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

[whattaprick]

Because he's stupid.

Because she's a pain in the ass. [ Lambert snorts. There's almost something coordinated about the bickering, if one listens enough. A rhythm to the arguing back and forth, even if the daemon often ends up ultimately ignored. ]

It's all right. He almost threw me out the window when we woke up, you know, so we've gotten better.

[hippocarnival]

[Jeez, Lambert. He knows how startling it was to take up to, but--] Okay, but try not to hurt your soul even if it is annoying.

[Trust him, it sucks.] What's her name?

[whattaprick]

Little hard to stay calm with claws in your eye, Yuya.

[ Bitch, bitch, bitch. He did promptly find out how much it sucked to be apart immediately after that, but that isn't something he's going to share. Fortunately, his daemon's distracted by the question. ]

I don't have one yet.

[hippocarnival]

Why was she clawing at your eyes?! [Can their daemons actually hurt them? It was probably an accident... right?] Are you okay?

[whattaprick]

It was an accident! I wasn't used to being outside him yet. [ The daemon sounds sulky and embarrassed. ]

I survived the experience, obviously, but it was a hell of a wakeup call.

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya lets out a breath. Why is Lambert's biggest danger himself.] Yeah, it surprised us too, but...

You haven't decided on a name yet?

[whattaprick]

[ It's Lambert ... that's self-explanatory. ]

Not yet. [ There's still that embarrassment that lingers, though she gains confidence as she speaks, turning a question back on Yuya. ] How did you decide yourse?

[hippocarnival]

Oh! Well, we picked it together. [There's a shuffling as Koemi finally gets between Yuya and his radio to speak up.]

I'm Koemi! It's a name that means 'smiling'.

Uh, because we like making people smile. [It's not that deep.]

[whattaprick]

Is that because of what your father said, too? [ Yup, Lambert's daemon would be the one who remembers sentimental crap like that ... ]

It suits you. [ Her voice is certain and sure ... though also just a little envious. Which is going to make Lambert interject, irritable-- ]

Oh, come on. You don't even know what his daemon looks like!

[hippocarnival]

[There's a solid silence as that question hits Yuya deeper than Lambert probably intended. Was it because of his father? Before, he would have said yes, but before was when he didn't know there was a whole other identity he once wore. A life that... surely he couldn't have always been so full of anger, and hatred, and evil. Right? Wasn't there something else that once drove Zarc into dueling?

Koemi breaks the pause, finally, shaking Yuya from his thoughts.] No other name would fit me better! It's the best one!

Uh... yeah. [He lets out a soft, faint laugh.] I mean, my dad was part of it. He's an amazing entertainer, and I want to make people happy like he did. But I hope... I think I would have wanted that, anyway.

[If he was anyone else.]

[whattaprick]

You think you would have wanted that? [ That's such a weird way to phrase that, Yuya. ]

Did you hit your head and forget it, or something?

[hippocarnival]

N-no! I just mean, if I was someone else I'd still want to make people happy! [That doesn't come out any less weird, does it.]

icon kw relevant

[whattaprick]

Is that so? [ The daemon sounds doubtful. ] You're getting awfully flustered about something hypothetical, you know.

[hippocarnival]

It is so! [Yuya huffs. Sorry, Lambert, you haven't quite crossed the social link for Yuya's identity issues.] Anyway, why don't you two work together to find a good name?

[whattaprick]

[ Probably for the best, it's not like he'd do much other than make fun of him for being such an angstbucket over his identity issues. ]

What's the point? You don't think they're sticking around after we leave, do you?

[ Well, he's not sure of that either, but having his soul outside himself is juuust a little too much, even if he has trouble thinking of it as his soul at all. ]

[hippocarnival]

Does she want a name? [Completely disregards Lambert's opinion for the one of his daemon. It's her name after all!]

[whattaprick]

I do. [ And there's a touch of mischief in her voice -- ] And when I decide on one, maybe I'll everyone but him. Would serve him right, wouldn't it?

Hey! [ There's the sound of a scuffle, and the daemon's delighted snickering, drifting away from the radio as she floats out of the range of a half-hearted swat. ]

[hippocarnival]

Let us know if you want any help! [Koemi chirps, and Yuya laughs softly.]

[whattaprick]

Why are you on her side?

Because I'm cuter than you are, obviously. [ Comes the smug answer, instantaneous. ] Maybe if you weren't such a prick all the time, people would want to help you more too.

[hippocarnival]

['Cuter than Lambert' is such a low bar that Yuya doesn't contest that he hasn't even seen what his daemon looks like--she's probably right.]

I didn't say I was on anyone's side!

... But we're a little bit on her side. [It's his daemon that snickers this time. It's not really a problem for you if she has a name, right?

[whattaprick]

It's not like I haven't tried.

Longrat, Butterball, and Harpy don't count as names, Lambert.

Hey, I suggested more than that!

You're not naming me after things you make booze out of, either!

[ Sorry, Yuya, these two are just going to keep devolving into a farce... ]

[hippocarnival]

Those are really bad names... [What even is a longrat, really. A ferret?]

What kind of animal did you settle as?

[whattaprick]

Hey, beauty is in the ear of the beholder.

That's why I'm not letting him name me. [ The eye roll is practically audible. ] We're not entirely sure what I am. Some kind of polecat or ferret, but the coat's a little strange ... maybe because he let himself get possessed.

[hippocarnival]

Oh, by the Earth Spirit, right? You think it changed your soul?

[That's an intense possession.] Koemi's kind of weird for an otter, too... her fur's kind of gold?

[A pause. Now that he thinks about it...] They must be reflecting what our soul looks like, right? Now that I think about it, she's the same color as the mark on my chest.

[whattaprick]

[ There's quiet from Lambert's end of the radio, too, like both of them are mulling over that idea. Even though they were the ones to suggest it in the first place, it's not like they'd thought of it in those terms. The idea of a soul being injured is one thing. Being changed ... ]

We don't feel any different. [ There's a touch of defensiveness in the daemon's voice, not entirely unlike Lambert's own scowling whenever things don't quite go the way he expects... but it's something to ask the Ringmaster about. ]

What mark on your chest? [ What's a great way to change the topic of conversation, ask invasive questions about someone else instead! ]