It was a busy day in the Omphalos, the sound of people going about their day was everywhere. Everywhere except for the lounge. The lounge itself was actually pretty quiet. Or at least, it wasn't as loud as it was outside, due to the few bodies that were sitting in there.
Among the group of people, a monster with black fur that looked like an Anubis jackal dragon with leathery wings to match, sat in a corner inside a hanging chair shaped like an egg.
Sitting across his lap was a chubby young woman with light brown skin, and long black hair done into high twintails, with earbuds in, laying her head on his chest as she hummed softly, eyes closed as she relaxed against him.
While the young woman who was obviously shorter than him by some feet sat in his lap, the Anubian dragon was reading a book while rubbing the woman's back with his paws. Every now and then his ears would twitch and swivel as he took in his surroundings, making sure to stay alert as the two relaxed together.
Looking up for a moment, Isiah noticed that someone in a security outfit was standing outside. Isiah hummed softly, putting his book down and lifting the girl up.
"Hey Eclipse, remember when I said we needed to ask about becoming agents but we never had the chance to do that?" He asked, taking her hand.
"Uhm, yes? Why? What's the matter?" She asked curiously, squeezing his paw.
"I don't think we'll have to look very far." Isiah says, leading her in a specific direction.
"Good evening officer! What brings you to the lounge this fine day? Looking for new recruits perhaps?"
Among the group of people, a monster with black fur that looked like an Anubis jackal dragon with leathery wings to match, sat in a corner inside a hanging chair shaped like an egg.
Sitting across his lap was a chubby young woman with light brown skin, and long black hair done into high twintails, with earbuds in, laying her head on his chest as she hummed softly, eyes closed as she relaxed against him.
While the young woman who was obviously shorter than him by some feet sat in his lap, the Anubian dragon was reading a book while rubbing the woman's back with his paws. Every now and then his ears would twitch and swivel as he took in his surroundings, making sure to stay alert as the two relaxed together.
Looking up for a moment, Isiah noticed that someone in a security outfit was standing outside. Isiah hummed softly, putting his book down and lifting the girl up.
"Hey Eclipse, remember when I said we needed to ask about becoming agents but we never had the chance to do that?" He asked, taking her hand.
"Uhm, yes? Why? What's the matter?" She asked curiously, squeezing his paw.
"I don't think we'll have to look very far." Isiah says, leading her in a specific direction.
"Good evening officer! What brings you to the lounge this fine day? Looking for new recruits perhaps?"
Wearing the identifiable Key Gauntlet of an Agent, Aluel was easily spotted from her position to be security. She was also used to seeing a myriad of different non-human species about, so when Isaiah spoke to her, she didn't so much as flinch. She was alert, presented by the greatsword hovering behind her back, but she wasn't one to overreact. However, Isaiah's tone admittedly put her on edge - it was too formal, almost artificially so to her ears. For the phantom of a second, her lone eye squinted, but there wasn't the absence of friendliness in her following polite smile.
"I am just making my rounds," she said, accent carrying the distinction of an East African language. "I was about to enter the lounge myself to do so. And forgive me, but I feel obliged to tell you that I'm not an officer yet. I am still a trainee, but I am security. If you have any need for that department, I will do my best to help. Otherwise, I will direct you to a superior."
She especially watched them for their body language at these statements, but she did so subtly.
"We're always looking for news agents, if that is what you are wondering. It is an uphill battle against the Corruption, but not one people have to do alone." Her gaze was pinned upwards, as Isaiah towered over her frame. She looked delicate in comparison, even if her weapon and the scars littering her body spoke otherwise. "If you're seeking to apply, there's computers in the lounge that have a set-up available for applications. There is also a desk in the lobby where you can do paperwork."
Following that, she inclined her head forward, as if gesturing to the two without hands. Her arms themselves were crossed over her chest.
"However, you seem like you both have questions first. Is this correct?"
