[video] Third Remembrance

[notsogrimreaper]

[Almost as soon as Ryoji awakes and finds himself back to normal, he searches for the nearest terminal and switches it on. It's late, it's unlikely that anyone will hear this but... he needs to get it out somehow.

His face is pale, and for a moment, he almost looks like he's still wearing that terrifying mask. His bloodshot eyes, though, are there, are real eyes, not empty holes of darkness.

It takes him quite a few minutes before he gets up the courage to speak, and he doesn't have that booming voice anymore, either. This voice is just shaky... and sad.]

... Nyx is not a malevolent being. She only exists to give mankind what they all desire, deep in their hearts. She believes any man keeps this want a secret, hidden from the rest of the world and even himself.

B-But it's still there. The want for death.

It seems that this Tower is indestructible, and therefore Nyx could not bring down the Fall... I think she thought that there must be a way to end it, that she just wasn't seeing it. She thought that... maybe if people didn't want to die yet, then she'd make them want it...

[Ryoji lowers his head for a moment, eyes scrunched together as he lets out a pained sigh.]

That's not an excuse. I shouldn't be defending her-we...

I shouldn't be defending myself. I'm truly sorry. If anyone was harmed, please let me know. I'll do my best to make it up to you.

Private to Persona users

...Nyx is still inside me.

[He doesn't feel like he needs to say much else. Those from his old world will know what he expects, and if they don't, maybe that will give Ryoji more of a chance to convince them. The feed shuts off.]

Comments

[Video]

[justiceinheaven]

[She sees this later in the morning, after she's woken up and back to her normal self. The memory of her encounter with Nyx isn't there anymore, but...]

Ryoji...

[She does remember feeling so sad, for her and for him, and she's trying her hardest not to cry at the feeling.]

[Video]

[notsogrimreaper]

[Ryoji had been waiting around the terminal, just in case anyone was angry, wanted him to pay for what he had done. He really wants someone to yell at him, to hate him, to give him what he feels he deserves...

But Nanako... he didn't want to see Nanako. He doesn't remember much, but he remembers the look in Nanako's eyes, and it was the same look she had now. He attempts to smile, look convincing, look like he doesn't need to cry, doesn't need others to cry for him.]

Nanako-chan. Good morning.

[Video]

[justiceinheaven]

[Nanako let out a small sniffle, reaching up to rub at her eyes before she finally spoke again.]

I-I don't... I don't want you to be sad like that again, okay? I don't... want to feel that sad about anyone...

[Despite her best efforts, tears start running down her face anyway.]

[Private] [Voice]

[miseris_socios]

I still don't really get what this whole 'Nyx' thing is.

[Private] [Voice]

[notsogrimreaper]

...I suppose you wouldn't, since you aren't my Ken.

Basically Nyx is the mother of all Shadows and the goddess of night. She came to my world, thanks to my presence there, to answer the desires of mankind and bring about the end of all living things... the Fall.

Luckily, my friends stopped her, and sealed her away along with me.

U-Unfortunately, now that I'm here, and she's here with me... I should be stopped, before I bring pain to this world or any other one.

[He glances at Ken, desperately hoping he understands, and agrees... It's a stupid plan, when killing him wouldn't accomplish anything in this Tower where death had no meaning.]

[Private] [Voice]

[miseris_socios]

By 'stopped' you mean 'killed'. And in this place you'll just come back, over and over.

[... Something clicks, though.]

People who want death and the end... like Sakaki, right?

[Video]

[oathshackledbird]

[The man responding to the post doesn't look a whole lot better than Ryoji does at the moment. He's pale and there is shame and wariness in his eyes--that is, when they can be seen. He's doing his best to stay back away from the camera as if he doesn't really want to risk meeting anyone's eyes even if just through video.

He doesn't. It's actually taking a lot of effort for Lancer to make himself leave his room at the moment even though it's been almost a day since things returned back to normal.]

You might or might not remember me. We hadn't met before this whole thing happened, but I did run into Nyx a few nights ago. If you feel any guilt about our encounter, please don't. I would say what happened was as much my fault as it was hers. Save your efforts for those more deserving of it.

[He pauses a moment and then adds quietly.]

You will find a way to make things right if you wish to enough. Have faith in yourself.

[One thing is pretty obvious from his need to reach out and comfort this boy he doesn't really even know--

The man in Lancer might be pretty broken right now, but the knight still knows his duty.]

[Video]

[notsogrimreaper]

[Ryoji examines the person on the other end for a long while before the smallest inhale is heard.]

...I-I recognize you. I don't believe I ever heard your name.

[He tries to smile a bit, be polite as he asks the question, but in such a serious conversation it's impossible to manage.]

I-I'm certain it wasn't your fault. She was frustrated, and she took it out on you. She would have done it even if you hadn't retaliated.

... I hope I can make things right. Make it up to you, and everyone. But with... her...

[Ryoji looks down again, swallowing. He promised himself he wouldn't get upset...]

