voice testing again

[oftheworld]

So let me get this straight. You wait a whole year - no - more than a year. Give me all this time to come to terms with the fact that I'm dead. And then you drag me out, expecting everything to just be hunky-dory?

[ _{oh please don't be mad please don't be mad} ]

Oh I'm not mad. I'm pissed off. Couldn't you have just left me alone?

Comments

[pushesgently]

They seldom listen to our troubles. Shouting at them is of little use.

[Stabbing, however...]

[oftheworld]

[ _{He sighs, gives the tip of his nose a swipe.} ]

I just want to be left alone. I can't imagine how you feel.

[pushesgently]

I won't say it hasn't been a trial at times. But I've learned to cope, and come to see what benefits exist. Even now, there is much to learn.

[oftheworld]

[ _{He folds his arms over his chest.} ] Yeah, I guess you have a point. I'm still not happy about this.

[pushesgently]

I wouldn't expect you to be.

[There's a surprising note of gentleness in his tone. Perhaps one of the things he's learned is how to be a grandfather.]

But if you're not to be left at peace, I hope that wherever you're sent isn't too trying.

[oftheworld]

[ _{Desmond finds his shoulders relaxing, his voice soothing in a way.} ]

Thanks. I uh... I hope the same for you.

[pushesgently]

Thank you. I'm doing well; even the strange lands that they send us to can benefit from the creed.

[IOW Grandpa here has continued to be a workaholic mentor.]

[oftheworld]

[ _{A little smile.} ]

Always at work, huh?

[pushesgently]

I don't know another way to be.

[Possibly a sadder admission than it should be.]

[oftheworld]

Hey, I don't think that's a bad thing, being dedicated.

[pushesgently]

Some would say there should be a limit on how much to give of oneself.

[oftheworld]

Some don't know the work we do.

[ _{He stuffs his hands in his pockets.} ] Well, you do.

[pushesgently]

That is true. [Both parts. He gives Desmond a small smile.] And even among those who know, there is knowing and then there is understanding.

[thefatherofsnark]

How sad that death has changed you this way.

I expected more from the prodigal son of the Assassins

[oftheworld]

[ _{Desmond's gonna rub his temples in frustration. He really doesn't need his great-great-great-great (how many greats exactly?) grandfather giving him hell.} ]

Is it so bad to want some peace and quiet in death?

[idkworldruler]

Well obviously they couldn't, considering you're already here.

[oftheworld]

I'm sure they could, considering I'm not the only one here.

[ _sigh. ] Maybe it won't be so bad to stretch my legs again.

[idkworldruler]

But you were let out, so they couldn't.

[oftheworld]

Yeah, I guess. I've just been comfortable in my own head.

[capitoldarling]

I wonder what that's like.

[ _{no he's not bitter fuck u desmond} ]

[oftheworld]

Then you know how I feel.

[capitoldarling]

I'm sure.

[oftheworld]

So how do you cope?

[capitoldarling]

I don't. Not really.

[sirenae]

You know that it's never that easy.

[ See: Lucy Stillman's death date, circa 2012. ]

But it's good to see you again, Desmond.

[oftheworld]

[ _{Oof, there's a punch in the chest. It knocks the air out of him for a moment.} ]

... Lucy.

[ _{He puts his hands in his pockets because he just isn't sure what else to do with himself.} ]

Yeah, it's um... it's good to see you. Too.

[sirenae]

You look like you've seen better days.

[ It's not like she's got any prerogative to say anything to him now with nearly two years come and gone and only the facsimile of regret for her actions to account for, but — she settles on dropping her gaze. ]

After everything that happened, I honestly assumed you'd think otherwise.

[oftheworld]

[ _{He's at a loss. His mind is racing and he's got no idea what to feel. He's angry, upset, glad, hurt. He's just going to settle on a mix of everything.} ]

Yeah, well. Seems a little pointless to hold a grudge when you're both dead.