surely I've always been this way

[virinosa]

[On Christmas, one may have met a young irishman passing out gifts.

That is why it shouldn't be at all surprising that he's stepping out of the shadows near...wherever Michi is this afternoon to find here.]

Comments

[hairpine]

[aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

no really

She jumps like. A good few inches off the ground at first. It's hilarious. But then she realizes who it is! Frands. Friends are good and okay and probably not scaring her on purpose.

... Everyone except Kumagawa, I mean.]

-- Oh, Mr Liam!

[virinosa]

Miss Elaine, there you are.

[His voice is still echoing faintly, a little reminiscent of Theirs, and his sclera are fading back to white. Um. Ooops.]

So this is what They meant...Do you have a minute?

[hairpine]

[Um.

Well. Liam is her friend. And They are her friends, so it's probably not anything to worry about.]

Yes, I'm free at the moment... Has something happened?

[virinosa]

Well, yes and no, but it's nothing you need to be worried about.

They just asked me to do them a favor, y'see. On a related note, can you understand what They say to you?

[hairpine]

Mr Liam, you are my friend. If something has happened to you, then it is my responsibility to feel concern for you, yes? I do believe that is how friendships function!

I understand Them, yes.

[virinosa]

Of course, I just meant it's not a thing that merits worrying, because something bad has to happen for that to be warranted.

Ah, good, that'll make this a little bit easier. Take a deep breath and listen, Miss, as hard as you can.

[hairpine]

[But -

Well. Liam is probably not the sort to lie about that kind of thing, unlike Kumagawa, so maybe it's alright to leave it alone? But if something happens...
If something happens she will just raise all sorts of hell fixing it, probably.]

... Yes?

[virinosa]

[And if she listens, slowly, she'll start to hear it. A calling, enchanting, alien voice; many voices, in point of fact, loudest where Liam is standing.]

Close your eyes, and keep listening until they're distinct, each individual voice. And then open them again.

[hairpine]

... All right.

[THIS IS IMPORTANT she has never had to focus this much in her entire life.

But she wants to hear more and Liam wants her to hear more so she calms herself and strains her ears, listening carefully.]

[virinosa]

[It just gets louder and louder and louder and louder and louder, a deafening cacophony of voices, each introduction in their own special, horrible dialect, like the most beautiful music that ever made you feel like clawing your own ears out.

And they know her name. It feels like a violation every time they say it, and Liam's voice isn't Liam's anymore but a thousand, and she'll probably hear before he ever notices the echo to it, as his humanity is stripped away and twisted and reshaped in Their image.]

You can open your eyes now.

[If she was paying attention, he didn't speak that aloud.]

[hairpine]

[She doesn't even think to scream. There is a remaining shred of human rationality screeching at her from the very back of her mind while They take the sides and the front, no, everything about this is wrong, leave while you still can and go back to your medicine and your honey and your comfortable human life

but it never occurs to her to listen to that one. She was so unhappy then, but she has friends now, human friends and others far too numerous for her to greet. She's trying. She's trying so hard to keep her eyes closed and listen and still say hello to everyone.

But then it's alright for her to open her eyes, finally, says the little Liam-not Liam-everyone else in her mind (was he always there? that's interesting.), so she does, and she smiles.]

... I see! Thank you for introducing me to everyone, Mr Liam! They do all seem to be quite a polite group... I'm very grateful!

[virinosa]

[When she sees what's standing in front of her she may have wished she'd listened to that voice.

The marks of Liam's contract have spread, turning his sclera black and marking him with words and promises and to whom and what has signed their marks upon him. That's not the worst part.

The worst is what can now be seen in the shadows around him, mirrors out to the distant rings, lurking and horrible and just indistinct enough to make it worse.]

Can you see better now?

[hairpine]

[She stares this thousand yard stare for a good moment or two -- and then closes her eyes. It's shocking, but nothing she can't handle. She always recovers quickly.

So it's less in response to him and more to give herself a short breather. Not that closing her eyes would help at this point anyway.]

Yes, I can! Though, if I may be so presumptuous as to ask, what is the meaning of this exercise? You're what they refer to as a Summoner? ... Or, hm... is this different, perhaps? They aren't devils, after all...

[virinosa]

A summoner...? Oh, no no no. They can be contracted for such, but this is nothing like that. They can grant people powers in return for something, too! I wished for something like that a long time ago, that's all.

As for the purpose, this is...[He pauses to think about it, and then shrugs.] I was asked to teach you. Now if you look for this kind of thing again, you can see all sorts of things. It's probably better to be able to see people's true selves, right?

[hairpine]

Hmm...

[A beat.]

But why me? I have nothing to gain from developing this sort of sight. ... Ah, most likely, that is... do They know the future in more concrete terms as well?

[virinosa]

I wouldn't claim to know why, just that They wished it done.

And anyone would have something to gain from being able to see people as they are. The truth is a valuable commodity, Miss, and it allows for better understanding of others.

[hairpine]

[Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm]

Well, then, thank you very much for the gift, Mr Liam! It does seem to be quite the useful present, so I shall put it to as much use as I am able.

But if what you say is true, is this how you truly look?

[virinosa]

Umm, I suppose. This isn't really about people's physical appearances, but a more metaphysical representation of them that's more accurate to their true soul.

...Also this is a little bit of a side-effect from being a channel for them, but it's not as though I mind.

[hairpine]

It's very cute...! I am not entirely certain if it suits you, but it is a charming form regardless.

Do They speak through you, Mr Liam?