Such Selfish Prayers

How fine you look when dressed in rage. Your enemies are fortunate your condition is not permanent. You're lucky, too. Red eyes suit so few. Father Vincent, a doubter turned believer through violent revelation. A man learning his own humanity through mistakes, and more often than not discovering that there is a certain reward in being unselfish- though his nature dictates otherwise.

[fathervincent]

Lambs Without a Shepherd [Claudia]

[missionarywolf-blog]

A wave of resentment started to burn inside her chest, slow and vicious. She was most definitely not meant to feel like that - it was too small of her, utterly mundane. And yet, there it was, eating her from the inside out.

“So you dare say that everything we were taught was a lie, but my father, from all people, offered you the truth?” Her voice came out slow and cold, chin held high in defiance as her mind ran through the memories of Vincent himself talking about Leonard Wolf’s cruelty towards his own daughter. “I had no idea you trusted him that much.”

Claudia shook her head as she took a step back, hastily; her skirt shuffled, making a sound that evoked the image of an agitated raven.

“Do you actually think you can come here and talk me out of my faith, using Alessa’s name in such a despicable way?” It was more an accusation than a question, the childhood friendship put aside once again. “You are a liar, Vincent, you have always been. You lied to me and you lied to… Heather, and once again you try to use us both.”

The priestess sighed, tired.

“Leave. I am better off alone.”

It seemed that was the burden she would have to carry as long as she lived.

[fathervincent]

Vincent scowled. "I came to trust his words not his ways, it didn't make him less a monster you know." He paced closer. "I still wanted him dead, but that was because I knew what he was, and I knew what needed to be done." His tail flicked agitatedly. Inevitably he needed Leonard out of the way, he had been turned into a monster, as Vincent now was, and he'd needed the seal.

"I do not lie, Claudia. I have never lied in my life, not to you, not to her. Not to anyone." He bore his teeth with a low growl. "Just as I do not Kill." He leaned in close, face mere inches from hers for a brief moment before he whirled around and paced back, his back once more towards her. "Need I remind you who it was who raised her hand against her oldest friend, who stabbed him not once but twice in the name of her beliefs?" He turned to look at her over his shoulder.

"You killed me because I did not believe in what you believed, you let me die because I saw the truth." The former priest shook his head. "I had hoped you would want redemption for such a grave sin, but I see now that the sin lies rooted deep within you and you cannot possibly save yourself." The boney tail flicked again and he sighed, shaking his head.

"Just remember this, Claudia- God damns, God destroys, but She cannot save, She cannot heal, and She does not know mercy even for her followers. Stand by her side if you wish it, but do not expect anything to come from it, She will turn on you as you turned on me, and she will slaughter you for your loyalty as soon as you are no longer of use to Her."

[fathervincent]

Lambs Without a Shepherd [Claudia]

[missionarywolf-blog]

Claudia did not turn until he told her to - no, until he demandedher to. But it had nothing to do with the Sight. Instead, there was this claustrophobic feeling, anxiety burning through her chest as her ribcage seemed to close around her lungs. She knew it was fear; illogical and unaccounted for as it was, but fear nevertheless.

It hurt, seeing him like that, half deprived of his humanity. And yet she did not let it show. If anything, the sigh that escaped her sounded condescending, not wounded.

“No, Vincent. You’re wrong”, she finally said, her gaze fixed steadily on his monstruous features. When she spoke, her voice was solemn. “You stopped believing - in fact ,sometimes I wonder if you ever believed at all…”

She wanted to reach for him, to believe that he was not beyond salvation. Still, the abyss between them seemed to be insurmountable.

“Look at me, Vincent” the woman called, holding her arms open. “God restored me. Not even for a moment did I doubt her, and this is how She rewards servitude. She understood my mission was not over. That not even hell would be enough to make me pay for all the suffering I had to cause. I would never turn my back on Her, and that is why God shall not forsake me. And there is still time for you.”

