[Open]

[spellcollect]

[ Frieren's mind opens up; as before, on the surface it's a calm, smooth pond. She's not quite used to this, so the connection (at first) is a touch tentative and then as she feels her way forward it opens more until she thinks she's finally ready. ]

I have a question for all of you. And you may consider it a simple matter of curiosity; I won't take offense at being ignored.

[ There's a pause, as if she's collecting her thoughts. ]

How many of you are long-lived species? Or long-lived by virtue of who you are? My kind are rare, even in my world, so I can't assume others will be particularly more common here, at the end of the universe.

[ It's an open question. ]

Comments

[cutlery]

[ Communing with Sebastian is strange because of the expanse of shadowy dark and the cool tenor that his feelings run at, but the question is met with a little curl of interested delight. ]

A wonderful question. It is one of the fascinating things about Kenos, is it not? The diversity of peoples is still a marvel to me, even now...

[ He means it! Every time he meets a new "species" of person, he's more than happy to talk with them at length. So, the answer to her question also comes easily. ]

But I am long-lived, certainly. My kind are not immortal, precisely, but very close to it. We do not suffer from things like disease or aging, so as long as we do not meet a violent end, we will continue. Tracking our longevity is a bit of a complicated thing, so I cannot give you a precise answer... But I have existed for several thousand years at this point, personally.

[spellcollect]

You seem to be one of the exceptions.

[ She's curious. What a strange feeling he exudes... ]

Are your people simply naturally long-lived? Or immortal, as you say, unless you're killed? And how does that affect your interactions with humans?

[cutlery]

Correct. It is a bit similar to Nb Set, actually. We are not born, nor do we give birth. Presumably, when there is need for more, we simply come into being out of the primordial dark. That is my earliest memory, at least.

[ He explains it casually, and where many would probably be interested in their origins when they’re so vague, he doesn’t seem to be. It simply is, and thus, not worth mentioning. There’s nothing further to be gained from it. ]

Ah, but when it comes to humans… Well, it affects it, certainly, but we were also kept in a realm quite separate from them. Until Kenos, I was only afforded the opportunity to interact with them when I was invited there.

[ And with no change in tone at all: ]

The fact that humans are a demon’s prey made much more of a difference than my longevity, admittedly.

[spellcollect]

[ When he mentions the word demon that pone becomes icy. The focus of her mind shifts and it is all set entirely upon him. A mind a thousand years old with a single focus, examining his words and his emotions with a sense of detachment.

But underneath that, something else. Something that might be more personal. It's hard to say, though ]

You're a demon then?

[ It's a very calm question. ]

[cutlery]

[ There’s a flicker of interest and curiosity at the shift, but it’s relatively light, all things considered. This isn’t an unreasonable reaction, after all—in fact, he finds it much more reasonable, but. The people of Kenos have proved to be remarkably understanding people. ]

Correct.

[ He admits it without shame, but there’s no particular pride either. He might as well be confirming the color of his hair. ]

Though what that means can be quite different, I have noticed. Demons are a common enough concept, seemingly, but what characterizes us? My, there is a wide variety. Just as an example, I imagine that Mr. Do’Urden would call me a devil rather than a demon, for these are two different creatures in his world.

[ …But Drizzt might also just call him a demon. The example here isn’t actually coming from Drizzt, it’s Raphael, but he won’t pull him into it. ]

So, I assume you have them where you are from?

[spellcollect]

[ The sensation is not so much hatred as it is the sense one gets when they see something unpleasant they're going to have to deal with. ]

Yes; I cannot call them common anymore, but they're a presence in the world.

[ She can maintain conversation with him just fine, but there's a greater sense of distance than before. Almost detached. ]

They're universally cruel beings, interested in conquest and preying on other creatures.

[cutlery]

[ It’s at least no something that seems to bother him in the slightest. He continues along just as cooly and even a little bit cheerfully. ]

Ah, the usual, then… Indeed, it is a characterization I would not disagree with, largely. Presumably, that is why our realm was kept very separate from that of mortals. We are not even uncommon there, but more a matter of myth, in fact! Summoning us is very complicated, so even a very motivated person usually did not manage.

[ The “but” is easy to hear in his tone for the first part, so he continues. ]

All I would take issue with is “universally”. I have no interest in conquest whatsoever. That is an ambition of younger demons. And prey, well… I feed on people, true, but I do not do so freely. I like mortals, after all, so I only take what is given. Overindulgence is not my preference.

[ He chuckles, and there’s the emotional equivalent of a shrug. ]

All at my word, of course, so I shall take no offense if you do not believe it.

[spellcollect]

[ He's from a very different place, as far as she's concerned. The whole idea of a separate realm for demons is admittedly strange to her. But she doesn't see much daylight between him and the demons from her own home. Which is to say he's still something cruel and predatory. ]

I don't.

[ She's rather upfront about that. ]

Demons use speech to lull humans into a false sense of security.

[cutlery]

[ He’s amused at her taciturn responses already, since, really, how novel at this point! He’s so often treated with curiosity rather than suspicion. ]

Well, guilty as charged. I would argue that it is not completely false. More a preemptive measure because my ilk are generally so lacking in manners that a reputation precedes me.

[ A deserved one, at least somewhat… He’s better behaved, but he’s still dangerous. ]

I have been in Kenos long enough that I take no offense should you wish to inquire about my activities here. I do hope my cooking comes at high recommendation, though.

[spellcollect]

That you've been tolerated is problematic.

[ Still cool; there might be anger in there somewhere, but it's more as if she's trying to deal with a particularly persistent pest than anything. ]

I'll have to deal with you, if no one else well.

[cutlery]

Will you, now?

[ His tone is still polite and casual, but there's perhaps a little sharper attention, but it's mostly curiosity. ]

And how, pray tell, would you plan to do that?

[spellcollect]

I'll have to kill you.

[ As casual as if she were discussing the weather. ]

[cutlery]

My, my. That is a bold thing to suggest, and so casually.

[ He's certainly not bothered by it, at least. His tone does shift away from casual and cheerful, but it's still calm and at ease. ]

If you feel you must, then I imagine I shall not argue you out of the position. But it is unwise.

[spellcollect]

No more unwise than letting you live.

[ She has opinions about demons.

Most of them negative. ]

Have you been pretending to be a friend to some of these people?