[ 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]

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.

[perfectorder]

[...hum.]

Both explanations are correct, though you're right in that they give if very different interpretations. And at the time I was probably not in the best state to give a more, as you say and risking the pun, "palatable" explanation. [he had been pretty stressed at the time so everything he said probably had a more "dire" and serious tone than had he explained in a lighter mood.] So for that I apologize.

It is as what Spirit Albarn and Professor Stein have said. As weapons, you serve more like containers that hold the corrupted souls and they can be removed. However, it's the witch soul that really grants the weapon their increased power. Without it, everything else is meaningless. And the final soul must be a witch's soul, otherwise everything is undone and you have start the process all over again.

[consider8]

A witch?

[Three witches automatically come to mind...]

[perfectorder]

The ones from this world, yes.

[consider8]

And I'm to assume that witch soul is a permanent allocation to this physical body, then.

[Not the happiest of news... really.]

[perfectorder]

Yes. That one cannot be removed. Once you achieve becoming a Death Scythe, there is no turning back.

[consider8]

And what would happen to the souls that would be removed should I fail in this endeavor?

[perfectorder]

[EXCELLENT QUESTION with an answer that may be retconned if actual canon info is ever provided BUT HERE'S ONE that should plausibly work.]

They are placed among the rest of the souls.

[consider8]

Then allow me to propose what I intend to do. Seeing as the containment of souls is not something that I find completely abhorrent, I will endeavor to claim the kinshin eggs with the understanding that keeping them for myself is much safer than allowing them to run free. However, I will not willingly choose to be a weapon that will devour souls. Though I understand that in this world such a thing is regarded as a noble accomplishment, and I am glad for your friends to be able to claim this title, I find the process to be, personally, quite villainous.

And given the choice between the two, I will choose to be found lacking than to become a demon.

[She's skating a very fine line here. On one hand, she wants to be encouraging. On the other, this is the SOULS OF PEOPLE they're talking about here. And no soul, no matter how cruel or corrupt, deserves non-existance.]

[perfectorder]

["villainous" seemed to be a bit strong, and the slight look of surprise and troubled look showed his thought on that. but he had to remind himself that things weren't the same in her world, and try as he might to explain, that doesn't mean she'll accept it. it was a bit frustrating—after all, it was more than just an accomplishment. it was like a way of living. their living. but there was no point in trying to argue about it.

instead he let out a small sigh.]

You are not required to become a Death Scythe, and the fact that Cloud and Sephiroth were able to do so is actually unexpected. This is mostly due to the fact that the possibility of BREW sending you back to your home before achieving it is high. But regardless, do what is most comfortable for you, Aranea.

[consider8]

You sound disappointed.

[She had a pretty good guess as to the reason why, but she wants to make that line of communication open.]

[perfectorder]

Not exactly. I'm still troubled by how you think, but I can't fault you for it.

1/2

[consider8]

My... vision provides me a glimpse past the conflict. Beyond the war between shinegami and witches. It views this world, this instance, as a finite glimmer in the vast sea of all universes.

Universes are vast. Far more expansive than the entirety of what is available on this planet. And within this sea of boundless expanse are the streams of time which we find ourselves. A temporal weave of choices and decisions of all events and, to a lesser extent, choices. And beyond all this lies the afterlife. A repository of the people and decisions as they rest eternally, observe the net result of their life, and consider the significance of their choices... and mistakes.

I do not believe there is any war that is significant enough to warrant the destruction of another person's soul. This is a double death, and is the work of demons. When I die, I will carry that weight with me forever... for a battle that will only last this one lifetime.

2/2 [Private]

[consider8]

You may think that this is a matter of cause for this world, but it is more than that. I have seen this decimation, the absolute destruction of the soul. In my death, I have endeavored to face such a demon. One with the power to enter into realm of the dead and destroy souls absolutely. An everlasting death. An eternal death. And this... were the souls of my friends. His might is such that he can shatter reality himself with his might. And the source of his strength is a sun created from the death of two universes.

I am not asking you to cease this war and find another way. I know you well enough to know this is what you feel is necessary to maintain the sanctity of your world. My only request is you consider that this world and existence is only one in the expanse of eternity. And with the presence of the guests--fragments of other universes--in your realm, perhaps even the fate of other universes are wrapped up in this war.

[Private]

[perfectorder]

[he's silent as he listens. there were parts where he could not understand—probably never would by just the pure fact that they have such different backgrounds—but others he could at least process and see the reasoning and logic behind it.

but as tragic as it was, he doubted it was as dire as she made it seem toward the end. how her world and universe worked and how his did...those were things they may never know the truth. perhaps they connected, perhaps they did not.

in the end, they were probably at an impasse on this point.]

I will consider it.

[he could do at least that much.]