"I am just making my rounds," she said, accent carrying the distinction of an East African language. "I was about to enter the lounge myself to do so. And forgive me, but I feel obliged to tell you that I'm not an officer yet. I am still a trainee, but I am security. If you have any need for that department, I will do my best to help. Otherwise, I will direct you to a superior."
She especially watched them for their body language at these statements, but she did so subtly.
"We're always looking for news agents, if that is what you are wondering. It is an uphill battle against the Corruption, but not one people have to do alone." Her gaze was pinned upwards, as Isaiah towered over her frame. She looked delicate in comparison, even if her weapon and the scars littering her body spoke otherwise. "If you're seeking to apply, there's computers in the lounge that have a set-up available for applications. There is also a desk in the lobby where you can do paperwork."
Following that, she inclined her head forward, as if gesturing to the two without hands. Her arms themselves were crossed over her chest.
"However, you seem like you both have questions first. Is this correct?"
"There are applications on the computer?" The female beside Isaiah replied, her arms around his as she laid her head on his shoulder, staring in the direction of the voice but not at the person talking, her pink eyes looking to be glazed over and cloudy.
She gently tugs on Isaiah's arm. "Did you know there were applications on the computer?"
Isaiah laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his head. "No. I didn't bother looking. I swore I read in the manual that it would be better to ask an agent in person..." He said, thinking about it for a moment. "I'll be sure to keep that in mind for later though."
He then turned his attention to Aluel. "Well yes, we did have a question but it'd be rude to ask and not introduce ourselves. We're not trying to cause any trouble. We were relaxing ourselves when I saw you pass by." He says, stepping back a bit so he wasn't all up in Aluel's space.
"My name's Isaiah, this is my partner Eclipse." He says, gently patting the girl's head.
"Oh yes! Hello! My name's Eclipse! It's a pleasure to meet you... ma'am?" She introduced, tilting her head curiously. She sounded like a ma'am to her but she didn't want to assume, and her moving silhouette didn't really help.
"Uhm, before we start asking questions, would you like to have a seat with us? You mentioned that you were heading here anyway? Oh but, you also mentioned that you're on patrol and I don't want to pull you away from that." Eclipse offered.
Isaiah laughed softly, stroking Eclipse's hair. "She has a point. I was about to offer you taking a bit of time off and enjoying the lounge music with us as well but, we both know pulling someone off of active patrol could cause problems so, don't feel like you're obligated to take us up on our offer." He says, looking at Aluel.
"As for what we wanted to ask about, we were wondering if you could help us get recruited. We're looking to become rift and corruption specialists." Isaiah added.
She gently tugs on Isaiah's arm. "Did you know there were applications on the computer?"
Isaiah laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his head. "No. I didn't bother looking. I swore I read in the manual that it would be better to ask an agent in person..." He said, thinking about it for a moment. "I'll be sure to keep that in mind for later though."
He then turned his attention to Aluel. "Well yes, we did have a question but it'd be rude to ask and not introduce ourselves. We're not trying to cause any trouble. We were relaxing ourselves when I saw you pass by." He says, stepping back a bit so he wasn't all up in Aluel's space.
"My name's Isaiah, this is my partner Eclipse." He says, gently patting the girl's head.
"Oh yes! Hello! My name's Eclipse! It's a pleasure to meet you... ma'am?" She introduced, tilting her head curiously. She sounded like a ma'am to her but she didn't want to assume, and her moving silhouette didn't really help.
"Uhm, before we start asking questions, would you like to have a seat with us? You mentioned that you were heading here anyway? Oh but, you also mentioned that you're on patrol and I don't want to pull you away from that." Eclipse offered.
Isaiah laughed softly, stroking Eclipse's hair. "She has a point. I was about to offer you taking a bit of time off and enjoying the lounge music with us as well but, we both know pulling someone off of active patrol could cause problems so, don't feel like you're obligated to take us up on our offer." He says, looking at Aluel.
"As for what we wanted to ask about, we were wondering if you could help us get recruited. We're looking to become rift and corruption specialists." Isaiah added.
Aluel dipped her head in response, regardless of if it could be seen or not. She's accompany it with words soon after.
