The Ferryman (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
theferryman) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
thecrossing2024-12-14 11:51 am
theferryman) wrote in thecrossing2024-12-14 11:51 am
Entry tags:
voice + text
[You feel it before you hear it: an uncanny sensation like you aren't alone, like someone just out of sight has fixed their attention on you.
They're not hiding, though. The Ferryman is simply speaking, directly into all of your minds, as clear as if they were standing right beside you.]
It's starting.
Sorry. Was hoping you'd all have more time to rest before we got going. But when it's time, it's time.
We're going to Cross. Not now, but soon. You'll feel it when the moment gets here. And you need to be ready for what that means, when it does.
It's a dangerous journey. There's still a lot of yourself left to lose, even if it doesn't feel like it now. That's my role here. I can guide you through it. Keep you safe.
There's a cost. You'll have to give something up, a part of your life Before. A face. A feeling. A memory. That's your toll to Cross. You pay it to me, and you won't get it back.
You don't have to pay. But if you're not with me, I can't keep you safe. You'll have to make The Crossing on your own. And if you do, there's a chance you lose a whole lot more than what the toll is asking from you.
There's some time left still. You don't need to decide now. But you do need to decide. You'll find out soon what sort of toll The Crossing is asking for, this time around.
Come find me if you want to talk. I'll be where I always am.
[The connection is tenuous; message delivered, The Ferryman's voice fades from your mind. If you're quick, and you concentrate, you might be able to grab on long enough to ask a question or two more.
Otherwise, all that remains is the object that purports to connect you with the other souls, all tasked with making the same decision. Whether it's a page or a screen, there's a new message for you:]
A toll to be levied for safe passage
from the cavern to ǝɹǝɥʍǝsʅǝ
Hear a voice that causes you pain
words spoken with rage or grief or envy
fueled by hate or love or suffering
offer it to The Ferryman
and let go
[ ooc | And we're off! Remember: The Ferryman is (for now!) the only one who can communicate to everyone via voice; the rest of you are stuck with text! The only exception is if characters try to hijack the fading connection to talk with The Ferryman one-on-one; there's a header for those questions here.
Otherwise, consider this a mingle! Chat, threadhop, go nuts. ]
They're not hiding, though. The Ferryman is simply speaking, directly into all of your minds, as clear as if they were standing right beside you.]
It's starting.
Sorry. Was hoping you'd all have more time to rest before we got going. But when it's time, it's time.
We're going to Cross. Not now, but soon. You'll feel it when the moment gets here. And you need to be ready for what that means, when it does.
It's a dangerous journey. There's still a lot of yourself left to lose, even if it doesn't feel like it now. That's my role here. I can guide you through it. Keep you safe.
There's a cost. You'll have to give something up, a part of your life Before. A face. A feeling. A memory. That's your toll to Cross. You pay it to me, and you won't get it back.
You don't have to pay. But if you're not with me, I can't keep you safe. You'll have to make The Crossing on your own. And if you do, there's a chance you lose a whole lot more than what the toll is asking from you.
There's some time left still. You don't need to decide now. But you do need to decide. You'll find out soon what sort of toll The Crossing is asking for, this time around.
Come find me if you want to talk. I'll be where I always am.
[The connection is tenuous; message delivered, The Ferryman's voice fades from your mind. If you're quick, and you concentrate, you might be able to grab on long enough to ask a question or two more.
Otherwise, all that remains is the object that purports to connect you with the other souls, all tasked with making the same decision. Whether it's a page or a screen, there's a new message for you:]
from the cavern to ǝɹǝɥʍǝsʅǝ
Hear a voice that causes you pain
words spoken with rage or grief or envy
fueled by hate or love or suffering
offer it to The Ferryman
and let go
[ ooc | And we're off! Remember: The Ferryman is (for now!) the only one who can communicate to everyone via voice; the rest of you are stuck with text! The only exception is if characters try to hijack the fading connection to talk with The Ferryman one-on-one; there's a header for those questions here.
Otherwise, consider this a mingle! Chat, threadhop, go nuts. ]
no subject
I didn't want any of this to happen. I just wanted to...
[She shakes her head. She wanted to free her people - but it was only once she inherited the power to do so that she understood why she couldn't possibly go ahead with it, not without dooming the rest of the world to subjugation again. Even without explaining those convoluted details to Sunny, she at least wants to clarify that it's not mere cowardice that's making her consider taking the Ferryman's offer.]
If I could undo all the suffering, I'd pay any price - all my body parts, all my senses, even staying in my worst nightmarey forever. But if I can't, then... then remembering it for the rest of eternity is the worst punishment I can imagine., all the more if it doesn't help anybody.
no subject
He understood though. Listened. Knowing that remembering was a sharp pain, like the twist of a knife, more than forgetting was. Was forgetting cowardly? Maybe. Sunny had already tried (and failed) to keep his own truth from his memory. He didn’t know what to do with it - just letting it sit, as he couldn’t forgive himself, but returning to blissful oblivious was seeming more and more unlikely.
Still… Frieda’s words gave him pause. Would he sacrifice himself to undo the suffering he had caused? Was he that selfless, that he could rid himself of his limbs, his memory, his comfort? Would it even make a difference?
No, not for Sunny. There was nothing he could do to atone. Nothing that would make up for what he had done, nothing that would earn him forgiveness. Deep down, he knew that. It was why he tried so hard to bury it, to make sure no one found out… not even himself.
He wasn’t brave like Frieda. Just the thought of attempting to admit his own failings like she had trusted with hers made him sick inside.
The most he could doo is offer her silent comfort, support. He shook his head. Taking a breath, building up his own meager confidence to say the next few words.] You… shouldn’t have to. Not your fault… [He hoped his gaze conveyed all that he didn’t have the vocal strength to say: it wasn’t Frieda’s choice to make those awful decisions, she had simply been unfortunate enough to have the history of that thrust upon her.]
no subject
Thank you, Sunny. You're really kind. But someone has to take responsibility. If everyone says "It's not my fault", then who will answer for all the sins, all the suffering? I just wish it could've been me alone.
[Of course, she'd have been scared. She might have begged for mercy, for forgiveness. But if her sacrifice could have redeemed her people, it'd all have been worth it. Sadly, that was never an option. All Eldians are cursed, and her death would only have passed the powers of the Founding Titan on to whoever would've devoured her remains. She wraps her arms around her knees, too despondent to cheer herself or her companion up.]
(Sad but good wrap? T.T)
He was good at listening, but aside from that base comfort, he was never able to provide much else.
Still… for as long as Frieda wanted him there, he would sit: two silent companions rife in their sins.]
Sounds good! ♡
Her revelations weigh heavily. Everything she told Sunny was a secret; nobody in the Walls expect for the non-Eldian nobles and the clergymen knew anything about their history or the outside world. Even if she'd wanted to tell anyone, her ancestor's vow would have held her tongue. Only now, in death, can she share the burden - but was that a wise idea? Already, the doubt is gnawing at her, but she can't take back her words.]