[Log - Who's there?]

[mem_more_mihs]

Maurice sat at his desk writing steadily with both hands, as usual. His door was open, which meant that he did not mind being disturbed, as usual. He was as ever ready for visitors whether personal or business related, as usual.

Only very rarely were any of these conditions not met. Being one of the more sociable Memory Keepers it often fell to him to pass on messages to the rest of the group from outside forces as well as those inside. Still, he didn't mind the responsibility, it was almost always a pleasant surprise when he heard somebody knocking on the door.

"Come in," his effeminate and gentle voice called out with a smile. He didn't look away from his page though, he was so close to finishing it that he simply could not.

Comments

... War... thread...?

[this_is_war]

The sound of cowboy boots clicking against tiles was probably a very foreign sound in Maurice's library. The serious expression on War's face when Maurice cared to look up was equally unusual.

"Things have simmered down now, huh?"

Eee!

[mem_more_mihs]

"Force War!" The Memory Keeper exclaimed in pleasant surprise. He stood up, setting down his pens and laying down his work ever so neatly (he was quite obsessive compulsive when it came to his desk area.)

"They have, thank you." He replied to the question with a smile. "No thanks to Force Death and his new training regime."

...i...deekay

[this_is_war]

War nodded, his lips tight and flat on his face. He hooked his thumbs into the belt loops of his jeans, moving in lazy circles around the room.

"Yeah, he has a habit of making things come together. Regardless of original outcome. Miracle worker, we know that for sure.

"The kid and Angelo okay?" It might have seemed a question better suited for Death himself, but War and the Reaper were rarely the most open of men.

[mem_more_mihs]

Maurice's eyes softened. Force War really was every bit the scoundrel with a heart of gold everyone said he was. He had come here to check up on the Reaper of all men. The Reaper, who War claimed he hated and likely did for the most part. Yet here he was, making sure his fellow horseman's family were safe in the most round about and untraceable way possible. After all, if anyone would know the sadness of others, it was Maurice.

He wished even half of the Memory Keepers were as considerate as War, and that thought was so ridiculous it almost made him laugh.

"Angelo is distressed, because of both the situation with Force Pain and Force Evil." Maurice admitted truthfully, pouring his guest a glass of ice cold water from seemingly nowhere. It was oddly refreshing, like the first drink after a long cry.

"Renai seems well, but is hiding most of her true sadness on the matter."

[this_is_war]

War hummed an unreadable sound, nodded his head and then took the water. He chose not the sit, but did lean on the nearest surface, one ankle crossed in front of the other.

"Can't expect a young girl like that to come out of a situation like that and not be affected. No matter who her parents are." War curled his upper lip in a silent snarl, seemed about to say more but then silenced himself and drank the water in one long drain.

When he was done, he drug the back of his hand over his lips.

"I heard that nothing's coming of it. D-man declined to take it to trial, and you'd assume Angelo's backing that. That true?"

[mem_more_mihs]

"I think so." Maurice nodded. "They both care too much for Evil to indite him for what the worse half has done, even if it does concern their daughter." He lowered his eyes sadly.

"I suppose it's their choice. I know we all have our own opinions on the issue."

[this_is_war]

"Mmn." The corner of War's mouth twisted somewhat distastefully. "We all do, that's obvious. So, you know, if you or some other Memory Keepers involved wanted to voice their opinions, I'd back you up. I'd make sure it was opened up to trial."

[mem_more_mihs]

Maurice turned his eyes down.

"Have you asked any other Memory Keepers to speak against Force Evil this way?" He questioned. He wondered if War was gaining a small anti-Evil army? It was a brief notion that he squashed quickly. The Force has come to the one Memory Keeper who had the most sway on matters such as this.

"It's a very tender subject, Force War. I would find it hard to say anything at all without running the risk of hurting those very dear to me, such as Angelo." He shook his head. Saying nothing at all had ever been the comfortable medium ground for him. He had never given his opinion on the subject because personally he believed the needs of the many outweighed the needs of the few.

Many would be safe if Force Evil were to be locked away somewhere. Few would be effected, but among the few who would were Death and Angelo, two people he cared about immensely.

"Do you think Death is being unreasonable? Considering how dangerous the last occurrence was?"

[this_is_war]

"He wanted a project," War stated flatly.

"Oh sure, he doesn't think anyone knows that's what it was, and maybe he's denied it so much he doesn't believe it anymore, but that was the only reason he wanted to rehabilitate the Evils. Maybe it did some good for the Evils, I don't really care about that though. It definitely distracted Death, it kept him busy, kept him focused."

