Karakael

hok_ton @ 2009-12-21T12:45:00

2009-12-21T17:45:57Z

((ooc: Posting this now, with the knowledge that the scenes referenced will be elaborated upon later.))

A young man walks by, humming under his breath, his head buried in the sheaf of music clutched in his hand. Yet the memories, when the come, are not of that man a thousand years dead, images blurred by time an guilt, but rather the clear, pristine lies the community has spun for its game. Fifteen years of memories wrapped up in a single, true name: Elloran.

He, the watcher, will feel guilt later, when he revisits these addicting lies. He can wish his relationship with the younger man could have been so simple - even as the lies blur with reality and he mentally chronicles his true journey from mentor to friend. Would that his life were so simple, composed of Latin and History and a scholarly passion for tragedy. Would that the boy-turned-man before him remain forever locked in that moment of concentration, not yet realizing that he lived a lie. Let his innocence last.

How many dreams had been indirectly filled by this seemingly simple virus? Home, family, career - easy enough to achieve in such an 'alternate universe' yet nigh impossible in the twisted reality they called home. And what of harder wishes? Love, certanty, purpose...and harder still, that innocent simplicity that steals away the depth and distrust their respective pasts force upon them. To live so close to 'happy', with friends and family, lovers and ironically perfect careers, and for once to have a beautifully certain purpose...how cruel it is, then, when the musician glances up and catches the Latin teachers eye and - in an instant - the virus is broken.

Time tears them apart, leaving behind only expressions and memories - expressions that will be branded in memories for years to come. From one there is confusion as a friend transforms into a scarred monster, impossibly alien, ancient and weathered, yet impossibly familiar. From the other the overwhelming pain of realization and acceptance of the pain that he is just beginning to realize. The expressions fade with the disappearing faces, leaving only the memories.

"Kaaree. Just the man I was looking for. This is Ellie. You know, the former Dean's boy? Terrible story, I know. But listen, would you be able to watch him for the weekend? I simply can't miss this conference. I knew you'd be the one to come to, old chap."

"I must admit, I do not like children much, despite the charity works they attribute to me. But I imagine we can both agree that your guardian is an ass, correct?"

"Shhh. It's alright. Your father cared very much for you. I'm sure he never meant for this to happen."

"Do you really mean it? I've got a good voice?"

"Ugh, even if I was castrated, its not like I would loose anything. At least, nothing as important as my voice."

"He wants me to go into Seminary. I guess that was your suggestion?"

"Certainly, you can sit in on one of my classes. Do try to be quiet, though. I'm afraid these students are not as advanced as you, despite their age."

"Karakael. I'm gay."

"Boy, do you think I didn't know?"

"What do you mean, your father kicked you out?"

"This is Steve. He's in my band."

"You can't...no, you don't need to do this. I can pay my own way."

"I thought...maybe we were the same."

"I do not appreciate what you did to my translation. No, I am not laughing, why would you think that?"

"Why would I care what your former guardian thinks?"

"Of course I'll come to your concert. No, I will not need free tickets. I've already reserved mine."

"I thought I might take up teaching, like you."

"Please don't tell them. I don't...I don't want to be treated different because of what I am."

"I accept you. How many times do I have to say it, child? From the first damn time I picked you up and let you cry on my shoulder, you've been my responsibility. You think I'm going to let that go now? If you need to be with him, then go. I'll take your class."

"Dear sir, I will be resigning my tenure at this university, effective as of the end of this semester. While I have over looked slights to my honor and attacks on my dignity, I cannot idly stand by and accept the treatment of one of my students. Signed - Karakael. P.S. Be warned, I do not take lightly to threats leveled at those I consider my family. Expect the federal investigation to be occurring shortly."

[log: dinner with god : opposite perspectives]

2009-10-11T19:48:28Z

Karakael had barely remembered his anniversary. And such an important one too. Ten years The Visitor had known him - and that time was more than tripled for him thanks to the speed at which his universe ran. He would be eternally grateful for the girl from the community who had reminded him.

As it was, he had managed to entertain and distract all of his childsoldiers to the extent that they did not notice when he slipped into the overcosm and away from their watchful eyes. He had ensured that the planet they would have their date on was not going to erupt into conflict, that the city they were staying in had quieted its race related problems, that the street was still in the high rent area, and that the cafe would have a quiet, slow evening. With any luck, Lorah would have no inkling as to how many weeks of careful planing had gone into creating this night.

She always did hate his flare for the dramatic.

So he picked her up quietly, avoiding the prying eyes of her Guardians with practiced ease. The Visitor was waiting, smiling slightly with the smirk that was her normal expression. She had managed to tone down her inhuman qualities for the evening - her form only shifted slightly as he bowed and complemented her. No matter what face she chose to wear he found her beautiful - but the Inquestor knew she despised such complements, believing them to be mostly lies. In her case, he truly believed it. Even at her most frightening Lorah possessed all the strength and dignity that he himself had always struggled to attain.

He chatted to her amicably as he navigated their way through the Overcosm, knowing the chaotic wasteland still disturbed her, even though she was loath to admit it. Their conversation ranged from the topics of his most recent research subjects, to some difficulties she was having destroying a new religion that had cropped up on her world. By the time they had reached the cafe they had only scratched the surface of her current difficulties. It was a fascinating subject.

Karakael pulled a chair out for his companion, then laughed when she flipped him back into his seat from the perceived insult. The Visitor could pull out her own chair, thank you. He let her order the wine, having picked the list himself. They bantered back and forth over the appetizers, and he pointed out the amazing sunset that had been his reason for picking this world. She made appropriately appreciative sounds, then they spend the next few minutes watching the pedestrians walk by. Humans in his galaxy were far more diverse than those on her world, despite her attempts to diversify them. He slipped away to speak with the waiter while she was distracted by a four-armed bear-like human who was juggling cantaloupe.

He returned with their food, and found her gazing at him, a small smile on her face. He hid a blush with practiced ease, and bowed elaborately over the meal, making her laugh at his over the top pantomime.

The food was amazing. He knew it would be, and hoped she appreciated it. It was so hard to tell with her. Ellora had such a capacity for randomness, and it always astounded him when she exposed it - such as when she casually brushed his hand and caught his eye.

She had changed over the evening, as he knew she would, going from a black woman with close cropped hair to a woman with pale skin and freckles. Now she looked at him from an aspect with long graying hair and deep chiseled lines in her face. Her eyes where what changed fastest - spinning the color wheel constantly so her irises seemed to twist and dance. He could loose himself in those eyes - had done it before, in fact, though he couldn't for the life of him remember when.

