snowblindrpg | [network] @ADMIN; Obituary [DAY 304]

Hmmm. You're not Sorcerer Supreme, but maybe you will be in a few years. And then you'd have more of a reason to interact with all those people. If that's the case, maybe it's more of a time dilation issue than your worlds actually being so different. You don't know them yet, but you will?

[ It was a complete guess. But Stephen seemed pretty passionate about magic when he was explaining it to Gabriel before- it wasn't hard to imagine he'd pick up that sort of 'rank'. ]

What does someone do as Sorcerer Supreme? Protect the earth from supernatural threats?

I'd say I'm trying not to get my hopes up since it is a different universe, but I'm not sure hope is the right word. The rest of us, the masters, we do our part in protecting the --

[He catches himself about to say the Sanctums, but finds suddenly that he doesn't want to explain the mystical mechanics of the Earth's only defense against Dormammu, devourer of worlds. At least, not any further than he's probably already let slip to Gabriel in other conversations.]

-- the Earth, but she was the last real line of defense. She held...everything together.

[ That catch is obvious, but he and Stephen seem to have reached an agreement. Gabriel doesn't press the points that Stephen avoids, and Stephen watches out for where Gabriel would focus too hard. He appreciates the consideration, especially since both of their worlds are apparently similar. ]

I can see you being the last line of defense for the Earth. Now, whether that's the sort of job you'd want is a whole other ballgame.

[ The next point is approached rather carefully and gently. ]

She's not around anymore?

[That's the trouble. The Sorcerer Supreme bears a heavy burden, but so do the Masters. Stephen is all too aware that he's already made his decision. This is the path his life is on now, wherever it leads.

He goes quiet a moment. It's been months now, from his perspective, but the loss was so abrupt, his relocation here so sudden afterward, that there's only distance from it, not resolution.]

No. Kaecilius, that -- guy I told you about. The one who wanted to hand the world over to Dormammu. Like I said, she was the last line of defense.

[Until Stephen took up the call, but he leaves that unsaid.]

Ah.

[ He's quiet too, for a long moment. All of his mentor figures have betrayed him, but if one didn't and they got killed? That would tough to deal with. ]

Were you the one that sent him off to spend eternity in the Dark Dimension, then?

Technically speaking, that was Dormammu. I just made a bargain with him.

[There's a note of regret in his voice. At the time it had felt very clever, but he's aware that it wasn't kinder than killing them. The worst of it is that he wouldn't do it any differently if he had to do it over again.]

...are you feeling bad about that? Maybe I need to siphon some of your empathy, because you clearly have too much. You saved the world and gave him what he wanted. It's not your fault he wanted something stupid.

[ Even Sylar could appreciate that you did good. He lives on Earth, after all- completely destroying it has never been on his agenda. ]

[He has to at least smile at that, but if he laughs at all, it's almost too quiet and brief to register.]

I've spent my own eternity in the Dark Dimension.

[Not really the same as what Kaecilius and his zealots would have faced, but...well, empathy.]

[ Really? Well, that sounds awful. ]

Was that part of the bargain? That you went with them?

[ His voice is quiet. He doesn't want to hear that Stephen came out of- and will be going back to- what was essentially Hell. ]

Oh -- no. No, more a...figurative eternity, for me. I don't know how long it took. In order to imprison Dormammu I had to imprison myself with him.

[ There's a long pause where Gabriel collects himself. That it's an actual relief to hear honestly surprises him. It's not like he'd be able to do anything about it, even if Stephen was going back to that. ]

At least it was figurative. Not fun, but- better than them, at least.

I'd ask how you imprisoned the guy, but I'll guess right now that I probably shouldn't get too into details. [ Possibly for both their sakes, but he's trying to be mindful when he's fixating on the wrong things. ] So I'll just say that's the most impressive thing I've heard in the past couple months.

Yeah. Yeah, a lot better than them. I --

[He almost wants to share the details. Better this way, with someone who at least acts like he gives a crap, than how House had dragged the details out of him. It's all out there on the open network if Gabriel goes digging, but he'll pull back again, respecting that effort to avoid dwelling on the mechanics of things.]

Oh, well. Glad someone's impressed with me. It's about time.

[Ha ha. Ha. So funny.]

Took awhile, huh?

[ He might eventually go looking, but for now he can hold it down. ]

Glad you got out of that. Wish you hadn't followed it up with this place, that seems especially unfair. But that's practically the definition of Norfinbury, so...

Hey, I finally got all my nightmares traded in for different ones. That's got to count for something, right?

Hey, it's a change of pace. Still a pretty sad consolation prize, but it is something.

This entire place is something.

[Stephen blows out a long breath.]

I should get moving again.

Yeah, okay.

[ He sighs lightly, as he's not sure how to end this. He eventually goes with the standard. ]

Take care, Stephen. I'll talk to you later.

Yeah. Keep warm, alright?

[And safe. And indoors at night.]

[ That's the dream. ]

I will. You, too.

[ And he'll disconnect here. ]

[network] @ADMIN; Obituary [DAY 304]

audio, private

audio, private

audio, private

audio, private

audio, private

audio, private

audio, private

audio, private

audio, private

audio, private

audio, private

audio, private

audio, private

audio, private

audio, private

audio, private

audio, private

audio, private

audio, private