Heart Game: Doodleman

[idolpro]

It's dark.

It's dark.

It's

It's d̔͗̄͜͞á̵̧ͥr̓͗͘k̛̑ͭ͛͋̋ͧ̆͗͡.̢̉̈́̓͡

It's It’s It’s It's d̔͗̄͜͞á̵̧ͥr̓͗͘k̛̑ͭ͛͋̋ͧ̆͗͡.̢̉̈́̓͡

███████

You wake up in a dark place.

Comments

[idolpro]

It's a little difficult to get through the crowd - they're all milling about, trying to get closer to the middle. However, that also means they're paying no attention to your presence.

Eventually, you get close enough to see the person-

person?

is that thing really...?

it's a demon.

the thing they are torturing is, without a doubt, pure evil.

Just looking at it makes your stomach turn. It's vile, disgusting, repulsive.

It should not exist.

The people are torturing it - though can it really be called torture when it's against something that so obviously deserves it?

[backstory]

How repulsive.

[ The scene of the people milling about. But so, too, is the creature at the center of everyone's attention. Just what evil had it done? Surely it's physical appearance is a reflection of its putrid soul. ]

[sancrimony]

[ the voice has his head picking up, and he glances over - ]

. . . Aniki.

[backstory]

Lucifel-

[ He reaches out toward him. ]

You shouldn't get near that thing. Something so evil... it is nothing but pure corruption and darkness. Don't sully yourself.

[sancrimony]

[ ,

for the first time, drawing back from him - there's a begging tone to his voice, which breaks from emotion ]

Say what you want about him now, but please, don't say that about who he used to be.

[backstory]

[ He's genuinely surprised by Lucifel, eyes widening. ]

. . . Can you not see that? It's pure evil. I see nothing but wickedness... a demon who has clearly corrupted the people who live here. Everyone is already saying so.

[sancrimony]

If everyone says it must be true, then is it true? Even if there's no evidence otherwise?

If that's the case, then I should be receiving much the same treatment there, shouldn't I?

[backstory]

I don't understand what you're saying--

[ Staring back toward the demon as individuals continue to torture it. ]

I am against such things as torture, but-- [ Against THIS can it even be considered torture? ]

You are different from that thing. You're full of goodness. You care about others and I could never allow someone to try and harm you.

[sancrimony]

Just who do you think "that thing" is, Aniki!?

[backstory]

A demon. I hardly think that thing could possess so much as a name. It's nothing but a ball of evil.

[sancrimony]

[ reaching out now, to grab him - is it to steady himself? to hold him down?

his voice breaks with emotion, ]

Aniki.

That sort of thinking is exactly why he became an Avenger - Aniki.

Before this, he was just a regular human being, Aniki.

He isn't being hurt because he's a demon, he's a demon because he's being hurt.

Aniki.

[backstory]

[ He can see the emotion in his eyes... feel the concern and pain. He looks genuinely confused, blinking at Lucifel in earnest bewilderment-- as though something is completely disconnecting. There's some strange meltdown in communication. ]

Lucifel...? I don't really understand... you're not making any sense.

1/2

[sancrimony]

[ of course he doesn't understand. of course he doesn't, of course, of course, he's human after all, and his mentality is exactly the sort that justifies this treatment in the first place ]

[sancrimony]

. . .

[ with great effort, letting go of him, a tired and pained smile pulling at the corners of his lips ]

Nevermind.

[idolpro]

A person standing next to you nods, having heard your remark.

"Isn't it? But after this, we will finally be able to live virtuously."

[backstory]

What did it do before now?

[idolpro]

"It hid among us, pretending to be one of us. That's why we kept having evil thoughts even despite our best efforts to lead good lives. It was here all along, filling us with its corruption."

[backstory]

Thank goodness you will all be free of it from now on. I am glad for you all.

[idolpro]

"Thank you, thank you!

Would you like to take a turn?"

[backstory]

I apologize, but- I am the White Dragon. I refuse to go near or touch anything that might taint the sacred powers that have been bestowed upon me. Even in such a place as this.

But you have my congratulations nonetheless.

[idolpro]

They seem puzzled by your words, but nod and go back to their business.

[backstory]

[ WHY WOULD PEOPLE LOOK AT HIM WEIRD. Do no worlds realize the greatness of the dragons gosh.

But that's fine. He knows somewhere in his head he's supposed to be doing something. And Lucifel is acting weird, so perhaps it is best to try and find a way out of here. ]

[idolpro]

You start to walk away-

-but you're no longer in the village. You're on a rocky outcropping somewhere high up, surrounded by mountains.

The sun is still shining. It's still raining.

the demon is here, kneeling on the ground.

[backstory]

[ How did he come to be faced with this thing all alone. ]

. . . How did you escape?

[idolpro]

"I didn't. This is where they left me after they were done."