IC Inbox [Ryslig, Under Construction]

[verweiledoch]

Hallo, you have reached Dr. Faust. If this is an emergency, go to the nearest clinic, but if it is not and I can still help you, please leave a message.

Comments

<ElizaOperieren>

[verweiledoch]

[Faust is surprised to receive this message... but not answering is not an option. He swallows, sighs, and positions his long fingers over the keyboard.]

Of course I have a moment. I am sorry that you are bothered, and sincerely hope that I can help somehow. What seems to be the matter?

<Miyadera> DRV3 spoilers from this point on.

[justpure]

[Korekiyo hesitates... The man actually responded...

Well... Here goes...]

Perhaps I should start my explanation with a question.
Do you believe in ghosts? Spirits? Paranormal phenomena?

<ElizaOperieren>

[verweiledoch]

[Faust actually laughs out loud, but proceeds with kindness and patience. Of course he does.]

I am here, and so it goes without saying that I must believe the things I witness every day. But if you are asking if I believed these things before arriving in Ryslig... the answer is a resounding "yes." My life became committed to it.

<Miyadera>

[justpure]

Good... I assumed that much the way you spoke of your lover. I suppose that means what I'm about to send you won't seem too strange to you.

[He's perfectly fine with it... Is he?]

Remember when I told you about my older sister? I'm afraid I only told you a half truth that I tell most everyone else. You see, she actually died of her illness a few years ago... I nearly went mad with grief after losing someone who had been so close to me all my life, to the point where I turned to studying dark rituals to bring her back from the dead. Of course, I was unsuccessful in fully resurrecting her, and I know now that's an impossible act, but I have managed to reunite with her spirit, and she is with me now in spirit.

You see where I'm going with this, yes?

<ElizaOperieren>

[verweiledoch]

Yes, I do recall as much, and I grieve for your loss as well as mine.

Our stories are not so dissimilar; I have studied necromancy and indeed renounced medicine for it, for a time. But here in Ryslig, as a nephilim, I have not been able to call her spirit to me. I am interested in knowing how you have managed this with your sister.

<Miyadera>

[justpure]

[See, Korekiyo? This is someone we can trust.]

A necromancer, are you?

I'm more of an anthropologist, you see. Although I study the occult and the like, I have not been successful in performing most of the rituals themselves. However, during an unfortunate incident involving nearly dying of torture while traveling abroad, I got to see her beautiful face again...

With that in my mind, I tried something that bound her ghost to my body. Now she gets to live on within me, and I don't have to be without her...

However, although this meant she came to Ryslig with me, we are still separated by life and death. As a ghost, she is unable to interact with the mortal world unless she does so through possessing me. I'm perfectly fine with this, but you realize the unfortunate implications of possession, yes? Most people don't understand the context and would probably think I'm insane...

[Though... If this person can't reach their lover...

Now you see the issue concerning my friends?

Well, at least we have a good excuse to start again... And someone who understands.]

Perhaps you wouldn't mind saying hello to her? Like I said, I don't mind letting her use my hands to type.

<FräuleinElsa>

[verweiledoch]

[There's a rather long pause before he responds, but he does respond.]

I would be happy to, of course. Anything to help someone I'm sure must be very lonely in this place, even in the company of her brother.

<Miyadera> [1/2]

[justpure]

[Oh dear, has he-

Hush...]

One moment...

<Izanami> [2/2] Excuse the imgur icons.

[justpure]

[Suddenly, it's like a different person had joined the conversation.] Hello, kind sir ヾ(＾∇＾) This is Korekiyo's sister Sorry if my brother seems a bit worried we don't usually talk of this situation with strangers (๑•̆૩•̆) You seem nice though

<ElizaOperieren>

[verweiledoch]

Hello! How very nice to meet you, even if the circumstances are not the most normal or pleasant.

I'm Dr. Johann Faust VIII, and so we are no longer strangers, once you and I have been properly introduced.

[justpure]

< Izanami > wwww Yes, it is I am Matsuri Shinguji ヾ(＾∇＾) < Miyadera > And My name is Korekiyo Shinguji. I believe one of your coworkers mentioned on the network that you work for Crowe Clinic? Perhaps I may have to visit you for change-related complications at some point...

