Voice; un: 10/1853

Hello there, Cassian.

[Jezebel looks both pleased and concerned at the sight of Cassian on the feed. On the one hand, he's already worried about Cassian being here right before things seem destined to go wrong -- the tension in the air has been increasing along with the heat, and he knows it's only a matter of time before the town unleashes a new terror.

On the other hand...well, he is happy to see him again.]

I'm sorry to see you've been roped into this madness. You're correct that this place is a mess.

As for the labyrinth, no one seems to know. But we'll likely learn soon.

[He had a moment of relief when Jezebel responded; at least that hadn't been some sort of trick, seeing him in that dream place. One less thing to have floating in the back of his mind.]

I'm not.

[He says it with finality, though it's softened with a tinge of gentleness to his tone. If the doctor was wrapped up in this madness, then the best place for Cassian to be was in that same madness.]

Guess we'll have to stay on our toes, then.

I've got the map I was given, [not that it seemed especially useful right now-] where can I find you?

[The finality in Cassian's voice surprises him -- and yet it leaves him heartened in turn, to hear him so certain.

With a small smile, he says:]

Ever the faithful assistant, Cassian.

[His tone is teasing but genuinely appreciative. If anyone else from their world had arrived, he'd have dreaded it, but -- Cassian was different. Cassian was perhaps the only person he'd ever truly trusted.]

I'm in my home. I have a house out in Flatwoods Point, away from the main part of town. I live at 66 Shepherd Road.

['You can't do anything on your own.' The words ran through the back of his mind, the last words he'd thought he'd get to say. He didn't bring them up now, but they were just behind the small smile that tugged at his lips in response to the light teasing.

'Faithful' wasn't a word he'd choose for himself, but Jezebel was different.]

I'll make my way there.

[He cut the feed and did his best to follow the map based on how it looked and what he letters of 'Flatwoods Point' he could identify. The larger problem wasn't the words, it was the labyrinthine aspect of the town. It definitely slowed him down and tripped him up more than once.

It took him longer than it probably should have, but he finally made his way to the right area and knocked on the door of the house. He'd spent the walk trying to think of what he was going to say once they saw each other again...hopefully he'd actually make up his mind in the time it took for Jezebel to answer the door.]

[While Cassian makes his way to the house, Jezebel tries to straighten up a bit. He isn't particularly messy, but the house itself has some signs of decay -- one of the more charming aspects of it being so far on the outskirts.

Even if Cassian likely won't mind it much, there is a thrum of anxiety in him all the same. He didn't feel guilty for much from his life, but there was still such regret in him for not leaving with Cassian when he could, for not following the one person who'd truly looked after him.

(He remembers the way the building shook when he died, and how calm Cassian had been all the same. If he ever discovered that his own foolishness had gotten Cassian killed in that tower, he will never forgive himself.)

Jezebel answers the door only a moment after the knock without even bothering to check -- after all, who else could it be? Still, there is a swell of relief when he sees Cassian there, well and truly real in spite of everything.]

Hello, Cassian. Come inside.

[Something in his chest releases the coil it was in when Jezebel opens the door. This isn't some weird dream, he's really there and safe and away from Delilah. For once, it was just them, with no Cardmaster or other prying eyes in sight. Not ones that mattered, anyway.]

Thanks.

[He looks around the house a bit as he enters, a little surprised at the state it was in (he always imagined Jezebel living in some lavish cottage in the woods) but by that same mark, the distance from the town as a whole was clearly the appeal. Cassian had never lived anywhere but the city, but the lack of people certainly sounded nice.

That was something else he'd have to consider later, more realistically. Where was he going to stay? Hopefully somewhere close, if the doctor allowed.]

This place is huge. You live here alone?

[He meant it as less of a question than it necessarily sounded, it was just a lot of room for one person. It was kinda nice, the more he looked at it...in it's own, slightly decrepit way.

But he was avoiding what he really wanted to talk about and he knew it. Jezebel likely knew it too.]

[Jezebel stands off to one side while Cassian walks in, watching him look over the place. If he's truthful, he feels -- anxious, maybe? -- in a way that he never really has with Cassian before. After all, this is different -- they'd both last seen each other with the eyes of the dying, expecting to be greeted by the afterlife on the way out.

And instead they were here. Away from Delilah, away from his father. Not in a place resembling any kind of heaven, granted. But it was still something.]

Yes. I woke up here when I arrived. I thought it was a suitable enough place to set myself, so I've stayed here ever since.

[Tilting his head, he asks:] Did they assign you a house when you came here? Or an apartment, anything like that?

I like it.

[It was big, but it was Jezebel's and that meant he had a place that was safe and his to do what he wanted. Something he thoroughly deserved. It wouldn't surprise him if this place eventually got filled with plants and animals of all kinds.