War exhaled what sounded like a tired sigh. "The thing is, he doesn't need a project anymore, definitely not one that's never gone anywhere. He has a fucking life now, a Ti'lan damned family - and the Evils are only a threat to those things."

[mem_more_mihs]

"It doesn't matter if that's how it started." Maurice shook his head. "Death has found friend in the better half of Force Evil. He wants what is best for that friend."

Maurice walked across the room to stand at one of the larger windows. He looked out onto the fountains, catching glimpses of the coloured fish swimming and jumping.

"I do feel that something needs to be done, but whenever this comes before The Four it seems the result is cruel and unjust punishment affecting only the the harmless Evil. The real issue is never addressed. As such...

I wouldn't say anything unless I had faith that something really useful could be done." He sighed "I'm sorry. Does that make sense?"

[this_is_war]

"Few things in existence make sense," War pointed out.

He didn't move from where he was leaning, but he refolded his legs and crossed his arms over his torso. His face seemed mostly annoyed and aggressive, but his tone was somewhat more mixed than that simple emotion.

"All I came to see if there were any talks going on for you guys; since there's nothing going on Force-wise as far as I know. But since there's apparently nothing here either, I guess that's it."

War pushed a breath out his nose, muttering, "Until the next time."

[mem_more_mihs]

"I feel useless." Maurice shook his head. "I'm sorry War. I know it's frustratingly repetitive. One must question just how many people need to be hurt before something is done, but at the same time, the greatest minds can not come up with a solution... So what are we to do?"

He was not really asking War so much as questioning the empt space around them. Hoping perhaps that one of the greater gods would appear with the answer.

"Are you enjoying our weekly training sessions?" He asked then, changing the subject to one perhaps more light hearted.

[this_is_war]

"Well, the ones I get invited to are certainly interesting." War took the subject change, not willing to stay on a subject that frustrated him. He hadn't know how the conversation would have gone, but he'd been hoping for something else.

"Weird to think that old as you kids are, you've only just thought to try that out. But hey, don't get me wrong. Us Horsemen are a law unto ourselves, not like I could fight well with most other Forces."

[mem_more_mihs]

"Not that you would need to in most cases when you fight so well alongside the other horsemen." Maurice smiled.

"It's hard to think we will ever reach a level quite like that, being how difficult working together in combat is."

[this_is_war]

"Its easy enough to get in sync with three other people of the same alignment of you," War pointed out, as if modestly shrugged off the praise. "Even if you do hate each other. But if he really wants you guys to fight to that standard together in such a large group, he's got issues.

"If he just wants you all able to do it to a helpful degree... well, you'll all get there."

[mem_more_mihs]

"Who knows what Death wants. I get the impression that if we even improve a little he will be proud. Of course, now that I've seen what you can do together, I admit I want it more for myself."

[this_is_war]

War pointed at Maurice and lifted his eyebrows. "That'll be it. That'll be what he wants. You all to better yourself and want to."

He sighed melodramatically, "That's the kind of self-righteous bullshit he's into. Teaching people lessons for themselves.

"But hey, if it inspires you, go for it."

[mem_more_mihs]

"You're in a bad mood today, Force War." Maurice gave a smile. "Is there anything I can do to cheer you up?"

[this_is_war]

War smirked, the expression just a touch too wide for his face. "I can think of a few things, but they'd get you in trouble with your partner."

[mem_more_mihs]

"Force War!" Maurice giggled. It was always nice to be flirted with, even if he knew War couldn't really mean it. Aside from Force Pestilence, he was only interested in women so Maurice had heard. Then again, he wasn't exactly the most masculine of boys...

"You live up perfectly to your reputation."

[this_is_war]

"Ti'lan above, I hope not. I've got quite a few reputations and none of them are shining," War rolled his eyes. "Specially not ones spread by people who know me... suppose I must live up to them.

"Anyway, poppet," War reached out and stroked Maurice's hair briefly, "I just came to see how the aftermath was. Tell you what though, if anything happens involving Evil or a massive Library attack again, give me a call."

[mem_more_mihs]

"I will." Maurice blushed at the contact and gave War a sincerely grateful smile. "Thank you so much for coming to see me, Force War."

[this_is_war]

"Don't mention it." War shrugged with a lopsided smile, "It would ruin my street cred."

He turned and strode across the Library's floors, waving his hand over his shoulder as he left. "Later, Sadness Keeper."

[END]

[mem_more_mihs]

"Goodbye." [Maurice gave the Force a final wave before the man disappeared. Well now, that was interesting. He wasn't sure he could handle the moral dilemma War's visit had posed but when was he ever sure he could handle any of it? He'd have to think deeply abut this...]