"Isaiah and Eclipse. You are correct, I am a woman. I am Agent Deng, though many also call me Aluel. You can use whatever pleases you." Her head swiveled to look over her shoulder. "I was just headed for the lounge, like I had said. I don't mind stopping to answer questions. It doesn't obstruct me."
Without delay, the soles of thigh-high boots clunked against the floor as Aluel brought herself back into the lounge. Briefly, she paused, glancing back again to face the two as she answered them.
"I have no say in whether or not you two get accepted," she said with gentle honesty, "but I can assist with the process. I see you two are already a little familiar with how it's run. That's good. It gives me a better idea of what you already know, assuming this is because you've read the Traveler's Handbook."
She turned fully now, once she'd gotten to a place she felt comfortable in. Her arms crossed once more, but this time, she leaned backwards. Her greatsword departed from her back, spacing itself but a few inches away as it positioned itself completely vertically, pointed side down. Aluel leaned on the empty space between her and the greatsword, as if there was some ethereal connection between the two.
"Rift and Corruption Specialists have several ranks within them that you can focus your work on. You may pick one or two of them, even if those two ranks are not within the same department. For example, you could be a Historical Consult and an Artifact Hunter at the same time." She gestured with an open palm - half to gesture for them to be seated and half to direct the question towards themselves. "Why don't we start by you both telling me about yourselves? That can give me a better idea of what ranks might suit you."
It was a way to turn things around so she could glean more information from their persons, as well as decide if they performed rather than behaved. It was also a good way for them to openly mention accommodations they may need, if they wanted to. Not only was her body language similar, Eclipse had similar corneal scarring to another exorcist's, who was blinded by glaucoma. However, Aluel wouldn't jump to assumptions on what caused this. She considered that Eclipse may not even wish to say.
As someone who was constantly asked about the source of the gash underneath her eyepatch, Aluel understood that all too well.
"Isaiah and Eclipse. You are correct, I am a woman. I am Agent Deng, though many also call me Aluel. You can use whatever pleases you." Her head swiveled to look over her shoulder. "I was just headed for the lounge, like I had said. I don't mind stopping to answer questions. It doesn't obstruct me."
Without delay, the soles of thigh-high boots clunked against the floor as Aluel brought herself back into the lounge. Briefly, she paused, glancing back again to face the two as she answered them.
"I have no say in whether or not you two get accepted," she said with gentle honesty, "but I can assist with the process. I see you two are already a little familiar with how it's run. That's good. It gives me a better idea of what you already know, assuming this is because you've read the Traveler's Handbook."
She turned fully now, once she'd gotten to a place she felt comfortable in. Her arms crossed once more, but this time, she leaned backwards. Her greatsword departed from her back, spacing itself but a few inches away as it positioned itself completely vertically, pointed side down. Aluel leaned on the empty space between her and the greatsword, as if there was some ethereal connection between the two.
"Rift and Corruption Specialists have several ranks within them that you can focus your work on. You may pick one or two of them, even if those two ranks are not within the same department. For example, you could be a Historical Consult and an Artifact Hunter at the same time." She gestured with an open palm - half to gesture for them to be seated and half to direct the question towards themselves. "Why don't we start by you both telling me about yourselves? That can give me a better idea of what ranks might suit you."
It was a way to turn things around so she could glean more information from their persons, as well as decide if they performed rather than behaved. It was also a good way for them to openly mention accommodations they may need, if they wanted to. Not only was her body language similar, Eclipse had similar corneal scarring to another exorcist's, who was blinded by glaucoma. However, Aluel wouldn't jump to assumptions on what caused this. She considered that Eclipse may not even wish to say.
As someone who was constantly asked about the source of the gash underneath her eyepatch, Aluel understood that all too well.
"Assistance would be helpful." Eclipse says, nodding as she followed the sound of Aluel's thigh highs clunking onto the ground, as she followed Isaiah over to a nearby bean bag, squeaking when he pulled her backwards onto it with him, wrapping his arms around her waist and placing his chin on her head.
