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video; un: an.exorcist

[ Deep breath, come on, you've got this. ]

...just because someone becomes a beast, it doesn't mean they stop being human.

[ The video comes on and it's an older, slender teenager with stark white hair; pale grey eyes and a strangely delicate bright red mark slashed across the left side of his face. He seems to be in a courtyard of sorts, one of Amaterasu's guardian saplings is behind him in full bloom. He's only visible from the chest up, but the chair he's sitting in has handles behind it-- looks like a wheelchair. Whatever is taking the video also appears to be a flying sort of thing that bobs slightly. It's trying to hold this video still, but really... ]

Most of you probably already know this. [ His head cants to the side with a lightly apologetic smile. ] Some of you might even be able to still hear or reach them despite that form.

But not everyone does, and it's still too easy to say "oh, it's safer and quicker to just kill them. You don't save monsters." [ The official creed of the Hunters... but he's diplomatic enough to not say that aloud. ] Or "oh, a Sleeper can just come back." Except it isn't just us. Someone else who isn't... most of them who were human... they aren't like us. [ He smiles softly, but in a way that doesn't reach his eyes. They hood, bittersweet. ]

They're just dead then. The soul suffers until the end. Maybe beyond.

It doesn't have to be like that though. [ He seems a soft-spoken sort with a lilted voice, but his tone shifts then and becomes more certain. ] They aren't just a monster, and they don't have to stay one. Even with what they've become -- the soul is still human. Some part of them still wants to be saved; to be themselves once again. And they can. [ Mostly. At least so far in his experience. ]

Some of us have abilities that can let us purify or reverse what corrupted them and bring them back. Some of us-- [ he pauses, looking for a moment just a touch overwhelmed as his eyes drift to the side, the smallest curl of a touched sort of smile at the corner of his mouth ] ... a number of us, we're trying to do something to change things. At one of the old monasteries in Crenshaw.

[ But he closes his eyes. Deep breath, you can do this.

He lifts his eyes back up to the "camera", his expression schooled now with a quiet sort of determination. Chin up, eyes forward. ]

My name is Allen Walker. I'm an Exorcist. [ Clearer, more certain: steady. Rung like a quiet bell. ]

Who's been able to save someone who became a beast?

[ More importantly: ] Who wants to?

[ It's more determined and clearer still. ]

[ ooc: for those who want to poke around in person, there is also an open mingle log for Sanctuary!
CW: mentions of prior character death throughout ]

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that's a really good response.

[ If only you could see how much it makes him smile. But it seems more polite to respond in kind. ]

why is it important to you?

It's just the truth. I've known too many people who were just in a bad place. Who needed help - not a fight. Here, Deerington, and... in my world.

[ Oh. ]

Mine too. Someone else said that it's strange how most people who wake up here are often those that came from places that knew a similar suffering... I don't know much about Deerington or what birthed the world we know now, so I don't know if it's a good or bad sign that some things haven't changed.

Seems more ominous than anything.

What is it you do... Shiro?

[ g u e s s i n g. But when people have a short and quick name as a username like that it usually seems to be their name??? ]

It's kind of universal, I've noticed. People being written off as a lost cause. I wish I knew why. I was... in Deerington a long time. If you ever want or need to know anything about it, I'm more than happy to talk about it. Or pass on the information we've kept. Here, I've been working at Koz's. The orphanage. Close to what I used to do, a long time back.

It's probably because most people find it easier to see the world in black and white.

It hurts them less.

[ But, oh--! Shiro is the first he's met who he was certain was also from Deerington. ]

...Would you mind? I'd like the chance to meet and talk about that. Or meet in general. I don't understand that past as much as I'd like to, and trying to do something without first trying to really understand it... it doesn't usually go well.

Ehh, you work at the orphanage though? Really?

I used to entertain for kids back home. People of all ages, but especially them. Not all the time, but I loved it.

Edited 2022-05-25 07:33 (UTC)

Much as I hate to say it, you're probably right.

[There are so... so many examples of it he can think of. His world, Deerington. Here. Keith, Chloe. Julia Sodder herself. The beasts of this world.]

I don't mind at all. There's a reason we kept everything from Deerington we could - so people could learn. So we wouldn't forget. Just let me know when or where you'd like to meet. I do, yeah. I was an instructor in my world - and a science teacher in Deerington. So this just kind of seemed natural. Hey - they could use entertainment if you ever wanted to. :)

Thank you, it's very kind of you to offer. Maybe at the monastery we've been clearing? People have been calling it the Sanctuary because of one of Lady Amaterasu's trees that's been purifying the ground and healing corruption. In Crenshaw, near the Watch Tower, and there's a Lamp there as well. I can show you around.

What you do is important, I think. Orphanages where I was from were the only place any child like that could really get any kind of education, other than one on the street. It was hard, and most of the prioresses always had their hands full just taking care of everyone. Most children who start with that sort of life... it's very hard for them to pull themselves out of it. If they were even fortunate enough to be found by one.

