2nd Spell [Audio]

[taintedtalent]

Weddin's? Parties? Either this is one lax prison or this ain't the kind place I thought it was.

[Although whatever it is, it's got Reese very confused. Reading that note with his journal doesn't clear anything up, not to mention he doesn't believe a word of it. There's no power on Earth that can wipe out everything in one fell swoop like that.]

Now I'm more inclined the people that's been here then some piece of paper so, anyone kind enough to tell me what's goin' on here? Just what the hell is this place?

Comments

audio;

[bladeflare]

You mean those rose-tinged parties the lot are throwing? Bah. There’s little but air in the heads of those fools.

They've retreated -- the more pathetic of options, safer -- given their cowardice and oblivion. You're in a prison, crawling with weak-willed prisoners.

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[taintedtalent]

I'm just meetin' the nicest of people in this place.

So ya ain't one of them "weak-willed prisoners" I'm guessin'?

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[bladeflare]

Hmph... Hardly. I haven't any plans to rot in mindless merrymaking here.

[Albel 'tsks' idly, as if gathering an assortment of thoughts into an impromptu telling. How does he say this?]

If you haven't noticed by now, worms here are subject to... impromptu eliminations. They perish, often. If they aren't lucky enough to roll over like a dead dog, they'll be dismembered like one.

[Albel gives a modest sigh, and the finality is a bit like that tone of a bookmark being slid in at the end of a chapter, and closed definitively at a temporary closure on the subject.]

They return, of course, only to repeat the cycle once more. Now, what a happy little Keep we reside in. Surely one deserving of such banquets.

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[taintedtalent]

[And this new information brings things to a grinding halt for him.]

Hold on, people here a killed and brought back? Are ya tellin' this place is filled with god damn zombies!?

[As if kidnapping and murder aren't bad enough, necromancy can be added to the list.]

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[bladeflare]

[He has only heard the word 'zombie' once before, in remark of the creatures that roamed the Lava Caves from the otherworldler lips. It was only a passing comment, but Albel can deduce well enough.]

They do not come back undead. [He reiterates, dry and dubious.] Perhaps to prevent departure, you're merely stripped of your fatal wounds, your memories meddled with, and reassembled again in your room.

...Of course, I've only observed such. Wherever you go, so goes your ability to fight.

[Even if it was muted. Damn Keep.]

audio;

[taintedtalent]

This place just gets better and better.

[Having someone meddle with his memories is not a pleasant thought, of course neither is dying. That's when another thought strikes him.]

So had do ya know it's the same person. Could just be some kinda imposter, a replacement.

[And Reese doesn't want to have to die to test if that theory is correct or not.]

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[bladeflare]

[...And then Albel pauses almost comically, as though that last statement had completely thrown him off track.]

Ridiculously put, fool. If this theory troubles you so much, then by all means, test it yourself.

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[taintedtalent]

Right, people comin' back from the dead and showin' from different timelines and that's the dumb idea.

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[bladeflare]

[The swordsman's mouth sets in a line grimly, disquieted. Okay, so perhaps he had a point. Lord Deior has shown himself to be a unpredictable factor, but nevertheless, there would be no indefinable reason to allow their numbers to be cut down internally, and replaced by shams.]

Save the wild ideologies for your storybooks, fool. What is visible to you is simply what it is. He keeps as here to prevent our escape. [In a lower, muted mutter:] Extortion... how useless.

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[taintedtalent]

[If Reese could see Albel's face right now he would be incredibly smug.]

Ya know the one who throws label's around so quickly is always tryin' to cover up his own inadequacies.

[Yep, Reese really does not like this guy.]

From what I hear no one's seen the guy or even heard from him so how do ya know just what his plans are?

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[bladeflare]

Inadequacies?

[Albel chuckles at that, nearly self-depreciating.]

And one who speaks so flippantly is bound to lose his tongue for spewing such filth, worm. Test theses "inadequacies"; you'll find them quite... sustaining.

[He'll admit to that. There's no reason to deny the cruelty of his methods, his words, because they've probably done him better in the long run than any type of spurious Hero-Complex.]

So, you finally catch on. That is the type of coward we are dealing with.

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[taintedtalent]

Haven't lost it yet. Don't see me losin' it anytime soon.

[Maybe he shouldn't be saying that seeing how he's at less than half his strength, but Reese has always been stubborn and this guy grates his nerves something fierce.]

Not exactly hard to figure out. All ya gotta do is ask anyone in this damn place.

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[bladeflare]

Then listen well, or you should pray I demonstrate strong inclinations towards utter faithlessness. Consider yourself warned.

[Albel narrows his eyes a little at the journal and sighs. This time his voice is milder, not quite as impatient or irascible, but still holding a sense of tart.]

If you doubt me so, then you might as well search for your proof at the parties.

audio;

[taintedtalent]

So...what, this the part where I'm supposed to quake in fear and beg fer yer forgiveness?

[His tone couldn't get much dryer.]

Never said anythin' about doubtin' just said it was easy enough to figure out on my own.