text;

[animusnpcs]

You're a bit slow, aren't you? Fine, fine, I'll give you some more hints.

First, remember, for our dear first five monsters, you need to fulfill a special requirement to kill them during the day. I won't tell you their specific requirements yet--you haven't even figured out who they are, I bet!--but I will tell you this:

If I was a monster so repulsive even I wanted to stop myself, I would need ... before I could stop.

And now, for the identities! Here are some clues for you to figure out!

The Laughing Monster's powers as plain as you can see
Are what he feels and what he is and who he longs to be

The Apathetic Monster never more wants for a sword
With speed unparalleled, it'll find its enemies gored

From blood comes the fire in the Crying Monster's veins
'Tis utterly powerless otherwise, or so the world does deign

Dearest Screaming Monster, what curses do you see?
Whose puppet strings direct this terrifying prophecy?

The Growling Monster on borrowed time lives on
Though borrowed time is stopped once it is called upon

((Ruana will not be replying to this post, but you can reply to each other and use it to try and figure out who's who.))

Comments

[trulybecomedust]

[Remember how Neal breaking down over the wireframe revelation made him want to murder Ruana? Yeah, that's got nothing on the rage he's feeling right now.

He tries kneel down in front of Neal, wincing in pain as he somewhat succeeds.]

My magic and your name, how clever. [He sounds completely disgusted when he snaps out that last word. His voice changes to something far gentler, a comforting tone that he's been using far too often in this place.] We'll figure out how to reverse this and if need be, find out the requirement to kill you during the day and do so.

[His expression is deadly serious now as he looks at Neal, but it's obvious that any negative emotions he feels is not directed towards him.]

I will not let you stay like this any longer than need be and I will do anything to make sure of it. You are not a monster, Bae.

[wegotlucky]

But what can we do?

[He doesn't have a clue what sort of sick game Ruana is playing, but he does know that he's killed people. How many, he doesn't even want to think about.

It's an awful situation to be in.]

We need to lock me up. I can't kill anyone else!

[trulybecomedust]

Before we think about doing anything, you need to calm down. Panicking will do nothing to resolve this situation.

What you've done during the time when you are that monster is not your fault.

If we can find a way to lock you up when you are that monster, then we will do so. If we cannot, the only thing we can do is hope that the others stay away.

[wegotlucky]

[He shakes his head.]

No way can anyone do it when I'm... like that. It has to be when I'm human. Until we get some sort of hint about how to end this.

[trulybecomedust]

I am not locking you up while you're human and I will not allow anyone else to do so either.

[If it was anyone else, he would have them locked up in a heartbeat, but he can't do that to Neal, not after everything.]

[wegotlucky]

[He's stopped crying now. There's a determination in his eyes instead.]

You have to. I can't let myself hurt anyone else. I can't risk killing you.

[trulybecomedust]

Bae, I can't do that to you. Even if it means sacrificing the safety of those around you, myself included. I will not sit by and watch my son get locked up for something beyond your control.

[wegotlucky]

[His head shakes, quivering.]

You can't do nothing! This... this needs to end!