Text @vanhelsing

[thepsyingnun]

Greetings.

For those I have not met, I am Sister Agatha Van Helsing. I have been mentally absent this past fortnight. Given this, I have questions for those gathered here. I have many, in fact, but will start with this:

Were you also mentally disturbed for any time this past month? If so, what do you recall? If not, what did you observe of those that were?

The gifts given appear to be the work of a child. Do any recall hearing the voice of a child before arriving here? What did it say to you?

Do any of those present have experience with the supernatural, unholy, witchcraft, or how ever else you wish to label it? I would like to arrange a meeting for us to compile and compare knowledge, if so.

Was anyone not native to this location killed during the events of the past month?

My thanks.

Comments

[13thcommander]

It wasn't like that for me. Yes, I was mostly content, but there were moments when... it was as if I remembered who I was supposed to be, and it boiled over the lights in my head.

It never lasted long. The lights just got brighter and drowned out what I should have been feeling.

[It had been horrible. Never again.]

I agree. Unfortunately, I was

rather offputting

while I was in the lights. It may be difficult for me to gather any information beyond my own.

[thepsyingnun]

Ah. You have made some rivals? I am sure they will understand mental disturbance was involved if you confess.

[13thcommander]

Rivals may be a kind word to describe it.

We weren't fond of each other before the disturbance. I imagine he likes me even less now.

[Pointedly not mentioning how much he upset Levi, which hurts way worse than offending Archer's sensibilities.]

[thepsyingnun]

You mean a familiar face from home?

[13thcommander]

Oh no, not someone from home. I met him for the first time at the gala. We didn't care for each other.

[Got in a pissy baby shouting match, more accurately. You know, like adults!]

May I ask a question about your experience in the lights, Sister Agatha?

[thepsyingnun]

Of course.

[13thcommander]

Did you find yourself believing what this city has told us? That you were, in actuality, someone other than yourself?

[thepsyingnun]

I am unsure what I believed. I mostly recall being too cheerful to much care about something like an identity or calling. A horrifying way to live.

[13thcommander]

That does sound awful. Like living without a compass, or a guiding star to chart your course.

It wasn't like that for myself. I had a star to follow, but it wasn't MY star. It was what whoever brought us here believed I should be. It was like living a life that wasn't my own, and believing that it was the right way to be.

[thepsyingnun]

Fascinating. Do you remember what this star was leading towards? Or simply, was the goal to 'fit in' with this world?

[13thcommander]

[There's a long pause before Erwin answers. It's a lot to get his head around, and he wants to articulate it as well as he can.]

For the first and only time in my life, I wanted to blend in. I wanted to be considered normal so badly, it was almost painful. And when I remembered who I really was, when the lights faded the faintest bit, it was a war inside my head, between who they wanted me to be and who I really am.

[thepsyingnun]

Perhaps it will be helpful for us to carry mementos of who we are with us. Difficult when we came to this world with nothing but ourselves, but it is possible to do.

[13thcommander]

[That... is completely brilliant and Erwin loves it.]

Thank you, Sister Agatha; that is an incredible idea. I've been learning about photography here and this seems like a fine way to practice it.

If you'd like, I could take pictures of you? Or things that are important to you. It's the least I can do for your brilliant idea.