[ video ] ☠ april 8 ☠ evening

[perfectorder]

[Kid is looking like he hasn’t slept in a while. that’s likely because he hasn’t. but even so, he has his usual cool front and is doing his best to hide it.]

Greetings everyone. For the recent arrivals, I’d like to formally introduce myself as the current Shinigami and leader of Death City, Death the Kid. I apologize for not being able to greet the new arrivals properly, but BREW’s activation was unexpected and went by unnoticed. Due to the small number of individuals that came through, it is believed that its power was small enough to not appear in the readings. But I’m sure you are confused as to the...state of this city. [his father’s city...wrecked again... the thought alone makes him give a small, haggard sigh before it's masked again.]

The past few days have been trying for all of us. As the others have reported, the damage to the city has been great and a few changes will have to be made to accommodate the refugees. However, that is not the point of this particular announcement. I do have some good news.

As a result of this mission, we were able to obtain the second witch soul necessary for Liz and Patti’s transformation to death scythes. [his expression softens here.] So I am very pleased to announce that they are now official death scythes.

[Patti’s presence in the room becomes apparent when she stomps past Kid, shouting emphatically.] TAKE THAT, YOU DAMN WITCH! HIYAAAHHH!! PYEW PYEW!! [She seems to be reenacting the fight in a dramatic, childish way.] BANG BANG BANG!! Oh, no! You’re beating me! Aaaah!! I NEED TO PROTECT DEATH CITY! RAAAAAHH!! TAKE THIS!!! [Patti continues this reenactment as she continues stomping around, out of range of Kid’s communicator.]

[Liz is the middle ground between Patti and Kid: clearly pleased with the world but not quite as energetic as her sister. It all balances out. It took a while, but she wasn’t going to complain.]

Personally, I thought we needed more firearm death scythes anyway. It was starting to look like a close range-only club. [She’s giving a teasing smirk to show she’s kidding.]

[and Kid just has a bit of a dry look at their antics—well, Patti’s in particular—before he lets out a small sigh and continues.] There is great importance in this. With the madness levels reduced, I no longer need to maintain the barrier, and I can now go out and actively fight alongside everyone. With their power and mine combined, we’ll be an even greater threat against our enemies.

Some have questioned whether it is worth becoming a death scythe. All the Weapons born in this world will tell you yes. But their words and opinions are fundamentally different from all of you. You may still think otherwise, but you will see through our training the greater amount of power we will have.

I’d also like to mention that a pair of guests is actually very close to achieving death scythe status. Cloud and Sephiroth have been with us for about ten months and have acquired 89 souls. What will that mean for them and for those who are considering or debating about it? They will be able to go out into the world to handle more difficult and restricted missions, have more independence in what they can do, and will have higher access to information. Their strength will be of great benefit for all of us and in truth, they didn’t have to do this. But they chose to and will be properly recognized when the time comes. Of course I am not saying you must work to becoming death scythes. But as they’ve proven, it can be done for those who wish to do so.

[and now he really was worn out. for once his weapons may not have to literally drag him away from the desk to rest. but as always, he hides it and keeps that strong front.]

That is all. I thank everyone who has helped defend Death City during this surprise attack and for those who will help rebuild it.

Comments

[consider8]

[And now she'll calm it back down and give Kid a smile.]

Yes, Kid?

[N-no wait, a little bit of giggling is still getting out. Okay, stop it Aranea. This is serious business.]

[perfectorder]

I'm failing to see what is so amusing.

[consider8]

Amusing? [smirk] What's amusing?

Nothing is amusing.

[Except her imagining of what the first meeting with the three of you oh god, that must have been so ridiculously dramatic... Her smile is broadening just thinking about it.]

[perfectorder]

Aranea, you're smiling and you were laughing.

[consider8]

I was?

[She still is.]

[perfectorder]

Yes. You are.

[consider8]

Well, if I am smiling it is because I am so pleased to here your friends have gotten such a prestigious rank. I am very proud of all of you!

[How to back out of something? Cover it up with another truth! ::::D]

[perfectorder]

[SUSPICIOUS......okay no, that's actually rather believable. a little. odd. but believable! particularly when he does feel proud because aw yeah, they're awesome.]

If that's the case, then...thank you.

[consider8]

You three must be very close.

[Especially since one of them seems liable to walk all over you... just for fun.]

[perfectorder]

It's only natural since we're partners.

[...yeah that's probably actually happened a few times.]

[consider8]

I'm sure it's a little more than that.

[Former empath here, Kid. She's not going to let that one slip.]

[perfectorder]

[...ah—he was a bit puzzled at first but he sees it.]

...You're right in that. They're more than just partners that I work with. They're true friends whom I can depend on with my life. Despite the troubles they give me, I wouldn't have it any other way.

[and they're like family.

THERE, GIRLS. if you were listening your meister just kind of went sappy.]

[consider8]

It makes me really happy to see that you have two people that close. With everything that has been happening, I was actually getting pretty worried!

[What with the bouts of all-consuming depression and whatnot...]

[perfectorder]

[and mood turns serious.]

It is some small bit of good news in light of the recent events. Normally I would have liked to hold a proper celebration, but there's no time for that.

[consider8]

[Her mood turns serious too. She had rather hoped that she'd be given a chance to laugh and smile for a lot longer, but knew that it was only a matter of time before the serious business would return back into the conversation. Still, it was nice while it lasted.]

Yeah, I know.

[perfectorder]

With so many things going on... [hell he doesn't even really know what's been going on outside of the paperwork and matters he had to address regarding the recent attack and the refugees. toss in BREW and welp. got a giant mess.

small sigh.]

Sorry, you probably don't want to hear about my own problems.

[consider8]

[A wry grin returns to her face. One that just says:]

Kid, if you think that then you really ought to get to know me better.

[perfectorder]

[there's a moment before he catches his mistake.]

Or rather I should say I do not want to burden you anymore with my problems. Fortunately this is not as complicated, and is just a matter of having to get it all done quickly and efficiently.

[consider8]

But it is enough of a problem that you would forgo the usual time to celebrate a momentous occasion with two of your closest friends?

[A little disappointment there, Kid.]

[perfectorder]

It's not that I'm forgoing it—more that as a practical matter we don't have the time for it. At least not now.

I'd rather do it alter than give them anything less than a full and proper party.

[consider8]

Well... that makes sense...

But... [long pause here]

Just be careful that all those tomorrows don't become empty yesterdays.

[perfectorder]

[there's a moment as he thinks over that phrase before he responds.]

I'll be sure they won't.

[consider8]

If you don't mind changing the subjects, I was wondering if you could elaborate on something we broached during our second meeting.

[perfectorder]

Not at all. [it's welcomed really.]

What would you like to know?

[consider8]

During our second encounter, it was mentioned that as a weapon I would serve as a devour of corrupted souls. A prospect that was--if you forgive the pun--unpalatable. However, with the return of Spirit and Stein, I was told that rather than being an all-consuming void of the corrupted, I would instead serve as a vessel for them. A container, if you will. One that, perhaps, draws on the residual power of the corrupt and becomes more powerful. And one through which the acting shinegami may remove from my person should he, or ostensibly she, be so inclined.

Both of these accounts provide two vary different interpretations of my role in this realm. While I know that you are in desperate need for mediators in this world, the exact specifics of this will make a considerable difference in my decision to become an acting agent of Death City or merely a facilitator.

And I have begun to trust you sufficiently to believe that you wish to be honest rather than spin a pretty lie as a way of manipulating my involvement.