The Sandman (TV Series)
The Sound of Her Wings (2022)
Kirby: Death
Photos
Quotes
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Death : Okay, so what's the matter?
Dream : What do you mean?
Death : I can tell something's wrong. I mean, look at you. Sittin' here, moping, pigeon-feeding. It's not like you.
Dream : No. Perhaps it isn't. I don't know what's wrong, but... You're right. Something is the matter. When they captured me, I just had one thought: Vengeance. It wasn't as satisfying as I'd expected. Meanwhile, my kingdom had fallen apart, my tools long since stolen and scattered. And so I embarked upon a journey to find them. Which I did. I'm now more powerful than I have been in eons. And yet...
Death : Here you are, feeding the pigeons.
Dream : You see, until then, I'd had a true quest. A purpose beyond my function and then suddenly, it was over, and... I felt disappointed. Let down. Empty. Does that make sense? I was so sure that once I got everything back, I'd feel good. But in some ways I feel worse than when I started. I feel like... nothing. There. You asked.
Death : You could have called me, you know.
Dream : I didn't want to worry you.
Death : Oh, I don't believe it. Let me tell you something, Dream. And I'm only gonna say this once, so you better pay attention. You are utterly the stupidest, most self-centered, pathetic excuse for an anthropomorphic personification on this or any other plane. Feeling sorry for yourself because your little game is over and you haven't got the balls to go out and find a new one. You're as bad as Desire - no, worse. Did it never occur to you that I would be worried about you?
Dream : I didn't think you...
Death : Exactly. You didn't think.
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Dream : I find myself wondering about humanity. Their attitude towards your gift is so strange. Why do they fear the Sunless Lands? It is as natural to die as it is to be born.
Death : People may not be ready for my gift. But they get it anyway. No matter what the circumstance. At the end, each of us stands alone. The Sunless Lands are far away and the journey is hard. Most of us will be glad for the company of a friend. It's funny, looking back now. I used to think I had to do this all by myself.
Dream : But you do.
Death : No. At the end, I'm there with them. I'm holding their hand and they're holding mine. I'm not alone when I'm doing my job. And neither are you. Think about it. The only reason we even exist, you and I, and Desire and Despair, the whole family, we're here to serve them. It isn't about quests or finding purpose outside our function. Our purpose is our function. We're here for them. Since I figured that out, I realized I need them as much as they need me. I've seen so many cool things and people and worlds. I've learned so much. Lots of people don't have a job they love doing, do they? So, I think I'm really very lucky. Listen, I've got to head back soon.
Dream : You've taught me something I had forgotten. I thank you, my sister.
Death : Aw. That's what family's about, little brother. One last appointment, then I have to go.
Dream : I, too, am late for an appointment.
Death : Tell him I said hello.
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Dream : How do you do it?
Death : Do what?
Dream : This. Be there, for all of them.
Death : I have a job to do, and I do it. When the first living thing existed, I was there. When the last living thing dies, I'll put the chairs on the table, turn out the lights and lock the universe behind me when I leave. And I'm not there for all of them. There are exceptions. Mad Hettie, and then there's your ongoing project. How's he bearing up after all this time?
Dream : Who? Hob Gadling? I don't know. I was forced to miss our last appointment.
Death : Well, I'm sure he'd love to see you. They're never too keen to see me, though.
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Death : [removes her shoes] It's good to touch the Earth with your bare feet. It's grounding.
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Death : I actually used to think I had the hardest job in all our family.
Dream : Oh, did you?
Death : They fear the Sunless Lands, yet they enter your realm every night without fear.
Dream : And yet I am far more terrible than you.
Death : It was fine in the beginning. Dying and living were new things and people did them with the enthusiasm they always bring to new things. And then after a bit, it just got harder.
Dream : But you continued.
Death : I thought about giving up. Walking out. This was a long time ago, long before this world. It really started to get to me. I got kind of hard and brittle inside. I mean, people feel as pleased to have been born as if they did it themselves. But they get upset and hurt and shaken when they die. But eventually, I learned that all they really need is a kind word and a friendly face. Like they had in the beginning.
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Hob Gadling : Look, I've seen death. I lost half my village to the Black Death. I fought under Buckingham in Burgundy. It's not like I don't know what death is. Death is... stupid.
Pub Visitor #2 (1389) : You're a fool, Hob.
Hob Gadling : Nobody has to die. The only reason people die is... is 'cause everyone does it. You all just go along with it. But not me. I've made up my mind. I'm not going to die.
Pub Visitor #2 (1389) : Hobs, death comes for every man.
Hob Gadling : You don't know that. I might get lucky. There's always a first time. There's so much to do, so many things to see: Women to swive, ale to drink, people to drink with!
Dream : Why would any sensible creature crave an eternity of this?
Death : You could find out.
Dream : How?
Death : I could grant him his wish.
Dream : Do that, and he will be begging for death within a century, I assure you.
Death : This will prove very interesting.
