Zachary finally meets Shandak in real life

Characters in this scene: Shandak, Zachary

Setting Location: Sanctuary

Of\_Deep — 03/28/2021

The Opening was in full swing, a swirling array of colors and lights and people all around. This whole affair had proven just as interesting as it had been expected to be. Glancing around the room, Shandak's eyes land on Swaygze. There had been enough delaying. It was time. He strides through the crowd, surely and deliberately walking up to him. "Well met, Zachary."

Swaygze07 — 03/28/2021

"Hi. Um, do I know you?" Zachary takes a look at the figure with his Sight and has to stop himself from stepping backwards. Its health bar is richly decorated, with ornate graphical elements framing so many segments of health that they almost look like a single solid line. The health bar of a boss. The different status effects and conditions on the figure fly out at him. *Avatar of Shandak, Blood Ape of Moukele, Guardian of the Abyss...*

Of\_Deep — 03/28/2021

"You do. Has Sanctuary aided you since you arrived? You seemed in poor shape after your defeat in England."

Swaygze07 — 03/28/2021

"I wasn't *defeated*," Zachary snaps. "The plane I was supposed to take took too long to de-ice, that's all."

Of\_Deep — 03/28/2021

"I refer to no plane, young one. Or was it mere coincidence that you disappear for nearly a week after our exchange?"

Swaygze07 — 03/28/2021

*Young one???* This thing is a head and a half shorter than him, and it wants to call him young? Zachary's hand reaches to his belt, where it curves around the knife tucked in there. "Fuck you. Who the fuck even are you?"

Of\_Deep — 03/28/2021

"There will be no fighting here. And I would hesitate before challenging me a third time, for I previously swore to you that in such a case I would be forced to respond. Despite this, I enjoyed speaking with you. You have a great deal of anger, and yet lack the confidence for it to aid you."

Swaygze07 — 03/28/2021

To be perfectly honest, Zachary has issued so many challenges online that it hardly narrows it down. But... wait a moment. Guardian of the Abyss. Two out of three challenges. *Oh God.* Zachary lets go of the knife and deliberately places his hands by his sides, flexing them open so he won't grab on to anything. "Are you Of Deep?"

Of\_Deep — 03/28/2021

"Indeed." There is what seems to be almost a laughing smile on Shandak's face, as though they are amused by this whole interaction. "And with that understood, we can begin properly. How have you fared since your arrival here?"

Swaygze07 — 03/28/2021

*Jesus fucking Christ I am so screwed.* Zachary steps backwards. "Are -- are you here to continue what was said online? I'm sorry about that, I don't know why I said it, actually, if you want to say anything else then, okay, whatever. "

Of\_Deep — 03/28/2021

Shandak seems almost confused, for a moment, before resuming smiling. "What, are you ashamed of our exchange? Do not be. Though you were certain to lose, your attempt showed great potential."

Swaygze07 — 03/28/2021

"No, I -- I wasn't thinking right. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said all that stuff."

Of\_Deep — 03/28/2021

"Are you ashamed in your own performance, then? You are but a child. Foolish outbursts are to be expected." Shandak speaks with confidence, with readiness, without a trace of a doubt regarding the truth of his words. Beyond this unshakable certainty, however, there seems to be something of concern. Is it real? Does he actually care? Or is it just something fake, perhaps something that your mind simply would like to believe is there.

Swaygze07 — 03/28/2021

"I'm... 22? I'm not a child." It comes out as a question more than a statement. Zachary is deeply, deeply confused, almost enough to overpower the tight knot of embarrassment in his chest. Almost.

Of\_Deep — 03/28/2021

"You are perhaps not a child by your own, human standards, but I am far older than that. Speak with confidence, Zachary. It is a weapon that will aid you far better than any knife."

Swaygze07 — 03/28/2021

Fine then. He stands up straighter, pulling his shoulders out of their hunch. "What do you want?"

Of\_Deep — 03/28/2021

"Better. How was your conversation with the Lady recently? She seems a fair and wise teacher."

Swaygze07 — 03/28/2021

"It happened. She said things. Why do you care?"

Of\_Deep — 03/28/2021

"Because I have taken an interest in the wellbeing of OMO, and of you, particularly. I seldom have opportunity to do battle of any sort, even such a lopsided one as you chose to engage me in."

