Heaven's BBS | Text

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Posted: 11 May 2016 02:35 PM
From: Henir

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This is Add again. Apparently, I've been given an unexpected promotion to godhood.

Before anyone asks: no, I don't know how or why this happened. The Heavens' representative who spoke to me didn't seem to know anything about it, either. I just woke up like this. And yes, I remember everything. That includes both my past lives and after I became a shinki. As far as I'm aware, none of my memories are missing. In fact, I seemed to have gained some additional ones, but that's a bit harder to explain...

[It's like he literally came back from the dead in his homeworld and continued where he left off, but he's a bit reluctant to believe in that so soon. Maybe when his soul was taken by Monad he hadn't actually died...? It seems way too good to be true.]

Anyway, the bad news is that Roxas is AWOL. Chang'e's temple is gone and I haven't been able to get ahold of him at all. He's the one that's always wearing a black cloak, so don't mix him up with Artemis.

His other shinki Jakob has been reassigned to me, but Ludger has also gone missing. He has white hair with a black streak in it, very quiet, excellent cook, owns a white cat that answers to May.

If anyone has seen either of them, let me know as soon as possible.

Comments

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[Add flops onto the couch next to May, the cube popping out of existence as he lets his hand down. Two of his dynamos arrange themselves to form a second armrest for him. He leans back, staring up at the ceiling, one hand still idly stroking the cat's fur.]

I guess even if we don't have our memories, some of those strong feelings still seep through. Even if I didn't quite understand it at the time... [He thought he was just being practical, since Roxas was his god, but maybe it really was because some part of him could remember. It's difficult to test now, but he hopes that it's true.]

Basically, yes. We were both taken in by a computer program that collected the minds of the deceased. We were there for a little over a year together. I thought of him as a useful pawn of mine at first, but he ended up turning me soft, keke.

[oathkeeper]

I think so. Even if shinki forget memories their hearts and souls are still theirs. Those kinds of things don’t just go away. [At least that’s how he sees it. When Winnie forgot who he was he still felt he knew Sora deep down in his heart. And that’s where friendships are.

He smiles fondly when Add explains further.] Yep, he is like that, isn’t he. [He thinks of Data-Roxas as a separate person from Roxas, they are very different in a lot of ways. But that kindness and ability to be genuine friends is in both of them.] Guess the scary Add can make friends too, huh! [He shoots him a teasing grin.]

Maybe he’ll come back here someday, too.

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[He chuckles some more at Sora's teasing comment, trailing off into a bit of an awkward pause. The "scary Add", is it...? He can't help but wonder what Sora would really think of him if he knew the full truth... even if he's half as forgiving as his Roxas is, though, it really is a question better left unanswered.

He shrugs, a hint of sharp determination in his voice.] Even if he doesn't, I'll find him. He's out there somewhere. He made several promises to me that I expect him to keep, so I'm not going to let him off the hook that easily.

[oathkeeper]

[Add should try him sometime. One of Baldr's domains is forgiveness. And Sora has always been a rather forgiving person. He's got quite the capacity for it. Finding the good in every situation, protagonist thing.

Sora laughs warmly and nods.] Good, keep him on his toes, he'll appreciate it. You two will definitely see each other again some day. I'm glad you're looking at it like that.

[It's actually really nice seeing Add so optimistic about it in his own way. They had to be, with all the people vanishing lately.]

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[Optimism, unhealthy obsession—same thing, really.]

I guess I've just gotten used to it. Spending all my time trying to find people again, kukuku... [The laughter tastes bitter, but it's not even something he can feel depressed about anymore. Hasn't he been doing this same thing for almost a decade now? The only difference is that he keeps adding more people to the list of who to save, or trying out different variations of his methods. Will he eventually succeed if he keeps throwing ideas at the wall like this?]

... Wherever he is now, I'm sure he's looking for me, too. [And Roxas would probably have better luck with that than Add ever has. So maybe the chance of success is a little higher between the two of them...]

[oathkeeper]

[Add, your creepy is showing again.]

With the way that things are we just got to keep trying. Artemis says that sometimes people come back and they're different or don't remember but it's still them. I know that's not much of a comfort because I wouldn't want another Roxas, but seeing a friend again would be enough for me.

[It's a small happy thought to know that they are still out there. Somehow, somewhere. In different worlds or whatever the situation. Sora hasn't experienced losing friends like this much before coming here but he's quickly growing to realize how much it hurts. It's maturing him, in a way.]