Those eyes reminded him how different they were, how he could loose himself in her and never find a way out, how he was so insignificant in her life, and could be forgotten like all the rest...her touch broke his moment of doubt, and he dropped his eyes at the touch of skin against fabric.

One must accept transience - that was what her namesake had once told him. All things die and change, and Elloran had known that more instinctively than most. Perhaps it was wrong to call such an awesome creature by his old friends name. Elloran was fixed in the past, a memory that would fade with time, while Ellorah was permanent despite her ever changing form.

She caught his chin, and for a moment he felt ashamed of what he was and what he could never be. Skin on fabric, his errors and triumphs sketched forever into his face. Karakael paused before raising his head, mentally shaking away the doubt. He was not much of a consort, were he to let his own worries and inadequacies get in the way of his relationship with his Lady.

"Thank you. For the evening." She whispered, before dropping her hand as he realized that she had not flinched, at all from his touch. He loved her for that very reason, and smiled as he kissed her hand in a parody of thanks.

hok_ton @ 2009-08-14T11:34:00

2009-08-14T17:32:45Z

ooc: There are three scenes I've used from the book The Throne of Madness to make Karakael and Ellorans most recent video post. I cannot do the scenes justice - not by a long shot! So, in reference, here they are in full, as the original author wrote them.

-----------
A voice, cynical, familiar, said, "Illusion, Rikeh, all is illusion."

"Karakael!"

Arryk could not know for sure; for beneath the four masks was another mask, of course, a mask of gold in whose cheeks were incised scars f iridium, and whose eyebrows were set with hair-thin crystals of diamant.

"Quite the hysterical performance you gave, lad, for your friends' benefit!"

Arryk looked at the floor. Plastiflesh was seething as it dissolved into the floor. The hair was writhing as thought it were alive. "Why have you come?" he said. "Why did you try to trick me?"

"I want to know where you stand, Arryk, in a game of makrugh, that I am preparing. You're invited, of course; any Inquestor who dares to brave my vicious endgame is welcome at Kilimindi. But first, the Convocation has a mission for you: a utopia hunt."

"I have a different game to play now, Ton Karakael. I am on their trail."

"The utopia which you are to hunt, lad, is their trail. It is called Shtoma, and is at the far periphery of the Dispersal of Man. A dozen Inquestors have failed to crack its secrets; I trust you will succeed."

"Shtoma...where Davaryush..."

"Exactly. If Shtoma is the source of this terrible heresy, son, you will probably also find there the way to destroy your enemies, Kelver and Siriss."

"They are not my-"

"Yes. You loved them once. Now you no longer love them. Don't you remember the void?"

"I remember," said Arryk, feeling once more the talons of that terrible pain. "I no longer love them." But as he spoke he realized that he had obeyed without thinking, without feeling, as a sevocorpse obeys.

---------

And now Varuneh spoke again, after the commotion had died down a little:
"Listen, all of you. There will be war; brutal war, a war of lover against lover. The story of the Inquest is the story of that brutalized boy who will not show his face." She pointed at Karakael. "For we have turned away from our private pains; we have masked ourselves as gods, thinking that we do good by confining our hatred and our anger into an elaborate game. I, too, thought as you do once. It was I who invented the game of makrugh, Inquestors. But now I, its creator, turn my back on it. We never banished our dark selves. We only chained them deep within us, and they fed well, and grew strong. We are no longer of the light. But now the boy has come. And as we once sought to be saviors of the universe, he will be our savior. Now we will all shed our masks. When we can hate again, we will be able to love again. That is why we will have this war; not nameless soldiers, not peasants on a distant planet, but we, the gods. Some will fight for the control of this pocket universe of ours; others will fight for the right to relinquish that control. And it is this war in heaven that will free our myriad earths, and bring back the homeworld of the heart."

One by one the last Inquestors unmasked themselves. They had taken sides now, mostly; those on Arryk's side of the chamber, beyond the chariot of the sun, were about equal in number to those who stood behind Kelver. Then the one who had been wearing the Mask of the Fool spoke: "Oh, Kaarye. You should know who your true friends are. I could never have been so treacherous as you imagined." He took off his mask; it was Elloran. "I came today only out of deference to our old friendship, and from simple curiosity..." He walked over to Karakael and touched him tenderly on the shoulder.

And Karakael whispered - it was inaudible, but Siriss could lipread the words - "Atta heng, Hokh'Ton; you have vanquished me."

"Never, Kaarye, never," said Elloran. And Siriss herself wanted to say some little word of comfort; but she was moved beyond words, beyond tears.

------

The lights were dim now; only Varuneh and Karakael were left in the cavernous hall.

"The time for masks is over, Kaarye," she said softly.

"Yes." But he did not move.

"You fool! You foolish child! Here you stand in the ruins of your own vulgarity. Come to your senses!"

The mask of gold and ivory fell to the floor. It rested on the shimmercloak where the ashes of Ynyoldeh lay, still smoking a little. Poor Ynyoldeh, Varuneh thought. In her own twisted way she was the most compassionate.

And wonderingly she looked into the face of Karakael, whom she had once found weeping in an alleyway five hundred years before.

"Not much to see, is there, Vara?" Karakael said, and he smiled a little.

"You will heal." She could not be cruel to him. She had used up her last reserves of cruelty. She put her hand to his face, then flinched involuntarily. For she had touched some rough fabric. Yes, it was still there, the mask of sackcloth; skin had grown over it where it had clung too long, and the mask and the face where meshed together, inextricable.

"Poor Kaarye. What will you do now?"

A small voice: "The breaking of joy is the beginning of wisdom."

Varuneh wept.

-------

Notes: To put the last two scenes into perspective: They take place at the end of the event that Karakael spoke of in the first scene. During the course of the game, Varuneh tells a story that is reveled to be Karakaels history. It involves how he had been abused and scarred as a child. (A history that forced this mun to abandon the book series for two years, as it was a bit too traumatizing for a kid to understand.) When Karakael reveals his face in the last scene, it is the first time he has been 'unmasked' in over five hundred years.

There were only two people in all of the Inquest that knew his history - one being Varuneh, the Inquestrix who discovered and elevated him, the other being his lover, Ynyoldeh. Since both of those women were presumed dead during the course of the game, Karakael honestly thought that it was Elloran who was revealing his secrets for political gain, having learned them from Ynyoldeh.

So during the course of 'his' party, Karakael finds out his lover has committed suicide, has the past he was trying desperately to repress exposed in front of an entire room of people to make a point, and believes himself to be betrayed by his best friend.

