volkarin | SALTBURNT

[ Well, that's certainly unusual. ]

How quickly has this growth progressed?

[ Then, almost immediately afterward (though the answer seems evident): ]

Are you in any pain?

I've had worse, for sure.

[ You know, like when he was being murdered, or several hours ago when he sprouted all these feathers. It's such a dodge, and Matt's sure it comes across that way, but he just--really wants to be seen as a field researcher offering valuable insights on phenomena, not a callow youth who's making problems again. Anyway, how to describe the pain he feels? It hurts like it must hurt to be the inside of a church bell, hollow without its songs of praise. He wants Armand to bring him something. Food, even though he isn't hungry. Blankets, even though he isn't cold. Something to show his ḑ̷͈̞̫̺̩̘͒̅́͂̍͊͘͠͝ẽ̵̡̤̬͇̤̱̞̝͎̩̋̀́̐̈́̓̎̚͝ͅv̶̢̡͓̲̩̣̗̘͒̐̀́̊ö̴̧̢̧̞͇͙̫͙̱͈̦͇̘̼͇́̿͐͆̉̕͜t̶͓͕̤̭̤̬̥̭̱̘̭̙̖̝̱̔̀̍͊̈́͆̔̈́̒̕͝ͅí̸̖̲̲͕̭̠̝͆̀̃͊͂̕͠ͅọ̸̢̯̹̦̇̀͑̔̇̾͒̽̂̓͋̃͠ͅn̸͕̥̺̼͎͓͉̥̤̳̟͔̹̬͔̈́͒͑̄̽̀͌̒̽̉͋̆̐̀͘͝ͅ. ]

It seems to come in fits and starts. The first spike was maybe six hours ago? That was dramatic, it hasn't been so bad since.

But I'm still finding new growths.

I see.

[ Well, not literally, hence, ]

May I come see you?

No.

Sorry.

I'll send you pictures and video if you want a better look at the phenomena, but

[ "I'm being hunted" feels like guy-who-causes-problems territory. Plus, what if Emmrich tries to confront Heinrix and something happens to ... well, to either of them? The less said, the better. ]

some friends are checking on me. I don't really want anyone else to see me like this.

[ That's— fair, despite what Emmrich would describe as professional curiosity. ]

Of course. I'd appreciate being kept abreast, but not so much that you ought to concern yourself with it rather than looking after your own wellbeing.

If there's anything I can do, please do not hesitate to reach out. And, if you'd be so kind, let me know when you're [ what's the best word for this situation ... ] safe.

I appreciate that. Really. I'll keep you posted.

[ A few minutes later, a couple more photos arrive, showing wings of varying sizes blooming from unexpected and painful-looking places. Matt's arm, his temple (carefully cropped not to show his eyes). There's a video, too: A closeup on Matt's back, where large white wings flex uneasily. No sound.

Matt considers what more he can offer. While he's thinking, his hands type out:

The Bridegroom is coming, beloved.
With red wine and yellow wine.
Engraved upon your wedding ring,
I EAT, THEREFORE I AM.

The words flow with the practiced ease of a memorized poem or prayer, no input required from his conscious mind. But when Matt sees what he's done, he deletes the message.

He doesn't reach back out to Emmrich until days later, when it's all over. ]

Update: Back to normal (successful ritual). Next time someone dies, find a rock with their name on it in the lake and fish it out.

SALTBURNT | inbox.

if you go by the ic timestamp i'm basically on time

bold of me to assume i could know what would happen in 10 days tbh

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😇🎀?