Entry #A-4: "Ante" [February 21, Text]

[dead_black_eyes]

Though the police and the Blood Keys obviously represent a threat to many numbered individuals, I have a question about organized religion, and what pulses might mean when framed within certain philosophical contexts.

No matter how natural it might feel, if there really is another being nudging its way into an existing consciousness, changing a person's aptitudes, physical attributes and even their personality... there have to be at least a few churches that would consider that demonic possession, right?

Has anyone tried to reconcile what's happening with influential religious practices, and do we have any resources for assisting anyone who might wind up the subject of an attempted exorcism? Those still happen today, they can be extremely dangerous, and I'm concerned about the possibility of frightened numbered people seeking out such assistance, or being subjected to it by their families and communities. Thinking you're crazy is one thing, but sincerely believing that the devil is wielding you as an instrument is another entirely. Probably not something that the FAQ page can successfully assuage, for the most tenaciously convinced.

Comments

[wonk]

is that rly a concern this is locke city not the bible belt

[Text]

[dead_black_eyes]

If even one person stands to be affected by this, it should be discussed. The fervently religious can in fact exist outside of the Bible belt.

[wonk]

yeah sure but not in like

numbers

u probabloy get like 1 r 2 families not enough to hold an adult down 4 an exorcisms if they dont want one

kids r porbably still a issue tho

i cant spell probaby
*PROBABLY fuck

[Text]

[dead_black_eyes]

The people who are in the most danger are the ones whose pulses are noticeable enough to make them targets, but not useful enough to help them get away. Those, and dependents, like kids.

Are you having issues with your keyboard?

[wonk]

nah im always bad at typin unless i rly try

anyway idk how ud apporach this

like wat can u do except write ur number and call 4 help

[Text]

[dead_black_eyes]

That's still something, is it not?

I haven't seen your number before. I don't think we've spoken before now.

[wonk]

fair enough

im roxy hbu

[Text]

[dead_black_eyes]

It's just "L" on the network. I try not to give out my real name unless it's in person and I've decided to trust someone.

[wonk]

u got a uinqe name r just paranoid

*unique

well not paranoid rly

bc i can respect keeping ur name private

i go by roxy bc its p common so im not 2 easy 2 pick out anyway

[dead_black_eyes]

It's really a little bit of both, I think. A unique name and a definite tendency toward paranoia.

Are you a student?

[wonk]

yup

got homeschooled 4 most of my life

moved out here 4 a couple years 2 try out the whole classroom thign

[dead_black_eyes]

Did you like being homeschooled? Which do you think you like more?

[wonk]

hard 2 say tbh

its nice not bein on the spot the whole time but u gotta put up w the fact that pacin is p slow

hbu what do u do

[dead_black_eyes]

[L's asking a lot of questions today. He's not being asked a lot in return, but he realizes that it only means he's even more obligated to answer them when asked if people are going to continue to trust him.]

Well... I was a chess grandmaster. Now I'm a private detective.

[wonk]

i guess thats a p good skillset 2 get back from an echo

u ever get any cases where u gotta come up w a story 2 hide network shit

[dead_black_eyes]

Actually, most of those skills came before any of the echoes. I dropped out of my master's program for criminal justice, but I would have completed it in just one more year.

But yes, I have. I'm here to help numbered people, and covering for them and still satisfying their friends and relatives is the least I can do.

[wonk]

the way u said it it sounded like u used 2 be a chessmaster b4 the net and now ur a detective

so i figure u got SMTHN useful back 4 decetin

*decting
*DETECTING
*there we go

[dead_black_eyes]

I did used to be a chess grandmaster before the net, when I was a child. And I was in school to be a detective before the net, too. But the force turned me down.

But my echoes are telling me that I was successful as a detective in another life, so I don't care what the force says.

[wonk]

man ud probably have been wors off on the force considerin all the shit theyre up 2

[dead_black_eyes]

Maybe.

Maybe also some bad things wouldn't have happened and I'd be more capable of helping, now that it's come to this.

[wonk]

shrugs they killed a kid idk id be willin 2 stay after smth like that no matter how helptful tid be

*itd be

[dead_black_eyes]

The current officers we have on the force are indispensable. They risk their lives every day, lead a double life, and can keep us one step ahead of the police with the information they share.

Remaining after numbered deaths is a sign of tremendous emotional strength.

[wonk]

no ur right

but like

ur safer not doin it so idk

[dead_black_eyes]

People aren't necessarily happier when they're safer.

[wonk]

that sounds lieka movie tagline