Video; un: darkness (Backdated to November 28th)

[survivalthroughhate]

[Maul looks very grim when he starts off the video.]

Since some of you might wonder where he is and since he had messages for me to pass along to some of you, I'm here today to tell you Wesker is dead. I killed him.

[He quickly goes on before any screeching or condemnation can start being thrown his way.]

It was not out of malice, amusement, or anger. It was an act of mercy. The zealots took him and by the time I found him he was little more than a corpse but somehow still breathing. There was no hope for his recovery.

[Maul's eyes shut for a moment, still seeing the eviscerated body lying on the table that looked more like an autopsy victim than someone still alive, lungs and heart able to be seen and still working despite all that had been done to Wesker's body by those seeking his blood.]

I'm not sure how he lasted even that long with what they did to him. I ended his suffering. Hopefully, he will be back in a short time.

[There is a private message afterwards which is only sent out to a handful of people. Vira-Lorr, Luz, Orpheus, and Ariadne.]

He asked me to pass on a message to you.

Comments

[danserai]

Mr. Cypher . . . I'm glad you're all right.

[ she wipes her face. ]

I'm sorry such a horrible thing happened. Do you need help?

[subject_013]

Miss Ahiru, 'allo!

[Crossing his paws on the rock in front of him.] I'm good, but could use someone to sit wiff out 'ere whilst I'm waitin' for the boss to come back. But don't fink yeh needs come join me. 'S a bit nippy, but I can takes it.

[danserai]

No, I'll be there.

[ it's the least she could do and she wouldn't put it off. ]

[subject_013]

[Cypher tilts their head, whiskers wiggling, pleased.]

S'pose tellin' yer to go about yer usual would steel yer resolve. But company's much 'preciated. I ain't 'ard to find, though I does blend into the snow. 'Elps that I'm the only ermine about 'ere.

[danserai]

. . . Is it painful?

[ her resolve is fine. but seeing people in pain is something she'd like to be prepared for. ]

[subject_013]

Bein' separated from yeh Sleeper? It's not comfortable, but 's more lonely than painful. Feelin' 'im pass, that 'urt a fair bit. I couldn't feel it like 'twas
'appening to me, but I sensed it. 'S hard to know unless ye've been there.

Or ye mean comin' back? Hain't done that before. so ...'s a first for me an' the boss.

[There's a thoughtful note in his otherwise cheery tone.]

( video > action )

[danserai]

That's okay. I'll be there soon okay?

[ and she does appear promptly with a coat she managed to snag from the house. shivering slightly she scans the area looking for cypher. ]

Re: ( video > action )

[subject_013]

You got it, luv!

[He hunkers down on his rock, chin on his folded paws.]

--

[It might be tricky to spot Cypher: the cold has left the sand pale between the patches of snow, and it collected the most between the rocks. Also the Wakers moving about assisting the newly arrived Sleepers may cause some diversions. But finally...]

Oy! over 'ere!

[Something small and white comes bounding across the sand toward Ahiru before pausing at her feet and sitting up on their haunches.]

Glad yeh came! Sorry it 'ad to happen like this. [A pause, a glance up and down her.] Mind if I sits on yer shoulder? We'd be closer that way.

[danserai]

Sure.

[ she sits down on a rock, bending a little so cypher can climb on. she surveys the beach with a forlorn look. ]

How long have you been waiting . . . ? Was it lonely?

[subject_013]

[He climbs onto Ahiru's arm and clambers up to her shoulder, perching there.]

Honly a few days, a week, thereabouts. Been back and forth from 'ere and the 'ouse the boss got up in Lumenwood. Big ol' place, lots o' books. But mostly I've been down 'ere, watchin' the waves. [A glance down to the water's edge.] Just been new Sleepers so far, but givvit time. Tide'll bring 'im soon enough.

[danserai]

[ right, the new sleepers would be coming in soon. ]

I'm sorry that happened to you. To both of you.

