paranormalist

Alex saw that his old roommate was walking up to him and he spoke softly. He could tell his voice was shaky and he hopped that Cecil didn’t know exactly what he was, but as he continued to talk, Alex knew he knew about it. “Hey.. Uhm.. Yeah.. I know I’m a demon.. I killed myself and that’s what it gets you… It gets you to be a demon.” He said quietly as he looked at him. “Why, thanks.” He said. He didn’t mind that his old roommate was calling him Alexander. He actually liked it. 

[Cecil had gone through quite a few things in his life. Never, however, had he contemplated suicide. Perhaps it was because he was lucky enough to approach life in such a way that things could never be that bad -- but the fact that things were that bad for this boy and he was just a bed over was enough to fill Cecil with this agonizing pain] K-killed yourself? [he swallowed harder, wanting to reach out and hug him, hug the pain away, but he was afraid of how the newborn demon would react. He knew all about old age demons, but as aforementioned, he didn't have much experience with newborn ones] Why? What happened that would make you--? [he cut himself off, not wanting to offend the younger man, but offer sympathy. Comfort. Anything] It's probably all a bit disorientating. Are you-- Are you hungry?

The newly found demon walked out of the demon door. He had thought he been through hell, but after the past week he had, he knew what real hell was like. he felt completely different. He was completely different. He walked through the halls a bit and he stepped foot into the rec room and he could instantly smell blood. He salivated in his mouth as he looked around. 

[it was definitely not the best day for Cecil Daniels. He had been rummaging around in a file for about a half an hour, trying to find the exact information he needed to prove the existence of a ghost to himself to that ignorant patient whom had made a bet with him, but nothing seemed to be popping up. And what was worse, the side of the paper pricked him under the thumbnail, and he mumbled something that, to him, was a curse, sucking it into his mouth in the attempt to stop the bleeding. Footsteps somewhere behind him alerted him of another's presence, and he swung around, thumb dropping from his mouth, mouth half open in surprise. It was his old roommate, Alex. The one with the boyfriend. The one that had moved out and tried to get  a job here. No-- Wait. There was something very different about him. Something that Cecil recognized all too strongly, and his heart sank. Judging by the way Alex looked around him like a newborn child, he was exactly that-- newborn. Newborn demon. And the cut under his fingernail probably wasn't helping] A-Alex. Hello. [he stood, shakily -- he'd only really dealt with demons that were older, and knew exactly who they were. First time for everything, he supposed] You're probably confused and kind of scared. But, hey it's okay. Everyone's kind of scared their first time. I mean, I guess they are. I haven't had the pleasure of turning into a demon, but-- [in his rambling, he'd spilled the fact that he'd planned on breaking slowly to Alex, and cursed himself for doing so] Sorry, sorry. But... there you have it. Welcome back, Alexander. 

I am too Cecil [Kira said looking to the man across from her. She wasn’t going to let him go through that door. It was just to dangerous for anyone to go in there] Cecil? Why do you so desperately want to go in that room. Can’t you just talk to a demon of whats in there? 

[the bags under her eyes spoke volumes. She didn't have to. Cecil tried not to visibly wince] Oh, you know. Too boring that way. Why talk about the adventure than just go right to do? Much more fun that way. Not to mention informative. [he gave her a cheesy smile] Everywhere is dangerous if you try hard enough. If people stayed away from everything dangerous, nothing would get done.

[Kira sat acoss from him and nodded her head, she wasn’t going to tell him that she could stay up for days] Alright lets see who can stay up the longest. 

[there was an acute stubborness beyond her usual "nope, sorry for you" attitude that caused him pause. Compelled to defend himself, his voice wavered with what he thought was threatening -- but was actually a bit funny, really] I-- I want you to know, I'm a champion stayer-awaker! I promise you a swift and exhausting defeat.

Eden’s smile only widened as he went on, his enthusiasm ever growing. “Yes, yes! I can see it now,” she began, her own excitement gathering inside of her. Using her hands to make dramatic gestures as she spoke, the ghost swung her legs back and forth over the ledge. “Trails of smoke crossing paths in the sky, the sound of whistling getting everyone hyped up for the next combustion of colors, the smell that fills everyone’s noses leaving them wanting another! — Am I strange for liking the smell of fireworks? Oh, and sparklers! Those would be needed! Give me a big field and all of that and I’ll be the happiest Eden there ever was.” She said. Her torso bounced left to right with the thought of how it would all be. It made her feel something… familiar. "Ah, well… I hear a strange noise and I have to investigate. People are happy down there. Plus it’s… it’s nice to feel like you’re apart of something.”

[Cecil watched with nothing short of admiration while she spoke, her hands flying around in her excitement. He almost got lost in her description, completely able to see it before her eyes] Definitely. Yes, I can certainly see it! [with a quick nod at her reply, he grinned, turning his attention back to the sky] I can understand-- I mean, I've always been a part of the endeavor to uncover the world beyond what we can mortally make of it, but hey, I get that. [he turned, spontaneously pulling her into a hug] If ever, ever, you don't feel like you're a part of something, you can always be with me! I've always got spots open. For a... companion. Yeah.

Nope [She said shaking her head] Im not letting you go, even if I had to stay with you all night 

[if she could be stubborn, he would be as well. Turning heel, he plopped himself on the opposite wall] All righty. Let's see who can stay awake the longest, shall we?

"One night isn’t enough for the young, wild, and free." She said as she tossed her head back, looking up at him with a smile. There were very few things she found herself enjoying around the asylum anymore other than her little crafts, but Cecil’s company was certainly an exception. "How about a National Firework Day? It has a nice ring to it, although I’m sure it would drive the firemen crazy in some places… and we’d all be deaf by the end of the night." She said, chuckling after her words. "Hello, Cecil. It’s always a pleasure to see you."