He looked forward to seeing that.

Jezebel's question drew his mind from that idea. Did they? He had no idea. Worse, he didn't know what the 'right' answer was. He went with honesty. He didn't like the idea of lying to Jezebel, he'd had enough of that in his life, Cassian wouldn't add to it, not even little lies, if he could help it.

Avoiding topics that weren't necessary didn't count.]

I don't know. Does it matter? I'd rather be somewhere around here. In case you need me.

[Would he, now that he had his freedom? If he was honest with himself, Cassian wasn't exactly sure what his place in Jezebel's life was outside of Delilah, it was all either of them had; all they'd been allowed to have. Selfishly, he hoped there was a place for him. Whether or not he knew it, Jezebel had more than Delilah, he had Cassian.]

['In case you need me'.

The words send a pang of something sad and grateful through him all at once. He didn't deserve Cassian's loyalty, he knew that all too well after nearly watching him bleed to death. And yet he has it all the same, and he doubts he will ever stop wondering what he did to earn it.

Still, even beyond that, there is a feeling of relief, knowing that Cassian will be nearby. Which leads him towards something he'd already thought to offer, but hadn't quite known how to phrase before this...

Glancing aside, as if merely looking over the house itself, Jezebel says as casually as he's able to:]

It might be wise for you to stay here, then, at least for now. The beings in charge of this place seem to have promised us an especially cruel month, including the Sleepers turning on each other.

This house is out of the way enough that you'd likely be safer than somewhere in town.

[And if he never leaves, well, that's completely acceptable as well.]

[He hadn't been expecting any particular kind of answer when he'd said what he did, maybe a suggestion of an empty house nearby at the most. What he got instead still wasn't anything he would have guessed and he's sure his surprise is visible in his expression. He was never good at hiding what he was feeling, on top of the fact the doctor was very good at reading people anyway.]

Okay.

[It's out of his mouth before he can consider it or Jezebel can change his mind and take it back.]

I'll stay for now, you're right, it'll likely be safer.

[He could keep an eye on Jezebel too, protect him, if things got dicey. After it passed, maybe then he'd find his own place. Maybe.

The thought and the attached unnamed feelings that were too much to pick apart brought back the conversation from that weird dream and he suddenly felt a rush of shame. The doctor was offering his home to him and Cassian owed him so much more, starting with something simple.]

Thank you. Not just for the offer.

[He looked up and took a step closer, eyes intent on looking at Jezebel and hoping the doctor would meet them. Cassian needed him to know how much he meant what he was going to say.]

For the time you put into trying to help me, for actually doing it, for caring enough to consider any of it. I'm sorry I couldn't say it before, there's still...a lot, but I know that part. No one's ever done half as much as all that for me. So, really, thank you.

[When Cassian steps closer, he turns automatically to look at him, his surprise showing on his face. He had not expected such a response, especially not one so sincere and open. The more Cassian speaks, the more his heart swells, filled with a feeling of warmth that is entirely new to him.

There is some piece of him that feels unworthy of such gratitude. Yes, he had endured Cassandra and given Cassian a new body, but there was more he should have done.

I should not have let you get hurt because of me.

I should have left with you.

I should have realized everything sooner.

But he pushes those thoughts aside. It would be selfish to dump all of his regrets on Cassian when he is being so heartfelt. Instead, he wears a small smile, answering him:]

I had promised to get you your body when you joined me. I owed you that much. You were always an excellent assistant, far more than anyone could have asked for.

[That small, gentle, smile was one he'd really only seen on the doctor's face a few times and never directed at another person, it made that warmth swirl in him that he only associated with Jezebel, something small and fragile and precious. The smile and feeling, both. Cassian gave what paltry offering of a smile of his own back.]

You don't owe me anything, certainly not here. I don't know what your plan is or if you even still need one, but I'd like to stay your assistant, if I can.

[After everything, it didn't feel like the kind of partnership they'd started with, but they seemed good enough terms for now. He wasn't sure he was quite ready to go out on the limb that labeled them as friends, even if that was more what he felt. Not yet.]

[The offer to help him sends another swell of warmth through him, filling him with a soft, grateful feeling that he's sure he's never experienced before. When had anyone else ever been so loyal to him? He didn't think he could ever have expected it from anyone, and yet here they were, with Cassian offering to aid him so freely.

With a slightly wider smile, he nods.]

If you'd like. I work at the hospital and at the veterinarian clinic here in town. I know how capable you are, if you would like to aid me -- though I imagine my work will be less exciting than it was at Delilah.

