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

[myironeyes]

[It was violent; it was just not particularly spiritual.]

I have not encountered a world with similar yet. I hope I never do.

[changeitroundsome]

No, I figure a few folk would agree with that sentiment, concernin' their own worlds.

[myironeyes]

What are they like in your history books?

[This is a different question, perhaps, from what are they like in your history.]

[changeitroundsome]

Mostly, they went around torturin' young women into confessin' they'd been dabbling in witchcraft. Dunkin' them in water, stuff like that. Then when they failed their ridiculous tests, they got burned at the stake.

[He'd be touchy about 'if you're a witch you're probably female' thing if it didn't involve, you know, PAINFUL DEATH.]

[myironeyes]

Why women?

[That's weird.]

[changeitroundsome]

Hell if I know. They seem to think women are more capable of magic, I suppose.

[Can you hear the disdain in his voice, can you?]

[myironeyes]

That's stupid.

The steel ministry always preferred to recruit men, even though the rates of allomancy were the same. I could never understand why.

[changeitroundsome]

They keep to their archaic ways, don't change 'less they're forced to. Always the same everywhere.