[back dated: dream virus]

2009-07-01T16:48:15Z

The video opens into the middle of a dream, seen from the perspective of one of the characters. His (for Karakael is the viewer in this memoried dream) eyes are focused on a young woman, one who seems to be painted all in white - white hair, pale skin - the only color coming from the pinkish cloak thrown over her shoulders. She is speaking passionately to a large audience, but her words seem blurred, indecipherable. They instead bring to mind images, seen splashed in the background, of burning planets, pain and suffering, children fighting for unnecessary wars.

The faces of the children may seem familiar, to those who have met Karakaels childsoldiers.

The view quickly scans the audience, focusing on faces - two young men, their eyes filled with hatred for the other and brimming with an almost tangible power, a glance at an empty space that flickers with a figure who should have been there but died long before, an old woman face sad and lonely colored by memory into blue. And finally an elderly man, holding himself strong, his eyes kind, nodding slightly at the girls words. The view focuses closer on his face then spins back to the speaker. The image blurs as if the view is holding back tears.

Then the image clears, as if the viewer gained a new resolve. A hand raises, and shout can be heard. The words, just as those spoken by the girl, are warped by time, barely remembered. But the meaning is clear, as are the shocked expressions of the audience.

What is it like, watching oneself burn? A final glance at friends and companions, as flickering rainbow colors take over, and the vision darkens. The last images those of others bursting into flame as well, first the old man, image overlayed with that of what he was when he was young - Elloran. Then the others, ending as the lights dim with the white haired girl, tears turning into flames as they trickle down her face, smiling as she sees her end.

[Super!Locked from Elloran]

2009-04-03T18:17:29Z

No.

No.

No.

He has been dead for five thousand years. I saw him die. It was one of - it was my last memory of the Inquest. He died so that humanity might live...

When I spoke to him a month ago it was a fluke, a blip in the space-time continuum. It is not possible that he could be here. Now. Speaking to me across time and space on this infernal device.

He died in flame at my suggestion and now the child that will be him is here.

And now I must play the part I abandoned so long ago. Gods damn us all.

Memories and incidents

2009-03-30T00:53:42Z

Personal Archive: Hok'Ton Karakael
Entry Type: Voice, transcribed
Subject: Thoughts on scouting mission number...

Damn. [His voice shakes slightly, and there is a rustle of fabric]

Thoughts on meeting an old friend.
Personal Date: approximately fifteen thousand four hundred twenty six years since the fall of the Inquest.
Official Date: 10673 P.F.

Why? That is the question I must ask, despite the unfortunate answer I can see before me. Why? The answer seems to be simply “chance”.

The odds are astronomical, but not impossible. I knew it was possible that I could discover a world that still chafed under the hand of the Inquest. Time dilation is a force almost impossible to oppose, and the Overcosm is little simpler. We knew, even during the height of the Inquest, that the empire stretched across both time and space. It was no trouble to us – if it took forty years to travel to a planet and only two to return, how was that a problem? Yet our empire did stretch across time and space – into the future as well as the past.

All of which would be well and good, assuming no one was ever to travel linearly through the universe, observing ‘normal’ time in his or her travels. Unfortunately, through the assistance of the Darkling Wind, I am able to do exactly that.

It only recently y became apparent what a danger this could pose. A world where the Inquest could still exist – where Inquestors still had power, where heretics were still persecuted, a world that did not know that which was to come…and above all, a world where Inquestors – figures from my past but their own present – could walk through the streets at any time.

The planets I had been exploring were obviously farther in ‘my’ past than any others I had experienced. Yet a ten thousand or more year difference? Even I doubted the Overcosm was that twisted. So when Vara insisted I continue my investigation I acquiesced, bringing me to a planet lost in a convoluted swirl of the Overcosm called Celak-tisal.

* * *

It was an acceptable planet. Not particularly interesting or unique – the kind that could be sacrificed with little loss. Not a world an Inquestor would care for, or visit often. Celak-tisal was hardly a Utopia, but it was…pleasant.

Still, I should have fled it upon realizing the people still believed the Inquest existed.

But there are other worlds that hold stubbornly to that same belief, despite seeing the battles in their own skies. The myth of the Inquest still lives, despite its death several thousand years ago.

And even if the impossible was true, the odds of any Inquestor visiting this virtual backwater were astronomically high. I would have been there less than a standard month, heavily disguised, no obvious signs of my former station – were any Inquestor to pass he or she would hardly spare a glance for the scarred man in black.

The past cannot be changed – I am aware of this fact. So there would be little danger from my presence in it, and I could go about my duties with as much confidence of my own safety as in any other world.

The logic seems good. My reasons seem simple. But I have found that logic and reason pale in comparison to luck and fate. So my mind has to turn again and again to the damned question of ‘why’?

Why did it have to be him?

* * *

Looking back upon it there a certain twisted amount of sense to the whole affair. Certainly I went ‘back’ further than I had ever intended. But assuming that I did travel back almost ten thousand years, before even the hints of the destruction of the Inquest, assuming I managed to be on the same planet, on the same day, on the same street of a real Inquestor … there is only one it could have been.

There is only one Inquestor from that time who would visit an utter backwater, alone, without followers. One Inquestor who would take the time to observe the crowed, who would stop and speak to his subjects. Only one Inquestor who would have recognized me.

Elloran.

* * *

It still hurts, in a strange way, that he is gone. Of all my companions and lovers, it is he that I would have wished to see outlive the Inquest. It is he that should have survived, or resurrected, not I. Even in his own time he was a symbol for all that was right in our world, just as I was one of all that was wrong and twisted. And even now I remember him so clearly...

The Elloran I met on Celak-tisal was young, perhaps only within his hundredth year as and Inquestor. My memories of him from that time have faded, as he and I moved in different circles, and he was yet to become my equal. Yet already he possessed the kindness and understanding that marked him apart from other Inquestors. He merely had not yet perfected his talents.

I passed him as I left a small kiosk on one of the busier streets and had to force myself to not turn at the blue shimmercloak. No eye-contact was made, but I could feel him staring after me. I was not certain he was my former ally until he called out, requesting that I turn and approach him. It was then that I should have fled but...I am one apt to let my curiosity get the better of me. And it would have been unthinkable to deny and Inquestoral request - at least in that time and culture.

So I returned and gave the elaborate bow expected of me - though I found later that the form I used was several centuries out of date, earning me a rather odd look from the boy Inquestor. But rather than be insulted he was intrigued, perhaps at my apparent knowledge of former traditions, perhaps by the odd scarring on my face and hands (thank the gods the scars have faded over the years - even he might have been frightened at my original demeanor.) He requested my company for the evening, and I was forced to accept.

