audio / @hello / open

[lunchbreaks]

Hello, um, everyone. This is Aziraphale. I know I haven't met all of you, but I have gotten to know a good number of you as of late, and I've come to like you all a great deal, so it doesn't sit quite right with me not to apologize for recent events.

The sinking of the ferry was inexcusable. Our-- my failure, was a direct result of poor planning and lack of transparency, but I do need all of you to know that the intention had been to find our only way out of Beacon as other methods had been exhausted, and it was always in the plan to make subsequent trips for everyone remaining who wished a return home.

But I know that no amount of good intention will bring it back, nor heal your injuries, nor surface the supplies it was carrying. For all this, I am deeply and terribly sorry; this was, in no way, how I should have repaid all your kindnesses. I understand your anger, and you can direct it at me, if you would like, if you have need of a place to focus your ire.

However, I am afraid, actually, that I must ask a favor. I have, though not for lack of trying, not been able to retrieve much of the sunken raw material - if anyone should lend abilities, magical or otherwise, to help in the rebuilding of the ferry or the docks, you will have my deepest gratitude, for whatever that is worth.

I will try to assist with this as much as I possibly can, and otherwise will be available to assist those who require healing, though my ability to do so has been stunted.

Comments

[scarsolderthanyou]

My people don't believe in souls. When we're dead, we're dead. So I guess you'd know more than I would.

Re: @cuttingedge; text

[lunchbreaks]

Dear Jo,
I would not suggest fishing, as someone has found a dead body in the water from doing so.

No, we will have to build another boat. I will put forth as much effort as I can in doing so.
-Aziraphale.

[lunchbreaks]

You don't? Not even to... return to the Earth or the Sky?

[scarsolderthanyou]

Why would we do that? We're dead.

[The concept of some part of them living on after death isn't exactly foreign-- some groundlings believe that-- but it's not a Raksuran thing.]

My court gives our bodies to the colony tree, to be food for its roots, but some courts do other things.

Re: audio - @elizabeth;

[isochrone]

[ Hm. Patience she has, but she doesn't think she's particularly strong by most measures. ]

Well... nothing ventured, nothing gained as they say. Is that the only aspect of the project currently in the works?

[lunchbreaks]

Oh?

Like what?

[ He's just very interested in this, pardon if he's nosy. ]

[scarsolderthanyou]

[Luckily, Stone loves talking about his people.]

Well, some courts bury their dead on dedicated garden platforms. That's what mine had to do before we moved back to the colony tree and could go back to the old ways. Some make funerary urns and put them in the lower levels of their trees, but usually only royal Raksura get that kind of treatment. Otherwise you'd run out of room pretty quick. Every colony I've been to has death songs, though.

[lunchbreaks]

Oh. Well... that does sound beautiful.

Does everyone get their own death song?

[scarsolderthanyou]

Sort of. There's variations. Individual themes for the ones we've lost, weaving into main melody and harmony of the colony song.

[lunchbreaks]

Oh.

That is very beautiful.

Do you-- do you know yours?

[savingthrows]

I think so. I live with Nancy and Steve, here. They're... from home.

[ her face and tone are conflicted. It's good to have someone familiar here. At the same time... At the same time, them being here isn't good, and Eleven is very aware of that. ]

[lunchbreaks]

Oh, good.

It's-- always better, I think. To have people you know.

[ Even if it means they're all dead. ]

Were they... friends of yours? That you were protecting?

[savingthrows]

[ Eleven looks a little thoughtful at that, then nods. ]

Steve protects. Tries to. Nancy is... Mike's sister.

[ And that just makes her look sad again. ]

Mike is. Was. My boyfriend.

[scarsolderthanyou]

Afraid not. I was dead by the time anyone sung it. I know a few others, still, though. I've heard a lot in my time. It isn't the same without the whole court, but I can still sing for people I've known.

Re: audio - @elizabeth;

[lunchbreaks]

Well, I am slowly trying to build, but you must understand it is difficult with no materials.

[lunchbreaks]

Oh.

[ He frowns sharply and places an assuring hand on Eleven's shoulder. ]

Then we will have to get you back expeditiously, as I'm sure he misses you dearly.

[ She's so young, it kills him a little. ]

[lunchbreaks]

What a wonderful way to remember the people you love.

Did you die of natural causes, then?

[savingthrows]

[ Her jaw works for a moment, clenching and relaxing. She talked to Peter about Mike, but the emotion still sits in her throat, makes it harder to swallow. ]

He... didn't want me to. Go after the Mind Flayer. I heard him tell Max... he can't lose me. Because of love. But I went anyway. And the Mind Flayer... ended me.

[ She tucks a strange of her behind her ear, vision blurring a little. ]

I dumped his ass. Max said I could take him back. But... I'm here.

[ She looks up then, so much sadder than a child her age should have to be. ]

What's... expectliciously?

[ Not even close. Not even a little.

But oh boy, does she try. ]

[lunchbreaks]

It means... as soon as possible.

And-- if you dumped him, it won't mean he doesn't miss you.

[ What a complicated situation for such a young girl. And what on Earth is a Mind Flayer?

If she does start to cry, he'll be here to wipe away her tears with his thumb. ]

[savingthrows]

[ Eleven nods and puts her hands on her hips, trying to work through the emotions and get them calmed down again.

After a moment she huffs out a small laugh. ]

Peter... said that, too. About Mike.

[ And she smiles at Aziraphale. It's a bit wobbly and watery, but it's a smile. Small victories and all that. Eleven is rather proud for not breaking down again like she did on Peter. ]

[scarsolderthanyou]

Oh, definitely. Old age. I reached my time, my colors all faded the rest of the way to white, and I had a little over a turn to say my farewells.

[lunchbreaks]

[ Oh, it's alright. He would let her cry it out. ]

Well, that's very smart.

You're a very special girl, and doubtless it's why you've caught his attention.

Let's just worry about getting you back, yes? And you can worry about what you're going to do when you get back later.

[lunchbreaks]

Strange. I had a theory going that everyone here had some unfinished business.

But you've led a long, fulfilling life.

Re: @cuttingedge; text

[knifecollecting]

[Now she feels bad because he didn't get her sarcasm. And it seems like he might really just be trying to help. Oh no.]

I remember.

Try to keep it from happening again.

[scarsolderthanyou]

Pretty sure if I had any unfinished business, I would know about it. I was ready to go. I even got to see Rorra before I died, somebody managed to get her flying boat into the Reaches for a visit.

[That had been kind of Moon to arrange.]

So unless I'm the exception to your rule, that's probably not it.