peace is a lie

archeval

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From:

bearshermark

[It's more awful than he thought. Eleven's voice quiets in horror to match]

Goddess, Archeval. I don't- that doesn't sound like something you can.. that can be worked with. So many restless spirits..

From:

darkeststars

What? [ his voice goes a little sharper ] Surely you aren't going to tell me to give up? You, of all people?

...I captured Unhalad hoping to find some way to use it to our advantage in this mess, but I don't think-- [ a strained note enters his voice ] I can't just leave it like this, Eleven. The sheer amount of suffering--...

[ he sucks in a long breath. Pauses. Gives a brief, dark laugh. ]

Well, I did not expect to feel any kind of kinship to this thing, let me tell you.

These souls, whatever's left of them... they deserve the chance to let go of their life's grievances and move on. Won't be the first time I've convinced a ghost who would rather eat me that they should let themselves find rest in the light. I just have to... keep working on it.

From:

bearshermark

No, you shouldn't give up; of course not. I'm only worried for you.

[Hundreds of starving, suffering souls within him would do more than impact his sleep but likely drive him insane, especially considering how long they've been there.

The stress of politics seems trivial in comparison]

Setting that many souls to rest- do you think it's possible to comfort them? It sounds as though their memories of freezing and starving rule them- things difficult to touch now the way they are..

From:

darkeststars

[ if Eleven has learned anything about how Arche works by now, he can probably guess that he's being spared a few unpleasant details about whatever's actually going on. But as always, Archeval has said his piece and doesn't so much as hint at more. ]

If there is any comfort for deprivation, I suppose it might lie in at least knowing you're not suffering alone. Were anyone else attempting this, I'd tell them to leave it to someone more qualified, but... perhaps. Perhaps if it's me. If I can just get their attention long enough to make them listen, show them I understand... Then perhaps I can show them the door. The way out.

[ deep sigh ]

I don't know. But it's not the sort of thing that can simply be put off, so. I'm trying. In between the rest of this. I think perhaps I might be at least starting to get through to it -- I... I get more back now than I did before. Showing it--... some of my own life, and such.

[ and here he has the audacity to go around calling Eleven reckless, hm? ]

You needn't concern yourself overly. I wouldn't be out here by myself if it was such a concern, now would I? [ ~~he totally would.~~ ] I think you've got enough on your plate over there keeping yourself out of Bonaccorso's dungeons.

From:

bearshermark

[He isn't terribly assured, but, well, neither is there much else he can do but worry right now.

There's quite a long pause as he mulls things over]

..When are you due back?

From:

darkeststars

When the task is done? [ you can hear the shrug in his voice ] I would hope not longer than two standard... ...no, you know, it occurs to me I haven't exactly picked up the local calendar quite yet anyhow. At any rate, I'm trying to get this over with already.

[ he sounds exhausted, but at least not physically ill or anything. With what Eleven can glean from just his voice at least. ]

If something comes up--... I can't exactly travel back quickly from here, but belated backup is still better than none. You'll be in touch, I trust? Does the situation still seem relatively stable for us and ours right now?

From:

bearshermark

[He gives that a good moment of thought]

..Yes, I think so. I don't think it's likely the other person he's meeting with will contradict what little I said. It was mostly true, after all. So long as that goes well and I'm not too closely watched or questioned any further..

[How likely is that, he wonders. Perhaps he'll exercise further caution when it comes to switching roles, make certain he isn't followed]

Of course I'll stay in touch. I can keep you abreast of what's happening, if you'd like. But Arche, I meant- when you return, if those souls are still restless and there's anything I might be able to do.. you know I wouldn't hesitate.

From:

darkeststars

[ there's a few moments of quiet on the other end of the line, a longer pause than El might expect, but -- just about the time he might be starting to feel concerned -- what in the world is that, is there something in his hair?...

No, as it turns out, there's nothing there at all. Just a bit of brief, playful, insistent tugging before it stops again. ]

Don't tie yourself in knots over there, hero. I can still take care of myself.

And of course I have every intention of keeping you updated too.

From:

bearshermark

[Eleven pats his head, briefly puzzled. There's nothing there, he isn't anywhere near his window, and it feels.. almost chastising, much like the note in Archeval's voice]

Please tell me that was you. [He doesn't have any idea how he'd manage it, but he's verging on the edge of paranoia if it isn't. He's already more or less hiding in his own room]

And I'm not saying you can't- just it was one thing when we thought it was only one soul. Hundreds of them.. I'd likely be in shatters. Of course I know you're stronger than I am, but it still can't be easy on you.

From:

darkeststars

[ there's a brief, tired, warm little laugh from the other end of the line. ]

You have to ask? Do you often have disembodied entities tugging on your hair? Because that would be a whole separate problem.

Anyhow, I've subdued the likes of Darth Andru, Horak-Mul. Killed Revan himself, twice. Faced down the Sith Emperor and lived to tell the tale. [ his voice slips into a wry drawl ] Yes, I know you don't know who any of those people are, but if you did you'd understand that I am bragging. I'll manage one semi-sentient mass of souls wadded up into an undead overlord for a few more weeks, thank you.

From:

bearshermark

[Chagrined:] Just needed to make sure.

[But he laughs short relief] I already understood you were bragging but neither do I know what challenges they proved to you. [Though killing someone twice is a feat. Once alive, once undead, perhaps?]

I'll try not to worry too much. You've managed this long. Just.. be careful, please.

From:

darkeststars

I could say the same to you -- and frequently have, as I recall. If the trend so far holds true, I'm rather starting to suspect this planet simply isn't going to allow for 'careful'. But 'alive' -- that I always shoot for.

Keep your eyes on the here and now, hm? You don't want any stunningly talented wayward Sith distracting you if you should have to playact for the old man again. And for that matter, don't you have lessons or something to keep up with?

From:

bearshermark

[A fond, though exasperated sigh]

Yes, Mum.

[Eleven is at least clearly in far better humor than he had been at the start; his eyeroll is practically audible, after all]

..There's some talk about capturing a dragon for Macaluso to impress the magic schools. I don't know what Vannozza's planning yet- if anything -but that's the only other thing of note thus far I believe.

From:

darkeststars

A... "dragon"? [ the dismayed surprise in his voice is joined by some amount of confusion ] Surely not a krayt dragon, we're nowhere near desert-- Apparently I need to do more reading about local fauna--...

But I suppose at least if I had to be gone, I'll have the opportunity to miss getting dragged out to hunt some massive slavering creature in the meantime. [ sniff ] Anyhow, don't give me that, you're the one who decided to waltz into this hellhole and then sign straight up for school. May as well focus on the things in front of your face that you can do.

From:

bearshermark

[A touch indignant] They're free lessons that spare me a few hours of court a week; of course I did.

..Besides which, my spirit really is recovering. It isn't strong yet, but it feels like a lot of the damage has been undone; it's not as fragile.

From:

darkeststars

Good. [ his voice is a murmur now ]

If your powers can better survive the vagaries of this place, then that is the important thing. And I might--...

Well. I will let you know should I desire your assistance in this matter. Glad to hear that it should be increasingly available.