network text; un: ryojikun, a day or two after the 18th!

[luneminary]

Hello everyone, my name is Ryoji Mochizuki.

Some of you must have been left bewildered or affected by the past week. I am here to apologize, because I am the one responsible for what has happened. A man named Bonedrewd did something, and as a result I ended up losing control of my powers. Please, be careful around him — he is a dangerous man. I only wish I realized it sooner.

I really am sorry!

The result is the long night known to those from my world as the ‘Dark Hour’. You might have encountered someone who looks like you during that time. They manifested from a repressed side to ourselves. They are parts that we are ashamed of showing to others, or secrets we don’t want to tell. Please do not be harsh to them — do not be harsh to yourself — as it is only natural for all humans to have such a facet to their personalities.

If anyone has questions, I will do my best to answer them.

Comments

[chimericalclaw]

Very well.

[He may appear to accept that statement at face value, but that doesn't mean he has no further questions about the details. Not to mention he genuinely doesn't like the idea of anyone being able to spontaneously manifest a doppelganger representing everything he's worked so hard to destroy...]

Only an external influence could cause you to lose control in this way?

[luneminary]

I'm not sure.

[He wants to say that of course it won't happen! But there are too many unknowns to consider, and Ryoji figures he should be honest about it.

If Nyx ever gets to exert her influence on him in bringing about the end of all things, then there is nothing he could do about it.]

Something might happen that might force me to summon that domain again - but I promise I'll do my best not to let that happen! I don't want it to happen again!

[chimericalclaw]

[so much for being certain?!]

I see. Thank you for your honesty. [heavy internal sigh goes here.] Do you have friends or allies here to assist you in such a case?

[luneminary]

[Look he was hoping that hyping himself up would be enough...]

I'm blessed to have a lot of friends, yeah! Including some people who are experts in the matter. So there is nothing to worry about!

[Honestly, part of his insistence sounds like he's trying to convince himself more than he's trying to convince Zekarion...]

[chimericalclaw]

[Even through text, he is getting a little of that impression...]

I suppose it was due to this dangerous man that they were unable to reach you this time?

[luneminary]

Yeah.

But it's also because I thought he was my friend.

[chimericalclaw]

[A betrayal then. Perhaps poor judgement, also? Though he finds it difficult to imagine that a being apparently tied closely with death would be so naive..........]

We shall have to be more cautious in the future, then. [He wants to say "you," but that would be too harsh for how he wants to come across.] You have my sympathy, Mr. Mochizuki. I know how difficult it is to deal with the realization that someone you care for is willing to hurt you.

[it's true, but also: lol. lmao. hypocrite.]

[luneminary]

I know. I'm sorry.

[Oops, that's another 'sorry'. Sorry Kotone, he can't help it.]

I value each part of the human experience, and yet I wish I never had to face betrayal like this.

[chimericalclaw]

Unfortunately, many human experiences are equally unpleasant. All we can do is learn from them and prepare.

[or just plan to obliterate humanity entirely so nobody suffers anymore but yknow,]

If I may ask, how long have you had with "the human experience"?

[luneminary]

Including my time here...around eight months?

[Yeah that's not very reassuring is it.]

[chimericalclaw]

[IT'S REALLY NOT. He is trying to picture Aurora or Glen suddenly shoving themselves into a ready-made human body with actual emotions, and others knew of their true nature and the powers involved. He can't see that going well.

But that's if this Ryoji isn't just lying about having genuine feelings, like they did. So: does Altius believe him? No.]

Then you're quite young in those terms indeed. Living it must be considerably different from viewing it from the outside?

[luneminary]

It was. It's complicated, but the person I was before I became Ryoji Mochizuki might as well have been a different kind of person altogether.

[Death didn't have a personality at the beginning, just a force of destruction that consumed everything in its path. And even when he took the form of a small child, he acted differently as well - knowing nothing save for the untapped power he has, and the primal desire to return to his true form.

He just didn't realize he would learn emotions, feelings, and sentiments in the process.]

It's only recently that I remembered I wasn't human, as well. As far as I was concerned, I was but a normal teenager.

[chimericalclaw]

[He doesn't know that he'd call whatever Ryoji was before a person, but he doesn't know all the details and also he's extremely biased.]

Did you have a false set of memories, then? Or did you simply have the idea you were human and no reason to question it?

[luneminary]

I did have some false memories, and the world around me was happy to pretend that those memories were real this entire time. That's why even with some contradictions, I never questioned before on who I was.

[chimericalclaw]

[The shaping of the world around that fake identity? Sounds familiar. It's exactly how his group's Spirit guides worked their way into his life, with none around them the wiser...

This is solidifying Zekarion's decision to never trust Ryoji's motives, oops.]

How strange, but fascinating, in a way. These powers of yours are truly remarkable, to be able to bring such things about even outside of your awareness.

[luneminary]

[Ehe. Meanwhile poor Ryoji is oblivious to Zekarion's growing suspicions. As far as he's concerned, they're just having a pleasant conversation!]

It is hard to explain, but that is the gist of it. I am connected to a goddess that I am fated to summon back in my world - perhaps she is behind the way reality bent to accommodate for my existence. She isn't here though, so that can't happen while I am here.

[Of course, there is still the possibility that a subconscious part of himself just did all that. But that is something that Ryoji has yet to consider.]

[chimericalclaw]

[And he'll never know them until it's too late! ✨ Maybe.

But it's interesting to him that the manipulation around Ryoji doesn't work here, but Onyx's works just fine, leaving no trace of his magic. With the locals, at least.]

I think I understand, at least in concept. I admit even after accepting my arrival in this place and our separate origins, talk of goddesses and repressed sides is a bit much. I never considered myself a believer in the spiritual or metaphysical before now.

[luneminary]

That doesn't surprise me at all - depending on where you're from, it's possible that you could live your whole life without encountering even a bit of the supernatural. But that's fine! Each person's journey is different, and they might not need such enlightenment to find fulfillment in their lives.

[chimericalclaw]

[He feels like he's being condescended to, which is not unexpected coming from a being probably several thousands of years old in reality, but.]

I'd like to think I was perfectly fulfilled before coming here, yes. One doesn't have to believe in a higher power to help others.

[luneminary]

[Poor Ryoji. He doesn't realize the amount of suspicion that's getting thrown at hims right now.]

And that's good, isn't it! It's one thing that I admire a lot about humans. There will always be someone who would choose to be kind even though it doesn't benefit them at all.

[chimericalclaw]

[Oh dear, sweet, summer child.

Wow, if this was in person he would really have struggled to keep a straight face. Give him a second here.]

I'm not sure whether you're trying to flatter me, but you must have had some emotionally significant encounters with humans to lead you to say things like this.

[luneminary]

[He can't help being pure okay!!!]

I do have some excellent friends, some of them also happen to be here as well. They have helped me so much in ways I couldn't even imagine.

[chimericalclaw]

It sounds like you're quite fortunate in that sense.

[Less so in other ways, given the whole, gestures at other discussions of being torn apart...]

It's important to have support in traumatic circumstances. You've been accepting their help towards your recovery as well, I hope?