( open/catch-all ) what comes after the rain?

[luneminary]

Who: Ryoji...and you!
Where: Various locations in Aldrip.
What: September catch-all, aka Ryoji's No Good Very bad Month(s)
Warnings: Discussions of Bad Things That Happened in the gnosia event, such as violence and death-related warnings.



i. ...everything begins in silence
[Were one to find Ryoji, they would be perplexed to see him like this: sullen and melancholic, shoulders drooping by his lonesome. Even strangers would find it out of place, when joyful smiles seem to be his natural expression. His mood does not match the brightness of his scarf, a yellow fabric fraying at the edges. It’s in a better condition than he thought it would be, considering his prior death, but it is clear that it too has been through a lot.

Were one to find Ryoji — well, that means he’s doing a poor job of isolating himself, actually. It’s why he hasn’t been around his usual haunts, like the club building or the inn or any of the usual public spaces. As much as he loves humans and company, he prefers to dwell by his lonesome. He doesn’t want anyone see him like this, let alone burden anybody else by his troubles.

A shame that he couldn’t just disappear: not even death would give him that comfort. He doesn’t feel like staying by his residence either, not when too many of his friends know where he lives. It is only inevitable that one would stumble upon him in the lesser travelled spaces: small spaces, quiet corners, or even by the edge of the city.]

ii. face the sun, with —
[But one cannot sulk forever, no matter how much Ryoji wants for time to stop. And he knows, deep down, that he is merely delaying the inevitable.

Mustering his courage is the easy part — figuring out how to atone for his crimes is another. After all, what he has done is considered to be unforgivable, regardless of whether they were all revived from death or not. Still, he does want to do something, such that he can move forward.

He has learned that in Japan, one expresses the depths of their guilt by how deeply one bows to the bereaved. The lowest one can do is to have your forehead touch the floor — but at that point, wouldn’t he just embarrass the other? He’s here to apologize, not to make himself feel better with grand dramatic gestures.

He opts for a bow that reaches ninety degrees instead.]

I’m really, really sorry! I don’t know how to make it up to you, but I’ll find a way!


iii. tender is the night.
[In here, the moon is always full.

It is a fact that Ryoji was delighted to hear. Of all the faces that the celestial object could wear, it is what he considers to be the most beautiful. A soft glow that illuminates the night, revealing all the beauty that lies underneath. That is why Ryoji has come to love going on walks out at night, if only he could admire it a little bit longer.

And yet, this peace has also given him some discomfort: isn’t this serenity similar to what he has felt when the gnosia has stuffed his head with all these ideas? The moon, which was once his closest confidant, suddenly feels more sinister. Perhaps that is why he doesn’t bask in its light anymore.

And yet, the moon is still beautiful. Ryoji could not help but to continue gazing at it, his conflicting emotions hardly a blemish on its enigmatic surface.]

iv. wildcard!
[Feel free to approach Ryoji in any other way!]

Comments

i

[endcaller]

[For all that he loves an audience, Fandaniel is a creature of solitude. He stays in the Research Facility most evenings, toiling away on his projects with single-minded intensity. Burying himself in his work helps him feel like he is doing something, like maybe there is a reason he's here, present in this world instead of existing only as motes of flame-blasted dust.

When he does go out he ventures into town to people-watch for a while then wanders along side roads and dark corners as he turns back for his laboratorium. He could always teleport but a quiet stroll gives him time to think dark thoughts.

He is passing through the outskirts of the city when he notices Ryoji's hunched figure. The boy is clearly burdened by something, he knows the look well, has seen it in the mirror many times. At first, Fandaniel merely tilts his head before continuing his walk but it doesn't take long for his restless curiosity to get the better of him, turning him back to Ryoji once more.]

Are you here to brood on your lonesome or would you mind company?

[luneminary]

[Ah, he knows that face. Perhaps an expected one, even — Fandaniel seemed to prefer the unlikeliest of places. And this place suits someone like him more than Ryoji, one who usually thrives being at the center of attention.

…At the very least, this was a friend that he did not end up killing during that terrible week. It’s one of the reasons why he can face him without flinching, even though his smile doesn’t reach his eyes at all.]

It’s been a while, Fandaniel-san. [It’s not like Fandaniel is one to search out parties, and Ryoji has been keeping much to himself as of late.] You look like you’re in high spirits.

[endcaller]

[Fandaniel arches a dark brow at this.]

Do I now?

[He steps forward and half-sits half-lands beside Ryoji with a childish, graceless bounce. A hand curls beneath his chin as he eyes the boy.]

Just pondering on our AI friend, I suppose. I do so enjoy a puzzle.

[As much as he is capable of enjoying anything. Beneath his playful exterior, the Ascian is never having fun.]

