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

[itmeanstruth]

That voice had an uneasy feeling to it that shook Minoru - mere mortal that he was - to his core. And yet, somehow he had the presence of mind to listen and the audacity to respond.

He approached the skeleton on horseback, holding up the latest CD from Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. It might not have been THE disc, but it was A disc. And a damn good disc at that. Definitely worth finding.

“Will this one work?”

[ultima_mortis]

Death's voice always had that effect. Nothing sparked fear and obedience like the finality of his words. He has no idea what to do with the CD, although he can take an educated guess or two.

I'M NOT SURE WHAT KIND OF DISC THAT IS, BUT IT IS NOT THE ONE I COME FROM. THE DISCWORLD IS AN ENTIRE PLANET.

Best icon ever.

[itmeanstruth]

Minoru wasn’t petrified, but he couldn’t completely mask the primal fear in his voice when he answered, “...the kind that plays music?”

No, the CD wasn’t an entire planet. But it was made by someone from a different planet! And if Death wanted to take it, he was welcome to. Minoru could always buy another copy.

“I don’t know any disc worlds. All the ones I’ve ever heard of are round.”

Re: Best icon ever.

[ultima_mortis]

Death will take the CD, but he won't have a clue in the world what to do with it. It certainly looked interesting, and that was the important bit.

I HAVE HEARD OF THESE ROUND WORLDS SHAPED IN A ROUGHLY SPHERICAL MANNER. THEY SOUND SO ODD TO ME. I OFTEN WONDER AT HOW PEOPLE MANAGE NOT TO FALL OFF.

[itmeanstruth]

That last part helped to break the ice. Minoru couldn’t help but laugh a little - even though he really didn’t have a good answer.

“It’s supposed to be gravity or something, I think. I don’t really know how that works. If Isamu were here, he’d know. He’d probably know what worlds were shaped like discs too if he’s ever read about one.”

[ultima_mortis]

I AM WELL AWARE OF GRAVITY. It's a force of nature and death alike. Bit of a shame when people get pancaked, though. IF THAT IS EVEN HALF THE TRUTH OF HOW IT WORKS, THEN I AM IMPRESSED WITH THESE ROUND WORLDS.

[itmeanstruth]

Minoru shrugged. He really didn’t know what made a world round, or flat really. He kind of just took for granted that one was always underfoot.

“Sorry I can’t be of much help.” He scratched his head.

[ultima_mortis]

YOU ARE MAKING AN HONEST ATTEMPT TO HELP, EVEN WHEN FEELING A BIT OUT OF YOUR LEAGUE. PEOPLE ARE GOOD AT THAT SORT OF THING.

Don't feel bad, Minoru! Death is far more forgiving that he looks.