After learning that he was effectively ageless, to his understanding at least, Damian sought out knowledge on his quest to find a way home. Learning something knew takes time, after all, and he now had quite a supply to it. After a certain incident revealed that he was, perhaps, immortal as well, he found himself a little more willing to take risks in pursuit of such knowledge. However, he’s still not precisely keen to test the limits of his apparent ability to reconstruct and resurrect; it just happens from time to time, and he feels something of an intuitive sense that he’ll be fine when death is upon him.

When an opportunity came up to perhaps get a clue as to the source of his abilities, he found himself torn. It all started with one of those meandering conversations with a stranger at a public get-together. The Raptor, Immelmann, made mention of what he referred to as “soul manipulation”, catching Damian’s attention. He asked Immelmann what he hoped were general questions to clarify, hoping to hide his real interest. The two went back and forth for a while on the subject, each feeling the other out in a sense. Eventually, Damian was the one to hesitantly broach the subject of undergoing an “out of body experience” with the Raptor’s facilitation. Immelmann was agreeable, but noted they were in a bit too public a place for that, asking if Damian would be able to stop by his home afterwards. Having no other plans, Damian agreed, and the day progressed.

That afternoon, Damian found himself mulling over what he was getting himself into. Extracting his soul was just about the most intimate thing one could do outside of matters of sex, at least when it’s willing. He was going to let someone whom he’d only known an hour or two to coax his soul out of his body. But those in earshot hadn’t recoiled or seemed alarmed at their talk, though he wasn’t sure if he’d imagined a few odd glances directed his way. But what kept his legs moving was that he might not get another opportunity like this in a long time. Maybe the Raptor could give him some clues, some insight, that might help him get home.

Immelmann answered the door promptly as Damian arrived punctually, and the two exchanged some pleasantries as they entered the house and Damian got a look around. It was reasonably spacious, with simple yet pleasing aesthetics, and a few walls with art hung on them. Near some of the art, as well as other places, were various types of lanterns. What caught Damian’s attention about them was that the flames seemed to be a light indigo. As he was trying to remember his physical sciences to know whether a flame could be made to glow that color, Immelmann called him to attention from the couch. A simple tap of the space next to him told Damian that he was ready to begin what they’d met for.

Damian was still a bit nervous, though the atmosphere and Immalmann’s calm, and apparent understanding, helped him relax a bit. He sat down, making himself comfortable against the extra pillow Immelmann had provided, and took deep breaths, wondering what it would feel like, and what the Raptor would need to do. As he waiting further instruction, he didn’t consciously note when his breathing began to change, or when his awareness of his surroundings began to wane. Before long, his consciousness began to fade as his soul was gently coaxed out of his body with his breath.

To Immelmann’s surprise, however, it didn’t seem to be a single soul that he worked out. Getting the stream in a gentle grip, he examined it curiously. It almost looked like there were two souls present, but that wasn’t quite it. There were two distinct streams for sure, one a couple of hues different than the other, but were interwoven so closely that they seemed inseparable, and were so cleanly and intricately woven that there was a compatibility of some nature. Also, the nature of the streams themselves seemed otherwise identical. A possessing spirit would be suppressing the local one, and he more likely would have coaxed out one or the other. A spiritual parasite would certainly not have a similar appearance to the host like that. With the two most common explanations for such a visual, he was left with…what?

He stopped his draw subconsciously, leaving the core of Damian’s soul…souls…in his body for now. Immelmann was too intrigued by the little mystery to finish the process just yet. Just what was he looking at? As he focused on the entwined ends at the end of his fist, he could almost swear there was something of a…family resemblance between the two, in some way. The Wolf hadn’t insinuated anything of this nature up to this point, and he would have thought something of such an unusual nature would have been brought up. True, Damian did possess wings, making him a little different, but that in itself wouldn’t explain what he was seeing.

An interesting thought crossed his mind. What if Damian, in fact, didn’t know? It seemed quite possible. Should he tell him? An interesting thought. It was perhaps unique enough for a trophy. An intriguing notion, but perhaps a bit too much. Still…perhaps a little taste wouldn’t hurt. Damian would never know. As he made the motion though, he felt a resistance from the lighter of the two streams. Immelmann stopped and stared. Was it aware of what he was trying to do? Most peculiar. Perhaps a look at the core would shed some more light on this mystery.

Damian was going to be “out of it” for longer than he anticipated.

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Damian by me
Immelmann by  Immelmann
Original: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/24002969/