Not that I minded. Speaking to him was like speaking to the past. I knew I could do nothing to change it - nor would I have wanted to. Still...this was the Elloran that I once knew. He was still unrefined, yes. But his hopes and ideals, the spark that made him who he was and hinted at the greatness which was to come - that was all there. At the time I did not care that this would only make my life worse, open up the memories and scars that I had long forgotten. No. I merely wished to spend time in his presence, remembering the person he was.

I do not believe he disliked our time together. I could tell he almost recognized me - though without a mask covering my face he would likely have never guessed. But throughout the entire meal we shared he kept trying to figure me out, to pick away at my alias and credentials to uncover the mystery that was bothering him so. I told him that I had worked for the Inquest once, as a member of the Ferret clan, but he was unconvinced, and told me so.

"No member of the Ferret would be so heretical." He said, shaking his head and glancing at me with those clear blue eyes. Early in our conversation he had realized that I was a heretic - but unlike most Inquestors of that time he did not appear to mind. I was obviously no threat, and was not attempting to act on my destructive beliefs...there for I was harmless, and far more interesting to speak to than his normal followers. And despite it being his responsibility to devive me, I believe he found my willingness to ignore our apparent class differences refreshing. I was likely the first person since Sajit to treat him as anything other than a god or an opponent. And, as I found, Elloran had been quarreling with his friend and had not seen him in over ten years. While such a span of time means little to an Inquestor, it was...different between those two.

Likely he only sought me out because he missed his normal companion. But that was hardly different than our relationship during the Inquest. But for once there were no power plays or games between us - we were both as honest as we could bear.

Perhaps that is all that saved me, as shortly after I left him the next morning the planetary thinkhive decided I was a traitor, and attempted to have me destroyed. Though I could have escaped on my own it was Elloran who requested my release, and subsequent freedom. His 'excuse' was that creatures like me serve to spurn the Inquest onward and make it stronger. How compassionate of him. I wonder if he will still believe that when two hundred of his years have passed and he decides to end the Inquest?

[There is a rustle, and the former Inquestor stops dictating with an emotionless voice and seems to choke back a sob.]

What a question. Of course he will no longer think that. He will be willing to die for the end of the Inquest just as I was. 'He will burn in flames so bright that they will be remembered for eons and hundreds will follow in his wake...'.
[The lines are recited from memory but hold the bitter remorse of one who was actually there.

Karakael slams his fist into the table to clear the memory from his mind.]

Atta heng. Why did it have to happen?

semi OOC: 100 Questions

2009-02-28T07:48:01Z

Karakael sat, thoughtfully looking a the questionnaire Vara had requested he complete. It was long, but not unusual. Still, it was odd that she asked it to be filled out as an explanation to a Earthling. But he would do as she asked, just as always, uncomplaining.

Part 1: The Basics
1. What is your full name? I do believe that it is to long to type here. My former, shortened name was Hok'Ton Karakael z Karakit n Karun. But most of those titles no longer apply to me. I am now simply Karakael. Or 'Ton Karakael, if you wish to be formal - though I long ago was stripped of my title of 'Ton, and the Inquestoral rank that went with it.

2. Where and when were you born? As my name implies, I was born on the planet of Karun

3. Who are/were your parents? I do not even remember their names. But they are dead, gone, several thousand years ago. And I am glad.
~~They can no longer hurt me~~...
4. Do you have any siblings? Yes, but I honestly cannot remember. They lived, when I should have died. But I have certainly out lived them, and all their decedents.

5. Where do you live now, and with whom? Describe the place and the person/people.
I live on Uran S'Varek, the planet that surrounds the black hole at the center of the galaxy of the Dispersal of Man. It is...it is to large for most to comprehend, much less describe. Sufficed to say, the sky is eternally a light green from the millions of suns that shine light upon the center of the galaxy; the horizons stretch to what seems like forever, destroying all perspective and dwarfing anything that mankind could build; there are chasms and flower-shaped cities and...well, the list goes on. It is a sight that must be seen to be believed.
My home is at the edge of the world - on the tip of the great edge of the opening which stars fall through to be consumed by the black hole beneath the surface of Uran S'Varek. The city may be desolate, but I share it with my battalion of child soldiers, lead by K'Viss, Sen and Tash. Normally only ten or twelve are awake at any given time, but the end count is closer to fifty.
My master is the Lady Vara, the founder of the Inquest and the current mindhostlove of the Darkling Wind - the computer that controls all of Uran S'Varek and shares consciousness with the black hole at its heart. She/it are not easy masters, but ones who I am indebted to and wish to please.

6. What is your occupation? Chief (and only) research and catalog-er of the Dispersal of Man. Since my jurisdiction covers both Uran S'Varek and all the billions of worlds that have been settled by humanity my work is never done, nor could it ever be complete.

7. Write a full physical description of yourself. You might want to consider factors such as: height, weight, race, hair and eye color, style of dress, and any tattoos, scars, or distinguishing marks.
Tch. I would prefer not to answer this question but...
Height: 185 cm. Weight: 110 kg. Race: Mongrel. Hair: originally dark; now gray
Eyes: Dark red. Dress: Varies according to culture studied. Normally 'casual' - loose, flowing, comfortable. Often dark tones, with preferences towards brown, black, dark red, green and blue. Similar Earth styles include Toga, Kimono, Pyjama, nude...always with a shimmercloak close at hand - even if disguised.
Distinguishing marks: Face - cloth/skin meld, rare. Body - various burn and graft scars, mostly faded.

8. To which social class do you belong? 'Ton

9. Do you have any allergies, diseases, or other physical weaknesses? Age. No non-treated allergy.

10. Are you right- or left-handed? Ambidextrous. Though different styles of writing are accomplished best with varying hands.

11. What does your voice sound like? Low Alto

12. What words and/or phrases do you use very frequently? 'Hmm' 'Tch' 'Interesting' 'I see' 'Atta Heng' [failed, translation unspecified x6]

13. What do you have in your pockets? I currently do not have pockets

14. Do you have any quirks, strange mannerisms, annoying habits, or other defining characteristics? Several. Please consult attached psychological profile. Habit of note: Devils Advocacy [direct translation: 'Utopia Hunting']

Part 2: Growing Up

15. How would you describe your childhood in general? I would not. Tch. Must I answer this? Atta Heng, woman! Very, very short. And quite unpleasant. (To say the least)

16. What is your earliest memory? Hunger.

17. How much schooling have you had? My education continues to this day. But I spent a hundred years studying as an Inquestor.

18. Did you enjoy school? It was tolerable. But nothing like the 'school' of Earth.

19. Where did you learn most of your skills and other abilities? As a child Inquestor, then as disgraced man, and finally during my current employment under the Throne of Madness.

