(no subject)

[no_justice]

There is a skeleton at the Bar, clothed in a robe of Absolute Dark and accompanying by a scythe so sharp it glows blue where the very atoms of the air are being split - if it were open.

The scythe is folded shut and leans against the Bar. The robe's hood is pushed back and the shiny white cranium shines under the bar's lighting.

He's eating a curry.

Comments

[pirate-gibbs.livejournal.com]

Gibbs doesn't have to be told who's at the Bar. It's something a pirate knows instinctively. (The skull and crossbones are meant to send a message, after all.)

"Are you here for me?" Might as well find out immediately. Gibbs, to his credit, does not fear death.

[no_justice]

No.

Everyone always asks that. It's enough to make an anthropomorphic personification frustrated. Not this one, though.

No business in the bar.

[pirate-gibbs.livejournal.com]

"Ah. Good." That doesn't mean that Gibbs' heart is not still racing just a bit. "I don't think I'm quite ready yet." Though in the Bar with a cup of rum would be much better than the death he fears is coming on the Empress.

[no_justice]

Few people are, Death says conversationally.

Would I be the one who greets you, in any case?

[pirate-gibbs.livejournal.com]

Gibbs thinks for a moment. "I suppose it depends on the circumstance of my death. Were I to die at sea, it's likely that Captain Mister Turner will greet me, seein' as that's his job. But I would think that if my passing were on the land, you would reap my soul instead."

[no_justice]

That would make sense, except for the one thing.

I didn't know I delegated nautical jobs.

He learns a new thing everyday, about himself, and versions thereof

[pirate-gibbs.livejournal.com]

Gibbs stares blankly. Surely Death knows its...his?...job and his business. Though given what Davey Jones was up to for so many years, it's clear that the level of supervision wasn't up to snuff.

"I think that the sea witch Calypso had something to do with it."

[no_justice]

Ah, says Death, sagely. Gods. Sometimes they like to get involved.

[pirate-gibbs.livejournal.com]

"Can't say I care much for them." Pause. "No offense intended." Death isn't God, of course. But he's close enough, right? "She was a tricky one, though. Never knew who's side she was one. Aside from her own."

[helpful-squid.livejournal.com]

Oooh. That's interesting.

The skeleton is being considered from a few feet back and a few feet up by a puzzled-looking, curious ....

... we're not going to say squid, because it's not a Curious Squid, but if there's any creature on the Disc it physically resembles, the Curious Squid is probably it. Just in the same way that that scythe resembles Olaf's prized cheese knife, more or less.

[no_justice]

It's not that Death is unaware of his audience, it's just that...

...OK, we admit it, Death is anaware of his audience. When you're the personifcation of the ultimate Ultimate, you don't need to cultivate much spatial awareness.

So he continues with his curry until by chance, he catches a shape in the reflection on his drinking glass. Then he turns around.

Hello, he says, politely.

[helpful-squid.livejournal.com]

The creature raises its tentacles. Other beings would have to go through a long and difficult learning process, but when you are speaking to Death, whatever means you use will be understood.

Hello. I do not think I know you, but I think perhaps I should. Am I correct in this?

[no_justice]

Not yet, Death says diplomatically. I'm Death.

[helpful-squid.livejournal.com]

I see, says the creature. It is good to meet you, then. I did not know that you were an individual being; I had thought you were a process.

I am Weighted Forward. The humans call me Vergil.

[no_justice]

Yes, says Death. I am that too.

Pleased to make your aquaintance, Weighted Forward.

[helpful-squid.livejournal.com]

Very much the same, says Weighted Forward. May I ask some questions? I am new here, and don't want to be rude towards those more senior to it than I.

[no_justice]

I don't mind, Death says. If you do not ask, you cannot learn.

[helpful-squid.livejournal.com]

Except by experiencing, answers Weighted Forward, whose mun forgot the italicized name last time. Buggrit. And I think some experiences can only be had once.

You are Death; does that mean you are multi-present? Many of you in many places at once? There is always something dying.

[a1enzo]

The green youth approaching the Bar for snackage doesn't smell the curry. What he does smell, he probably wouldn't were it not for the fact that there aren't too many other energy-smells around to get in the way.

They're subtle smells. Ozone. Dust. And a whiff of magic smoke.

He blinks as he gets a good look at the source of the smell. "Whoa."

That's one big skeleton.

[no_justice]

Whoa? Death repeats, looking around for the source of the whoa. Who is not human. Hello.

[a1enzo]

Ooh, glowy eyes.

"Dude. Hi."

[no_justice]

Those glowy eyes flicker out for a second, then return, almost as if Death had blinked, which is ridiculous.

Can I help you in any way... dude?

[a1enzo]

"Oh, no, sorry. I was just surprised. I've never seen a skeleton here before."

He really shouldn't be surprised by anything anymore, but...

[no_justice]

I've been coming here for some years now, Death says reproachfully, like it's not his fault he hasn't been seen.

[a1enzo]

Enzo gives an apologetic sort of shrug. "Me, too. It's a busy place."