[fathervincent]

"I stopped believing?" He looked at her in shock, lips pulling back into a silent snarl. "Is that what you think? This isn't a matter of belief, nor is it a matter of faith. If you could just open your eyes and see. Everything we were taught was a lie!" Vincent's eyes narrowed, and he shook his head.

"Leonard taught me everything Claudia, and what he didn't Alessa has." The ghost had found him not long ago, and had agreed with him, confirmed he was right. "God is wicked, and even if you can't see it that's the truth. Alessa stands at my side against Her. She detests God, wants to see her fall." His tail flicked, striking the stone floor with a sharp crack.

"Would you stand against her again, take up the side of the creature she was murdered in the name of?"

[fathervincent]

Lambs Without a Shepherd [Claudia]

[missionarywolf-blog]

No matter how silently he approached, she knew he was there long before he spoke; in fact, she knew he would find her, his arrival foreshadowed by an icy chill running down her spine, an unmistakable certainty. The Sight, as others would call it, had little to do with vision in the end. And though she would always be thankful for the gifts God granted her, sometimes she almost wished for ignorance.

Claudia did not turn to face her old friend - as he himself put it - when he finally broke the silence. Instead, she took in his words, lingering on the faint nostalgy that the scene evoked. It was a shame, really, that it had come to that.

“And what was She supposed to do, while you struggle against Her will?”, she asked quietly, the tip of her fingers never leaving the altar. “Not only you refuse to believe, you defy Her. Now tell me. What sort of mother would not chastise her children after such offense?”

She noticed that her own voice sounded hoarse, deeper than usual, even if it came out as a whisper. Truth was that she was growing tired, relying more and more on faith alone to not lose sight of her mission, of what she was meant to do.

“Why can’t you see reason, Vincent? You amongst everyone else…” 

[fathervincent]

Vincent scowled, glaring down at her. "I sought only to do what was best for our world, her Will is what will destroy us. Are you so blind to this fact?" His tone was angry, agitated. For all the friendship they'd held he couldn't bring himself to hold his tongue for her, to speak kindly. She had become a monster in ways far greater than his own transformation. Then she had the nerve to speak of him about reason.

"Why can't you?" He snapped, eyes wide with anger. "You have sought Her council, how else could you know my involvement in this, yet, did She tell you what has become of me?" He doubted she would have, why tell Claudia she had tortured her childhood friend, turned him into a beast. "She beat me bloody, tore my face open, all as a thanks for bringing her to this earth." The priest hissed.

With a fluid motion he slid to the side, dropping down from the beam and landing behind her with the dull sound of bare feet hitting stone and claws clicking against it. "Look at me Claudia." He rumbled, standing tall and brushing his hair away from his face with a clawed hand, tail flicking behind him. "This is how your God rewards servitude, this is all that lays in store for you if you stand by Her."

[fathervincent]

Lambs Without a Shepherd [Claudia]

He had left Heather to the Monastery, to the safety of it's walls amidst the others there and he had gone to wander. To seek. He knew not her involvement in this mess, but he knew it best to find her quickly and be done with his thirsting for knowledge on the matter. The ground felt cold and wet under his clawed feet, even through the unusual pads that had formed there with the completion of his transformation. His tail flicked idly as he followed the overgrown path, wondering if he was right to seek her here.

This place had been sacred once, it still was he supposed, but to a god who was twisted and cruel. He was wary to tread where her power was strong, but if Claudia was to be found, here was where he would find her. The sanctuary was abandoned, or so the public believed. Long after it's abandonment it had been the place of many a ritual, a sacrifice, far from the prying eyes of a world that need not be privy to such things. The stink of blood was heavy on the place as he approached, old blood, dead blood.

With the agile grace of a cat he leapt up to a place he knew too well the paths of, a hole in the roof that was much easier to climb to with his new shape. He slithered through it, slipping on all fours across one of the thick crossbeams, keeping his weight balanced as not to split it and send himself rolling to the floor betraying his location in the darkness above her. As expected, there she was, and he smiled.

