ota;

[baltimores]

[ This isn't exactly something he does. Not on this scale, at least.

This communion's presence is akin to stepping off into the vacuum of space, cold and dark and empty. A void without feeling, submersed into nothingness — but deep enough there's also the faint pulse of a drowned, hurting heart. And even though it's coming from Amos, there's the sense of him curiously poking at it like an open wound.

It has been a couple of weeks since he killed Cyrus, a fact he has not bothered to hide. A couple of weeks since he has been forced to contend with the responsibility he bears for the deaths of innocents in Springstar, and so — ]

Hey.

[ When he speaks his voice is soft, and gentle, and something that could maybe even be called repentant. Or at least trying to be, the concept being a very, very, very new one for him. ]

So, I've been doing some thinking. There was this time I got caught up in a mass casualty event. Lady I knew then was a nurse, so she was doing what she could, because it had to be done. She also took the time to spend time with the dead. All of them, I think. I didn't really get it then, but I think maybe now...

[ He trails off, fumbling with his words. That pulse maybe grows a little stronger, and then he's back. ]

I dunno how feasible it is, but we should be collecting the names of everyone who died during all of this. When we make the new world — [ because there is no doubt in his mind that Zenith is going to succeed, and their new world will be made — ] we can build some kind of monument. Put everyone's names on it. Give people a space to take their moments with them, even if they ain't here anymore.

I know this don't exactly fix anything, but it's a start. I can keep track of the names. [ There's another pause, and when Amos speaks again, he's much more sure of himself. ] I won't forget them.

Comments

OTA

[redsoil]

Why are you asking people to wait to grieve?

[ Set, mentally pointing out the Mnemosyno Gathering held in Springstar to everyone. The one, you know, HE HEADED LAST YEAR? ]

We can do it now. Zenith will never have the opportunity to make a monument, but if you really wish to do something for people — you can pair the intent to our Gathering. The Church of Helios holds one annually, and has for years. We invited Highstorm last year to remember the victims of the Blight and everything.

[baltimores]

[ Amos didn't know about the Mnemosyno Gathering? Why would he? He doesn't even know what a Mnemosyno is??

There is the sense of an eye roll from him — the fuck is this pedantry — but it's a lot more subdued from what it could be. Probably would have been, if it had been before he'd dissipated Set. ]

I'm not saying anybody's got to wait. This is just for after. [ When Zenith wins. ] More people are going to die; it's better if we start collecting names now, so we don't forget anybody.

[ Long pause. The distinct sense of Amos thinking, unsure if he should really indulge this, but he's feeling a lot less murder on sight about Set lately, since he did already murder him. It just didn't stick. ]

Should we do something joint? I mean, in our own cities, but... paired. Like you said.

[ Against all odds, it's a real question. Amos' interest is certainly piqued, he just doesn't know how to proceed — but it kinda sounds like Set might?? ]

[redsoil]

[ That's Amos's fault for being uncultured. ]

I could advise you. While not a true psychopomp, not like Tezcatlipoca or — [ Osiris. The name flicks between them, unbidden, unhappy, and vaguely terrified as always. ] Other gods affiliated with Death, it is one of the duties I held then. And was asked to hold now.

[ On behalf of the Church, you know? ]

Whatever your intentions are, you will have to live knowing that your actions hurt and killed people — and that remembering them will not absolve you of any of it. Unforgiven, and eternally toiling under that weight. You will carry them forever, "yours" and "not yours" alike. There is no picking and choosing in this.

Can you do that, Amos? You can never put this burden down, not even when you are tired of it.

[baltimores]

[ The word psychopomp sticks with him a little too long. He turns it over in his head, pulling it apart and analyzing it in the background while his active mind sticks with Set, a subconscious pang of sympathy at the brief thought of Osiris.

And, solemn and quiet: ] I can do that.

[ There is a reason. There is a reason he was chosen for this, in his mind; death has always meant little to Amos, a weightless thing even where he himself would far outweigh a feather. A lifetime of awful shit being honed for something better. That's what this has to be, and so, he can carry the weight he is now outright asking for. ]

I know there's no absolution. I don't need any. But it's about fucking time I felt something about this. I'm ready to take it on.

Tell me what Springstar does. I'll figure it out for Highstorm.

[ It's just... easier to craft something when you already have an example to work off of, especially when you're so new to it all. ]