But what of you, hmm? Why all the gloom?

[luneminary]

Well, much better than the first time we've met!

[But now it seemed like their positions have switched.]

Ah, that is a complicated situation. But then again, some of us seemed to have reached a decision without much thought.

[The smile was never meant to last, his face drops back to its brooding expression, a nagging question in his mind. Perhaps one that he could only ask his unlikely friend, knowing his ambiguous morality.]

Fandaniel-san. The act of taking someone's life - is it supposed to be an easy thing to do?

[endcaller]

It is an easy thing to do!

[Fandaniel's hand leaves his chin to gesticulate broadly.]

You see, people are very good at dying. You'd think they existed to do nothing but!

[That answer hangs in the air as he blows out a giggling sigh.]

Buu~uut... I suspect what you are asking is... "Is it supposed to weigh easily on the conscience?" A more complicated question, that. One's sense of morality comes into play.

[luneminary]

[Of course life is fragile. He lost count of the number of ways he saw people die that week.]

I guess it does. It feels the heaviest thing in the entire world. Yet it was never a concern in the heat of the moment.

[His hands curl up against each other, less about a gesture of prayer and more like a tight fist. How oddly appropriate, when his next whisper sounds like a confession.]

Like it was the most natural thing to do.

[endcaller]

If you are referring to that sordid business with the Gnosia, not one of us was fully in his right mind.

[He twirls a finger next to his temple, indicating madness.]

Were you infected?

[Fandaniel remembers being trapped in a barrier with the boy, each of them on opposite sides of a screen, answering intrusive questions. Ryoji's answers had, at times, been mysterious but the Ascian hadn't thought much of it.]

[luneminary]

[The look of surprise on his face says it all, really. Same for the pitiful smile that comes after.]

...Yeah, I was.

[He remembers their time together well enough. The answers he gave to Fandaniel on that day did not differ from his beliefs, even now.]

To be honest, I think I was trying to find a way to kill you, too.

[endcaller]

Aw, were you? I am so charmed that you cared enough to think of me at all!

[He lifts a hand to his chest and grins.]

A shame you did not slay me. That would have been a death to remember.

[The grin remains etched across his pale features as he tucks his legs under his robe and makes himself comfortable.]

If being a Gnosia is what is eating away at your conscience I wouldn't dwell on it overlong.

[luneminary]

Of course I do, you're my friend!

[Okay, maybe implying that he would want to kill Fandaniel because he's a friend is wrong. And a little bit fucked up. Ryoji's horrified to even hear that he's even welcoming of the idea!]

"A shame?" Why would you even want it...your life is precious, too!

[Nevermind the fact that death isn't permanent in this world. Isn't it horrible to die for no reason still?]

I know it wasn't me, strictly speaking. But it still felt so real - I killed all of those people with my own bare hands. It's a feeling I simply can't shake off, no matter how unreasonable it sounds.

[endcaller]

Better to die at the hands of a friend than by some random stranger or pointless twist of circumstance!

[The word "friend" feels like nonsense as it rolls off his tongue. Nobody has ever considered him a friend. He's been a confidant or an ally at best. That the boy would call him "friend" even after the machine forced him to reveal his darkest secrets...

Well, maybe Ryoji is the sort of person who is friends with everyone.

Fandaniel pushes the thought aside and lifts his sinewy shoulders in a shrug.]

You and half this damnable star killed people with their bare hands. If you are going to lament that then you might as well lament everything that happens here. You might as well lament the weather.

[Just as he says that a crack of thunder makes him turn his head. Behind him lightning strikes a streetlamp that quickly turns into a wheel and rolls away.]

...A bad example, forgive me. The weather is, perhaps, worth lamenting these days... But you understand my point, yes?

Chin up. There are worse things to be guilty of than mass murder.

1/2

[luneminary]

[Timing really does have it's own sense of humor, huh? Ryoji can't help but laugh - and a genuine chuckle at that.]

This is your way of cheering me up, huh? It's a bit strange, but I do appreciate it. Thank you.

[And indeed, it does lighten up his spirits, even though he'd rather not be guilty of mass murder in the first place.]

2/2

[luneminary]

[But while his mood has been lifted, Ryoji remains to possess a contemplative look upon him.]

Is that what you yearn for, then? To be in control of the death you face?

...Are you afraid of dying alone, Fandaniel-san?

[endcaller]

[Fandaniel regards Ryoji with a wide-eyed blink and tilts his head.]

My! You are a perceptive lad, aren't you?

[With a heavy sigh, he reaches up to tap his check, thinking about how to answer the question.]

While death here is an impermanent thing I would prefer to meet a demise of my choosing. My death, my first death, on this star must be nothing short of a grandiose show stopper! Or, if not that, it must at least make for an amusing headline.