"You are not hard to find, I'm afraid, never were." The words came out as a soft purr. "I fear, however, we do not meet on gentle terms old friend." He lounged on the beam like some sort of great cat, watching her idly. "I have come to play the devil and here we sit atop our mountain, and I shall tempt you." He laughed. "Tell me first, before I come down and we speak face to face, what do you think of this new world our glorious God has delivered to us? This broken nightmare She has called up for her faithful?"

[lonelyponiko-deactivated2013060]

fathervincent

..Father..? Oh like uh..a Priest or something right..? Hello.  

[fathervincent]

Former priest is a more accurate term I think.

[lonelyponiko-deactivated2013060]

Oh.well still..hello ‘Father’.. What brings you to me today in this foggy town of nightmares and guilt and goodness i hate it here. 

[fathervincent]

I live here, and it’s really not so bad here, is it? -smirks-

[lonelyponiko-deactivated2013060]

..sorry..but in my personal experience here? yes it’s dreadful..I can’t say hy but I really don’t like it here.

[fathervincent]

Hmm...it's the monsters isn't it? Err...the things you perceive as monsters I suppose.

[lonelyponiko-deactivated2013060]

fathervincent

..Father..? Oh like uh..a Priest or something right..? Hello.  

[fathervincent]

Former priest is a more accurate term I think.

[lonelyponiko-deactivated2013060]

Oh.well still..hello ‘Father’.. What brings you to me today in this foggy town of nightmares and guilt and goodness i hate it here. 

[fathervincent]

I live here, and it's really not so bad here, is it? -smirks-

[lonelyponiko-deactivated2013060]

fathervincent

..Father..? Oh like uh..a Priest or something right..? Hello.  

[fathervincent]

Former priest is a more accurate term I think.

[ladyoflightning-deactivated2013]

Ask my muse anything and they MUST answer.

[industrialis]

[relicmachine]

Pardon me while I go run in circles screaming.

GUYS WHEN THEY’RE OPEN AGAIN PLEASE THROW YOUR MONEY AT THEDAWNER BECAUSE WOW FLAWLESS ;w;

<3

[fathervincent]

[[Rebabbling to here too. SAY HI TO MONSTER VINCENT LOVELIES <3]]

[fathervincent]

Revelations [Travis]

[fathervincent]

“Lets just say God really doesn’t like me.” He sighed. “She wants me to suffer for whatever sins she thinks I’ve committed. So she made me into what she believes I truly am, a monster.” That was what he figured anyways, she hadn’t given much of an explanation to him.

“She can turn people into monsters because she’s a God. It doesn’t seem so far-fetched that a woman who can turn this town into the hell it’s become could also turn people into monsters does it?” Though now that he said it the entire concept sounded absurdly far-fetched. He was talking about so many things normal people just didn’t believe in. Yet they all seemed to be true, unless everyone happened to be hallucinating in unison constantly.

Nothing really made sense the more he thought about it, so he pushed it aside. “I assume since she hasn’t had direct contact with you, and because she doesn’t directly loathe you, she can only influence you in her world.”

[stilljusttrucking-deactivated20]

“Makes sense in its own messed up way.” So God could turn anyone she came in contact to into monsters. Not for the first time Travis thought of the monsters in the town. Were all of them monsters or were some people once? They certainly were sentient and some seemed more intelligent than others. What if they were accidentally killing humans as it was? He just didn’t know and it bothered him- however he didn’t say anything, stewing in his own thoughts.

“Nope… she hasn’t. I haven’t met a God in this town as of yet.” And hopefully it would stay that way. “So… are you saying her loathing affects the degree of power she admits? She doesn’t have any emotions towards me and Alex but she hates you. Could that be a weakness or do you reckon that it’s just a coincidence?”

