Test 4.

[azumods]

KNOWLEDGE Compared to the frigid chamber you've just left, the cavern you enter now is warm. It isn't difficult to see why; while there's still a fair amount of space in here, it's far smaller, and there's a source of heat and light in here - a small fire going near a corner of the room, tucked away behind the wall and difficult to see as you enter, but fairly obvious once you're inside, the light from the flames bouncing off the corner of the chamber and making it decidely easier to see. There thankfully aren't any more of Froslass' "sculptures" in here; there is, however, a person. Candice is in the corner near the fire, pressed back against the wall and watching you as you enter; it's likely obvious from the start that there's something wrong with her, though it's difficult to say what just from looking at her. Her eyes aren't fixed in the same sort of dull, blank stare that the people affected by Team Galactic tend to display, but at the same time, they look viscerally wrong - it's alert but it's empty and almost completely unfocused, as though she's taking in information and she's processing it, but she's not actually seeing any of it. It's unsettling, but she's still watching you, and she's holding something close to her chest as she does so; she's got the thick, blue sweater untied from around her waist, and she's holding it bundled in her arms like she's trying to protect it. Her eyes don't come into focus, even as she addresses you. "I told you that you aren't welcome here. You need to leave. Now." Her gaze darts as she speaks, like she's trying to take in as much as she can, even if she doesn't seem to be registering any of it properly; her expression is hard. Cold. What happens now is up to you.

Comments

[azumods]

There is.

[Are you going to actually make your point, or.]

[heritrix]

Even if we both want to help Uxie, that's the difference between us. You know what happened to it; possibly as well as if you yourself were there.

I can't blame you for being hurt and angry, and unwilling to trust anyone but yourself. Which means Uxie feels the same way, right? It doesn't trust us either.

[azumods]

[...]

Of course I know what happened.

[heritrix]

[...were they wrong before? Hold on a second. Maybe she should confirm something.]

...who am I speaking to?

[azumods]

...Why are you asking?

[heritrix]

I thought it was strange before, when you showed no recognition when we mentioned Maylene and all the people who were worried about you. At the time, I chalked it up to single-minded protectiveness, but in hindsight I think that was an error.

That's why I want you to confirm it, please. Are you Candice, or are you Uxie?

[azumods]

[She's quiet for a moment at that, just sort of...swaying in place a bit before she answers.]

I am Uxie. Bringer of Knowledge, and Guardian of Lake Acuity.

[omissions]

... Well, I guess that explains why Candice seems to be out of it here.

[Hooray, one mystery solved??]

[niceoppai]

Bwaaaaaaaah!?

[helpful]

[eudaimonikos]

[..........]

I know humans are easy to mess with, but this seems rude at best.

[azumods]

She wouldn't leave.

[...Uxie.]

[hyruglyphics]

... And that entitled you to her body?

[eudaimonikos]

They don't do things just because you tell them to! That's, like, the whole point of human beings!

[semistableman]

[Ohhh that is super sketchy. He prefers the mind communication to talking through someone else's body.]

[enjoymyatelier]

Oh. Well. That explains a fair bit, honestly.

[perfectselfie]

[WELP.]

[anythingforyou]

[..................

You know, she should have expected exactly that, in hindsight. Of...course, that's just kind of making her worried as she stares at what's in Candice's arms...]

...Does that mean that...you, your body, is...

[She hesitates to say it, if mostly because it's still kind of terrifying.]

[azumods]

...It isn't dead, if that's what concerns you.

[anythingforyou]

[...Okay, that eases her a bit more.]

...I see. I had thought that it would have been what necessitated the need to possess her.

[I mean, even if it's. Kind of clear that isn't the case, now.]

[heritrix]

[This can't be the result of touching Uxie, can it? I mean if it is, YIKES. Glad someone warned them back at Lake Acuity before they could touch Azelf. But uncontrollable possession doesn't seem right, does it? That's not the kind of consequence she'd first think of.]

What happened to Candice? You might not trust humans after what's been done to you, but I know you don't want to cause them harm.

[...thinking back to the popsicle statues in the other cavern now. Uh.]

Not without reason, anyhow. You never would have helped us, if that was the case.

[This can't be intentional.]

[azumods]

She wouldn't leave. Regardless of what happened. I tried to make her leave, but she wouldn't go. So I'm helping her now.

[...Jesus.]

[semistableman]

[......................]

Did she give you permission...?

[swiftasacoursingkawa]

H-how much of this is helping?!

[redbellion]

[ this is pretty yikes ]

How are you helping her?

[omissions]

"Helping" is a funny word for it...

[At least Stan was only possessing my shadow and not my whole body... is something he's going to have to actually think about today, apparently. Thanks Uxie.]