[And if it's another reason for him and Cassian to remain close by, all the better. He would have understood entirely if the other man had acknowledged him here and gone off to build his own, separate life in town -- and yet here he was, so eager to stay close, with Jezebel just as eager to let him.

After a short beat, he adds in a lighter tone:]

Back at home, while you were healing, they assigned someone else to assist me in your stead. Never have I been more grateful for your capabilities than that time. He was a rotten, useless oaf.

['Less exciting' earns a soft chuckle from Cassian. Really, when was the last time he did 'normal' work that wasn't stealing or murder? Maybe Less exciting would be a nice change of pace.]

That's fine, I can work with less exciting. I don't know how much help I can be in a hospital, but I can probably lend a hand with the animals.

[Besides, one thing he doubted would change would be the strange looks they might get as a 'child' helped the doctor out, that seemed like it would be less of an issue in a vet clinic than a hospital.

At the mention of his replacement, he was very nearly affronted at the idea before remembering that wasn't at all surprising. He was only a trump card, there were many others around and even below him who would chomp at the bit to take his place.

In fact, he could think of just the boot-licking little fire-rat it probably was.]

It was The Arsonist, wasn't it? I'm sorry you had to deal with toad.

All right. Then the clinic it is. It's

[Strangely, the issues with Cassian's appearance don't even occur to him. After all, Cassian is an adult, and he knows it full well, and that's that. Why would he worry about what anyone else would think of it?

He forces himself not to grin a little at the very affronted expression that crosses Cassian's face. Truly, he had not wanted a replacement, but his father had insisted on it. Which made sense, given how quickly his new cohort had begun ratting him out.]

It was. He was an annoying man to deal with. I suppose I was lucky that Mikaela took care of him not too long afterwards.

[He didn't know if he was around to see that or not, but he's sorry he missed it either way. Mikaela was a spoiled brat, but he'd pick her over that shifty leech any day.]

I hope she set him on fire.

[He said it passively, though, like it didn't actually matter to him. He had a different question pushing forward.]

After that, though? Was there another replacement or..?

[Was he well enough to join him again? Had something gone wrong? Had he been turned into some other experiment?

Had he maybe gotten away? Had they gotten away? He wouldn't have wanted to leave without freeing the doctor too.]

[Jezebel laughs outright that.]

Something like that. If I recall correctly, she blew him up with his own device. Fitting, really.

[Cassian's question gives him pause, though. There's no reason to lie, not really, not about this part of what happened. Besides, Cassian would figure it out even if he tried.

Still, a sense of regret settles on him, remembering how it had all turned out in the end.

With a sad smile, he says:]

You were gone by then.

When you were well enough, you left Delilah for good. You had your freedom and your body, so you went off for a new life.

[He doesn't say 'good' but he was sure thinking it.

But that other part...didn't sit right with him.]

I...left?

[That didn't sound right. Didn't sound like him. This wasn't supposed to be all that far into his future, even if he did feel like he needed to leave, he would have tried to convince Jezebel to go with him, to get away.

Except he'd done that, hadn't he? His 'dying' breath and Jezebel had said in no uncertain terms he wouldn't be able to leave.

Yet, Cassian's stubbornness was likely only matched by the doctor himself. No, he must have left with some plan to come back.

What other 'life' did he really have when Jezebel was the reason he had it and was still trapped?

He shook his head.]

Well, I'm not leaving now.

[Jezebel wears a soft, bittersweet smile -- as if to show that he did not hold Cassian's leaving against him. If anything, he'd felt relief when he did, knowing that Cassian was free of Delilah, and free of his father.

If anything, he only regretted that he did not follow him.]

You were free. You had your new body and a new life ahead of you. I can't say I blame you for wanting to enjoy it.

[Still, the fact that Cassian says he's staying now is -- more heartening than he could easily admit to. It warms him, and a little more good humor filters into his smile.]

Well, then. If that's the case, I'll have to make sure to keep the spare room clean.

[Since Cassian will be staying there for the month. And, ideally, longer.]

[Having been here a month now, it wasn't that long ago that he had been the one asking for answers. Unfortunately, he's come to find that with every answer you get, about ten more unanswerable questions tend to pop up.

Still, he's charitable enough to answer what he can.]

The labyrinth appeared one day out of nowhere a couple of weeks back. From what I've heard from others who have been around longer, this place undergoes some strange transformation every month. If you want to know how or why, I couldn't say.

[He hadn't fully expected anyone to answer, his questions were rarely met with actual replies back home, unless he was talking to one of the doctors. It was sort of a pleasant surprise when the guy spoke up.]

Too bad. I would have been interested to hear the 'why.' [The 'how' didn't do him much good other than useless curiosity.]

So it's not permanent, it might change back? Or into something else?

