Voice | UN: IGNIS

[soupreme]

[A gentle clearing of the throat, and a man speaks in a clipped, poshly accented voice. Every word perfectly enunciated.]

To all fellow unwitting tourists,

What is the singular fact about this city and/or our presumed hosts you wish someone had told you upon your arrival?

Much obliged.

Comments

[soupreme]

A kindred spirit, then.

[Daan can't see his face, but the smile is evident in his voice.

At least until the mention of experimentation.]

These people who disappeared... is there any evidence they may have transformed, or mutated, into something else altogether? Do you have 'daemons' in your dark?

[limbical]

So it seems.

[There's a pause at the question.]

Not that I am aware of. No signs of transformations of any kind within these areas. Beyond the various items without specifics, there isn't much more evidence than that.

Though now I must ask you explain "daemons" to me.

[soupreme]

I can't decide if that is more or less comforting. The devil you know, and all that.

[An exhale at the mention of daemons.]

As per the Lucian textbooks, daemons are an 'Appellation of organisms infected by a mutant strain of Plasmodium malariae, rapidly distorting physiology and manipulating behavior so as to render their hosts' original forms virtually indiscernible while also dispersing a light-absorbing miasma.'

In more common terms, beings who thrive in darkness and hunt the night. Man turned monster. Nature made unnatural. We called it the 'vanishing disease', until we realized that those afflicted were not vanishing so much as... changing.

[limbical]

Concerning how similar it is to other mutations I've encountered in the past, but that's not all that urgent...

If it is any consolation, transformations are rare here, and often only temporary. I, myself, have turned twice on account of the aforementioned tea. Once on accident, another on purpose. The effect allowed an entity of my world to possess my body. For others, it could be a more general mutation, or something influenced even by another world, but all have been as that: temporary, and not a full permanent change.

So, it is not a true encounter likened to your daemons, if nothing else. The trigger is with a purpose, as deemed by our esteemed captors, whoever the fuck they are. Either way, I haven't seen evidence yet that the previous residents had suffered any changes. Simply that they are gone.

[soupreme]

Transformation via tea? That sounds right out of a children's book.

Simply gone... If only anything were that simple.

[limbical]

Sure does, doesn't it. But it's what happened. Hence why I caution against the prepared meals.

Mm, I'm sure we'll inevitably find out the real reason. And we won't like it. But for now, I don't think any of us know where they went.

[soupreme]

What about sealed, mass-production items such as... canned coffee and other beverages?

I unfortunately agree.

[limbical]

Those seem to be fine so far. Instant noodles, alcoholic beverages, and such also seem to be safe.

[soupreme]

Thank the Six.

So long as I have caffeine, I can tolerate just about anything.

[limbical]

Heh.

I can relate. Though more for me, so long as I have decent bourbon or whiskey. I respect that, though.

[soupreme]

I do appreciate a fine bourbon when I have the opportunity to do so.

Coffee, I drink every day. Morning til night. Rain or shine.

An indulgence I don't understand? Cigars. Absolutely dreadful.

[limbical]

Depends on the occasion and the cigar. But we all have our vices.

Oh yeah. There's another coffee fan here. Chesed. Try reaching out to him sometime, I'm sure he'd be happy to share his brews with you.

[soupreme]

Hm. You may have a point. My first and last cigar was at sixteen. Perhaps my tastebuds have changed. I may try again, should the right cigar and occasion arise.

That's good to know. I am rather picky. There is a particular brand from back home I've been loyal to for some time, but any coffee will do in a pinch. Have you seen 'Ebony' on the shelves of the supermarket here?

[limbical]

Terrible age for it. You should save it for a celebratory occasion, that's my suggestion.

I'm afraid I haven't noticed any specific brands, personally. Maybe if you describe what you like about it, Chesed can help. I don't have a refined taste for coffee like the two of you, apparently.

[soupreme]

I can think of one such celebration to look forward to. Back home, that is.

Thank you for the recommendation. I will definitely contact them at some point. Worrying about coffee right now seems silly in the scheme of things.

To be quite honest, I don't know how I feel. I believe I might be dreaming.

[limbical]

Then may you celebrate when you return home, assuming that's where you wish to be.

Eh, I think it's important to have a sense of normalcy in the face of all this weird shit. If it means getting a nice cup of a coffee, then so be it.

Either way, I don't really blame you. It's an adjustment for everyone.

[soupreme]

It is. I've made a promise to someone I swore to keep. My world may be broken, but it's still my home.

A sense of normalcy... I haven't had that in some time.

You seem particularly well-adjusted to this environment. I can only hope I follow suit.

[limbical]

A promise, huh. Well... guess you'd better be a man of your word.

Hmm, I've been here over five months, and I'm regrettably used to dealing with some weird shit. I have a slight advantage over a lot of other people like that.

[soupreme]

I strive to be.

Almost half a year? Bloody hell.

[limbical]

I couldn't have said it better myself.

...It's fine, though. Honestly, I'm probably one of the few who isn't that eager to get back to my world anyway. Not that this place is exactly a holiday, but you take what you can get.

[soupreme]

If it weren't for the people waiting for me back home, for my promise, and duty...

I would stay for the light alone.

[limbical]

...Sounds grim. But...

You know, if nothing else, at least there are people waiting for you. For what it's worth.

[soupreme]

One of those people is here.

I don't know whether to be angry or relieved.

[limbical]

...Ah. I'm sorry.

Someone from my world was here for awhile. Then he wasn't. Disappeared, like whoever lived here before.

...So. Do your best to keep an eye on him.

[soupreme]

Easier said than done, I'm afraid. My eyes aren't what they used to be.

Regardless, I won't allow anything to happen to him. Our 'hosts' will have to go through me.