prismatica | Sermon #2

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Sermon #2 | video

[Oh look, for once Pucci's putting his face to a post on the network! ...As username: viadolorosa still, but that's how it is sometimes. There's a few seconds of him trying to get a good angle on bracelet cam, before he smiles warmly and offers everyone a little wave.]

Hello. If we haven't met, I'm Father Pucci, and...I think that I can be of use to at least some of you. I've been under the impression that, even after some months here, adaptation to our need for chroma generation and the methods the moons drive us to use can still make people feel...Uncomfortable, I suppose. Amongst other things. And generally being in a new place with such differing morality can be hard.

So, what I'm offering is simple! We all have our social networks for the tough times, and services to assist with that besides. But if you just want to talk to someone, perhaps I can help you come to terms with this new place. Or simply listen if you have anything on your mind. I'm experienced with listening to people, as well as practicing confidentiality, for what that might be worth.

I'm sure you'll catch me around, if you're not willing to try and organise some sort of meeting at the moment. I hope that we can talk soon!

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Travelling...Not so much. Nor do I think that I really act in any sort of official capacity here; I'm simply another person. It feels redundant to try to spread the good word when so many of us here are from different cultures and worlds, so I'm sticking to the core message.

A little love, support, and understanding is universal.

That's real kind of you, Father.

[Really, it is kind - he can't even imagine being able to offer these kinds of services to a bunch of people that, in Steinbeck's eyes, have essentially been kidnapped with no real way to return home in the near future.]

I'm new myself, so I feel a bit happier to see someone like you offering an ear for the people.

Oh! Welcome to Prismatica, and Lunatia specifically, then! If you need any guidance on how to adjust here, or where the best food stalls are if you're Cordis-blessed, then just ask.

I...Know our arrivals are unpleasant. But this place really isn't so bad.

Well, I guess it's nice...for a prison.

[Someone's not bitter.]

Cordis? Hey, I'm actually Cordis-blessed, though I'm still trying to understand what that means. Are you Cordis too?

Mm...I suppose it is! I hadn't thought about it before, but it's rather like a much nicer and less depressing version of the prison I worked at before coming here! Less under-the-table prostitution and money stored in body parts, however. And I trust the people here to not shiv me.

Cordis is an interesting blessing to have, and I do indeed have it! You're going to get incredibly hungry. Desperately so, for both food and chroma; I would advise finding someone you trust or looking into one of the services that offers secure moonlacing that I keep hearing advertisements on via this announcement service. ...And don't let yourself eat as you desire, because you'll never feel full.

You worked at a prison, Father? That must have been a tough job.

[Things stored in body parts? Yikes.]

[The warning feels a bit like a slap to the face. He was always worried about his family, and not having enough money to help feed them all, and now always being hungry, eating more than he needs to, feels...wrong.]

Mm. That's bad. There's no way to get around it, huh? Or tough it out?

Not so hard as you'd think. After the first few years, you...Become numb to the atrocities people can commit on others, for little reason. All you can do is try to keep sight of your own morals and help those who genuinely want help. The others must find salvation in their own time, and no amount of preaching helps, alas.

[The dull clinking of fingernails tapping on wood, before Pucci audibly shifts in position. Clearly he's not altogether at ease with Cordis, either...But for different reasons altogether. Ain't that a bitch.] I...Wouldn't recommend ignoring it completely, if it's hitting particularly hard. It seems that the symptoms fluctuate in strength, from what I've heard and experienced, but I also don't want to imagine you huddled in your apartment eyeing off a bag of flour because you ate literally everything else.

You must pick your battles, basically. There is no judgement in coping so that you can live, only becoming better for it.

["Become numb to the atrocities people can commit on others"...]

[Hm.]

I knew a guy who was a priest. Don't think he understood what you were getting at - he just kept yelling at everyone about how God would come to judge them all. I seriously don't believe he got much people to change with that attitude.

[Which is to say, what Pucci is saying is refreshing to hear, at least.]

"You ate literally anything else"? Come on, it can't be that bad...right?

[Shhhh he's a normal nice priest don't look at his wording shhhhhh shhhh.]

Mm...I have no time for men like that. You always win more flies with honey than vinegar, and God will judge in His own time, not yours. There's no point in shouting people down when our core message should be love and support, which is what I want to embody and preach.

Which is why I won't call out your doubt of my personal experience! No, I tease on that front, but not on the hunger. I was out in public for most of my episodes, thankfully, but I have little doubt that if I were stuck in my apartment trying to hide from the world...It might have come to that.

But you might experience it less than me! I truly hope that's the case.

[This is the most trustworthy priest ever WHO COULD DO NO WRONG and DEFINITELY HASN'T ENDED THE WORLD or ANYTHING]

Exactly! Exactly. You're just going to get more people too stubborn to change that way.

[you hear that NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE u STUCK UP MAN]

That still sounds like such a hassle... [Not good. Not good at all.] Anything else I need to know about being Cordis?

