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

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and that, working out the kinks. My voice was low, the rumble had a coarse<br />

hiss <strong>to</strong> it from the neck wound, "Here. Now. Prove your words <strong>to</strong> <strong>be</strong> true.<br />

Embrace your life as a petitioner."<br />

He gulped. "Now... eh... hmmmn." He <strong>of</strong>fered weakly: "Heh. I must confess<br />

that I'm <strong>not</strong> quite ready <strong>to</strong> depart this life just yet."<br />

The speaker flinched when I leapt <strong>to</strong>wards him, clasping his eyes shut and<br />

screeching. The knife fell in an arc, a bright flash like a crescent moon. His<br />

shriek echoed throughout the cham<strong>be</strong>r, even as my knife s<strong>to</strong>pped just short<br />

<strong>of</strong> his neck. When his wailing died in<strong>to</strong> a muted whimper, all that could <strong>be</strong><br />

heard was a faint drizzling sound as he soiled himself.<br />

"So, this great new life on the Outer Planes may <strong>not</strong> <strong>be</strong> all it's supposed <strong>to</strong><br />

<strong>be</strong>?"<br />

The speaker was aware <strong>of</strong> his hypocrisy, but was afraid <strong>of</strong> the alternative.<br />

"Perhaps <strong>not</strong>. Heh." He glanced quickly at the audience, tugging his tunic<br />

<strong>do</strong>wn <strong>to</strong> obscure the growing stain on his pants. "Eh... well. Certainly <strong>not</strong><br />

now."<br />

"That's what I thought. I've no more questions." I sat <strong>do</strong>wn, aching a little<br />

from reviving, but satisfied.<br />

He looked eager <strong>to</strong> wrap things up. "...then I shall end this session... um, I<br />

shall continue <strong>to</strong> lecture here at the Hall, so... eh... tell all your friends."<br />

Someone in the audience shouted: "Sure! So they can come see you mess<br />

your tunic again!" The room filled with laughter.<br />

"Eh... hmm."<br />

The <strong>do</strong>ors swung open, and the crowd parted with mixed reactions. Many<br />

chatted excitedly at what they had seen, bright-eyed and enlightened as if <strong>to</strong><br />

say "Ah, so that's what it's like." Others were more jaded, debating back and<br />

forth that while it was a fine performance, whether there was anything<br />

particularly new about me committing suicide. But most managed <strong>to</strong> exit<br />

with weak smiles, at <strong>be</strong>st, while a few were much less dignified.<br />

"Good sir," a pretty woman addressed me, swaying <strong>to</strong> block my path with<br />

her fire-red gown. She had a heart-shaped face framed with brunette curls,<br />

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