Malik, at least, sends a request to make a visit after his expedition to Fortune's space. Unlike certain other members of Team Death.
He's in his elven form, more for convenience than anything else at the moment though it doesn't escape him that it's how he more or less looked when he was marked. He's at least dressed differently, wearing his t-shirt about the lethality of bears.
"I ah... brought you some halva." he says, pulling some of the sweet from his hammerspace. "Considering it has been about a year since we last met, and it is supposed to be eaten on the first anniversary of a death. I thought it might fit your theme."
Death opens a portal for him, though it takes some time for it to open. He's grown a touch weary of guests, of late.
But Malik seems to be an exception. Death is waiting for him in the sitting room in his traditional Levantine funerary garments, pouring both of them a drink of arak. In his other hand is a lit cigarette, one that he puffs at once more before snuffing out in the ashtray, letting out a cloud of smoke.
"Welcome, Dai Malik. Please, sit." He motions to a chair perpendicular to his, but close, almost intimate, in the way friends sit when speaking to one another. "I hope this is to your liking, as I've rarely had the chance to taste it this past few cycles."
Death's eyes widen a little in surprise as Malik offers him the small package of halva. For a moment, his face seems a little less sunken, his skin a little more touched with the color of life. For once, Death is speechless. "I... thank you, Malik," he finally answers, taking the package in his bony hands. "As an important funerary tradition, I would say it fits my theme quite well. Quite well." He carefully opens the package and admires them, before adding, "I would be honored to share this with you."
Malik is both a bit amused and slightly smugly proud of actually getting a surprised reaction from Death.
"If I am who you wish to share it with, then I will. I am sure there are others who might appreciate the gesture as well if the rumors I have heard hold any truth." He said, settling in the indicated chair.
He studies the other man for a moment. "How have you been since our last meeting? Other than your recent semi-victory."
"For fuck's sake, Malik, share it with me. You deserve the fruit of your labors, and I would enjoy sharing this with you." As if to accentuate his point, Death plucks out some halva with bony fingers and places the candy into Malik's hand.
"And what rumors are those?" Death asks nonchalantly, selecting a piece of halva and studying it for a long moment. "I have been overworked and underpaid as per usual. But now, after this victory, I have hope for the rest of this round. Although, it had a rather... unfortunate unintended consequence."
That gets a sharp laugh from Malik, "Sorry, seeing you upset about someone being evasive at you for a change is a bit cathartic after these nearly three years. I cannot promise that I will not do it again though, circular questions are a familiar way of things." He'll eat his piece of candy thought.
"Emperor and Empress grieve as parents for Star. If it is even half the sorrow I felt for a son I will likely never know then... a gesture like this may be welcome and offer you a path of alliance or at least smooth things with one or both of them. I could be wildly incorrect however."
He hums, sipping his drink. "Yes. Lovers returned. What would have happened if the ball had landed on one of the numbers of those of your group who are dead?"
"I will answer those after we've had our snack. I'd like to savor it first, if you don't mind... especially since both of those topics seem rather sour." He tilts his glass to Malik as a sort of small toast.
"I do not wish to be so evasive," Death mutters, almost bitterly, before breaking off a miniscule piece of the candy and rolling it around in his fingers, mapping the feel of it with bony fingers, watching it crumble.
"And I do not wish to answer questions with more questions. It is merely a troubling necessity in this specific metapolitical climate. I like to see a close, an end, not this... endless cycle of frustration I find myself in with Matthew, or you, or the others." He pauses, adding, "Mostly Matthew."
Finally, after he has got a good idea of the consistency, he quickly cleans off his fingers with his mouth to taste it. "What is this made of?"
"We are, generally, very frustrating and easily frustrated in turn." Malik agrees. "Matthew is... his heart is in the right place I think. Even if he is a bit difficult to understand with his motivations at times. I trust him more than I do most when it comes to doing the right thing."
Matthew has, after all, saved both himself and Altair in various ways and it is a debt Malik is unsure of how to repay.
"Technically? Whatever liminal space is made of. Properly it is sesame seeds ground in to a paste, honey and nuts for texture. I manipulated the ingredients separately and then made it, because while I could simply... have a plate of it in front of me on a whim there is something to be said for taking the time consuming approach to it."
"It is further compounded by his... unique condition, I suppose is a term for it. The Angels. They're not fond of me either." He shrugs, having almost gotten used to the idea. "He does not trust me and therefore makes things difficult on both of us as a result. I cannot blame him, unfortunately."
