelet grafted onto his wrist and while this is odd, the tablet on a nearby table is even stranger. On the top right corner, there is an icon labelled in Quiesy that reads [Lost?]. Tapping the image brings up a short file that explains where he is, what a glitch is, what is likely expected of him, and how to send out a video message.

[I have been told that I ought to introduce myself here and mention that I am 'glitched'. I am unsure if your devices will be able to translate my speech. Failing that, I have been advised to contact Deadman Brucolac.] During the entire time he signs out his message, En-Doul is completely silent and while it looks as if his mouth is just closed, it is actually sewn shut. Wisely, he never bought into the fad for detailed embroidery.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

And that's why you look younger. No living cells to age.

[slowly nods] Does time affect you at all?

"Of course. Time affects all men; not always in the same manner, but there is always a shade of her influence."

"You said that he lives, but appears older than I?" As with everything, there's no expression to betray his emotions (if he has them), but there may be a change to his body posture to indicate disgust.

Yeah, but not like it affects him.

[defensive] Yeah, a bit older. But that's what happens when you're alive, En Doul, you get older. Well, some of us do.

There is something he will need to discuss with one of the people here, but En-Doul is sure that a first meeting is neither the time nor place for such unpleasant revelations. The notes imply that at the very least, he has three days to find a suitable candidate to entrust with his information.

"What insight. I am pleased to find you just as intelligent as the Liveman described."

[very amused] Was that sarcasm? Ooooh, I've never been sarcasm-ed-at in sign before.

"It is a gift unique to my people." Have a little more sarcasm before he switches topics. "Can you tell me more about this place?"

You're in a prison. A great big guided cage set up by hamsters.

[a pause]

You know actually saying that makes it sound an awful lot sillier than it actually is.

"A prison doesn't surprise me in the slightest but I don't see how it's silly." Of course it's a prison. It only stands to reason since his alternate is alive.

Really? I was a bit surprised when I figured it out, and not a whole lot surprises me.

"If some thrice-fucked fool let my alternate out of High Cromlech while still breathing, there's only a very short list of places he could be found."

Right, slightly more vulgar than the Doul I know.

Do you have a problem with living people?

"In general, no, but I've been known to make exceptions." The Quick are the Quick - either on their way to becoming Dead or living out some little life with a correspondingly little impact on his existence.

Well, we're quite nice, if you get to know us.

[concerned pause] The entire city is full of living people. That's not going to be a problem, is it?

"I don't intend to stay here so long that I will know the people well enough to send gifts for weddings." Or whatever else the Quick do.

"I can't see how it would ever matter to me. Provided no one has a raging dislike of the Dead."

Edited 2010-05-05 04:55 (UTC)

Well, probably for the best. No offense, but I actually prefer the Doul I've gotten to know.

Nope, no raging dislike. Good number of dead around here and so long as they don't hurt the living, I don't think the living has any real inclination to hurt the dead.

None taken. Most people prefer the familiar.

If you're a glitch, well, what's happened to you is a glitch, then I've got your back. Just so you know. Doul's my friend. He may not think of himself as my friend, but he is. I won't let anything happen to you.

That's very good of you, Doctor, but I'm not comfortable with a promise like that. I suspect that it's unlikely that I'll be hit by a sixer, but the risk exists.

A sixer? What's a sixer?

Do you know horses?

Well, a bit. I've ridden a few in my time.

A sixer is a horse that has been Remade to be a better pack animal; the legs are strengthened, sometimes built with pistons or other technology.

And they don't like the dead?

They've no opinion on the Dead, but sometimes, like any horse, they fuss.

visual :: later he saw that each weed was a singular knife

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