text; another mystery to uncover...!

[alborada]

[ The look on Sylvarie’s face could be nothing other than apprehension as she looks down at her slate resting on the floor between them, chewing her lip softly. ]

Do you think this is a good idea? Should we maybe ask the Director first? Or even Mogaruru?

[ Lean shakes his head in response, regarding Sylvarie with a slightly amused expression. ]


It’s okay. Given the circumstances, we’re doing them a favour. Press the button when you’re ready.

[ Well, could she really be ready given they have absolutely no reference for who they are dealing with other than a dislike of Comic Sans (a wise choice)? Breathing out, Sylvarie looks to Lean straight in the eyes despite the low lighting of her bedroom. ]

If anything happens to my slate, may I borrow yours? [ Either way, her finger is hovering over that button. ]

[ There’s a moment where the young man visibly hesitates, feeling uncomfortable with the notion of sharing his personal data with someone else… but seeing no other options, Lean eventually agrees.]

F-fair enough. As fair as I know, Moogles can fix anything on the spot, though. [ Either way, he’d rather hope nothing happens, commenting with a nod. ] Go on.

[ Then the real message begins and their feed goes live, in text format to start for the sake of politeness. ]

> Excuse us, um..

a2lsbGVyb2Z3b3JsZA==

We do not mean to disturb you if it is a late hour where you are. We were simply wondering if, as someone with whom we share this Linkshell, you may be willing to discuss some questions with us? Regarding the greyed names.

> We have been aware of your presence for a long while now, yet you have decided not to reveal your true self. Why? What is your purpose?

[ Lean, you are getting a Look. ]

And if this format doesn’t work for you, we may do video instead? ヽ(´o｀；

[ What? An emogi might help relax them all. ]

((ooc: though addressing killerofworlds specifically, you are welcome to threadjack and add a few questions! fellow coworkers, feel free to seek out your night owls. ))

Comments

[a2lsbgvyb2z3b3jsza]

Everyone has forgotten, don't worry.

That's for the best. The day I remembered, I tried to, well.

It doesn't matter, I couldn't go through it in the end.

You're stronger though. Always have been. You'll be fine (* ^ ω ^)

[a2lsbgvyb2z3b3jsza]

You're contradicting yourself. Which one is it?

Is the Calamity gone? (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

Or did it transform into something else? （ミ￣ー￣ミ）

[a2lsbgvyb2z3b3jsza]

Is there a difference between the two options you propose?

(*^ω^)八(⌒▽⌒)八(-‿‿- )ヽ

[a2lsbgvyb2z3b3jsza]

Hi Ira ヽ(・∀・)ﾉ

I don't know if that means anything to me, but it sure does to you (＠_＠)

[acceptedlife]

That's not my name. [Not anymore.]

I ask for a reason, because it doesn't just mean something to me. It means something to a lot of us.

[Everyone, if he's right.]

[alborada]

[ That... ]

Even if I don’t remember, I can’t think I wouldn’t be saddened if you were gone. You seem to know and remember me, and offer such kind words.

I want to know you, too.

I’m not sure how to pronounce your screen name, unless you really are okay with being called ‘killerofworlds’? (･･;)

If you don’t want to provide a name, would A2 work? (・・?)

[regisrex]

Yes, a rather large one.

[ Eos has the Astrals and the Crystal, after all, and they are quite different from what the star itself would be, could it protect itself. ]

unlocked

[sassafrisk]

hey, so. everybody else is dancing around this, so I'm just going to ask: what do you want? everybody's pretty worried about that name--including me tbh--and i just want to establish what you want so everybody can stop panicking. also try talking to someone who somehow talks in comic sans 0.0 it was an experience

[einspine]

JUST TO BE CLEAR... KILLER OF WORLDS ISN'T A LITERAL THING, IS IT? BECAUSE THAT WOULD BE. UNPLEASANT.

HOWEVER! I AM NOT JUDGING YOU! I AM SURE YOU ARE A GREAT PERSON.

ALSO, HOW DO YOU DO THOSE FACES? IS THIS THE NEW, HIP LINGO????

text;

[promiselisting]

[ s i g h don’t get cheeky ]

Will you just answer me? The Calamity was from Crystallis. Which means it shouldn’t exist as this... super destructive force anymore. It shouldn’t be able to be weaponized.

[ She thinks. Hopes. ]

[a2lsbgvyb2z3b3jsza]

But that is is still one of the words that define you, isn't it? (◕‿-)

Takeshi. Ira. Riku. Replica.

Words can give many forms. Takeshi is the identity you are currently assuming. All of those names define an aspect of who you are, yet none of them are really you (◕︵◕)

It's not a criticism. I can relate actually.

