[network; video] @determination; Monsters - help needed! [open, Day 56 morning]

[despiteeverything]

[That sure is a kid on the screen. That sure is a kid who's set their tablet up on something nearby, so they have both hands free as they record. Their hands are currently clenched in front of them in determined little fists.

When they speak, it's with the a kind of firmness of someone who's had some practice using an authoritative/official voice but hasn't quite mastered it yet. There are lapses too - moments where they slip into words a bit more informal and... well, young. Especially as they go on]

I wann- want to learn as much as I can about the monsters here. The admin called them a-no-ma-lies, I think? [They sound out each syllable of the word separately, but they get the pronunciation right at least.] There's all sorts of stuff we don't really know about them yet.

I think, if we can figure out how to talk to them, maybe they can help us figure out what's going on here. And they won't have to chase us and try to hurt us. Even... [They hesitate for the briefest of moments before soldiering on] Even if we can't do that, at least we can learn more about how to avoid them 'n stuff, or maybe how to help them.

[Oops, "'n stuff" doesn't sound very official or anything. Oh well.]

But I only just got here. If people know things that could help, or find anything, you should tell me. I got a notepad here that I'm writing stuff on.

[They pause briefly to pick up the aforementioned notepad and hold it up helpfully. Their face falls a little bit though when they put it down again.]

I'm not gonna go run around looking for them, and we're not gonna fight them. They deserve mercy too, no matter what. [They brighten again.] But I can do this. We can do this together. If anybody can help at all, it'll mean a lot.

[Whew that was... a lot of talking. But... they're pretty sure that covers it? Close enough, at least.]

Thanks!

[And end feed.]

[[ooc; don't forget to hit up spoiler permissions if you haven't already!]]

Comments

@JPHawinks, video

[rattlingthestars]

[ Jim is pretty sure that people Frisk's age should be supervised if they're trying to do things like talk to monsters but he's also not in any way equipped to do something about it. Were they back home, he'd be looking around for an adult that looked like they belonged to Frisk.

Since this is Norfinbury, the best he can do is offer cautious advice. ]

Okay, I know you said that you're not going to go looking for them, but seriously: don't go looking for them. They're not friendly and they'll attack you before you even know they're there. People have been - [ eaten ] - have died from getting too close to these things, and they didn't start it.

But I've been here since before they appeared. The first few days they were here, they chased people around. If they touched you, you got sick - one of them made my nose bleed just by brushing my arm when I was trying to get away. Back then they were all shadows, and they all looked alike.

@determination, video

[despiteeverything]

A lot of people have been saying that.

[And a lot more are about to say it, Frisk suspects. They're resigned to that fact, but they're not giving up on this plan.]

But... there's other ways we can learn about them too, right?

[If they know so little, it's not entirely surprising that they're having trouble. And actually, that last part... that's different. That's something they haven't heard about before.]

Wait... you mean they used to be different?

[They pull out the pen they likewise found in one of the first houses they searched and start scribbling on their notepad.]

text; @blacksuit

[luckystarlimit]

What if they don't have the intelligence to be reasoned with?

[It's the most constructive way she has of pointing out what worries her most about this situation. Maybe where this kid's from, reasoning with monsters is possible. It's been possible with certain monsters on Gaia, even, even if it's never actually worked. But she also knows only too well that many monsters are driven by instinct and don't have the capacity to react to things any other way.]

video; @determination

[despiteeverything]

[It takes Frisk a couple moments to respond, breaking down the words in their head to figure out the overall meaning. Once they think they've got it...]

Why wouldn't they?

Audio | @Rdua

[blessedmaiden]

[While she approves the whole 'talking with monsters' thing Rydia can't help but be afraid for them... because the monsters here couldn't be like the ones they have back home.]

Listen, my child... I strongly believe most monsters deserve mercy, I have been raised by the Underworld's monarchs, I spent most of my life between those who are considered monsters by many but... [She pauses for a moment and sighs] Not all monsters can be considered sentient, my child, so... please, even if you meet some take your distance. I will personally attempt to have some kind of conversation with them so, please, even if your heart is in the right place... don't attempt anything that may put you at risk.

Video | @determination

[despiteeverything]

[Frisk can't help but... feel torn between disappointment that the one who seemed to understand monsters like Frisk did was saying the same thing everyone else did... and being very, very reminded of Toriel. Which causes its own little mix of emotions.]

There's still gotta be other ways we can learn about them too though, right? The admin told us some stuff not too long ago.

[Some. Not a lot but some.]

@CmdrShepard; video

[gtfoourgalaxy]

[Shepard doesn't actually switch on the tablet to respond until she's sure she's got the initial shock of seeing a child here under control, so none of it shows. The worry definitely does, though, she isn't hiding that. Never been the type, anyway.

She doesn't start with a full-on lecture, though. She knows a bit about kids. Start by reaching out.]

Hey, listen - what's your name? I'm Shepard.

@determination; video

[despiteeverything]

[Not the response they expected, but not a bad one, certainly.]

Hi, Shepard. [Um.] I'm Frisk.

@greed; video

[ossifragant]

[He raises his brows.]

You don't want to try and befriend these monsters, kid.

People have died getting near them before. [He's seen it happen.] You don't even have to worry about people trying to fight them, though. Anyone who tries that will...