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[All it takes is bringing up Artemis and the topic of people coming back "different" and Add's mood promptly sours. He sits up straight, trying to keep himself from scowling.]

Artemis doesn't know what he's talking about, but I'm glad that you understand at least that much about alternate universes. No matter how similar two people might be, they can never replace each other. Every timeline is unique. Mingling between universes like this was never meant to occur.

I suppose it must be a bit easier for you, since from my understanding you and the original Roxas can't coexist in your own universe to begin with. Bonding with a different Roxas is your only real option, in this case. [It's meant to be a more reassuring comment, since he doesn't want Sora to think he's being looked down on for treating an obviously alternate-timeline Roxas as the original, but it probably sounds like more of a jab at Roxas...

Which it might also be anyway. He's not too fond of this inferior "original" Roxas.]

[oathkeeper]

[Sora reprimands himself slightly for forgetting that Roxas and Add are still on bad terms. And probably always will be. He shouldn't have brought him up so soon, but it's too late now. Sora resist the urge to sigh loudly. Because Roxas is the closest person to him in his life right now and he considers Add a good friend. Talk about feeling like the piggy in the middle.]

Yes he does know what he's talking about, Add. He's been to different worlds and met multiples just like you and Chang'e went to different worlds. His opinion isn't any less than yours. Don't be like that.

What I'm saying is even if there are multiples, they might still come back. And they're all worth knowing. Different or not...

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He doesn't have my experience— [He snaps back a little too harshly, startling May who's been purring comfortably on her perch until now. She hops down just as he catches himself from launching into a rant.

Add breathes a quiet tch, folding his arms over his chest.]

Don't talk to me about multiples. Let's talk about something different.

[Sora might be surprised to learn that it's not the part about Roxas that bothers him the most...]

[oathkeeper]

[Sora nods and reaches for the pouch of cat treats on the coffee table and pulls one out. He holds it out to her and she swishes her tail and watches him for a moment before padding over to sniff and take it. Take it easy, girl.

He knows Add is rightly entitled to feel the way he does. So he agrees to change the subject. All this stuff is complicated and touchy.]

Did you get a shinki?

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[It's a touchy subject, and he's already on edge thanks to Roxas and Ludger disappearing. He needs to stay focused on the positives, what he can do to fix all of this...

He forces himself to relax some of the tension in his body, exhaling softly.]

Jakob—Chang'e's butler. I believe you've met before. [On the network, anyway.]

[oathkeeper]

[Sora makes a face. Jakob! Nice guy, but really stiff!]

... Yeah! He thinks I'm a troublemaker ... For some reason? I didn't even do anything wrong?

[Something something about slandering names, Sora didn't understand at all.]

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He's a bit stuck up, but he's a good person. Try not to take him so seriously. [And he's fun to tease, so Add sees no problem with being called a troublemaker.]

But I suppose if he does give you any trouble for that... just let me know about it and I'll take care of it for you, kukuku.

[oathkeeper]

[Well that's slightly ominous.]

Great, glad you got my back on that. Cause for a second I thought he was gonna burn a hole through me. [Sora laughs, shaking his head.] He just seems really protective too. It's kind of cool. But yeah, I'll try not to take him so seriously. Do you know what his vessel is?

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Overprotective is more like it. I could do without some of his nagging. [he appreciates you jakob really]

... What, are you trying to gather information on me? I can't be telling you everything. Where would be the fun in that?

[Really, though, he hasn't actually checked his vessel yet. Jakob was a teapot before... is he still a teapot now? He kept the same name, so maybe the form will stay the same as well.]

[oathkeeper]

[Sora resists the urge to roll his eyes as he reaches out to scratch May gently behind the ears.]

It's called getting to know more about a friend, dummy. There's a lot to know with you being a god now and all.

[Which is still a really weird concept to Sora. He had no idea that was even possible. Could his shinki turn god someday too? It gives him a hopeful feeling. That they'd regain their memories and not be hurt from it.]

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Isn't that more like getting to know a friend of a friend? [casually/accidentally admitting to friendship] Jakob's vessel doesn't have too much to do with me.

[But Sora does kind of have a point, and it's just as odd of a concept to Add. It was just yesterday that he knew nothing about himself, and now he remembers everything. It still feels a bit too surreal, though he's resisting the temptation to fall into a spiral of questioning everything he knows...]

Anyway... I haven't had any reason to use it yet, so it could be anything. I haven't even been a god for a day yet, it's not like I'm out fighting ayakashi already.