20. While growing up, did you have any role models? Lady Vara, my patron - then and now.

21. While growing up, how did you get along with the other members of your family? As well as one would expect. Though I do not encourage raising ones children bellow the poverty line.

22. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? *pause* And Inquestor

23. As a child, what were your favorite activities? Pretending I was an Inquestor.

24. As a child, what kinds of personality traits did you display? Stubbornness, and an unused talent for strategy.

25. As a child, were you popular? Who were your friends, and what were they like? I had few friends, and I cannot remember them clearly.

26. When and with whom was your first kiss? When I left childhood and *voice breaks* [refer to attached psychological profile - specifically "Trauma"]

27. Are you a virgin? If not, when and with whom did you lose your virginity? No. I find the obsession with virginity a rather sick and barbaric custom. As for the second question...See above answer.

28. If you are a supernatural being (i.e. mage, werewolf, vampire), tell the story of how you became what you are or first learned of your own abilities. If you are just a normal human, describe any influences in your past that led you to do the things you do today.
Tch. See question 26. But I am not a 'supernatural being' any more than any other human gifted with long life.

Part 3: Past Influences

29. What do you consider the most important event of your life so far? Oh for the - See answer to 26.

30. Who has had the most influence on you? Elloran

31. What do you consider your greatest achievement? The Fall of the Inquest. Even if I did not play the most important role.

32. What is your greatest regret? There are many. Still, I suppose it would be 'not having opened my eyes sooner'.

33. What is the most evil thing you have ever done? Becoming a monster simply because there needed to be one.

34. Do you have a criminal record of any kind? Yes.

35. When was the time you were the most frightened? See Answer 26

36. What is the most embarrassing thing ever to happen to you? Hmm. Hard to say. Perhaps being turned into a child in one of the more recent viruses.

37. If you could change one thing from your past, what would it be, and why? I...I would ensure that my parents succeeded in killing me. Then I would not have had to suffer so.

38. What is your best memory? The second time I was challenged to Marguha by then 'Ton Elloran

39. What is your worst memory? *sigh* See answer 26

Part 4: Beliefs And Opinions

40. Are you basically optimistic or pessimistic? Pessimistic

41. What is your greatest fear? Returning to how I was before.

42. What are your religious views? There is nothing but darkness after death.

43. What are your political views? I doubt they are applicable to any Earthling concept of the word.

44. What are your views on sex? Why regulate or judge what a concenting adult or a group of concenting adults can or cannot do? Humans find the subject far to titillating for something that is a simple pastime.

45. Are you able to kill? Under what circumstances do you find killing to be acceptable or unacceptable? Death resulting from defense of the self is not worth worrying about. And death upon a large scale is merely a sometimes unfortunate inevitability. In the larger universe a single human life means little, and should be treated as merely part of a greater engine.

46. In your opinion, what is the most evil thing any human being could do? Harm a child.

47. Do you believe in the existence of soul mates and/or true love? Yes. But it is rare, and should not be impressed upon by what ever governments 'morality'.

48. What do you believe makes a successful life? Acceptance, Compassion, and Motivation.

49. How honest are you about your thoughts and feelings (i.e. do you hide your true self from others, and in what way)? I try to be true to myself and those I trust and care about. Beyond that - it is merely information to use for ones own advancement.

50. Do you have any biases or prejudices? I attempt to avoid them, but I can be biased, sometimes tragically so.

51. Is there anything you absolutely refuse to do under any circumstances? Why do you refuse to do it? I will not harm a child. Because...well. See 26.

52.Who or what, if anything, would you die for (or otherwise go to extremes for)? I would die for a cause I believe is just, and little else.

Part 5: Relationships With Others

53. In general, how do you treat others (politely, rudely, by keeping them at a distance, etc.)? Politely

54. Who is the most important person in your life, and why? I...Sirriss Because she showed me what I could be, not what was expected of me.

55. Who is the person you respect the most, and why? Elloran. He was all that I should have been, instead of what I was.

56. Who are your friends? Do you have a best friend? Describe these people. Many of the members of the community entitled "DramaDramaDuck" have become my 'friends'. But beyond that, none.

57. Do you have a spouse or significant other? No.

58. Have you ever been in love? If so, describe what happened. I...do not know. If I ever was it was a long time ago, during the Inquest, and I have not felt that way since.

59. What do you look for in a potential lover? Someone who is thoughtful, who I can argue amicably with and who is intelligent enough to understand my explanations. And someone who would understand my 'quirks' - yet not accept them if they were harmful.

60. How close are you to your family? They are dead.

61. Have you started your own family? If so, describe them. If not, do you want to? I am physically incapable of having children of my own. Yet I have become close to the childsoldiers under my command. I do not wish to start my own family simply because I would never wish to have my lifestyle thrust upon someone else.

62. Who would you turn to if you were in desperate need of help? *sigh* The Visitor.

63. Do you trust anyone to protect you? Who, and why? Protect me? I have grown beyond needing protection. Yet...Vara. She protects me from myself, and from the wider, hostel universe. My childsoldiers duty is to protect me from any potential threats upon my life. But other than that? No one.

64. If you died or went missing, who would miss you? I do not know. But I imagine: Vara, my 'children', The Visitor...and perhaps the community I belong to. Though not many there.

65. Who is the person you despise the most, and why? 'Ton Kelver. For being a fool and an incompetent, and above all for being worshiped now.

66. Do you tend to argue with people, or avoid conflict? Avoid conflict. Though it depends on the definition of 'argue'.

67. Do you tend to take on leadership roles in social situations? Yes.

68. Do you like interacting with large groups of people? Why or why not? As I have aged I find myself more and more drawn to smaller groups. But I have always preferred that.

69. Do you care what others think of you? Who does not? Though it bothers me far less now.

Part 6: Likes And Dislikes

70. What is/are your favorite hobbies and pastimes? I enjoy philosophical discussion and interacting with my children.

71. What is your most treasured possession? The second mask I wore.

72. What is your favorite color? Gray

73. What is your favorite food? [error: untranslatable similar usage as: rice, bread...]

74. What, if anything, do you like to read? Something that I do not have to analyze. History.
75. What is your idea of good entertainment (consider music, movies, art, etc.)? My children.

76. Do you smoke, drink, or use drugs? If so, why? Rarely, and it is normally related to my occupation.

77. How do you spend a typical Saturday night? Normal weeks are not applicable to either my world or my occupation. Time off is random and often unexpected as decided by Lady Vara. I spend it as I wish.

78. What makes you laugh? Little.

79. What, if anything, shocks or offends you? Almost nothing. I have investigated almost every depravity possibly known to mankind, and been involved in quite a few myself. I have become accustomed to it.