Swaygze07 — 03/28/2021

A waiter walks in to the conversation, offering them a drink. Zachary is glad for the interruption, and takes a glass of a fruity pink colored something that the waiter assures him is not alcoholic. It's a small thing, but he feels better having something concrete to hold. "That wasn't a battle," Zachary says slowly. "That was, I don't know, saying... I was in a bad mood, and I know that doesn't excuse things. Um."

Of\_Deep — 03/28/2021

"Are you ashamed of what you revealed of yourself during our conversation, if you would prefer to call it that? Why? It does not become you."

Swaygze07 — 03/28/2021

Zachary studies his drink very intently, to avoid having to look at Shandak. The rim of it is crusted with white crystals of some sort, probably sugar. Would it be improper to lick it to figure out? Ice cubes bob merrily on the surface of the drink, enlivened by a sprig of a verdant green plant. "It's not the sort of thing that I want other people to know," he says slowly. "Most of the other people I know that are my age have figured out jobs and stuff by now. Well, okay, I guess that even if I didn't say anything else there, Jessica still would've said what she did..."

Of\_Deep — 03/28/2021

"Distaste for your past will not change the fact of it. You should not allow it to define you so."

Swaygze07 — 03/28/2021

"Yeah, well, I don't think of it much. Except for in the past week, I guess." God, this past week has been *horrible* for not thinking about the past.

Of\_Deep — 03/28/2021

There's been a sense throughout most of this conversation that Shandak knows things - he is powerful and in control, both in general and within this conversation. And yet, the longer you speak with him, the more alien he seems; he is aware of a great deal, but whether he truly understands is potentially a different matter. "I myself do not enjoy my recent history. The last few millenia have been deeply uninteresting." As he speaks, his tone becomes more melancholy. He's almost... letting his guard down? At the very least, it no longer feels as though this conversation is some sort of inevitable confrontation. "And yet, I would not be who I am here, speaking with you, were it not for the Abyss's meddling scheme. I have gained somewhat in power from it, and, due to the grace of the Lady, I have finally been freed somewhat from it, a position I had nearly lost hope that I could find myself in. Do not assume that because you dislike your past you cannot learn from it. In some degree, it has led you to where you stand now." And with that, the formality and certainty returns, to whatever extent it may have left. Certainly, it's a curious thing; despite his stated intent, he almost seems to relate to Zachary's situation.

Swaygze07 — 03/28/2021

"The Lady is very nice," Zachary agrees. He thinks of his staff, and her offer to mend it. "She seems to care a lot."

Of\_Deep — 03/28/2021

"Indeed she does." She asks for far less than she has a right to, whether in proper payment or in favor, which, to Shandak, suggests that she is one of those who feels responsible for the many things that befall others, regardless of her own station. She has been successful in her quest, however, which suggests her at the very least responsible and aware enough to account for this flaw. "She is deserving of her title."

Swaygze07 — 03/28/2021

"She told me that... well, she told me a lot, but at least she doesn't seem to see me as a failure of a human being," Zachary says. He starts pacing. "I don't know how long I can stay in Sanctuary. I told Jess that I'm not dead, but she'll want to see me at some point, and I need to change my passwords so she can't use my stuff to get onto OMO again. And Seafoam and I are sorta supposed to duel at some point, but we can't do that in here because of the no violence rules..."

Of\_Deep — 03/28/2021

"Would it perhaps suit you better to leave and then return? While without, you may ensure your safety to your family and proceed with your duel. From there you would be able to decide whether you truly wish to remain where you were or take more long term residence at Sanctuary. Its protections may enable you greater ability to hone your practice, in which you have great potential."

Swaygze07 — 03/28/2021

"Maybe. That would let me collect my stuff at least, and play on something other than my potato-like laptop..." Zachary thinks it over. "Actually, I feel like I should ask. If we had ended up fighting, what do you think would have happened?"

Of\_Deep — 03/28/2021

At this, Shandak laughs. It's a booming, echoey laugh, with an undertone of doom. "You would have lasted until you had sated my interest. Then, you would die."

Swaygze07 — 03/28/2021

"So... how long is that?"

Of\_Deep — 03/28/2021

"I am not sure. Likely, until I had explored your abilities to my satisfaction. While I know much of fighting, it is always prudent to see what one can learn of the art."

Swaygze07 — 03/28/2021

"Oh. Um, good to know."

Of\_Deep — 03/28/2021

"Perhaps, should you remain at Sanctuary, I might train you in some of those things. In the meantime, however, enjoy this event that the Lady has provided. I will still be here once it is done."