onlyhearmusic | [the last voyages] ic inbox

[He has become far too at ease with his strength and since this isn't outright magic, it doesn't occur to him to hide it. Only when Collins refuses to step through the opening does he blink and bow his head apologetically.]

If someone means to harm you because of what you have done, I would rather you be discreet.

[Wounds matter. Fights matter. Collins isn't just a tool; not to him.]

[Collins regarded Zichen for a silent moment. Whether he found what he was looking for or not, the Irishman finally stepped out of the cell and into the hallway. He kept his distance from Zichen but at least he did not immediately make to leave. That would be rude.]

Fine, fine. I'll be more mindful when new arrivals and unexpected guests make their way on board. [Play act like he did in the port city. That had been fun at least.] Have ta be more damn cautious on this unnatural ship all tha damn time.

[Collins seemed to mumble a few more complaints before another silence fell. But he spoke again before he thought Zichen might try to fill it.]

Thank you... fer retrievin' me and gettin' me out of here early.

[He didn't want to be here the whole week. That would be boring.]

[He keeps still, apologetic and yet unwilling to move too far from Collins. They both know he isn't a danger to the other man, magic or not. What had once been a horrific obstacle between them has now become a nuisance. He will count that as progress.]

For your sake. [Zichen straightens and leads the way back into the corridor.] We all do. What I know has been questioned again and again. I have to proceed with caution too and, yes...

[He sighs.] It does give me a headache.

[He manages a small smile at the gratitude.]

I wouldn't leave you in there for a week. What you did in the past is precisely why you are here now. Imprisoning you does no good.

[Collins shook his head dismissively, not denying the need for caution so much as disliking it and choosing to move on. He was not amused by anything this place had to offer.

Despite his earlier hesitation, he was eager to leave. His pace quickened once it became apparent that was next on the agenda.]

So you say. It certainly doesn't teach anything, but neither does anything about this prison. It's all pointless here.

I wouldn't go that far. [He follows except when Collins needs some guidance. It's best this way, he reasons. The other man has such an independent spirit and he truly has no desire to break it. He would rather work with Collins towards a goal that keeps him safe and keeps others safe around him.]

I have learned a great deal. Even the arguments have taught me.

[Collins snorted derisively.]

And what have you learned from all this?

[He waved a hand sharply in the air. It was clear he did not agree.]

The universe is much wider than I ever imagined and the teachings from my Master need to be...adjusted. Most of them are sound, but even my world works differently than we know.

[When you know better, you do better, right?]

Ah, tha sciences and knowledge of tha world. [He snorted, unimpressed.] Tha wide nature of tha universe is of no interest ta me. It means nothin' practical at tha end of tha day. Besides, I already knew there was too much out there. It can fuck off if it had any sense of decency, which it unfortunately does not.

Is it practical? Perhaps not, but it does surround us. [Zichen opens a door to bring them further from the cell.] We can't avoid it forever. Whether in life or death, we will face the truth.

It's not avoiding if it's not in my way ta begin with. Knowledge fer knowledge's sake is all well and fine, and I enjoy it sometimes too, but it isn't what this place is about. And it isn't useful ta me.

What yer goin' on about makes no difference. And if that's all you've got right now, I'll be goin' on me way. I've no want fer this right now. [Not after all that's happened today. He'd rather get back to his room and steer clear of the stupidity for as long as he can manage.]

Every life has a meaning and a purpose. If you learn nothing else, my friend, it's that. [Thus taking a life is a much larger issue than Collins may have realized.] Humans treat births and deaths much too lightly. Taking the latter into your hands is dangerous - not just for the one dying, but also for you. It stains your soul.

Some life has tha purpose of bein' prey. [Collins closed his eyes briefly as if he were listening to something that only he could hear.] You misunderstand me. There is nothin' greater than a life, and a death. I love tha animals that I hunt. They are, each and every one of them, special ta me.

Who decides who is a hunter and who is prey? We are all human. [No, he doesn't like that look. Collins associates excitement or pleasure with murder.] I tell you plainly: if you try to hunt me, I will show you my teeth. I am a human. I have worth. I'm not a rabbit or a small bird.

God. [He answered bluntly. Then almost as if in contradiction of that point,] Or tha people who have tha means ta make it possible because He didn't give enough of a damn ta make everyone equal.

[Collins bared his teeth in response.] That just makes tha hunt more excitin'. I do love worthy prey. [The hunter needed worthy prey, after all. And he did so love a good, exciting hunt.]