[he laughed, a genuine one that he hadn't felt in some time. Being in an asylum could really put a downer on things] Well yes, that's all fine and dandy, but it's only one day. We could make... Fireworks Week! Or even, Fireworks Month! Just a whole month of fireworks. Could you imagine? No one would get any sleep, but it would be fantastic. [he couldn't help the smile that alit his features at the sound of his name. She had such a unique way of pronoucning it, if it made any sense at all] Ah, but the pleasure is all mine! [he changed his position so that he was seated next to her] What're you doing up here on the roof, anyway? Drawn by the fireworks?

"I’m watching fireworks. People are still setting them off."

Are they? Wasn't New Years yesterday? [he was leaning in behind her, catching sight of her when he came to see what all the ruckus was about on the roof. He frowned, following her gaze into the sky, his chest brushing ever so slightly against her back as he strained to look] Beautiful, though, aren't they? Each one their own little color. I love fireworks. We should find more occasions to set them off. [he looked down at her, interrupting his own ramble, and smiled] Hello, Eden.

No, I’m not moving Cecill. I don’t want you to get hurt.[She said stubbornly] I don’t care if you studied this stuff. 

[crossing his arms, he gave her something of a playful smile] Hey, I'm a grown up. Grown ups can look after themselves, right? I know this stuff. I promise. [still smiling, he leaned down to her level, raising his eyebrows in question] If I promise to be careful, will you let me go?

[She got to the door and spread out her arms wide blocking him] No, no you don’t. I’m not letting you Cecil. It’s dangerous. 

[with a brisk yet nonchalant roll of his eyes, Cecil slipped his hands into his trouser pockets and gave her a stern glance] I'm fully aware, Kira. Why do you think I want to go in in the first place? [he gave her a lopsided smile] Now, would you get out of the way? Please?

Get away from there Cecil! [Kira yelled as she ran down the hallway] Don’t Cecil

Oh! [stumbling back at her sudden appearance, Cecil turned quickly] Oh. Oh, yes, hello, Kira. [retrieving that step forward once again, he stood confidently in front of the door] Don't worry. I can handle myself. I have to see what's behind this door. 

[James took another bite as he watched Cecil.] Paranormalist, eh? And you think just because you study us you think you can survive our world? If the lost souls don’t get you first, the torturers will. You’ll be stuck there for centuries, and believe me, being under one of their blades isn’t fun. It’s not a good idea, dude.

["our" world. Ah. From the sounds of it -- and from Cecil's super awesome knowledge of the supernatural world -- the man was a demon. A pretty old one, too. He sounded like he was lecturing to a child] Survival isn't the point, really. It's knowledge. I can only study books for so long. Out there, where the real action is -- only then can I truly get a sense of what I've devoted my life to!

Ah yes last time, was that handling yourself perfectly well or was getting hurt and my saving you not a part of the plan? [Kayla’s eyes widened a little and she looked off to the side thoughtfully. Sarcasm? Wait, she was angry and being the authorative angel. Kayla returned her harsha gaze at the human] Don’t be foolish, enough of this, Cecil. Just because you don’t blame me doesn’t mean it isn’t true. [This man was infuriating] 

Y-eeeeees, but last time was... a first try! And what is first tries if not learning experiences? [it took a moment for the words to click in his mind, but when they did, he face split into a surprised grin] Did you just use sarcasm? [he laughed, incredulously] A sarcastic angel. Who knew. [looking back at her, his face harden into  (what he thought was) a stern expression] It won't be your fault, though! It'll be mine. Lost my life in search of the greater ideal. For ghosts, demons and angels. The sense behind it all. I couldn't think of a better way to die, can't you? Besides, [he gestured around himself] It's not like there's anything for me around here. 

[James waltzed down the hallway with an apple in his hand. He was on his way back to the basement when he passed Cecil, who looked strangely enthralled with the demon door. He rose an eyebrow and leaned against the wall, taking a bite of the apple.] You know you shouldn’t be near that thing. Hell would eat you alive, kid.

[his hand was hovering just near the demon door when someone speaking scared the utter shit out of him. He jumped and whirled around to face the speaker, who appeared smug in all sense of the word] I-- I um-- [get it together, Cecil. You know your stuff] Yes! Yes, I know. Paranormalist. Got it. I'll take my chances. [and he focused back on the door again]

What did I tell you? [Kayla appeared right behind Cecil, fuming. Granted she’d returned only now due to being in heaven and getting in trouble for seeming to get attached and apparently thinking for herself was frowned upon. It would skew her views and she could become reckless and rebel, and they didn’t want that from her. Kayla grabbed Cecil’s shoulders and shoved him away from the door before taking his arm and nearly dragging him away] I am here this is my post and if someone dies because they’re in that godforsaken door, that is a dishonor and a failure and I’ve told you to not go in there, or anywhere near there and you are not to do so again! [Once they were at the end of the hall, she let go of him and folded her arms over her chest] Is that clear? 

[at the appearance of his angelic friend, Cecil was ready. Sort of. He was ready to argue until he was blue in the face -- however, by the time his mouth was open and stuttered words were pouring out, she was shoving him down the hall] ...Wha-- Hey! Hold up a min-- [by the time they were at the end of the hallway, his stuttering had ceased, and instead he focused on stumbling into the correct position, shaking himself theatrically] Was that necessary!? I was perfectly capable on my own. Mostly. You don't need to get... shovey. [sucking air through his teeth, he gave her triumphant form a once over] Well... No! Nope, no its not. I don't see the problem. Its just me -- I know what I'm doing, remember? [he tapped the side of his head] Over a decade of occulist knowledge in here. If I die, I promise I'll not blame you. Or something. Dunno if I'd be important enough to become a ghost.