Isaiah thought for a moment, gently taking Eclipse's hand and kissing her palm then wrist, listening closely to everything Aluel was telling them. "Gods, where do I even start?" He asked aloud, sighing softly. "I guess it would be best to tell where we're from for context about well... what we are." He says, trying to figure out how to explain the best way he can. Should it be completely detailed? Should it be simple?
"We're Ego Hunters." Eclipse chimed in, gently running her fingers through Isaiah's fur. "Ego Hunters are soldiers from our homeworld of Id Monstrum. Which is just earth overrun by mutants." She explained, relaxing in Isaiah's lap.
Isaiah chuckled, that was one way to start. "Because of the mutant apocalypse, our military created something called the Kaiser Project." He began. "The Kaiser Project is... an experimental gene splicing and brain splitting program that's used to create super soldiers."
"Basically, my mind got spit in half with the other being placed into Isaiah's body. Which means, I'm technically controlling two bodies at once right now." Eclipse says, nodding. "But even though that's what's happening at all times, Isaiah and I are also technically still two different people." She says, rubbing her head.
Isaiah nodded. "That's correct. You with us so far? Need us to explain anything?" He asks, looking at Aluel curiously. He didn't want to overload her with too much information at once. The process alone was confusing to explain in so many words without going into excessive detail. At least, that's what he believed.
Isaiah thought for a moment, gently taking Eclipse's hand and kissing her palm then wrist, listening closely to everything Aluel was telling them. "Gods, where do I even start?" He asked aloud, sighing softly. "I guess it would be best to tell where we're from for context about well... what we are." He says, trying to figure out how to explain the best way he can. Should it be completely detailed? Should it be simple?
"We're Ego Hunters." Eclipse chimed in, gently running her fingers through Isaiah's fur. "Ego Hunters are soldiers from our homeworld of Id Monstrum. Which is just earth overrun by mutants." She explained, relaxing in Isaiah's lap.
Isaiah chuckled, that was one way to start. "Because of the mutant apocalypse, our military created something called the Kaiser Project." He began. "The Kaiser Project is... an experimental gene splicing and brain splitting program that's used to create super soldiers."
"Basically, my mind got spit in half with the other being placed into Isaiah's body. Which means, I'm technically controlling two bodies at once right now." Eclipse says, nodding. "But even though that's what's happening at all times, Isaiah and I are also technically still two different people." She says, rubbing her head.
Isaiah nodded. "That's correct. You with us so far? Need us to explain anything?" He asks, looking at Aluel curiously. He didn't want to overload her with too much information at once. The process alone was confusing to explain in so many words without going into excessive detail. At least, that's what he believed.
Aluel listened, the corner of her eye creasing as she focused on their explanation. It wasn't apparent if this was suspicion or genuine interest. Her arms remained crossed as she had one foot placed in front of the other. She seemed relaxed, judging from this.
"I see," was what she offered at first. So far, she was following. For the most part. "Did Isaiah used to have his own body, by himself? You. . . don't have to tell me the process of splitting the mind if you don't want to. I am just curious about what that means for the recipients."
Not wanting to overload them with questions, Aluel held back. Visibly, she rolled her lower lip inward, eye glancing aside. Perhaps she was still surveying the area. When she looked to the couple again, her brow raised.
"I have one other question. Can you define 'mutant' for me? What are they?"
They seemed open enough to discuss their world, since they did so readily. Still, she felt it best to leave out what brought them here in the first place for now. They'd speak when they want to.
"I see," was what she offered at first. So far, she was following. For the most part. "Did Isaiah used to have his own body, by himself? You. . . don't have to tell me the process of splitting the mind if you don't want to. I am just curious about what that means for the recipients."
Not wanting to overload them with questions, Aluel held back. Visibly, she rolled her lower lip inward, eye glancing aside. Perhaps she was still surveying the area. When she looked to the couple again, her brow raised.
"I have one other question. Can you define 'mutant' for me? What are they?"
They seemed open enough to discuss their world, since they did so readily. Still, she felt it best to leave out what brought them here in the first place for now. They'd speak when they want to.
