The most metaphorical demon slaying

[ilikebigbuffs]

[It was kind of refreshing, having a new subject to delve into and squeeze for all the information it had available. He had passed the subject of possession a few times during his research of curses, but never had any reason to search it further. Now, however...a friend was in danger. Week lost to crazy implanted memories or no, he'd been a very, very busy bee.

There was certainly a lot to read on the subject, so his room had become cluttered in notes again. He found, however, that most documented cases of demonic possession he had come across at later dates were instead proven to be psychological ailments instead of spiritual. This gave earlier documented cases more dubious credibility, so he wasn't sure how accurate most of his notes even were. Frustrating as it may have been, it was worth writing down and keeping among the more important notes at his writing desk.

It was dusk now, but Gakupo had already been asleep for...a few hours. He could never keep a healthy schedule when he was studying, and with how long his face had been firmly planted in a compendium he may well wake up with ink on his cheek and nose.]

Comments

[inshepherdscloth]

Not even a whisper.

... it does seem strange, doesn't it? He loves so well to tease and tempt, to turn one's doubts against them, and yet...

[ilikebigbuffs]

Right. It doesn't make sense, if he wants you to suffer like you say.

No previous hosts, nothing about hell...either he's really young, really old, or has never even been...

1/2

[inshepherdscloth]

I suffer in uncertainty. If there were any certainty of what I was to face, then I could fully resign myself to it, and in acceptance find a sort of peace--

2/2

[inshepherdscloth]

[he gasps suddenly, pitching forward with a strangled noise as he clutches at his rosary]

[ilikebigbuffs]

[He nods, the claim making sense, really. Humans were adaptable, if they knew what to expect, then...]

--Woah, hey! [He rises from his seat, reaching to put a hand on Kiyoteru's shoulder.] Father Hiyama, are you alright? Is he trying to get out?

[inshepherdscloth]

I-I'm... yes...

... He's angry. He wants to hurt you for what you just said. I've never... this kind of rage from him, it's...

[ilikebigbuffs]

[He looks frightened, but doesn't move from his supportive position.] He's that angry? I was only kidding...

[inshepherdscloth]

[his knuckles are clenched white on his rosary]

The idea... offends him. That he has never been. He is shouting, I can hardly hear my own thoughts above him! He insists that he has. That... that he was not born here, on our "miserable earth".

[slaps one hand against the side of his head as if to shake something loose]

There! I have told him! Are you satisfied? Be silent, now, in the name of God!

[ilikebigbuffs]

[He's still uneasy, but his brows furrow in thought at that. Odd button to cause such a strong reaction...]

Wait.

Ask him to prove it. I'm right here to help keep him down.

[inshepherdscloth]

[he stops and blinks at Gakupo, looking honestly baffled]

... Prove it?

[ilikebigbuffs]

To tell us something about hell. To back up his claim.

[inshepherdscloth]

... He agrees. He wants to come out, that he might speak to you face-to-face.

I... can I trust you, Father Kamui? To... contain us?

[ilikebigbuffs]

[He nods, offering a gentle squeeze to Kiyoteru's shoulder.] This room is already blessed. I can handle it.

[inshepherdscloth]

[a nervous, shaky breath... then he closes his eyes, bowing his head.

a moment later he sits up again, his posture entirely different. he sneers as he pulls off the priest's glasses.]

So the imposter priest wants to hear of Hell, does he?

[ilikebigbuffs]

[He steels himself, doing his best not to back up out of fear at that stare. He could handle this.]

That was the idea, yes.

[inshepherdscloth]

So brave, and so foolish. Would you quake to hear what awaits you, to hear of the lake of eternal fire? Will it please you to hear how your soul will burn, how your God will turn away his head from your cries? Do you look forward to it, the weeping and the gnashing of teeth?

[ilikebigbuffs]

[Yes, as a matter of fact he does almost quake. He's well aware of what most likely awaits him, and asking for some secret amidst the hellfire wasn't going to do anything for his anxiety on the subject later, but this wasn't about his comfort. It was about helping a friend.]

Tell me something I don't already know.

[inshepherdscloth]

[That friend, still watching through the demon's eyes, is grateful for Gakupo's bravery. Even if it's true, that he is indeed only posing as a priest... well, Kiyoteru has known men of the cloth less deserving of it than this man.

meanwhile, the demon chuckles.]

Oh, but your scriptures cover the subject so well, do they not? The torments your dear, loving God visits upon all those who do not follow his exacting rules...

[ilikebigbuffs]

You should know it better than any mortal man that could write down, shouldn't you?

[inshepherdscloth]

DO YOU DOUBT ME?!!

I, who have held this pitiful priest's soul in my clutches since the day of his birth? I, who cannot be driven from his flesh by the feeble power of your puling God? I, who drove a man to madness with words alone?! YOU DOUBT THAT I AM OF HELL?!

[ilikebigbuffs]

[He does back up at the outburst, his fear betraying him. If this was a demon and came with everything that entailed, he was getting himself into some pretty hot water.

If.

Deep breaths, Gakupo.]

From the way you're stalling instead of telling me anything...yeah. I'm starting to.

[inshepherdscloth]

[snarling]

Then what am I? Pitiful mortal, liar, priest of lies, if I am not of Hell, then what do you suppose I am?!

[ilikebigbuffs]

[That was a good question, actually. He hadn't exactly formed a solid hypothesis before jumping into this little stunt. Think back, all the notes taken, all the alternate possibilities presented from false possessions--

His eyes widen at a sudden thought.]

...I think you're an illness.

this is literally his only icon that isn't smiling...

[inshepherdscloth]

AN ILLNESS?!

[ilikebigbuffs]

Illnesses misdiagnosed as possession aren't uncommon. Especially a certain one--split personalities. Same body, just two or more people in it. No demonic forces involved.