exsilium | [Video] Monster Warning

[Kousuke appears on the screen, covered in dust and sweat and blood. If you look closely, you can see the trails his tears have left in it. But he gives a wan smile anyway. Anyone who's seen his real smile could tell what a pale imitation this one is.]

Uh... Hey, hey everybody. I'm Kousuke Nitoh. I, uh. I'm calling you on my way back from the outskirts of town. I gotta tell you something important...

[He sighs heavily, leaning up against the wall of a half-ruined building.]

There's a monster in town, a Phantom. It, uh, well, the easiest way for me to explain it is that it... killed Haruto.

[He looks immediately despondent, having said those words. He quietly repeats it.]

Haruto's dead. The Phantom stole his body, and it's walking around lookin' like him. So if you see him, don't talk to him. Phantoms usually don't kill people, other than the ones they're inside... But he'll try to feed off your despair.

[He starts walking again, looking around awkwardly.]

It's my responsibility to kill him. I gotta do this. But if anyone could help me keep people back while I fight him, or like... Just help me out. I have to deal the final blow, though. My life kind of depends on it.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

A dark shadow looming, I understand now. You have my condolences.

Perhaps I can help in locating him.

What do you mean about that dark shadow stuff?

If you can help, that'd be great.

Something I saw. An omen. But there are many omens in this places, many shadows they can fit. It can be difficult to match them before their time has come.

A monster like this must have a dark heart. It will stand out on a bright day.

Oh. You can see the future too, huh. It's cool, I'd rather not know than have you jump the gun about it.

[There's a small bitter tone in his voice, but he tries to move past it.]

I don't know that Phantoms even have a heart... But they're pretty dark.

[ she notes the tone. it isn't the first time she's hidden a sinister future, but if she had been more open, maybe he could have done something. ]

Forgive me, I should have spoken earlier. Some kind of preparation could have been made.

[ there's a short shuffling sound, then something light placed on a flat surface. ] It won't need to be a strict heart, if it broadcasts thought waves, they can be read. Zeroed in on. Sometimes even the absence where presence would be expected is a heavier beacon than most.

No, it's okay. I was thinkin' about... Someone else had a vision and just... tried to jump the gun a little. I wasn't really very happy about that.

[He chuckles lightly at his own understatement.]

If you can help me pinpoint his location, I'd be really grateful. I dunno how long it's gonna take me to find him...

They can be things that demand care. But I wonder if sharing them doesn't have a balance. Knowing what's coming also requires when to speak and when to keep silent, if someone failed to judge this properly with you before, I apologize.

But I can promise to divine as well as I'm able. If something occurs, you'll be the first to hear.

Yeah. I mean. There's always a better alternative than just... killing the guy. Visions can be wrong sometimes! I mean, if you can't change them, what's the point of having them at all?!

[He's a little too worked up, he takes a deep breath and calms down.]

Sorry. Thanks for your help, miss... I'll keep the channel open.

[ she stops for a moment, the contradiction in his plan and his resolve starting to sink in. ]

You don't think you need to kill him?

No... I know I gotta. But I gotta kill Dragon, after Dragon killed Haruto. The person I'm thinkin' of saw it happen and then went after Haruto. Jumped the gun. I just... I dunno if I can trust her anymore.

That's... I think I would consider that a fair bit beyond simply jumping the gun.

Where did this Dragon come from?

That's why she went for him... Haruto was born with Dragon inside him... If she'd have killed him, it'd have killed Dragon too. I dunno. I dunno.

[He's clearly really uncomfortable and nervous and upset.]

I mean, it probably woulda just put it off, you know. I dunno...

If there could have been a way to neutralize the Dragon without hurting him... [ but it's far too late now to be thinking about that. ]

There was. I tried. And I screwed it up. It woulda... He wouldn't have been a wizard anymore if I'd... But at least he'd be alive.

It'll all be OK when I get rid of Dragon. He'll come back. I gotta believe that.

But what of the monster that was inside him before? Could it be that it was always a part of him?

Edited 2013-07-13 00:19 (UTC)

Dragon will come back too, but hopefully Haruto will be... He just needs to be able to keep himself from falling to despair. I'll just have to be better, I'll just have to help him.

[ she considers that for a moment, humming thoughtfully. ]

It can be a heavy burden, but I understand the responsibility it requires. Sometimes we must be the strength for those we love that they can be strong for everyone else.

Yeah... Yeah....

[Then he pauses and blinks and throws his hands up.]

N- I mean, me and Haruto aren't like that, though. He's my rival! My rival!! So, like, I gotta help him out cos when he's not on the ball I got nothin' to aim for, right?

But he's important to you nonetheless. The connection remains, only the expression is different.

Okay, I guess... I'm just gonna save him, I'm not gonna worry bout all that.

This is for what happens after he's saved. Obviously it doesn't need to be addressed immediately, but it will need your attention after, if what you say is true about his despair.

[He makes a strangled sighing noise and nods on the video, running his fingers through his hair.]

Yeah. I'll... I'll be there for him. That's all I can do.

[ she hums in agreement. ] He's lucky to have a friend like you. Even in these darkest of circumstances.

[He flushes lightly.]

Yeah... Yeah uh. Thanks. I hope he feels the same way when he gets back.

As do I. And that this current situation passes as easily as it can.

[Video] Monster Warning

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oh wow i just noticed this should've been permavoice on her end

oh sorry permavideo on here THERE FIXED

nah it's cool it was my bad

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