I was called upon by someone with the ability to give spirits like myself bodies-- though truthfully, I wouldn't say I was much like you. A minor god, at most.
[A thoughtful hum, while he tries to phrase this without having to go on too long.]
Objects of a certain age gain their own souls. In my case, I was a sacred sword, prayed to for healing; I would cut away the ills plaguing the worshippers, and any malevolent spirits that caused them. Physically present as a sword, of course, but my spirit was invisible until I was made human.
If it isn't prying too much to ask-- were you also a spirit of some kind?
[He doesn't want to be rude but he can't Not ask, now. Invisible squad.]
...yeah, that sounds a little familiar. [Sort of.] So wait, that sword you have is like...your previous body? How can you both exist at the same time? Or--[No, they don't want to think about the fact that maybe this body disappears into a sword.]
I didn't do anything like cutting away malevolence spirits or anything, but...yeah. Guess you could say I was before all of this happened. I always had a body, but it wasn't one that people could really see.
[Hm.] People could see my work all the time, but me? I wasn't real to them. Coming here and having to boost my own numbers and get people to believe in me and what I'm doing isn't that new.
... I'm sorry that such a thing is familiar to you, then. It can be a lonely way to live.
[He was always at least believed in, and just happy to be surrounded by people when worshippers would come, even though they couldn't speak... but he also always would have liked to talk to them.
A hand drops to the hilt of his sword, almost protectively.]
As for this, I would say less a previous self than my original self, if it makes sense. We were connected, at home-- I could feel through it, and if it were damaged or broken this body would be hurt or killed. [He pauses briefly, before he admits:] ... I am still adjusting to that. I keep imagining I can still feel it.
I got used to it after a while, but you can see why being here's a little...different. [It's clear that even if they're building something they're also watching Ishikirimaru's hands just to make sure they're not about to get stabbed by a sword.]
So it's like...a catalyst? Or a channel or something. That's interesting. [...] You're not connected here, right? Tell me we didn't do that to you.
Something like that, yes. As for whether it was something actively done or whether it is a consequence of being away from home, I have no idea-- though perhaps it is for the best, either way. I am in no great hurry to test it, but it would be useful not to die if my weapon breaks.
[He lets his hand drop to his lap, there, because it's best not to be potentially threatening, and tilts his head as he watches them build.]
You mentioned your work-- what was it that you did?
I'd really rather not see you test it either, I'm not sure that'd be great for any of us. It just makes me wonder...I can kinda see why you chose the way you chose though. [Does Merriment know Ishi's with Piety? Yes.] We'll keep the weapon safe as long as we can.
[Thank you for not being threatening though.]
...well...it was sort of a trial run, but I was chosen to be part of this group. They were meant to help protect a certain kind of person. I didn't think I would have been a good fit, and I'm starting to think maybe I was right. But I'm trying here anyway.
I think that's all that can be asked of you, truthfully-- to try.
[Ishi stops to gather his thoughts again-- he does this a lot I feel like I type it constantly I'm sorry-- and offers them what he hopes is a reassuring enough smile as he continues.]
My beliefs are in the inherent goodness of people, and in the fact that if one acts with sincerity, they will naturally be guided toward doing good. If you truly want to protect others, and act accordingly, then... I am sure you will do just fine.
...definitely, definitely can see why you chose Piety. [There's a soft sigh.] Things didn't work out because I was selfish back then and got caught up in what I wanted without realizing what would happen. That's why I have to make sure I stay in the game here. Keep the others in line and stay ahead of some of those whose ideal worlds aren't so great.
Well, are you? [It almost sounds like they're teasing him because like. Yeah.]
...my ideal world? [Hm.] A world to protect the light in it and keep the things that matter safe. There's more to it than that, but that's the easiest description. It'd be a world where people wouldn't have to be afraid of the dark, it's possible to protect the things that matter the most, and people don't have worries hanging over their head.
...[There's a slow nod, almost like relief that Ishikirimaru agrees.]
In the old life, I was kind of training to be a guardian for the world. If I can't do it there, I can work on doing it here and in the new world. I didn't think I'd be suited for it but it's hard to go back now.
It is a difficult sort of duty. Mine is similar, although it is history we're protecting rather than the world itself... and many of us have found it harder than we expected, at times.
It will not be easy-- but I think you'll be capable of it.
...thanks, Ishi. [Somehow hearing it from someone older than him helps, weirdly enough.] There's not much else I can do but move forward, right? And make sure you guys reach your own goals.
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[A thoughtful hum, while he tries to phrase this without having to go on too long.]
Objects of a certain age gain their own souls. In my case, I was a sacred sword, prayed to for healing; I would cut away the ills plaguing the worshippers, and any malevolent spirits that caused them. Physically present as a sword, of course, but my spirit was invisible until I was made human.
If it isn't prying too much to ask-- were you also a spirit of some kind?
[He doesn't want to be rude but he can't Not ask, now. Invisible squad.]
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I didn't do anything like cutting away malevolence spirits or anything, but...yeah. Guess you could say I was before all of this happened. I always had a body, but it wasn't one that people could really see.
[Hm.] People could see my work all the time, but me? I wasn't real to them. Coming here and having to boost my own numbers and get people to believe in me and what I'm doing isn't that new.
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[He was always at least believed in, and just happy to be surrounded by people when worshippers would come, even though they couldn't speak... but he also always would have liked to talk to them.
A hand drops to the hilt of his sword, almost protectively.]
As for this, I would say less a previous self than my original self, if it makes sense. We were connected, at home-- I could feel through it, and if it were damaged or broken this body would be hurt or killed. [He pauses briefly, before he admits:] ... I am still adjusting to that. I keep imagining I can still feel it.
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So it's like...a catalyst? Or a channel or something. That's interesting. [...] You're not connected here, right? Tell me we didn't do that to you.
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[He lets his hand drop to his lap, there, because it's best not to be potentially threatening, and tilts his head as he watches them build.]
You mentioned your work-- what was it that you did?
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[Thank you for not being threatening though.]
...well...it was sort of a trial run, but I was chosen to be part of this group. They were meant to help protect a certain kind of person. I didn't think I would have been a good fit, and I'm starting to think maybe I was right. But I'm trying here anyway.
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[Ishi stops to gather his thoughts again-- he does this a lot I feel like I type it constantly I'm sorry-- and offers them what he hopes is a reassuring enough smile as he continues.]
My beliefs are in the inherent goodness of people, and in the fact that if one acts with sincerity, they will naturally be guided toward doing good. If you truly want to protect others, and act accordingly, then... I am sure you will do just fine.
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But I appreciate the sentiment.
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[There's amusement in his tone, there; yeah, he knows he's absolutely not a tough guess.]
...Just what would your ideal world be, though?
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...my ideal world? [Hm.] A world to protect the light in it and keep the things that matter safe. There's more to it than that, but that's the easiest description. It'd be a world where people wouldn't have to be afraid of the dark, it's possible to protect the things that matter the most, and people don't have worries hanging over their head.
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I believe I like the sound of it.
[That comes with a softer smile, this time.]
I know how it feels to be unable to protect what one cares about-- ensuring that's possible would certainly be doing the world a service.
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In the old life, I was kind of training to be a guardian for the world. If I can't do it there, I can work on doing it here and in the new world. I didn't think I'd be suited for it but it's hard to go back now.
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It will not be easy-- but I think you'll be capable of it.
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