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[lingeringhope]

Hello.

[A man is standing before a stone wall - the wall of the cave, probably, though there aren't any distinguishing marks to show where, exactly, he might be. He seems calm, and his face is kind. He looks directly into the camera with no artifice.]

I have no doubt you were all surprised to find yourselves here. I apologize for the rather abrupt arrival - as it turns out, we have no control over who or what is brought here.

[And there, that's the slightest sign of frustration, or possibly annoyance. His mouth tightens.]

In any case, I've tried to make things comfortable for you - humans, is that correct? That's what you call yourselves? And the other things are bears, and they were not sentient [he says, as if it might have taken him a bit to realize], so I've made sure to push them out of the main part of the city. I'd rather you all not get eaten.

You can be useful to us, as it turns out, thanks to your capacity for feeling emotion. Not quite so well as the last ones, but it'll do. You can call me Hope, if you'd like, and if you could all try very hard to feel appropriately hopeful at all times, it would be extremely convenient. I need the energy to keep you fed and the power running - and for other things.

[Hope pauses for a moment, considering.]

While you all seem to be sentient, I'm not certain of your capacity for higher thought, so I'm really not sure explaining things will be much use. I'd rather not waste time explaining things you're not capable of comprehending. But for those who might be curious and wish to try to understand - some time ago a number of my companions died. I'd like to bring them back. For that, I need power, and for power, I need the emotions that you can give me. Hope, specifically.

[And he sighs, annoyance crossing his face again.]

Much to my dismay, of all my fellow - what would your kind call us? Gods? - only one has survived. Fear is here as well, and if you could all try not to give him your fear, it would make my life significantly easier. Just - don't be scared of things. Ignore him.

I suppose if you have any questions, you can ask, but you're not guaranteed an answer. In any case, welcome to Hadriel. I hope the food is palatable.

Comments

[lingeringfear]

That would be me.

[Someone's ears are ringing!]

Anyway, why would I send you back? You have the capacity to be so afraid- I can use that, you know.

[unitas]

[ She believes it's him as much as she believes in Valtiel, though she doesn't rule it out entirely. It's hard to determine how, exactly, she got here, but it seemed just about anything was possible (including a vivid hallucination--not the first time in her life). ]

And I also have the capacity to be dangerous. [ Fear turned Alessa into a monster, twisting her mangled heart. Sharon knows what can happen under the right conditions, and the very idea of it happening to her sends her heart pacing. ] It might be best for you if you just let me go.

[ a pause, and then: ] If you even can.

[ That's not childish at all, Sharon! ]

[lingeringfear]

That's a threat?

[Fear's expression brightens at that and he nods eagerly, leaning closer.]

I like that. Will you threaten others?

[unitas]

[ There is something innately unsettling about the way he brightens, eager, somehow, at the very prospect of her threat. Her lips curl back, disgust and uncertainty plaguing her before anger and determination steel her expression. ]

Just you. [ She only had reason to threaten him, thus far. Her blue eyes narrow. ] Tell me how to get back home.

[lingeringfear]

Oh, I get it.

[A pause, as if considering something. She's- different, it seems, and while she's angry (and Fear can't use anger, as helpful as that would be)- there's something else too, isn't there?]

You're scared that you won't go home. Is that it?

[unitas]

[ The nail is hit on the head, and she tenses visibly, gripping the cellphone until her knuckles turn white. It was less about home, and far more about the only person she can call a place home with: her dad.

At this point, she's not even certain he's even alive anymore. ]

Tell me! [ Sharon is afraid, so very, very afraid. ]

[lingeringfear]

[He positively lights up at that, and Fear leans back a little. What would the point of telling her anything be? The longer he holds out, the more fear she'll have- and he recognizes this and utilizes it to a cruel extent.]

...I don't think I will. You're trapped here, and no amount of yelling is going to change my mind.

[Fear nods appreciatively toward her.]

Thank you for the fear, human.

[unitas]

Go to hell, asshole. [ the sincerity there is just. it's just so pure. so sincere. so honest. ]

[lingeringfear]

[Wow, very nice. Fear isn't really offended, but the sincerity is pretty awesome. Humans are pretty good feelings batteries when they want to be, aren't they?]

Oh- I think you missed the part where Hope told you that we were gods. Going to Hell isn't the greatest of curses to throw at beings such as us.

[unitas]

You missed the part where I haven't quite bought into your bullshit. [ maybe they have some abilities, maybe they're special fucking snowflakes, but gods? it's laughable to sharon. ]

But even gods have a hell just for them. [ at least in silent hill!! come home with her fear, let her introduce you to pyramid head. you'd be buddies. ]

[lingeringfear]

Do they? Is that how it works in your mythology?

[Iiiinteresting. Fear tilts his head at her.]

What sort of Hells do you believe in?

[unitas]

Why would I tell you anything?

[lingeringfear]

Because I asked?

[Wow, humans are strange.]

I thought that was implied.