153rd Devotion: Being a Slave to His Fears

[favoritetraitor]

[Video]

No... no no no.... please no... not again.

[Looking stricken, Solomon falls to his knees in a growing pool of blood heedless of the fact that the very thing soaking into his clothing can very easily kill him. His hands reach down to begin a desperate and futile attempt to bring back to life the figure of the crumpled girl in front of him.

Clearly, the doctor's lost any sane medical expectations.

It's only when in the distance a woman's voice screams, choking out the name 'Haji', that his head snaps up and he abandons the corpse in yet another attempt to prevent the inevitable loss of what he loves most.]

Saya!

Comments

1/2

[mortemscintilla]

[ Now isn't that an interesting sight. ]

[mortemscintilla]

W-What's going on?

[favoritetraitor]

I know... [Although he doesn't sound quite convinced.] ... this is a curse. But please tell me... do the rules still apply?

1/2

[mortemscintilla]

[ It seems a good idea to revert to reconnaissance-mode. Play the fool. ]

Rules...?

[mortemscintilla]

[ A beat of confusion, then, ]

All I can tell you is that this is a curse. You ...shouldn't believe everything you're seeing.

[favoritetraitor]

Yes, but... if I'm wrong. Just that once... what if I'm wrong?

[mortemscintilla]

Once the curse ends...

That's the only way to know for sure.

[favoritetraitor]

Well, it's not as if I had anything more important to do. I'll manage.

[mortemscintilla]

I hope you do.

[ A tactful pause. ]

Who... um, is Saya, if you don't mind my asking?

[favoritetraitor]

Someone from back home who's very dear to me.

[mortemscintilla]

[ His forehead scrunches as he appears to mull this over. ]

She ... looks a bit like another lady I once spoke to. Miss Diva, I think her name was.

[favoritetraitor]

Why yes, they're sisters. [Something that might be an otherwise pleasant conversation except for the fact that he's on edge, waiting for yet another distressed cry from Saya.]

Perhaps you'd care to help then.

[mortemscintilla]

Um...

[ Incidental generosity is hardly in his nature. Not unless there's a payment guaranteed. But Solomon's predicament has piqued his curiosity. Widening his eyes attentively, he asks, ]

Help? How?

[favoritetraitor]

Surely with two people, there's a greater chance of preventing this outcome.

[mortemscintilla]

[ A sigh. ]

I ... really doubt she's real, Mr. Solomon. [ Nonetheless: ] Could you send me a location? So I know where you are?

[favoritetraitor]

Of course, of course. [Even now, his attention is being diverted elsewhere. But not before he's able to press a few buttons on his network device.]

They're being sent.

[mortemscintilla]

All right.

[ Location received!!! ]

I'll be there. Um... please don't do anything rash in the meantime.