Heaven's BBS | Video

[dreamprotector]

From: Hekate
Date: July 8th

[Riku is faintly awkward in his seat; he doesn't have any experience with large networks like this one. This seems a lot more efficient than to ask every single person he meets about whether they've seen him around before though, so here he is.

Posting a video to the heaven's network. No way this will go wrong, right? Right.]

So, for those that don't know me – hi, my name is Riku and I'm a recent arrival. I've been told that I've been around before twice already… once as a shinki and once as a god, but I can't remember either occasion.

Has anyone made a similar experience here? If yes, how do you deal with it? I don't like the thought of having been here and not remembering a thing about it…

Also, if I offended you while I was here the last time, I'm sorry. I probably don't mean it now.

[After what Sora and Roxas told him about his last self… apologizing seems like a good move. If he's gotten mad at his best friend about something like his romantic affairs, who knows what else he's done.]

Comments

[video]

[heptagram]

I think I've heard someone mention this being something that happens, but not about me, so I kind of only have a second-hand understanding of this at best.

No idea why it happens, either.

[video]

[dreamprotector]

I see. Do you happen to remember who it was?

[video]

[heptagram]

Off-hand, no.

I do remember some instances of gods disappearing and then being replaced by a new person in those roles, though, which is about as strange.

[video]

[dreamprotector]

I can imagine.

[Somewhat maybe... Riku still finds his own situation a little more concerning. He knows that memories can be lost, taken easily through magic, but even so… there should be some familiarity, some trace left in his heart, right? Yet, everything about this world and its mechanics seems utterly unfamiliar to him. In any case…]

Thanks for answering.

[video]

[heptagram]

I suppose it's why humans sometimes perceive the same god in very different ways.

Certainly. Perhaps you should check with those who said you were here before, and ask if you left anything behind, as well. It might help.

After her own video

[pure_radiantics]

[She smiles at Riku, also glad to know his god name now.]

The only other situation I've heard of similar to yours is a god appearing with the same name as a previous god - that happened to Athena.

But I think it's really brave to try and make some amends you don't know anything about.

[dreamprotector]

So… the original stand-in for Athena disappeared and they cast someone else new into her name?

[Is he understanding her right?

He shrugs at her praise though…]

I'm not sure if I'd call that amends already… I just don't want there to be any unnecessary bad blood.

[And given what he's heard from Sora and Roxas… well, he is sure side-eying his previous self.]

[pure_radiantics]

Okay, maybe not amends, but to even consider it. I'm glad, for your sake.

[Because she did have to be the bearer of the invite to come to Artemis temple after he was sort of banned from it initially.]

That's basically it for Athena though. And Susano'o. Both times there was one person who was brought here as that god, and then someone else was brought here too with that same name, and it was a different personality. Athena was a guy and then a girl, for instance.

[dreamprotector]

Thanks. [He guesses? Then, after a moment of hesitation, he asks:] You met my previous self here, right?

[He has so many questions about his previous self, that he doesn't know how or who to ask… there is no doubt he was a jerk given what Sora told him, but still…]

That's pretty interesting, but I guess it doesn't really help me with my case. Do you remember what god I was the last time around?

Video;

[oathkeeper]

[HONESTLY-- it's probably better if Riku didn't remember those last two times anyway...]

I think you're the only person I know that's come and gone a bunch of times. It's super weird but I think all that matters is that you're here now!

[He doesn't think Riku needs to apologize for anything either.]

Video;

[dreamprotector]

You are probably right, but it still bothers me.

[Both, the loss of his memories and what he's heard so far about his previous self.]

I just can't help but worry a little.

[oathkeeper]

[He smiles. Riku, the eternal worry-wart.]

I mean... You did say some pretty jerky things. But, that's all in the past. You're not them, if that makes any sense.

[At least from what Roxas has told Sora. There's multiple "alternative universe" versions of everyone.]

Sometimes I wonder if it has something to do with us being gods? But who knows. You're Riku and everyone will like you. You're the best!

[dreamprotector]

[Well, who else will do it if not him?]

It does… mostly.

[He says with a faint teasing smile… but no, he gets what Sora is saying. He's heard about Roxas about those 'alternate universes' but still he wonders about the differences between himself and the other Riku…

He laughs at the next bit, clearly amused.]

Everyone? That's a pretty high bar. I'm not even sure if I want to be liked by everyone.

Anon; text

[volksdaemon]

I'd be more afraid of what memories you'll never get back than what other people think of you.

[dreamprotector]

I just said that I don't like the idea of not remembering, didn't I?

[volksdaemon]

Oh sure, but that's not fear. Subtle difference and I should know.

[He and Riku had one interesting meeting.]

[dreamprotector]

Well sorry, but I don't scare that easy.

[Concerned Riku might be, but it takes a little more than a few lost memories for him to actually feel afraid.]

video | from: Carl Adler

[smilingbullet]

I don't think you need to dwell on it that much, as long as you say sorry if it turns out you've done something wrong. I liked having you as a god though, even if it wasn't for a very long time. But maybe that's just me who don't think it's not that big of a deal. No memories is no memories and you do have the rest of them, right? Just not of here.

[dreamprotector]

I don't really plan on dwelling on it… I just figured it was better to get it out of the way, rather than to leave anything to fester unnecessarily.

But I suppose you are right about that. The memories that are really important are still with me… [Those of his friends, those of his home.] …and that I don't remember doesn't mean that the bonds the other me formed here are gone entirely either.

[For better or worse.]

[smilingbullet]

I guess that makes sense, it'd be pretty inconvenient if that happened for one.

[ Might interfere with work, too. ]

Treasure what you have and make new ones to make up for those you lost. There's not really anything else you can do. I hope I'll get to know you a little more this time~

[dreamprotector]

Yea. I'm not expecting to get along with everyone, but I'd rather know why that is.

I will… and I hope we do too.

[D2 seems like a pretty nice person after all.]

[video]

[fullcowl]

Hello, Riku. I think we met once before at a beach.

It's nice to see you again. Don't worry, you didn't offend me.

Something like that... happened to a classmate of mine. He was here as a shinki, and then again as a god.

[video]

[dreamprotector]

[A nod.]

It's nice to meet you again too.

[Riku thinks, at least. Then he blinks in surprise, a faint, relieved smile making its way on his face.]

So it's not just me after all… That's reassuring at least.

[video]

[fullcowl]

Oh, right. I haven't introduced myself. I'm Midoriya Izuku. You can call me Deku if that's easier though.

Not being alone can be reassuring.

[video]

[dreamprotector]

All right, Deku.

Yea, it is. I was already worried that the Heavens might have it out for me in some way, or something.