(IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]

[the_matrix_walker]

Originally Posted by ericthered

That seems to hit him hard for some reason, but he recovers.

"But you're not ordained. you have your own light, not a direct channel"

"That's okay. I'm agnostic about gods I haven't met.

And softly under his breath, Peter adds,
...and honestly, not really fond of most of the ones I have met."

Originally Posted by ericthered

Gerwin: "I think I'll handle the healing magic myself." Peter thinks he senses fatigue.

"As you wish. I'll get out of your way. Thank you so much for saving this man."

I am getting the impression Gerwin does not realize Peter assisted him in the ritual, is that correct?

Originally Posted by ericthered

Helmut: "What was that? you just stepped into Gerwin's ritual! That was so dangerous! I've warned you your powers will amount to no good! They're just waiting for something, and that could have killed everyone in the village!"


"Or do you actually know more about this than you pretend?"

"Oh crap... are you sure? I didn't think I could make things worse... I could see some weak spots so I kinda filled in the cracks to help make it work."

"You keep saying it will amount to no good, but I helped stop the creature before it killed someone... twice.
I tracked it down.
I just helped with the cure.

None of that was any good? What bad have I done? Everything I have done so far has worked out just fine.

You seem all hung up on whatever spell or curse is affecting you. So maybe instead of breaking my balls, you should give me the details and I can try and help with that. I could try and do your brother's ritual, but if curse-breaking spells explode when you mess them up, we should probably leave the village to try it..."

[ericthered]

Originally Posted by the_matrix_walker

"That's okay. I'm agnostic about gods I haven't met.

And softly under his breath, Peter adds,
...and honestly, not really fond of most of the ones I have met."

hah!


"I'd think the powers would care about their oaths and bonds"


But he has no further objection... at least not until Peter stepped in. (and we're covering that response elsewhere)

"As you wish. I'll get out of your way. Thank you so much for saving this man."

I am getting the impression Gerwin does not realize Peter assisted him in the ritual, is that correct?

Correct. Gerwin was focused on the ritual and the beast.



Gerwin: "I didn't save him, the light did."

"Oh crap... are you sure? I didn't think I could make things worse... I could see some weak spots so I kinda filled in the cracks to help make it work."

"You keep saying it will amount to no good, but I helped stop the creature before it killed someone... twice.
I tracked it down.
I just helped with the cure.

None of that was any good? What bad have I done? Everything I have done so far has worked out just fine.

You seem all hung up on whatever spell or curse is affecting you. So maybe instead of breaking my balls, you should give me the details and I can try and help with that. I could try and do your brother's ritual, but if curse-breaking spells explode when you mess them up, we should probably leave the village to try it..."

Helmut is silent until the end, but glowering. Then he mutters: "Unless you can bring back the dead, you can't fix me. You can't somehow do that, can you?"


"The Powers are serious business. And yes, I've bonded one, and its not the light, obviously. And, yes, I'm going to end up killing some people. But I at least know what power I'm dealing with."

[the_matrix_walker]

Originally Posted by ericthered

"The Powers are serious business. And yes, I've bonded one, and its not the light, obviously. And, yes, I'm going to end up killing some people. But I at least know what power I'm dealing with."

"My power is my power, no one gave it to me and I didn't make any deals for it. And Killing people? What people?"

Peter thinks to himself...
The monster curse thing was prolog! What have I gotten myself into this time?

Peter will escort Helmut a bit farther away and try and get him to confide in him further regarding his story and situation.

"I think it's time you told me the whole story."

Peter tries to get him to give him the details of what power he's involved with and what that means.



__

[ericthered]

Helmut: "I thought you knew what I was? And the price that must be paid?"

Helmut: "Do you swear to keep my story secret?"

[the_matrix_walker]

Originally Posted by ericthered

Helmut: "I thought you knew what I was? And the price that must be paid?"

Helmut: "Do you swear to keep my story secret?"

"Helmut, you make a whole lot of assumptions... I only asked you about crossing the barrier. I don't want to make a promise I can't keep. I can only promise that I will try and do the right thing to help you and your people. Our original agreement stands. We vouch for each other and keep each other's secrets as long as we're not hurting anybody. The more I know, the more I can trust you, or maybe even help."

Spoiler:  

Originally Posted by ericthered

"You keep my secret safe, and convince me that you're not going to eat or sacrifice anyone in the next month, and I'll vouch for you."

Originally Posted by the_matrix_walker

"Do you know more than you are telling about the wandering monster? If there's a problem, I'll help you deal with it. I'm not gonna spill your secrets unless there is a really good reason to do it. So if you're not a threat to these people I'm not gonna say anything, but I'm not going to keep my mouth shut if I think you're endangering them! so let's talk."

[ericthered]

Helmut sputters for a few moments, opening and closing his mouth without saying anything. Finally, he says:


"As I implied earlier, I'm dead. I'm moving, speaking, and thinking only because of a bond with Kailasol, the Black Flame. I no longer require food, but instead fuel for the black flame. I can go a long time between offerings, but they must come. I... acquired this condition in the army, and I deserted."

[the_matrix_walker]

"Oh jeeze... "

Peter considers him again... Dead? His cheeks have flushed and he looks alive enough. Peter concentrates and evaluates the man again with his 'meta-sense' and tries to use this new information to make more sense of what he's been perceiving.

"So you're saying if we remove the curse, you're dead? How long until you need to give an offering again? And what is an 'offering' exactly? What's your plan here?"

Peter is wondering if there might be a loophole or substitute for the offering and he is also starting to wonder if he is being kept around to BE the next offering so Helmut doesn't have to serve up a beloved villager...

[ericthered]

Helmut has always had a lot of effects on him. Focusing, Peter can make out the outline of his face and hands: its shaped by magic in some way, sort of like how a Karana creation is shaped... but there are some major difference too. His heart and head have a different effect on them... somewhat similar to the effect on Gerwin, the one that seems to pull from elsewhere, but also like the special effect on the Karana Demons that made them different from other effects.



Helmut: "No, I'm dead. My heart doesn't beat anymore. I shouldn't be here. I should be in a grave somewhere. The offering is... someone. I haven't figured out how often. At least a month. It won't be anyone here."


He sounds miserable. And conflicted.

[the_matrix_walker]

Peter is stunned, and struggles with the idea that this man was actually dead and returned to life. The gravity of it all seems to come in at him and he feels the need to escape.

"I need to think..."

Peter steps away at a quick pace that soon becomes a trot and then a run as he tries to clear his head and his thoughts race...

[ericthered]

Helmut lets him leave, though he watches after Peter.