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(Scars do not appear to be cause of death –shock ... - Bad Request

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"Why <strong>do</strong> you disturb my rest? There has <strong>be</strong>en so much happening <strong>of</strong> late,<br />

and while I welcome the sensation, I must confess <strong>to</strong> desiring the sense <strong>of</strong><br />

quiet."<br />

"Tell me about yourself."<br />

"I am... I was... Ocean-<strong>be</strong>fore-the-S<strong>to</strong>rm, a Sensate. Now, alas, I am merely<br />

decoration."<br />

Something itched at the back <strong>of</strong> my mind at the word. "A Sensate? What's<br />

that?"<br />

"A Sensate is a mem<strong>be</strong>r <strong>of</strong> the Society <strong>of</strong> Sensation - one <strong>of</strong> the factions <strong>of</strong><br />

Sigil, located in the Civic Festhall in the Clerk's Ward - which holds that the<br />

universe can <strong>be</strong> unders<strong>to</strong>od and manipulated only through the senses, and<br />

therefore we should accumulate as many varied experiences as possible. I<br />

<strong>be</strong>lieve I've reached the quota on sitting on a dusty shelf - my bore<strong>do</strong>m<br />

threshold is low."<br />

"Can I <strong>do</strong> anything for you?" I asked with a <strong>to</strong>uch <strong>of</strong> sympathy.<br />

"No, but you're kind <strong>to</strong> ask. Once I threw myself <strong>of</strong>f the shelf and shattered.<br />

Next thing I knew, I was back on the shelf and we were all glued here. When<br />

Lothar tires <strong>of</strong> me, he'll dispose <strong>of</strong> me."<br />

"I know the feeling. Well, <strong>of</strong> the first thing I mean. What are you <strong>do</strong>ing<br />

here?"<br />

She sighed, "Why, I sit on the shelf and gather dust until one <strong>of</strong> Lothar's rat<br />

minions takes it in<strong>to</strong> his head that I need brushing. I answer questions for<br />

Lothar, and... that is the extent <strong>of</strong> this miserable existence."<br />

"No, I meant, 'How did you get here?'"<br />

"It's a long s<strong>to</strong>ry, and I'm <strong>not</strong> supposed <strong>to</strong> say anything <strong>to</strong> you about it until<br />

you've completed a task for Lothar."<br />

"What could he possibly <strong>do</strong> <strong>to</strong> you?"<br />

The skull stared at me, and I got the impression it was shivering. "There's a<br />

remarkable amount <strong>of</strong> pain one can feel without nerve endings. Not all pain<br />

493

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