005 - Audio.

[devils_bargain]

Well, I am alive, I think. Unless I am still dead. I suppose it figures that the first time I emerge at a normal hour for a meal, I am thrown into dining with my former warden. This place seems practically made of inconvenience and absurdity. From the stories I have heard thus far, I should not be surprised to find myself awakening one morning

Comments

[pleasesmirk]

Whether you want to play or not, you're here to stay. Sorry.

[devils_bargain]

You again. You threatened me with death before. It came, apparently by my own hand, but has not stuck.

[Private.]

Tell me, is there some way to die here and return to my own life... my own death?

[pleasesmirk]

That threat was... ill intentioned, I was under influences I wasn't used to.

[Private]

Not at all. It's pretty watertight. It's possibly the most effective thing about this prison. Sorry.

[devils_bargain]

As I recall, I was willing to oblige you.

[Private.]

Do you mean to say I could kill myself a thousand times over and wake up each time in this wretched place?

[audio]

[young_idealist]

I beg of you, Dorian, no matter how you feel about me or life here, don't try to get back there. Dead is dead. Here you have a chance at another life. [His voice starts out flat and gets more emotional as he speaks.]

[A very long pause...]

I know you're not inclined to listen to me, and I have no... authority over you... but I am worried. I know last evening wasn't comfortable for either of us, but... just don't. Rail if you like. Scream at the Admiral, too. I might even join you for that exercise, but hold your actions. Just abide. It gets better.

[Audio.]

[devils_bargain]

And why should I listen to you? You are correct, you have no authority over me, and furthermore you cannot stand to be near me. So again, why should I listen to you?

This caring that you do out of self-righteous pity does not become you, Armand.

[Audio.]

[young_idealist]

I don't think you ought to die.

[empirical_data]

I concur with Armand. There is always more to experience in existence, even if there are difficulties in achieving the positive, there are still intriguing things you may yet encounter.

In your time here, have you not met individuals that you are fond of?

[devils_bargain]

Yes I have, but why should that be any reason to stay? If in the end, we are to return regardless, then it does not matter whether I return a better man or unchanged. I will still be doomed to die, so why endure this misery first?

[empirical_data]

Because you may not be doomed to die. You may have the chance to live on, and others have altered their own fate similarly.

[devils_bargain]

How do I know this is not a lie told to appease?

[tadwizard]

Hey...I know the Barge sucks, but it's got it's good points too. Sometimes.

[devils_bargain]

Very, very rarely. It hardly balances out.

[heavenonthemind]

I wish for this very thing. I have for months.

But my warden and his wife have worked far too hard for me to give up.

[devils_bargain]

This does not make me feel better. Not in the slightest.

[heavenonthemind]

It wasn't meant to, it's the truth.