001. (v2) [audio + commentlog/open]

[snowtop]

A...Again?

[Xanth lets out a hollow, bitter laugh.]

I... n-no, you, you have to be k--kidding. I-I already d--did this. M-My world was... a-already gone. Th--The End took it. K-K'lai, a-and Grams, they... th-they were... already gone.

[He takes in a shuddering breath. His chest tightens, his voice cracks.]

N--Now you say it... it's all g-gone? Unmade? D--Didn't ev--even-- h-happen? How!? I-- I lived that! It-- it can't-- not again--

[There's a small gasp, like a prelude to a sob, but then Xanth slams the book shut.

Xanth takes his record, takes his key, and immediately sets out into the Keep. He's tired, he's so fucking tired, but he has to know if anyone else got snatched into this mess too.]

Comments

[Audio]

[snowtop]

W-Worse than the o-ones on th-the El--Elegante?

[Because, dude. Captain Redd made Jinx eat his own foot.]

[Audio + Translated Text]

[drinkuntilidie.livejournal.com]

Not sure, only seen one punishment so far but they were forced to fight to the death.

[Audio]

[snowtop]

Wh...

What did-- wh-- what'd they d-do!?

[Audio + Translated Text]

[drinkuntilidie.livejournal.com]

They started a fight I think.

[Audio]

[snowtop]

That--

B-But--

Th-that's so-- b-backwards! F-Fighting to-- to p-punish fi--fighting?

[Audio + Translated Text]

[drinkuntilidie.livejournal.com]

Maybe. Maybe not. Used to see things like that back home. Still, it wasn't over something so simple as a fight.

[Audio]

[snowtop]

[Xanth has heard of duels to the deal, but they were for honor. They were for innocence. But fighting just to punish fighting made no sense...]

N--No, it-- it c-couldn't be.... I-I'll... b-be careful th-then.

Is th-- there-- a-anything else I sh-should know? Uh, h--haunted th-theaters, for--forbidden d-dangers, th-that... kind of th-thing?

[Audio + Translated Text]

[drinkuntilidie.livejournal.com]

[Kevas contemplates telling him about that Clothier Tower, but seeing how this kid has no reason to even go down there it probably isn't worth mentioning.]

No little mon, nothing like that. Just use some common sense and you'll be fine.

[Audio]

[snowtop]

O-Okay.

[He sighs.]

I-It almost... sounds ea--easier, than... th-the Eleg-gante...

[Audio + Translated Text]

[drinkuntilidie.livejournal.com]

So far it is little mon. Just don't let your guard down completely.

[Audio]

[snowtop]

I-I'm not th-that stupid.

[Not anymore, at least. He knows better.]

Th-thanks. A--A lot. I-I mean it.

[He does.]