Mask or Menace: IC Contact

[applewatcher]

[[Lucien is always happy to talk.]]

Comments

[applewatcher]

I found it watching from a rooftop. It was obsessed with the dragon's blood, and had plans to rule with it.

It insulted our Mother, and refused a chance to repent. I think it may have attempted to use the Voice, but I silenced it before it could speak again. When I cut its throat, it vanished.

I am... pleased to find that it was not you.

[fireandhoney]

It said that? Really? Not that I don't believe you, I just can't believe... By Sithis, this is what Paarthurnax meant.

[applewatcher]

It was peppering its speech with words I didn't recognize. It may have been speaking dragon tongue.

But you called for another matter. Is something wrong, Brother?

[fireandhoney]

Yeah, probably.

[He's obviously pretty shaken by this news.]

I might have reason to believe that I wasn't the only one who was coped.

[applewatcher]

Who else? We may not be specifically targeted by this. [Which would be a relief.]

These are particularly subtle illusions, nothing more. But we can't rule out more of them appearing, or what they might do. Your double felt solid, until it dissipated.

[fireandhoney]

I think Jonathan might have been a double. The one who carried out your contract.

[applewatcher]

Ah. That is a shame. I'm not sure the induction can possibly count, then.

[fireandhoney]

I doubt it. Best not to mention it to him, just in case.

[applewatcher]

If these illusions persist, it could be an honorary member. Like our Dark Guardians.

But this raises a further question: we don't know whether more of these things will appear, or how they are made. We don't know whether there may be one of me.

[fireandhoney]

I sure hope not. I'd rather not wind up killing you, even if it were just at trick.

Just so we're clear, I would never, ever use the Voice on you. Or insult Mother.

[applewatcher]

If you must, do so. But we should make sure you know I am myself. Until we find out what's causing this mess, I'll greet you by inquiring about the weather in Falkreath.

Again, I am relieved. I had thought this was the case, but without knowing what was happening, I was worried for you.

[fireandhoney]

Sounds like a plan. For all we know, that double might come back, or there may be more out there.

When this is all over, I'm treating you to lunch. You know, to make up for any emotional distress my s'wit double may have caused you.

[applewatcher]

The gesture is appreciated, but unnecessary. If you don't need it yourself, of course. I have dealt with insubordinate family members before.

However, I did not expect to ever do so to a Listener, illusory or otherwise.

[fireandhoney]

I mean, if I ever did go rogue, I'd want you to do something about it.

[applewatcher]

And I as well.

Though I'm sure you can understand that I have... complicated feelings on the subject.

[fireandhoney]

I know. I'd rather not have to put you in that position.

Believe it or not, I know what it's like to kill a sibling. I mean, it wasn't the same circumstances, but I still did it.

[applewatcher]

Oh? If you are willing to share, I would like to know what happened.

[fireandhoney]

You remember when I told you that the Falkreath Sanctuary got sacked? Well, that's because the Sanctuary Mistress, Astrid, sold me out to the Penitus Oculatus in exchange for them agreeing to let the family be. The Oculatus went back on their end of the deal.

I survived, obviously. Most of my family wasn't so lucky. Astrid didn't believe in the Night Mother, but she used her own charred, burned body as a Black Sacrament, to put a hit on herself. She repented for everything, right before she asked me to kill her.

I went through with it.