If you could "adopt" the dead...
 

So, it's hard not to notice the cluster of high-profile deaths going on here. A couple nights ago I was thinking about it too much...and had a very strange dream.

Essentially the cluster of death expanded out of the country and took many of my heroes in it. Sickeningly, the last person to go was the one I love the most.

I packed my bags and flew in to be with a friend so we could comfort each other in our time of mourning, and while we were taking a walk to try and distract ourselves, we stumbled across some ancient writings on a bizarre ritual that allowed you to contact the dead and essentially bind them to you.

Through the host, they would have an energy-based body that would function almost the same as a physical one, with some differences (it could disappear, change its appearance, and go through solid objects, but wouldn't be nearly as strong as a physical body; basically a ghost "body" but more tangible). This would cause the host to feel very fatigued at first, but would cause no severe damage.

The bond wouldn't damage the host's health UNLESS one party or the other decides to break the bond. If it was the host, the damage would be severe and possibly bring instant death; it would still be crippling if the host were to survive. If it was the "ghost," the damage would be relatively mild, but would still shorten the host's life and permanently damage their general health.

The host's mind could be read at will by the adopted ghost until the host learned to block it. The adopted ghost could share his or her mind at any time, but it would be very difficult to force. Adding to the possibility of extreme awkwardness, it would be very difficult for the two to be separated for significant lengths of time; usually you would have to be in the same room.

You could "adopt" as many people as you wanted...but due to the risks involved with breaking the bond, you'd want to be sure everyone could deal with each other all the time.

Magic A is magic A. These rules cannot be bent or broken. As with anything else, they can be manipulated, but never changed. So or my question to you...

Suppose you had the power to do this. Would you use it? Who would you use it on? Suppose a close friend of yours died, or one of your heroes - would you use it then? More specifically...do you think you could stand being bound to them for the rest of your life? If you feel comfortable with it, feel free to give names. If not, then...well, don't. Also - would you share the technique with others, or would you try and keep it a secret?

In my dream...oh boy did we ever use it, and with no regrets, though granted we weren't of sound mind at the time (we'd just lost many of the most important people in the world to us VERY prematurely and found a way to get them back in some sense - don't tell me you'd have been thinking properly in that situation). Let me just say, there were times when everyone got very, very annoying. XD And it was quite awkward to have someone bound to me, who admittedly I have feelings for...when it would often cause him to (by complete accident) end up in the bathroom while I was there. XD;

As for real life...in the same situation, I would absolutely do the same thing. In fact, even now I have one person I'd like to use it on - and a second that I possibly would.

In all cases I would keep the ability a secret - it's too easy to abuse it. Granted, most people who would abuse it would end up dying within the week...but it's still a frightening thought. Also, I don't want to be the one responsible for someone getting themselves killed because their three-week high school significant other was killed in a car crash and they broke up after creating the bond.

What about you? Your thoughts?

Uhh.. I'd do it, yeah. But on who?

The first person to come to mind is Billy Mays. ;_;

Yeah, I'd imagine he would be fun to have around. Probably a little annoying at times, loud as he is...but awesome nonetheless.

Undoubtedly someone would bring him back if it were possible. I wish it were - it may seem strange to admit you're gonna miss a pitchman, but I think a lot of us will.

I want to go out and buy all of his products
SERIOUSLY
I could have him narrate everything I did XDD It'd be awesome.

I think it'll depend who it is that I'm wanting to bind myself with. What if the person doesn't want to be back? But if he/she does, then yes, I don't see why not. It's not like I really care about my life span...so as long as I don't end up dying a horrible gruelsome death afterwards if one of us breaks the bond then why not? The most I'll get is turn into a dead myself...

Yes, I would very much so use it.
Hmm... I think out of all the people... I'd use it on 2 people... My best friend and my GF... both of whom I share everything with... and they get along ^_^ (thankfully they're still here <3)
Yes... I would in times of life if I could... they're amazing people I'd happily be stuck with XD
Hmm... not many... very very few people... only if I could trust them to keep it a secret from everyone else... (as it would be easy to as you say cause great damage if it wasn't someone close enough)

....you know hats scary bout that? I had a dream that the guy who played joker ( heath ledger??) came to me covered in white stuff* prob. flour* and claimed to be not dead. He then asked me to go help him...so I did. XD I found myself at an airport that turned into a man made dame with gargoyles covering the place.

I strongly believed he wasn't dead for a week

Why do people love celebrities so much? ; ; I mean, I understand people who devour gossip mags to a point, but to feel for them more than people they actually know?

Anyway, that dream sounds a lot like a 'walk-in' except kind of a low commitment version. D=