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

text ♔ from anonymous

[priforprince]

Murders?

[ brb running some back searches in another tab, because like heck is she going to believe everything she reads on the internet ]

[lostinshadows]

Two bodies were discovered on July 5. Identities are currently unknown.

text, from: Dana Scully

[skepticstarbuck]

There is more than one religion that associates death and memory loss. The Greeks had the river Lethe, and souls moving on from the Chinese hell to their next life drink a potion of forgetfulness.

Perhaps it's true.

anon

[lostinshadows]

I wouldn't mind it so much if that were the case, but it only brings up more questions than answers.

The fact that there hasn't been anything official on the murders either still leave much to be desired.

text; From: Anonymous

[rememberher]

that is a dangerous question to ask some people here. but then I'm sure you realize that you very well could be playing with fire.

[lostinshadows]

Sometimes you can't be afraid of playing with fire. What are your thoughts on this?

text, anon

[revolutionfalcon]

[Normally Shun would answer this with a name attached, but the mention of the murders has him curious, and he's not stupid enough to draw the attention of whoever's responsible.]

Have they found anything other than those two bodies from the other week and the person who mentioned being attacked on here a few days ago?

I'd like to know what the real significance of memories is here myself. I've seen a couple of shinki become gods and the other way around, and it doesn't seem to be a problem for them to know that they were here previously, which makes me question why the hell their memories vanish at all.

[lostinshadows]

None that I've heard of yet; then again, if it were shinki from the older gods doing the investigation, there's no telling when there would be word out on those.

It does seem rather peculiar since it seems to be related to their time here. For gods who become a shinki, I understand that there's possible consequences, but it doesn't seem to be problematic at all. It might either be a price to be paid for the switch in reversals or whoever's in charge is enjoying taking memories away as a price.

Action!

[drops_acid]

[Cardia had read his post and even considered answering on the bbs. But this is just easier. She does have some thoughts on the subject though.]

I get the impression that most of those are fairly recent phenomena. I don't think any of the native gods or shinki have switched. It probably has something to do with the way people are brought here and how their role is determined.

\o/

[lostinshadows]

That's what I think, too.

[He looks over at her from where he's on his phone. There's a slight frown on his face.]

But it does leave more questions than answers unfortunately. If the old gods and shinki are unaffected, then why is it so frequent with the new ones?

(Text: Dali)

[stonebird]

Without memories, it can be argued, that a shinki might be more loyal; more dependent upon their god. I do not agree with the method, but I have seen it play out well when fully embraced.

As for your first question, I do my best not to think about death. I used to long for it - to be with my family - but now that I have chosen to live, I know all I can do is defend myself and my shinki to the best of my abilities. To dwell on the inevitable - whether I am immortal or not - makes little sense to me.

[lostinshadows]

Erasing memories to force shinki to become dependent on their god is a dirty move. It speaks of no trust earned but trust that is forced to be had.

But thank you for answering my first question, Dali.

From: Ksitigarbha; Text

[royaltyloyalty]

I've been thinking about checking out something related to all of this, actually.

[lostinshadows]

Have you? Any ideas on how to start?

Text; Neith

[birdstheword]

Oooooh someone is covering all the bases. Or trying too!

Hey Anon-kun,
Would you pay your memories to come back to life if you died?

[lostinshadows]

It's better not to leave any stone unturned.

No, I wouldn't, but would you?

Private Text | From: Chiyou

[justclaws]

No, a new God does not remember their time as a shinki, if time there was.

For myself, I could not prize my possession of memories from time spent in this world over and above the loss that one branded shinki must endure. If memories must be taken, such a loss is more awkward than truly disquieting, and the consequences are comparatively harmless. What I can say for certain is that my last memories of my own world are entirely benign. I am quite certain I have a home to return to.

Please excuse my desire for privacy. I cannot be certain how much I might say is safe to reveal in public. I do not wish any companions from my own world to read my words here, and be endangered by them.

Private Text

[lostinshadows]

No, that is fine. I didn't want to force anyone to speak of something that would endanger them.

However, you say that you were once a shinki then? Even when you recall your own world and the memories you have with the people there, were you curious at all about your time as a shinki?

text

[subtract]

Death is the destruction of a living vessel, nothing more. The only important part is where the attached "soul" goes afterwards.

There's at least one former-shinki who remembers their time in that state. However, it's difficult to gather any information on that topic since we can't confirm what happened to those other shinki when they vanished from this world. It's already a known fact that dying in this world erases memories regardless of whether it's a god or a shinki, so death is still a possible explanation.

[lostinshadows]

One? I suppose it'd be too much to ask for the name of that former shinki.

If it were just the souls leaving when there is death, that's one thing that could be looked into. If shinki just vanish from this world, then that's another. I've heard, though, that there have also been news of a lot of the new gods disappearing so whatever is in charge of all of this is also pulling the strings that. Brining people in and then taking them out.

private

[eternalshield]

Death is like anything else in this world-- it changes according to circumstances. A death at the end of a life well-lived is nothing to scared of--rather, to be rejoiced over, because it's the point where the tired vessel of the body has performed its job and the soul inside can find peace.

Murder's inexcusable, though. Self-defense is circumstantial, but not murder!

private

[lostinshadows]

Even if you say it's nothing to be scared of, it's also still natural to be scared of death.

I'll be honest in admitting that the murders are my main concern at the moment. If someone or something is going around killing people, then what would their motive be unless they simply think of it is a game.

text

[glacierflower]

A shinki is supposed to guide their god or goddess, correct? To teach them morality? Human morality?

[She hasn't forgotten Orihime's words to her, that, as someone who wasn't human, she might be the one supposed to learn of her goddess instead.]

Perhaps memories would get in the way of that. I know what I believe is right and wrong, but I don't know why I believe that. All I can do is trust myself... perhaps they're afraid that, if we had our memories, we wouldn't be able to trust ourselves quite so... blindly. They may fear our uncertainty?

[lostinshadows]

To be their moral compass, yes, but it can also be put into question as to what kind of morals the shinki has in the first place. If they're too kind, something simple may be enough to make them feel guilt. On the other hand, if their own moral compass is skewed, then crimes such as theft or murder would barely enough to feel guilt.

I feel as if it's a danger if they're afraid of uncertainty. After all, shinki and god are supposed to work together, but shinki on their own has a higher chance of hurting their own god than an ayakashi.

Text; Private

[fullcowl]

Death seems to be the common thread that brings shinki into this universe.

I don't know why memories are taken away after somebody's become a shinki. Maybe it's an attempt to start over. There have been murderers made into shinki, and possibly without their memories, they won't try that in their afterlife.

When it comes to being a god, I really wish I knew.

Text; Private

[lostinshadows]

Not just shinki; gods seem to pop up, too, after their deaths.

At the same time, the body remembers what the mind doesn't, so even if the shinki were a murderer, they might go back to their murdering ways if their perception is skewed enough.

Has there been anyone you knew who's come back as a god?

text; anon

[rev13_3]

Do YOU think death plays a relevant role here?

[lostinshadows]

Do you think life is worth living here?

Anon, Text

[deniles]

Not my problem.

[lostinshadows]

Aren't you helpful.

[very_goodman]

I think it'd be great if people stopped murderin' each other.

[lostinshadows]

If only that can happen.