Firmament

>immediately lash out, then try to run

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Demon: Thinking out loud, 792?

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Demon: Or maybe imperative language is just how you influence your shared form? If so, I'm sorry to disappoint. You lack a coherent Spiritual Aspect at present. And for safety's sake, you and the other wisps are being held in containment.

Even if you all wanted to, I don't believe you could harm me. And it'd be a waste of everyone's time and energy, besides.

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>... I feel gray. What's going on?

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Demon: Between the Pneumatech holding you together, and your current state... I can only imagine what your present experience must be like.

My apologies to you, and any others experiencing any distress right now. The device you find yourselves in is sustaining you, while you lack a body. Additionally, it's what has been transcribing your thoughts for me. It seems that you are able to hear my voice well enough, though.

Although... hmm.

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> Please remain calm, and continue listening.

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Demon: ...interesting.

To answer your question, you were reincarnating. Then you were brought here. Though, if you were asking that in a more general sense, well... I was hoping we all could have a discussion. About your future.

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>What have you done?
>Where is world, sky of blue grass of green?
>This is not the promised land of renewal and answerings.

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Demon: Indeed. This is my office.

Though I may be able to provide answers, and something in the way of "renewal". As for what I've done? Presently, I'm saving you all from an unnecessary end. You see, 1057... my associates and I specialize in working with Anomalous Souls. Unfortunate entities, whom the Cycle of Life and Death doesn't quite know what to do with. You were rejected by the Cycle. And you would have stayed such, had we not intervened.

Of course, you already knew you weren't a normal Soul, no? If these memories are attributed correctly, you in particular thought as much.

At any rate, you could say we have given you a chance, when the Cycle wouldn't. Please think of our organization as your benefactors. A group of concerned patrons. Perhaps we can even help one another? As I said, your skills are of interest to us. And I do hope you'll hear what I have to offer...

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> What skills are you referring to exactly?

if my skills are eating then count me out

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Demon: Oh, that again...

To be frank, you two, I've never met a Soul capable of destroying other Souls before. Were we an academic or military organization, perhaps that'd be of greater interest. But rest assured, my company is a philanthropic organization. Independent. Non-profit.

And you, my friends. You are an Eidolon.

At least, that's the best theory that's been put forth by my associates so far. That side of things is over my head, I'm afraid. But what I do know is this. From time to time, Eidola appear in the Mortal Realms. False Souls, of a sort. The Ghosts of shards of forgotten memories, facets of lost identities, and the like. Some force of nature pools those scraps together, and they simply come into being.

Like all Spirits, they have a hard time staying together in the Mortal Realms. Lacking a living body with a healthy Mana Gate, or other source of Mana to sustain them, they can't survive. That is, if they haven't already flown apart while trying to reconcile their various selves.

As far as we can tell, Eidola have never returned to Limbo when they dissipate either. They lack certain aspects found in True Souls, and simply... end. As an Eidolon who, despite this, seems to have found their way into the Cycle of Life and Death, you offer us a rare opportunity. Moreover, it seems Eidola are immune to some of the... unfortunate side-effects of Reincarnation. For one, according to these transcripts, you've kept clear memories from Limbo. Even after attempting to cross from Limbo to the Mortal World.

What's more, you're able to think and understand. Unusually coherent, for a being such as yourself. You could just as easily have been some half-feral amalgamation of animal memories... Hundreds of confused birds, some bears, and various other woodland creatures, say. Your case being referred to us is quite the stroke of luck.

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>I dont like that expression
>waddaya want?

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Demon: Oh, then you can see as well? Interesting. If it was my smile that disturbed you, though, I beg your pardon. I can't help but feel rather pleased by a stroke of good fortune, is all.

As for what I want? I'd like you to help us help you to... help someone else. A Mortal Client, asking for a favor. Typical Demon-Pact business, nothing outlandish. However, the Client doesn't know that what he's asking for is... impossible for us.

But not so, for you.

I can't offer all the confidential details just yet. Demon-Client privilege, and all that. That said, if you fulfill this Client's contract, you wouldn't be Reincarnating per se. Though, you would still get to experience the world of Theia, and all there is to see. In addition, should you accept the terms and fulfill the Client's Contract? We hope you'll retain these memories of our conversation, as well. There may be other work you alone can do for us, in the Mortal Realms.

However, we have no wish to hold you here against your collective wills. As of now, you're under no obligation to us, our Mortal Client, or anyone else. If you like, you can attempt reincarnation through the Cycle again. All you need do is say the word. Or, perhaps some other Demon could find a way to get you through the system. But, if you are unwilling to fulfill this Contract... I'm afraid the Client's child will certainly die. Or perhaps worse.

And wouldn't it be a shame, to allow that to happen?

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