"Oh trust me, if it wasn't such a complicated process to explain, I would gladly tell you everything we know about it but, we don't really know much ourselves, except for what the scientists told us." Isaiah said, his gaze falling on Eclipse.
Eclipse shook her head at Aluel's question. "No, Isaiah was created from something called Oskemen Cells that were harvested from a really powerful mutant named Gemini. Then after he was ready, half of my brain got placed into his body." She replied, laying against.
"Wait... does that count for having your own body?" Eclipse asked, blinking a few times as she looked pass Isiah, tilting her head curiously.
"You know if it is, I never really thought about it that way. When I woke up, I had already become your other half. So, I don't have any memories of my own." Isaiah replies, wrapping his wings around Eclipse and holding her close, his attention still fixed on Aluel; brows furrowed as he tried to figure out the best way to explain what a mutant was.
"Well, mutants are basically, undead monsters. Like the zombies from those old outbreak movies but they look and act nothing like them. Our mutants are more like..."
"Our mutants act more like aliens than zombies. They're more like..." Eclipse stopped for a moment, her brows furrowing in thought. Would Aluel even know about the Alien versus Predator movies? Maybe she should've asked her where she was from first but the thought never really crossed her mind until now.
"The mutants act like aliens that swarm you all at once. When they're separated there's always more than one no matter what. And depending on the area you're in, they're all either being controlled by a bigger, badder, more dangerous mutant or they're just stragglers." She explained.
"The mutants are able to communicate with each other in their own language as well. So, they're organized yet de-organized at the same time. Which still confuses the hell out of me." Isaiah adds.
"Back home I was able to receive signals from them due to an ability I have but that's not really needed here." Isaiah says.
Eclipse shook her head at Aluel's question. "No, Isaiah was created from something called Oskemen Cells that were harvested from a really powerful mutant named Gemini. Then after he was ready, half of my brain got placed into his body." She replied, laying against.
"Wait... does that count for having your own body?" Eclipse asked, blinking a few times as she looked pass Isiah, tilting her head curiously.
"You know if it is, I never really thought about it that way. When I woke up, I had already become your other half. So, I don't have any memories of my own." Isaiah replies, wrapping his wings around Eclipse and holding her close, his attention still fixed on Aluel; brows furrowed as he tried to figure out the best way to explain what a mutant was.
"Well, mutants are basically, undead monsters. Like the zombies from those old outbreak movies but they look and act nothing like them. Our mutants are more like..."
"Our mutants act more like aliens than zombies. They're more like..." Eclipse stopped for a moment, her brows furrowing in thought. Would Aluel even know about the Alien versus Predator movies? Maybe she should've asked her where she was from first but the thought never really crossed her mind until now.
"The mutants act like aliens that swarm you all at once. When they're separated there's always more than one no matter what. And depending on the area you're in, they're all either being controlled by a bigger, badder, more dangerous mutant or they're just stragglers." She explained.
"The mutants are able to communicate with each other in their own language as well. So, they're organized yet de-organized at the same time. Which still confuses the hell out of me." Isaiah adds.
"Back home I was able to receive signals from them due to an ability I have but that's not really needed here." Isaiah says.
Aluel's head was tilted so her face was partially sideways. Rather than be a suspicious gesture, she was trying to hone in on the both of them at once, lacking quite a bit of depth perception. Luckily, they were close together, which was friendlier to her monocular vision. Her arms remained crossed and her lips thinned, but she indicated she understood with a few nods of her own.
"I think I understand." There's a calmness to her voice that thinly veils rumination. "I am familiar with the concept of the undead. And the dead, as a matter of fact. In a dimension of my world, there is a key difference, and it is not the fact that the dead are inactive. No - their dead are ghosts, who have died upon being created and always have been dead. They were never another species nor alive to begin with. The undead are those which used to live, died, and then were made to live again. But those are very, very rare."
Pensively, her fingers flickered against one of her arms. A gesture as though dismissing an old thought and beginning a new one.
