video; un: padlocks

[enblightened]

I have made my warning to a handful of you before, but there are many that I've yet to meet. And so, this is primarily to those who do not know me.

I am something to be wary of. 'Tis not meant as a threat, but a matter of what I am. Call it what you shall, be it a curse or condition, but the brand on my head is not for display only. Many would call me an abomination where I am from, and it is not far from the truth.

I fight back the instincts of a demon inside of me. I hold it back by whatever means I am able, with my will and the bonds I take with me. With years of practice, I am typically able to hold it back, but there can never be a promise of my willpower. If there comes a time in which this beast emerges and I transform, I do not expect mercy on my behalf.

I understand that there are some with a similar situation as myself, or that you have experienced enough horrors to be prepared for it. Making demands of a person is impossible, I know that, but I want to be clear that I am a thing to be careful with.

...Thank you for listening. Be well, friends and strangers alike.

Comments

video; un: erwinsmith

[13thcommander]

[That was... a lot. A lot that could be perceived as overly dramatic (Erwin has been around enough teenagers to know how edgy they can get), but there's a ring of truth to it, a genuine sincerity that gets under Erwin's skin.]

Is your demon literal or figurative?

[enblightened]

Literal.

My body changes. I become a monster -- a predator to anything.

[13thcommander]

[Fascinating.]

What is your level of control over this predator? Does it change from day to day?

[Excuse Erwin's nosiness; he's not trying to be a jerk, he just finds this really interesting! His tone isn't accusatory or worried at all; rather, he sounds engaged by the topic.]

[enblightened]

On most days, I able to control it. There are some... very specific occasions that becomes much more difficult, but I do not foresee most of them in this case.

However, when the moon is full, then it becomes harder.

[13thcommander]

Do you require special treatment when the moon is full? Protection for others, as well as yourself?

[Because, let's be honest, most people try to kill what they don't understand.]

[enblightened]

What point would there be to protecting me when others are in danger?

[13thcommander]

Because the monster isn't you, and you're not in control of it? You shouldn't be killed over something that isn't your fault.

[enblightened]

I suppose... that I find it more troublesome. How might one protect me when I cannot control it? That, it is hard to conceive.

[13thcommander]

As I don't know what your monster is, I have no idea of the specifics of this protection.

But the point still stands. Protection both for and from you during the full moon should be a priority.

[enblightened]

I do not know how that would be possible. I'm not unwilling to cooperate in some capacity, but there are things I won't do for that.

[13thcommander]

That is fair, and your right.

[For the first time, Erwin smiles faintly.]

I might not look it, but I'm an experienced soldier. I wouldn't put myself or anyone else in danger.

[Liar, he totally would. Especially himself.]

[enblightened]

I see. You appear remarkably calm.

What would you do, then? To keep both parties safe.

[13thcommander]

The first step would be knowing what I was dealing with. I'm aware that the particulars of your monster may be difficult to discuss, but I would need to know as much as you can tell me.

And then I'd create a strategy for dealing with it, ideally something that you keep you relatively subdued and out of harm's way. At the same time, isolation could be vital, so that if things went wrong, no innocents were in the area.

[enblightened]

I... only ask for two things.

Do not lock me away. Do not chain me up somewhere. Isolation I can manage if I have space, but I won't-- never, not in a cell ever again. It would only be worse.

[13thcommander]

Neither of those should be a problem.

[Erwin files away the fact that isolation is acceptable with space. It sounds almost like a titan, who will be calm and placid if their prey is out of reach.]

[Thank goodness he still has his manoeuvre gear.]

If that's the case, then I think isolation in a wide open space while being watched over from a safe distance would work.

[enblightened]

As you say.

[And he hopes that this man does not change his mind.]

I suppose there may be some who are skilled in observing from a distance?

[13thcommander]

Two of us, in fact.

[Did Erwin just rope Levi into helping him with this? He absolutely did.]

We'd take the high ground and observe, only intervening if necessary.

[enblightened]

Then... that may work. If you're certain about this.

[13thcommander]

I am. I want to help.

[And observe!]

[enblightened]

...Thank you.

The full moon surely must approach soon. I wish I had more plans beyond delving into the woods to let the damned thing out, but that is all that I have.

[13thcommander]

I'm sure that, between the two of us, we can come up with something more comprehensive than that. The woods sound like an excellent place to start.

[Erwin is already scheming about this.]