achates | Day 2 | Sunset

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Day 2 | Sunset | @everyone

Good evening, everyone.

My name is Armin Arlert. Hello again, if we've already met. If not, I'm glad to meet you now.

I'll try to keep this as brief as I can.

Nao and I are working together to compile a secondary demon compendium based on our individual experiences. We'll need everyone's help to get a good idea of what we're working with. It seems that much of the information given to us by our COMPs is, indeed, accurate, but it's wise to rely on what we can observe ourselvess before anything else.

That being said, please respond to this message with the following information:

1. The type of demon you're describing
2. Have you contracted with it? If so, what were its terms?
3. Any observed skills
4. Other relevant anecdotes and observations

I'll work on compiling all of the information given into an ongoing report, which I'll post at the bulletin board Dimitri's set up at the church.

Your help is greatly appreciated.

Armin

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[ She takes a while to respond, in part because the technology remains foreign to her. When her message sends, it's one directed specifically to Armin. Some details are not hers to broadcast openly. ]

Hello again, Armin.

1. Hare of Inaba
2. I did. He requested that he be carried around, after I found him in something I picked up. To keep things even, as I'm told there is no obligation to honor a contract, I also give him hard candy mixed with some blood when using his abilities.
3. He is capable of ensuring escape from enemies to a safe location and minor healing.
4. Healing does not work on fatigue caused by touching one's stone to the barrier.

[Ah. The Princess must, at the very least, be privy to Dimitri's encounter with the gem stone. Armin notices that she's made their connection private, and ensures he's done the same. It takes a few minutes.]

Thank you. This is all extremely helpful. I've contracted with the Hare of Inaba too. It seems they have rather strange terms. The one I contracted with asked to be beautiful.

Interesting. Harvey wasn't so direct, but I suspect he wants to be tall, or at least feel that way. I wonder if they often contract for things like that.

[ Two isn't enough to judge by, but it is a curious commonality. ]

This may or may not be related, but Merlin mentioned the demons here have some connection to folklore.

Yours chose a name as well? Mine prefers to be called Walter. They almost suit each other.

I've heard a few others say that the demons here may have some connection to folklore. I'm interested in hearing more, though, these demons don't suit any of the legends or myth where I come from.

He did, and he said it was "aspirational". It wasn't something he elaborated on. The two of them might get along.

I can't contribute much there, myself, since I don't recall what it was like outside. Merlin thought the pixies bore resemblance to what he's familiar with, though.

Someone else I spoke to reported that the Yatagarasu align with some folklore from their world as well. It's disquieting. Some others have theorized that this world pulls things from our perceptions. I'm not sure how true that might be. Just one more thing to consider, I suppose.

About that.

On more than one occasion now, when it appeared safe, I considered the possibility that it was too easy. That there must be a threat I'm not aware of. Then demons would appear at just that moment, right where I was. Maybe my intuition was simply right, but the timing was always just after I considered the possibility, like something was meeting my expectations. Answering them. I doubt it's that simple, but there might be something to it.

[It could easily be paranoia. Armin's seen it a thousand times - soldiers, checking over their shoulders with every beat of their horse's hooves just to make sure there wasn't a titan coming from behind. He gets it...]

It's a possibility we can't discount. I don't disagree with you there.

We'll have to try our best to keep our heads on straight, though, especially if someone really is toying with our perception.

[So, then, what's the advice? Be careful with your thoughts, but don't dwell on it so much you lose your mind? Big ask.]

It's certainly a mess.

[ It's far from definitive proof of anything, she knows. Perception had affected the trajectory of her life more than she likes, though that was solely in the domain of how certain others had seen her. The experience cautions her, but gives little else. ]

That's true. Where I'm from, I could only rely on myself, so I had to consider... Maybe it boils down to keeping our guard up but not thinking about what might be there.

I agree it's a mess. Whatever the purpose is here, I can't imagine what the desired result is, unless we're being studied in some way.

It could be any number of things.

I've considered experimentation, entertainment - some form of punishment, even. As far as I can tell, we have no way of knowing, as of right now.

At this point, it could be.

[ The lack of information is the worst part, in her mind... Not that she's thrilled with the rest. ]

When the only clue is that others before us failed by dying, we really don't have much to work with. I want to believe there's something though, if we can find it.

[ Considering the alternative is just demotivating. ]

Please, don't misunderstand.

There is certainly an answer to all of these questions, and the majority of us seem rather dedicated to finding it.

Don't lose hope.

This isn't the first time my situation seemed hopeless. I want freedom now even more than I did then, because I had it for a brief moment. My motivation's not going anywhere.

I'm not blind to the fact that I'm not the only one, so you don't need to worry about me.

Edited 2024-10-17 06:52 (UTC)

["Freedom". What an ugly, bastard word that is. Armin's not sure that he believes it exists anymore - not the way He wished it would.]

I meant no offense. If anyone's motivation did start to dwindle, though, I couldn't blame them. These circumstances are disheartening, to say the least.

We'll keep moving [Forward.], though.

That's all there is to do.

[ For her, it's that unattainable yearning ingrained into the very core of her being. And so it bears its own very different weight. ]

Why would I be offended? You were trying to be encouraging. I can imagine there are those here who need it more than I do.

[ Her drive is one thing that has never failed her yet. No further reply comes for a long enough pause that it seems she's got no more to say, but then another message comes along. ]

Do you make a habit of trying to prop others up?

[The person her words reminded him of is the same type.

[He's midway through a response when the second message comes through. He's not expecting it...]

I do like to be encouraging where I can. I think it's important. Especially under circumstances like these.

It's kind of you.

[ A simple statement of what she considers fact, after which she moves on. ]

I'll let you know when I have more observations.

[ About demons, of course. ]

Edited 2024-10-21 08:40 (UTC)

[Of course.]

Alright. I appreciate your help. We'll talk more then.

Make sure you spare a thought for your back while you're watching everyone else's, in the meantime.

[Ha...]

There's no need to worry about me. I've got thoughts enough for myself as well as others'. I'll keep my head straight on.

Call that my attempt at encouragement, if you like.

But I'll take your word for it.

[ Armin's quite different from the first person who'd tried to help her, and she thinks it's for the better. ]

In that case, I appreciate the encouragement. And will do.

Take care of yourself, as well.

Been doing that as long as I can remember, so I've had practice. No need to worry.

[ She's been at it for...an undefined long time, simply because if she didn't, no one else would. ]

Edited 2024-10-21 09:45 (UTC)

I'll reserve my worry, then.

Bye for now.

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Day 2 | Sunset | @everyone

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