Quoted By:
"Do I even want to ask why you're talking like that?" You mutter under your breath. "Shit, the hell even is the Lack? Some philosophical term?"
"Do you not feel? Do you not smell? Do you not taste?" You flinch as <span class="mu-r">the Gravedigger smashes its spade right onto the floor it is standing on.</span> Tar leaks out of your mouth almost instinctually.
"You reek of it. The City reeks of it. A void where a heart used to belong. A disease. Humans used to hold something. Meaning. Belief. Now it's..." It shudders, backing away from you. You can feel its eyes gazing down at the tar on your lip.
[DYING LIGHT] Belief, huh? We still believe in something, don't we?
[HOPELESS WRECK] DO WE?
"Those...abominations. Those that defy all order. Artificial or not." Another hiss. "They hold. What your kind no longer. Has. Anymore."
[BOUND BY DUTY] An anomaly is an anomaly. There is no reason to think about them like that.
"So, what, we're missing something in our souls or something?" You wipe the thick black goop from your lip. "Never expected to hear that from anyone."
"Humans. Can not live. In this City. Only the Cityslicker. The rats. The vermin kings." It spits on the ground. "You lose yourself staying. Here. Until the idea. Of you. Is gone."
"Yet, you still carry on. Even with. Such a lack of. Self. The one. Admirable thing in this. City now."
"But do you remember a time when things were different? Do you remember your past? Those old memories you wistfully look back upon?"
"..." A guilty look shimmers on the barely visible eyes of the Gravedigger. Dark grey sclera, even darker irises. "I remember. When I saw this City with bright, youthful eyes. Thinking it was truly. Better. A place that was worthy of respect and worship."
"That was long ago, though." It looks past you, into the dark grey skies that always come late evening. "Now it's rotten. Nothing but regrets."
"I...can't say how much I understand. My memories haven't been the best, admittedly. But there's still room to improve, isn't there?"
"One man against a world? Nothing. Will change. But I will watch as you attempt. This conversation has been. Engaging. Not what I." It pauses. "Normally. Do."
[DYING LIGHT] It's been months since he's talked to someone. Partially on his own accord. Partially out of fear.
[HOPELESS WRECK] BOTH FROM HIM AND BECAUSE OF HIM.
"I suppose I just like to know people is all." You grab your bags and prepare to head back into the Facility. Before you have time to mull over what it said, you hear a firm cough trying to get your attention.
"I have. A request. If a life is. Taken. I wish to. Give them a grave they. Deserve. A man deserves a proper. Grave. Does he not?"
"We've had a good record so far but...I'll keep that in mind." You can barely hear a meek 'thank you' over the frigid wind as you begin your march back up to the elevator. Frankly, you're fucking exhausted and you're ready to rest your head.
Those two talks have been interesting, if nothing else.