Well, just stay away from them, okay?

@determination; video

[despiteeverything]

I know, I gotta be careful.

[That was a point that was being repeated to them. Constantly. And frankly it's just making them more determined to do this.]

But if we can find a way to make things better, shouldn't we try?

@totheark; text

[0thingsonmymind]

why
?

@determination; video

[despiteeverything]

[This... is honestly the most confusing reply they've gotten.]

Why what?

@fullmetal; video

[forfeits]

[ ... the fact that someone thinks these monsters can be helped or spoken to makes him immensely worried. they're not human, they're not merciful, and they're dangerous. ]

We can't get close to them -- they do nothing but hurt everyone they come in contact with. There is no communicating with those things. Some of them have been so specific to memories some people have that it seems they're being generated to scare us. Do not get near those things. If you see one, you need to run. There's no other way.

[ he sighs, shaking his head. ] We have no clue where these things are coming from, and every one of them is different. They're probably not even capable of reason.

@determination; video

[despiteeverything]

[Frisk's face pulls down into an actual frown. That was getting a bit beyond the general warning Frisk off. They want to argue but so far that hasn't really... done anything with anyone.

So they don't. They just don't address it at all. There was one bit in the middle that raised a little flag though and while it takes them a few moments to puzzle out the words... yep they're pretty sure that's new. Up comes the notepad and pen.]

Specific to memories?

@lockhart, video

[powersouls]

[Tifa is... pretty freaked out to see such a small kid running around, talking about giving mercy to monsters. And all alone, possibly? The concern is pretty plain on her face.]

Hey, are you traveling with anyone?

[She can deal with the monster issue after she gets an answer to that.]

@determination; video

[despiteeverything]

[Oh, hello! Another new face. Um...]

Enoch and Quark left with the others to go get supplies from the school. They didn't want the group to be too big, though.

[So behind Frisk stayed. They didn't exactly intend to idle away the hours they were left behind, though.]

@S ; voice.

[meteors]

They are monsters for a reason. [ whether they had been innocent once upon a time or not is irrelevant if they're tearing people apart now. ] At most, you should be searching for a way to make it so that we can grant them a swift death when the time comes.

[ he's got this whole talking to kids thing down with style. ]

@determination; video

[despiteeverything]

Wh-? No!

[The protest is immediate and decidedly not happy.

They're so stunned they don't even know what to say besides that for a few moments.]

D-don't do that!

@guardian; video;

[phaseshifter]

I know other people already told you to be careful, but. Please. I saw one of them kill my dad, and it wasn't a pleasant way to go. Exercise extreme caution, friend.

[ And with that said - ]

Though that does mean I have information for you! Starting with , um - one spoke to me. In my head, not - not out loud.

@determination; video

[despiteeverything]

I'm sorry. I will.

[Look dying is never fun Frisk feels everyone on this. Don't let anything they say about monsters give indication otherwise.]

They can do that? [Hm...] What did they say?

[Up comes the notepad and pen.]

@nvcr; audio

[staytunednext]

[Cecil likes children and their interest in science and learning, even if knowledge is often prohibited. So it's with a cheery voice that he chimes in to offer his encouragement.]

It is a laudable sentiment to want to avoid doing violence. Too many children these days are all too eager to resort to the dark arts and finely honed blades of adulthood.

I am sure it will be a comfort to you to keep to your morals. I hope it will remain a comfort when those you refuse to fight tear apart your fragile body and take their nourishment from the soft meats within.

@determination; video

[despiteeverything]

[Cecil no they're eleven.]

W-what?

[They're visibly cringing, too... honestly stunned to really respond for a few moments because what even. This is worse than "y o u ' d b e d e a d w h e r e y o u s t a n d"]

Um... thanks?

night - voice - @claytonator

[dr_unconscious]

Ain't gonna give you no lecture 'bout the, uh--anomalies, sweetheart. Lord knows you got plenty a that already an' I trust you to behave yerself. Jus' checkin' in back t' base! Y'all doin' alright over there?

[...May or may not be a subtle info-grab now that he's finally had a chance to check the network and the first thing he sees is one of the kids asking how to talk to the monsters. Frisk, child, you make him worry.]

night - video - @determination

[despiteeverything]

[They're picking up quite the collection of nicknames, huh. Then again Mettaton called them darling, so...]

Yeah. It's really quiet, though.

[Staying put hasn't been the easiest thing to do, even with distractions. They'd been very strongly tempted to go out and explore some of the nearby houses. But by the time they'd reached that point, it was already getting darker again, and while they'd been equally tempted to try anyway, ultimately they'd decided to stay in. With the comforter.]

You guys are gonna be back tomorrow, right?

[If you listen carefully that might be a "I don't particularly like being here mostly by myself" hidden in there.]

@totheark; text; night 58

[0thingsonmymind]

howdoes
talk
to anomalies monsters?

*Cause recent developments have made him wonder if that would get them anything useful.*

@determination; video morning 59

[despiteeverything]

[They don't see this until the morning. There's a lot going on and truthfully they're not all feeling that great for it. But when they do... well, might as well give it a shot?]

Well... I haven't met any yet, so I haven't gotten to try yet. But some others have talked to them when they ran into them.

One said they talked in her head? And that the monster spoke in bye-nary.