Network - 03

[graveyounglady]

Who: Mercy Graves
Username: mercyme
Warnings: Discussion of the wax tablet on the TDM.

To the Gentlefolk of Other Worlds,

This is Sister Mercy Graves. Do you believe in fate? That your truth may be written and set before it has happened? I have come across a most peculiar and troubling object at the museum that has recently opened its doors.

May the spring bring life to you and yours,
Mercy Graves

Comments

[graveyounglady]

How is a prophecy about the birds one might see a choice?

[the_archivist]

For something that sounds so vague, confirmation bias.

You've seen a prophecy, so you're looking out for things that fit it.

[graveyounglady]

It was more specific than that, sir. I would see a pair of red birds fighting on a branch in a graveyard. I can grant you that birds fighting on branches may be a common occurrence, perhaps even ones in graveyards. But to also have the colors match? It seems a great many things to be going on together for it to simply be a good guess.

[the_archivist]

I think Cardinals are rather common birds here, and are also bright red.

And again, if it hadn't been pointed out to you in the 'prophecy' would you even have paid attention to the colour of birds? Or to the birds at all?

[graveyounglady]

Perhaps not the color, but I often watch for birds. They are a symbol of the Spring Tide and omens for the season ahead. That they would appear in prophecy is nothing strange to me, only that the specifics were so particular.

[the_archivist]

It's not particularly specific though. It's generic enough that it could happen to most anyone who read it.

Like a horoscope, human minds twist things to fit what they believe to be predictions.

[graveyounglady]

Then the answer is to gaze upon it more, gather more information on its prophecies and see if they become more specific. And it those specifics come to pass.

[the_archivist]

The answer is probably to not look at it anymore.

What if it prophesises your death, twenty years in the future? You'll spend your entire life dreading it, letting it consume your thoughts.

[graveyounglady]

I take your meaning, but I do not fear death in that way. It is a part of the cycle. All things live and all things die. I do not wish to die right in this moment, but I think often about how it might come to me. I only hope it will be softly. And I will join those who dance beneath the earth and grant bounty to those above it.

[the_archivist]

And if it prophesises a terrible death, with plenty of pain and torture?

[graveyounglady]

There is a saying amongst my people, those who worship Brother Earth:

The only sharp breaths you take are in life. It's soft sighs after.

I would not look forward to the pain or torture, but I know what waits on the other side. The quiet and the peace. Whether it's with Brother Earth or the Spring Tide.

[the_archivist]

Didn't seem very peaceful when I was basically dead.

I chose to live.

[Because Terminus had somehow been worse than becoming a monster. He should probably have died. Would have been better for the world.]

[graveyounglady]

Basically dead? How do you mean? Were you taken ill with a sleeping sickness? Coma. I've learned that word here.

[the_archivist]

No. I wasn't ill. I got blown up. I had to be hooked up to machines to keep me alive. I was in a coma for six months.

[Not strictly true. But he's not sure he really wants to explain actually dead except for brain activity.]

[graveyounglady]

To sleep for half a year's turning must have been very strange, indeed. I hope you had good dreams in that time?

[the_archivist]

...quite the opposite, sadly.

[graveyounglady]

[Oh... oh, dear.]

I am sorry the Dread Watcher hooked her claws into you so deeply. Does she chase you here, as well?

[the_archivist]

[Wait, Dread Watcher...]

You'd have to tell me more about this Dread Watcher.

[graveyounglady]

She is the Goddess of Nightmares, a creature of bone who sees with too many eyes and captures minds in her wicked, sharp claws.

[the_archivist]

He supposes it could be a cognate with the Beholding, but, well, he'll never know will he?]

Sounds charming. I haven't seen any bone creatures thanfully.

[graveyounglady]

She does not always appear as such. Do you remember what you dreamed?

[the_archivist]

No. I just know it wasn't good.

[A lie. But he doesn't want to think about that, about his dreams. How much they reveal about him.]

[graveyounglady]

I am sorry you have suffered in such a manner, Mr. Jon. I hope that Martin's presence here has brought a safer and softer sleep. He seems like he would be most delightful to cuddle with while bedding down.

Is he?

[the_archivist]

Martin is very good, yes. I'm glad he's here.

He does give very good hugs.

[graveyounglady]

Seems like you might need a lot of them.
Glad you got him.
If you ever need some more, I got a couple of open arms.