Kingdom Come

[ultima_mortis]

There is a myriad of suitable mounts in the world. Some are mounts for trophies, fastened to walls and awaiting their decorations. Some are more practical displays of weaponry, even if there’s no intention to execute the occasional rude houseguest. For those like Death, the most ideal mount is often the least expected. Sure, one can try a skeletal horse or a horse on fire, but one runs into the risks of being singed or simply rattling too much when riding around to be appropriately intimidating.

 

The Death of the Discworld rides a pale horse. It’s a grand stallion with a well-groomed mane. Death named him Binky. Binky’s residence in the Grey Country (that being Death’s personal pocket dimension from which he monitors all life) was a carefully constructed, if slightly Escher-esque stable connected to the mansion Death called home.

 

When one is so used to using the many conduits of the world, it’s easier than one might think to suddenly find themselves in a wholly unfamiliar location. Death looks up from an hourglass in his hand and peers around at the queer state of the Nexus. Pocket dimension, to be sure. It’s exact measurements…less obvious. If Death had the flesh to do so, he’d be biting his lip in a certain amount of confusion. He leaned down a bit to rub Binky’s neck, earning a snort from the horse.

 

OH DEAR. The voice of Death is beyond mere vibrations of air. It sinks into the very soul, like the sound of a coffin lid having the last nail put into place. BINKY, WE ARE NOT ANYWHERE NEAR THE DISC, ARE WE?

Comments

[welcomingembrace]

He is not the only Death in the Nexus. This one happens to be near, balancing on a railing that was lining part of the street. She looks at first the pale horse, and then the ride, with a little interest.

She taps her umbrella against the railing and jumps down. Walking closer.

"Some might be a little anxious, hearing your voice in the air like that."

She blinks up at him. "But I am guessing that you are not around the living often."

[ultima_mortis]

WERE I EQUIPPED WITH A DIFFERENT WAY TO SPEAK, I WOULD. I'VE BEEN TOLD IT'S A BIT...DAUNTING.

He looks the Death up and down and there's a flicker in the singular blue sparks that reside deep in the sockets of his eyes.

I SUSPECT OUR DOMINIONS ARE QUITE DIFFERENT. I AM OF THE DISCWORLD, BALANCED UPON THE ELEPHANTS THAT BALANCE LIKEWISE ON THE TURTLE GREAT A'TUIN.

[welcomingembrace]

"I am of the Endless. We exist everywhere. And nowhere. I meet with the recently deceased and guide them into their new existence." She lifts a hand in greeting.

"Can I pet your horse?"

[ultima_mortis]

A BIT LIKE THAT UNFORTUNATE CAT. I DON'T CONCERN MYSELF WITH THE NEW EXISTENCE, BUT I DO TAKE MY ROLE SERIOUSLY IN SETTING THEM ON THE CORRECT PATH.

Death looks at Binky and back at the other Death. FEEL FREE. HE'S A DELIGHT, IF A BIT ANTSY.

[welcomingembrace]

"You will discover that there are those here... who have died in their dimensions. And their path led them here." Death notes to him.

She steps forward and reaches out to pet Binky, if he lets her.

[ultima_mortis]

IF THIS IS WHERE THEY WERE MEANT TO COME, THEN IT ALL WORKS OUT. I'LL LET THEM IN PEACE.

Binky is happy to bow his head a little. He knows a Death when he sees one and the strangest of people are the ones he trusts the most. The horse is content to be pet and even playfully nips at her hand.

YOU ARE A BIT MORE HUMAN THAN MOST LIKE US. HOW DID YOU COME TO HAVE YOUR FORM?

[welcomingembrace]

"I took the form of humans, when they first came into existence. I found it was easier to lead them on their path, in a form they felt familiar with." Death answers.

"It is one of many I take."

[ultima_mortis]

IN A SENSE, I DID THE SAME THING, BUT I WENT WITH THE SHAPE OF THE RESULTS RATHER THAN THE SHAPE OF THE SUBJECT ITSELF. He regards Death's form for a few seconds. YOU DO FIT THE ROLE, IN YOUR OWN WAY. WE ARE ALWAYS A BIT PALE AND DRESSED IN BLACK.