"In my world, I was an exorcist. We specialize in terminating invasive ghosts who attack Earth, or even the population of the Dream Realm. Though, this. . . Corruption. Even Shades are entirely different beasts." Her gaze traveled between the two, her eye trembling subtly. "But that's why you two want to be agents, is it not? To better understand this war. To better fight in it. I will not pry for your exact reasons, but know there are many others out there who feel the same."
"I think I understand." There's a calmness to her voice that thinly veils rumination. "I am familiar with the concept of the undead. And the dead, as a matter of fact. In a dimension of my world, there is a key difference, and it is not the fact that the dead are inactive. No - their dead are ghosts, who have died upon being created and always have been dead. They were never another species nor alive to begin with. The undead are those which used to live, died, and then were made to live again. But those are very, very rare."
Pensively, her fingers flickered against one of her arms. A gesture as though dismissing an old thought and beginning a new one.
"In my world, I was an exorcist. We specialize in terminating invasive ghosts who attack Earth, or even the population of the Dream Realm. Though, this. . . Corruption. Even Shades are entirely different beasts." Her gaze traveled between the two, her eye trembling subtly. "But that's why you two want to be agents, is it not? To better understand this war. To better fight in it. I will not pry for your exact reasons, but know there are many others out there who feel the same."
"Yes, of course we want to fight against the corruption." Eclipse replied, relaxing against Isaiah. "In a way, I guess our own home got corrupted, even though we tried really hard to fight against it. Or at least... I think that's what happened. We got pulled away as we were getting overwhelmed. I don't remember anything else after that." She said, frowning deeply as she looked at the ground. "Do you think the others are okay?" She asked, looking pass Isaiah.
Isaiah sighed softly and held Eclipse close, nuzzling her neck. "No, they're not. I don't think they made it. I'm pretty sure they didn't. I'm sorry, Eclipse." He replied, gently rubbing her arms. "We tried our best but the swarm was too quick and the Queen was too strong. The last thing I heard before we got pulled away was explosions." Isaiah explained, returning his attention to Aluel.
"If there's a way for us to potentially prevent other from losing their home then we'll do everything we can to help. Besides, sitting idle for too long isn't our thing. Not being busy makes us antsy, no matter how hard we try to relax." Isaiah said, chuckling softly.
"Hey Aluel, you mentioned that your world has undead ghosts? Is your world still uhm..." Eclipse tapped her chin, trying to think about the best word to use. "Are you able to go back to yours? What was being an exorcist like?! Was it scary? Or like those movies back home with the priests going, 'May the power of Christ compel you!'?" She asked curiously, tilting her head. "I always thought those movies were silly. Not scary at all. So exaggerated I think. But then again, I've never really seen a real exorcism so maybe that's actually how they go?"
Isaiah sighed softly and held Eclipse close, nuzzling her neck. "No, they're not. I don't think they made it. I'm pretty sure they didn't. I'm sorry, Eclipse." He replied, gently rubbing her arms. "We tried our best but the swarm was too quick and the Queen was too strong. The last thing I heard before we got pulled away was explosions." Isaiah explained, returning his attention to Aluel.
"If there's a way for us to potentially prevent other from losing their home then we'll do everything we can to help. Besides, sitting idle for too long isn't our thing. Not being busy makes us antsy, no matter how hard we try to relax." Isaiah said, chuckling softly.
"Hey Aluel, you mentioned that your world has undead ghosts? Is your world still uhm..." Eclipse tapped her chin, trying to think about the best word to use. "Are you able to go back to yours? What was being an exorcist like?! Was it scary? Or like those movies back home with the priests going, 'May the power of Christ compel you!'?" She asked curiously, tilting her head. "I always thought those movies were silly. Not scary at all. So exaggerated I think. But then again, I've never really seen a real exorcism so maybe that's actually how they go?"
A breathy hum escaped Aluel, her gaze downturned after they spoke of their departure from their world. Their reaction to the destruction sounded incredibly similar to someone else she knew. And she knew of what happened when that was left to fester.
