audio; un: Sabriel.Abhorsen

[bindsthedead]

They're dead.

[Sabriel's voice comes out, far more emotional than her usual, carefully controlled tone, far grimmer than the bubbliness she'd faked while undercover. Instead, Sabriel sounds like she's on the edge of hysteria.]

They were dead the whole time- that was why the orb started draining me when I tried to sense them- it was blocking me but now I can't stop feeling it-

They all died. All at once. Hundreds of deaths all at the same time. But there aren't any spirits- and that many people, all dying so suddenly, some of them should have tried to linger. But there's nothing.

No spirits. Just the death.

Comments

audio; un: lanxichen

[calmness]

Even the Branson family? [he had hoped they were still near, somehow. for ford's sake.]

[bindsthedead]

No. There's nothing lingering. I'd thought that the orb might have been hiding them too, but it's- the same as when I walked into Death at the start of the mission.

If we get answers, it won't be from the Dead.

[calmness]

If none linger.. then there is a chance the pulsefire does more than kill. [and that is a horrifying thought, his own voice fills with dread at the weight of it.

someone always lingers.]

[bindsthedead]

It's... possible. Utterly destroying a spirit isn't unheard of, but it's generally not an easy process.

[calmness]

In my home, it occurs when great duress occurs to the soul at the time of death but can also be forced. [he's heard of practical examples of both.]

That is unlike this...

[then a pause, he asks softly and tentatively.] Are you alright?

voice; un: finn

[hatejakku]

[ Wait. Wait, what?

Finn takes a moment before responding, trying to extend his reach outwards but-... He never expected to feel anything because he wasn't connected to the people here. Now that he's trying, though, he's not sure what to make of it. ]

I can't feel anything of them either. What does that mean?

[bindsthedead]

I don't know. Either the nature of this world is such that spirits pass swiftly, or there's something else at work.

[hatejakku]

I-... I've never seen death change so much between planets or species. [ The actual act of dying, he means. The passing on part of death. ]

Could the orb still be blocking us? [ Wishful thinking. ]

[bindsthedead]

Doubtful. It seems to have withdrawn its influence completely.

( video | un: jaguar )

[scarcastically]

[ . . . ]

You holding up okay?

[bindsthedead]

I'll manage. I wouldn't be much use as Abhorsen if I couldn't tolerate being around death.

But I want to get out of here as soon as I can.

[scarcastically]

Wasn't really asking the Abhorsen.

Anythin' we can do?

[bindsthedead]

['Wasn't really asking about the Abhorsen' gets a weak but sincere smile out of Sabriel.]

I don't think so. Some time out of town will help, but that will carry its own risks.

un: blue

[firstroar]

Sabriel.

Are you injured? By this awareness.

un: blue

[bindsthedead]

No, it's just- incredibly unpleasant.

[firstroar]

Where are you?

[bindsthedead]

The teahouse. Or what's left of it.

[spoilers]

That's unusual, I assume.

[ She's never believed in ghosts, despite having come from an afterlife of sorts herself. But the young woman's distress is obvious. ]

[bindsthedead]

It's eerie. So much death, and yet nothing tried to linger.

[spoilers]

I'm sorry. That must be...an odd sensation.

[...]

It seems as though pulsefire does what fire does best. Consumes.

[bindsthedead]

Completely and utterly.

voice | un: spade

[pursuit]

...Is that part of your magic?

[ Is it her unique magic, sensing death?

The distress in her voice compels him to speak again before she has a chance to answer- ]

D'you maybe want somebody around? I know you're an experienced mage, but.

[ Hundreds.

The way she had voiced that word... ]

[bindsthedead]

Yes. I'm a necromancer, and- some people are coming. I think I just- need to get out of town for a bit.

[pursuit]

That's good. I don't think you oughta be by yourself.

[ Not at a time like this. Not with something so heavy. ]

If this were my world, I'd be able to take you someplace. Really wish it was.

[ Though with the magnitude of what she experienced, yelling at the ocean is surely not enough. ]

But if there's something I can do, I will, okay? I still owe you one, and besides... [ How does he put it? ] I don't know you all that well, but I know I don't wanna hear you hurting like that and not lift a finger, you know?

[bindsthedead]

It's all right. I'm- it helps that people care,

[And it's another sign that her father was misguided in telling her to keep quiet about being a necromancer. People here had been kind, rather than afraid- even if Sabriel wasn't sure if they understood.]