Firmament

>Calm down, these people don't seem to have known what you have done for now. Try to think of it as a new start. Just be sure to control your dang mouth.

>Focus. They are friends and friends to be, not food.
>Surely a cup of tea will be wash away your woe.
>Don't be a creep and actually enter.

>The speech the symbols said are not to be heard. They are to be read.

runrunrun go incarnate go incarnate go incarnate

the cafe will still be here when you come back to limbo.

> Concentrate.
> Think.
> You know how to "be."
> Is simple.
> DEVOUR.

>TavernTaverbTavern
>We gotta be good!! Maybe we can start a new beginning

> Let's just reincarnate.

go to the purple
cant hurt again when incarnate
not as permanent anyways

Having hurried away from the Cafe, you find yourself near the edge of the Rift. Cerulean told you that Souls that go through get to live a life as a mortal. Once they're done, they come back here, to Limbo. If Souls can live and die, and live again, like they said? Then maybe messing up isn't as permanent for the living. Perhaps it's safer to practice "Being" as a mortal, than as a spirit.

At this thought, you start to float toward the cloudy edge of the Rift. Or rather, you stop resisting a gentle, steady pull leading you toward it. You realize that it's been drawing you in since you first woke. You just hadn't noticed you were fighting it, until now. You drift closer to the swirling motes at the outer edge of the massive Rift. As you do, you hear a distant shout behind you. Hard to make out. You turn around and listen closely.

---

???: I said I'd GET 'em, alright?! Sheesh!

---

In the distance, you see a reddish Soul hurrying toward you. They don't look familiar, but they are leaving the Cafe. Could it be the one who saw you at the window? Or could they be some other Soul, who saw what you did to Cerulean? And are they after you?

Do they... would they want to Dust you too?

>Calm down, these people don't seem to have known what you have done for now. Try to think of it as a new start. Just be sure to control your dang mouth.

...or maybe they just want to bring you back for... some other reason? Oh, this is all so confusing. Is it safe? Is it dangerous?

Are you dangerous?

As you think, you keep drifting closer to the Rift. You'll be there soon. But how can you be sure entering it is what's best?

Go back to the cafe, and leave again only if you feel some kind of urge to eat (or otherwise harm) the beings inside.

If you don't admit to what you did to that other Soul, you'd be okay. Right? You might still be able to have a new start here, in Limbo. Get to know these other Souls, and make friends. The right way this time. And maybe you can learn to control these voices in your head. And if you do that, then your friends would be okay too...

...right?

---

???: You idiot... will you stop already? You're getting way too close to the Rift!

---

You hear the voice from earlier, but it's louder and closer this time. You turn back and see the Red Soul, now close enough to make out their Triangle Sigil. They seem to be keeping their distance from the Rift.

Or from you.

---

???: Look, dude. I don't know what your deal is, but I'm here to bring you back. If you get any closer to that thing, you're not gonna be able to do that!

And if you think going in is a good idea, believe me... you don't want that!

---

You slow as you near the edge of the Rift, surrounded by motes of purple light. The pull is much stronger this close, but you manage to hold yourself still. A loud, steady, swirling thrum can be heard from the Rift behind you. It makes your teeth itch.

---

???: I'm serious! You wanna know why so many Souls are staying out here?

It's 'cause something happened. The mortal world is all jacked up! Something made it go bad. Something that can't be fixed. There's nothing but suffering and... and bad news in there anymore!

So get your ass back over here, and lets go already!

---

The Soul is shouting now. You're not sure if it's from anger, or to be heard over the thrumming of the Rift.

They say that going through it would be... a bad thing? But when you talked, Cerulean was so excited to go in and reincarnate. And they said it was a good way to learn. Surely it can't be that bad...

Reincarnating is a whole other situation, one you may not be ready for until you have this Be-ing thing down.
To figure out how to Be, you've got to find out who you are. Other people tend to help you do that.

But still... if you go further, there's no turning back. If you go back with this Red Soul, you could take your time. Maybe learn how to do good things instead. Learn how to Be...

