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[hypnagothic]

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[hypnagothic]

[ his eyes narrow in return, even if she seems to give up her attempted maneuverings. ]

That would depend on the language of origin. In your world's Latin, it is the direction of Northwest.

[keepgodwaiting]

Shit, it's Latin? My vocabulary's more, you know, ecumenical than directional.

[ She scribbles it down -- Latin, "Northwest" -- and frowns at the page. ]

Pretty sure the other languages it was speaking were Hebrew and Greek. Could be one of the western ones, then, and that's ... something.

[ Very fucking little, but something. ]

[hypnagothic]

It spoke to you?

[ that piques his interest. ]

[keepgodwaiting]

Mm, screamed at me. I was trying to adjure it to tell me its name and it gave me that, "chorum," and a couple other words. "Voreida"-something.

[ A grim shrug. ] Then it threw me across the room and blew the spell so hard we both got knocked out for a second.

[hypnagothic]

As expected of a demon resisting restraint. What other words?

[keepgodwaiting]

[ She shakes her head. ] Like I said. Hebrew and Greek, I think, but I can't remember more than some of the sounds. They might be rattling around in here-- [ She taps her temple. ] --if the spell breaking didn't kill those brain cells.

[ Concussions. Super bad for you. ]

I'm not holding my breath.

[hypnagothic]

I see. Then why are you informing me of this demon?

[keepgodwaiting]

'Cause I'm ...

[ Gotta say it sometimes, Constantine. ]

'Cause I don't know what to do. And I could use your help. If you'd give it.

[hypnagothic]

[ were he anyone else, he might have given her some cocky or sarcastic reply to her asking for help. Dream, however, simply tilts his head again. ]

To what end?

[keepgodwaiting]

[ His forbearance is noted and appreciated. But like, actually. ]

To find out its name, I think, first of all. After that -- I don't know.

[ She sighs, shakes her head, and moves to pour them each a cup of tea. It helps her feel like there's something to be done. ]

I've heard that exorcisms aren't likely to work. Wherever we are, we're not connected to Hell, so I can't send it packing. So, maybe a binding to make sure it can't hurt its host. Assuming I can figure out a ritual for that.

[hypnagothic]

You misunderstand. Is the demon actively harming the host? Or others?

[keepgodwaiting]

What?

[ She blinks at him, surprised. ]

It's not baking cookies for its neighbors. The host thinks he's been cursed.

[hypnagothic]

How so? What actions have been taken or made?

[keepgodwaiting]

What are you, its lawyer?

[ She sounds more surprised than angry. This is not really how she expected this conversation to go. ]

[hypnagothic]

You seek to meddle. I merely wish to know why you deem it warranted.

[keepgodwaiting]

Because a person has a right to their own fucking body. He didn't ask for this. This demon and -- some magicians or cult or something, its human agents, they tried to expel him from his own body.

[hypnagothic]

And you will prevail upon yourself to resolve the issue for them.

[keepgodwaiting]

[ She stares at him, genuinely flummoxed. If Crowley had been leery of her meddling with another demon, sure, she might get that. This? Not so much. ]

I'm trying to help a kid who's losing his mind because he has a demon in his soul.

Is that a problem for you, or something?

[hypnagothic]

[ he makes a subtle movement with his arms and shoulders, reminiscent of a shrug without actually being such. ]

I hold no stake in it. But others might, should you take action.

[keepgodwaiting]

Meaning what?

[hypnagothic]

If the demon has been contained, there is only one who holds issue. Direct issue. What do you believe would happen if you attempt action and fail?

[keepgodwaiting]

The same thing that happens every time I fail, Morpheus. Someone would die. Do you think I'd be asking for help from anyone, let alone you, if I hadn't considered how badly I might fuck this up if I attempt action and fail? If I hadn't considered if he'd be better off without me?

[hypnagothic]

And what of the demon after?

[keepgodwaiting]

[ A short shrug. ]

I'm working on it.

[ That's reassuring!! ]

[hypnagothic]

I see.

[ flatly. ]