— twyred.

"As for the concept of being busy," Dialen chuckled to herself. At best, the passage of time was a plaything for her. "Time is never of the essence. You really have no clue as to who you've stumbled upon."

"Though, is dying. . .something you do often?" The demoness made a strange rattling sound, something that vaguely sounded like snorting back laughter. "One of God's tortured guinea pigs?"

She sat in silence for a minute listening to him, contemplating what the man was asking of her. Now, this was a strange request. "I mean, immortality is on the menu. It's mostly innovators who are aware of their borrowed time who ask for such a thing. Those who wish to see their projects all the way through with their own hands and eyes. Be it for the sake of humankind or for vanity."

"Is it that you run in loops? Or when it ends, you wake up somewhere new? How does it work?" It may not be as simple as keeping his body fresh.

Payment was another issue. Literally. This was something she could never decide on, "Your soul is interchangeable with a bag of potato chips to me. And souls are lacking in texture. I can always use another errand boy. Though, what I have to offer is far more valuable than your labor. We can figure out your final payment some other day."

The ancient tome in his hand caught her attention. Her cold, white hands beckoned him closer, long nails clattering against each other like bone. Not only was she curious about the text but curious about whether the alchemist would dare come closer.

His eye widened at the slightly strangled sound that came out of the creature, shoulders soon slumping in resignation. It was true, he was completely out of his depth. But that was the case on most other days too. Barring Wednesdays. He always did have a fondness for Wednesdays.

"Loops is right, to some degree. I remember things which evidence dictates have not happened. Many times the sand pest. On another occasion done in by a petty thief. Conversely, I know I must have been a child once, but I recall barely any memories of childhood. I'd just... like to go through this whole rigmarole once. See it through the whole way - as it is surely supposed to be." He seemed far away for a moment recalling the details of his ordeal.

"To be in Hell and know it was so would be a welcome certainty by comparison." Vasil's teeth worried his bottom lip as he shuffled forwards, his voice quiet but emphatic. "Yes, by all means, yes! If it is possible to remedy this nightmare, you shall have whatever payment you require."

The shape stalked around the man with a sphinx-like posture, reptilian feet kicking up fine sand and disturbing the eerie stillness of the vast darkness surrounding them. Above there were no stars, no clouds, no sun. Only a blood red blemish which writhed and morphed in the sky, emanating a low light. There was no sound within the vast wasteland, and now the only movement was the shape leaping up to perch on a barbed tree.

Tail whipping back and forth, she spoke: "I usually find those who are looking for me. I stumble upon them during a chance encounter. After months of calling, they cross my path. Leaping through self imposed hoops of archaeology and living in occult libraries. Did you self-flagellate? Did you kill babies or animals in my name? Did you swear off your earthly possessions and crawl on your hands and knees to find me? If you did, I don't want you here."

Standing upright, the head and torso of a woman became more apparent but her face was still lost in the darkness as it was hidden behind a veil. "Seeking me in of itself is a mortal sin. And dangerous too. My siblings would have eaten you alive if you had found them instead."

"You better be something. Otherwise, you'll have to bear all the punishments and receive none of the rewards. The floor is yours, friend. Make it worth it."

He did not expect to come across this one in particular.

A lizard-lion-lady creature was not what he'd bargained on, but it seemed a waste not to make the best of it, given he was here now. Wherever here was. In between 'holy f-' and 'there's less fire than I expected', the thought did occur to Vasil that it'd be a nightmare to find a bus ride home.

Doing his best to stop shaking, he knotted his fingers together and cleared his throat awkwardly.

"Right." Another dry cough. "Thank you for your time. I've no doubt you must be a busy individual." His eye darted off to the darkness, expecting something horrible to jump out at any second now. "In truth ...I've been putting this whole thing off. The last time I made prayer to the powers that be, they sent a very rude and impetuous Englishman, and he stole my good boots."

The alchemist glanced down at the old tome in his hands, pages splayed open to a ghastly depiction of some bull-headed spider. A distinct lack of reptilian or sphynx-like features, he noted with no small amount of worry.