<ElizaOperieren>

[verweiledoch]

It is so wonderful to make your acquaintance! If you are up to answering some questions about your experience with life and what comes after, I would be very much obliged, but please do not feel pressure. I understand that it is very personal.

Korekiyo, what changes have you experienced so far? Are they painful or difficult to manage in other ways?

[justpure]

< Miyadera > None yet. However, I have been here for a month now... And I'm beginning to fear the worst. < Izanami > Chin up, Sweet Korekiyo~ At least they won't mess with your head like those awful plants from the Silent Forest did (;; ￣＾￣) < Miyadera > Of course, it shouldn't be that bad. Hopefully. < Izanami > Anyway I'd be happy to answer your questions, Dr. Faust! (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧ But keep in mind, I might not be that great of a source here (●﹏●;;) What I know of the afterlife back home is hazy sometimes (Comes with being a ghost) And I'm pretty sure this place is different Which might be part of the reason you have trouble finding Mrs. Eliza here

<ElizaOperieren>

[verweiledoch]

I was lucky to miss out on the plants, although I wish I could have been there faster so that I could help those who were affected more swiftly.

[So much of Faust's life is just wishing he was there faster, able to rush to the aid of those he might have been able to save.]

What you know of the afterlife would nevertheless be a help and a comfort to me. And as for the monster you are becoming, what would the worst be? Do you suspect you are becoming one in particular?

[justpure]

< Izanami > Trust me, you wouldn't have liked it ( ￣＾￣) The ones who were affected would have tried to drag you to the forest too [. . .] < Izanami > Anyway When we die I think our souls are sent to purgatory to wait until all the necessary funeral rites are performed Then we're supposed to go to our ancestors and watch over the family from the heavens (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧ However, if something goes wrong (like dying from murder/suicide, not getting proper rites, powerful emotions etc) then the resulting ghost will haunt the living until they can finally be laid to rest Like I said though, I'm not sure that's how it works in Ryslig ┐(￣ヘ￣)┌ The strange phenomena probably complicates things Isn't that right, Korekiyo? < Miyadera > Of course, Sister. As for your other question... I'm completely unaware of what I will become, but I think I heard somewhere we have undead things like vampires and wendigoes? I'm afraid that would lead to some sort of existential crisis...

[verweiledoch]

I see. It was much like that in the world I am from... ghosts tend to have unfinished business, though it is not always the case. Sometimes, there is just someone they are waiting for. I am certain that my dearest Eliza was such a pure soul she was called straight to heaven before she could make such a choice.

There are in fact undead monsters. I know some of them; they seem to be alright, that way, if it is a deep concern of yours.

[justpure]

< Izanami > I'm sure she must have led a very happy life （＾ｖ＾） You must have been a wonderful husband < Miyadera > I'm more concerned about the dying part, actually. Coming back as something that isn't quite a ghost, yet walks a fine line between life and death... Tell me, doctor, what sort of existence is that?

[verweiledoch]

I certainly try to be a good husband to my dear wife Eliza. She is my reason for living, you know, even now.

It is an existence that defies all laws of science, but I cannot deny what I have witnessed with my own eyes. It is an existence ruled by will and other forces besides a body's integrity.

[justpure]

< Izanami > That sounds like a wonderful reason to live ヾ(＾∇＾) < Miyadera > I see... In other words, medicine would not ease the transformation? < Izanami > Chin up, Korekiyo Being a spirit-like being isn't so bad You don't get ill as often

<ElizaOperieren>

[verweiledoch]

She is the most wonderful and valid reason for everything.

Medication can ease the transition to a monster's form. It cannot completely mollify the pain, but as the transformations are largely physical and drugs affect the body, they can help! I imagine that being undead would numb the pain, if anything.

[justpure]

< Miyadera > You do have a point. It's hard to feel pain when you don't have nerves. < Izanami > Exactly! Good observation, Korekiyo (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧ < Miyadera > Thanks... But then there's the issue of dying itself. I'll admit, I'm a little worried of how it might actually happen. Do you know of any previous experiences from other undead monsters here?

[verweiledoch]

I have heard various things. For some, the process of death is over relatively quickly and happens peacefully. For others, it can be prolonged, painful or traumatic. It is a very significant change for a monster to endure.

[justpure]

< Miyadera >
The significance of the change is clear itself.

[verweiledoch]

Indeed. I am not certain how I would endure it, myself, but perhaps a part of me expected it, given my affinity for death.