[fathervincent]

"I'm guessing coincidence. She's more inclined to be cruel to me, because she has it out for me, but she can only do so much." He shuffled his feet, going back to focusing on the ground. "I'm sure it depends on the person, their potential to become a monster..." He didn't mean the offense that could be taken from his words, realizing too late the implications of the concept.

"Err...that came out wrong, sorry." Vincent was sure he was digging himself a deep hole, now nothing he had once more called the man a monster, though more indirectly. "I mean it just...I don't know how to explain it, but it depends on the person I think. Obviously her power varies- I can still talk, I can reason, save for my appearance I am much the same as I was before. You and Alex on the other hand were incapable of speech from what I could gather, and were aggressive killing machines. Heather said that Leonard could talk too...so maybe people who grew up here are more resistant to her power."

[fathervincent]

Showdown in the Hall of Mirrors

[stilljusttrucking-deactivated20]

“Gut her? Wait what are you-” Travis started before Vincent started having a go at him. The man’s body quickly shifted to fighter’s stance as he saw the monstrous being ready to attack him. He clenched his fists and was ready to defend himself against Vincent when the young woman spoke, snatching up the half-man’s attention and drew him away. While Vincent and Heather conversed and attended to each other, he looked up at Alex, thankful that the young man was alright and alive.

“You okay Alex?” Travis asked, trying to find his feet. He groaned, rubbing his sore back and his head, trying to collect his thoughts. He was alright but confused as hell. The last he remembered was that he was in the Otherworld and in so much pain. Then it all went fuzzy from there until he found that half-man thing on top of him.

Everyone was confused and asking what the hell. It was only when Vincent spoke though could Travis manage an answer. “We were… monsters?” He raised his eyebrow, looking over Vincent’s appearance. “I… I don’t know… we were in that mirror world, there was some bullshit circle thing and then.. I don’t know. You’re saying we were monsters?” Travis crossed his arms. “He’s Alex Shepherd. I’m Travis Grady, trucker from Brahms. Who are you to ask?”

[masonrysecrets]

“‘ait! ‘ish ‘avish!” She coughed a bit, spitting out the blood that flooded her mouth. She coughed a bit, about to clear her mouth when she was beat to the punch. She still spat out the blood that had made her speech gurgled and very much like something other than English. Rubbing her nose a bit she coughed again. The taste of blood was … to say the least, unpleasant. Trying to regain some composure, she forced herself to her feet, every muscle complaining.   She wanted to assure Vincent they were innocent, especially the trucker, but she didn’t want to go into the weirdness of how she was part of Alessa. In stead she reloaded her gun. Instead she gave a fake cough. “They look like monsters to you?” She muttered slightly, lifting a brow. Now really wasn’t the time, but anything to keep him from killing someone who once saved her life.  “Despite the rather grotesque appearance, this is Father Vincent Smith.” Yes, she was going to be smug at this, she really wasn’t in the mood to be serious after all that happened. Not to mention her head still throbbed. “I’m Heather Mason. And you both did just attempt to bifurcate us.” She sneezed a bit, clamping her nose at the pain. She really wished she could blame that on them, but that was unfortunately her own damn fault. 

[silent--soldier-blog]

Even though the situation was far from okay, Alex couldn’t help but get a bit defensive when Vincent began to verbally attack Travis. He was about to intervene when he heard about the entire fiasco from his mouth. “So what you’re saying is, we turned into monsters and tried to kill you both.” It was very strange saying this out loud. A hard face began to form and he gave out a harsh sigh. His eyes widened when Heather mentioned who her companion was. “Vincent?! That’s really you?” His gaze focused on him. Last time Alex saw him, he looked completely human, normal. Now… “Not looking too good, huh.” Whether that was sarcastic or not, Alex didn’t take the time to dwindle on it, and went back to paying attention to the other two.