80. What would you do if you had insomnia and had to find something to do to amuse yourself? Think.

81. How do you deal with stress? Throw myself into my work, or relieve my tension by playing Devils Advocate and making people think.

82. Are you spontaneous, or do you always need to have a plan? I tend to plan things out in advance. Spontaneity often 'gets me into trouble'.

83. What are your pet peeves? Pedophiles and fools.

Part 7: Self Images And Etc.

84. Describe the routine of a normal day for you. How do you feel when this routine is disrupted? My 'daily' routine normally lasts for several Earth weeks, and often varies depending on my current assignment. It does not bother me, though I prefer to see all of my childsoldiers at least once when they are awake.

85. What is your greatest strength as a person? My compassion. [said sarcastically] Or the understanding that I have learned since.

86. What is your greatest weakness? Hypocrisy.

87. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I would be dead.

88. Are you generally introverted or extroverted? Here? Introverted.

89. Are you generally organized or messy? Organized.

90. Name three things you consider yourself to be very good at, and three things you consider yourself to be very bad at.
Good:
1. Observation
2. Strategy
3. Mask Making
Poor:
1. Being a father
2. Forgetting/living without regret
3. positive thinking

91. Do you like yourself? Generally.

92. What are your reasons for being an adventurer (or doing the strange and heroic things that RPG characters do)? I cannot say that I am an 'adventurer' in any traditional meaning of the word. And I doubt I could ignore my own morals long enough to become one.

93. What goal do you most want to accomplish in your lifetime? repaying for my mistakes

94. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Tch. Likely in front of this computer ten years have already passed in your one and a half.
95. If you could choose, how would you want to die? With honor, doing something I believed in - something that will make a difference. Being remembered afterward would be a nice bonus. ~~pity being able to do it twice is unlikely~~

96. If you knew you were going to die in 24 hours, name three things you would do in the time you had left.
1. Apologize
2. Say good bye
3. Jump

97. What is the one thing for which you would most like to be remembered after your death?
My end.

98. What three words best describe your personality? lonely, hidden and watchful

99. What three words would others probably use to describe you? Mask, strange, thoughtful

100. If you could, what advice would you, the player, give to your character? (You might even want to speak as if he or she were sitting right here in front of you, and use proper tone so he or she might heed your advice...)
"Its okay. You're who you are, and that's enough. It always has been."

[I, the mun, reserve the right to change this information ((especially the bit about the red eyes)) should new information come to light ~~or be remembered~~]

hok_ton @ 2009-02-24T09:20:00

2009-02-24T14:32:06Z

There are costumes that have meaning and significance, if just to the person wearing them. By all rights they should be imposing, or obvious. They should never hide their importance behind simple boring informality. They should shine, hint, cagoule their observers into 'realizing' their significance.

Karkaels costume was merely one of a million similar ones, made meaningless by the crazed kaleidoscope of feathers and chrome, beads and leather, masks and cloaks. But the gold mask he wore was one of a crying child, and the cloak thrown around his shoulders seemed to move of its own will. The man looked both out of place and in place at the same time - straddling the boarder between being too regal for the Carnival, while at the same time blending right in.

He waited patiently for his transports to arrive, leaning against a paint splattered wall. There was a frenzied excitement in the air, and even he shifted excitedly at the sounds and smells coming from the streets behind him.

A black bubble burst next to him, and the masked man turned to welcome his guests.

[Found World]

2008-11-21T03:15:52Z

Well, my entire universe is back. That is...comforting. I am not quite sure how it happened, but I would like to thank who ever did it.

I believe I shall leave the children a bit longer is Saffron city. While I must ascertain the damage that has been done, they deserve a break. And I have yet to find a place quite so safe and inviting for children. (I am continuously surprised by other universes. True, this place is far from a Utopia, but I have never met a people so accepting. The hotel staff barely blinked at my regiment. Amazing.)

hok_ton @ 2008-11-03T07:33:00

2008-11-03T12:35:22Z

I managed to survive a night with The Visitor, and managed to not break any bones in the process. Amazing.

Apparently, being God is a calming influence.

backdated

2008-09-16T04:17:45Z

This community is proving to be more dangerous than I previously anticipated. I return from quelling a rouge thinkhive and what do I find? Some misogynist fool about to bring all hell down upon himself. When will people learn that it is dangerous to say such things around -ah- excitable females?

Oh well. Hopefully this next universe to be explored will prove less dangerous. ~~And if I bring her with me mayhap she will never see the offending post...~~

Summer Vacation 2.0

2008-08-07T01:43:01Z

...and I must admit that, despite a few irregularities, it is the people who interest me most in this strange little world. For, even while barbarism runs rampant through their world, a gifted few still try to rise above it.

I met an elderly monk by the name of Marcus Apollo who was quite kind in taking a wearily and addle-brained traveler such as myself into his home. He proved to be wise in the ways of the arts and strategy. It was from him that I learned about my ‘deformity’ being quite common on this world, where genetic mutations produce many unlucky souls. Yet when I asked why ‘we’ had not been allowed to die at birth, he spouted some religious nonsense, and was generally evasive. It seems that The Church forbids ‘murder’ of almost any kind. I find this an interesting religion and, in light of its prevalence on other worlds, shall have to study its theology more.

Unfortunately our discussion was cut short, as the poor man was dragged from his home under the orders of the king. There was little I could do for him, except make his going less painful.

…and it was there that I met a strange hermit going by the name of ‘Lazarus’. He took a liking to me when I professed no disbelief at his age, of which he claimed considerable amount. The man was far more perceptive than his fellows, and was able to guess that I was ‘not from around here’. From him I was able to learn quite a bit more about the history and culture of this planet, and rather devoid of bias. I suppose his long life had given him the ability to see clearly through the lies present in every society, but it was still refreshing to speak with him.

It was he who suggested I visit the monks of Leibowitz, and their monastery in the desert. Apparently they were a group of scholars, dedicated to preserving knowledge…

As I have mentioned before, I find the ‘nuclear apocalypse’ idea a far too common occurrence throughout the multiverse. It is hardly unique. But the near fanatical protection of knowledge is quite unusual, though not completely unknown. I have read of a similar world, where upon one world was to become the Foundation to the resurrection of knowledge. Here, it is a small community of monks, steadfastly protecting their ‘Memorabilia’ from book burners and looters. I find their dedication admirable, though some might say foolish. It is true that they have made little attempt to use the fragments that they have saved. But their knowledge will prove important in the years to come, a vital link in this worlds working towards civilization…

Excerpt from “Bookleggers and Memorizers: a Study of world 340U964”

((ooc:
Miller, Walter M, Jr, A Canticle for Leibowitz. J. B. Lippincott & Co, New York, 1959 ))

Backdated Enchanted RL

2008-07-18T04:41:16Z

Hok’Ton Karakael z Karakit Karun stepped through the portal flanked by two young guards. He was confident and poised, but as the spots cleared from his eyes he couldn’t help but stare. The world around him was filled with color and light and song. The forest they had appeared in was full of movement; birdsong filled the sky while there was a constant patter of forest creatures just out of sight. Even the trees seemed to sway and dance to the overwhelming joy of the world.

