un: a lifetime ago

[aprescoup]

( The transmission seems to come from an inside quarter battered by Anurr's howling winds outside. Somehow, the speaker seems unbothered. )

Is this wo — I'm never good at this. One, two, three. One, two, three. Hello? That's... that sounds right.

Hello, everyone! I'm Matthias. Awful weather, isn't it? Can barely hear myself think. ( As he finishes his sentence, voice increasingly chilled, the winds quiet. )

There! There we are. Much better, isn't it? You've been well? I don't know what you make of the place, but if you're hungry, there's... try old man Thrael's, down Gentian street. Best buns you've ever seen! And his food's not bad either, haha. Do try it! Kamala, have you tried it? I think there were... more nice little family shops with cookery, I just... don't remember. Don't exactly remember.

( An awkward pause. ) ...right. A little bird tells me your group has something of mine. Very... very literally. Some parts of mine, as it were. A heart here, a tongue there, a hand... small inconveniences. I think that was all of them? I don't quite recall. I was hoping to unburden you of them. If I may? It's just... very strange. Feeling part of yourself across a city. I'm, of course, open to barter. I know you've come a long way, I suppose you're expecting something for your trouble! A... finder's fee?

And... you haven't seen her yet, have you? My Cose — ...no. Of course. You've only just started. I'm sorry. Let's not speak of it! This is us: not speaking of it.

Comments

[aprescoup]

Here? Only since I've arrived in Hatthevar. It must have been... call it, nearly a year. Since Kamala gave me her doll.

[scrapgege]

... It's been longer than that, sir.

[Said very kindly, because Xie Lian is kind, but he can see this other soul is... probably not quite all there either. He might actually not remember.]

You've been looking to get her back for longer than that.

[aprescoup]

Not as earnestly. I don't think. I don't... remember so.

I'd lost hope, for some time. It's easy to. But the dolls... it reminded me. It reminded me to push.

[scrapgege]

So you didn't do all this, the undead and everything, for her?

I know it's probably rude to ask but... How did she die?

[aprescoup]

I think... you don't understand how it works, do you? Grieving. It isn't... always a continuous thing. Sometimes you do it. Sometimes it wanes. Then it blooms. Then it's all you think about. Then maybe you're distant again. And then, something reminds you.

You can do something for someone, in spirit. But it doesn't mean you're always applying yourself to the same extent of... what is it? Despair? I suppose so. That's... human. It's only human. Anyone who tells you they've never stopped thinking of the person they love or grieve... doesn't love very well. No. No, they're rather sick.

She died. Like people do. All very sudden.

[scrapgege]

You... think I don't know how grief works. Haha.

[That's... funny, if only because it's better to find it funny that try to get into a game of one-upmanship with this man.]

I'm sorry to ask this again but... If you want to find her, I need details. Exact details, of how she died.

[aprescoup]

It seems you don't, if you're assuming grief only works one way. But all the same.

I've told you, already. I've answered to the best of my ability. I don't know what more to tell you.

[scrapgege]

Yes, but she died from something? An illness, an attack, a spell?

Children rarely just drop dead for no reason at all. And for a soul, the manner of their death is often something they will recall vividly. Sometimes, they even replay it over and over. so it would help to know, to find her.

[aprescoup]

I've answered you. You're upsetting me, now.

[scrapgege]

I'm sorry. I don't mean to, but this is important.

But... I suppose since you blame yourself for her death you probably don't want to answer. It's fine. I'll find another way.

[aprescoup]

I don't waste time. By my nature. If I am telling you that is answer, then that is the answer. I would appreciate it if we understood that, moving forward. I don't want trouble.

[scrapgege]

Well, you have caused a lot of trouble for someone who says they don't want any, sir.

[aprescoup]

Have I? That's unfortunate.

[scrapgege]

I don't think you're as unaware of it as you pretend to be either. But never mind.

If I find your little girl, I can ask her how she died myself.

[aprescoup]

As you say, then.