6th December 2012
15:29 GMT
I Think
The room is… White.
The thick carpet is white, and so thick and soft that just looking at it makes me want to take off my boots and socks and squirm my toes in it. The settee I'm sitting on is soft white leather with white-stained wood panelling. The walls are white, with white frames containing white on white images. There's a white wood table upon which sits a white bowl containing white fruit.
And the ceiling…
I can't see the ceiling. Just a… Vague source of light, illuminating clearly but not blindingly.
My right hand drifts down the side of the settee, and… And that's a D-ring. And
that's a D-ring, and… That's a white coil of rope partially disguised as a table decoration.
"How worried should I be?
"
"Oh, sweetums. How worried do you want to be?"
A.. person, in a white suit, shirt and tie walks down a white spiral staircase. Their hair is black, jet black, and slicked back in such a way that I can't make out hairs and it just looks like a solid mass. Their skin is similarly pale, though compared to our surroundings it stands out like a beacon. The figure… Can't tell whether they're male or female, and my rings appear to have decided not to help. Given the suit I'd have guessed butch woman over effeminate man, but I shouldn't project human norms onto an alien. Especially a selectively corporeal one.
"Do I have the pleasure of addressing Desire?
"
They pause on the last circuit of the staircase, leaning artfully on the railing and looking down at me like a… Well, like an ancient eldritch being who has found a new amusement.
"Shouldn't you answer my question first?"
I shrug.
"I don't particularly enjoy being worried. Jade and I both tried it; it's not our thing.
"
"It's not just about sex, dear boy."
They unlean, continuing their descent with one hand gracefully tracing the banister as they complete their journey.
"I understand that you're all about purpose. If you weren't worried about something, would you get out of bed in the morning?"
"For those who seek perfection, there is no rest this side of the grave. And in.. my case, not even then. You decided to egg Admiral Hesk on, then?
"
"O-H." They hug themselves, arms crossing under their pectorals and hands pressed to their hips.
"You did most of the work for me. The Spider Guild must be destroyed! All that-" They roll their eyes.
"-pointless fear and hesitancy receded and a few words was all that was required to send them off."
"You mean… Down in a blaze of glory.
"
They turn sideways and flop languidly onto the seat opposite me.
"They get to be remembered in story and song, and die knowing to the depths of their souls that they're finally doing the right thing."
I nod. Yeah, I'm…
"You in good health? Eating well, that sort of thing?
"
Desire blinks, then gestures to their body with both hands.
"Does this make me look fat?"
"I'm reasonably confident that you can look as fat or as thin as you want. I'm asking about how well you are.
"
"Fit as a fiddle, never been better. … Thank you for asking?"
"You sure? Not picking fights with Morpheus or anything like that?
"
They pantomime a look of disappointed sternness.
"You aren't planning on trying to intervene on his behalf, I hope. That would be most unwise."
"I know what happens when Endless die. We've met before, on the moon. And now I'm here, and my tattoos don't have an off button. I'm absorbing your magic, which, along with my connection to the orange light, puts me in prime position to succeed you if
you die.
"
Their face stills, their eyes narrowing with curiosity.
"I don't want to be Desire. I want you to live until the end of the universe when Death finally does away with you, while I step smartly into a younger universe-
"
"Abandoning the universe for a younger model? How cliché."
"-with a jaunty wave. I don't know how you relate to either me or the Ophidian and I don't care.
"
"But you know what happens when we die? You shouldn't be able to know that." They
grin.
"Tell me more."
"If you agree to butt out and not take umbrage when I try to stop Admiral Hesk, I'll-
"
"Done!"
"-hap-. Ah, okay. One of you dies, the rest of your family get the shroud from the
necropolis, you each do a funeral oration and then the deceased sails off into oblivion. And is then completely forgotten by everyone except their immediate successor. Which makes me wonder why you're focusing on Morpheus, when you know that even if you're successful you won't remember it.
"
"It's not always about the outcome, dearie." They idly stroke the arm of their chair with their left hand.
"But out of curiosity, since you're so concerned, who would have taken over from my dear brother?
"The book I read said it was Daniel Hall, but the Daniel I know has lived a very different life to the Daniel in the book. Though please don't do anything stupid like trying to get him killed; whatever you do it will be
someone.
"
"Why hurt the boy when I can just hold it over my brother's head?"
"Up to you. Look, we're both busy people. Do you want anything else, or can I go back to reality now?
"
"Is that it? You're face to face with Desire, and all you want to do is leave?"
"I don't want to sound like a
total sigma here, but
yes. I realise my own desires. I've got plenty of my own motivation and I don't need your help. And.. I.. also read a story about a man being decapitated one day after he married the woman he wanted, so I'm a little concerned about how helpful your help would actually
be.
"
"You shouldn't believe everything you read."
"True, but it's been more accurate than
not.
"
"Well then! Back you go. You'd best hurry, dear Hesk was quite set on it."
"Thank-
"
And I'm in space watching Hesk's ship's gun ports open.
"-you.
"
They'd likely be amused.