Truthfully, no physical element of this fantastical universe was all that surprising to the ‘Ton. He had seen worlds created to mimic this. He had been there at openings of grand amusement parks attempting to emulate such edens. A few, in fact, had succeeded better than this place. Yet even as his logical mind classified Artimisia as ‘normal’, his soul was wary.

The obvious disturbance was how their cloths had changed as they had walked through the portal. His servants had gained leggings and hats, while their boots had changed from steel monstrosities into comfortable calfskin walking shoes. The black cloak had stayed the same, though their overall outfits made them look jaunty rather than threatening. They hardly looked the part of bodyguards, instead looking more like young pages.

Karakaels change was even more drastic. His shimmercloak hung protectively around his shoulders, looking more like a robe than a coat. His tight fitting black garments had been replaced by brown leather leggings and a dark green jerkin. He carried a sword and black gloves that matched the dark blue and reds of his cloak. Topped by a white mask the effect was startling, showing a caricature of an evil sorcerer, apparently the role he had been cast in.

But even this was not what had made him stumble and lean heavily on his assistances shoulder. The entire world was filled with joy and there was a huge discrepancy between his form and the universe around him. Yet, despite his obvious flaws, the world welcomed him just as easily as his younger companions. It lavished love on him, as if trying to make up for the pains rained on him by his own universe.

The only planet where he had ever felt this ‘accepted’ was on Shtoma, the utopia planet that he had callously destroyed.

He shook the memories away and, ruffling his young charges hair, turned to meet his welcoming party.

<small>((ooc: part of the Summer Vacation semi-plot. Sorry for it being so long!))

[Summer Vacation 01]

2008-07-02T04:01:02Z

Report 78644: “On the world plagued by angels” – investigating alternate universe 01
-Karakael z Karakit Karun, on order of Vara the Darkling Wind

My experiences in this world, despite my perceptions being slightly altered by a virus, have been positive. This universe gives me a small measure of hope for humanity. Of the societies I studied, few had any major defects. None were outside the realm of ‘normal’ human creation though all had been helped along by creatures similar to The Visitor.

The single most interesting thing I found about this world was how all the ‘tribes’ of people had adapted to either live at peace with the world around them, or to help make it better.

I stayed mostly in a land called Artemisia or “The land of the Sages”. It was an easy going culture, despite being classified as a ‘false utopia’. According to my references the people there descended from “American Indians” [Link: Encyclopedia Brittanica]. Much of those early cultures still remain in Artemisia, with some significant changes. It is a matriarchal society with separated genders. The “method of control” or “fault” (though from what I’ve seen few suffer from it) is forced impotence of males.

Of course this policy was no trouble to me, but I can see it being very trying for others of the male gender. Still, it is a novel solution.

One of the young women who helped me in my research (one Arakny) kindly lent me her ‘library’; a device much like one of our thinkhives but used instead to store all of the human knowledge in their entire history. Quite an impressive creation, though frustrating to use.

Through it I learned of several of the other cultures, though many were more similar to “guilds”. Classified as “The Seven Set Upon Salvation”, The Beast Masters, The Guardians, The Sisters to Trees, The Artemisians…of them, I found traveling as a Guardian the easiest. Their mode of dress allows concealment of the face and their duties can easily explain away my scars, as well as my reason for traveling.

When she found me The Visitor had dressed as a Sister to the Trees. It fit her well, and to a certain extent was not a lie; she has planted the requisite ten thousand trees in her life time. She was able to assist in explaining some of the history of this world, though I have found much of it corresponds to accounts of “20^th century Earth”.

[Cut: pp. 3-45. Attached]

In conclusion, this world was a useful beginning point in my journey. Few of the cultures I saw had more than passing similarities to any utopias filed during the Inquest, though none were truly unique. The tenacity shown by many of the peoples was truly impressive, though I find it disappointing that they had to be prompted by an outside force. This calls to question whether we humans are capable of true change without “benevolent outsiders”. We cannot always rely on Suns or Gods to save us, yet there has been little I’ve yet seen to prove that we have any other choice.

((OOC: So begins Karakaels "summer vacation". He should be posting both RLs and similar 'reports' all through out the summer. All of the information he gives should be accurate to each book, though it might pertain to unimportant details.

Tepper, Sheri S. A Plague of Angels. New York: Bantam, 1993

If you are wondering, yes I am a complete book-geek))

[locked to Q]

2007-11-01T02:18:07Z

hands touching-touching-touching. darkness. pain. don't leave, don't wake. isn't it easier this way? Karakael started, biting down a scream. Nearly a millennia later, and he still had nightmares. But no, he wasn't eight any longer. He struggled for a moment, breaking himself from the light doze he was in.

He sat in the control room of Karuns thinkhive. He had 'slept' here for the past few weeks, after finding it to be one of the few real places on the world. But now...even the thinkhive was beginning to malfunction. It no longer could connect him to the 'internet'. And he hadn't been able to contact Uran S'Varek, even to inform Lady Vara he was alive. The situation was becoming worrying.

He stood and stretched, then adjusted the silver mask. Though he had stopped wearing them ages ago, here one was permanently fixed to his face. It really didn't surprise him. It was just another facet of this 'worst fear virus' that the community had been babbling about.

He strode through the empty corridors of the planetary computer, looking for something anything new. His options were almost gone. Without the internet he could no longer contact the outside world. Without his abilities he could not escape by himself.

Yet if the solution was to overcome his worst fear...that had happened ages ago. And though the first few weeks he had spent on Karun had been painful, this feeling of powerlessness was wearing on him much more than the nightmare made real.

He had fueled his resolve with anger at the being that had inflicted this half-life on him, but even that anger was wearing thin, strung out over the months of waiting.

A door rumbled open in the upper palace. Karakael blinked, and followed the sound. Though he hated going out in the city, something was changing. Maybe it would offer a way out.

Karuns main city was quite different than when Karakael had last visited it. It still had the massive towers of grav-coasters, and the huge, sloping government buildings. Throngs of people still coursed through the streets. But instead of solid, flesh and blood, the people and buildings now held a ghostly luminescence. They shifted and eddied as he passed, sometimes walking directly through him, never noticing his presence.

