[video] a long belated introduction

[curriculum_fictae]

[ This video opens on a pale, nervous ginger who speaks with a rather pronounced British accent. (London with a hint of Manchester.) Has ... he prepared notes? He keeps looking down off screen, like he's written down everything ahead of time.

And yet, somehow he's still caught a little off guard when the feed starts up. ]

Oh, er - hullo, I'm. Well. I guess I've been here for a little while already, but it's taken ages to. To really settle in? This place is profoundly different and. Frankly a bit distressing. So I'm new here, but not completely new, just definitely trying this video post thing out for the first time and --

[ Deep breaths Martin. Focus. ]

M-my name is. Is Martin Blackwood. If you know Jonathan Sims, then I'm his Archival Assistant. We, er. We both work at the Magnus Institute? He's sort of my boss.

It ... well, it specialises in horror - archiving accounts of supernatural unpleasantness and. The like. I - I've heard a couple interesting stories here already, and I'd like to keep up. Er. Archiving.

[ Another glance down at his notes. ]

If you'd like to contribute, I set up a mailbox here. Just - please make it written or typed accounts only, please? Verbal statements are really not recommended.

[ A pause. Is he forgetting anything? Not on this topic, but... ]

Oh, and if there's any healers about, I'd really love to get your contact information, if you're willing. Just for - for general emergencies and such.

Comments

[wingstosee]

If you're not comfortable with that, call me whatever you like.
I don't mind.

[curriculum_fictae]

No I just
are you LITERALLY Satan?

[wingstosee]

I am the devil.
Literally, and figuratively, and theologically.
If that's what you're asking, then... yes.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ On the one hand, it's bloody Satan. Texting him to try to talk? So they can give him a statement on love or - or something?

On the other hand ... Martin doesn't eat statements, himself, but he has enough of the Eye in him to find the thought intensely compelling. Like a description of a five-star meal. ]

Oh
Oh I see. Well. I imagine your statements might be very useful.

[wingstosee]

Would they? Do you really think so?

Do you fear God, Martin?

[curriculum_fictae]

Terrified. The last one I encountered directly killed me.

[curriculum_fictae]

Unless you mean the nice version, in which case I'm entirely certain He doesn't exist.

[wingstosee]

Ah...

[ once again, there is a pause. this time, however, the words to come are less carefully chosen. ]

Oh, darling... I am sorry. So, so sorry. I think of the world you left, and I look at this one, and I hope, so, so much, that you are happier here. Away from His judgment, where he holds no sway.

[ she doesn't speak on god's existence for now. there are other, more important things at hand. ]

[curriculum_fictae]

It ... it is significantly better here. I will say that. Even with everything that goes on here.

[wingstosee]

Is it?

...I'm glad.
My powers are so weak, now. Weaker than they were, even.
There's so little I can do for all of you.
But as long as there's room for you in this world, as you are...
I can rest easy.

[curriculum_fictae]

Yeah?
That's surprisingly compassionate for someone who doesn't know much about me.

[wingstosee]

I don't know much about you.
But I know so many others who are hurt. Like you must have been.
Hundreds, thousands, millions, billions...
I know their names. I know their faces. I have known them since before they were born.
And now I know of Martin Blackwood, whose time was cut short.

Why would I feel any differently for you?

[curriculum_fictae]

It is
It is a lot to accept, especially as something benevolent?
Like I mentioned, the last god I encountered directly definitely killed me.
The others are ... not. Benevolent. In the slightest.

[wingstosee]

Then you don't have to accept it. Not many do.
But I can promise this:
I am no god. I never have been, and I never will be.

[curriculum_fictae]

But you are literally Satan.

[wingstosee]

Do you know what that name means?

[curriculum_fictae]

Oh, it's Hebrew. "Adversary" or "accuser," more of a title than a name.

[wingstosee]

You do know. I'm glad.
Prosecutor, plaintiff, metaphor...
In all of these, there is God, and there is the adversary.
Is it so wrong to fight him?

[curriculum_fictae]

Well. My thoughts here are twofold:
1) God is a prick
2) I've already been to hell, so why not

[wingstosee]

...it's always nice to hear others say it.

I don't know your face, Martin.
I know so little, here.
What was your world like?
What was your Hell like?
Were you welcomed for your transgressions?

[curriculum_fictae]

That's all a very long story, honestly.
And hell mostly just ... killed me. Just a great sea of mist and loneliness.

[wingstosee]

Cast aside by God, and cast aside again in Hell...
I'm sorry.
I'm so, so sorry, Martin.

I wish I had been there with you.

[curriculum_fictae]

It's

Look, I'm here now, this is infinitely better.

[wingstosee]

Even so.
But...

No, you're right.
You're safe now. You aren't alone.
And...
Are there others here who care for you?

[curriculum_fictae]

Oh. Yes.
I've a roommate, Jonathan Sims. He's a friend from home.