[Action/Video]

[othersdie]

[Justin, unaffected by the cold induced by sitting near the fountain that the City had seen fit to drop him into during winter, finally tires of waiting for what he’s convinced what must be a trick of the mind to dissipate and resolve itself into the nothingness of death. For a lack of any other distractions, he fumbles with the device he had found in his pocket earlier.

He doesn’t fully understand why he would bother hallucinating what resembles a camcorder. The brain is truly a strange and unfathomable thing.]

Am I dead yet?

[It’s a ridiculous question. He still exists enough to imagine things; the answer is clearly no.]

If not--if not, I hope this doesn't last long.

Comments

[othersdie.livejournal.com]

[And the violet eyes. If everything else here wasn't so bizarre, Justin might be concerned.]

Thank you. I don't want to stay here, but if--if there's not a way out and it's real, I'm missing two years. I'd hoped it was possible to remember.

[deadly_legacy]

Then I hope you will. I didn't realize it was two years for you. I know I wouldn't want to leave [At all ever] and come back not knowing everyone. But if I did I'm sure they would help me through it. And I'm sure your old friends and new friends will do the same.

[othersdie.livejournal.com]

[That might have gotten a bitter laugh in reply not so long ago, but the people who know him are being immensely helpful. As if he deserves it.]

They are. I don't understand why everyone here is helpful, but--thank you. Euphie.

[deadly_legacy]

In a place like this it's important for us to help each other. [She smiles again.] I really haven't done much, but I work at the welcome center. It's near the fountain and you are always [she pauses realizing the overuse of the word, but can't seem to think of another one] welcome to stop in. If I'm not there one of the other volunteers can help you with finding information or anything else you might need.

[othersdie.livejournal.com]

I'll keep that in mind. [Speaking of overused words...] Thanks.

[deadly_legacy]

Of course.

Do you have any questions or anything I might help you with?

[othersdie.livejournal.com]

Only one question. I'm sure I'll have more once I've had time to think.

Is it true that it's impossible to die here?

[deadly_legacy]

It's... true in a way.

You can die, but you can't stay dead. [Spending about six months as city!dead makes this easier to talk about.] If you die here or if you were dead before arriving you are usually a little different than you'd be otherwise. You don't have a heartbeat anymore and you don't need to eat or breathe though you can still do both if you want to. You're skin is colder, but you can still be injured and can still heal. I've been told you don't age, but I'm not sure about that. [Since it's hard to see six months of aging.]

[othersdie.livejournal.com]

[That is both enlightening and disheartening. It does, however, clear up the dead or not dead issue.]

That's... helpful, even if it robs death of most of its significance.

[deadly_legacy]

I wouldn't say that exactly. It doesn't sound too bad to be city!dead, and...it isn't, but it's so much better to be alive in ways you wouldn't even suspect. People will even make trades with the deities to get their lives back or the lives of others sometimes.

[othersdie.livejournal.com]

I didn't know life could be bought.

[deadly_legacy]

Well...

I suppose you could look at it that way, yes.

[othersdie.livejournal.com]

You don't?

[deadly_legacy]

[It makes it more obvious, but...] When someone traded for my life I considered it a precious gift.

[othersdie.livejournal.com]

[Oh.]

I suppose it is. The price of a life must be high.

[deadly_legacy]

He had given up his ability to fight.

[othersdie.livejournal.com]

[This is quickly becoming too personal.]

Sorry. It's a... a personal topic, I imagine.

[deadly_legacy]

It was a long time ago now. If it helps you then it's important to share it.

[othersdie.livejournal.com]

Thank you--it was helpful. Euphie.

[deadly_legacy]

I'm glad. If I can help you any further you can use the device to reach me. Or if there is anything else now I can answer it. I just know it's a lot to take in at once.