The woman had a bit of sass to her. That made Alex smile a bit- she reminded him of Elle a little bit. They almost looked the same too. At least the hair, anyway. “Alright, Heather. I’m not sure what to say. I honestly have no recollection of the past few hours. Big surprise.” He noticed the blood coming from her house and wanted to reach out to her, but then there was Vincent. Maybe his anatomy changed his personality too, making him protective, making it a wise idea not to get too close to them. Fuck if he knew.

“I’m sorry. I wish I had something to help you with your wounds, but I lost everything…” He silently cursed to himself. Where the hell did his axe and gun go?

[fathervincent]

Vincent seemed ready to strike when Heather babbled something he couldn't understand, and the man took the moment to introduce the two of them. Alex recognized him and he scoffed. "Yeah well you weren't looking so great just a few minutes ago, in fact I think you looked worse." He was ready to spit out more words, agitated by the situation, his mood made even worse by the pain jolting through his back where the glass from the mirror had become embedded in it. Heather cut in in the nick of time, uttering a line that caused him to stop dead, jaw falling open.

"I..." He looked stunned, in awe of her tact. Finally he laughed, a shortlived but genuine laugh. "Alright fine, you got me there..." Sheepishly he looked between Travis and Alex, mumbling a half-hearted apology to the both of them.

"She'll be fine." He sounded sure of himself, sighing. "So will I if someone would be so kind as to dislodge the mirror from my back." He hissed the last bit with an edge of pain to his voice, finally letting it show that it hurt.

[fathervincent]

OOC: HI TO THE NEW FOLLOWERS

Too busy being wrapped up in backlog to put out proper intros for any rp blogs sorry about that.

Ilu all though <3

[fathervincent]

OOC: Wow

I neeed to reply to things whoops.

[fathervincent]

Revelations [Travis]

[stilljusttrucking-deactivated20]

Travis raised his eyebrow, however the stoic expression couldn’t help but be a tad more shaken than usual. He gave a cough. “Alessa… by herself… I wish we could help her take down God instead of just her lackeys.” He knew the job was important and he knew that Alessa was a grown woman but he couldn’t help but think of Alessa as that secretly-scared girl who had manipulated him through the town. He didn’t want her to face God alone. For a second he was going to ask who Claudia was but he kept his trap shut, not wanting to upset the mighty plan Vincent had set.

“Of course I will. I want to find my truck and end this madness once and for all. Anything I can do to help, I will do.” He tried to grin at Vincent but the other man’s words disturbed him. “Why can she turn Alex and myself into monsters? And what about you? What’s your deal? You’re the only one who’s still a monster… or half of one… despite us not in that other world. What’s the deal here?”

[fathervincent]

"Lets just say God really doesn't like me." He sighed. "She wants me to suffer for whatever sins she thinks I've committed. So she made me into what she believes I truly am, a monster." That was what he figured anyways, she hadn't given much of an explanation to him.

"She can turn people into monsters because she's a God. It doesn't seem so far-fetched that a woman who can turn this town into the hell it's become could also turn people into monsters does it?" Though now that he said it the entire concept sounded absurdly far-fetched. He was talking about so many things normal people just didn't believe in. Yet they all seemed to be true, unless everyone happened to be hallucinating in unison constantly.

Nothing really made sense the more he thought about it, so he pushed it aside. "I assume since she hasn't had direct contact with you, and because she doesn't directly loathe you, she can only influence you in her world."

[fathervincent]

Revelations [Travis]

[stilljusttrucking-deactivated20]

“You’re a priest of this Order?” He asked, surprised. So why was he fighting against it? Not for the first time was Travis confused but he did the smart thing and was quiet all while Vincent summarized the fundamentals of the dastardly Order of Silent Hill. It was vile and disgusting to hear- what kind of sick cult went around murdering and inflicting pain for the sake of a God that murdered their town? He wanted to vomit or say something but silence had captured Travis and told him to be still.

