Secret Sharing

[bufudine]

Who: Serph and his adopted family, aka Rinoa, Signless and Squall
Where: At the lake on the island.
When: Monday after the curse is over. At some time after these three messages.
Style: [Brackets], please!
Status: Closed!


[The last week had been... troubling. While his own experience with the curse had been somewhat liberating -- he'd been a human. A human that has emotions and doesn't hunger for flesh -- it was obvious most of the people who had gained an Atma didn't feel so lucky.

It's getting more and more difficult to hide the needs of their demons. More people outside the Tribe are learning of their need to devour. And he's certain the last two living members of the Embryon will eventually come to Vatheon. With five people who need to devour weekly, Serph isn't certain how much longer they would be able to keep their hunting a secret; it's already difficult with three. The coral's unpredictability just adds another dimension they cannot prepare for, as the last week had demonstrated.

...But it's not time to reveal their secret to Vatheon. Not yet.

However, it's not fair to keep it from the people he's welcomed into his Tribe and family. So he leaves messages -- all at different times -- to organise a meeting with each of them individually. It's cool by the lake on the island, but not unpleasant, and the sky is clear.

And so he waits.]

Comments

[unshelledbullet]

[When Squall said he could meet with Serph, he shoves whatever DF work needed to be done onto someone else (he can do that if he wants, he's a leader!) and makes his way to the elevator. Serph said it was something important, but it didn't sound urgent either, so Squall doesn't rush.

Squall doesn't visit the island often. He has little reason to and he's not one to enjoy the scenery. Still, he can navigate it just fine and makes it to the lake without trouble. Sure enough, there's Serph, who's probably been waiting who-knows-how-long.]

Hey.

[bufudine]

[Serph is perfectly content to enjoy the scenery. Before arriving in Vatheon, he's never had any real opportunity to take time and just... breathe in the atmosphere.

When Squall approaches, he gives a nod in greeting. He's glad Squall could make it. Serph gets down to business; he's not one to linger of pleasantries, and he knows Squall isn't really one for it either.]

I have talked about my demon before. There was one thing I did not mention.

[That's about as much preamble Squall's going to get.]

Everyone from my world who has a demon...

[There's no hesitation in Serph's voice when he speaks.]

We all need to devour people for sustenance.

[unshelledbullet]

[Squall remembers Serph's demon, the tall blue and white creature that favored the ice element and really disliked fire. It's quite an asset to have in battle. But he frowns slightly when he hears that there was something more to it. Serph did not call him all the way out here just for nothing, after all.

And when he hears it, he's in shock. Devour...people? That thing eats humans? And since it's also Serph...

Having been completely blindsided by this, all he can do is ask dumbly,]

You're a cannibal?

[bufudine]

[...But what is a cannibal? Luckily, Serph can figure it out easily enough based on context; he did just say he ate people, after all.

Serph nods. He isn't one to sugarcoat things.

...Let's give Squall some time to process this. Serph doesn't want to try an explain things while Squall's still mentally all ABWUH!?]

[unshelledbullet]

[Processing...

Processing...

Processing...

okay done.]

It has to be people?

[bufudine]

[Another nod.]

I don't gain sustenance from food available in shops.

[That's why he could eat all that ramen way back when. Since it seems like Squall's recovered enough to process more information, Serph adds to his statement, voice cool and calm as he explains.]

Not eating results in losing control of the demon. When that happens, everyone is in danger.

[unshelledbullet]

[That does explain Serph's frightening ability to consume large amounts of food. Squall remembers that it was like Serph just didn't get full at all. It's still hard for him to completely accept this.

Serph is a cannibal. This doesn't change the fact that he's done so much for the DF and for the city. It doesn't change the fact that Serph's done a lot for him.]

What happens when you lose control?

[If he's understanding this right, it's that Serph doesn't have a choice in the matter.]

[bufudine]

The demon takes over and attacks everyone. Friend, foe, it doesn't matter.

[The thing about demons is that they're still smart. When Jinana gave in to the hunger, she was still able to call for help and coordinate attacks with her Tribe. When Lupa gave in to the hunger, he was still able to turn the combat finesse Gale admired on them.]

They are very good at hunting.

[...Which means he's very good at hunting, too. After all, Varna is still a part of him in the end, isn't he?]

[unshelledbullet]

[In other words, it's kill and eat one person at a controlled rate, or let countless others get slaughtered. And eaten.

Yeaaaaah.]

...I see. Thank you for telling me.

[withoutasign]

Hi, Serph!

[Signless bounces right up, all smiles and happiness. Sure, Serph was a little morose and gloomy when he contacted him, but Serph is always a little morose and gloomy. He'd thought nothing of it.]