[subject_013]

No needs to be, but I 'preciate the thoughts. Th' boss is a scientist an' a scholar. 'E knows there's a price t' be paid when yer looking for information. He'd say he'd paid the ultimate price. S'pose that doesn't make it easier for us that's watchin' for him.

[Cypher looks out toward the waves.]

Said 'e was lookin' for a means t' understanding Corruption. Seems the Zealots know things about it, an' he was reachin' for that. 'Cept they got the better of 'um before he could find that information.

Boss lived with somethin' like Corruption, somethin' from 'is world. Doesn't affect 'im so bad 'ere, but there's still the effects of it. Think 'e figured on finding a way to get a handle on it.

[danserai]

But why did he do it alone . . . ?

[ that's the part ahiru can't quite understand. doing something like that all by yourself . . . how much can one person get done? they were all just people. even people falter.

they were not stories. ]

[subject_013]

Truth be told? Boss is stubborn and too independent for his own bloody good - sorry. Pardon me lingo. I gets heated about 'im, but 's understood when you knows someone as well as I knows my boss.

[The Omen looks out toward the waves.]

Honestly, I think he wanted to spare folks what could happen. Or he was just lookin' to make a name for 'imself and got in over his head. He's not a good man, but he's striving to do better here.

[Cypher sits up on their haunches, whiskers wiggling.]

[danserai]

I guess. . .

[ it makes sense. it just seems lonely. people were so lucky to live with each other, communicate with each other. why stay lonely when you could have all of that?

she would know. she is, after all, just a duck. ]

Are you feeling cold? You can stay in my coat, if you like.

[subject_013]

I'm not one to make excuses for 'im, but it's not easy for 'im to connect with other folk. He lost 'is family young and the Lord who took 'im in... He was a caretaker but not a father. That did somethin' to the boss. He keeps people at a distance because he forgot how to let 'em come close. Got worse as he got older and something changed 'im, made him somethin' greater than human. He's trying to change, but fear makes people do strange things.

[The Omen peers at her.]

I'm good, but I wouldn't mind snuggling in yer coat collar if you'd let me. Boss says it's the best way to wear ermine, to have an actual ermine in yer collar.

[danserai]

[ she nods, propping up her collar so that cypher could snuggle closer. ]

I never had a family so I don't know what that's like. I hope Mr. Wesker finds one for himself. Or people that make him happy.

[subject_013]

[Cypher snuggles into her collar and keeps their snoot to the water's edge.]

Maybe you can both find family 'ere. 'S what this place is about, when it ain't throwin' weird stuff at us Omens an' Sleepers.

He's made a few good memories: met a bloke called The Dovtor in the town that proceeded this place. My personality and voice are based off 'is. The Doctor 'elped 'im find a better version of 'imself, so those memories found their way into me.

[danserai]

[ find a family . . . that'd be nice if she was a real girl. ]

Maybe.

[subject_013]

[Cypher snuggles their warm, furry flank against her neck.]

You lookin' for a family of yer own?

[danserai]

. . . No. I can't — It's not possible for me.

[subject_013]

[A quizzical tilt of their head.]

What do you mean? Howso?

[danserai]

It's fine, don't worry about it. I'm not looking for one anyway.

[subject_013]

[Cypher tilts their head the other way, wiggling their whiskers.]

'Methinks you doth protest too much', as the boss would say. Why else would yeh come out 'ere to keep watch for someone after a mutual friend said that someone 'ad gotten pulled back to the sea for a breather.

[The Omen looks out to the sea, poking their head higher.]

I senses someone. [Cypher hops from Ahiru's shoulder, bounding across the sand toward the shoreline, A few Wakers, male and female have gathered there, one holding a thick fur-lined blanket. Cypher pauses, looking back to Ahiru, tail and whiskers wiggling.]

[danserai]

[ ahiru blinks, perplexed. ]

Why wouldn't I come? We're friends, right?

[ she glances at the wakers . . . ]

Can you . . . sense him?