Applied to maisondeportes

[the_earths_salt]

Mundane,

A word, if you will?

First, allow me to commend you on your change of plans. As much of a dismal failure as your earlier attempt to place me was, this arrangement looks far more feasible; your commitment to this community should ensure me a stable home, and it's encouraging to see that you've finally managed to--- write and submit an entire application. I also appreciate the pains you've taken to ensure that I'll have some trustworthy company--even if I wouldn't wish such a situation on him, much less any of my other colleagues, Neophytes or Apprentices alike.

However--there is always a however, and I assure you, this is no exception. However, I'm afraid I must take issue with how you're proceeding with this affair. You claim that not giving me a distinct thread to establish my arrival will avoid triteness and repetition--and yet, you have no plans for how to replace it? If you truly do intend to insinuate me into a situation already in progress, you should at least begin to plan for it.

Far more important, however, is this matter of your vacation. I don't deny that you deserve one, but how you intend to make me vanish during it is wholly unjustified. Claiming that you want a legitimate reason for me to be gone, and some involvement in the overall plot is not an excuse for such cruelty--I would by far prefer to keep all of my senses intact, and my element working properly. You may not have the details established yet, but what possibilities you've considered are disturbing enough--until these things are settled, there's little for me to anticipate except what new brutality you're toying with.

Make a decision. I don't intend to beg for your mercy, but your reluctance to commit to specifics is appalling; whatever torture you intend, you have no hope of earning true respect from me until you act in a manner deserving of it.

Reluctantly yours,
Lexaeus

Comments

[the_earths_salt]

It truly is. Unfortunately, given that the nature of this directive is to torture me, I suspect she'll manage to pull it off somehow.

I'm told that this world is a mysterious, inescapable mansion, filled with people from many different worlds. As night falls, it grows dangerous, and fills with monsters and spirits. From what I know, it seems to be extremely inhospitable.

[letxequalnull]

Well-spoken. It does not do to let them get away with anything less than true understanding, and it is heartening to see you are unwilling to sacrifice clarity in matters such as this. They are regrettably familiar with vagueness, these mundanes.

[the_earths_salt]

They are, and my own especially seems loathe to provide concrete answers to anything. I've certainly endured enough violence in my life to weather this, as well--but it seems pointless to do so if such understanding will never be reached. What else is such endurance then, if not spineless acceptance of constantly repeated mistakes?

[illicitresearch]

Such simultaneous congratulations and criticism, but balanced as ever, Lexaeus. Skysplitter is feeling double-edged today?

I suppose it would be a bit old hat and presumptuous of me to offer timely dramatic rescue? However, if she is truly at a loss for ideas, I will readily provide a good opening.

I do look forward to seeing you again.

[letxequalnull]

How very unfortunate. We cannot seek to make anything out of mere vaguery, regardless of how we might try. There must be something a solid to build on. A proper foundation, if you will.

[the_earths_salt]

Pure congratulations breeds complacency and arrogance, and pure criticism breeds resentment and resistance; the most useful blade is one that can cut each way, coaxing and controlling at once. These mundanes are much like dogs in many respects--they accept a firm guiding hand with eager affection, but only so long as they accept that authority as legitimate.

She seems to believe for some reason that taking me to others, rather than requiring they come to me, would be a more effective and interesting arrival. I do look forward to seeing you, whether immediately or otherwise--but this period of imprisonment doesn't seem to be very amenable to a timely dramatic rescue. If anything, it would probably be more fitting for a belated discovery, or a bedraggled return.

[the_earths_salt]

There is--however, there seems to be currently no way to access this outside world at the moment.

As for the monsters and spirits, I wouldn't be surprised if they were angry about the loss of territory, if not for one thing--many do seem to attack at first sight. Some even go so far as to actively hunt individuals down, and give chase.

[the_earths_salt]

I, of all people, know very well the vitality of a proper foundation..... I would be more inclined to submit to her plans, painful as they may be, if she would only provide such. Even one connected to the Void such as yourself made certain that we had a strong basis from which to construct our plans and pursue our goals.

[the_earths_salt]

[groan] Being run through such trials for others' amusement..... It's more plausible than I'd like to admit. I can only hope that such a system and player are both sophisticated and skilled enough to give me some hope of completing this game of theirs without too much sacrifice.

