[video] Backdated to the 5-6-ish (before the event)

[controlsthedie]

[ Throughout the video, Thanatos glances down a few times. He's written notes about what he wants to say in hopes of being able to say it instead of stopping midway and giving into the urge to disappear. Mort is on his shoulder, lightly tugging on Thanatos's hood to remind him of his presence, and, more importantly, his support. To say that gentle Death Incarnate is at a loss would be an understatement. ]

Since a number of us are soliciting the train for information, I might as well ask a question of my own. Who among you have come from a world where mortal life can no longer sustain itself and would be willing to talk about it? And what was done after?

[ The message seems like it would end at that, but Mort gives a soft squeak. Thanatos exhales and continues. ]

I cannot ignore that death has been absent from a famished world for over five months now. It's no longer an issue of preventing a collapse. The damage has been done. It's what to do once I clean up the mess my absence has caused. If after releasing those suffering there is... any life left. Able to still live. There's... no reason for Death to exist if there is no Life. And there was never a...

[ He doesn't finish that sentence. There's something about him that is just grieving and heartbroken. Death loves Life, after all.

That said, there is something... freeing to know that no matter what now, he's failed. He's too late. Thanatos no longer needs to think of "what-if." It's done. ]

I know that topics relating to death are unpleasant with mortals, so if you would rather speak in-person, I understand. Name a location, and I shall meet you there.

[[ OOC: This can stay as a network conversation or end up as an in-person thread. ]]

Comments

[thawed_pride]

It is known, but not tested to an extent that I would be comfortable asserting its safety or reliability. I am ashamed to say that our experiments in extracting human hearts were not done with the safety of the subjects in mind.

[He sighs and shakes his head, tapping his chin with one finger and practically muttering to himself.]

Perhaps it would be simpler and safer to come up with a way to spread a Life spell across a wide area. Though the mana requirement of such an endeavor would be astronomical, even by my own standards...

[controlsthedie]

... What if you could use a god's power to help with the cost?

[ Could Thanatos power something like that? ]

[thawed_pride]

That could be feasible. I am certain that for a god, providing enough raw power to affect entire populations would be a simple matter. Thus, the question becomes 'what would be necessary to channel someone else's power into my own spell', unless it would be possible for you to learn such magic yourself.

[controlsthedie]

... I...

[ He thinks about how Ryo believes that maybe the life powers he had on Jinnjar somehow changed to be related to Mort. Or affecting Mort. Who's to say?

But even if he couldn't learn to use life related magic because he's Death, he would take upon any cost to himself to allow Life to still exist on his world. ]

I would be willing to try.

[thawed_pride]

It is complicated magic, so do not expect to master it quickly...but I am already preparing a plan for teaching another the same spells, so it should not be much additional effort to add a second student.

[controlsthedie]

Unlike other death entities who have been on this train, I am only Death. I hold no illusion that this will be hard or impossible for me to grasp. It will not reflect on your teaching. Simply on me.

[ Thanatos pauses. ]

A second student? Would they object to my presence?

[ Although, if he knew who Vexen spoke of, his tune would quickly change. ]