Event | Landfall | Death

[ironwood]

Characters: Any and every!
Date: August 10th - 31, 2013
Location: The realm of Death as accessed via Sinbrilee
Situation: Death is the third of the realms; characters that wander here are subject to their worst fears and nightmares.
Warnings/Rating: Please place content warnings in subject headers!

Sinbrilee | Dreaming | Death

Life. Dreaming. Death. Three realms overlaid upon one another and yet each distinctly their own. They dwell in Life and do so live upon the back of the great turtle as those of Sinbrilee did upon the shell of his sister. However, there stand numerous arches of marble throughout the ruined city that are inlaid with runes beyond understanding. Those that live and breathe which step through those whose runes have crumbled round the etchings slowly ooze a black goo find themselves entering into the realm of Death.

Those expecting the malleable invitation of Dreaming are met by disappointment and decay. Death is final and unforgiving, having no mind or function to share its control or plan. Unpredictable to when it strikes, this realm is in a persistent state of flux of decay and regrowth. The is but one constant here: Fear.

Fear permeates the air and the mind, carrying with it misery and extreme temperatures that may shift from frigid to desert-hot in seconds. It is everywhere in the ruins that represent Sinbrilee here and it is everywhere in the city that rises at random, enjoying the height of its glory before crumbling with the eerie screams of thousands dying. Graves emerge here and there, frosted by the cold -- then suddenly, the tombstones are cracked from the wear of time.

Malicant's taint seeps into all things here and Death flourishes for it, stirring up visions and stags of one's deepest fears and the darkest parts of their lives. It holds its own parody of life, sensing intruders and acting to inspire the most terrifying heights of fear that it may. Sometimes it ebbs for a few minutes, only to renews its assault of nightmares with redoubled effort.

Fear and misery; the landscape and events play out without mind to the peace of these visitors. And yet, for every terrifyingly real detail, nothing here exists beyond this realm; 'constructs' simply fade if taken through the archways and even the greatest scientific minds or tools will reveal nothing of its source. This is an ancient magic of an ancient realm, too malicious to allow any to walk away with some trophy of it.

Note: Due to the fluid and highly individual nature of Death, no official subheaders will be provided in the comments of this post. Feel free to post and thread however you like, so long as the rules of Death are adhered to.

Comments

[wingedwarrior]

[She squints a little to get a good look at him, before her eyes widen.] You're... T'Challa, right?

[Free herself. Like that could happen. She lowers her head again, shaking it slowly.] I can't. I have no strength to break free with.

[purpledaggers]

Yes. We have talked over the network once before.

[He had seen a lot of things since coming here and despite the horrific images he's seen, this one was rather subtle. A normal steel cage. Sometimes torture didn't have to be complex.]

Considering where we are, I have a feeling this cage is more mental than physical. [He's going to take a seat on the ground, his legs crossed in a sitting position.] Tell me. What is it that is troubling you?

[wingedwarrior]

When you first arrived. [Her memory is fuzzy, muddled over by thoughts of the warm, leaving the Justice League, the scorn, bitterness from the people of Earth. All her fears were causing too many confusing problems, fearful ones at that. She gestures to the people around her, cursing, yelling, ostracizing her.] You tell me.

[purpledaggers]

From what I can gather it seems as if you have disappointed someone.

A friend perhaps? Or maybe a close ally.

[wingedwarrior]

I've disappointed a lot of people. Try somewhere in the billions. [All of Earth, and her own people. She's got a long list of people who hate her.]

[purpledaggers]

Then you must be someone who is, or were in a position of high power.

[Since that is the only way he can think of as to how that could happen. She must have made a decision that affected a large amount of people all at once.]

Why did you disappoint them?

[wingedwarrior]

A member of the Justice League. Think of it as a global police force of superheroes. [Best way to explain it under these circumstances.] You ever lied to an entire planet? And then almost had that planet destroyed because of your lies?

[purpledaggers]

We have something similar back where I am from. Though I would hardly call it a global force.

[More like global-esque-ish.]

No I have not. But tell me; what was your purpose for lying?

[wingedwarrior]

[Oh boy, she hates this part. Her fists clench as she remembers it all. The war, being a lieutenant, fulfilling her duty.] I had a duty to my people, to help in the war against the Gordanians. That involved lying.

[purpledaggers]

[There is a short pause as he thinks about what she had said.]

... Back home I was recently crowned king of my nation.

And if there is one thing that I have learned since taking the crown it is sometimes sacrifices must be made for the good of the people. Even if those sacrifices conflict with our inner morals or what tradition states. In the end, if I thought it was what was best for my people I would have done the same.

[wingedwarrior]

What if "what was best for your people" wound up killing billions of others? [If she'd sided with the Thanagarians... she'd rather not think about that.]

[purpledaggers]

...

And just how many were saved from this decision? [He assumes there has to be at least SOMETHING of benefit that came from the decision.]

[wingedwarrior]

... all of Earth. But there was a price to pay. [There's always a price to pay, anytime, anywhere.] My people lost the war because I turned against them.

[purpledaggers]

So although many many lives were lost, you were also directly responsible for saving the lives of billions of others.

The burden you are carrying is far more than what most others could stand. But you did what was necessary. If I were in the same position... I wouldn't have chosen differently. [Wakanda > All. Which pretty much means Earth > all planets too.]

There is nothing that can be said to erase your guilt. This is something that you will probably carry as long as you live. [...] But there is no way that you had not known that pre-hand. This was a decision that would decide the fate of billions. And you put it on your shoulders. Honestly, I would consider that courageous.

[wingedwarrior]

I... suppose so. [That's one way of looking at it. But she doomed her own planet, her own people.

And all Shayera can do is stare in amazement at T'Challa. He doesn't blame her? In fact, he's actually commending her for what she did.] Let me get this straight. I lied to an entire planet, doomed another, and you're calling me courageous.

[purpledaggers]

People are lied to everyday.

[So what's one more little one!]

I call you courageous because there was no winners in this scenario that you described. There was only a decision. One can not be sure of what could have happened were you to try and save both worlds.

...those people who taunted you from before. Perhaps some of what they said or thought were true. But a person of true will and virtue should revel in childish ridicule. Instead of looking at yourself as the destroyer of your people, perhaps it would be more wise to see yourself as the savior of Earth.

[wingedwarrior]

Not on that big a scale. [It's not just a little one, gosh, T'Challa!]

I try not to think about what could've been most days. [It never ends well for her mind. In shambles, a wreck. Too many "what ifs".] It wasn't really me. I just helped along with the process of it. The Justice League were the real heroes.

[purpledaggers]

Yes, but you still played a part.

[...]

...tell me. What is the purpose of this cage? Do you think this is punishment?

[wingedwarrior]

Well, yes. [She helped, certainly, but not much.] I deserve a little, don't you think.

[purpledaggers]

No. You are simply doing this out of self-pity. You are not actually making the matter any better. In fact, this is not helping anyone. Not even your conscious.

What was your punishment back home for these crimes that you claim? Did anyone ever find out?

[wingedwarrior]

I never was punished. I resigned from the Justice League, that was it. And I never said I was doing this to help anyone.