006 - Connecting Lines, Connecting Lives

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Connecting Lines, Connecting Lives New Imprints ▲ Comments The Ground Shakes
It begins unremarkably enough, with the light tremors of the ground so small they might easily go unnoticed, or else dismissed as the movement of some creature nearby. As time goes on, however, those little tremors begin to grow in both strength and duration, the length of time shortening between each one. To begin with only small, light, unsecured objects are rattled loose by the rumbling of the ground, but as the tremors grow in strength there is a growing danger of much larger things being moved.

The realm’s clear lack of understanding of how things work cannot be relied upon in such a situation. If the tremors have grown strong enough to throw all the books of Hammerhead to the ground and throw over all the clothes rails and capsule machines and furniture in the Academy, then what if they grow strong enough to move the heavy blanket of snow atop Mount Silver? What if they grow strong enough to damage the caverns within?

Then there is the question of how, or why, the realm has made the land shake. It must surely have picked up the idea of an earthquake from someone, right? An answer to the question is not immediately forthcoming, but should one stay low to the ground and listen, they might well hear the muffled, distorted sound of screaming.

Creature Chaos
As the rumbling and shaking continues, it is clear to see that the local wildlife has been disturbed, and they seem remarkably active. Critters can be seen running and flying to and fro, and any who go out to investigate may find themselves the center of attention. Brushboys may paint arrows on the ground in an effort to lead them somewhere, or bluurgobos might actively offer rides, or the flying cat-like creatures will excitedly circle someone before attempting to lead them somewhere. Going along with them will lead to one of two places:

1. The meaty, pulsating, cavernous tunnels of Mementos shudder and convulse in a way quite unlike before, and closer inspection will quickly reveal why. The flesh has been cut and torn, hacked apart, leaving gaping and bleeding wounds to spill over the subway tracks. Whichever critter has brought someone here excitedly gestures towards the wounds, and as it does a giant and painful shudder goes through the tunnels and shakes the earth. All those earthquakes… could this be the source?


2. The road to the Hammerlocke Citadel Ruins are as long as winding as ever, and precarious with the risk of an earthquake dislodging snow and rock from the mountainside. The animal that has taken the lead is on a mission, however, as unclear as that mission might be. On arriving, it turns its attention to a group of the spiky, bear-headed beasts that are lazing about as though the land is not currently shaking and quaking around them, and tries to draw their attention. Clearly, these bear heads are expected to do something, and they aren’t doing it.

First Words
Though the tremors have finally stopped, they have left a significant change to the World in their wake. Where the ground above was once flat and untouched, there now lay cracks and fissures that glow with a strange, but enchantingly warm light. There doesn’t seem to be a single area that has been left untouched by them - though the number of cracks are denser in some places than others, it’s difficult to find a place completely devoid of them. Could this be the world’s attempt at trying to heal itself?

If all of that wasn’t enough to warrant investigation, the sound of whispers that appear to be coming from they might do the trick. Upon closer inspection, however, it becomes apparent that the whispers aren’t coming from the lights, but from inside your own head. Focus a little more, and some of the voices may sound familiar…

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Comments

[kimihiros]

I'm... Going through some changes, but I believe it's nothing to be alarmed about. I'll figure it out, Haru-chan. Thank you for coming to see me.

(he says, already with a broom in hands while he sweeps the poor cup. thankfully, there wasn't any liquid to be spilled from the void's newfound earthquakes. he trashes the shattered porcelain before he can serve two fresh cups.

he wonders if she has heard his thoughts as of late. some of them have.)

[bazooker]

It's not a problem, I'm just glad you're okay.

[She said before looking around to see if there was anything else that might have gotten on the ground. Even if she was a guest, it was still important to help him out.

Although, she did have to raise an eyebrow at his comment.]

Some changes? What do you mean?

[kimihiros]

When I have more visits than not, I don't need to sleep, or eat. It's almost de-humanizing.

(while it's said nonchalantly, it bothers him. his humanity is something he is so attached to that the mere thought of having it stripped away is terrifying.

he's sharing, but only to hear whether she can give him any information. in exchange, he sets the cup in front of her before he can sit, sipping on his own.)

[bazooker]

[That was a surprise. While she knew he had a store to maintain, she never thought granting wishes would make him less human.

