Xerus awoke, and thus inevitably he knew he was alive. If this was heaven, or perhaps hell, it would not feel like consciousness as he had known it. Either he would be free of the material conditions that had bound him to his innumerable sins, or inversely he would be bound to it in a manner far greater than he had been ever before. But evidently he was still alive, not yet free of the mortal bindings that marred his mind. 

Alas.

He opened his rheumatic eyes, and still there was darkness. It did not matter.

This Jailor woman was a nuisance, not an obstacle. Already in his head he had gone through dozens of theorems about the nature of magicks and esoterica that she hadn't considered punishing him for. Already he had published them, and then replied to them with critiques. But... for the consumption of the unwashed masses, he supposed he had to convey this information to them somehow. 

"The Pipes, the Pipes...." he murmured harmoniously under his breath, smiling as consciousness entered him once more. Yes, this was a world he could bring under his control, one he could interpret in his terms. 

As Xerus opened his eyes, he sniffed. He listened. These were not souls worthy of discussion with him. They were all interested in some inferior cause of theirs, none of them were interested in the primordial concern of love, nor were they interested in learning. Oh well, it would have to be.

Ah. Her. The Jailor. Truly a nuisance. Gagged, blinded, bound, his work had become very difficult in those abominable conditions. But still, his mind was free, and though he had only so much local memory to work with, he could still make progress in his studies. For now here merely worked on trying to suck out a particularly annoying piece of the gruel he'd been fed that had managed to get stuck in his teeth. It was truly fascinating how it seemed to liquid and insubstantial, yet managed to be a dental atrocity at the same time. Even though a victim of it, he had to condemn the minds of the prison for creating such a mundane but persistent torment. If only those minds were applied to something greater! Alas. 

Well, he could only assume his new state was good news. It wasn't as if they'd bother with such an elaborate effort just to kill him. That means he was needed for something. A smile came across Xerus. He twisted his lips a little to nibble off the messy edges of his ungroomed mustache, so as to be a little more presentable. 

He wasn't alone, and he had to set himself above the scum around him. But it seemed there would be a wait for everyone to be ready to speak. Thus, simply chose to pass the time amiably. Softly, little more than a hum, he began to sing.

[i]Golden light, golden light, 
Even in darkness, I still see!
Come the day, come the night,
I know the light's with me![/i]