Aᵁᴰᴵᴼ

[ancestor]

...Hello?

Hello. I am not supposed to be here. I am supposed to be—

[ The voice that speaks is so quiet it's nearly a whisper; quiet and lilting in a way reminiscent of whale song. Her words are cut short by a wavering intake of breath. When she speaks again it's with the fervent confusion of a person who has recently experienced something very traumatic and can't quite comprehend it. ]

I'm supposed to be... I'm dead? I'm meant to be dead. I remember it. I remember— It hurt. I remember that. It—hurts. They were all screaming. Everyone was—

All of them—

[ A small, choked sob. ]

My people.

I'm supposed to be with them.

Comments

[albatrossomen]

What was his name?

[ancestor]

...Hades.

[albatrossomen]

[A thoughtful hum.]

Interesting! That that name should exist in mythology from whence I hail. Not that I am accusing you of deceit, only noting the curiosity of coincidence. He represents a god of the Underworld.

[ancestor]

[ That startles a snort of a laugh from her, sharp and bitter. ]

He had an unmatched affinity for the Underworld but he was no god. [ The way she says god is with such deep disdain—borderline hate—makes it very clear what she thinks of the idea. ] His gift of sight was so acute he could not only see souls, but discern subtle differences in the hue of each, telling individual lives apart. Hythlodaeus had even keener sight, though lacked the same affinity for the Underworld.

[albatrossomen]

[An interesting response. And likely more informed than those who would wish otherwise. Murmur isn't even considered a god but an entity whose duties tie him to one and that's enough of a pain in the ass.]

Mortals do have a tendency to be quite creative in their interpretive writings. One who could discern souls with such potency is quite likely to be deified in their literature. [It does strike him as familiar, as Emet-Selch had mentioned his ability to see souls. It was the entire reason he'd come out to speak with Murmur on the beach. However, Murmur had also promised to keep silent on his particular being and abilities.

Should he wish to make himself known, that will be up to Emet-Selch.]

Again, an interesting name though far less prestigious. I believe that name only appears in one work of fiction attached to Raphael. Raphael Hythlodaeus, dispenser of nonsense. I am uncertain if that commentary is more attached to Hythlodaeus, or Raphael.

[He'd be more amused if it were Raphael.]

[ancestor]

That the 'Hythlodaeus' you heard of is less prestigious is of no surprise—my friend always did prefer throwing us into the spotlight, grinning at us all the while.

'Dispenser of nonsense'... Hyth would have found such a title utterly delightful.

[albatrossomen]

Ah! That is pleasing to hear. Raphael would have taken the humor far less gracefully. Those who do not take themselves overly seriously are far preferable to those who do not, would you not agree?

[ancestor]

...Yes.

They are better at listening.

[albatrossomen]

Tell me more about your dispenser of nonsense?

[ancestor]

Hyth?

He was my oldest friend. Would have celebrated twelve centuries of companionship this upcoming decade...had things gone differently.

[albatrossomen]

[Now that's a surprise.]

You are very long-lived indeed. What, if I may ask, resulted in your falling out with Hades?

[ancestor]

What? I've barely passed my adolescence.

A disagreement.

[albatrossomen]

In my experience most scantly reach one century, much less twelve.

I see. Unfortunate.

[ancestor]

...What? That's ridiculous—they'd barely finish the first of their primaries.

[albatrossomen]

Typically they are finished with their initial education roughly around the time they are eighteen rotations around their sun.

I think, it's been some time since I've paid close attention. Might be sooner now.

[ancestor]

That is an infant.

[albatrossomen]

That is very nearly fully mature for them.

I say nearly, they tend to think they're fully world-wise by then. Until a few years later when they are actually finished growing.

[ancestor]

...No.

[albatrossomen]

No?

[ancestor]

No.

That is bullshite.

[albatrossomen]

Oh, if only. I am afraid I am not quite creative enough to come up with something so outlandish on my own.

[ancestor]

It's hardly outlandish.

It's stupid.

[albatrossomen]

You are welcome to ask any number of them to verify. We have a few aboard the ship.

[ancestor]

'Them'?

[albatrossomen]

Mortals, humans specifically.