deernet | video; un: shiro

[Local man sits at his kitchen table, arms folded and a coffee mug in front of him. He looks... worried. Concerned. And is clearly preparing for a Speech.]

My name is Shiro.

I'm one of the Sleepers who came here from Deerington, the dream world. I don't actually know how many of you out there are in the same boat anymore, so... with a choice like we've been given, I don't know how many of you remember the last time we had one like it.

[He means the vote that ended the dream.]

That vote ended with Julia Sodder's death.

I want to think it's because a lot of us didn't fully understand the consequences. I want to think it was because a lot of people were hurt, afraid, and thought they were doing the right thing. Or they just wanted to protect the people they knew. Regardless, Julia Sodder died. The people she'd brought into her world to save her... they let her down.

[Deep breaths Shiro, because it really sounds like you were trying to say I let her down, there. He folds his hands, and props his chin up in them.]

You can probably see where I'm going with this.

I'm not saying don't give this Pthumerian your opinion. At this point, inaction is probably the worst idea we've got. These beings - they're a part of this world whether we like it or not. They have been for longer than we can probably realize. [He grimaces.] Aside from one...

[Friggin Mother Mercy/Superior.]

We should be careful, I think, to do anything that cuts them off from their world. Even if we think it might help the people we care about. Protect them. We could end up doing something we really regret.

[There's a long pause, Shiro debating his next words.]

Like always, I'm open to explaining anything to people who have no idea where I'm coming from. I'm more than happy to talk about what happened in Deerington. The way I see it, maybe that will help us understand this world.

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At least it's not just me.

[That part, at least, is meant to be mildly humorous. The look on Peter's face is enough for Shiro to try. Try to put on a braver face, make a little joke about something that isn't as serious as Julia Sodder's fate.]

[But he sobers up, quickly. Even as his expression remains sympathetic. The guilt still feels fresh to him, too. That last meeting with her...]

If it helps, I spoke to Hali - the Pthumerian offering the ritual. And the choice, at least, is sincere, I think. When he talked about it, you could tell this was something he cared about - us choosing one way or another.

Hali, at least, I don't think has any strings attached.

( Peter does manage to smile again at that, even if it's another that barely registers on his face — it's something. It's something, to still have people from Deerington who remember. And people who care as much as Shiro clearly does.

He's listening to the older man, giving Shiro's words all of his focus. There's a soft widening of his eyes as he hears that Shiro spoke to Hali, he knows a few people have, but the thought is admittedly.... terrifying. Peter's never spoken to any of the Pthumerians. )

That's.... honestly a relief. I think things like them... have to be honest. ( At least, it seems that way. They seem to function like Paimon — capable of manipulating things, but bound to certain truths. It is a relief to hear that Hali seems sincere, but worry still pinches at his brow, a quiet concern that's been keeping him up for.... a while. Even before Hali. )

...I'm worried about something, though. What if he has followers out there somewhere, and they come in with him? People like Riteoir's, like the Tower's... Cultists. ( Peter flinches from the word, softly. )

They're the ones I'm mostly worried about. The kind of damage they're capable of.

I'd believe that, if it weren't for Superior. [Not that his disbelief is on Peter. Not at all. It's a good theory. Maybe it holds true for the other Pthumerians. But that one? He hadn't trusted a single word out of her mouth. Face hole. Whatever she had.] But Hali - he just seemed different. When I mentioned Superior, he actually seemed... not angry, but close to it.

Because she doesn't give us a choice.

[It's something. Some small reassurance their decision would be honored. Whatever it was.]

But you've got a good point. That's something we should probably look into before we jump into this - does Hali have followers? And what are they like, if he does?

( Superior. That's one entity Peter desperately tried to stay away from back in Deerington, and his fear of her continues, a kneejerk anxiety that blossoms in him at the mere thought. With it, a discomforting realisation; Shiro's right. )

Shit.... her. You're right. Maybe even among the Pthumerians, there's... discourse. There's so much about them I guess we still don't know.

It's a weird relief though, thinking that he doesn't approve of her bullshit.

( He's giving a soft sigh, running a hand back through his hair. )

Yeah, as much as the Pthumerians can be an unknown, I'm more scared of what people are capable of. Like... the Tower's zealots used to be people, right? They got twisted over time.... that could happen again.

And even if Hali doesn't have any wonked-out followers now, some could show up later. With entities like this.... it always seems like there's people who go too far with worshipping them.

( It's in fact the very reason he was sacrificed to a cult back home! So it might be Super Heavy on his mind with thinking about all of this.... )

There is, but, yeah. Knowing she's not that popular might help. [He hesitates. And then locks the feed. Peter's been through the whole thing too. He knows how things go. And he really, sincerely doubts the kid would be the type to try and throw a wrench into any plans...] We're going to try and talk to Cynthia - the Moon Presence.

We want to see if there's any way to put a stop to Superior. She tricked her way into this world, and she's only caused more harm here. If anyone knows... Cynthia has to.

[Just so Peter, a fellow Veteran, knows.]

You're right, again. But we really don't have a way to know how it's going to go. Hali seems too new to have that kind of thing. And he implied - he implied the Tower and Trench are different than what he'd be doing.

Maybe that would help keep another zealot situation from happening.

( Peter's eyes widen slightly at that. Cynthia...it's a good idea, a really good one. Getting help from a Pthumerian with this might be the way to go, and if any of them could be trusted... it's her. )

That's a good plan. I didn't even think about trying to reach out to Cynthia to help, but you're right.... She'd know, and she'd help.

...I haven't talked to her a lot, here. I know she comes around, and some people communicate with her. My girlfriend... she's really attached to her. She talks to Cynthia all the time. ( There's an odd guilt in Peter, a needling thing in his stomach. He shifts, looks down at his hands for a moment. The weight of what happened back in Deerington, the decisions that they all made.... he knows it's something a good deal of them still carry, and maybe that's made it hard for him to face Cynthia, too. )

If there's anything I can do to help, just let me know. I'll keep an eye out for any more information on this Hali being, too. I'd... like to help more.

I hope she'd help, anyway. Unless she's too far removed from us anymore... or what happened in the dream.

[But he hopes not. He really does hope Cynthia can be reached. That she can help, or provide some kind of direction. Even a little nudge toward information.]

She does? That'd - that'd be great, actually. Usagi said she talks to Cynthia a lot too, so. More people trying to get answers would be helpful.

[To the rest, he nods, something like relief mixed with gratitude on his face. It's not easy, no. Looking at the being that was Cynthia Sodder and knowing what happened. No matter how hard you'd tried...]

If I can think of anything, yeah, I'll let you know. In the meantime, just finding anything on Hali would help for sure.

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