And there is, I suppose, comfort in not dying alone. Nobody wants to feel that they are leaving loved ones behind after all.

[That is said with the flash of a smile. It is also a lie. He doesn't want to die alone because he wants every other living thing to die alongside him. Everyone on Etheirys he's sure must be dead right now, but he remains alive in Expiation. If he can die here and take everyone with him it would make an excellent finale for his magnum opus... but it has to be done right.

The potential destruction of the AI concerns him. If the Chosen have bodies outside the simulation, the AI might also maintain them there. Destroying it could kill them all but they would die comatose, fading in their sleep, withering away like plucked blossoms left forgotten. Where is the theater in that? They deserve a more spectacular fate.]

[luneminary]

[Whether that's the truth or not there's no reason for Ryoji to doubt his words. Even though he's undoubtedly a villain, but that is just how he is: someone who cannot fathom the depths of despair one would feel in order to destroy literally everything there is.]

I'm not sure what kind of end would qualify as a "grandiose show stopper", but if that is your wish...When your time comes, I promise that I'll be for you.

[The words themselves are morbid enough, but coming from here it is said with altruistic sincerity.

Such a task is not so hard for an avatar of death, after all.]

[endcaller]

Well, aren't you sweet?

[Fandaniel reaches out to ruffle Ryoji's hair.]

Offering to be at my side and usher me off this mortal coil when my grisly end finally comes!

[He has no idea that Ryoji might literally be there to do just that.]

[luneminary]

[It's as if a spell was broken, and Ryoji looks very much like the teenager he wants to be. Cheeks are reddened in startled embarrassment - not exactly because he dislikes his hair being ruffled (he's fine with it), but the fact that he never expected such a gesture from Fandaniel.]

It's not like I can stop death from happening, but it doesn't have to be a lamentable occasion, either. If a friend's presence would comfort you in your last moments, then of course I would be willing to help out!

[endcaller]

Oh, your company shall be very soothing to my poor heart. I hope others will gather around me as well!

[Nearly everyone, in fact. Preferably while screaming and going up in flames.]

Leave me not alone in my final moments.

[A soft giggle rattles from his throat.]

...I must say, you think about death quite a lot! Are your thoughts often morbid or does my miserable presence have that effect on you?

[luneminary]

Hmm...Now that you mention it, I guess I do.

[The fact that none of his friends pointed this out before says a lot about the company he keeps.]

I don't really see the topic to be miserable or morbid. Death is just a natural part of our lives, much like eating or breathing. Why shy away from the topic?

[Still, it's not like he talks about death all the time...right? But it's hard to connect to Fandaniel in other ways. Maybe he should ask him what kind of cafes he likes visiting?]

We can always talk about other things if it bothers you!

[endcaller]

Oh, I don't mind it.

[He flaps a hand at Ryoji in a dismissive gesture.]

I mean honestly, what else would we talk about? Unless... is there some topic in particular you'd like to discuss?

[luneminary]

[Now that's a curious question indeed: come to think of it, all of their conversations often revolved around death or other serious matters, huh? Perhaps Ryoji is partially to blame, seeing as he's making assumptions from how they first met.

There's also that question and answer they were forced upon, but those topics are of a similar nature...]

Oh, I know!

[Ryoji responds with a wide grin.]

What's your favorite flower?

[endcaller]

My favorite flower?

[There's an unexpected question.

Visions of a glowing white blossom flash through his mind and fill his heart with contempt. He knows what his least favorite flower is...]

Hm!

Oleander, I think. Cute but deadly like yours truly!

[luneminary]

[It's a random question really, the type of things Ryoji asks out on his dates. But the response he gets illicit a chuckle from him, a far cry from his somber mood.]

Not sure if describe you as cute, but the fact that you do is quite adorable.

[A quick search on the tablet helps him look up what the flower looks like, and he must admit: it truly is a beautiful flower. He wouldn't have known it was poisonous if Fandaniel did not warn him before.]

Call it a cliche if you must, but I think cherry blossoms are my favorite. I...I haven't seen them in person before, but I think I would love to experience spring someday.

[endcaller]

You....do not agree that I am cute?

[Fandaniel throws his head back and lifts his knuckles to his brow.]

Oh! I am wounded! How my poor heart breaks!

[He faints backward and for a long time, he just lies there like a heartbroken maiden from a cliche children's fairy tale. Then, finally he sits up again.]

Ah well. So it goes.

...Have you truly never seen a springtime? A lad your age?

[luneminary]

[It should be alright to tell Fandaniel...right?

Ryoji closes his eyes, a sad smile gracing his features.]

I haven't been human before November. And when I first got here, it was already summer.