afflictionmods | CYOA

Hmmm. I'm not sure about the impact on the real world, but...

[ It seems to think on this, for a little while. All of it, actually. The apartment building starts to collapse behind them; it keeps moving forward. ]

Well, you aren't wrong about everything else... I would not have tried what I did if there wasn't any meaning to this world.

[ The emotion in how its speaks with Lorelei's voice is foreign...and it stops in place just before it touches ground on the university. ]

Humor me. Do you have a reason to keep it going? What about your memories? You aren't from here, I understand, but I'm just curious. You've left your mark here, so your experiences surely are valuable.

Edited 2022-07-04 04:58 (UTC)

There is always a reason to keep going. I don't regret any of the experiences I've had here. If anything, I've grown as a person for the good people I've met and the words they have given me.

[ Eh, he could do without the lessons though. ]

Do you have what it takes to keep going, despite what it's cost you and this world so far?

[ why do the past few weeks feel like they're bullying him into really examining certain parts of himself. honestly the question of what reason that keeps him going—here? that's easy but at the same time... well. ]

You may not know but I have a complicated relationship with my memories so I'd do anything to protect them.

[ sometimes you forget half of your life for...half of your life so any prospects of losing his memories again to any degree are far from desirable. ]

I'm not someone who is very keen on allowing myself to forget things. So, if this destruction is also a stand in for memories being destroyed then I can't say that I'd let it go.

[ Hien finally snaps out of it in time to process the badger's question. ]

Yeah.

[ No hesitation. ]

Experiences and memories make up who you are. They're vital.

And I'm a mirrite-- I was quite literally shaped by someone else's experiences and memories. I'm the me I am because of it.

[Because of Phil's complicated feelings towards First Ix and all that involves.

If he were to die, and Phantom were to resummon him instead of Phil... would he really still be himself? He's not sure about that.]

So I think my opinion on that matter goes without saying.

[ To Chongyun: ]

Of course I am. I prefer to move forward, but surely you understand how anger goes, don't you?

[ Yeah.

...There's a little rumble in the ground, but for what it's worth, the apartment complex has stopped crumbling completely. ]

I'm surprised at how calm you all are about this. It's strange. I anticipated that you'd be more hostile towards everything this place is and the people in it.

I do understand, but that's why I work so hard to tame my emotions. Anger is not the only option, and while it may affect our actions, at the end of the day, we can choose to use it for other, more productive means. To fuel our resolve, for example. As a lesson to be learned. As a reason to burn away all doubt.

[ He tilts his head and makes a confused noise behind his hands. ]

Why? I bear no grudge toward the people who are lost here. If there are people in need of help, and if we can help, then we should help. It's as simple as that to me.

[ oh. sabo's not going to miss how that apartment isn't falling apart at all. that is...definitely going to be a good thing, yes? he tilts his head a bit as he looks to hien and marcus for a moment. you guys seeing this too, right? ]

And as angry as I can be—could be—there are far more productive ways to deal with things than throwing fits like Chongyun said.

[ admittedly, some of what sabo would do to redirect his anger is far less mindful but he's never been someone who hasn't had a fire burn inside of him. ]

Not to mention, in the beginning until now, I don't think any of us really hold any kind of true hostility towards one another. [ hmm. ] Even for the people who decided to betray others. The lingering resentment isn't worth it.

[ Yeah, he sure sees it. It doesn't mean anything to him though, as someone who has seen worlds come and go. ]

Can't speak for everyone else, but I'm a petty guy who only got mad at Saturday's lesson because someone was being a little bitch. Other than that, everything else is hardly worth getting genuinely upset for.

Last I checked, none of the people here asked to be here, which would make getting mad at them pretty pointless. I won't lie-- I'm still upset at the people who betrayed us on Saturday, but if there's one thing I've learned, it's that trying to erase something you're unhappy about won't make it go away.

[There are a whole lot of meanings in that, not that he's about to elaborate.]

[ This is all a nice sentiment, but the badger hums thoughtfully. ]

I see. So you don't regret meeting those that you encountered here. That's interesting. The connections you've made, then, are worthwhile.

...This is what I was hoping to hea--

[ Suddenly, something makes the ground shake again. It's harder this time, nearly toppling the badger over. This time, it seems caught off-guard. ]

That was not me.

[ And then suddenly, flower petals start to sprinkle down from above...and there's something that starts to approach. Something that you can hear with how its footsteps are crunching the grass. There is a low, sinister laugh that accompanies it.

Hm. ]

[ Okay, opens his eyes and for real pulls out his claymore this time. He recognizes petty villain laughter when he hears it.

He steps between the badger and whatever’s approaching, holding his weapon defensively. ]

Whoever you are, I have to say… that sort of laughter only works on children under five. [ He says this all very seriously. Why do bad guys think laughing all sinister-like will get them anything but a big ass-kicking! Bad guys get vanquished, that’s all there is to it. Hmph. ]

[ flower petals? by any chance are they camellia petals?

and well, even though sabo doesn't have a weapon with him, he's still extremely capable with hand-to-hand combat, so he'll also step forward to put himself in front of the lorelei badger while keep his eyes peeled for anything else that might want to pop up. ]

Any idea of who it could be if it isn't you?