Karakael stood on the steps of the palace, watching the city change. None of it was 'real'. But that didn't matter. All that did was the rumble of the doors behind him, signaling that something new was coming.

[[Not my best work, but I figured that would be a good set up. Karun was a pleasure planet during the High Inquest, and Karakaels homeworld. Gravcoasters are amusement park rides, and thinkhives are computers that ran almost everything in Inquest. Servocorpses are reanimated human corpses, used for almost any job a programer can think of. (Such as the Theater of Dark Fantasy, otherwise known as necrodrama.)

At the moment Karakael is stuck between two universes, and is experiencing a seriously disturbed reality. He can't touch most things, and is living the same day over and over again. His nifty ability to travel through the overcosm is no longer functioning. Basically, hes in a lot of trouble.

Q-mun all you have to do is have Q show up. Karakael will explain the rest.]]

hok_ton @ 2007-08-11T13:26:00

2007-08-11T18:23:28Z

At the moment I am in pain, recovering from a week of rather unfortunate circumstances. What makes it worse is that I cannot tell Vara about it, because she'll invite the culprit over for tea.

I should explain. I recently decided to investigate a human inhabited planet called Newholme. It has a gender imbalance resulting in a 1:3 female to male ratio, resulting in and interesting culture switch, with a female dominated society based around a theocracy. (It also seemed to only have recent human occupation, and was creating strange currents in the Overcosm.) I took the opportunity to investigate it after contracting a virus with a side effect that made me appear female. Unfortunately, the Newholme Priestesses are rather militant about their domination, and when I turned back to being male they were rather...irritated. This resulted in being beaten to insensibility by their guards, and then being 'disposed of'. Luckily I was able to convince them that I was much more injured than I was, and sustained only a sprained wrist and a thorough bruising.

When the guards had lost interest and abandoned me in a ditch I then found that I could not transport back to Uran S'Varek, as the Tacheon corradors didn't touch the planet. What faced me was a a trek back through the Overcosm, which was incresingly instable around the planet. And then it got worse...

Some one hauled me upright; a tall pale woman who Knew I had been faking most of my injuries. She was angry, and only got more so when I explained that I had as much right to be on this world as she did. Seemingly she was the 'Protector' of the 'Almost Earths' written by a certain author. I had no right to be there, as I was from a different universe. Before I could explain that Newholme was in my universe she used some sort of telepathy, and shuffled through my thoughts. This only made the situation worse, as she was "validated in [her] anger" since I was thinking of 'Utopia Hunting' her planet. The beating She gave me was completely real. She dislocated one shoulder, and broke both my hands, as well as three ribs. All as a 'warning' against invading her territory again. I only escaped by fading into the Overcosm.

I suppose it is my fault that she misinterpreted my intentions. I harbored quite a bit of resentment to the women who hurt me the first time, and this lead to thoughts of Utopia Hunting (and Inquestoral practice that almost always resulted in a social breakdown) and the destruction that would follow. And she saw my face, seeing the scars for what they are, and assuming the worse because of them.

It came to me while she was hurting me that she probably was right, and the problems with the overcosm probably resulted from the planet appearing from another universe. The Overcosm goes through the future, and the Tacheon corridors through the past so it is possible that the overcosm only touched it because that was where I was going to go...

Still. I feel quite justified in complaining. I could barely walk by the time I reached Uran S'Varek. And the swellings still haven't gone. The only thing that could make this week worse is if Vara found out what I was up to...

I already did dear. And I DO like The Visitor, just as you suspected. I've already set up a play date for you two~

Fun with Delirium!

2007-06-29T03:59:26Z

Karakael stood, calmly staring at chaos. It grew easier with practice, staring at the whirls of color and sound. Years ago it would have blinded him. Now he could travel through it easily. He just need a destination...a small device at his side beeped, and he smiled. He had worried that through the time dialation his message wouldn't reach the lady Delirium in time. But he doubted anyone else would send a neon blue fish to guide his way.

The fish stared at the swirling colors, looking put upon. Then it found the sent to home, and darted off among the kalidoscope of colors. With a nod, Karakael followed.

An Introduction

2007-04-28T04:37:45Z

Strange...In my research into ancient civilizations I seem to have stumbled upon a link to alternate worlds. Pitty it is only open through electronic pathways. Still, I hope to learn much about different worlds through this. Maybe-no a Utopia is too much to ask for. For now I will wait and watch.

-A few minuts later-

My supirior is under the opinion that a forum for my thoughts would be helpful to my 'mental state'. I suppose a diary, or journal as the case may be, would be apropreate. Though why I would open my innerthoughts to some stranger, and force them into an archaic language like 'English' - but I must do what Vara comands. Even if it is underprotest.

So, and introduction is needed.

My name is Karakael. My full title is quite a bit lengthier( Hok'Ton Karakael z Karakit Karun) but quite meaninless. I no longer hold the office of 'Grand Inquisitor', nor is the planet I came from still orbiting Karun. That life ended 5,000 years ago. Now I am the 'cultural atache' of the most powerful force in the universe, a job which lends it self to short periods of research and long periods of meaninless 'paperwork'.

I have few friends, and fewer enemies. Undermy command is a battilion of Childsoldiers, their lives artificially lengthened match mine. Often they are the only human companion ship I have for centuries, so I have grown quite fond of them, irritating though they may be. My 'master' if you could use such a crass term for the artificial intellegence that controls this galaxy is named Vara. She is not a pleasant, or easy creature to appease, likely because of her link to the black hole that she shares concious with. As the centuries go on she becomes less and less of the mentor I knew, and more the cold 'Throne of Madness' that is her thinkhive body.

It should be known that I have both a quick temper and a habit of holding grudges. Vara has tried to remove it, claming that it sullies my character. I don't particularly want to loose more of my personality to her medicins. I have earned my right to hatered, and know quite a bit more about humanity that most of my race. I will not deny that my past is ...dark, but I will say that the society that caused it is long gone, and that I have 'Given up my Evil ways and Repented'. (For all those childeren in the auduence, Lighting oneself on fire is a good way to redeam and unredeamble character. But you should check first that your death should accomplish something, and that you can succeed in killing yourself. I still don't know which was worse; the physical pain, or watching my daughter follow me...)

Why do I speak of things past? They matter little to me now. Events of 10,000 years ago shouldn't matter. Even if my galaxy is still recovering from the blight the Inquest held over it. Ah well. "The breaking of happyness is the beginning of wisdom." Like wise the darkening of memory is the begining of joy.

For now that will have to do. My rest cycle will soon be over, and Vara wishes me to research a new planet, to see if her reach toutches it too.

-Good evening.