002 (feb. 3) / video.

[dissenter]

[qilby looks no more old or haggard than usual, which is a little weird considering the events of the past few days. if anything, he looks... energetic. tired about the eyes -- like he hasn't slept -- but he's got a bright, attentive look in them. 

the possible reason for both his lack of sleep and strange vigilance is readily apparent. the table he's recording from is covered in papers -- any paper he could get his hand on -- and the papers are covered in messy, foreign letters and drawings. the one he's writing on now is visible from the camera...]

Before I forget -- and yesterday's a day I'd certainly like to forget -- I feel I owe some individuals my gratitude for their assistance. [a pointed look. white-haired broody guy, demona, natsu, hades... you know who you are.] It's thanks only to them and the rest of the city's defenders that neither I nor many others ended up a statistic in the Death City Times.

[now that that's over with, qilby taps his pencil idly on the paper before him.] I need to know something, though. Do we know what a soul is? I mean, I've read as much as I can on the subject, but... [his ever-present smile falters, for once.] Forgive me for the morbidity, but if ours are destroyed, what happens to us? I'd heard of guests who've died in this world only to return later with no memories of what happened. And I've heard of guests who've been sent back to their world, souls intact, to show up again recalling everything they'd previously experienced.

As far as us other-worlders are concerned, it seems like our souls in particular are... Almost a repository for all our accumulated knowledge and power gained since coming here. But the same can't be said of people originally from this world, it seems.

[a pause, a pained look.] I saw... Many humans have their souls removed, yesterday. I don't suppose there's the possibility of a return for them -- not like we've the privilege of having.

Comments

Re: also video forever!

[mayotaku]

[Makes something of a scoffing noise]

Hijikata Toshirou, vice captain of the Shinsengumi. Haven't heard much about the topic until now to be honest.

[dissenter]

I'm sure many have thought of it before; I'm just the one talking about it.

[his interest is visibly piqued -- he makes a faint noise of recognition.] Shinsengumi, you say? Then you're friends with Itou?

[he vaguely remembers the name coming up in conversation-- but that would have been two days ago which... was also something he'd love to forget about.]

[mayotaku]

[GRUMPY FACE]

Co-worker.

[dissenter]

[BLISSFULLY UNAWARE OF THE FAUX-PAS...]

How wonderful! I envy you the privilege of being able to share this world with others from your own.

[scribbles a few more notes down in that chicken-scratch before adding--] In any case, the question of souls is one I hope to answer as long as I'm here. I'd briefly tried my hand at combat and-- [le wince.] --I'm, ah, perhaps past the age where that's a smart idea. This will otherwise occupy my time.

[mayotaku]

I guess it's better than leaving them on their own at home.

[letting out a sigh of cigarette smoke and keeping the stick in his fingers for a bit]

It's probably best to study up on it. If we're a group that relies on souls as a choice of power, we should know as much as we can to properly fight. . . . Meister or weapon?

[dissenter]

[he lays his pencil down and rests his chin on his palm.]

Me? I'm a meister. [and he's ten thousand years and a left arm too late for that to be a plausible role to take on.] My weapon of choice required two hands to wield, however -- and unfortunately learning another one is rather slow going for me.

[a small shrug.] Hence, the hope that I can still help out in other ways.

[mayotaku]

Course there's plenty of ways to help. There's a girl offerin' to patch up clothes for the others for example. Still.

[have a return shrug]

I figure if we can really believe what Shibusen says, you were brought here as a meister for a reason. You'll figure it out.

[dissenter]

[wow, really, because his clothing's been through a lot in the past day and he fears for the state of his hat if attacks are going to occur this frequently, oh dear, oh dear--]

I'm sure. BREW clearly operates on some sort of logic... Fallible as it may seem, at times.

I understand the Shinsengumi are a police force -- I assume you've chosen to defend the city as a fighter, then?

[mayotaku]

This isn't my city so it ain't really any of my business. But if it's a way to get home then it's something I've gotta do, I suppose.

[dissenter]

For those of us that'd like to get back to our home worlds as soon as possible, there really is little choice.

[him, on the other hand, well-- he won't mind a short vacation here. not much, anyway.] Have you... Been away from home very long, now? I spoke to someone who'd been here nearly half a year...

[mayotaku]

Hooh, amazing. They've really been at this war for a while then. I've actually only managed to stay here for . . . let me think . . . about two months or so. Has it really been that long?

[dissenter]

Funny-- I've been here only a week, though it's already felt more like a month. [almost as if one day equalled four in some meta-temporal system outside his knowledge.

nah, that'd be silly.] I suppose it has to do with how... Hectic the past few days have been. Anybody would age a little after living through all that. [smile!] One thing I know a lot about.