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

[subject_013]

It's 'im. [Cypher sounds relieved.] Not sure the other one, but some day we might find out.

[The Squid reaches a tentacle toward Ahiru, emitting soft creaks, as if calling for someone to come closer. Cypher looks to her.]

Yer want ter sit wiff 'im?

[danserai]

[ not gonna lie, this feels scary to her, but she's here!! and poor dr. wesker and cypher were alone, so she might as well go all the way!! she can do it!!

so she . . . inches . . . closer. ]

H-Hi Dr. Wesker. Uhm . . . are you . . . feeling better?

[subject_013]

[Cypher moves in closer, putting a paw on the Squid. The sea creature reaches out a tentacle and touches its Omen.]

[Then the skin of the squid turns translucent, a human form visible within the squid form, a baby boy with a fuzz of blond hair, blue eyes just opening from sleep. The infant shifts then steadily grows, to a toddler, then to a school-aged child, then to a teenager, gangly but with still with a very young face..]

[At length the young man slowly sits up, breaking free of the squid skin, letting it slide off. He shivers, opens his mouth to speak.]

[And nothing comes out. He frowns, looking around as if to see that no one has witnessed this, but of course everyone close by has.]

[Cypher looks from Ahiru to the Wakers to the young man.]

'Errr... boss? You all right?'

[The young man sighs soundlessly and pulling the blanket around him, reaches down to trace something on the sand.]

No. My voice is gone.

[danserai]

[ it's like the little mermaid. does dying take something from you? can it come back?

either way, ahiru didn't know how to help. ]

Uhm . . . maybe it'll come back later?

[subject_013]

[He looks her in the eye, and nods once before writing in the sand again.]

I hope so.

[A pause, more writing, in which he leans on one of the Wakers, his grey-blue eyes tired.]

Do you know the Disaster House?

[danserai]

[ uh . . . ]

I think that's . . . my house?

[subject_013]

[He manages a small smile and writes in the sand.]

I've known Luz Noceda since we met in Deerington. We explored some of the town's mysteries together.

[Cypher sits up on their hind legs, whiskers wiggling.]

Boss here 'as treated 'er when she couldn't sleep. Mind if 'e crashes on yer couch till 'e's feelin' more like 'imself.

[Wesker looks at his Omen patiently, as if to say, "Here, let me speak for myself even when I can't actually speak."]

[danserai]

[ hmm. ]

I'll have to ask the others first. Things are a bit weird at the house right now. Do you not have a place to stay, Dr. Wesker?

[subject_013]

[A nod, then he traces more in the sand.]

Understood. I do have a home, however it's good sized house in which just Cypher and I dwell. The place gets lonely.

[A pause and he might look at her puzzled before writing more.]

Do I want to know what you mean by 'a bit weird'?

[danserai]

Well . . . Fern's turned into someone called Fun, Varian's locked himself in his lab, Luca's also hiding somewhere because he feels antsy with everyone.

It's . . . not great.

[subject_013]

[He blinks, frowning, concerned, then writes.]

You could come and stay with Cypher and I for the time being.

[danserai]

[ that's a good idea, actually. ]

I'll have to tell Reaper and Luz first . . . but sure, I can come and keep you company.

[subject_013]

[He nods and traces more words.]

Understood. Call for Luz, perhaps?

[He tries to rise, but sags against one of the Wakers, frowning and glaring down at himself,]

[danserai]

I will.

Uhm . . . Can I help you get back? I'm not very strong but . . .

[subject_013]

[An older male Waker approaches, slipping a hand under Wesker's shoulders. 'I can help', the waker offers. Wesker nods to him and allows himself to be supported. Another Waker presses a small slate and a box of chalk sticks into the reborn Sleeper's hands.]

[He ducks his head and scribbles something on the slate, showing it to Ahiru with a small, gentle smile.]

'You can walk with me. I'll need to show you the way.

'You'd be my first visitor.'

[danserai]

Okay. I'll follow you closely.

[subject_013]

[The Waker proceeds to the Lamp, Wesker draped over his shoulder in a forward fireman's sling, hopefully with Ahiru at their side. Wesker puts out one hand from under the blanket, holding it out to her...]

[...They emerge into the courtyard garden behind Arklay House. Cypher hops down from his Sleeper's shoulder and darts through the door. A moment later, the door opens and Cypher peers out.]

'C'mon in. I just 'ad to unlock the door and disable the security device.'

[The Waker leads the way inside, into a hallway leading past a kitchen and a study, past a staircase to the front entryway and the sparsely furnished parlor, a couch and an Eames chair before an empty fireplace.]

[danserai]

[ it does seem like a lonely place, though well looked after. ]

Does no one else live here?

[subject_013]

[The Waker lays Wesker on the couch then takes a flint and steel lighter along with some incense cones from the pouch at his belt and sets about lighting first the incense burner on the mantleshelf, then the fireplace. Meanwhile, Wesker huddles among the pillows on the couch, taking out the slate and writing on it quickly.]

'Cypher of course, but no one else does.'

[He's not even trying to look vulnerable and frail: he really does feel that ill and tired.]

[danserai]

Maybe you can call some friends to come over? I'm sure they'd want to see you.

Like uhmmm the red guy with the horns? And Luz!

[subject_013]

[More scribbling on the slate.]

'I should let them know. Maul, that is the red guy with the horns', in particular. I owe him a debt of the deepest gratitude.

'I had eight elder brothers. But I never felt as close or fond of them as I do with him.'

[He pauses and looks away before aggressively and somewhat embarrassedly erasing it.]

[danserai]

That's great, Mr. Wesker!

[ she has no clue what siblings feel like, but it must be good! ]

Why don't you invite him over?

[subject_013]

'A rest and some food and I might send for him.'

[He might huddle deeper in the nest of his blanket. The elder Waker builds up the fire and with Cypher bounding ahead to lead the way, heads to the kitchen.]

'Could you stay with me a little while? I'd appreciate it, though I owe you for the kindness you've shown me today.'

[danserai]

[ that's not a difficult thing to do. ]

Mm. Sure, Dr. Wesker. I'll stay a little longer. And you don't owe me anything, really.

[subject_013]

[He looks at her with a fond smile of appreciation, though in the meantime, his eyes have phased slightly toward a shade of violet. He slides one skinny arm out of his cocoon of blanket and if allowed reaches out to cup her cheek.]

[Cypher bounds down the hallway, peering into the room.]

Oy! Ahiru, you want some mushroom soup? Tovarishe is makin' some t' go with the tea.