║ sixty-seventh stanza ║ voice

[mumbled_truth]

I think this is the longest one we've had, of these -- they're usually two days, sometimes one, but... I don't really mind. Not really.

I mean, I'll never like the crowds, but... there are individual people I'm happy to see.



[ooc: I am sorry, I've been so slow this weekend ;; Thus, UBER BACKTAGGING FRIENDLY. Don't tell him he's fictional, but he's from the end so you really can't spoil him on anything.]

Comments

[deadpanned]

Hello.

[mumbled_truth]

Rudy?

Welcome back.

[deadpanned]

No, it's Zeke. Who is this Rudy you speak of?

[mumbled_truth]

[Though doubles are hardly unheard of, he has a little bit of trouble believing this. Who knows why.]

Well... Rudy is someone who was in the City, a while ago. I guess you must just remind me of him.

video;

[plucked]

And I'm one of them, of course.

video;

[mumbled_truth]

Charlie! Of course.

It's great to see you, really.

video;

[plucked]

It's Nuwanda, Todd, remember? You been stuck here so long you forgot?

video;

[mumbled_truth]

Right - sorry. Nuwanda.

It, um-- well, it actually has sort of been a while... but no.

( video )

[bitters]

[ A young man, neatly dressed and with quite humble manners. English. Expectant. Polite. ]

This is normal, then? I thought maybe they were having sport.

( video )

[mumbled_truth]

Well... it does happen now and again, here. Usually every few months.

(action)

[down_into_abysses]

[Wherever you are, Todd, you are not alone. There is a woman of indeterminable age watching you, head tilted to the side, skin and hair and clothing shockingly white. When did she arrive? Where did she come from?

You may have to ask her. Her still expression speaks soundless volumes, but, thus far, she has shown no inclination to actually talk.

Feel free to be creeped out.]

(action)

[mumbled_truth]

[He's home at the apartment today, sitting quietly on the couch as he sets the device aside to turn his attention to a book at his side.

As he turns, though, he notices her, initially just as a blur that's clearly out of place in his peripheral vision. He turns his gaze to look at her, drawing back a bit as he stares, eyes widened and his jaw hanging just a bit slack. Where did she come from indeed.

He's absolutely exercising the option to be creeped out.]

U-um... hello?

(action)

[down_into_abysses]

[Excellent choice.]

Am I so unfamiliar?

(action)

[mumbled_truth]

[Still watching, uncertain and nervous. Though, speech does make her just a bit less creepy.

Not by much, of course.]

I'm... I'm sorry, I don't think we've met before.

(action)

[down_into_abysses]

[Just judging by the way she's staring, creepy is either what she's going for or she has no concept of what is and isn't socially acceptable (like appearing in someone's home).]

We have. You beseech me, I arrive, I whisper in your ear, all unseen.

(action)

[mumbled_truth]

I--

[He's at a loss, here. He frowns slightly, brow furrowing.]

I don't... I'm not sure I understand.

(action)

[down_into_abysses]

From where does your inspiration arise?

[She doesn't move or, for that matter, give any indication that she's not perfectly happy to lurk and be cryptic until either the curse ends or Todd puzzles this out.]

(action)

[mumbled_truth]

Well, I don't really know... I guess-- I just hadn't thought about it.

[Though he certainly is thinking about it now...]

(action)

[down_into_abysses]

Do you believe in muses?

(action)

[mumbled_truth]

[He pauses there, frowning slightly. It's certainly not out of the question, not with everything else that he's seen in the City.]

I guess I do. I don't see why not.

(action)

[down_into_abysses]

[Instead of replying, she watches him expectantly, perhaps waiting for him to draw his own conclusion.]

(action)

[mumbled_truth]

[He shifts his head slightly as he considers it - she doesn't have long to wait, of course, not after asking him point-blank whether he believes. It may not be a solid conclusion, but of course the thought occurs.]

Are you-- is that what you are? A muse?

(action)

[down_into_abysses]

[She almost smiles.]

The muse. My sisters have gone; my company is the poet, the playwright, the novelist, and the dreamer.

We have spoken. Not in words, but we have spoken.

(action)

[mumbled_truth]

I didn't realize...

[And now he's less creeped out and more intrigued.]

I mean, that you were real, that-- that you had... spoken to me. I... I guess I should thank you, really.

(action)

[down_into_abysses]

Few do now. The odes, the implorations: all relics of the past.

[Her expression is wistful.]

I should thank you. You rarely see, but you listen. As long as one soul listens, I am.

(action)

[mumbled_truth]

[He almost smiles, softly.]

Well... you have one, at least. I'll be sure that I keep listening.

(action)

[down_into_abysses]

I hoped you might.

[She holds a slender hand out towards him, palm up.]

Come here.

(action)

[mumbled_truth]

[He's still a bit hesitant, at that request, but he does stand... and steps slowly toward her.

He stops just a bit shy, glancing up at her questioningly.]

(action)

[down_into_abysses]

[She appears baffled by Todd's hesitance.]

You have no reason to fear me. I wish to give you a gift.

(action)

[mumbled_truth]

Sorry--

[There's a slight, apologetic smile, and he does move the rest of the way to her. His voice is still soft, though that's hardly unusual.]

Though... you don't have to...

(action)

[down_into_abysses]

No, but I have always rewarded those who earn my favor.

[She grabs one of Todd's hands, her own hand very cold and dry, and presses a coin into his palm. It isn't perfectly round and its dulled silver shine has a feel of antiquity about it. There's a detailed lyre embossed on one side; on the other, a single line of Greek characters (should he puzzle their meaning out or seek a translation, it simply says, "POLYHYMNIA").]

Inspiration and eloquence will recognize you by my name.

(action)

[mumbled_truth]

[His gaze moves from her to the coin in his hand. He turns it over, examining it with no small amount of awe. Despite its size, it seems anything but insignificant. When he looks back up to her, a small, touched smile is on his face.]

Thank you.

(action)

[down_into_abysses]

[She smiles back, but the expression may as well be carved in marble for all of the human warmth it has. Still, she doesn't look unkind.

And without so much as a goodbye, she vanishes.]