3rd Sacrament - Marked [CW: Mention of cutting]

[11121_assumption]

The video opens with a buzz of static; between the fuzzy lines and crackling noise, there's a figure trying to 'shoo' away the video, so it would seem. But then it cleared with a loud cackle, as a Rotom appeared beside the figure on screen; a Cubone, who then shooed away the Rotom again urgently but quietly. In the background is the park and the side of a man in a blue raincoat who appears to be writing in a journal, sitting on the bench with Assumption who grinned and gave an eager wave to the camera.

"Hi! I...didn't know Omi's or Warden's or....anyone's number but I wanted to show my friends! Look!" He tipped his head a little, showing the forehead of his skull; which bore a circle with three smaller circles within it, each with a line striking out. It seemed to have been painted in blood which, for the Pokemon out there, Assumption then confirmed.

"Isn't it amazing? My trainer has a Holy symbol like it cut into his skin, where he was blessed by an Angel! I asked if he'd do the same but instead he cut my arm a little and put this on me! It hurt a bit, but that's okay. The pain's all gone and now I have the Halo on me forever!" He was clearly so proud and happy! "It's dry now, so I can touch it or rub my club on it for good luck, and so the Holy Mother will know that I'm thinking of Her, and so will my Mom!"

"Assumption." The man's voice drifted through Assumption's happy talking. Assumption jumped and the screen was quickly blocked as he tried to hide it behind his back. Evidently someone had been caught playing with their trainer's PokeGear.

Comments

[video]

[beastofasister]

[Oh, Assumption... The thing about broadcasting something publicly is that anyone can see it. Of course, Manaka can't understand a word of what he says, her brow furrowing faintly as she watches him babble away. He's clearly very pleased about something... And what's that symbol painted on the top of his head?

Somewhere in the midst of Assumption's monologue, Charlotte appears over her trainer's shoulder. There's no language barrier in her way, obviously, and she squishes her little hands to her cheeks.]

Ooh, look at you~. It suits you!

[Manaka blinks and tilts her head.]

Is this... Assumption?

Re: [video]

[11121_assumption]

[ Assumption peaked back onto the screen, blushing under his skull at Charlotte's compliments.]

Thank you!

[ But then the gear is taken from him as yep, Walter is checking what's going on. He nods politely to Manaka. ]

My apologises.

[beastofasister]

Ah, there's nothing to apologize for! Even if I couldn't understand him, it was really cute to watch him talk.

[...Of course, there's no way Walter is getting away with just an apology. Assumption's video has given her the perfect angle of attack.]

Mm, but I'm curious. What's that symbol painted on the top of his head?

[11121_assumption]

It is the Halo of the Sun. The symbol of the Order. [ As he addresses the gear, Assumption climbs into his lap and manages to peek at the screen. He permits it, but places a firm hand on the Cubone's back to prevent him from climbing further onto him. ]

[beastofasister]

I see. [Those names don't ring any bells for her, though that isn't surprising. The laws of this world are utterly disparate from her own; why shouldn't the worlds of others' be the same?] I'm not familiar! What does it mean?

[She won't jump to the conclusion that it has something to do with his existence as a ghost, but... She might have some suspicions to prove right or wrong.]

[11121_assumption]

[ Walter traced over the symbol, finger skimming over the circles. Assumption merely beamed at the attention. ] This is a simplified version. The ring represents reincarnation. The three circles within symbolise the past, present and future.

[ But he won't elaborate on what the full version is like. It brought back memories...three college students constantly following him, asking him about the Order, if he worshipped the Devil, was the Devil his friend, could he show them- He shut his eyes. Exhaled. Cleared his head of those thoughts. It was easier to do with Assumption on his lap, focusing on him. ]

[beastofasister]

[Manaka listens closely to Walter's explanation, and as his words seem to reach their conclusion, her head bobs in a brief, enthusiastic nod.]

Mm, I get it! [If it helps, Manaka's interest seems genuine, her bright eyes devoid of judgment as she watches him.] Is the Order a religious group, then?

[11121_assumption]

It is. [ It wasn't so much a question of her interest, but her intent. He remained looking at Assumption, not looking at Manaka. The little Cubone however, gave her a little wave and rubbed his club on his forehead, over the marking. ]

[beastofasister]

[The terseness of his reply isn't lost on her, so she doesn't push that line of questioning. Instead, she shifts to another related—and just as obvious—topic.]

So what's it doing on Assumption?

[She gives Assumption a little wave back as she asks.]

[Video] SO LATE, THE LATEST, OH GOD

[foolishwren]

<sub>[Heather has been more concerned with the keeping of the peace than anything else. As long as Walter stays away from the house and Henry keeps content with building his wards and doesn't go off on a Murderquest (tm), she's doing her job, as far as she's concerned.]

[But this... oh man. She can't ignore this. Is that blood?!]</sub>

--what. Did you. DO?!

_{[The words are hissed softly between her teeth-- she doesn't sound furious so much as just shocked with an edge of angry disbelief.]}

Why would you put-- something so disgusting-- on your Pokemon!

THIS IS WORTH IT

[11121_assumption]

[ OH GREAT. Walter held Assumption a little closer, rubbing his thumb over his Pokemon's head. He spoke calmly however, hiding how ruffled her words got him. Assumption was completely non-plussed by Heather's tone. Why was she being loud at his trainer? ]

It is not disgusting. He noticed the mark I have on me and repeatedly asked for one like it. So I cut his arm and used the blood to draw it onto his skull.

