Considering destinystrings

[delivering]

The idea of this place seems much easier to bear in light of newer things. That place needs help, doesn't it? I don't know how well I can use a power like that, but...it didn't go too badly in Death City. I hope they've been faring better since I left.

...You have a point. It's possible to make a difference, the right way, just as well in places like that as I can in Inaba. Either way, it might not be so bad.

Comments

[linefacingforever]

...you're coming to Hinoto-ri?

[S'up, fellow head god bro.]

[delivering]

It's up in the air right now, but it's a possibility.

[linefacingforever]

[...not entirely sure if this is a good thing or not, but he seems to have his head together better compared to the last time he saw him...]

Do you think you'd be able to handle it? Being on a world that's been destroyed already?

[Because really... it ain't the TV.]

[delivering]

I hope so.

[He sounds a little less sure of that one.]

I'd like to think that after what happened with Mayumi, and - and being in that world, there aren't many things I could find worse. Of course, I know I could be wrong.

[linefacingforever]

[...try parading around in a sparkly loincloth some time, Namatame...]

I'm sure you could do good things there, but be careful; Hinoto-ri isn't like the TV world, even though we have our powers any time there.

[delivering]

What is it like there?

[linefacingforever]

It's like any other city... for a place that survived an apocalypse, is pretty lively.

There's also demons.

[...a pause.]

And shadows.

[delivering]

[Silence, a serious look...and finally, a deep breath.]

Of course. I should have known.

[linefacingforever]

They're restricted to the 13th Hour... mostly.

[Another pause...]

...the person responsible for everything in Inaba is there as well.

[delivering]

[He should probably ask about this thirteenth hour, but some things haven't changed and he zeroes in on that second part.]

What? That man who...

[linefacingforever]

[Yu shook his head.]

No... not 'him' persay...

[delivering]

Not him? What do you mean?

[linefacingforever]

...it's really complicated.

[...complicated. Ha.]

How familiar are you with Shintoism, Namatame-san?

[delivering]

Somewhat. Why?

[linefacingforever]

Well... when we first arrived in town -- myself, you, and Adachi-san -- a certain individual gave us the ability to enter the televisions.

[delivering]

[Namatame's quiet for a moment as he thinks over that.]

Who? It wasn't...

[And of course his minds drifts to Mayumi. He'd imagined once that she had given him that power; he's long abandoned that belief now, but most memories of her are still painful. He's not sure they ever won't be.]

[linefacingforever]

[Yu shook his head; well, now was the time to ask, seeing as they never actually confirmed this...]

Did you visit the gas station when you first arrived?

[delivering]

I didn't. I'd gone...

[Wait.]

No. It wasn't right away when I arrived, but I did do some work for the family business. I may have stopped by.

[linefacingforever]

[Yu nodded; yeah, it figured...]

There was a gas station attendant there. 'He' was the one that gave us our powers.

[delivering]

[...What. Give him another moment to try and connect the dots here.]

What else have I missed?

[linefacingforever]

...just that 'he' was the goddess Izanami.

[handshakegreeting]

[And said goddess totally is not smirking elsewhere. Noooope. Whatever gave you that idea?]

[the_tv_is_a_lie]

[Izamommy, you smirk and/or laugh at everything.]

[handshakegreeting]

[Well...not everything.]

[linefacingforever]

[You trolls; get your own thread.]

[delivering]

[Another piece clicking into place. That explains the question about Shintoism.]

Then that world - is it her creation?

[linefacingforever]

I can't say for sure, though I wouldn't be surprised.

[delivering]

Why would she do something like that? If not that world, then those powers...

[linefacingforever]

I don't know. I'm not sure if I'll ever understand her motivation.

[delivering]

...People died because of what she did.

[Maybe not surprising, given the myths, but if it weren't for all that Mayumi might still be alive. He can't not think about that.]

[linefacingforever]

...I know. I'm not expecting everyone to trust her...

[...like Yosuke. Poor guy... he knows it bugs him.]

[delivering]

Are you familiar with her? That is...beyond the legends.

[linefacingforever]

…a little.

[And by a little he means he's stuck playing marriage councellor for two gods.]

[bloodcurdling_cheesecake]

[Should probably say something...I mean it might help, right? It's not like he was a bad guy...

But still everything that happened with Nanako...

But, Kanji is Kanji no matter the gender, so instead, Naratame get's a shrug.]

Just don't get carried away what ever you do, I guess.

[delivering]

[...Oh. This is new. Namatame opts not to say anything about it, however.]

I understand. I've learned my lesson.

[bloodcurdling_cheesecake]

[She's satisfied with that answer, at least.]

Then it should be fine. Good luck.

[delivering]

That means more to me than you know. I'll do my best.

[He owes no less.]

[magatsu]

After all that, and you're still wanting to help out. I'd say it's impressive, if only it weren't so stubborn. Haven't you heard "the road to hell is paved with good intentions"? I mean, come on. You're practically the poster boy for that saying.

[delivering]

[Namatame's kneejerk instinct is to yell, or simply ignore the goading, but the part of him that's been trying to remain steady and clear-sighted tells him that's the wrong idea. It does agree that the less he talks to Adachi the better, though.]

Whether that will hold true in the future can only be determined by trying to press forward. Time will tell.

[magatsu]

Wow, you're boring. I mean, come on, the guy responsible for your lover's death is right before you and you go on with that vague bullshit. I guess I can't blame you for being mad, though. I mean, she was just in it for your money. I know you can be blind, but you must've figured that out, at least.

[delivering]

[If he gets angry, the murderer wins. Namatame would rather be damned than let that happen here.]

Whether or not that's true, Mayumi Yamano is no longer among the living. She will be remembered.

he just goes on and on

[magatsu]

So you've accepted it. Well, that's a load off my back! Just kidding. I don't care either way. Still, it's good to know there are no hard feelings between us. I mean, it's not like I've got anything against you. You're an all right guy, Namatame. Just a victim of circumstance, that's all. You know, like me. We're a lot alike, you and I.

I feel like I'm watching the beginnings of a trainwreck.

[delivering]

[That gets him, because any close comparison between him and that murderer makes him feel horrid. He doesn't want to be somebody like that. He won't, he tells himself, but his next response is slightly more strained.]

For both our sakes, I hope that isn't true.

heh heh heh

[magatsu]

[And just by that, he knows he's hit a nerve. Bingo.]

Come on, how could it not be? We were both victimized by those bitches. It's just that I had the opportunity to do something about it. You're welcome for that, by the way.