"I'm sorry for your losses. It might not sound very comforting to hear, I know, but I really am." As her sight dawned on the other two, she unfolded her arms, though one hand still grasped her upper left arm. "But you do not just have to occupy your minds to cope. There are counselors who can help you process what happened. I mean it when I say that you don't have to do this alone, so please, do not be afraid to ask for help. Taking time to rest and heal is not 'sitting idle.' I have had to tell this to too many other exorcists."
Her shoulder squared as her brows tensed. While she still held alert to her auditory surroundings, she didn't seem to look at anything specific for a time - just vaguely to some bookshelves. Her gaze was distant, but of an emotion that was difficult to read. Was it wistfulness? Or pain? Frustration? Even her tone couldn't be deciphered easily.
"I will just say. . . I have had the same thing happen. This is why I know that you should not put off getting help. That is what I will say about the status of my world." She drew a breath through flared nostrils, but her voice seemed to steady. "The Exorcists were a splinter group from the Priests' Guild, but our exorcisms focused mainly on using our version of magic and combat, rather than religious rituals. Even those usually involved combat to some extent. However, the ghosts were not necessarily affected by the religious part of the ritual, considering religion is a concept that did not exist in their original world.
"The Priests' Guild largely came together not only due to similar goals, but because it's likely they were a subject of fascination by the leader of the Lunar Empire, if not just an attempt to control the ghosts and beasts. The Exorcists broke off for political differences, rather than religious ones."
"I'm sorry for your losses. It might not sound very comforting to hear, I know, but I really am." As her sight dawned on the other two, she unfolded her arms, though one hand still grasped her upper left arm. "But you do not just have to occupy your minds to cope. There are counselors who can help you process what happened. I mean it when I say that you don't have to do this alone, so please, do not be afraid to ask for help. Taking time to rest and heal is not 'sitting idle.' I have had to tell this to too many other exorcists."
Her shoulder squared as her brows tensed. While she still held alert to her auditory surroundings, she didn't seem to look at anything specific for a time - just vaguely to some bookshelves. Her gaze was distant, but of an emotion that was difficult to read. Was it wistfulness? Or pain? Frustration? Even her tone couldn't be deciphered easily.
"I will just say. . . I have had the same thing happen. This is why I know that you should not put off getting help. That is what I will say about the status of my world." She drew a breath through flared nostrils, but her voice seemed to steady. "The Exorcists were a splinter group from the Priests' Guild, but our exorcisms focused mainly on using our version of magic and combat, rather than religious rituals. Even those usually involved combat to some extent. However, the ghosts were not necessarily affected by the religious part of the ritual, considering religion is a concept that did not exist in their original world.
"The Priests' Guild largely came together not only due to similar goals, but because it's likely they were a subject of fascination by the leader of the Lunar Empire, if not just an attempt to control the ghosts and beasts. The Exorcists broke off for political differences, rather than religious ones."
Eclipse frowned, listening to Aluel's words, as she gently rubbed Isaiah's arms, feeling them seem to tighten around her waist a little at the suggestion of talking to a counselor.
"Experiencing loss is normal as a soldier." Isaiah said, placing his chin on Eclipse's shoulder, his wings wrapped completely around her. "But thank you for your condolences. We appreciate it." He says, a sigh escaping him. "As for talking to a counselor..."
"We've thought about it but, every time we get ready to do it, we kind of just stop ourselves because... it feels like we're not really sure what to tell them. It's true we've lost a lot of people and got pulled away from our home but..." Eclipse began.
"But, it feels as if it doesn't bother us as much as it should." Isaiah chimed in, laughing softly.
Was he lying though? He couldn't really be sure if that was true or he was just telling himself that. But the thoughts still swam in his head, what do you tell a counselor? How do you even start? Do you start with how you became the way you are or... start with what happened? Especially if you know your partner decided to undergo the surgery willingly?
He pondered and wondered as he felt Eclipse rubbing his arm.
