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[extramural]

[ The locket, as always, is held up in mid-air when the Outsider turns it on. He is not alone in this recording, though; behind him are four women in long, gauzy black dresses and veils. With them are several children, eyes all black; the women are gently ushering them along the shore of the beach behind them while two massive dogs run back and forth.

In the distance is the black line of the Void, creeping over the ocean.

Next to the Outsider is another one of the children, and next to him the resemblance is clear: the same eyes, the same curious tilt to the head, the same bony cheeks. The child looks a bit more fey, but he sticks close to his sire, hands clutching to his arm. ]

Do not harm the children, [ the Outsider begins, and his voice is cold, shows every century of age and power. ] Do not harm the children or we will use your blood and bones, and you will be lucky if you are dead when we start.

[ A large palm smooths over the hair of his son. A daughter comes up on the other side, humming. She smiles at him and her teeth are sharp and red. The Outsider leans in so she can murmur in his ear. ]

Ah, yes. Should anyone find themselves with a need to desecrate shrines further -- the same warning applies to you. I will know, should you touch one of mine.

[ His daughter giggles and takes the hand of his son, and the two go to join the others. The Outsider watches, head half-turned. A seagull swoops down and perches on his shoulder, ruffles its wings, and the feed ends. ]

Comments

[extramural]

[ And there's a smile. ]

Thank you, James.

You will not be hurt, I trust, if I do not always arrive when you have built another?

[wipedclean]

No, I won't.

[He understands the Outsider can't go everywhere all the time.]

[extramural]

Excellent.

[ He used to. :( Stupid Drabwurld. ]

[wipedclean]

[He nods, then hesitates.]

The children... what are they?

[extramural]

Half god, half siren.

[ So whatever that comes out to be. ]

The harps had... ah, unintended consequences.

[wipedclean]

[He tilts his head. He can put together two and two.]

They're yours?

[extramural]

Yes.

[ Amazingly enough. ]

I'm told they have my eyes.

[ That might be a joke. ]

[wipedclean]

[He snorts softly.]

Congratulations.

[extramural]

Thank you.

A... strange time, to find yourself with connections. Yet here I am.

[wipedclean]

[He tilts his head, considering. It's... a feeling he is not unfamiliar with, given the people he finds himself... unable to consider life without. He nods.]

It is strange.

[extramural]

And so we fight.

[ His smile, this time, is wry. ]

This world has certainly been full of the unexpected.

[wipedclean]

[He sighs.]

Yes. It has.

[extramural]

Still not fond of such things, James?

[wipedclean]

[His brow furrows.]

The unexpected?

[He shakes his head.]

I don't like surprises.

[extramural]

What if you are the one doing something others don't expect?

[wipedclean]

That's fine. Just don't like surprises happening to me.

[extramural]

Even pleasant ones?

[wipedclean]

[He hesitates.]

Those aren't so bad.