"This is- well, this is rather mortifying; I think there might have been some kind of error. I was looking for... I suppose a colleague of yours, maybe? It wasn't my intention to interrupt your day." Finding a speck of unwarranted courage, he looked up at where he expected her face might be.

How tragic. . .and terribly not worth it. This Renfield looked spent. They could only be so mean to him, no matter how pitiful they may find him and others like him. Even in this state, he was more respectable than that Jeremy goon from last year.

'Do you enjoy hurting people?' The question caused their eyes to widen. Of-fucking-course they enjoyed hurting people. It gave them the tingles! But that wasn't something they would say out loud, not out here. "Why don't you take a drive with me, grey-face? And we can go get you fridged. Then I can tell you my opinion on hurting people, hm?"

Naturally, Vasil took this avoidance to mean 'probably', but the promise of a fridge seemed enough for him to push that matter aside. His eye flicked around the street for any sign of his long-gone bicycle. If Yelena hadn't been in such a rush, maybe he could have stored it. Either way, he'd been in worse vehicles with likely worse people. He felt like his bones had been dry cleaned and then shoved back in only roughly where they were meant to go. Not good for the spirit. All this to say; sitting down for a while sounded like bliss.

The alchemist wiped his face with a tattered sleeve, still clutching the box like a child might their Christmas gift. His dirty fingernails ticka-tap-ticka-tapped against cheap plastic. "Alright then." Already, he was lumbering off in some direction inspecting parked cars, with apparently no clue if it was the right way;

Tired, little thing. Stumbling about like a puppet whose strings had been cut away from above him, such as Ghouls were. Coyote watched him eat shit before he even hit the ground. He stared on in disdain and they stared back with that strange knowing in their muddy eyes. They'd have offered him a hand if he wasn't looking at them as if they were dog shit on the sole of his shoe.

"Did they get you? Did they get you nice and good?" They offered a juvenile smile and head tilt. Unblinking, they watched on for a minute, "Actually I don't know! I'm no weakling. Are you?" As if the path of heartache hadn't led them to an early grave, with or without the Blood Curse. That wasn't for this stranger to know anyways. By the looks of it, he might be even more afflicted.

Dark brows raised, "I do but if you ask me if it's running, I might just knock you back down onto your ass." They chuckled and finally asked: "You alright?"

"I'm not sure. I might be today. These things are difficult to predict." He hauls the icebox up, gesturing towards it with a nod. "I don't much care if it runs or walks, so long as it's cold. I need something to put this in for the night."

The Ghoul isn't sure if the laughter is an indication they're joking, or just prone to violent whimsy. It surprises him to hear them question his well-being. Alright? Hah! Hardly.

Taken from both Pathologic Classic HD and Pathologic 2. Feel free to edit as you see fit.

So, it’s all about trickery to you?

No, no… I detest trickery. But if we ourselves are to suffer deception, our hands are no longer tied.

What a silly place…

Those who favor hard logic and direct action are bound to be misguided

Only a miracle can set us free without us having to destroy something. And I can DO miracles. Just let me.

Will you please be quiet?

You’re a liar and a thief.

Who is going to believe you when you keep lying to yourself?

Whatever happens, I WILL find answers, and justice will be restored.

Don’t you go all bossy on me clever clogs.

This calls for the gentle hand of a surgeon.

Your gentle hands are used to killing, not giving life. You will inevitably do harm.

As for brainy, he has no regard for casualties at all.

Neither of you knows compassion.

Yes, it seems unlikely that we’ll get along well.

Any choice is right as long as it’s willed.

It’s not even a trap… it’s a grave.

I can see that. You’re full of hate.

You mean you won’t become a killer? But you will! Mark my word, that’s exactly what will happen.

We fear everything, old boy, as mortals do, and desire everything as if we were immortal.

There is an eternal order that Fate itself has predetermined. It is due to this order that things happen the way they should, following a preordained path.

We promise according to our hopes. We perform according to our fears.

You are broken [NAME], I on the other hand am used to winning!

Sorry, I thought you brought in a baby.

You think I brought a baby? // You think I brought in a baby? // You think I brought in a baby?

Guess I’ll go have a talk with [NAME]…about the Hippocratic Oath, if nothing else.

No, you can’t. You were rude to me.

Give me your herbs, worm.