“So… the cult was spawned from that flower or something? Getting high off its properties?” Travis said although he knew it was very not the case. The information just further proved the cult was fucked up. He took a deep breath and let all the information sink into his head. “So… that’s the Order right? And we’re up against their six times more fucked up God? Do bullets work? Do we even stand a chance against her? “

[fathervincent]

Vincent laughed. "Yeah something like that I guess." He shrugged loosely. "I doubt bullets will do a thing, against her...her monsters on the other hand...very effective." He grinned, a look that was likely more terrifying than intended- all pointed teeth. "There's a reason Alessa is going to have to face her alone, she's the only one with powers that will help us. Heather doesn't seem to have them and..." The priest shook his head. "Claudia won't help us, she has too much pride for such a thing." One of God's biggest supporters too, even knowing what had happened to Alessa.

"You'll help though, right? It's going to take all the manpower we can get to break through the barrier of...monsters she's got guarding the church." He wasn't sure his ability to deter them would work, not on that horde. "Even if I could send someone normal up against Her, you and Alex would be as far away from her as possible. If She turned you into a monster once, I don't doubt she could do it again." An afterthought added calmly, with a soft smile.

[fathervincent]

Showdown in the Hall of Mirrors

[masonrysecrets]

The world was cold, not unlike when she first came here… but, she could feel it change. Her head throbbed, the urge to curl up growing but the ability to do so was still beyond her reach. She didn’t like being out like this, the blackness in her mind led to locked memories.  Voices… her ears stung but she could certainly hear voices. Her mouth could move, barely but enough. She tried to say ‘I’m okay’ but she she managed was a gurgle as her mouth filled with bitter fluid. What the hell had she landed it?! Oh, right, blood. She nearly died at the thought she had someone else’s blood in her mouth. Another voice, this time her head was pounding as her body slowly realized how much pain she was in. But wait… two voices? But there had only been her, Vincent and… the monsters! She forced through the agony to roll over and point the pistol in front of her. “‘On’ ‘ouc’ ‘im!” She managed to slur out through blood pouring down her face. Okay so, it was her blood she knew atleast. But instead of monsters it was … a man. No, not just any man. She remembered him, no, Alessa did. “‘Avish?” What was going on?! What had she missed?! Arms shaking she lowered the pistol. She spat out what blood she could, it seems she had a cut on her cheek, and a nose bleed. “What… what the hell is …” She put a palm to her forehead, groaning. Thinking hurt too much. Actually, everything hurt too much. 

[silent--soldier-blog]

This was going on far too long. Even as a monster, the Bogeyman had a limit of patience. Time was being wasted here, and yet he could not kill the two intruders. A weak woman and some incompetent man-beast- surely no match for the Bogeyman and his comrade. But they were still living. It was shameful to have fought this long without inflicting death upon them. At least they had severe wounds. The Bogeyman’s  mind went to his Master. How horrible it would be for God Herself to witness this failed assassination. The thought was almost making him sick to his stomach. It really… The Bogeyman growled loudly and grabbed his abdomen, dropping the Great Knife. A pain began erupting from his stomach. The pain became so unbearable that he gave out one last roar before he fainted…

…

Josh?

The faint voices in the room eventually brought Alex back into a state of consciousness. Grunting, he fought to open his eyes. As he tried to move around, the sound of crushed glass could be heard, causing Alex to cease his movements. He slowly turned his head to see Travis, a woman and… “Shit!” Alex quickly stood up, forgetting about the shards of glass he came into contact with. He was about to pull out his gun when… The gun was no longer there. He was ready to go hand to hand combat with the monster but then lowered his guard. Is he… human? Alex thought, walking to the group.

His breathing was heavy. Biting his lip, Alex remained silent about his pain. “What the hell’s going on here?” he asked to everyone. Practically panting, his eyes darted from each person and back.

