maskormenace | video | MIRROR NETWORK

[ The feed opens on Cassandra’s apartment- or what soon will not be Cassandra’s apartment, as one may be able to tell from the fact that everything’s in boxes behind her. Cassandra is on screen, certainly not looking or sounding as terrible as the last time she posted on the network, but still a good bit exhausted. And a bit...frustrated? It could be worse. There's a portion of the screen behind her that's hard to focus on, as if it doesn't want to be looked at. ]

Okay. So- for those of you who are actually interested in figuring shit out around this place, I’ve got a request. Or- we do, apparently. [ Suddenly, that portion of the screen is just fine being looked at, where the tall figure and gazelle skull mask of the Psychopomp looms behind Cassandra. ]

We’re looking for magic users. Anyone with... [ She taps her chin. Clearly she’s trying to find the right words, for a number of reasons. ] Offensive abilities. Or some sort of psychic powers. [ Psychopomp raises one finger, interjecting from behind her: ] Not offensive, as such. The abilities we seek have to do with the mind, particularly in the binding together of them.

God. Fine, yeah, what they said. It’s all abstract anyway, fucking...supernatural bullshit. [ She waves a hand around, as if that’ll assist her point. ] What we’re saying is we need some help on a project. A big one. So if you can do that- and if you’re willing to do it with pretty fucking high stakes- let us know.

Be warned, when we speak of high stakes, we mean the highest of stakes in this land. We mean to mitigate them, with thy help, and perhaps they will be reduced for thee enough to be as naught, but this task is not for such that cannot steel themselves to such a task. If thou art serious, we appreciate thy inquiry.

...They mean you could get hurt, if you need a translation. [ She’s a journalist. She likes blunt language. ] Oh- and if you want something a little less dangerous, we could use some help with a survey, too. Much less potentially deadly. Thanks in advance to those of you who actually give a shit, I guess.

[ ooc: Plain text is Cassandra, bolded is Psychopomp/

glowsferatu. Replies will come from both! ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Huh. Not the response she was expecting. ]

Really? Care to elaborate on that? I'd think knowing what happens to people when they die would answer a lot of people's questions.

The problem is that when the border between Life and Death is weak, the Dead can return... but not as they were when they were alive. [There's a distinctly ominous tone in Sabriel's voice.]

Besides, no one knows what lies beyond the Ninth Gate- the living can't go through it, and no Dead that pass that point return.

Ah- one of those "we can't know what happens after, or we'll all suffer" type things. That sort of story, at least, is pretty common around here, if you look into any sort of mythos.

Considering the kind of people who get ported in here...I'm guessing you're the type who is going to have to investigate that Ninth Gate, at some point? Whether you want to or not?

No, but I need to force what might be the most powerful of the Greater Dead to ever exist past it. Something that's killed several of my predecessors and sent our country into a centuries long state of decay.

...Okay. Sounds complicated.

[ That's really all she can say to that, can't she. ]

Good luck? Although I assume you can't do anything about that here.

No. Even if Kerrigor arrived here... It wouldn't change anything in my world, and this world has enough problems already.

Well- what would happen if it showed up here? What exactly is a "Greater Dead?"

Many people would die, and Kerrigor would probably bring many of them back, to create an army. [Sabriel's tone is grim, and she's trying to hide the absolute dread the thought invokes.]

The Greater Dead are the most powerful of the Dead. They were necromancers or Free magic sorcerers in life- at least, all whose mortal lives are known. They have the power to command and enslave other Dead spirits, and some, like Kerrigor can draw upon Free Magic much as they did in Life.

Ah. One of those "the most forbidden magic is the necromantic kind" things.

[ She can't say she isn't familiar with tropes. Though she's perhaps underestimating Sabriel by not taking her point a little more seriously. ]

So let's just hope they don't show up here...but you're saying you have experience with godly figures of Death?

We don't have gods in the Old Kingdom. The Greater Dead might be powerful, but they can be forced to truly die.

Everyone and everything has a time to die, which can be delayed, but never truly evaded. And trying to do so just causes suffering.

Very poignant.

[ Sorry, Sabriel, she isn't much for grand life plans. That and she doesn't much like being reminded about times to die as if it's some sort of fateful thing. ]

What I'm asking is if you think that experience could help you- and us- against Atropos.

Part of my training involves the binding of powerful supernatural entities. The Dead are not the only foes my family faces. I don't know how similar Atropos is to Free magic spirits, but it's worth a try.

I just need to find enough mages who are willing to help.

Well- I know we've got a few. But you'd have to see if they're willing to help you first. Which might be harder than it sounds.

[ Is she bitter about the last time people refused to help her with something like this? Yes. ]

Atropos wants to destroy the world Why wouldn't they help?

[Even before she knew why, Sabriel had been raised with a sense of duty, of responsibility. The idea of someone having power to stop something but feeling no sense of responsibility to do so doesn't make sense to her.]

Because some people couldn't give a fuck if we all die, apparently? Just look at some of the assholes responding to us. Some people think other people are just going to solve their problems for them.

[ She's not holding a grudge or anything. ]

Accepting ones own passing can be admirable. But apathy isn't.

If there's anything I can do to aid you, please let me know.

...Sure.

[ She doesn't feel like telling Sabriel that she's not accepting her own passing, yet, and she feels like she shouldn't have to. A topic for another meeting, maybe. ]

Fine, then. I'll let you know if we think your powers will be needed for something. And- you'd better let me know if you do anything else that could help us with this, yeah?

[ A key word there being me; Psychopomp clearly doesn't want to be involved. ]

video | MIRROR NETWORK

> private voice

> private voice

> private voice

> private voice

> private voice

> private voice

> private voice

> private voice

> private voice

Re: > private voice

> private voice

> private voice

> private voice

Re: > private voice

> private voice

> private voice

> private voice