001 ▻ video

[worldeater]

[On comes the video feed, and the man on the other end seems to consider the screen with distaste for a moment; the pause is long enough to wonder if he's simply going to change his mind and turn it off, but then he speaks. It's a low tone, something that almost sounds like it shouldn't belong to a human, but what is more noticeable is the fact that it is practically dripping with the repugnance of... something. His situation? His audience? All of the above? Red eyes flash with visible impatience as he addresses the network.]

I have been viewing this "network" for several days, watching mortal refugees from other worlds exchange words, images, ideas. Some have accepted and assimilated into their new situation, while others remain resistant and opposed to this place and what they expect of us.

[His lips threaten to curl into a mirthless grin.]

Zahdnu. It is pointless. Do you not see how petty it is? Caught in someone else's conflict, whether you fight or remain ambivalent, it all meets the same end; in time, it will be all be forgotten. All of you will be forgotten. Do you think you will be remembered in a hundred years time, do you think this war they want us to fight will be anything more than a footnote in the history of a thousand years? Five thousand? You should be lucky if your civilizations do not crumble to the ground well before then.

Everything here is noise with no meaning. That I should have to suffer through it is an insult. In defeat, I would have preferred a nothingness, and not forced to live with those whose bodies will decay into dust with time. No dovah, no dragon, deserves such humiliation.

[Well, how's that for a first "hello"? That being said, he simply moves on, as if everything he just declared is not up for debate.]

Those here who considers themselves immortal, a god, or anything more than the majority of those who live in this world -- especially those who find themselves weakened -- my name is Alduin, the World Eater, and I would speak with you.


((ooc; if you're interested in opting-in to Alduin's soul sensing abilities, check out his permissions post here please!))

Comments

[worldeater]

The use of the Thu'um. The dragon language. [A frown.] Though that is weakened as well.

[And more importantly, the one he's been struggling to figure out:]

And the transformation to my true self.

[brushoff]

Well, I'm afraid I can't help on either of those. Don't know dragon, never had to deal with fluctuating powers.

Here's hoping you manage to figure them out before something bad happens again.

[worldeater]

[An incline of the head] "Something bad"?

[brushoff]

Do you want a detailed overview or the Cliff Notes about how this place screws us over on a regular basis?

[worldeater]

Speak plainly. I have imagination enough to make up for lost details.

[brushoff]

People have gotten possessed at least twice by two different entities, we all almost got kidnapped last Halloween, a different dragon attacked the city, vicious lies and rumors from the opposition...I know I'm missing some things...

[worldeater]

[Alduin almost appears impressed by that list.]

You make it sound as if there is no peace to be had here.

[brushoff]

Any peace that could be had is most likely temporary.

[worldeater]

Then this will be a fitting place for one such as I.

It is your turn to speak of yourself. [He hasn't forgotten.]

[brushoff]

What specifically do you want to know?

[worldeater]

My first question should not be a surprise. Where is your soul?

[brushoff]

Not here.

[ hey, that's technically true. were you expecting an ACTUAL answer? ]

[worldeater]

[how naive of him to think otherwise, clearly.]

Then where?

[brushoff]

Back home!

[ Dorian is not gonna make this easy ]

[worldeater]

[...obviously.]

Golah sen. Have you reason to withhold information, or do you toy with me?

[brushoff]

Can't it be both?

[worldeater]

Dragons do not like being toyed with, so I would choose your words wisely. Either you wish to tell me of your circumstance, or you do not. Which is it?

[brushoff]

I do not wish to tell you. However, if you ask, and don't mind me slapping up a private filter, I will.

[worldeater]

[Someone a bit more empathetic would actually care about Dorian's "I do not wish to tell you" bit. Alduin, however, glosses over that fact, though he doesn't care if he sets it to private.]

I have asked. If you choose to keep this conversation private as a consequence, then so be it.

private

[brushoff]

[ because yeah, HE DOESN'T WANNA SAY THIS OUT LOUD. ]

I sold it. I sold my soul for eternal youth and eternal beauty.

private

[worldeater]

[This doesn't invoke the amount of surprise in Alduin that it might in other people. Once again, this is not something completely unheard of in his world.]

Sold it to whom?

private

[brushoff]

[ PROBABLY THE DEVIL but canon hasn't outright stated that yo, it's the devil. ]

That part doesn't matter. You asked where it was, not who has it.