[in a different handwriting - anonymous]

[tsunagari.livejournal.com]

It is getting dark.

Older patients might want to keep the younger ones from worrying on the ride home.

Comments

[forgot-it-all.livejournal.com]

Once, yeah. Last time we made it back okay, but...it's always kind of cutting it close.

[tightsofmight]

Was something on the bus, or did something come to it?

[hajike-tobiume.livejournal.com]

Those that watch over us by day are more intent to end us by night. Be wary of them.

[tightsofmight]

You mean they change too? I thought they...

Frick.

[hajike-tobiume.livejournal.com]

If you were under the impression that they were innocent humans, you are mistaken. They have no souls and are no more human than the mindless creatures that prowl the halls at night. I suggest keeping that in mind.

[Strikeouts illegible]

[tightsofmight]

How do you know for sure? What if they can't help it when they change? Like that Hulk guy

Is it the same for the town?

Re: [Strikeouts illegible]

[hajike-tobiume.livejournal.com]

They have no souls.

If they were human, if 'changing' was forced upon them, they would still retain their souls. They have none. As for this town, I've not checked, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was just another facet of Landel's game, yet another illusion mean to fool us.

Re: [Strikeouts illegible]

[tightsofmight]

...So you can tell if they do or not? So you're like a That still doesn't mean we should kill them

Thanks. I'll keep that in mind.

[hajike-tobiume.livejournal.com]

I am shinigami. Seeing the threads of a being's spirit, their soul, is a natural ability for me.

[tightsofmight]

I see. Never heard of a shinigami before but considering where we are, I'll take your word for it.

[so anon]

[mister-fine.livejournal.com]

Now wait just a minute!

I know the people here are pretty awful for doing this to us, but isn't that going a bit far?!

[Joining Anonsville]

[tightsofmight]

I think killing them is a bad idea too, but if we can just fight them off and get the heck out of the way, then we shouldn't have to, right?

[Strikeouts unreadable]

[hajike-tobiume.livejournal.com]

That is the most intelligent tactic for humans to take when encountering the staff's 'other' side.

[anon]

[mister-fine.livejournal.com]

Of course we can't kill them! I'm not even comfortable with the idea of fighting them, to be honest.

But as long people keep dehumanizing them like that, someone's bound to get some terrible ideas...

[anon]

[tightsofmight]

I don't like fighting any more than you do, but if they're trying to kill somebody you can't just sit back and let them do it. If it's self defense or the defense of someone else, there's no real way around it.

I know what you mean, though. A lot of people here seem a little too trigger happy for comfort (if we even had guns, that is.)

[anon]

[mister-fine.livejournal.com]

Well...no, it's not okay to sit back while someone's in danger, I'll agree with that.

That's a good way to word it. It's probably a good thing we don't have guns, although I'm going to bet that's an unpopular opinion around here.

Re: [anon]

[hajike-tobiume.livejournal.com]

You misunderstand. They are not human. You cannot 'dehumanize' something that only appears to be human during the light of the day. And you are far too late; terrible ideas, as you put it, are common here. Not everyone that is held captive here are human and, even for those who are human, survival typically encompasses a loss of prior morals. Or at least the justification of occasional compromise.

[anon]

[mister-fine.livejournal.com]

So, what are you saying? That their "human form" is actually some kind of illusion?

And whether I'm too late or not, it doesn't mean I have to agree with it. Tossing your moral compass out the window at the expense of others just because it suits you is just wrong, no matter what the circumstances.

[hajike-tobiume.livejournal.com]

You must be relatively new.

I am simply stating fact, not my personal opinion. They lack a soul and certainly are not human. Whether you believe me or not does not matter. What matters is that you do not make the mistake of dismissing the threat the staff presents us all once the sun sets. I have seen the transformation with my own eyes. Many of us still here from that trip weeks ago have seen it. Please, err on the side of caution.

[anon]

[mister-fine.livejournal.com]

Okay, I get the staff are dangerous at night. I've already seen some of the other "monsters" here for myself, so I'll take your advice.

But to say the staff here aren't even human? I'm sorry, but I have a hard time accepting that just because you say so. It kind of bothers me because it's like you're saying that killing them is perfectly okay.

I appreciate the heads up, though. Don't get me wrong, it's just [a few hesitation marks, as if he's at a loss for words. He eventually just leaves the message as is.]

[hajike-tobiume.livejournal.com]

I am not human; I am shinigami. My duty is to protect humanity from non-human threats while maintaining the balance. This place, the creatures (including the staff) are threatening such balance, placing humans in mortal peril. It is my duty to prevent them from accomplishing their goals by any and all means necessary.

I know they are not human because I have the ability to see the souls of those who possess them. Humans possess souls. The staff, the creatures at night? They do not have souls. They are not human. I don't expect you or any other human to believe me, much less understand, but I do expect you to do what you have to in order to survive. Live.

[anon, strike-outs hastily crossed out]

[mister-fine.livejournal.com]

Oh, great, someone else who's some kind of

Yeah, I saw you explaining the "Grim Reaper" part of your job description earlier. I'm sure you're a nice person and all, but you have to understand that I can't just take your word for it. You're definitely right about one thing, though -- the people who run this place are dangerous and we should all be careful at night. That's something we can both agree on, at least.

[forgot-it-all.livejournal.com]

Don't you dare say that. They're still human, even if this place did something to them.

[hajike-tobiume.livejournal.com]

A human has a soul. These beings do not. They are not human. Believe what you will, but I will not argue with you over what I know is true.

[forgot-it-all.livejournal.com]

Both.

As you can see the staff...

My nurse was "transferred" after that night. Thanks to the oh so helpful patients here.

-R.Aoyagi