[fathervincent]

Vincent's eye twitched when the man, who had seconds ago been the monster trying to kill her, even dared ask if she was okay. He turned to glare at Travis and hiss. "Awful lot of concern for the guy who was just trying to gut her. Does she LOOK okay to you?"He looked ready to spring up and attack Travis, and then he heard Heather speak, or at least he thought it was speaking. He shot Travis one last glare and then turned back to Heather. "That looks bad..."

Carefully he moved to help her sit up, letting her lean against the wall beside the mirror they had fallen through. "Just take it easy for a bit alright." Knowing Heather that wasn't going to be alright. Still, she wasn't still bleeding that bad anymore, and he was sure she knew how to handle a little nosebleed. She just needed to catch her breath.

Once she was situated he turned back to Travis, and the other man, who finally spoke, voicing the question on everyone's mind. Vincent rose to his feet, watching them warily. "Moments ago the both of you were monsters, and trying to kill the both of us, care to explain?" His tail flicked agitatedly, and he narrowed his eyes, placing himself between Heather and the two men. There was a faint flicker of recognition in his eyes when he saw the younger man, but still he felt another question was necessary. "Who the hell are you two?"

[fathervincent]

Revelations [Travis]

[fathervincent]

Vincent nodded, pausing a moment to slice a particular white flower into two pieces with his tail, giving the white blossom a disgusted look. “We’ll end this quickly, Alessa has enough power to hold her back, and we’ll hopefully have enough manpower to make it through to the Church…” With Travis and Alex that made four of them, if Alessa was to be fighting God. There was the off chance that their message made it out to others and they would be waiting at the Monastery for them. If not it would be four people against a horde of monsters.

After all he knew there was no chance of being able to persuade Claudia to help them, she liked God and the idea of her being present too much to be of any help. Still, there was hope they would have found others who would help them. Even that small chance gave him faith that they could actually succeed in stopping Her.

[stilljusttrucking-deactivated20]

“… Any particular reason why you’re cutting down the wild flora? ” Travis asked, seeing Vincent slice the pretty plant with his tail. “I mean, I hate this town too but you don’t see me smashing every doorknob in this place” He took a look at Vincent and shivered, vaguely remembering the appendage implanting itself into his flesh back when he was the Butcher. “Yeah… Hopefully we’ll have enough manpower,” Travis repeated. “I hope we do. The less of us that are around the harder it’s going to get. For all we know, we’re the only people in the town- unless you know of more people around.

Travis looked around. “So… you know Alessa. You know a lot about this town and its weird religion… do you mind giving me a crash course on everything? Sorry to ask but all of this is just… it’s just really hard to absorb. Cults and demons and gods and all the shit.”

[fathervincent]

"White Claudia is hardly a thing worth preserving." He scoffed, looking around to see if any other plants were in the area, none came into sight. "You want to know about The Order?" Vincent laughed. "At least you have the sense to ask a priest." Not that Travis could have known that, there was no indication even looking at Vincent that he was more than a normal man caught up in God's unholy curse. He never dressed like a priest, not anymore.

"As long as Silent Hill has stood, The Order has existed, worshiping a violent and merciless God. She demands blood sacrifice, she demands death in her name, and for centuries The Order was willing to give it. It kept her happy, and her favor made the town prosper." It was decent enough summary. "We followed tradition blindly, moving on faith in a thing we had never seen proof of, Silent Hill was already falling to pieces when I was growing up. It wasn't abandoned like this...but it was getting there. None of us chose this life, it was chosen for us, and we were raised for it. We were taught not to fear death, and not to fear causing it. To enjoy inflicting pain because that was what our God demanded." He would not deny that he was particularly malicious and favored torture when it was asked of him.

"That flower..." He flicked his tail at what was left of it. "Is called White Claudia. We....They use it in rituals." He grit his teeth at the slip of the tongue, daring to admit he had been part of it all. "It causes...vivid hallucinations and it is....very addictive." Travis could take that as he wanted.