Night 21

[passingships]

I've always thought souls were the most fascinating things - even more so when they lacked tangibility. Yet, having been shown the physical - or perhaps I should say spiritual? magical? - form of one, I find myself even more intrigued.

Those eyeless men so many have warned about: at least one of their souls is crimson, braided with shadow. Perhaps that will mean something to someone. Perhaps it will not. If the former, I'd like to know what it means to you or whether, perhaps, you see them in a different light.

It seems that red is the basic colour of the soul and the darkness is rot. Has anyone seen aught to contradict this?

Comments

[mostpositively]

I haven't heard of this before. But how did you see this? It sounds as if this isn't something you have normally.

[passingships]

I was offered the chance to see things as these men do and I took it. While I can't be sure it wasn't a brief hallucination, given the warnings written about their blood in earlier pages, it was a fascinating experience all the same.

[mostpositively]

It certainly is possible that it was that. I would be worried in your position about the addictive properties, but I have yet to hear of the alternatives.

There may be people in town who have an idea or three on expanding your natural sight more safely.

[passingships]

Ah, the addiction? The desire does burn uncomfortably at times but it has subsided for now. It comes and goes but it's only a matter of waiting for it to pass out of my body.

More importantly, are you suggesting it's possible for someone like me to 'expand my sight'? Abilities like that exist in the realm of fantasy where I'm from.

[mostpositively]

Yes that. In a strange way, the man we met seems rather fond of you. He may be hoping to use that for his own ends.

But yes. The rules are different. I like to think anything is possible until proven otherwise.

[passingships]

[ Unseen, Shougo's mouth curves into a faint smile. Perhaps they were, perhaps they weren't. He would see. ]

Who would you suggest I see then?

[mostpositively]

Now if I said that on an open forum, that would paint me a fool, and people endangered.

Don't you think?

[passingships]

You're right. I forgot for a moment that anyone can read these words.

Where would you like me to meet you?

[mostpositively]

It's easy to forget sometimes.

I think I might try playing a few games, just for the fun of it. If I'm not there, I'll be by the fire.

[passingships]

It might be nice to play a few games again. I will be there in a few minutes.

action

[passingships]

True to his word, Shougo made his way out of the castle and headed to the town. He was relieved, truth be told, to leave the flooded basement and its disturbing creatures behind. He could sleep on any surface but he had grown used to a bed.

Proceeding cautiously, it took him more time than usual to reach the gates. Once he sighted the flickering lights of the bonfire, he breathed out a sigh of relief. Safe, he thought.

From there it was only a matter of locating Masaki.

action

[mostpositively]

She noted the message but didn't respond. There was plenty of reason not to go into the flooded basement, the leeches being one of them. The storage room was better to sleep in, she thought, and she liked being out here with the people.

Even if it was humid. She felt Shougo's familiar soul, and the flicker of white hair reflected on the fire.

"Ah, there you are." Her voice was pleasant, and she came forward, smiling. She was wearing her servant greys, but then she didn't have anything else. "Your trip was uneventful?"

Small talk, but also checking to see he avoided trouble that might have arisen since her arrival in town.

[passingships]

Neither did Shougo, who wore his greys as it seemed to allow him to pass unremarked by the guards. What a familiar feeling that was.

"Somewhat. I was worried that I would be picked off by the creatures in the basement, but it seems like the other things roaming tonight are keeping to the upper floors." Shougo halted before her, shaking his head ruefully. "I don't know where they expect us to sleep when the water rises as it does."

So late with this, but here goes

[angel_of_death]

Perhaps you were not seeing only one soul.

[passingships]

More than one, you say? Is that possible?

[angel_of_death]

It is more than possible.

Those eyeless men, as so many call them, are hosts to another existence which changes them, has control over them, and sometimes acts through them.

[passingships]

Interesting. Are you implying that this second existence is related to the blackness threaded through the soul I saw?

[angel_of_death]

What did the threading look like?

[passingships]

Thick lines of darkness twisted through their entire body, like nerves.

[angel_of_death]

[Like nerves? Interesting.]

Nerves are what control what you feel and how you react in the physical sense, right?

[After a pause, he tacks on an addendum.]

Would you say the blackness follows the same paths as the actual nerves of the body?

[passingships]

Yes, on both counts. Intriguing, don't you think?

[angel_of_death]

I agree. And to answer your question before, yes. From what you have shared, I expect it is his doing.

[passingships]

That mysterious existence called 'Sorrow' I see mentioned on prior pages, yes? He's - or it - is an interesting fellow. We discussed philosophy some time ago and I've now been introduced to the tangible soul.

[angel_of_death]

I'm curious. What philosophy did he claim to embrace?

[passingships]

I didn't ask. He cut off my head to show me that death is not the end here and then encouraged me to pursue knowledge. The books he's given me have been fascinating.