thefarshore | Heaven's BBS

Posted: May 23rd
From: Eros

[His tone is measured and purposeful, determined.]

Gods are powerful. No matter who we are, there's strength in all of us, terrifying strength we might not even understand. We can choose to control it, abuse it, and use it for whatever purpose suits our needs or the needs of the people.

But shinki aren't given that same choice.

As you might've heard... my shinki had a new name forced upon him while he was still in my care, by a god who couldn't have cared less and saw him as a tool. You heard what he had to say regarding freedom and rights and some of you even addressed his questions. ... You know he's afraid. You know that your shinki have wondered the same exact things from the moment they stood by your side. Whether we're trustworthy or kind or even worth their effort.

After all, we're strangers to them. And like it or not, we might as well be their biggest threat.

So... why not change that?

I want to form a defense team; a group dedicated to protecting shinki and their integrity. They shouldn't have to rely on us for their lives. They deserve proper rights and freedom and choice just as much as we do. And if any other gods believe the same, then I'd hope you'd consider working with me.

As for any shinki listening in: you aren't a tool. You're you before you're anyone else. If there's anything you need to say, tell me. I'll listen.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Mm, that's me. My name's Rin.

[He can't say he's heard from her before.]

Don't worry about your powers or anything like that though. To be honest, I'd rather avoid violence anyway if we can help it.

I take it you and Sousuke discussed this whole thing together?

Nice to meet you, Rin. My power's not really useful in combat, anyway.

[Okay she's a LITTLE disappointed in that, but mainly because she wants to protect people. She flips to video so he can see her expression being sincere.]

Discussed... I want to believe that's what it was, but if you ask him he might say we argued about it. We got on the subject of how long people had to know each other before they could be friends.

[He lets out a soft laugh.]

It's ok. Mine aren't either.

[At least not right now. Love can't exactly hurt anyone... well. Not in that way. Now her next comment though-- Ah.]

Ahh... Sorry about that. He's--

[Since they can see each other now, she'll be able to see him rubbing his neck awkwardly.]

--I guess you could say it's something of a touchy subject. If you don't mind me asking, what'd you tell him?

Well, in my opinion, people can meet and feel a connection right away. If they decide they want to be friends, they are. It can be that simple. But.

[She holds up a finger to focus on her continued thought.]

I agreed that people could also know each other for years and never become friends. And trust is a big part of that, but someone's got to be the first person to say it.

[She looks down a little sadly.]

So I told him... even if he doesn't think of me as a friend, I would treat him like one of mine.

[Well, that's an optimistic way of looking at it, isn't it? He's pretty sure his younger self would've eaten that up in a heartbeat. ... Even he can't argue with it now.]

Mm. I agree with you. Everyone's a little different. Some just meet and connect with people quicker and easier than others. You and me, for example.

[Or so he assumes from what she says. He smiles a little, that in mind.]

Sousuke's... opening up to it, I think. Maybe if he talks more with people like you, he'll come to understand it.

So... thank you for opening up to him like that. It's what he needs after all this happened to him, you know?

[Kairi's a little surprised at first that Rin's reaction doesn't mirror Sousuke's, but it's the kind that makes her surprise turn into a smile at the 'you and me' part. She nods earnestly while he keeps talking.]

No need to thank me, Rin! I think shinki looking out for one another is important!

[She sits up a little straighter, emboldened by his words.]

I still only know him by voice, but I hope to meet him sometime.

Yeah. I think we can all benefit from having stronger bonds with each other.

[It's not a new concept to Rin, but it's become even more relevant to his life in the past year. Now that he's here, there's no reason to put an end to it. If anything, it should be stronger.

With a quiet laugh,]

You'll know him when you see him. Super tall, maybe to about--

[He gestures above him by a couple inches or so.]

--here. Dark hair, teal eyes... probably frowning too, but I bet you could guess that from his voice, right?

Oh wow, so pretty tall! And yeah, I didn't expect him to be particularly chipper just yet.

[Then again, most everyone is compared to her. Boys and their growth spurts!

But back to Rin.]

Normally I'd think that being on the same wavelength is important for a good partnership, but if it's someone like you partnered with Sousuke... well, I'm glad.

[Maybe he can rise to Rin's way of thinking.]

[Sousuke may not be as chipper as some people, but Rin knows he isn't really a big old stone face. He hopes meeting all the new people here will help him ease back into that reality, even a little.]

Well, the two of us aren't so different, believe it or not. We're like... two sides of the same coin.

[He wishes he could explain why, but he'll leave that alone.]

But, uh. Come to think of it, I actually didn't get your name yet.

I did that to Sousuke too!

[She says incredulous of her own bad manners.]

I saw that names appeared on here and keep thinking everyone sees them! I'm sorry. I guess I'm just not used to introducing myself much.

[She clears her throat then.]

Hi there, I'm Kairi, shinki to Artemis.

[To be honest, he sees the names no matter what, but it feels unnatural to address the people on the other end either way, so he figures it's best for the formalities and such.]

It's ok. It seems to be a pretty new system to all of us.

[But he nods and smiles back at her.]

Kairi then. I hope you and I get to work together someday. ... Sousuke too if he wants to join in.

[She shakes her head fondly at Rin.]

We don't have to hope for something like that!

[Another giggle.]

We can make sure it happens ourselves! And then invite Sousuke to come along anyway.

[Naturally it'd be his choice.]

I guess that's true, isn't it.

[And he'll go ahead and laugh too.]

He'll probably tag along no matter what. Wouldn't want him getting bored all on his own.

[Or... getting caught up in an unfortunate incident again. There's a brief flicker of unease on his face at the thought, but he shakes it off easily enough.]

At any rate... if you need any help or anything, let me know, ok?

[She nods.]

Nope, wouldn't want that. I'll see you around, Rin!

[And she gives a wave before hanging up, fully expecting a pleasant casual conversation when they see each other in person for the first time.]

Heaven's BBS | Voice

Voice

Voice > Video

Video

Re: Video

Video

Re: Video

Video

Re: Video

Video

Re: Video

Video

Re: Video

Video

Re: Video