Heaven's BBS | Text

[lostinshadows]

Posted: July 15
From: Anon

Here’s a question for you all: what do you think about death?

Considering the recent murders, I’d say it’s something to think about, isn’t it?

It truly brings in the question of whether or not death plays a relevant role here. People seem to be able to come back to life, but seems to go from god to shinki or even shinki to god. Regardless of the reason for the change in reversal, it seems that one element in particular remains missing: memories.

I’m curious as to why memories seem to be the important element in deciding between a god and a shinki aside from the obvious.

So, here’s another question: how many of you were previously shinki who became a god? If you don’t remember your time as a shinki, would you want those memories back?

Comments

[lostinshadows]

She's too kind. If there's someone depending on her, she might do what she can to lessen that worry.

[drops_acid]

I know...

[She feels the flash of concern, and honestly that same worry is echoed in her feelings as well. How long could something like that be maintained? And what would happen, both to gods and shinki, when it collapsed.]

But that's just speculation. And I can't think why anyone would try something so risky.

[Unless they were insane. And perhaps wanted to collapse the heavens in on itself. Her father suddenly comes to mind. No, she pushes that thought down. Let's not even consider such unpleasant possibilities.]

[lostinshadows]

[He cups his chin.]

People do something risky every day; humans, shinki, and even gods aren't exempted from that. Already, we've both been here long enough to see signs of hostility going on.

[Whether it's directed towards the Heavens, towards Amaterasu, or even towards fellow gods and shinki.

It's still there.]

Why anyone would do it just brings forth a lot of hypotheses that neither of us can really figure out.

[glacierflower]

[She is still a demon. She grasps the critical difference between "something that is wrong" and "something that you feel guilty for." It's a great relief; that's much more manageable.]

I know what a blight on the land is. It would kill the god in question?

[lostinshadows]

If it gets bad enough, it can.

Fortunately, I've yet to hear any news of a god being killed by blight.

[very_goodman]

Only if we let 'em.

[glacierflower]

I'm still scared to death just hearing that a god can die! It shouldn't be possible. And we shinki are already dead. Is it really possible to just keep dying over and over? It seems needlessly cruel.

[lostinshadows]

I want to confirm it's a possibility, but I'm not going to make that assumption. Gods are still living beings and living beings can still die. Death doesn't seem to particularly matter here, so a cycle of it happening is a good possibility.

[deniles]

Mmmm. Nah.

[lostinshadows]

[And he's just not going to respond to this anymore.]

[glacierflower]

On the other side of the equation, that means that the person causing these things... if his god doesn't want him to be imprisoned, he won't be.

I can't imagine how you could confirm that possibility. Anything to test would, by necessity...

[rememberher]

hard to say. the only case I have heard of a person disappearing and returning again was hardly something I would call a peaceful homecoming.

[lostinshadows]

Anything put that way can hardly count as a peaceful homecoming.

[rememberher]

[ There's a bit of a pause between messages. ]

you know a lot more than you let on. are you in any danger?

[lostinshadows]

Not at all. Why do you ask?

[1/2]

[rememberher]

a few possibilities:

you are someone in need of assistance but are in a position that would be too dangerous for you to reveal your identity or motives.

you are someone who has taken the most recent events as a means to dive more into topics normal people would never talk about, either for your own curiosity or to help or hurt others.

or you are someone who enjoys "rousing debate" and never quite answering another person's question. I believe people call them trolls.

[ Look, just because her god is a Luddite doesn't mean that she is too. ]

[2/2]

[rememberher]

there are others of course, but that is hardly important.

to a shinki, death is something we must not think about. to a god, death is something they must experience through someone else's eyes. what I think of death falls under one of these two categories; you can choose one or the other for me.

I believe that shinki are not given memories of their previous lives when arriving on the far shore because of what I stated above. having them, not having them—both are equally painful. wouldn't you agree?

[lostinshadows]

It's best to discuss this sort of thing, isn't it? Even if people are initially uncomfortable with this sort of talk.

But it's hard for me to say whether or not I agree. Death is dangerous, yes, but in a place where death is evident, it can't help but make you wonder. Of course, shinki are not supposed to remember for that reason; it's simply a matter of curiosity of how regaining snippets of memories occur.

[rememberher]

death binds us, that much is true, but I think dwelling on death itself, the details of how and why, are only important when there is some kind of injustice to right. worrying yourself over the memory of one's death, be it your own or someone else's, doesn't do them any good. I hardly see the point.

regaining memories isn't something I have much experience with, I am afraid, but that might be an interesting case study. I wonder if anyone has thought to interview shinki about what took place before they began remembering their former lives, to see if there are any common trends.

[royaltyloyalty]

But likewise, if you go out of your way to not depend on her, that might distance the two of you too. I'd just be careful if I were you.

[drops_acid]

Yes, I suppose we don't have enough information to do much more than guess.

[And wild speculation doesn't do anyone any good.]

Do you think Amaterasu or her people know anything more about this? Surely they must have people investigating.

[lostinshadows]

[Lavi cups his chin in thought.]

There's a possibility, but...

[He trails off, looking unsure.]

There's also no telling that they'll tell us anything either.

[drops_acid]

It might still be worth looking into. We don't really lose anything by asking. And even if they won't tell us anything...

[She shrugs.]

If they are investigating then they must have records somewhere.

[Someone has spent too much time with wanted criminals. But she doesn't think it would be much different from sneaking into Buckingham palace.]

[lostinshadows]

[Cardia, you are definitely interesting.

He grins.]

Indeed. We just have to test our luck.

[drops_acid]

[She smiles back, and there may be a hint of mischievousness in it.]

Honestly taking matters into our own hands might be easier than trying to talk them into sharing. Of course we'd need to find out where they're keeping their records.