⛧ Aʟʟᴇɴ "ɴᴏᴛ ᴀ ᴘʀɪᴇsᴛ" Wᴀʟᴋᴇʀ ★ (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
likethelight) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
deernet2022-05-21 05:40 am
likethelight) wrote in deernet2022-05-21 05:40 am
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. ]
...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 ]
CW: mentions of prior character death throughout ]
no subject
And in fact, the thing that overwhelms him here is just how kind everyone is and likewise kind-hearted. People that were angered by this? This is nothing compared to his home and the pain that caused him. It's okay. He'll accept this, because: ]
Mm. I think we all are... [ It's said more softly, and there's a sober sort of gratitude in his voice. And he pauses, considering those words more deeply. ]
Thank you. [ Truly. ]
You said you wanted to help if you could... what is it that you do, Lord Felwinter? If you don't mind my asking.
no subject
[As simple as that. But he knows that's underselling himself, no matter how much his guilt and grief have left him questioning his ability to do good. He may be floundering a little, but he can still try to make a difference. He has an awful lot to make up for, after all.]
I... protect people. I was part of a group which was trying to change the world. We didn't always see eye to eye. Some of them found my methods too harsh; I found theirs too hesitant. But I had a great deal of respect for what they were trying to do.
[And they had changed him. Just like all of the people he'd met.]
Your idealism reminds me of them. So I will help, if I can.
no subject
Oh how that makes him smile for a moment. A warm and amused little curl of one. Touched. ]
I think... I can understand that sort of sentiment.
[ Though ironically in Allen's case, he found the methods of his organization too harsh in what they were willing to sacrifice of humanity -- sacrificing their own humanity in the name of humanity -- and they found his too loving and accepting in wanting to save everyone. But the fundamental reason is still the same:
Wanting to protect people to the extent that you would break away from everything and everyone you knew before in order to pursue your ideals, even while still carrying the same love and respect for them. ]
You know, even if I can cleanse Beasthood... it isn't something easy to do alone. It's a fight, sometimes a very hard one. And with everyone else who can... they need help from those who can fight so they can too. Comrades.
[ So that warms him. It really does, so much. ]
So I'd be honored to fight with you then too, Lord Felwinter. [ Comrades? ]
no subject
Comrades. He turns the word over in his mind, and wonders if he has any right to claim it with the deaths of hundreds weighing heavy on him.
Perhaps he takes just a little bit too long to reply, lost in his thoughts and too unpracticed at conversing with someone with Allen's warmth and openness. Too wary to reach out and accept that offer of comradeship, so instead he leaves it untouched, like a rejected handshake. He will help, but he will keep his distance as he always has done. Things are safer for everyone that way.
But there is something else he can offer.]
I've been spending a lot of time in the Archives. They are... disorganised, but from time to time I come across volumes on the topic of beasthood or corruption. Some of it may prove useful.