[Dragon Mail: The Ahura]

[winterwhite]

I have heard of your troubles, albeit briefly. I apologize if this is ill-timed. I would offer my services to you if I could, but as of present I am incapable of doing so.

On a somewhat related note, do you know of a young man called Gabriel Chen?

Comments

[brokencrescendo]

I appreciate the sentiment.

[That would be useful right now. But what can anyone do?]

[wait what happened to Gabriel]

Yes. We used to live together.

[winterwhite]

If all goes well I should be able to be of some assistance eventually.

Mm, I only wanted to make sure. You know the Asha has disappeared, yes?

[brokencrescendo]

If you're sure. I know this isn't something to be taken lightly.

Yes, I know. [From Gabriel...]

Is Gabriel all right?

[winterwhite]

I already have several close to me involved in this. It is only natural I should be involved myself.

He is well. The Asha trusts him, which seems to have kept him from harm, inadvertent or otherwise.

How well do you think he will take becoming Asha?

[brokencrescendo]

[Mm. That's why people fight... And part of why he has to do this. He has those he thinks of, and so does everyone el--]

[adsfkafkafa]

Why would you need to ask that?

But the Asha isn't dead. [That's usually what present tense means.]

[winterwhite]

Not yet, no...

[brokencrescendo]

Then why would Gabriel become the Asha? We don't need more people to die.

[... It doesn't much answer her question.]

I don't think he'd want this. A mage, maybe. But as the Asha he'd be dragged into this without a way to escape it. He has a life back on Earth he's tried to stick with.

[winterwhite]

Do you think it possible for the Asha now to function as he needs to? You have seen him. It has gotten no better. He came here in search of you and found Gabriel.

The boy is already named. I teach him what I can. There is no time to look for another we could trust. And this is not a matter of skill or want. It is need.

...and it seems cruel, I think, to make him continue...

[brokencrescendo]

I'm not going to agree to his death just because it's more convenient.
[He doesn't send this. He tries a few more scribbles, he smacks his head against the wall, and he leans there a while.]

What is it the Asha wants?

[Why does it have to be Gabriel? She just said, but... why...]
[Because he was close to Rhys, ultimately.]

[winterwhite]

The Asha desires Gabriel to succeed him. That he has not already has been a delay on my part.

I am not certain of it myself. And I do not wish for him to die. I have no answers of my own, nor do I think I ever will until he dies.

[brokencrescendo]

But why? If he's lucid enough for that, isn't there still hope somewhere?

[And Reilanin doesn't even know--]
There has to be some other option.

[winterwhite]

It is not constant, his lucidity. It is a great deal of work simply to keep him calm. He is perpetually afraid, and if he does not die from some outside contrivance, he may still die from shock or hunger. He is not well. And the longer he lives, the more a chance he has at truly harming someone.

I do not say this easily, Rhys. It is not what I want. If there were another option, I would have turned to it. This is all there is. There is no one suited on this Earth to take the place of the Asha. The same could be said for any one of you that has succeeded the guild leaders.

...he watches the news. Things have begun happening across the world. He believes the lack of succession is what is causing it.

[brokencrescendo]

So what are we saying? That innocent people have to die so the rest can go on living?

[He can't take this out on Reilanin. But he still writes it out and throws it in a crumpled ball at the corner of the room.]

That theory's been brought up before. Do you think he's right?

[winterwhite]

Yes.

Perhaps it is what happened to Bastan. The Mano had just gone missing, had she not?

[brokencrescendo]

Yes. It's probable that she died.


Does Gabriel know?

[winterwhite]

...yes. I ... I think so. He does not seem to be concerning himself with it much.

[brokencrescendo]

Is there anything I can do?

[winterwhite]

What do you think you should do?

[brokencrescendo]

Stop this, somehow. Find another way. Protect the Asha. Keep Gabriel safe. Not have so much unknown at risk.

[winterwhite]

It is not all possible, and your time is limited. You must make choices before they are made for you.

And there are some things you do not have the power to change. Great as your power may be, it cannot solve everything. Nor is it expected of you to. You are one of many. Each of those possessing an organ have their strengths and weaknesses. You will take care of that which you are best suited to. It is no failing on your part if you cannot do all that you wish you could.

[brokencrescendo]

[None of this is what he wants to hear, but it's all true.]
[His power is the ability to fight...]

Thank you for being there with them as this happens.
I know you'll do what you feel is best.

[winterwhite]

I wish I were not. But until this is done, this is where I must be.

I will do what I can. I have not said anything to him of what is going on. He has distractions enough...

[brokencrescendo]

There is no need for it. He should focus on himself right now.

I want you to take care of yourself, too.

[winterwhite]

If I am able, I will tell him then.

It is the least I can do for myself now. If all goes well, I must be ready to help upon my return. I must keep in mind that it may be nothing at all will happen.

[brokencrescendo]

Don't push yourself too hard.
I know I'd appreciate your help, and so would others here. But we'd appreciate it more if you kept well.

[winterwhite]

I am not as frail as I appear. Given that I am not expending my mana is some fantastic way, I am far from pushing myself. I will be fine.

Your limitations are far different. Please look after them accordingly.

[brokencrescendo]

[w/e Rei you're not his real mom]

Right. Good luck.
Write me if you need to.

[winterwhite]

[she'll never be anyone's real mom rhys omg ;-;]

And to you also.