We all would. But any answers you do find here tend to come in cryptic messages that almost make them meaningless. Unless...you enjoy solving riddles.

[He prefers straightforward answers himself.]

Right. I was told that there is some kind of major change at least once a month. It's the labyrinth for now. Who knows what it'll be next.

I don't.

[He also prefers straightforward answers, there was too much 'you'll see' and 'it's not for you to know' and 'in time, all will be clear' and other bull like that in Delilah. Even a straightforward 'I have no idea' was more refreshing in comparison.]

So it likes to keep the inhabitants on their toes? Okay.

[Rolling with the punches was something he could do, at least.]

Anything else I should know?

There's also this crazy nun called Mother Superior looking to kill all of us Sleepers. She made an announcement over the network a couple of weeks back that you should be able find if you go back far enough.

[See, he never did like the church. Now there's crazy nuns.]

Also good to know.

I'm...I'll try. The technology is a little [A lot] beyond what I'm used to. I'll figure it out.

If you scroll down far enough through past posts, you should eventually see a button that will show you more previous posts. It shouldn't be hard to find.

[That's about the best advice he can give. He doesn't find the network particularly difficult to use, but he also doesn't stop and think about the features that he finds self-explanatory often.]

[It would be easier if he could read what those buttons said, but that wasn't something he was about to come out and say. At least he'd accidentally found the one that read written things that got posted to him. Knowing where to look for the button would help.]

I'll look for it. Thank you again.

[There's a small beat before he decides a name would probably be useful since this guy had been fairly helpful.]

I'm Cassian.

I'm Alec.

I wish I had more information to offer but a lot of us are trying to collect the pieces of the story. There are people who have been around a lot longer than me though, so you might find out more from them.

[He's silent for a moment before haltingly tacking on:] Good luck.

An explanation for what is going on right now? Or just as to this entire situation in general?

[One is going to be a bit longer than the other and Maul prefers not to sit there rambling on for minutes on end if he can help it. He's not the laconic killing machine of his youth any longer but neither is he a chatter box.]

Right now. In general doesn't really matter, it is what it is.

[He had a feeling the letter he received was supposed to be helpful...but since he couldn't read it, it had done nothing for him. If he was right, then admitting he knew nothing of what was going on in general would put too much out there. More than he was willing to admit.]

Well, it's quite simple. You're at the whims of a child with the power of a god who might possible be mad and who is being manipulated by those who wish to use her power for themselves. Anything that happens can be completely attributed to that, including the murderous bear, the labyrinth walls, and the fact this place appears to be reaching a temperature hot enough to cook us where we stand.

[Once he'd accepted that and stopped fighting against the knowledge, Maul had grown far more comfortable living in this strange place.]

Oh. Yeah, simple.

[And...sadly, didn't sound that implausible? He'd spent too long with the Delilah organization if he was just accepting that with zero issue.]

Assuming you're not just messing with me, that's actually a really good breakdown.

Why would I mess with you?

[Aside from the phrase sounding stilted and weird on his tongue, Maul had found the truth was far more deadly a tool than lies could ever be.]

Because that's what people do.

[He doesn't say it defensively or with any sort of heat, just a statement of fact long-learned.]

If you're not, then thanks.

I am no liar. And is what can make one dangerous.

[Truth can have a much worse effect on someone than the most devastating lies ever could.]

Then you're one of few.

[Almost everyone he's ever known is a liar, if there were more that told truths, maybe things would be better. But Cassian didn't like dealing in 'what ifs.']

What's your name?

Truth always hurts, sometimes far worse than the most creative lies.

[He comes from a franchise based around so many of them after all.]

My name is Maul.

[Doesn't really seem to fit his voice, soft and velvety as it is, but certainly matches the face behind the audio.]

Yeah, I guess that's true.

[Delilah was certainly fond of their ugly truths over the decadent lies of the normal, non-criminal-organization people around them.]

Cassian. I appreciate the information, Maul.

[A weird name that felt weirder when he said it, but then he knew a guy who just called himself 'Owl' so who was he to judge? At least, out loud.]

[An odd enough name, to be certain, but one that made perfect sense for a Dathomirian Zabrak. He tilts his head in acknowledgement of the thanks.]

There is a guide that has been published that can be found on these devices written by someone here called Peter Parker. It can explain things much more thoroughly than I can.

I'll...

[All that talk about truths and here he was caught in the lamplight of his own. Still, it wasn't something he was looking to mention. Ever, if he could help it.]

I'll look for it.

[Not being able to read is going to be tough here, he can already tell.]

[Maul feels the hesitation behind the boy's words, but he can't pinpoint the exact reason why. He gives a brisk nod.]

Then I shall leave you to it.

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