As for the outside world..... I certainly don't know what could be discovered, but I would appreciate being able to study it. Surveying a new world sounds far more agreeable than slaughtering monsters by the score.

[letxequalnull]

Indeed. Our plans would have truly crumbled to naught, had I done otherwise. Perhaps your mundane lacks the sight to see that clarity is ever preferable of a vague consideration? If she cannot see to the heart of the matter at hand then it may be that you need to direct her to that ultimate conclusion, by whatever means necessary.

[illicitresearch]

Prudently spoken as ever.

Ah, and I can see merit in the former, but this is going to be quite an ordeal for me, you know this, finding you in such a state.

[the_earths_salt]

I'm afraid it may be too late to take that step, if my current Mundane's inclinations are any indication.

[Have a pointed wince at that; he'd really rather not leap to his death for no good reason.]

Quite a worthy endeavor--I happen to study different worlds, myself. But what would cause a directive for deletion to be issued?

[the_earths_salt]

I would be content to accept the former, if she would plan for the circumstances. Waiting until the last moment to see where I can be taken seems counterproductive at best.

As for the rest..... I apologize for all the trouble I'll be causing you; believe me, this is the last thing I would willingly subject you to. I'm hoping that she'll opt to leave me in at least a marginally functional state in the end.

[the_earths_salt]

She seems to lack the sight, courage, and strength of will to act on such an understanding. Directing her to such a conclusion would be far easier if it really were only a matter of sight.....

[letxequalnull]

Then beginning at the beginning. If it is more than a matter of sight, identify the root cause and begin there.

[illicitresearch]

Believe it or not, while it has ever been lacking in our combined strengths, some do well with spontaneity. Have a little faith, Lexaeus. The perfect opportunity may present itself in time. The best you can do is steel yourself for whatever is to come of it.

[then, sharply] ...what do you mean by marginally functional? Surely you won't allow yourself to be fully incapacitated?

[the_earths_salt]

I see..... I don't think I quite understand, though. If your directive is to expand your empire, then is it not contrary to it to destroy territory you could otherwise conquer? And wouldn't the continued survival and suffering of its occupants provide a longer-term source of power and pleasure?

[Not that he's endorsing these sorts of tactics, of course not. >.>;;; But being logical and lacking a conscience, it's hard not to think of something like this as a massive waste.]

[the_earths_salt]

The root cause is quite simply a weakness of heart, it seems. I would consider that removing it could be a viable solution, but I'm not certain that her intellect and identity would survive the separation.

[letxequalnull]

I would not wish to attempt it. But a weak heart may be tempered given time. True, it may be a more lengthy progress, but perhaps on that you would be well-suited to, with your patience.

[the_earths_salt]

It's difficult to place faith in those who have yet to demonstrate that they deserve it--I will prepare for whatever comes, but because I must, not because I trust her to keep adequate control of the situation.

Regardless, I say marginally functional because it seems there's nothing about this situation I'll be at liberty to allow or deny. The shape of the situation remains murky and undefined, but the most likely feature to be included in the final decision, so far, seems to be blindness.

[the_earths_salt]

I see..... Well, that seems to be another matter entirely, then. I've never heard of such a strategy.

[He probably wouldn't even be curious, if it wasn't for the mention of all that Darkness soaking into the earth, but.....]

Tell me, just how do you use this suffering for power?

[the_earths_salt]

That is certainly true..... If nothing else,, it provides some hope that this behavior can be corrected in time.

Do you have any suggestions as to how to go about this tempering? I'm afraid I have yet to work with Mundanes in such an endeavor.

[letxequalnull]

Not enough to be of any worth. My own mundane seems more... hesitant perhaps, to set me in a situation such as the one you are to be placed in and even when she kept me within a game the situations were rarely meant as deliberate physical torture. Even in the singular case of my own death.

[the_earths_salt]

Ahhh..... That's very fortunate on your part--save for allowing you to be killed outright, of course. I suppose you must have ended up with a more docile breed.

[letxequalnull]

It was unfortunate, but hardly an unexpected side effect of my actions at the time. But yes, I will agree that mine certainly seems less suited to direct torture.