What did you want to talk about?

[bufudine]

[Serph gives Signless a nod in greeting. The smile and happiness makes him feel a little better, honestly.

...And now that he's seeing Signless in the flesh, the similarities in appearance between him and Karkat are even more striking, even though Karkat had been human-turned-sickle(?) when Serph had met him. But that's not really relevant right now.]

It's about my demon. Do you remember it?

[That big blue fish thing with a |( face?]

[withoutasign]

[Well, he and Karkat are ectobiology clones of each other, after all. Either way, Signless would be very pleased to hear the comparison.]

Sure. You showed me when we first met.

[Cheerfully, he links an arm through one of Serph's. After being Death for a week and being unable to really touch anyone, he's more touchy-feely than usual.]

[bufudine]

[Serph is a little surprised at the sudden contact, but he allows it. It's a welcome comfort, right now.]

There's something I didn't mention.

[He briefly closes his eyes, before he turns his head to look Signless directly in the eyes. His words are calm and even.]

All part-demons from my world need to devour people to stay sane.

[Including him.]

[withoutasign]

... oh.

[Signless looks deep into Serph's face, studying him closely. Serph has never lied to him before, and he doesn't believe he'd start now.]

And if you lose your sanity, do you transform into your demon form?

[bufudine]

["...oh" is a pretty apt reaction.

Serph doesn't flinch away from Signless' gaze and nods in response to the question.]

The demon takes over and attacks everyone.

[Serph closes his eyes. He'd come so, so, close to losing control during that week with all the dreams. It's not an experience he wishes to repeat.]

By then, I can no longer recognise friends.

[withoutasign]

And you do recognize friend from foe when you're still you and transform.

[Signless closes his eyes, and squeezes Serph's arm.]

I'm so, so sorry that you have to live with that knowledge, my friend.

[bufudine]

[...Serph finds Signless' choice of words is a little ironic. They didn't start living until they gained their demons and the subsequent need to devour.

But the squeeze is comforting, and Serph brings his other hand to lightly touch Signless', a demonstration of his appreciation.]

It's how we are.

[His voice is quiet, but unwavering; Serph's accepted his need to devour long ago.]

Sorry I didn't tell you sooner.

late to the parttyyyyy

[sorcery_fledgling]

[So maybe it was unnecessary, but Rinoa was running when she arrived. She slowed down when she caught sight of Serph, but it was easy to tell she was a little worried. When she approaches, she puts on her usual smile, albeit a bit forced.]

Hi, sorry if I'm late.

not late you are just in time!

[bufudine]

[Hey, whoa, Rinoa didn't have to run here! Serph shakes his head.]

You're not.

[But since Rinoa had run here, he gestures to the grass, indicating she should take a seat, before doing so himself.]

\o/

[sorcery_fledgling]

Oh, good. I got here as soon as I could. Of course my shoes decided to disappear on me when I needed them...

[She does as silently asked, plopping down on the grass. It's not until he's sitting before she asks,]

So, what's going on? Everyone okay?

[bufudine]

[Shoes disappearing? They can't go missing on their own. Someone must have moved them... But why would someone hide Rinoa's shoes? A thought for another time; Rinoa doesn't sound too bothered by it.

He nods in response to her question.]

We're fine.

[Well, it's best to get on with it.]

This is about our demons.

[He's... mentioned them before, right?]

[sorcery_fledgling]

[Clearly she needs to teach Serph not to take everything so literally.]

Your demons? Okay...

[He has. Cielo taught her more about them, but she certainly knows a thing or two about them. Or so she thinks.]

[bufudine]

[Serph doesn't know that Cielo has taught her a little about their demons, so he gives her a brief overview.]

They allow us to transform into a stronger form. We're granted other abilities when transformed, such as flight and access to magic.

[Sound good so far? However...]

Demons also need to devour people for sustenance.

[He says it unflinchingly; he's come to terms with his need to devour long ago.]

[sorcery_fledgling]

[She was... not expecting this at all.

Honestly, when he had mentioned his demon, she had begun to think it was about the exorcism she had heard about. But this...]

Like cannibals?

[Okay, stupid question, but she had to say it.]

Is this why you wanted to exorcise your demon? You and the others?

[bufudine]

[Squall had used the same word. "Cannibal." He gives a nod in response to all of Rinoa's questions. Ah... he recalls seeing her in that network post by Ky.]

The demons are useful.

[There's no denying it. While they still need to fight, they still need their demons. But the fact their emotions are also tied to their demons...]

But while we still need to kill to survive, we cannot truly live in peace.