And I will! I think I have someone I can borrow some sparklers from as well they might enjoy.

Yeah, I know the Watch Tower. But I don't think I saw a monastery before - I'll have to keep an eye out for it. And - you said the tree heals corruption? Really?

[That's amazing, if so!!]

I appreciate that. It just seemed like the right thing to do, when I got here. Look after kids who didn't have anyone else. Kids here, though? They seem to get adopted pretty quickly. It's good to see. And if anyone volunteering needs a bed, they're welcome to it, too. Oh yeah? Someone's got sparklers?

Mm. It's one of Lady Amaterasu's trees. There are a couple I've seen here now that look like giant cherry blossom trees, but they purify the land around them and let all sorts of plantlife grow. It's amazing, really.

And yes, we had sparklers at a fireworks party recently. One of my friends is a scientist by the name of Viktor and he can make them, among other things.

[ oh! ] Someone had made glowsticks, too. I can ask about those as well.

That's... incredible. Do other people know? Does it have a limit to purification? Sorry, I - that would be a huge relief to so many of the people I know. Oh man, I think the kids at Koz's would love glowsticks. Get different colors and there's a couple games I know they can get going.

I'm not sure about the limitations it has, but one of my friends who's a scientist is studying it to try and understand it better. It looks like it can reverse Beasthood in very small and non-hostile ones that used to be animals at least though, there have been a few mice purified that way. And that's a good question! I'll have to make sure to mention it next time. I only just found this place a little over a week ago.

[ He... he is not good at the trying to be a spokesperson or leader thing and just winged it from the gut this time tbh. Sansa is thankfully going to start coaching him. ]

You do? I'll ask about that! I can't imagine it would be that hard. I'll check with my friend who got them before.

Edited 2022-06-06 20:21 (UTC)

Purifying mice... that's What does it say about me that I think that's adorable? A really great picture, honestly. But, thank you for letting me know. Think it could handle a person or two, if they really needed it?

[Like Keith, he thinks, from their recent ... altercation.]

Yeah - you can have big games of tag using the colors of the glowsticks. Say, "red" is it, they chase and tag the other colors until you call a new color. Even older kids get really into it.

[ Probably because it is really cute, Shiro. Even Allen thinks so. They've even set up a little family of sorts in the roots of the tree. ]

A person or two who have become a Beast?

It would help I think, although I'd be worried to make sure they weren't in a state where it could harm the tree. It's still vulnerable to attack so I'd be worried about any Beast that show hostility being around it, even if they're contained.

But if someone has become like that... I can save them, you know. At least, I can try. But it's what my ability lets me do. I can cut the corruption from someone, including a Beast. Without hurting the person still inside. A lot of other people have reached out and told me they've been able to reach inside the thoughts or soul of someone who's become a Beast and pull them back that way too, whether through their blood or magic.

I think, what I'd like... with there being so many of us who can, or who or learning how to do so better, we should make ourselves easy to reach when someone does turn. So we can help.

But if you just mean someone who is suffering from corruption... absolutely. It helps a lot, even if it might not get rid of it entirely. A lot of people will come sit under it for a while and meditate, or even fall asleep. It has a way of setting your thoughts at ease.

Do you want to come by and we can talk there? You can see it firsthand that way.

No one I know is a Beast right now. I'm... just worried about a few people. My brother. My husband. If something could help them without them having to be pushed over the edge... And I don't know how receptive either of them would be to magical means. Not that I don't appreciate it - that's a lot better than any of us had before, and I think it's going to help a lot of us. Just... these two would probably be better hanging out with a tree.

[Keith would probably consider any kind of cutting an attack. And so would Adam. Neither of them trusted magic very much either.]

I can do that, sure. Whenever you'd like. I can bring the information from the dream, too.

Of course. To be honest, it's best I not use my ability unless someone has already become a Beast or is about to. The process can be a little alarming and shouldn't be done unless there's no other choice.

[ Considering the "cutting" comes in the form of a nearly 6' giant holy sword... yeah. There's a reason it's literally a last resort even to Allen. You know how weird it sounds to stab someone on purpose to help them? It's weird for him too. ]

There's some tea people have been making from the blossoms of the tree that seems to help people feel better I can get you as well. Whether it actually reduces their corruption or not I don't know, but it does help ease spirits. And it tastes really good too.

Do you have time tomorrow? Or this weekend?

Edited 2022-06-23 14:52 (UTC)

I appreciate that. Sometimes it seems like a lot of people default to the most extreme option first. At least here, anyway.

[It's probably just here. But he can kind of understand why. Trench, and Deerington before it, can and has hardened a lot of people.]

You know, as luck would have it, we're a big tea household. I can trade you for some honey - it was a gift from Julia Sodder, back in Deerington. It has healing properties, for sickness and injury. Never really seems to run out, either. Tomorrow, yeah. I can meet you somewhere to start out?

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sorry!! my new job hit like a brick...

no worries at all!!

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