paradisalost | (no subject)

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[filtered away from children kidnapped or otherwise, Slenderman, and anyone exploiting the situation]

[two pages are highlighted: #, and then #; the priest's voice is quiet and gentle]

...The entries currently unearthed skip from 23 to 28 with nothing yet in between. The last known plan the previous victims of 'Slenderman' had were to offer up a human... sacrifice. The end result was the safe return of at least one child -- Deema. There's also-- this.

[he shifts, where he's staring at the blood-soaked tree whose line creeps higher and higher every time he blinks -- or maybe it's his imagination. his mind playing tricks on him, at this point, is not at all beyond the scope of the realistic]

Time is... running out.

[ooc: open for journal or the CREEPY BLOOD TREE if you're lurking]

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[moving to join him, silently looking up at it with him]

[eyes tilt toward her when she joins him, and... he's quiet a moment before breaking the silence. his gaze returns to the roots]

...I am wondering, Jilly...

[turning her gaze to the priest] I know what you're wondering, Father...

They're so close...Abel...they're here. [crouching down, her hand will hover above the bloody dirt, not quite touching]

I really think we can get to them. Without anyone dying.

[he crouches beside her, looking down into the dirt]

...'Deema.' These diary entries... The records of when this happened before.

[he frowns, softly, before reaching out to run a hand down the bark of the tree with a gloved hand]

This isn't the first time this creature has plagued Paradisa, and the castle doesn't seem to like it. But it worries me, Jilly.

What happened to 'Deema?' To the people who loved him? To all the people keeping those records? Were they previous castle residents?

Where did they all go? [how many times has this happened...?]

[a ragged sigh. This is a bigger puzzle. A puzzle that taps into a lot of other things that were bugging her even before this mess]

Maybe they got sent home, like we all seem to, eventually. [a pause] Or maybe this is the reason, or one of the reasons, why those first generation residents left. If it meant this never happening again, I'd try to get everyone as far from this place as I could, too.

[except even that theory had holes, considering that the castle was fighting back. Or seemed to be]

They're all gone...

[...or mindless townspeople...]

It could be a good sign. It could mean that it doesn't come back, as long as there are people who know how to beat it.

[if they could write up how they did this and pass it on...maybe that would be enough to keep people safe, if the exorcism wasn't permanent]

[it doesn't solve the immediate problem -- and only makes it harder, considering they can't ask them how they got rid of him last time...]

...

[ducking her head, her hand dropping into her lap]

We're going to solve this. We will.

[he withdraws his hand, too... and comes to sit, drawing his knees half-way to his chest to lean arms against them.

this... has made him wonder, how many people he put in this scenario so long ago. how many parents had been sick with worry for their children missing in the rubble of fallen cities? how many families had grieved for the loved ones he'd taken away?

half the reason he's here is in plea to be punished and alleviate the guilt as much as it is to get them back. he's selfish...

he takes his glasses off at last, rubbing at tired eyes beneath, and for the life of him can't seem to find a single word to say in response]

[sometimes there just aren't words. She doesn't try to break the silence. She doesn't try to offer up empty promises without knowing if they'll actually come true. She's sure they'll make it to the kids, now. The rest can wait until they know more details.

Instead, she'll lean just slightly so that her arm brushes his, and stay there. A silent acknowledgment. He's not alone.

Maybe he was the monster to a world of people, once upon a time. But to the girl who grew up without anyone caring what happened to her, he's a hero. Because she knows he'd give anything to get these kids back.]

[FLKSJF Jilly he would cry like a woobie for 500 years if he heard you say that. and they'd be TOUCHED WOOBIE TEARS. they would STAIN YOUR SHIRT AND NOT EVEN BLEACH COULD GET THEM OUT, they'd be so woobie.

he finally folds the glasses and tucks them away, pretenses they represented no longer useful]

You look tired. [his subtle attempt to get her to go back and away, just in case]

[softly] Don't you know it's rude to comment on a girl's appearance, Father?

[she knows you aren't resting either, Abel. Nice try, though]

I'm only concerned...

Sora and the others won't like this raccoon impression you're doing. [gestures to her eyes flkj]

And here I thought it could be the next Paradisa trend.

[he sets his cheek down on his knees, looking at her and smiling fondly, even if it's a little more wan than normal. that's expected]

You know I'm obligated to tell you if you get into a fad that isn't complementary. And as one of your biggest fans, I absolutely insist you try something a bit less gloomy. It doesn't suit you at all...

[it's faint but, when faced with a smiling priest, it's hard not to return the gesture] Well then, I promise I'll look into alternatives, next change I get. For my next attempt, I was thinking something with shovels.

Shovels...

[he contemplates this thoughtfully, before giving a little hum of agreement]

I think I can get behind that one.

I thought it was a pretty good idea.

[standing, she'll put a hand on his shoulder...one of the only times she'll ever be tall enough to do so] I'm gonna head into town and pick one up. Should I bring back a spare?

[he stays where he is, offering a tiny smile]

I wouldn't want to get left behind on the times, hm?

[squeezing his shoulder lightly before dropping her hand] When I come back, I expect you to help me dig.

[in other words, if you can't come back to life in thirty minutes, you'd better not try anything in that time]

[mock forlorn sigh...]

And here I left my digging gloves in my other coat.

[he will be here ;; he can't... do anything if there's the hope of another way.

he wants to be there if he can.]

Excuses, excuses.

[she'll be back. And so would the kids. They were going to win this]

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