PUBLIC CHANNEL - DAY 157

[whattaprick]

Nightrider Lambert here. In case you haven't heard by now: the things on Kerner Island eat settled daemons. So find somewhere else to take a daytrip. If you go anyway, do me a favor and keep your radio on you. That way we can all hear what it sounds like when a soul gets eaten.

[ He's about to leave it on that cheerfully sarcastic note, but then the faint sound of a female voice chimes in, scolding. For those who've met her, they'll recognize it as Lambert's daemon, the golden-eyed polecat that wears a hawk's shape outside the carnival. ]

Lambert! You didn't have to say it like that!

[ It doesn't seem to shame him one bit, though, since Lambert's going to keep right on talking: ]

For those of you whose daemon hasn't settled yet, that doesn't mean you get to be an idiot about going out there. Slipping and breaking your neck would be a stupid way to die. That said, if you're interested in doing some nightrunner work--

Come find us! [ The daemon interrupts again, louder this time, and there's a brief sound of a scuffle before her voice finally comes through loud and clear. Now it's Lambert who sounds more distant (and distinctly annoyed), though she talks right over him. ] We've got a map and other things you can use!

[ ooc: Lambert and his daemon will both be replying to his post (and probably fighting over the radio button, honestly). For ease of clarity, her responses will be in italics! ]

Comments

[soft_focus]

They're not though. [Insisting!!!]

They just can't find something that fits yet, so we decided to use what we used to do, and make sure we can do what we have to do no matter what.

[These are perhaps worrying words from someone who sounds a good ways under ten. Or maybe not, who knows.]

[whattaprick]

[ That's a very spirited ramble there and it's pretty much how he thinks of things, but-- ]

What's the longest it's ever held one form?

[soft_focus]

One minute.

[She says it quite calmly.] They still had to get me to the island though, and they did that really easy.

Becoming different 'big things' is even easier.

[whattaprick]

Is that how long they can, or want to?

[soft_focus]

I don't know. It just happens.

[It's a bit of a mix. After all, once they're sleeping...one form and only one is being used, and that's definitely more than sixty seconds. Slows down around then too. It's just...]

...None of the shapes fit, is all. They don't feel right.

[...Uncomfortable, when you don't feel like 'yourself' yet.]

[whattaprick]

[ Hm. Interesting, but ultimately pretty irrelevant to Lambert right now. What some kid's daemon changes into and how often isn't really any concern of his. He's about to leave it at that, but his daemon chimes in: ]

If they won't try it for more than one minute at a time, how will they know?

[soft_focus]

[The voice that answers is difficult to describe. Almost ethereal, neither male nor female, yet significantly older than Reira's own voice. It is one that, most certainly, defies any form it takes no matter the state.]

We know what is not ourselves the instant we have taken that form. We wait in order to see what is familiar, and follow.

[whattaprick]

So you've never tried the same form more than once?

[soft_focus]

They've taken it if they think it's good for what we need, but normally it's different.

[There is a pause.]

...They don't like talking a lot.

[whattaprick]

Lucky you. Mine likes talking too much.

[ Even weirder is how the demon sounds compared to its human, in Lambert's opinion, but everything about daemons is weird anyway. ]

It's nice to have a shape, no matter what it is. What's important is that you're together.

[soft_focus]

Yeah.

[...Yeah what? Nothing, just Yeah. That said-]

Ummmm....

...I guess if you can't go there though, I can tell you what's there? ...I used to have to do that for other people, but...

...It's okay if I'm doing it because I want to I think.

[whattaprick]

[ That's the most ... unsure volunteer he's ever heard. Not that Lambert's much experienced in getting volunteers for anything, admittedly. ]

You've done scouting before?

[soft_focus]

I guess so... That's what the soldiers called it sometimes? They only called it that if they wanted me to say what was in a building, or another road...

...normally they wanted me to sneak into places and do that...

[whattaprick]

You worked with an army? How old are you?

[soft_focus]

[She COULD say 18 like Foster said.

But eh, not the time.] ...Yuuya thinks I'm supposed to be...7?

But I don't know, so I picked 18, because that's how old Foster said you had to be to choose things on your own.

[She is nothing if not honest.]

[whattaprick]

[ There's a lot to process there ... but also, seven ? ? ? Lambert's surprise is going to keep him from saying anything for an immediate reaction, but his daemon is immediately going to huff. ]

Ugh, don't listen to Foster.

[soft_focus]

Why not? [Geeeee] He's nice and gave me a bird.

[This seems Not Foster]

[whattaprick]

[ As satisfying as it would be to hear his daemon bitch further about Foster, this seems far more entertaining. ]

He what?

[soft_focus]

He was doing something with a little bird, and it was confused but happy, and then he said I could keep it.

Everyone here gets confused by animals though, so he's hiding in my hair now.

[whattaprick]

Wow.

[ That's it, just 'wow.' Even the daemon seems stunned into silence here. ]

Are you sure that was Foster? Not someone pretending to be him? [ Why the fuck would anyone want to be Foster, though. Even Foster doesn't want to be Foster. ]

[soft_focus]

He said that was his name... [She's a little confused as to why this is apparently unbelievable but anyway.] ...He has very fluffy arms.

[Important.]

[whattaprick]

[ The better to smother you with, probably. ]

Guess it doesn't really matter. [ Still, what the hell ... but back to the matter at hand. ]

So when you were at it -- working for the soldiers, I mean -- did you ever get caught?

um, tw: some seriously horrible child soldier/abuse stuff being implied-

[soft_focus]

No.

They said they'd make sure I couldn't try again if I ever failed, so I couldn't get caught.

[THEY SURE DID TELL HER SHE'D BE DEAD]

rip

[whattaprick]

[ Okay, but there are so many worse outcomes Lambert's brain can go through other than 'dead,' the brief moment of just cycling through them has him curling his hands into fists. ]

How did you end up working with people like that?

[soft_focus]

[Ummmmmmm...Well this is getting a little nerve-wracking. A little. Fortunately, being on the radio, she can't sense any of the emotions coming along. So as nervous as she is...

...She can answer.

For the sake of everyone, Lambert might want to tune the radios to private. He'd have the sense where she lacks it.] ....I just did.

...That was where I was, so when they said I had to or else, I made sure I could do it.

...I don't really remember what came before it. ...That's just what happened.