[foolishwren]

That-- ... that cursed shit has NO place in this world, how dare you. _{[EVEN CLAUDIA HADN'T GONE AROUND DRAWING THE HALO OF THE SUN ON THINGS.]}

And you cut him?!

What the hell is wrong with you!

_{[She's still not yelling, but the disbelief is fading more into anger now.]}

[11121_assumption]

[ 'Cursed shit'. Walter's calmness cracks just a little, as he holds Assumption to his chest. Assumption looks worriedly between them. Why did she look so angry? ]

It is a Holy symbol. I didn't want to hurt him. But he had asked so often, whenever he saw mine. I cut his arm once, drew the Halo, and then used a Potion. And he is happy.

[ He knows he is. For one thing, Assumption had clearly just been showing it off, gleefully chattering to the screen. ]

[foolishwren]

_{[If she weren't so appalled, she might pick up on his referrals to 'his' mark. But for now she's emotional and stuck on the fact that he tagged his sweet little Cubone with it.]}

He doesn't know any better!

If he knew how-- the evil it stands for!

_{[There is a rustle and a glint behind her-- Warden the Vulpix is watching what's unfolding closely.]}

[11121_assumption]

[ Assumption spots Warden. He gives her a shy wave, before looking up at Walter. He hadn't noticed her, breathing deeply and completely focused on Heather and her blasphemy. He curls a little around Assumption. ]

Would you prefer I drew the Seal of Metaton on him, or would you also consider that a symbol of 'evil'? He knows what it means. He knows that it is the symbol of the Holy Mother and Her Resurrection, in this form. He knows that to bear it upon him is to be blessed in Her eyes.

[foolishwren]

_{[Warden shifts her tails in response, letting out a very small sigh through her nose-- probably not picked up by the mic. Her expression is unreadable, but she's obviously not surprised by this argument.]}

The Seal of Metatron is a neutral symbol-- its purpose comes from whoever's using it.

So, no, that wouldn't offend me.

But the Halo? That shit's loaded and don't you dare tell me it's just about resurrection.

I'm sure all the people who've been slaughtered or tortured with that scrawled on or over them feel super blessed. I'm sure they REALLY feel like She was watching benevolently from above while Her worshippers ripped their lives away!

_{[Boy, she never thought she'd be irritably snapping back and forth with someone about Order symbolism specifics, but she sure is.]}

[11121_assumption]

[ Walter almost wants to laugh. In fact he does. He can't help it.He calms down, exhaling deeply. Contrary to whatever Heather might think, Walter actually loves his Pokemon too much to repeat the cruelties he's seen upon them. ]

Her worshippers...should be ready to accept the suffering that comes to them. Especially, if they inflict pain on others.

[video]

[fuelthefire]

[Krieg's less interested in the mark on the little pokemon's skull than he is in the skull itself. Bloody graffiti is old news to a Psycho.

Skull hats for pokemon are new.

Because this is clearly a pokemon wearing a skull for a hat. Do they all do that? Are there more like it? If so, what is it?

It almost looks as if the entire video is just going to be the little pokemon chattering away in its own private language, which will make finding out what it is more difficult - Pokedex? What's that? - but then a human voice speaks up! One who can probably answer the million dollar question:]

What is it?

[He means what is the cute pokemon in the skull hat, but it's so vaguely phrased that no one will be surprised if it's interpreted differently than the way he means.]

[video]

[11121_assumption]

[ Walter paused at the mask. He remembered at the O-bon festival, asking why people wore the Pokemon masks they sold. The question is very vague, so he's not sure if he's asking about Assumption or the pattern on him. Ignoring people isn't polite, and ignoring them hasn't worked out for him so far either. ]

Assumption is a Cubone. The mark on him is the Halo of the Sun.

[video]

[fuelthefire]

Cubone.

[He repeats the name as though that might help him remember it. And who knows, it just might! Although it's far more likely that he's going to remember...]

Skull hat looks badass!

[Which is, for this guy, the highest praise possible.]

It sounds happy.

Re: [video]

[11121_assumption]

[ Skull hat is delighted! Assumption gives a happy cry and waves his bone club to the camera! However his trainer has never heard the term 'bad-ass'. He guesses it's a compliment on the tone? And he's pleased that someone has noticed Assumption's happiness. ]

Yes, he is. Who are you?

[video]

[fuelthefire]

[Oh no, the little Skull Hat guy even has a bone for a club!

This is definitely the best thing Krieg's seen so far today.]

Mnguahahaha...Krieeeeeeg!

[Maybe one day he'll introduce himself normally? But today is clearly not that day. Sorry, Walter.]

[video]

[11121_assumption]

[ Yeah he's not used to people introducing themselves with laughter and...a battle cry. It does show but Assumption taps his bone on Walter's arm. He's meant to say his name back! Walter rubbed the top of Assumption's skull. ]

My name is Walter. Assumption was one of my first Pokemon.

[video]

[fuelthefire]

He's a good one!

I just have the one.

[As if on cue, a Combusken pokes its head up into the bottom of the frame with a cheerful little squawk. Hello!]

Re: [video]

[11121_assumption]

What kind of pokemon are they?

[ Hello new Pokemon! Assumption tries to peer closer at the screen to get a better look and calls back to them happily. A new friend! Walter hasn't seen a Pokemon like a Combusken before. Partly because he has a lot of ghost-types. ]