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[spelleton]

Available through calling, texting or network contact.

"Greetings, you've reached Ekkehardt Gehring. If you're listening to this, I'm probably busy. Try again later, or leave a message."

EKKEHARDT GEHRING
UN: HEMLOCK

STATUS: Graduate/TA. School nurse assistant.

ACCOLADES: I graduated from this academy 22 years ago. I've been rather boring otherwise.

BIO: I'm here to help treat whatever injuries you children can't just bounce back from. Try not to get into trouble.

© TESSISAMESS

Comments

[emergensirations]

But past that, is different.

[That's enough confirmation for them.]

I thought there was something weird before. They talk about their family... wrong. My hosts don't usually have nice families. I thought it would be that. I could help them. It wouldn't matter if they were a golem. I merged with them. They offered to be my host someday. It was supposed to be nice. We were going to have our birthdays together.

[They're very still, their voice carefully controlled. Still, there's some wavering.]

They felt empty at first. I didn't like it, so I tried to search. Their soul is broken, sir. Full of cracks. And there was something else in there.

It was hurt. And very angry. It wanted to kill me.

I think Adriel wanted to kill me.

[spelleton]

[ His first reaction that he doesn't voice is 'you're surprised that someone wanted to kill you?' This is clearly going to take some thought, especially since he notices the wavering in their voice.

They really are a child. ]

I see. Well, that doesn't say anything good about how they were made, especially if they have only good things to say about their family... [ Golems aren't exactly his specialty, though. ] Perhaps part of them was sealed away, or they're a container for something else. I'm not experienced with golems.

[emergensirations]

I think they were sealed. There was something binding them. It was the only thing that stopped them, really.

[They shrug their shoulders, then look up.]

I want to unbind them. They need help. And I want a form I can use to fight their family when they stop me.

[spelleton]

[ If he had glasses on right now, he'd look over them in disbelief. Instead, he just peers over at Sira. ] You want to let something that tried to kill you loose without any restraints or negotiation?

Have you thought of what might happen to your friend if you suddenly unbind something that they might be acting as a container for? Even in the best case scenario, they may psychologically shatter. At worst, you will kill them - or worse - as whatever is inside comes tearing out.

[ He knows he's being a little harsh, but if Sira's going to do dangerous things like this, they might as well start learning how to plan now. It might temper their impulses somewhat...he hopes, anyway. ] You need a better plan than 'I want this'. I won't accept it otherwise.

[ It's not a yes, but it's not a no, either. ]

[emergensirations]

They're already restrained. I don't want to restrain them again. I want to make them happy. They might not want to hurt me if I give them what they want.

[Flawless logic.

They shuffle in place. They can hear it's not a no-- they've seen Ekkehardt's sharper side and know full well he's being forgiving right now.]

I don't have a good plan yet. That's why I came to you. I don't want to kill my friend. But they're hurting and I can't fix it.

[spelleton]

Your good will is admirable, but you can't rely on good will alone to stop someone hurting you. At the very least you need protection, and containment.

And more information. [ He shuffles a few papers as he thinks. ] There's too many unknowns to devise a plan yet. But if anyone knows anything about a golem, it's their creators, so you may have to take your information from the source, as it were.

[emergensirations]

[All fair points, they suppose, but there's one hitch. They look down, and if they had a face, their brows would be furrowed.]

Their family.

[Tiny cotton hands go to clench and their gaze lifts back up.]

...I don't trust them. They're bad. I know it. Adriel talks like they're a thing. They think like it too. It's wrong. I know it's their family's fault. It's happened before.

[With a number of hosts. With her. They're sure...]

[spelleton]

Well, fortunately, you don't have to trust them to get information from them. [ Or pressure it out of them, if necessary. Plenty of ways to get information out of someone you don't trust, after all. Without going into their head. ]

In fact, having a body like yours is a benefit for collecting information without being seen, though if we do go that route you will have to be careful not to be caught.

And perhaps we can exact a little retribution as a result, though I suppose that's not up to me.

[emergensirations]

[The pink inside their hood resolves into a face. And it blinks at Ekkehardt.

They stare. They stare silent and bewildered for a long moment.]

... You're... going to let me sneak around, get information, and get revenge?

[Those pink eyes narrow.]

Is this a trap? Are you tricking me? How many years is this going to add to my contract?

[spelleton]

[ That gets a noise that sounds almost like a snort. ] You'd be surprised at the things I'd hypothetically let you do.

[ Ekkehardt that's not an answer ]

But no. It's no trick. If you want to help your friend without risking their skin, then this is a good place to start. Even if they're questioned, which they may be, they won't know - as long as you keep it quiet.

And I doubt their family will just tell you what you want to know if you ask nicely. I imagine the creation of such 'angels' is a well-kept secret.

[emergensirations]

[Their head tilts back as they continue to squint. At Ekkehardt. Hypothetical are vague and also probably traps.

The expression disappears back into that flat glow as Ekkehardt goes on. They move a little closer.]

I can keep them safe. I have so far. [Even with the darkness within, Adriel knew nothing of it.] Whatever I can do, I'll do it.

[Though they have to pause.]

...They were the first angel I ever met. Does this mean they're really not?

[spelleton]

That depends on your definition of angel. [ There are several types of being in the Outlands that call themselves angels. He's met a few. ] And what makes one. There are many entities that call themselves angels, and I wouldn't say any of them are wrong, exactly.

[emergensirations]

[They hum. That's a fair enough point.]

If that's the case, if they want to be an angel, then they are one.

[They nod decisively. Now, for setting free.]

Would this school have files on their family?

[spelleton]

Nothing that I could show you much of according to regulations, but also nothing that would help you with your problem. [ There's not a lot of information on them as it is. ] They seem to be rather reclusive. We might have to do some legwork.

[emergensirations]

[A good point. They could get around those regulations but there wouldn't likely be anything here to say what's going on with Adriel.

But they also don't know where to go from here. They huff.]

This would be easier if one of them would summon me. I could just act as their family and go through everything that wasn't already in that person's head. It wouldn't even have to be forever. The boss could get me out like last time.