[ shame they couldn't have more of a moment for their heart-to-heart of sorts. ]

[ Well said, Chongyun. ]

This one is okay to attack on sight, right?

Sure hope so.

[Marcus may not be armed either, but he's already moving to put himself between this badger and whatever it is that's approaching them and settle into a fighting stance. He can handle himself in combat, weapon or not, and he looks almost eager to boot.]

Because if this is a chance to let out some of my frustrations? I'm not gonna be holding back.

Judging by all the petals...

[ (Those are camellia petals, yes. :donezo:)

It looks over to their left, near where Chongyun is --

a small but agile bear comes out from behind a tree and charges at the group. It's got a purple tint to it and the laugh sounds like it's trying utterly too hard to be intimidating. That being said, it does look a little ferocious and it sure is charging. It also looks more ravenous and monstrous than an actual bear.

There's the sound of something else coming up from the right, between where Marcus and Sabo are. The footsteps sound similar but the creature seems larger. The badger hisses. ]

Get them!

[ Now would be a perfect chance to let out your frustrations, yes! ]

Edited 2022-07-04 20:38 (UTC)

[ Chongyun grunts and charges at the bear, meeting it head-on with his great sword. If someone else wants to ask it questions, they can, but Chongyun would rather forgo words and speak with his sword right now. ]

Hey - [ a shout directed at the badger ] - if this instance is not real, then what about the lock on our powers? This place is made up of remnants, right? Can mere remnants still hold our powers in check?

[ Like, if they believe enough, can they go ham with powers? ]

[ Yes. Yes, they can! ]

I think it's safe to hit now and ask questions later.

[ and hey! if something that chongyun says triggers them to get their powers back then sabo isn't going to complain because it sure is nice to be able to let loose. or, well, feel a bit better about the situation. ...and now to test just how flammable everything is. (shame that those camellia petals are going to go up in flames.)

hope that the bigger bear that's after him and marcus is ready to take a blast of fire. (also please let chongyun not be anywhere near it.) he won't do a follow up for it just yet; he's sure marcus would like to get some input. ]

[ Oh, right. Sabo's power is fire. Hien isn't particularly wanting a punching bag as the others probably do, so he just sits back, his arm turns into some shadowy wispy monster with just a stretchable neck and jaws at the end.

Sabo can go wild, since he'll protect Chongyun from the flames. The monster arm is sure having a blast eating leftover stray flames that come this way.

Also, someone's gotta protect the badger. ]

[Well, if this reality isn't real and is already breaking, what's breaking it a little more in the name of a good cause? Marcus is going to see if he can't do just that by concentrating on the image of his gunblade in his mind and just plain trying to will it into reality via sheer stubbornness.

Hey, it's worth a try!]

[ Congrats, Marcus! You have one gunblade.

Before the badger can answer Chongyun, Sabo's already powering up and Hien's got his arm friend. It turns it snout to look at the party but it stays situated behind Hien. ]

Hit now, ask later. I'd agree with that. Go for it.

[ The bear pounces at Chongyun and roars, bearing its teeth and getting ready to Chomp, while the larger creature -- another monster bear -- stands on its hind legs and takes a wide swipe at Marcus and Sabo. Hien can play fire catcher?! ]

[ A swing of his blade to deflect the pounce, he wields the claymore as easily as his breathes. The jagged ends of the blade along with its wickedly sharp edge is enough of a warning on its own, but if the bear seeks to pounce further, it's exposed belly will be in for some pain.

Regardless of the smaller bear does, Chongyun's already on the move, dashing to the midpoint between the two fights. A touch of frost - his jumps and his claymore, blessed with his Spirit Blade, slams down on the ground with enough force to cause some minor tremors. Layers of frost explode, creating a small arena of circular Cryo power waiting to infused itself into all their attacks.

Congrats, you get Cryo and you get Cryo and you get Cryo - but only if you're on Team Chongyun. Sorry, bears. ]

[ well, unless the bear has any kind of special talent that will allow it to touch fire, sabo won't bother to dodge out of the way of the swipe trusting that he'll just go intangible and whatever gets struck to turn into flames. even if tries to take off his head, it'll just disappear momentarily before reforming.

being made of fire has its perks. ...even if this means he can't ever swim again. if anything, he'll be momentarily concerned about the combination of fire and ice but once it seems to be going okay, he'll pull his pipe from under his coat (BECAUSE WHERE ELSE CAN IT COME FROM) and be more than happy to allow the two boys with their big swords to do most of the heavy lifting.

though he will take a swing at the larger bear's legs with his pipe. with every intent to both knock it over and burn it. ]

[ Oh. Chongyun can use ice.

...

Hien is thankfully in his (former) element, so he offers support to Chongyun by trying to make the ground slippery near the bear by having the monster strike near its feet. Since Chongyun has the power of ice, he should be fine with sliding on the ice, right? He should be used to it, right?? Well, one can hope. Hien continues to use his monster arm to devour anything in between them so there's no crossfire. ]

Lemme know if you want further help, Chongyun.

[ Hien thinks Chongyun will be fine, but. You know. ]

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