the first pedestrian of the apocalypse

[myironeyes]

[Marsh hasn't made a public announcement in a long time. Not since before the last convergence with the mirror barge, in fact. He frequently keeps to himself outside of his work shifts in the kitchen, his inmate, and a dwindling circle of friends, so for many newcomers this may be the first good look they've had of him: a stocky, tired man in his late thirties or early forties, wearing a hooded black cloak nazgul-style and thin, spiky red-and-black tattoos around his eyes - or, rather, where his eyes should be. Instead he has two blunt steel spikes that have been pounded into his sockets.]

There are few differences between myself and my counterpart. It does not matter which of us I am, or where.

I am strong, and fast, and difficult to kill. If you need help, call and I will help you.

[There's a pause, and for a moment it seems like that's all he has to say. But not quite. The Dalek had prevented him from being psychically puppeted last time, but that isn't a guarantee that it won't happen in the future.]

Unless you see me smiling. In that case, run.

[Okay, now he's done.]

Comments

[walkingmeltdown]

I suppose I can see how that would keep you busy. Seems like you're consistently short-handed.

[He'd offer help but 1) waiting on other people? AHAHA no, and 2) that would probably qualify as a health hazard, lbr.]

[myironeyes]

I have the time. I don't really...sleep.

I'm just not a. People person.

[Is he using that phrase right.]

[walkingmeltdown]

[Yes, very good Marsh. You get a gold star.]

Funny how it seems the population aboard this thing tends to skew heavily to the extremes on that.

[myironeyes]

[Yay. OuO ]

And I perturb people.

[walkingmeltdown]

Well, hell, so do I. But far as I'm concerned that's their problem, mostly.

[myironeyes]

Mostly?

[Faintly suprised; he wouldn't have guessed Blight would care at all.]

[walkingmeltdown]

[He twitches a bit, trying to force a grim smile.]

Well, I'm not particularly fond of looking like this now, either. But I'm at least trying to get used to it.

[myironeyes]

Does it hurt?

[It feels a little odd to be on that side of this question.]

[walkingmeltdown]

It's uncomfortable. It's a low-level...tingling sensation I normally manage to block out these days.

[myironeyes]

Mmm.

I don't like scaring people.

[walkingmeltdown]

Intimidating others, frightening them, as a rule I typically consider something I can use. But when it's because of what I am rather than who...

[He trails off.]

Well, never mind. Point is, I can understand. Some days I'd rather be effectively invisible than just another oddity.

[myironeyes]

The threat of Inquisitors has been used to oppress my people for generations.

[It's not a tool he finds comfortable to wield. Use wise.]

[walkingmeltdown]

Right, but not a lot of your people are on the barge. Now are they.

[myironeyes]

Three.

[Including himself. Four when his brother was here. Not that Zane and Vin are as helpless against Inquisitors as the vast majority of skaa. But the raw facts of the matter remain.]

[walkingmeltdown]

That's still not many. Especially compared with the overall population.

[myironeyes]

It wouldn't matter if it were only me. I would remember.

[walkingmeltdown]

And that's what weighs on you more? Remembering the significance of what looking as you are now has? Instead of what you've lost.

[He makes the question sound more detached than he really feels about it.]

[myironeyes]

It's not what I look like. It's what I am. What that means.

[What he's done. He huffs in frustration. Powers is very noble in, if not the worst ways, several Marsh considers deeply unflattering.]

Just forget it.

[walkingmeltdown]

Why? Am I making you uncomfortable?

Because it sounds to me like a good deal of your own discomfort is all in your head.

[myironeyes]

You are making me irritated. I don't think you're capable of understanding, and it's too personal for me to want to explain to you.

[walkingmeltdown]

What I'm capable of, some people tend to regularly underestimate. [Tartly, his feathers clearly ruffled to insult.] But you and I have maintained what I'd call civil relations so far - I've no need to start an argument. Especially at this juncture.

[myironeyes]

Consider it a remark on your good fortune.

[It's also a comment on his character, but - well. Civility.]

[walkingmeltdown]

Oh, I'll consider it all right. [All the dry. He knows better than to take this fully at the surface.]

Until we meet again, then, I suppose. Who knows when that will be.