video; a blood cultist's apology and offer

[sacrament_of_blood]

[A teenage girl with red eyes and sharp teeth is on the screen. Behind her, one of the washing machines can be seen with laundry soap suds spilling out of it and onto the floor. She looks both troubled and apologetic.

It's pretty bad, too, the suds're spilling into nearby cars.]

I am sending this for several reasons.

Firstly, I am Merciless and I wish to apologize for my errors that caused the state of affairs you can see. I carefully observed another person using the machine so I could perform my duty properly. However, I believe my error laid in the amount of soap I used or at least it was the primary difference between our actions. I used considerably more than the other person with the intention of getting the clothes more clean.

As you can see, that was a mistake and I extend my apologies. I shall do my utmost to clean this up, although I would greatly appreciate it if someone showed me how. This event has eroded my confidence in my ability to do such tasks without guidance.

[She sighs.]

Secondly, after I clean this up, I will be offering my services as a priestess. I am far more capable at that. I have had intensive training in it, wherefore I have not had any training in doing laundry. I can bless objects including fluids and perform ceremonies such as weddings and funerals. I can also perform rituals such as preservation from decay, tracking by blood, or warding against an enemy. However, any ceremonies I perform will have to be adjusted to a more generalized form, as I do not believe there are any here who worship the gods of my people.

Speaking of, thirdly I wish to hear about your gods. What gods do you have?

Comments

[adropofsunlight]

I admit, the machine is a whole new thing for me too. it's pretty wild how it works, so I don't blame you for getting something wrong.

[But upon hearing the others parts the young woman really doesn't know how to respond. but she will at least try.]

I... will keep that in mind, but I cannot sadly answer your last question.

[sacrament_of_blood]

I never learned to do chores, so this all would be new for me even without the devices to learn. And it is of no worry if you cannot answer that question.

[adropofsunlight]

You never did chores before? oh! I can try and make them fun and you can learn from them or something... I did chores back home and always did them quickly.

[sacrament_of_blood]

I had other duties, and I was often out in the wilderness hunting down the foes of my people.

[adropofsunlight]

The... foes of your people?

[sacrament_of_blood]

The Empty Ones, thieves of bodies and identities. They seem to fill their emptiness by usurping others' identities, but it is not sufficient to sate their hollowness.

[adropofsunlight]

I... see. So they aren't very nice people? I mean if they are indeed empty, I assume that they lack emotions.

[sacrament_of_blood]

It is rather that the strongest emotions they feel are a sense of hollowness, of a lack of a sense of self, and a desperate need to fill that emptiness. In a sense, they are pitiable, but that does not eliminate the fact that they are a great threat.

[adropofsunlight]

So hollowness is an emotion?

But they do sound like a great threat.

[sacrament_of_blood]

Rather, it is a lack of something crucial that they feel. They can feel they do not have what they need, but they know not exactly what it is or how to resolve it. They can only sense that it has something to do with the self, with identity.

[adropofsunlight]

Then can't people just help them find that?

[sacrament_of_blood]

People have tried. At best, they had a narrow escape. At worst, they got their body stolen for their troubles. If there is a way to peacefully resolve the situation, I do not know. Though... I did met a most peculiar person who was in contact with quite peculiar spirits and she seemed to have confidence it could be done. I know not whether she is mistaken or not.

[adropofsunlight]

Maybe you'll be able to find out someday. Maybe not here on the train of course, but perhaps when you are able to return. Maybe by then you yourself might have come up with soewmthing too.

[sacrament_of_blood]

[She considers that for a good while.]

When I return, I will seek out that person and see how much truth there is in what she said. But until and unless whatever solution she has in mind works, I will continue slaying Empty Ones for the safety of my people. After all, they are still threats as they are now.

[adropofsunlight]

That is understandable. I hope either way things will work out for you.

[sacrament_of_blood]

I appreciate your hope.