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

[notgonnabeopencasket]

[Gretel stares flatly for a beat, and then she gestures towards her own eyes.]

You've got a little something, there.

[myironeyes]

Spikes.

[Yes.]

You can ask.

[notgonnabeopencasket]

How can you see? [Right off the bat she's mostly concerned with the practicalities.]

[myironeyes]

Magic.

It's different from my old sight. But it serves.

[notgonnabeopencasket]

Well whatever works for you. [Interesting.] So who did that to you, anyway?

[myironeyes]

There was an empire. Old and brutal and absolute. Inquisitors -

[He waves, jerkily, to his eyes.]

- were the Lord Ruler's most monstrous servants.

I was part of a plan to kill him. Their spy in the Steel Ministry. I was...unexpectedly promoted.

[notgonnabeopencasket]

Rough luck for you. [It's not said without sympathy though.] And there's no way of fixing that, I take it.

[myironeyes]

[He tugs his hood down, turns his head in profile slightly. Sharp tips protrude from the back of the skull.]

Reversal was never meant to be survivable.

[Hood back up.]

Someone here could probably figure out a way. Our fellow passengers can be very creative. But I don't -

It's too much. I can't go back.

[notgonnabeopencasket]

[She lifts her chin a bit at the sight of the tips, her version of a wince.]

Well it's your life. However you want to deal with it.

My name's Gretel. I arrived yesterday, as a warden.

[myironeyes]

Welcome. It is - a strange and often painful place, but it has its rewards.

My name is Marsh.

[notgonnabeopencasket]

Nice to meet you, Marsh. And I hope you're right. About the rewards, I mean. Like everyone else that signed on as a warden I'm here for a reason.

[myironeyes]

Not just that.

[notgonnabeopencasket]

What do you mean, then?

[myironeyes]

You will meet incredible people, and see impossible things. It's - mad, also marvelous.

[There are marvels.]

[notgonnabeopencasket]

So I'm in for a one of a kind adventure then. That's what you're telling me.

[myironeyes]

Very much so.

[notgonnabeopencasket]

Well, I've never been on an adventure I really volunteered for, before.

So who knows. Maybe this'll be a nice change of pace.