Night 21

[passingships]

I've always thought souls were the most fascinating things - even more so when they lacked tangibility. Yet, having been shown the physical - or perhaps I should say spiritual? magical? - form of one, I find myself even more intrigued.

Those eyeless men so many have warned about: at least one of their souls is crimson, braided with shadow. Perhaps that will mean something to someone. Perhaps it will not. If the former, I'd like to know what it means to you or whether, perhaps, you see them in a different light.

It seems that red is the basic colour of the soul and the darkness is rot. Has anyone seen aught to contradict this?

Comments

[allthekeys]

The man before them was silent for a time, long fingers caressing the wood of the door frame, blindly tracing the whirls of the wood, finding a knot and lingering there.

"I understand what the seeking costs, if that persuades you at all. I have seen it task a man to bones, and bloat another to excess. It is a journey with many casualties, littering the road along its way. That is why I advise against it." He inclined his head slightly. "But I am only a maker, no scholar of renown, and few listen to a peddler as he hawks his wares."

[mostpositively]

"What we need to remember is that we are far from home."

Masaki's voice was gentle as she glanced from man to man, her gaze somber.

"And knowledge does not always mean understanding. I have seen the cost of sight on others, what the cost of power-what knowledge is, if not power-has done to others."

She could feel an ache in her chest, and she pressed a hand briefly against her heart, as if it could make it go away.

"Peddlers hear much, see much more then....whatever I am. I don't know these days." She inclined her head to Ter. "But Wordsmith, I daresay he is a man worthy of consideration and respect. After all, the path of fire does not always have a reward-sometimes it merely burns you and those around you."

[passingships]

Shougo thought of the bodies he had already left in his wake from pursuing the truth behind Sibyl and huffed softly, the beginnings of a smile curving his lips. Ironically, there was no little voice of his own to affirm whether his actions were righteous or not. Nor were there oblivious masses to hide amongst. The people here could and would act upon their impulses.

So he chose his words more carefully than usual as he responded to Masaki. "I'm not discounting his warning. But moments ago, I told you that I was prepared for whatever consequences my choices led to." His gaze shifted back to the peddler. "If the only knowledge I walk away from here with is what not to attempt, then I'll be content for the time being."

Surely, he thought, there must be one road safer than the rest. It was just a matter of finding it.

[allthekeys]

Ter frowned slightly, and lifted his gaze to look directly at Masaki.

"Then I wish you well on your path." The peddler offered, and stepped back seemingly intent on closing the door.

[mostpositively]

Masaki gazed back to the peddler, her expression softening. His wishing well did not seem to be for Shougo-or not just for him.

"My thanks. If I may say one last thing before we part?"

She waited a moment before continuing. "If you or yours need healer services, I will do my best." She tipped her head in a nod. "And I will keep silent."

[passingships]

He knew dismissal when he saw it. Eyes sliding aside, looking over or past, words directed anywhere but at him.

Shougo confessed to feeling disappointed. But like every other disappointment in his short life, he swallowed it down with barely a flicker of expression.

With an inward sigh, he turned to the silent rows of houses beyond this dwelling. There was nothing more for him to say.

[mostpositively]

Masaki watched as the peddler stepped away, the door closing, and sighed, glancing back to Shougo and where he stood.

She wasn't sure if Ter heard him, but at least she tried.

"Best that we get going." She shook her head slightly, tucking a stray bit of hair behind her ear. "That was educational, don't you think?"

[passingships]

He shrugged noncomitally. Every encounter with someone new was a learning experience. One learned more of the other person each time they met. To call it educational, however...

"He warned me of the consequences. It is not the consequence I seek but the journey," Shougo commented as he turned his eyes to the stars. Truly beautiful things. "If he could have told me what those before me had done then perhaps I would have called that educational. As it is, I have to say I learned very little. Fireworks and firearms both use gunpowder yet they display very different results. We do not fear to use the gunpowder for fireworks, do we?"

[mostpositively]

She watched him quietly, listening without committing. But at the end of it....

Her shoulders shook. But her expression...she was clearly shaking from silent laughter, to the point of her eyes filled with tears of mirth.

"You're very amusing sometimes." She finally managed, and took in a deep breath, wiping her eyes. "No one would aim fireworks at their face either, or handle a live firework with your hands."

[passingships]

Shougo stared at her for a long moment. This was not a reaction he was used to. People had been angry at him before. Scared, yes, wary, confused, and - rarely - appreciative. But they had never laughed the way she was laughing at him now.

Unsure how to react, he shook his head. "No, but that's my point. We don't shy from using such a dangerous substance, do we? That's why I asked him if he understood what he was asking me to avoid. Yet he gave me nothing."

[mostpositively]

Masaki was, if nothing else, a rather unique woman with at times a strange personality. Then again, maybe that was how they got along so well.

"Are you so certain he gave you nothing? Shougo, Wordsmith...whatever you wish to call yourself..."

She shook her head, but she was still smiling up at him. "This may take some contemplation. If I told you what I heard, I would only cheapen it for you. But I will say one thing."

She held up a finger. "The element of lead is a highly useful, highly poisonous substance. Sometimes, it's better to know what it does, then to find out first hand."

[passingships]

"And yet, it isn't so poisonous that its effect is immediate or devastating." Shougo folded his arms loosely, head tilted. "It's more like a drug. Perhaps nicotine or opium, which are dangerous in large quantities or in the long term. Whatever the case, I have come away with no other course of possible action besides the one I currently know. It's rather disappointing."

[mostpositively]

"Lead, yes. Perhaps I should have alluded to plutonium or uranium instead."

Her voice was calm and even, even as her lips curled in amusement. "I disagree, but perhaps it will become more evident in time. Besides, the problem is not just the substance, but the path of knowledge."

She made a small gesture with her fingers. "Souls...are a difficult topic. I cannot give you the sight you seek. I wonder if it's because you want to see where it leads, despite warnings."

[passingships]

Shougo sighed. "I thought the entire purpose of this visit was to seek an alternate path. I'm still open to less dangerous methods, should they exist. But you are at least right about one thing." He chuckled quietly. "I have a bad habit of ignoring warnings."

[mostpositively]

"It was, and that door is closed, at least with that particular person." She offered a small shrug. "Though perhaps I was hopeful that you would see reason and see that the course of caution is not due to blind fear."

Masaki sighed at him.

"But if you decide you'd do best as a devil's pawn, so be it. I will not walk with you down that path."

She had a feeling he wouldn't care in the least. She was not as valuable as someone who could show him what he desired.

[passingships]

There was another sigh from him as well. It was small and quiet. Disappointment expelled through a single breath. They had backed into a circular argument and there was no merit in discussing the matter further at this point in time. If none would walk with him then he would walk alone - as he had before and as he would continue to do, it seemed.

"I do not ask anyone to follow me," he replied. The pale-haired man turned, preparing to leave. "Even so, thank you for walking with me thus far."

With that, he would depart. Whatever revelations or pitfalls awaited Shougo, he would face them head-on.