Death nods agreeably, adding, "You would rather see it through to its proper conclusion than take the easy way. I understand."
"I have the time to do it properly, so there is no reason to take shortcuts." Malik shrugged. "When there are issues of time constraints then I have no problem doing things the easier way."
It's why he has no problem with using interface to gather information when needed. He doesn't have the months to do information gathering the way he prefers.
"Which is why I am not sorry for trying what I did in Fortune's space."
"... ah. Yes, that." Death rubs at his eyes for a moment, pinching the bridge of his nose. "While I do not fault you, I do have to ask what you hoped to accomplish with that skill of yours."
"The choice, as you put it," he says, looking up again, "is the sum of your previous choices. I am not at all sure your influence on the mechanism would have been as equitable in result."
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Carbed Liminal?? Late. After the Fortune Adventure.
He's in his elven form, more for convenience than anything else at the moment though it doesn't escape him that it's how he more or less looked when he was marked. He's at least dressed differently, wearing his t-shirt about the lethality of bears.
"I ah... brought you some halva." he says, pulling some of the sweet from his hammerspace. "Considering it has been about a year since we last met, and it is supposed to be eaten on the first anniversary of a death. I thought it might fit your theme."
no subject
But Malik seems to be an exception. Death is waiting for him in the sitting room in his traditional Levantine funerary garments, pouring both of them a drink of arak. In his other hand is a lit cigarette, one that he puffs at once more before snuffing out in the ashtray, letting out a cloud of smoke.
"Welcome, Dai Malik. Please, sit." He motions to a chair perpendicular to his, but close, almost intimate, in the way friends sit when speaking to one another. "I hope this is to your liking, as I've rarely had the chance to taste it this past few cycles."
Death's eyes widen a little in surprise as Malik offers him the small package of halva. For a moment, his face seems a little less sunken, his skin a little more touched with the color of life. For once, Death is speechless. "I... thank you, Malik," he finally answers, taking the package in his bony hands. "As an important funerary tradition, I would say it fits my theme quite well. Quite well." He carefully opens the package and admires them, before adding, "I would be honored to share this with you."
no subject
"If I am who you wish to share it with, then I will. I am sure there are others who might appreciate the gesture as well if the rumors I have heard hold any truth." He said, settling in the indicated chair.
He studies the other man for a moment. "How have you been since our last meeting? Other than your recent semi-victory."
no subject
"And what rumors are those?" Death asks nonchalantly, selecting a piece of halva and studying it for a long moment. "I have been overworked and underpaid as per usual. But now, after this victory, I have hope for the rest of this round. Although, it had a rather... unfortunate unintended consequence."
no subject
"Emperor and Empress grieve as parents for Star. If it is even half the sorrow I felt for a son I will likely never know then... a gesture like this may be welcome and offer you a path of alliance or at least smooth things with one or both of them. I could be wildly incorrect however."
He hums, sipping his drink. "Yes. Lovers returned. What would have happened if the ball had landed on one of the numbers of those of your group who are dead?"
no subject
"I do not wish to be so evasive," Death mutters, almost bitterly, before breaking off a miniscule piece of the candy and rolling it around in his fingers, mapping the feel of it with bony fingers, watching it crumble.
"And I do not wish to answer questions with more questions. It is merely a troubling necessity in this specific metapolitical climate. I like to see a close, an end, not this... endless cycle of frustration I find myself in with Matthew, or you, or the others." He pauses, adding, "Mostly Matthew."
Finally, after he has got a good idea of the consistency, he quickly cleans off his fingers with his mouth to taste it. "What is this made of?"
no subject
Matthew has, after all, saved both himself and Altair in various ways and it is a debt Malik is unsure of how to repay.
"Technically? Whatever liminal space is made of. Properly it is sesame seeds ground in to a paste, honey and nuts for texture. I manipulated the ingredients separately and then made it, because while I could simply... have a plate of it in front of me on a whim there is something to be said for taking the time consuming approach to it."
no subject
Death nods agreeably, adding, "You would rather see it through to its proper conclusion than take the easy way. I understand."
no subject
It's why he has no problem with using interface to gather information when needed. He doesn't have the months to do information gathering the way he prefers.
"Which is why I am not sorry for trying what I did in Fortune's space."
no subject
no subject
"Even if that choice is only which team we are on."
(replies will come from this journal for now!)