> You know how to "be."
> Is simple.
> DEVOUR.

...

---

???: Did you hear a single word I just said? What are you doing?

---

runrunrun go incarnate go incarnate go incarnate

the cafe will still be here when you come back to limbo.

---

???: Completely intact, thank you. Presently comatose.

---

...:
And... you're sure you've a suitable placement for the anomaly? Given the state of your leynetwork...

---

???: I assure you, we are well aware of Theia's unique... circumstances. Circumstances which are sure to change soon enough.

---

...:
Such confidence! If I didn't know better, I'd think you were scheming again. Surely you learned your lesson last time.

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???: I am simply doing my job. Nothing more.

---

...:
Of course, of course.

Though, I do hope you're not too rusty. This being your first referral in a while, haha.

---

???: From you, perhaps, but not our first case today. In fact, our previous referral came from your office as well.

Frankly, I'm surprised you've not heard.

---

...:
Oh, the interns typically handle this sort of work these days. I just wanted to call, to check in on an old friend.

---

???: Of course. Now... was there anything else?

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...:
If I may, what of this other anomaly? Asking strictly out of friendly curiosity, you understand.

---

???: Oh? It was hardly an anomaly. Slightly damaged from the cross it seems, but it cohered shortly after. Nothing aberrant beyond that. My associate Benet suspects an injured Gate, but... I suppose that remains to be seen.

Regardless, I believe your office could have handled that on their own, Dante.

---

...:
What, and rob you and your associates of precious work? I'd never dream of it!

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???: Quite. And you'll refer us any other unusual cases, I hope?

---

...:
Our trash is your treasure, Marlowe my dear.

---

???: And we are so thankful to have an upstanding Demon like you to collect it for us.

Take care.

*blip*

---

---

???: Hello again, little Eidolon.

You're not ones to waste time, are you? It seems you've already made a... ripple or two, out there. But don't worry. You've not been brought here about that. Rather, I have a certain proposal for your consideration. A way to put some of your talents to use, in the mortal world.

If enough of you are interested, of course.

---

>immediately lash out, then try to run

It coherred shortly after, no patching necessary. Nothing aberrant beyond that.

I really really hope this is referring to who I think it is.

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

> Through the fires and flames shall you be reforged.

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

>I dont like that expression
>waddaya want?

>Nice earings
>And maybe

>Wait, your mouth... you still have a horrible set of teeth!

if my skills are eating then count me out

>Just a little warning up front, I might bite you to death for absolutely no reason whatsoever.

> What skills are you referring to exactly?

>I'm very interested, but tell me anyways

>immediately lash out, then try to run

---

Demon: Thinking out loud, 792?

---

---

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.

---

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

---

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.

---

> Please remain calm, and continue listening.

---

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.

---

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

---

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...

---

> What skills are you referring to exactly?

if my skills are eating then count me out

---

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.

---

>I dont like that expression
>waddaya want?

---

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?

---

>Are we going to become the child?

> What we do to child soul when cohabitate?

> That's.... quite the conundrum, isn't it? It'd be against most morals to reject the offer. Though in the end, it's our 'soul', so we can do what we want.

> What other details can you offer us? Why does the child need us? Why can't you ask another 'soul'?

>flee flee flee no no no no no no out out where is out, where are my teeth?!

Show Content

SpoilerI'll show you who is and isn't feral! grumble mutter grumble piece of...

I'll be straight out the gate -- if there's two things I don't trust, it's demons, and the business-associated.
I feel like there's some part of this you're not telling us, something that, if mentioned, would be a potential dealbreaker. If something that important is held from us on the grounds of client confidentiality, I'd be inclined to believe you're trying to trick us.

>... I have a feeling you're trying to blackmail us. We would like to review your the Terms and Conditions as well as the contract. We don't want to go in blind.

>As far as I'm concerned, this feels too complicated. Perhaps this have been a terribly bad idea.

>Caw! I want to be out. Limbo was much more... pleasant than here.