[a2lsbgvyb2z3b3jsza]

A2 is just fine v(=∩_∩=)ﾌ

Names are a bit of a hassle. They're basically words we use to try and define ourselves.

But then when you remember another name you had or when you're given a new name, who "yourself" is becomes kinda an issue.

I think you'll understand soon (✿◠‿◠)

[a2lsbgvyb2z3b3jsza]

Let me phrase this another way 〴⋋_⋌〵

Your body is made of cells, right?

Would you consider your cells to be independent entities or parts of the whole that is you?

[a2lsbgvyb2z3b3jsza]

I want the same thing than everyone else.

Life to be a little bit less of the complete garbage it is (◕︵◕)

Take this iMog Slate. It was created because people tried improving life and make things better when it comes to communication.

There's really no concrete improvement though ●︿●

[acceptedlife]

Were I younger, I'd actually be phased by that. At least I have a name to give and don't hide behind a code people have to decipher.

Try again, anon.

[It's a very good thing that he's far too used to biting back; that sass is second nature. If it wasn't, it would have been obvious.]

[a2lsbgvyb2z3b3jsza]

That's why I wish I could have been friend with some of you.

But here's a piece of advice. Don't try to always see the good in people

Sometimes you'll find it. But even when you can find it, they may still kill you ●︿●

[a2lsbgvyb2z3b3jsza]

For no one to be able to weaponize the Calamity, you'd need to get rid of life altogether (⊙︿⊙✿)

Even if it's not technically possible, someone will find a way.

Not out of malice. By its very nature, life invites pain and fear (◕︵◕)

Medical knowledge, transports, cooking... Pretty much everything is born out of a desire to make life better.

But no matter how much we progress, the pain and fear doesn't go. It progresses just as much (┛◉Д◉)┛彡┻━┻

Some people would even say it worsens. And they grow to resent life itself.

That's why even if the Calamity's form changed, there will always be someone to find a way.

[alborada]

I think I understand, a little?

My ‘current name’ so to speak can be a hassle to pronounce if they even do it right, or others say it is too long. So others come up with nicknames.

My favourite one would be the one my best friend calls me by, he’s the only one who does that I know of. （ ＾＾）人（＾＾ ）

And it’s better than Sylly.

I react differently to all of them.

Though I wonder how many different names for me there might be out there now. (･･;)

[sassafrisk]

okay then! straightforward question number two: are you kalki? you know, goddess of death from crystallis who wanted to destroy the meaning of life and death because she thought life was crap? and number three, whether or not you're actually kalki or not, are you planning on doing the same kind of thing here?

text; (1/2)

[promiselisting]

[ ... ]

text;

[promiselisting]

You know, if I had to take a guess? I don't think that was the intention of those who sacrificed themselves.

But like... the Calamity was all the bits and pieces that Crystallis couldn't absorb. I dunno what criteria that place had for worlds, but I know for people it meant the parts of yourself that you hid, that you denied, even to yourself. I can say for a fact that there's a lot more to that than pain and anger and fear. There are so many parts of ourselves that we can hide.

It's probably true though, that the net worth of all those pieces and parts was negative. And if nothing else there's no denying the result. Lots of broken bits of people and worlds, torn apart from the whole they used to be.

I mean, I'm not them, and can't really speak for them. Takeshi can come knock me too if I say anything really wrong.

But like... getting rid of pain entirely? Literally impossible. And really pointless because it's impossible. I know it's really cliche to say pain is a part of life but... it is? Frankly it's a part of existing. The only way for us to not have pain would be to... not be able to interact with reality at all.

From what I understood, the four sacrificed themselves... well, first of all to save Crystallis. Because the Calamity was still trying to destroy it. But also so like... the Calamity itself could move on from what probably was a really terrible existence. So it could be directed into a new world, new life. Not life without pain, because again, literally impossible. But just... a normal one.

Point being, pain's a normal part of existing, yeah. But just because there's pain doesn't mean the Calamity should be here, because that wasn't why it was there before. It's not normal for pain and fear and negative emotions to be an actual collective force. Or even possibly sentient.

bonus

[promiselisting]

Wow okay that all got really long and cheesy and stuff

I can't believe you got me to do that

[einspine]

BUT WHO SAYS WE CAN'T BE FRIENDS NOW? YOU CAN'T JUST GIVE UP WITHOUT TRYING!!!

ALSO!!! I WOULD MUCH RATHER BRING OUT THAT GOOD IN PEOPLE. SO THEY DON'T DO THE WHOLE MURDERY THING. BECAUSE I BET THAT IN MOST CASES, THEY DON'T REALLY WANT TO DO IT!

[a2lsbgvyb2z3b3jsza]

That's kinda it.

A lot more than you realize (-‿◦)

[a2lsbgvyb2z3b3jsza]

Don't take it so personally (◕︿◕✿)

I told you I relate too.