( MINGLE - WEEK 4 )

[abhoth]

SURVIVORS: 32 The sun is shining, the air conditioner units hum as they always do, and a gentle morning breeze blows against the windows. The scent of pine cones and evergreen follow you wherever you go in the motel, save for the parking lot and outdoor pool. It seems like someone was very generous with the detergent while moping the floors. The two grandfather clocks (one on each floor) will ring with each passing hour, indicating the time of day without fail. With this knowledge — they'll note the motel will continue to be surrounded by fog until 8:00 AM on the dot. It is at that hour that the fog will begin to recede. Not enough to reveal the whole city, but enough to allow residents to explore some of the buildings surrounding the motel. And speaking of the buildings surrounding the motel, it seems like the Library is now open. How quaint. As a reminder, we are now accepting murder proposals for Week 4! If you're interested in having your character commit a murder this week, be sure to send in your proposal before Tuesday, 9:00 PM EST. Remember that we can't have a murdergame without any murders, so go forth and let the bodies hit the floor. As always, feel free to PM us or send us a PP over plurk if you have any questions! ( quick navigation ) ic rulebook | locations | statuses | room assignments private conversations | ic profiles | graveyard | full navigation

Comments

[breaksouls]

It's a daemon who feeds on other daemons. I thought I might be able to consume this thing. It's been a while since I've tasted any blood, after all.

[rextenebrae]

[ He'll nod. Though... ]

Do you prefer blood over regular food?

[breaksouls]

No. Do I really seem like that kind of person?

[She laughs like it's completely obvious.]

It was the only thing I could taste for three years, the only thing I could taste until I arrived here. But I don't wanna be human either.

[rextenebrae]

Well, I wasn't sure...

[ At the very least he knows now. ]

You don't want to be human because it'll mean you won't have those powers and you wouldn't be able to fulfill that goal of yours, am I right?

[breaksouls]

Mm. That's not all, though. No matter what type of body or powers I have, I'm far from human at this point.

[rextenebrae]

[ For a moment, Knoll considers her answer. He doesn't know if he agrees--everything so far he's seen her exhibit has been entirely human. But, at the same time...he knows what defines someone as "human", can vary from person to person.

Still, he was a bit curious. ]

... Why do you believe you're so far from being human, even with a regular human body?

[breaksouls]

Everything I've been through, everything I've done... even if my arm's like this, nothing's truly changed.

[The only time she felt close to becoming her old self again... was in a dream, and not even one of her own dreams.]

Don't get me wrong, I still see myself as a person, but... I can't go back. There are daemons and even therions who could live a normal life if it weren't for their condition, but there are also those of us who have been entirely consumed by malevolence. As the Lord of Calamity, I think it's obvious where I stand.

[rextenebrae]

[ The dark mage absorbed everything she said, and something about she's said sounds familiar. Even if the situation at the time he been entirely different. ]

Yes, when you do put it like that... I see your point.

[ Though, human or not, he doesn't think it changes anything for him. ]

...That condition--is this the daemonblight you spoke of at one point?

[breaksouls]

Yeah. It's not really a blight or even something that can be cured, but... it's not like that even matters to most people. They'd probably be more afraid if they knew the truth.

[rextenebrae]

[ He recalls her mentioning that the Lord of Calamity was supposedly the source, but...he wondered if that were true. ]

...What is the truth in this case?

[breaksouls]

That it can happen to anyone who is consumed by malevolence. Anyone and everyone is capable of becoming a daemon.

[rextenebrae]

Is it because they consciously ignore the truth or hints pointing towards that answer? Or are they truly in the dark?

[breaksouls]

Probably a bit of both. They blindly follow whatever the Abbey tells them, never questioning anything. But I still imagine it'd be difficult for an ordinary person to come across that kind of information.

[rextenebrae]

It's always good to question those in authority at least once...though I suppose they wouldn't know any better, and it wouldn't end up any good.

[ Knoll takes pause, considering her words. ]

...You told me once that the Lord of Calamity -- yourself -- was the source of this daemonblight...But, is this true? Did it really all originate with you? Or was there another side to the story...of why you're hunting down this Shepard.

[breaksouls]

It might as well be, considering that's what everyone believes. And I do bring chaos everywhere I go. I've watched entire villages be consumed by malevolence. And before you ask, I did cause it to happen. I don't care what I have to do in order to kill the Shepherd.

{If she did care, she'd have broken down a long time ago. But she has to keep moving forward, no matter what.]

As for why... he killed my brother. I won't rest until I take his life with my own hands.

[rextenebrae]

[ Knoll hadn't known what he was expecting, but ... that wasn't exactly it. Well, maybe he had been a bit too naive. ]

... Why would this Shepherd kill your brother? Was it by accident?

[breaksouls]

To resurrect the Empyrean, Innominat, and rid the world of malevolence. He knew exactly what he was doing.

[She pauses, frowning.]

As did my brother.

[rextenebrae]

[ Oh, okay. Once again another tale of someone being a sacrificial lamb, which is pretty terrible and-- wait. ]

One moment--your brother willingly went to his death?

[breaksouls]

Yeah.

[She feels her fists clenching by themselves.]

But I'll still avenge him. No matter what.