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

[wifedup]

Like ill-fitting shoes.

I'm sure you can wear them in.

[aprescoup]

I could! But... I would rather not. That's why, I'm offering to pay. Isn't that convenient? Fair?

[wifedup]

Well, caretakers deserve a wage.

[aprescoup]

Of course. We're men of reason. And some etiquette, too! Say no more. What can I do for you, to settle this debt?

[wifedup]

Ah, perhaps I was merely enquiring for the group!

[aprescoup]

Were you? Then, what can I do for the group?

I'm not... good at this. Brokering and bartering and... really. I'm asking plainly. I don't know any other way to be.

[wifedup]

Money, only? What good is that when the currency keeps changing.

[aprescoup]

Then ask for something else. I've imposed no rules. If it's in my power, I'll do it.

[wifedup]

And what if they cannot be returned? What then?

[aprescoup]

Maybe if you tried being less ambiguous, I'd know what you mean, my friend.

But I've told you before: I'm no good at these games. I'm done playing them. Either ask something concretely, and I'll tell fairly if I can do it for you, in whole or in part. Or don't.

But this game you all play where you ask something with half your mouth open, half closed, you speak, but say nothing, you are coy but also attempting to know — this is leading no where.

[wifedup]

Ah, but I've been told I demure so prettily!

Fine, then. What will you do if they are not returned to you? That is my question.

[aprescoup]

Oh! Oh, you're worried about the 'or else.' Yes. Right! Right, I see now. That's fair. That's always fair. You should always worry about the 'or else.'

Look... these parts, my parts, contain some fragment of my power. Right now, I'm doing well enough without that boost, holding up our defenses in Hatthevar and working the beacons. Now... I'll be honest with you, the beacons will be last to fall. They're my only way of getting to Cosette. So, if my power starts no longer being enough for both purposes... I will prioritise the beacons. Is that selfish? Well, who's to say.

But, if the situation outside our food walls starts getting... particularly dire, and I'm in urgent need of my full strength, I may have to ask again. And we can all hope, at that time, that Rathakku or Anurr or whoever's banging at the gates can still be dissuaded.

That's the 'or else.'

[wifedup]

Interesting, interesting.

Well, thank you for this. It's been very enlightening.