caughtinanetwork

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[When the camera switches on, it shows not one, but two people - Serph and Ky. YOU MIGHT HAVE SEEN THEM AROUND BEFORE. Serph’s the same as always, calm and expressionless as he speaks :| ]

This is Serph, leader of the Defense Force. Due to Vatheon’s nature--

[You know, putting people to sleep and returning people to their home worlds. Because the latter’s what happened to all the other leaders of the Defense Force.]

-- it’s unwise to have just one leader. From now on, Ky is also a leader of the Defense Force.

[Ky’s comfortable as a leader. He has, after all, spent most of his adult life and some of his childhood (depending on when various people’s definition of childhood starts) being one. He smiles, earnest and charismatic.]

I hope that I’ll be able to serve well in this capacity. If anyone has any concerns, or general suggestions for improvement, please come to myself or Serph. And if anyone would like to join and hasn’t yet, we’d be happy to have you join the team.

The Defense Force works to protect Vatheon from threats and serves the populace here. Everyone has the capacity to do something to help, if you want.

[Since Ky’s said everything that needs to be said, Serph nods and ends the feed.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Network is probably better. [As long as Barry doesn't know how to hack...]

Alright.

What is it?

...Have any of you met an individual that goes by Barry?

I have.

I have not.

[Rinoa's alarm at Serph's answer might be indicative to what they're dealing with here.]

Serph, did you mention Johnny at all, or that you knew him? Barry is dangerous. He's something called an incubus, and he's really powerful. He's from Johnny's world. Apparently he - he "owns" Johnny or something stupid, but he's already hurt Johnny and probably Sola. Like, owns him to the point where Johnny literally can't tell us how to hurt him!

[Her explanation is all over the place, but she's worried.]

According to Johnny, he'll easily torture or kill anyone who's close to Johnny. And apparently he has the "power of hell" on his side or something. I don't know what that means, but...

[Deep breath, Rinoa. Deep breath.]

Barry is dangerous and he's a threat. And I'm trying to figure out how to stop him, but I don't know anything about his kind.

[Oh.

Well now he knows why Barry seems familiar. Johnny's nightmares from a long time ago. Belial, wasn't it? No, Serph hadn't mentioned Johnny at all, but he did teach Barry how to find out that Johnny was in Vatheon.]

From our conversation and his scent, he seems to be some kind of demon.

[Serph doesn't know much about this hell thing, though.]

An incu--

[ Pardon Ky choking on the word for a moment. It's not one he's particularly familiar, since demons are a solely theological matter on his world, but he's certainly heard of them, if not Barry. ]

How different from your kind of demon is he, Serph? Could you tell?

[ Could he suggest any kind of method of defeat? ]

Why hasn't Johnny told me this?

Don't take it personally, Ky. The only reason I got this out of Johnny was because I forced myself into his house and made him talk. He's been avoiding almost all of his friends lately so Barry doesn't come after them.

[She sighs, clearly annoyed by that. It's understandable, but damn it, it's not the right way.]

Oh, also, he has the ability to transform himself to look like another person.

[A very important fact. And now she's gonna shut up and see what Serph has to say.]

[Serph notes Ky's reaction to incubus, but doesn't say anything about it, yet. He's got a pretty good idea why Johnny would've avoided telling them, given the nightmare. That fear that Barry would destroy them all...

Serph shakes his head.]

My ability to detect demons is not so acute.

[But given the general consensus that his origins are strange...]

The other demons in Vatheon do not seem to have the separation of human and demon we do. It's likely that's also the case for Barry.

[He has two questions, though.]

What is an incubus? Is there any way to detect him when transformed?

He should come to us for help.

[It's sort of taking it personally, but Ky can't help himself. If Johnny has no faith in him to do his job, to do what Ky's said again and again he wants to do for Vatheon.]

An incubus is, ahh.

[That's Ky twitching uncomfortably again.]

A type of demon.

[Which, yes, they already knew, but he's working up to it.]

That preys on sleeping women to have sex with them.

[That comes out in nearly all one breath, but he gets it out. It might be important for them to know, after all.]

I know he should. But he sees it as his problem and doesn't want to risk anyone's life. Don't get me wrong, I don't agree with him, but that's what he's thinking.

[Despite the serious situation, Rinoa can't help but smile a little bit at Ky's explanation.]

They're basically like vampires, except instead of feeding on blood, they feed off of sex.

[Which makes her wonder how many locals - or possibly foreigners - this guy has traumatized, but that's a different discussion.]

As for detecting him, I don't know. Johnny gave me his dog, Sacra, who knows Barry's scent so he could sniff him out. But that won't help much if Barry decides to trick someone else and Sacra and I aren't around. ...Though, I guess if you have a keen sense of smell, you might be able to detect it's Barry.

[Oh. Well okay. While it's true that he does have a keen sense of smell, being able to distinguish between peoples' particular scents is only something he can do in demon form.

Serph's gaze leaves the camera for a moment while he thinks over the Defense Force roster. There's someone who sticks out in his mind, as someone who's shown Serph his demon form.]

Our knowledge is lacking. Night is a Defense Force member who has experience in exterminating demons. He could help, if we bring him to Johnny for more details.

[Your thoughts, everyone?]

I'm comfortable with asking for his help, certainly.

[He'd seemed helpful and good, since Ky'd talked him into joining the Defense Force. And if he had experience, that could only be good.]

Can Sacra track Barry down, or just tell it's him when he's disguised if he happens to be close?

I don't know if Johnny's going to be as helpful if he knows we dragged more people in. He's probably gonna be mad enough I told the two of you...

[Normally she'd be all for bringing in help, the last thing she wants right now is to make Johnny even more upset, if they could help it.]

I'm not sure. If I had something of Barry's that he could use to pick up his scent, he might be able to find it. Although in a populated place like Vatheon, it might be difficult.

[That's true. Serph's aware of Johnny's personality. Perhaps that's why he hasn't seen Johnny lately. But, well... look at where they are now.

He makes a decision.]

Let's find Johnny first. Rinoa, do you know where he lives?

[Because if Ky doesn't, Serph does. Or so he thinks.]

He shouldn't be mad that there are people who want to help him.

[Huff huff!]

I've been by his place myself, so I could lead.

He moved. Mostly to get away from Barry, but also because I blew down his door.

[IT WAS FOR A GOOD CAUSE.]

But I know where the new place is.

[... Good work, Rinoa. Okay then, Johnny has a new place.]

What is the address?

[They could just meet Rinoa there.]

[Why isn't Johnny telling him anything?

Because he sucks.]

He moved?

[Huff, huff, crackle of lightning.]

He just told me a couple hours ago, Ky...

[Calm yo' tits, dude.

Meanwhile, insert address and directions here.]

[Serph's gaze slides to Ky, noting the lightning, before his attention goes back to the SFC.]

See you there.

[And he'll wordlessly lead the way to Johnny's house at a brisk pace.]

[He won't calm himself at all. Because he thinks he can help, and that Johnny should trust him to do so.

He heads towards the door to knock as soon as he arrives, sharp and demanding.]

[With them all gathered, Rinoa waits nervously, still wishing she'd brought Sacra along. But she's not going to suggest she turn around now to get him, not with the way Ky's pounding on that door.]

[Ky doesn't have to knock much before Sola swings the door open with a bright expression that immediately falls into one of clouded worry when he sees people he did not expect at the door.]

Oh... hi.

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[action] aaand that's a wrap!