tushanshu | III. ♔ Video

[Time for your scheduled public service announcement. At his console, Richard's arms are folded and his tone level. After talking to Sadie, he has realized that they can't continue with people being ignorant of the situation.]

For those who aren't yet aware, in Sinbrilee, there are marble arches with runes on them. The gateways with runs that seem to glow with a faint light lead to the realm of Dreaming, while the gates to Death have runes oozing a black substance.

Be careful of both. The worlds both shape themselves to the minds of those within. Dreaming can be pleasant, if you are in such a state of mind, but if you are not, it can be cruel. Death is always malicious. If you come to harm in either realm, that injury may prove to be very real. [Hidden in the folds of his sleeves, his hand tightens into a fist.] In at least one case, an injury has been. It's most likely that healing magic won't work there, nor any other abilities to protect you that require Tu Vishan's energy to function.

[Richard unfolds his arms so he can brush his bangs from his eyes.] I'd like to know if anyone has done any research on the gateways themselves or the realms beyond. Given that one seems the home territory of the being we've been brought here to handle, some understanding of how to move in and out of it could be an advantage.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[It's been a while since anyone's cared enough to ask after her well-being - so she's not about to turn it down from Richard. She's pretty used to being the strong one, the one who takes all the risks, and takes the fall when things go wrong.

It can put a strain on even the toughest person.

She gives him a small smile when she opens the door, waving him in. The place is pretty utilitarian, and even a little empty-looking. Even on the Cerberus-redesigned Normandy, Shepard didn't have nearly this much space.]

[Richard smiles back at her, a warm expression as he steps inside. It is certainly more sparse than he likes his living arrangements. Perhaps he should look into getting her some nice flowers for it.]

Hello, Commander. It's good to see you in person again. [He lifts the small bag containing a lot of tea leaves.] If you'd like, I could show you how to prepare it the way Lady Kerri did for me. [Also, an excuse to stay near her a little longer and look after her.]

[She could use a new hamster, actually. She'd probably just kill any plants he gave her, but she misses Commander Squeaky.]

Sure, why not? [She can make her own tea, but she could use some company right now, anyway.]

Excellent. [Richard quietly takes over the kitchen area, setting the hot water to boil.

He doesn't want to pry into what is bothering her; it's something he really only feels comfortable pressing his closest friends on. At the same time, he is concerned, and would gladly listen if she would speak to him. So as he readies the tea, he starts to speak a little about himself, wanting to give her a chance to talk if she wishes it.] I've had troubles sleeping peacefully since I was a boy, actually. That is why Lady Kerri—Asbel's mother—sent me tea to help me with sleep. When I was younger, I had a mask I wore when I couldn't sleep, of the kind superheroes wear. [He laughs at himself.] 'Tiger Festival.' It reminded me of the strength and protection of my friends. I have been fortunate enough to have one of those friends by my side here in times of trouble.

[He puts the tea leaves in the strainer before looking over to her.] You know that you, too, are not alone here, I hope.

I - thanks. I know, really.

[And she does, but it's tough not having anyone else here from her world, anyone else who has the same shared experiences and culture as her. But that's not his fault, and it's not really what's bothering her right now, anyway.]

I've always slept best after a fight. When the adrenaline stops, and you crash, and you're sore all over. I've always been able to sleep like the dead after that.

But there haven't been many fights, lately. Just a lot of waiting. Even before I got dumped here.

[Richard half-smiles in sympathy.] And even here with Death through the doors, there is no true enemy to pursue. Has the planning and organizing you've been doing helped any with your rest?

No. If anything, it makes it worse. It's tough to turn my thoughts off these days, without a fight to tire me out. I guess I'm too much the soldier.

Would a spar be a sufficient substitute? I can offer myself, though my training is in the sword, and doubtless there are others who may be a more suitable match.

I don't have any idea how to use a sword. But a sparring partner might - [She hesitates, inexplicably going a little red as she remembers another conversation about reach and flexibility. Then she shakes her head.]

I should keep in practice, with my hand-to-hand. Maybe I'll ask around.

[His head tilts just a little in confusion at that pause, but he brushes past it.] It can do no harm—well, not for your training or your sleep, at any rate.

[She's glad he doesn't seem interested in asking her about the pause, the momentary chink in her armor.] Sleeping's not something I've ever done a lot of, anyway. Figure I'll sleep when I'm dead.

[Richard is very big on giving people space and letting them come to opening up on their own time. He laughs a little at that comment.] Considering what we've seen here, I wouldn't be so certain of that.

[She gives a somewhat mirthless laugh.] I had two years of it already. I'm sure I'll get the chance again.

[That stops Richard and his usual efforts to be delicate are smashed a little bit. His hand draws up to where the sword went through his gut.] You've—died?

[And then Richard remembers himself.] I'm sorry; that was an insensitive question. The tea should be steeped enough now.

It's fine. Pretty much everyone knows, where I come from. It was very... well-publicized. Well, my death, anyway. [She waves it off - it's a weird subject, but she'd rather joke and make light of it than pretend it didn't happen.]

[He holds the cup of tea out to her, but it's pretty obvious that he wants to ask more. It's for very personal reasons, and so there is the hesitation.] May I ask how you came back?

[She shrugs nonchalantly and takes the tea with a grateful little smile.] A - an organization retrieved my body and spent two years and a lot of money to bring me back.

I—I see. [Wow. That's weird. Why would people do that? How could they?] Were you . . . expecting that at your death?

[She snorts rather derisively, though maybe it's not fair - after all, Liara went to a lot of trouble for her, and she appreciates that. It's not like she's not glad to still be alive.] No. I didn't ask for it, any more than I asked to die in the first place.

[She pauses, sipping at her tea.] A friend of mine recovered the - me - from... some nasty characters who probably would've done terrible things to me, dead or alive. Cerberus promised her they'd bring me back, so she handed me over. To their credit, they did manage it. So as far as that goes, I'm grateful.

[This a little difficult to process for reasons Richard can't describe, so he answers the part he knows how to answer first.] For what it is worth, I'm glad as well. The dead and living meet here, but it is a comfort to know that in time you'll go home.

[She shrugs a little, but nods, too. He's right - it is good to know she'll be going home, if she can ever figure out how. Still -] I'm pretty sure I don't have long to live, once I get back, but I was never afraid of death, even before I died the first time.

III. ♔ Video

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