Re: [Video]

[oathshackledbird]

Hey, easy, calm down.

[Lancer's own pain is forgotten when he sees how distraught the boy is. He sits forward in his chair, silently cursing the screen that is between them.]

I was looking for trouble that night like I was every night. It's not her fault or yours that she picked up on that. Besides, I pushed her. Those...those were some of my most precious memories she was playing with. Even if I had been...normal I would have reacted badly.

I'm not going to tell you you don't need to make things up to people if that is what you really feel you need to do.

[He looks away for a moment feeling his own shame flare up.]

I'm going to be doing a lot of that myself, but how about we make a deal? I'll tell you my name to make up for being such a tempting target and you tell me yours to make up for whatever you feel you need to make up for.

[Lancer inclines his head toward the computer screen, bowing the best he can giving they are talking over a computer terminal.]

My name is Diarmuid Ua Duibhne. You may also hear some people refer to me as Lancer since that is the title I used in the war I came from. It is good to properly meet you.

[video]

[fuhgeddaboudit]

...Can you tell me what she is?

[video]

[notsogrimreaper]

Nyx... goes by many titles. The maternal being, the mother of Shadows, the goddess of night...

Basically, she is an immortal being whose purpose is to give humans that which they truly desire, deep in their hearts.

She believes they desire Death. When the time comes, she will come down, join with me, and instigate the Fall, wiping out all living things.

[video]

[fuhgeddaboudit]

The mother a' Shadows...you tellin' me she's like some kinda mega-Shadow? Actually, that kinda explains a little...

[Labrys shook her head, quickly putting her thoughts in order.]

So wait, 'when the time comes'...when's that supposed t' be?

[video]

[suppress]

[She's doesn't know anything of the circumstances that led to it, but this boy does not seem well, and his explanation reminds her of a being that she had encountered back home. It's rather disconcerting, although it is difficult for her to express that fact.]

...

Are you alright?

[video]

[notsogrimreaper]

[Ryoji doesn't recognize her, or believe that she was in any way affected by what he did, so he's faking his best smile.]

I'm fine! I'm just apologizing for some of the mess that happened this week.

[video]

[suppress]

I see.

[She nods, unconvinced, concerned, though her expression does not change. It's still difficult for her to show emotion.]

I'm glad that you're well. It must be difficult to carry such a heavy burden.

[At least, that is the impression she is getting from him.]

[Video | Private]

[evokingfool]

[A part of him want to use just the audio option, or stick to text. If he use video, his stoic self may break. But he use video for Ryoji's sake and to stay calm as always.]

Will you be alright, Ryoji?

[Before everything else, Minato's worried about Ryoji. He will address the Nyx subject in a moment, and bring up other facts. Such as the fact that he still carry a fragment of Death inside him.]

[Video | Private]

[notsogrimreaper]

[It's pretty apparent that Ryoji's already broken, despite his effort to keep smiling. He can't let Minato see him like this... he already has enough to worry about.]

I'll be fine. It was a... difficult week. I'll be fine.

[Video | Private]

[evokingfool]

[He's not fooled by his smile.]

Where are you right now?

[Minato want to keep Ryoji company. If they need to talk about Nyx, he prefer to have it in person.]

[puppy_lancer]

[No way. NO FUCKING WAY.]

[His mouth drops open. So the Goddess of Death had been a boy.]

...What the fuck.

[The words are out of his mouth before he can control himself.]

Uh...I think everyone's back to life now. If anyone even got killed in the first place.

[notsogrimreaper]

[Well, that's one way to get Ryoji out of his depression. He blinks at the swearing, wondering if he really did something that bad, when...

oh. Oh he looks familiar. This is, uh...

What does he even say?]

I-I'm sorry! I, um... just forget it happened!

[puppy_lancer]

Only if you promise to forget as well.

[Because he doesn't want to be the man who told an underaged boy to "grab a drink and pick up some men".]

[Private; audio]

[carrythesin]

[She's going with audio for now. Through the memories she carries from her hostess, she gets an idea what he means about Nyx and the nature of mankind, least what she was taught.]

It's not your fault. Mankind still desires it for others and themselves.

[Private; audio]

[notsogrimreaper]

[Ryoji switches to audio shortly after, voice softer in some sort of attempt to hide its breaking.]

...It may not entirely be my fault, but if I didn't exist, their desire would never be fulfilled.

video; I am so sorry for the late

[pitiedthefool]

[Don't mind him, looking through what isn't private directly to any one person before responding-]

...the more I hear about her, the more she sounds similar to Izanami.

[Sigh.] Don't worry so much, Ryoji-san. Most of us here are strong enough to deal with what this place brings, even each other. Anything I can do to help?

no worries I'm late too!

[notsogrimreaper]

[Ryoji is quiet for a while, getting the courage to smile again.]

I don't want you all to have to fight again. S-So don't worry too much. I can take care of it.