The real game is happening between you and me.

No, the little girl is not so simple.

You are a slave of the inevitable, while I am its mistress.

Just tell me. Could you have saved my brother?

Pain is our great ally. It reminds us we’re still alive. It drives us to action.

You may mean well, but you bring evil and destruction all the same.

Wow… that’s startling! What’s wrong with you?

Why do you hate me so much?

You smell of blood.

Well, I think you aren’t doomed.

Dreams are fine, but we need bread.

However, when I look at you, I get the feeling that nature is playing jokes on us.

Don’t teach me to dance, pal. Been a clown all my life.

Perhaps this is my way of saving you, giving you diamonds for the price of sugar. Or I’m trying to swindle you. Or it’s just a prank. Who knows? Not you.

Where shall you go now, [NAME]? Who will you look in the face?

There are fine things, old boy, that are more brilliant when unfinished, than finished too much.

She despises you, and hates everyone else.

I’ve loved from the moment I laid eyes on you.

All the world’s a stage… sometimes a gallows stage.

People fear bloodshed only when it’s their blood… and their shed.

That scum had neither heart or brains, so he has no need for his guts, either.

Cut it with the strong language immediately! 

You little prick!

What a contradictory character you are.

I wouldn’t have waited for a trial and a verdict to fire a bullet at your tender heart.

I believe we’re surrounded by amazing creatures – some of them are of such magnifience that we aren’t even fully aware of their presence.

True… I’m deeply miserable in general - if you’re at all interested to know.

Life is a night at the bar. All the wisdom you gain, you pay for in pain.

But could I please offer you a piece of advice?

I NEED NO ADVICE!

I fear you’ve fallen under the [NAME]’s influence—the prickly prick that’ll bury us all!

There’s no way in hell I’m going to help him…or his minions.

Are my ears playing tricks on me? [NAME] is stuck?

Are my ears playing tricks on me?

This smartass won’t bother with the losses at all

You both lack mercy.

For the first time, I’ll have to think for myself.

I don’t know if I’m good or evil. Stupid words, anyway…

I don’t know if I’m good or evil. Stupid words, anyway… But I’m trying to be gentle to others and hard on myself. I know how to sympathize and not judge. I try to love whoever I touch. That’s the only answer I have.

Yes, my love, you are the bravest. Now go and play. I have a lot on my plate right now.

I’m very scared of this [NAME]… I feel that they’re  a demon, a spirit of destruction and downfall!

I don’t kill people. I save their lives.

I’m way more dangerous than the murderer.

People are foolish and weak. One day you’re beaten to a pulp and laughed at, the next you’re worshipped.

Sorry, I can’t help feasting my eyes on your outfit… who was the mad tailor?

No lover’s as sweet as the silence of sleep.

It’s me, the player.

Tell me what your intentions are, and I’ll help you.

Are you trying to borrow money from me or something?

I just wanted to make it so that people would live longer, really. And, preferably, on their own accord.

Stay where you are, demon! I don’t know if I’ll be able to kill you today—but you will lose a lot of blood. You are mortal too, I know it… however hard to kill you may prove!

Do you realize now that you have lost? And there’s nothing to be done. It’s too late.

You need more sleep, friend.

What’s there about you to like? Nothing.

Do not despair, [NAME]. Do not regret a thing.

…I can’t believe my ears. Someone has admitted that I am right.

I do my best to avoid morons.

You’re looking for salvation in the wrong place.

God… what an idiot I was!

Let justice prevail. Mercy to the innocent; a reckoning to the guilty.

Did you kill someone with a pencil?

She speaks to the dead.

Sometimes you can find her sitting by a grave and humming a lullaby.

Sometimes girls are capable of the things that even someone as bloodthirsty as me couldn’t have invented.

Will I have time to curse you before I die?

Are you trying to bewitch me?

Would you like to see me try that too—the way I do it with creatures like your little self?

He who trusts everybody asks to be deceived.

Ever considered having your tongue removed?

I don’t believe you.

I don’t like you. Actually, that’s too mild a statement. I feel an innate resentment toward you.

Your lips crack. Come, take my kiss.

God loves me.

I am the way to Heaven.

 It aches to be born.