Video

[bindsthedead]

[When the camera turns on, Sabriel's slumped in a chair at her home, looking dirty, disheveled, and utterly exhausted. Her skin is deathly white, and dark shadows are visible under her eyes. Back in her world she'd pushed through it because she had to, because stopping would mean her death. Now, it's harder to hold off the exhaustion and the grief- she's holding herself together through willpower and not much else.]

Everyone and everything has a time to die. [Sabriel seems to be half-reciting, half thinking aloud. Sabriel pauses, and finds herself struggling to speak, because suddenly her throat feels very dry.]

My father is dead. I'm Abhorsen. [She can feel her throat tighten, but she keeps talking. She has to keep her mind off her exhaustion and her grief for a little bit longer.

She's tired, and sad, and she just wants to sleep.]

Major-General, I'm sorry, but I'll need a leave of absence for a few days.

[And then, with a final sigh, Sabriel leans forward and turns off the feed.]

Comments

( video. )

[aberth]

[ They're not exactly close, but Adam can't let this pass by without at least trying. ]

Is there anything you need?

( video. )

[bindsthedead]

I- [She tries to say 'I'll be fine', but that's not true, and won't be for some time.]

Not at the moment.

[video]

[protects_the_small]

[That tired look, she knows that look well]

Once you have slept, would you be wanting for company?

[video]

[bindsthedead]

I- perhaps. I don't know.

[video]

[protects_the_small]

If you would like a distraction, I'd be willing to help.

['Don't isolate yourself completely']

[video]

[bindsthedead]

Thank you, Kel.

Voice.

[thegriffinofdeath]

My condolences for your loss.

Voice.

[bindsthedead]

Thank you. Although there is still work to be done before I can mourn. [In the Old Kingdom, anyway. Sabriel's not sure what she can do here, except sleep and try not to cry.]

video

[dendarii]

[ Miles immediately recognizes that name on her comm ID - this is the mage he's looking for - but it seems crass to just ask straight out. ]

Ah ... I'm sorry for your loss, Abhorsen.

Video

[darkpants_warmfeeling]

[Well, damn.]

I'm sorry for your loss, Sabriel. Don't worry about taking all the time you need- the rest of the team will manage fine.

[And judging from how she looks, she badly needs time to rest and grieve.]

private voice

[dreamshades]

Doesn't it feel good now to have that closure? You should've listened to me sooner. Saved yourself the trouble.

video

[bindsthedead]

[Normally, Sabriel would politely ask who this was- but now, she's too exhausted to do more than nod.]

Thank you.

[dendarii]

If it's not too painful to answer ... may I ask what it means? To be Abhorsen?

Video

[bindsthedead]

Thank you. I- I thought I'd be able to get there in time.

[bindsthedead]

[It hurts, but at the same time, it's something to help her focus.]

It is a title passed down through my family. We combine Free and Charter magic to combat the Dead and force them to pass on, and protect the Old Kingdoma and the surrounding areas from Free magic entities and sorcerers.

Not here

[bindsthedead]

[She doesn't post a response, but Sabriel flinches when she hears the message.]

[dendarii]

[ That last part is what gets his attention first and foremost. ]

Protection? Is it more of an active role, or do you set up wards?

Not here

[dreamshades]

[ He can smell that despair from here. How he enjoys it. ]

[bindsthedead]

Well, we try to prevent things when we can. [But for the past two hundred years they've been more focused on damage control.]

But wards are something I have some experience in, particularly here.

[dendarii]

[ He nods thoughtfully at that. ]

I know very little about magic, myself. We have none at all where I come from. It's ... proven difficult raising defenses like that.

[bindsthedead]

[Even exhausted and frazzled, Sabriel can see the hint.]

I'm in no state to help you now. Perhaps later- in a week or two, perhaps more.

[dendarii]

[ Miles bows his head at that. It is what he'd been driving at, though he'd hoped to go slower. ]

When - if you find a need for work at that point. [ He pauses. ] I know that grief doesn't follow schedules.

[bindsthedead]

Thank you. I need to recover physically, but after that- [It would probably be a welcome distraction.]

Voice.

[thegriffinofdeath]

...I would not put it off too long. I was in your position after my father...was killed. So much to do, so many wars to fight...

[She hesitates.]

It can leave you vacant, if you let it.

Voice.

[bindsthedead]

I-

I don't know. I need to rest, then- then I'll figure out what to do.