'I'm not really sure where we'd start either. Especially since I'm not really ashamed of choosing to split myself to try and save my home. Let's give it some time. Maybe when we figure it out we can go talk to one.' Eclipse said telepathically.
"So uhm, since your powers aren't religion based, how'd you get rid of the ghosts? Is it like... some type of holy magic? Or maybe some white magic?" Eclipse asked Aluel curiously.
"Do you miss your home sometimes, Aluel?" Isaiah asked, looking at the woman curiously.
"Experiencing loss is normal as a soldier." Isaiah said, placing his chin on Eclipse's shoulder, his wings wrapped completely around her. "But thank you for your condolences. We appreciate it." He says, a sigh escaping him. "As for talking to a counselor..."
"We've thought about it but, every time we get ready to do it, we kind of just stop ourselves because... it feels like we're not really sure what to tell them. It's true we've lost a lot of people and got pulled away from our home but..." Eclipse began.
"But, it feels as if it doesn't bother us as much as it should." Isaiah chimed in, laughing softly.
Was he lying though? He couldn't really be sure if that was true or he was just telling himself that. But the thoughts still swam in his head, what do you tell a counselor? How do you even start? Do you start with how you became the way you are or... start with what happened? Especially if you know your partner decided to undergo the surgery willingly?
He pondered and wondered as he felt Eclipse rubbing his arm.
'I'm not really sure where we'd start either. Especially since I'm not really ashamed of choosing to split myself to try and save my home. Let's give it some time. Maybe when we figure it out we can go talk to one.' Eclipse said telepathically.
"So uhm, since your powers aren't religion based, how'd you get rid of the ghosts? Is it like... some type of holy magic? Or maybe some white magic?" Eclipse asked Aluel curiously.
"Do you miss your home sometimes, Aluel?" Isaiah asked, looking at the woman curiously.
"I'm a soldier, too. The moment you start going numb to the loss of your comrades is the first sign of you spiraling downwards."
The words came out in a more forceful tone than she had intended. Her jaw clamped shut, her teeth clacking together when she did so. Their nonchalant nature about death didn't sit right with her. Especially the way Isaiah laughed about it, as if in a simple, 'Oh well.'
". . . Don't feel that you have to do that. Even just saying that you feel nothing is still saying you're feeling."
Maybe they were conditioned that way?
If only she was better at talking to people. It wasn't her business, anyway, so she didn't pry. Eclipse seemed awfully interested in hers, though.
"Everyone misses their worlds," she answered, more calm than before, but still straightforward. "And for that reason, I intend to keep the Omphalos safe, where their worlds are not."
Abruptly, she righted herself. Her greatsword, dutiful as ever, rested upon her back at a slant. Her face was turned away, as though reluctant about something.
". . . I need to continue my patrol. I will. . . tell you more some other time. I wish you two luck in your applications. If you are accepted, I will surely see you around."
Despite her sullen tone, her words were friendly enough. They would do for a farewell, considering that she started to make her way out of the lounge once more.
The words came out in a more forceful tone than she had intended. Her jaw clamped shut, her teeth clacking together when she did so. Their nonchalant nature about death didn't sit right with her. Especially the way Isaiah laughed about it, as if in a simple, 'Oh well.'
". . . Don't feel that you have to do that. Even just saying that you feel nothing is still saying you're feeling."
Maybe they were conditioned that way?
If only she was better at talking to people. It wasn't her business, anyway, so she didn't pry. Eclipse seemed awfully interested in hers, though.
"Everyone misses their worlds," she answered, more calm than before, but still straightforward. "And for that reason, I intend to keep the Omphalos safe, where their worlds are not."
Abruptly, she righted herself. Her greatsword, dutiful as ever, rested upon her back at a slant. Her face was turned away, as though reluctant about something.
". . . I need to continue my patrol. I will. . . tell you more some other time. I wish you two luck in your applications. If you are accepted, I will surely see you around."
Despite her sullen tone, her words were friendly enough. They would do for a farewell, considering that she started to make her way out of the lounge once more.
THREAD END
Moderators: Jabberwookie