[Well like, not yet he hasn't. He just needs to figure out the moon phases as equ-- I MEAN YES TRUSTWORTHY, TOTALLY.]

Anything else...We've covered the pheromone business, the immense hunger...And you know about the whole 'turning partially into some sort of animal', I assume? I personally have owl traits so far, though I've seen people with combinations. It's not painful, at least not for me, but that's a thing that you should be aware of.

It's mostly the hunger, however. That'll drive you, and your smell may drive others towards you, and it might become messy.

[smacks the moon phases out of pucci's hand]

I've heard of that, but I thought someone might be pulling my leg.

[Like, animals?? It seems too weird, but he's seen people with animal traits around...]

What do you mean by smell? Like what, they're going to be like bees to honey?

[BUT DAAAAAD HE NEEDS THOSE TO BRING AROUND HIS HUSBAND'S DREAM.]

No joke! I literally grow feathers and my eyes change! It's horrifying at first, but you adjust after a month or two, I promise. Though, ah...I don't know if I'll ever adjust to the whole 'pheromones' thing.

It's actual pheromones. Not everyone gives them off either, but there's a chance you might reek of something that'll drag others into your presence. No amount of bathing or cologne masks it, in the end...So I would advise making friends you're comfortable with possibly seducing, right off the bat.

[YOU CAN BRING AROUND YOUR HUSBAND'S DREAM AFTER YOU CLEAN YOUR ROOM AND FINISH YOUR HOMEWORK]

[And the feathers and eyes are nice to know of and all, but his brain does a short circuit at what he hears next.]

S-S-SEDUCING? [WHAT??? NO!!!!] I-I don't want to seduce people, what the hell?

[There's-- well, yeah. Pucci's gonna laugh at that reaction, how could he not? It's a completely undignified, surprised thing too. Gross!]

Ah-- Well, that is what pheromones do! Attract mates. Or, at the very least, bring people closer so you can moonlace however you like. But...I've found that it works even on people who aren't exactly keen on touch, which is...A complicated piece of knowledge.

But my personal route, now knowing this, would be to find someone you could trust and perhaps wait out those days with them alone. Or a few people, if you're so inclined. And platonic touch will stave off the cravings, but you'll need more of it, constantly. ...I hope that my experience can at least help you make informed decisions and plot your course better.

[can he die??? can he die]

Yeah. [He lets out a nervous laugh, because really, it's not like he's against that kind of stuff, but to imagine people just making a beeline to him is...not what he's into.] And thanks for letting me know, just...how do you even deal with that? Given that you're like...a priest and all.

[This is good advice, really, he's thankful, but he's just imagining trying to find anyone to even trust around here when the last thing he wants is to be here at all.]

[yea but he'll come back, rip buddy]

I'm glad to be of use! The first time's always toughest, even if it's mild. I promise it gets easier as you learn what your body's now capable of.

[Then Pucci shifts, snorts softly to himself. Ah, sweet angel.] ...I broke my vow of celibacy long ago, though. There's no difficulty in that area for me, and I would gladly help people in need, besides. If I don't see this as a simple transactional thing between friends, then I don't know if I could cope. So there you go!

[This Priest Fucks, basically.]

[This is..............so much. It's So Much.]

I...see. [Great, if even the PRIEST can't avoid this, then...] Maybe that's...kind of how to go about it, I guess.

[internally screams]

I-I mean, it's not like I...haven't done it before, it's just...I don't make it a habit, or anything.

[His ears are burning, HOO BOY THIS IS AN AWKWARD TALK TO BE HAVING]

It's one way to do things, certainly. You'll find your own, however! Don't feel like you have to emulate my example.

[Fuck snorting, we're out here straight up laughing now. It's only a few notes of laughter, but he's making no effort to hide how endeared and amused he is by this entire conversation. It's only awkward if you give a shit, Steinbeck. Don't worry.]

You don't have to tell me about your sex life, don't worry! It's none of my business what you do and don't do. But you'll be confronted, and it'll be hard. That's all I wanted to warn you about.

[He feels like he wants to just sink into the ground and stay there forever. A priest, laughing at him...]

Thanks. [A cough.] I mean, I'm really glad you told me about it now instead of having to find out, uh, later.]

[Sometimes it really do be that way, you know?]

Then at least part of my work's done! ...And if you have trouble coping, consider me a possible avenue of help however you need it. I'll buy you a nice lunch, hold your hand, whatever you need. Just call.

Ah, you don't have to go as far as buying me lunch...

[Huffs!]

But anyways, I'm grateful someone like you is around, Father. It's nice.

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Sermon #2 | video

voice!

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pucci: hey did you know I HAVE A SEX LIFE

pucci voice: yea i fuck i fuck VAMPIRES

steinbeck: I DON'T NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR KINKS

NO KINKSHAMING, STEINBECK. no kinkshaming.

but kinkshaming IS my kink