[oathkeeper]

I guess one day at a time. If you need help figuring any of your god stuff out, let me know.

[The scratching he gives to May rewards him with the cat purring softly and she sides up against Sora. He continues his administrations expected of him, of course.]

What does it feel like anyway? Waking up one day as a god? Was it weird? What is your home world like? Not the computer one, the one before that? Do you miss it?

[Sorry for the list of questions, Sora can be a bit of a curious sponge sometimes.]

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[Add sighs, watching the cat idly as Sora starts firing off questions. He's normally not the type to answer so freely, but since it's Roxas' trusted friend...] It was a bit overwhelming to have my memories come back all at once, but I don't feel that much different. Memories provide useful context to avoid repeat mistakes, but I was still the same person without them. [unfortunately.]

As for the world I came from... mm, describing something like that is difficult to do in few words. To compare it to this one, life-sustaining energy is a limited resource drawn from crystals known as El. Advanced technology such as sentient machines and dimensional travel exists, but has largely fallen out of use and become lost over the centuries due to an energy crisis. Most of the modern world prefers magic and alchemy that's less energy intensive. There's also a war going on with the demon realm right now...

[Which is basically a list of reasons why Elrios sucks, though Add sounds a bit detached to the whole thing. It doesn't really affect him since he can just hop to another dimension or go back in time whenever he wants (or at least that's what he'll keep telling himself). Who cares if the world ends, right??

To further cement his stance, he shrugs.] I could do with or without it. I've never felt I really belonged there, anyway.

[oathkeeper]

[It's a relief to Sora to hear that regaining memories and becoming a god didn't cause pain or shock. He'd been worried about that. It's still such a strange concept but at least they could understand a little more about the phenomenon of switching over and Add wasn't hurt with the whole thing.

Add's explanation of his world is a little confusing. Sora does his best to understand each bit.] Honestly, it kind of sounds like a few worlds I've been to. At least the advanced tech mixed with magic and alchemy part. And a little bit of the the war with demons part too...

[Add had asked Sora once for more information about the worlds him and Roxas were from, but Sora just assumes Add doesn't really need to know anymore because he knows his origins now.]

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[Hey, at least he didn't go straight into explaining parallel universes and the mechanics of time travel.] Mm, advancements in technology and magic aren't too much of a unique concept, really. And war always exists in some form. Humans have a predictable sort of history regardless of what version of reality they hail from.

[Sora would be right about Add not needing to know about his world anymore, but that won't stop him from being curious anyway. Especially if he's going to mention worlds, plural...]

Have you been to a lot of worlds before?

[oathkeeper]

[While still giving May long affectionate scratches and pets he nods with an amused grin.]

A lot might be an understatement these days.

[Add can unleash that gate of stories if he wants to. But it really is a lot of stories...]

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[He certainly wouldn't be opposed to hearing more about other universes, but there's something else that's piqued his curiosity as well.]

How different are these worlds from each other? Are they more like variations of that differ in historical events but hold the same core individuals and geography, or are these worlds that are completely unique or bear minimal resemblance to each other? [He's more versed in time travel, so it's an important distinction.]

Also, through what method would you travel between them? With a device or unique ability...?

[oathkeeper]

[That's a surprising breath of fresh air. It's usually Sora that asks people a plethora of curious questions and is a sponge when it comes to learning about other worlds. Sora didn't know it would make him smile so big when asked about what he knows for a change.]

The second part. Completely different worlds that aren't like each other at all. Some of them are so different I even take a different form when I get to them.

[Everything's harder on four legs!]

And I use a ship to jump between worlds! It's called a gummi ship. I'm not the one who puts them together but I've got some friends that really make the ship fly!

[He misses you guys, Chip and Dale.]

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[Lucky for him, then, Add is a fan of both rambling endlessly and asking a billion questions at once. Or maybe not so lucky since they could end up trapped in an infinite question loop.]

I assume it'd be closer to an airship than the kind that goes in the water... [That's actually not a bad idea, either. He never really bothered with anything more complicated than his Dynamos and a protective suit, but a vehicle would probably be much safer to use in the long term...] Hmm, but moving through space between dimensions is actually very simple. The difficult part is creating openings between separated dimensions and connecting them. Defying the laws of time and space consumes a large amount of energy that can have dangerous consequences depending on the method used. Does your ship create it's own openings? Even if you don't know exactly how it works, any details you can remember could be useful.

[It's probably a bit more obvious by now why, exactly, he wants to know about dimensional travel.]