prismatica | [video] a long belated introduction

[ 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.

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[Grimm chuckles, low and raspy.]

I admit I am terribly curious, but, ah well. Transcription it shall be.

A very long time ago, the realm of dreams was one and whole. It claimed two rulers: the Radiance, and the Nightmare King. The Radiance held domain over pleasant dreams, the sort one wishes never to wake from, while the Nightmare King ensured that mortals could not remain in their dreams forever.

The Radiance wished to rule alone. So she mortally wounded the Nightmare King, taking his eyes in the process.

[Grimm traces the lines of his mask that cross over both eyes.]

[ Martin startles at that, not quite realising he's receiving a statement until Grimm starts. Then - abruptly, he grabs a notebook and starts taking frantic notes. (A tape recorder has appeared in frame too - when did that get here?)

Also, he stares at that little gesture. ]

His - his eyes? What did that do to him?

Blinded him, though that was less important at the moment than the mortal wounding.

Cast out and on the verge of death, the Nightmare King found a mortal moth. Someone who would agree to be a vessel for his heart. He would see through their eyes, his life would be joined to theirs. When their mortal frame could no longer support the heart of a god, they would die and pass the heart on to feed their child, in a Ritual that has no end.

The mortal agreed, and that was the first of the line of Grimm.

[ Martin goes silent for a moment as all of that sinks in. As - as he tries to categorise that, good lord. (Insects are an obvious case for Corruption, but - Corruption relies on the sense of an invasive, spreading influence of vermin, which this does not seem to be, so -

Eye, maybe? Martin thinks Eye. ]

And ... what does that make you?

[It's more symbiotic than parasitic in nature, though some might argue otherwise.]

A vessel for something greater than myself. The Nightmare King and I are not separate beings, and we are not entirely the same. I fulfill the duty of all of Grimm to consume the anger and regret from dead kingdoms, so that the land may be reborn.

Soon I too shall pass, and leave the heart of Grimm to my own child.

[ Martin scribbles furiously for a moment. ]

Are these always literal children, or do you sometimes, ah. Make selections...?

Literal children, though there is no second parent. Would you like to meet mine? Even someone in your situation will admit they are adorable.

[Grimm's tone had been serious, as befits the subject matter, but it switches to the glow of a doting father.]

[ Well. In for a penny, in for a pound, right? Martin swallows uncertainly, but nods. ]

I - er, all right? Are they here right now?

[Grimm turns his head to the side.] Come here, my dear child.

[Flying in from off-camera, a bug small enough to sit comfortably on Martin's shoulder appears. They nuzzle up to their father's torso before turning to look at the device.]

Say hello to Martin.

[Grimmchild meows, sounding very much like a (slightly raspy) housecat.]

[ Gosh. Grimm is right - even Martin has to admit that's adorable. ]

Oh. H-hello there. You ... you are very cute.

Nyah! [If a meow can sound like 'thank you', that one did.]

They enjoy making new friends, exploring Lunatia, and being pet. As their father, I couldn't be more proud.

Were - were they born here or did they come with you?

Neither. I arrived here without them, and spent my every day fretting for their wellbeing until I could summon them to my side.

Oh, I am glad they made it then. I - well, I don't have children, but I am very glad Jon is here.

This land is infinitely more pleasant with the presence of our loved ones.

[Of which family is only one variety.]

[video] a long belated introduction

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