As he placed a cup in front of her, she was figuring out what was the best way to help him.]

I’m sorry, it seems like an awful thing. I can’t imagine how terrible it is knowing your humanity is gone.

[Can she imagine herself like that? Probably not but having her own humanity stripped away is terrifying.]

[kimihiros]

(ouch OUCH haru. he doesn't know what to say for a minute, busying himself with drinking so he has time to think.)

Perhaps the Void is mistaking me for someone else. Hopefully, it will sort itself out.

(he doesn't believe what he has just said, but listen. he can wish it.)

[bazooker]

I hope it will! It sounds like it's really bothering you.

[She said before giving a small frown. She might not know Kimihiro that well yet but even she can tell it was something that troubled him.]

Especially when you have the power to grant wishes too. [Although, was this what happened when he had the power to do so? The price to pay is his humanity?]

[kimihiros]

Really, I'll be fine.

(not really, but he can try. perhaps if he convinces the void somehow? there's not much he can do by now other than pick up his pipe to give it a large drag.)

I don't have such here, you know. There are other things about me that I feel could have been the reason why I'm like this now.

[bazooker]

[Haru had to raise an eyebrow at him. She could tell he was lying but she didn't want to call him out. Instead, she'll go along with it for now.]

Such as...? [However, she wasn't too sure if she might be prying too much about it him.]

[kimihiros]

My existence is considered a space-time anomaly. Perhaps this is what is causing such turmoil.

(vague, but it's something. it's too much to explain at once, and he tried with iwaizumi and it had been a mess. as far as he knows, haru is an ordinary kid -- perhaps it'd be too much to overload her with information.)

[bazooker]

[Meanwhile, all Haru could do was stare at him. It wasn't a surprise to her as it gave her some answers she was looking for. Despite the initial surprise, it didn't last for long as she smiled softly at him.]

Then I suppose it explains how you're able to grant wishes. I was wondering how you were able to do that when you seem like an ordinary person!

[kimihiros]

Ah, not really, not... Exactly. Partly, yes, but not exactly.

(it's his bloodline, which just so happens to be a part of this confusion. it gets worse and worse every time he tries to explain it...)

Ah, but you do know I'm much older than you, right? It's just one of these things -- not what they seem.

[bazooker]

I’m afraid you’re going to have to explain it to me in more detail.

[She said before looking down at her cup. As she does so, she wondered if she was prying on something she shouldn’t be.]

That is, if you are comfortable with it.

[kimihiros]

... Sure.

(kimihiro picks up the pipe to inhale from, letting the smoke leave his lungs with words.)

A long time ago, a boy travelled to a different dimension and he met a girl. She was in danger, and to save her, he decided to turn back time. Because of this, he could never return home, but that's a paradox in itself, isn't it? To fill the gap, he turned into two. We're the same person, so to speak.

[bazooker]

[After dealing with the Metaverse and Mementos, Haru had to expect the unexpected. And yet, as she listened to him? All she could do was stare.]

But how is that possible? You two are your own person, correct? How could you take his place if you never met him before?

[Haru felt bad for asking him so many questions but she simply wanted to help him. The more she knew, the better.]

[kimihiros]

We are very different, both in personality and in appearance, but in essence, we are the same.

I came to exist because of the decision.

[bazooker]

[Suddenly, that makes a lot of sense. As she took a sip from her tea, she continued to smile at him.]

But how do you feel about it? It seems like you’re unsure about that decision.

[kimihiros]

I wouldn't have been born without it. I thank him for it.

(because it's not confusing enough.)

[bazooker]

[And Haru just continued to stare at him. This certainly was a lot of information to retain in a short period of time.]

But...how is that possible? Not unless they knew this was going to happen ahead of time. How else can they make you take his place without any foresight?

[Because how???]

[kimihiros]

Because of hitsuzen. They didn't make me do anything. It's only what was predestined to happen.

(ok, she is confused, but really, the more he explains, the worse it will be!!!)

[bazooker]

[Indeed it was as Haru kept on staring at him just wondering what else to say! He needs to stop confusing her.]

I'm really sorry, Kimihiro-san but there are a lot of things I don't understand. If it was all predetermined, then who was the one who made that happen? Surely, there must be some other force that knew this!