We are equal, though. Humans are the ones who mistake that. [Constantly. They separate themselves between the rich and the poor, the educated and the uneducated and so forth. But it's all just a show.] God made us equal. We are the ones who say otherwise.

[He sighs.] Do you find comfort in it? Proving yourself as stronger, I mean.

If He wanted ta make us equal, we'd all be carbon copies of each other and no one would argue about it. Either way, don't make a lick of difference. There are prey in tha world, and there are predators in tha world that hunt them.

Comfort? [He made a darkly amused scoffing noise.] You have a strange sense of comfort. [He tapped his tongue against his teeth.] It's excitin', pleasurable perhaps, hearin' tha music surge and my heart beat. Ta feel alive... but that's just nature's view on survival. Ta make it worthwhile.

Humans are meant to rise above base instincts. We are different from animals. How else do you think we tame them? Domesticate them?

[He is assuming "He" is a god. Monotheism isn't something he has encountered in his world (or life) yet.]

Can you describe the music to me? Is it always the same song?

We act like we're different but at tha end of tha day we're all just animals. We fall to our basest desires--lust and greed--all tha time. We rut and fight over women and territory like any other animal. Sovereigns try ta regulate such things and all we end up with are more strife and war. Aye, we're so much better than tha simpler animals we rule over like tyrants of tha world.

[He gave Zichen a pointed look. Then fell silent for a moment. Zichen had asked the question that he always hated as much as he loved. Explaining it was always a chore, but he loved his music so much.]

No, it's always changin'. [He took a deep breath and listened.] It starts with tha strings, tha heart of tha orchestra. Without tha heart there's no love, no beat. Then tha flutes bring in tha melody. Tha playful soul of tha song. And then tha harp... ah, tha mother of music... it makes tha world come alive. And tha piano-

[He paused, caught in the music, listening to it play a beautiful song in his head.]

When tha music builds, tha song swells in intensity, I feel my heart beat faster... it makes me feel alive.

[It all stopped suddenly as Collins threw a fist against the wall. No outlet, no outlet for his rage, for his love, for his desire. No hunt. No job. Nothing.

It soured the notes that poured out of him, drew him to a peak, and left him dissatisfied. He punched the wall again, until his knuckles bled.]

You are neglecting to recall the good humans have done. The bad darkens that light, but it doesn't extinguish it. We also have a choice - unlike our animal brethren. An animal will act on instinct and never consider morality, but we should. Our minds and our hearts are gifts.

[This time he falls silent and he finds himself smiling ever so faintly. Dennis Collins, you have the heart of a musician; a composer.]

What - [The punching drives his smile away and he reaches out to stop the other man, brow furrowing.] You're bleeding. That's enough.

[Punch hard enough and knuckles will crack. Bones will break.]

...I was going to ask if you ever considered writing your music down.

My death is a gift. [He snapped.] You would have me neglect it. Be someone else. Be yer mold. Just like tha rest.

[He hated you. He hated you and all the wardens here. He-

He snarled at Zichen's touch and shoved him away.] Don't!

[He doesn't even look at his bloody hand. It's nothing he hasn't endured before. He glared at Zichen.]

No. I don't know a damn thing about music.

A gift from whom? [The purpose seems obvious and he understands the pride of possessing a skill. But killing...? Zichen lets out a breath.]

I want you to be your best self, that's all.

[Someone who doesn't depend on murder like an addict.]

You're very clever. You could learn in no time.

I was my best self!

[He had everything and then it was taken away from him. Fuck you and your principles. Your conscience. He didn't even understand what that was!]

That's not- I don't care! I don't need ta learn tha music. It's already there!

You...survived. You found a bloody outlet. Is that truly your best self?

[He feels cold; this is bringing up bad memories and he has been resisting it for some time.]

You can hear it, but what about others?

Yes.

[Survival of the fittest. He survived. He killed. He made people bleed while he stood invincible to it all. He enjoyed it. He felt right. That was all that mattered.]

I don't care about others!

...Mr. Collins. [He tries to calm himself, centering himself.] I know that isn't true.

Edited 2024-07-29 01:23 (UTC)

[the last voyages] ic inbox

[Action]

Re: [Action]

[Action]

Re: [Action]

[Action]

Re: [Action]

[Action]

Re: [Action]

[Action]

Re: [Action]

[Action]

Re: [Action]

[Action]

Re: [Action]

[Action]

Re: [Action]

[Action]

Re: [Action]

[Action]

Re: [Action]

[Action]

Re: [Action]

[Action]

Re: [Action]

[Action]

Re: [Action]

[Action]

Re: [Action]

[Action]