video @bodaiju

[gurge]

[ there's a monk. a buddhist monk, dressed nape to ankle in ceremonial robes, bare feet on hard tile floors. the penthouse behind him is classy and tasteful, but a jarring modern contrast to his clothing. it doesn't take much movement to realize his right sleeve, however, is completely empty. cheerful and chipper, he smiles and waves at the camera. ]

Hi hi~! Oh. I've been here since the first of us and not properly introduced myself on the network. My apologies, I'm a bit shy. [ yeah right. ] I'm Getou Suguru — [ the bow of his head is just deep enough to not be impolite. ] — a shaman from Japan. Back home, I specialized in hauntings and strange phenomena, as well as karmic work and even some chakra alignment. If you're suffering from strange aches and recurring nightmares, compulsive thoughts or stranger whispers, unprecedented cravings...

[ he's extremely animated through each of these symptoms even though he rattles them off like a medication commercial: acting out an ache in his nonexistent arm, a hand over his eyes for the nightmares, holding his head for thoughts and whispers, and... something a little more devious for cravings as he winks. ]

Please don't hesitate to visit.

[ a map link identifies his location. he's not very worried about stranger danger, is he? there's a long beat where he just smiles, and it seems like the feed might end, but then he acts on another thought that's been rolling around in that silly head of his: ]

Ah, and... Satoru.

[ to throw himself at the mercy of the public image is... a lot. he must know it, this man who values his pristine image. is it apology enough then, to make himself look like such a fool? he slides onto his knees mid-screen, clapping his hands together in prayer. are there tears? there might be tears. ]

Can't you please finally forgive meeeee?

[ what an embarrassing note to end on. ]



[ note: this character is a villain who hates humans so please check the journal for content warnings! i caught covid in the middle of sept so sorry for the abrupt hiatus; i'm working my way through backtags soon. no worries if anything's too old! cheers ]

Comments

[immortalpoet]

And what should I focus on? Your beasts having personalities? You should face off against a couple of Abnormalities. Their personalities would give you a run for your life.

[gurge]

[ tsk... always underestimated. well, that's fine. ]

And what, pray tell, is an Abnormality in this context?

[immortalpoet]

Creatures that were harvested by a specific Corporation for energy. They're impossible to destroy. They can be stopped, but not wiped from existence.

Your spirits would be like insects to swat in comparison.

[gurge]

If they're being harvested for energy, they don't really sound like a threat. Just a temporary nuisance.

[immortalpoet]

If you think that way, remind me if one ever shows up here. Let's have you try a buffet. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

[gurge]

So hostile... Is it a general sadism you feel, or am I just special~? There's a root chakra exercise for that, you know.

[immortalpoet]

I don't like your attitude.

Though I guess you have some kind of ability. Weren't lying about that.

[gurge]

Ah, that. So sorry, we are not accepting feedback at this time.

[ AKA yeah he's used to it. ]

That aside, threats of violence, vague as they are, should come from a much more intimate place than this, so please reconsider.

[immortalpoet]

...Intimate? [what the fuc-]

[gurge]

Right! Violence without passion is like sex without love~. Sure, it's fun for a while, but eventually you have to commit.

[ black romance! kismesis! ]

[immortalpoet]

[fucking. homestuck]

Yeah, well. I'm not the type who gets passionate about violence. There's no use in it.

[(verg voice) yes i do one-night stands and pretend not to have feelings]

[gurge]

Life isn't worth living without...

[ which one's he gonna say— ]

Passion. [ yep. ]

[immortalpoet]

[SQUINTING AT THE PAUSE]

Well, it works for me. Comes with the job.

[gurge]

Then there's no passion in your life at all~? How depressing.

[immortalpoet]

I don't really think so. What are you going to do, slap my head chakra to get some?

[gurge]

Mm, no. That's a different chakra.

[ brows raise, and his eyes drift... downward. and then back up, quite innocently! ]

Of course, slapping is a bit much. Not everything in life can be done with brute force! The gentle approach is sometimes best.

[immortalpoet]

[RAISING HIS EYEBROW (NOT SEEN BECAUSE ITS AUDIO) LIKE DON'T TELL HIM THERE"S A DICK CHAKRA]

I think I'll go for the brute force route, myself. No use in being gentle.

[gurge]

Is that how you like it back, too? [ that's a sleazy grin right there ]

Well. Buddhism isn't like the other religions; we welcome all kinds.

[immortalpoet]

Sure. Better than people wagging their tongues.

[not going to take the bait NOT GONNA....]

Buddhism. What's that? A cult?

[gurge]

[ — he could say something about wagging tongues, but instead: an unexpected, abrupt laugh. it isn't a joke most would understand. ]

No, no! Although I'm sure there are some despotic monks out there. Like I said, we welcome all kinds. Complicated, but mostly it's a diverse religion built around the belief that life is full of suffering that can be minimized by presence of mind.

[ the sparknotes version. after all, who has time to explain a whole religion to someone who's never heard of it — and probably doesn't actually care that much. ]

[immortalpoet]

...

[nooooot impressed]

If it was that easy, tons of people would have peace of mind. Myself included.

cw self-immolation, vietnam war references

[gurge]

But it isn't easy, is it? That's why you have monks who practice it for decades, frequently without fruition.

There's a story from my world about one monk who self-immolated in protest of his corrupt government. He said not a word and moved not an inch until his body collapsed in on itself. That's the kind of "peace of mind" we're talking about here.

[immortalpoet]

And, what, exactly, did that protest do? Did it change the world?

[He doesn't mean to, but he sounds almost a little distant, more stern.]

Does self-destruction truly result in anything? Even through "peace of mind"?

[gurge]

Mm, depends on who you ask! [ and he laughs and laughs, far too much levity for the topic. ]

But isn't it wonderful to consider? Isn't it funny how the strong always die for the weak?

[immortalpoet]

...

[A long pause, here.]

Depends on what you mean by "the weak".