audio | username: raven master

[pulvisetumbra]

( Some might recognise the calm, glacial voice. Others might despise it. ) Good afternoon. For those whose acquaintance I have failed to make already: I am the Merchant.

It seems several of you have misunderstood your remit. You were sent to the ruins of Ellethia to grasp the stakes of our enterprise, and why your role in ensuring there is no repetition of this catastrophe is critical. You were assigned in hopes that next you are told those who willingly inflict the dead upon innocents deserve retaliation, you will heed your instruction.

Instead, you have opted to meddle. It is in your natures. I have come to accept it. But there are lines that should not be crossed — ones you have trampled with impunity.

( A pause, while he collects himself. ) Our associate Enam informs me that you have taken it upon yourselves to terminate the lives of the... sleeping tower dwellers. without cause, remit or invitation. Perhaps slaughter is commonplace in your homelands. I have clearly miscalculated your appetite for bloodshed.

No matter. You have killed good men and women. Ensure that you dispose of their bodies at sea, before the cycles of the land inevitably wake them. I trust, seeing as you had no qualms in ending their lives, you will be equal to the task of disposing them.

I expect our friend Zenobius will now have to seek out an alternative to his life's work. A pity.

( Silence, as if the Merchant might have neglected to end his communication. When he speaks, it's deeper, forcibly collected: ) Should that happen, seek out stored supplies, forage and maintain the wells. Your ship arrives within days. I bid you well on the next leg of your journey.


( ooc: in response to Moiraine, Eleven and Yennefer's decision to euthanise the Sleepers: on 11 February, characters may notice Zenobius is no where to be found. Characters can find him in a deep sleep akin to that of the Sleepers, at the bottom of one of the semi-dried wells previously inspected by Kaneki and John Connor.

Over 11-13 February, characters may notice the garden legumes and food supplies stop replenishing. They may have to leave the lighthouse to hunt for their sustenance. Water can still be procured from wells.

The voices and echoes that haunt the lighthouse become even more vocal, if not yet more violent.

The ship arrives to collect to group on 14 February. )

Comments

un: daozhang | audio

[binghua]

Were those sleeping in the lighthouse truly alive anymore? Do you frown upon mercy?

[pulvisetumbra]

They lived. For all we know, one day they might have woken. Was it your place to decide otherwise?

[binghua]

Perhaps not. But is it yours?

[pulvisetumbra]

Allow me to understand. Are you comparing my instinct to preserve life as being on parity with yours to kill? Do you give no value to life?

[binghua]

Of course I do. But I also understand that for many of us, life comes to an end. Death is not something to fear, nor is it something that should be stretched out.

I am also saying that regardless of whose choice was correct in this situation, it had been made and we must accept it. Blaming one or the other will only cause more strife.

[pulvisetumbra]

Make no mistake: your ruthlessness is disgusting.

[binghua]

I do not necessarily disagree.

[pulvisetumbra]

But you forgive yourselves.

[binghua]

I have been told by others that forgiving oneself is the only way to truly move past something, no matter how horrible that thing might be. I cannot promise that any of us will be able to do it. I haven't been able to do so for myself.

why no notif...

[pulvisetumbra]

You appear to assume I wish for you to be at ease with this circumstance.

dw plz

[binghua]

Would you rather we fall on our hands and knees and beg your forgiveness?

[pulvisetumbra]

I would rather you took responsibility and did well by the bodies of those you have murdered.

[binghua]

Of course.

[pulvisetumbra]

Unless that task also asks too much of you. It involves, after all, bearing weight down stairs, trekking it to the sea and releasing it in. Who knows what other murderous compulsions might afflict you on the way? An entire hour's work could prove too much for you to resist.

[binghua]

[An audible exhale.]

Perhaps you would feel more at ease to oversee such exertions yourself? Lest we make more mistakes without you here to guide us.

[...Was that a little uncalled for? That was probably a little uncalled for.]

[pulvisetumbra]

If you are unable to achieve even this much, rest assured that I shall — whatever the expenditure or way.

[binghua]

I pray you do not overexert yourself should that day come.

[pulvisetumbra]

You do not. You spare no sympathy or devotion for anyone but yourselves and your excuses.

[binghua]

If we truly did not care, we wouldn't involve ourselves at all. We would let Unhalad run uncontested. We would let Taravast completely destroy itself from the inside. We would ignore people in a seemingly endless slumber and not offer any kind of help, whether or not that help is considered right.

But by all means, continue to tear us down if it makes you feel better.

[pulvisetumbra]

You killed my acquaintances and one of the last few of my compatriots. Few things will make me feel better on this day.

[binghua]

[His voice softens, feeling a little ashamed even thiugh he had nothing to do with the sleepers' deaths.]

What few things would help?

[pulvisetumbra]

Dispose of their bodies.

[binghua]

Yes, but is there anything else?

[pulvisetumbra]

I wish I could give you other means to atone for your guilt. I do not have them.

You killed innocent men and women, sleeping and defenceless, in cold blood. This is and will rest with you.

You cannot ever hope to be or become good people after this. I cannot offer you redemption through petty tasks you might complete on my behalf.

[binghua]

I ask not for ourselves, but for you. Just because you cannot be here does not mean you cannot find some peace.