FOR MALIK

[duranduel]

Comments

[godcards]

Right... but if I don't have to, I'd rather have someone else do it. There's plenty of people here who know how to cook.

[ why exert the effort if someone else wants to? work smarter not harder! ]

[duranduel]

Well, of course. But think of it as a tool you can use later. You can keep it on your belt.

[godcards]

I really hope I'm never in a situation where I have to use it.

[ look. sometimes you get accustomed to always having someone else do things for you, so the thought of being actually, for real, self-sufficient is foreign and bizarre. ]

[duranduel]

You can hope all one wants. But hope doesn't stop things from happening. Like carrying a shield. You hope nobody attacks you, but are prepared in the case someone does.

[godcards]

[ he finally pulls his hand away from mandi's (but gently). ]

I have other means of protection under normal circumstances. I don't think that's comparable to being able to make a meal. I always have someone else around to do things like that for me. If it gets to the point that I no longer have that, then I... am not going to be in a very good place.

[duranduel]

[He looks down as they detach, but doesn't move, just blinking back up at Malik.]

You can't always predict what might happen. But still. It's something to think about.

[godcards]

I'll keep it in mind. [ said flatly. will he? yes. but will he actually utilize these skills? god he really hopes not. ]

[duranduel]

Good. Please do.

[Nodding! Sipping tea!]

...You know...after your goal is done...will you stay in Egypt?

[godcards]

[ malik has been sipping away to punctuate his sentences, because his throat is weirdly dry? hm. ]

I left Egypt years ago. I've been traveling... I was in Japan before I came here. I'm not going back until my goal has been definitely achieved.

[duranduel]

Japan...?

[A tilt of his head.]

So the Pharaoh is there?

[godcards]

Yes. His soul was sealed in an ancient artifact long ago. That artifact was stolen from Egypt and nobody knew where it was. I spent years searching, but it's only been recently that I was able to confirm the Pharaoh's whereabouts. It seems he finally chose a vessel to inhabit...

[duranduel]

So...will you go and destroy that artifact, then?

[godcards]

I am. I will destroy the artifact and scatter it so far apart it can never be put together again... He will never reach the afterlife.

[ there's also like, extra steps involved but that's extraneous and besides the point. ]

[duranduel]

[do the extra steps involve murder]

Mmm. That's very thorough. Maybe throw some parts in the ocean just to be sure.

[godcards]

[ potentially! ]

I think I will. There has to be zero chance he'll ever be resurrected again.

[duranduel]

And what comes next for you, if that happens? You just go and have your own life?

[godcards]

Hopefully. [ he doesn't sound as hype for this part. maybe a little unsure? ]

As long as he isn't around anymore, there's no need for Tombkeepers.

[duranduel]

...

You can be your own self, free of obligation.

[godcards]

Yes... And that's something I'm looking forward to, but... I don't really know what that's like.

[ the concept of doing whatever he wants is very neat! but what does that mean in the long term? his life has always had structure so what happens when that goes away?? ]

[duranduel]

A new life...well, you just have to watch people, I think. See what they do, see if it works for you.

And you always have the option to change what you do...I became an adventurer, myself.

[godcards]

That sounds nice... I might do something similar. I want to see what the world is really like.

[duranduel]

I recommend it. I left to get revenge on my father, but also it was a way to move into another life.

No obligations at all. I would just take on any task that came at me, regardless of what it was.

[godcards]

It just feels... like it isn't real. I've never had a life like that, even though I wanted it.

[ rests his head on his hand. hm. ]

I think I'll take my bike out and just ride around for a while until I figure out what I want to do with my newfound freedom.

[duranduel]

[He nods at that first part. To want something a lot...he might Vibe, but he still gets that. But-]

You have a bike?

[He tilts his head.]

That's cool.

[godcards]

It's a motorcycle.

[ he wants to make this VERY clear that it isn't a bicycle or any other inferior mode of transportation. ]