[network] @ADMIN; Arrival

[snowblindmods]

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Comments

[haillenarte]

no
no, that does not surprise me at all.

...how did he save you?

[bookofnope]

I was ready to lie down and die. He brought me in from the snow and talked me out of the immediate resolve. It was a feat.

[haillenarte]

[oh.

francel had braced himself for another story about haurchefant's daring and heroic exploits — something involving monsters, perhaps, or would-be killers, and standing in the face of danger to protect the weak, as every true knight should — so the fact that beckett's story is more grounded is a relief. he feels bitter vitriol ebb out of his chest, away from himself (on mere temporary leave, sure to return in the future).]

I suppose I can relate.
Over the years, Haurchefant has protected me from all manner of dangers,
not least of all myself.

I long for nothing but to repay my debts to him
(like you, perhaps)
but I thought it an impossible task...
After all, he...
He should be dead.

[bookofnope]

[Not least of all myself. That can mean many things, but in this context, Beckett wagers on a particular one. A part of him is strangely glad. Haurchefant would thrive on someone to look after - someone to appease the ghost of Emmanellain's memory.]

He's told me as much, yes. I assure you he is very much alive and, as far as I can tell, very much the man you seem to remember. And if I've come to know him at all, myself, then you'll do much already simply by being here at his side.

[haillenarte]

He recalls his own death?

[text fails to convey the extent of francel's disbelief.]

That his soul was somehow spirited here I could believe, but this...
This is not possible
Even if I too had died of heartache in my sleep, surely I would not know of it
And these, these are not the Fury's halls!
What devilry is this, to make such mockery of the permanence of death?

[bookofnope]

That is an excellent question.

[Text is, however, Beckett's mode of choice for dealing with this highly sensitive subject with someone he doesn't know, Haurchefant's friend or not.]

And thus one to which we do not yet have an answer. He is not the only one in this situation. He recalls the blow that killed him, and is certain that he died of it. You may have to ask him for anything further. It's not my tale to tell.

[haillenarte]

[all for the best, really; francel has little experience communicating by linkpearl (telephone, more or less, in modern parlance) and prefers to write his thoughts out anyway.]

...I see.
Nevertheless, Beckett, I thank you for your good counsel.
I have no particular questions at the moment, but I hope you will not object to being contacted in the future should I have need of you.

[for anything i can't ask haurchefant goes unsaid.]

[bookofnope]

It's only good counsel if you use it. Find him - or let him find you. And give him my regards when you do.

And the offer of help is a standing one. Anytime. Meanwhile, I'll also advise you not to test revivals. It bears mentioning more than once.