[Accidental Video] ☠ A shadow fades in bright light.

[nightprince]

[ Ryoji hadn't noticed, but when he sat down on his bed, he accidentally turned his SFC on. Currently? The screen shows the little thought bubble following him around. His thoughts are vague, to an extent, at the moment, but what you'll notice is that the inside of the bubble is darker in color than most. Sort of like there's a little black mist inside it. The text on it is white. White, on black.

He's pacing in his dorm room at the moment. It's late, and he can't sleep. ]

He left.

[ A pause, a blink. A nod. It was reflecting his thoughts, huh? Yeah. But it wasn't really so bad... was it? An image of Minato--blue hair--comes up, then disappears. ]

It's my fault.

... I know.

[ Then an image of what looks like the moon, and then something big... with two sets wings, and a long sword. It's vague though, and it's hard to tell what it really is. It's only somewhat humanoid in shape. ]

Fighting it is... impossible. Maybe one day I'll just...

That won't happen...

[ This thought is a little more graphic. An image of some kids all wearing red armbands, being consumed by some sort of darkness, and then a hollow-looking, creepy white mask, eyeless, and smiling. And then lots of red blood. It flashes back as he shakes his head. ]

But how can it not, right?

I... I won't do that.

But I will. And then how will anyone stop me? You can't stop something like me. That's impossible.

It's... he did it. He still managed... it's okay. He's back now.

[ He takes a breath, getting up, and turns his back, trying to ignore that pestering, persistent, awful little bubble. He doesn't think it's so cool anymore. ]

But what if I do slip? What if they're wrong about how time passes? What then?

[ He falls silent. His biggest fears, and it was very, very right. He doesn't want to say it though. ]

I don't want to kill them. I don't want to hurt anyone. Vriska, Minato--I'm part of him but I took his life from him... because of me, his friends will never get to be with him at home. I really don't deserve to be a human, or even to feel. I never should have existed.

I... I really don't like this place right now... why does this have to happen to us? I hate these curses.

[ Eventually, Ryoji rests his head against a wall, closing his eyes, and biting his lip. The words keep going, though. Because he is, in fact, quite worried. ]

But blaming Vatheon isn't right. You wanted him to kill you because you're afraid, aren't you?

T-that isn't true. I've accepted it. It's inevitable.

[ The bubble continues heedlessly on, and Ryoji looks down at it with a defeated, pained expression. ] Without him, you don't even exist. Vriska, too! She validates your existence, but then when you're alone, what are you really? Just a shadow. A tool. Nyx's puppet. And then you don't even feel like you're real.

T-that's not true... I'm... I'm Ryoji. No one else. And I will never, ever be anything else. Minato-kun said so.

[ ... Ryoji tries to pop it as it continues on, but to no avail. After he tries to half-heartedly swat it away, he fails. So he instead returns to leaning his head against the dorm's wall, and then the feed cuts abruptly as a kitten hops onto the bed, and accidentally shuts the SFC off. ]

Comments

[Action]

[messianic]

[...A tilt of his head, but he doesn't question it; his own bubble bobs alongside him, filled with faint thoughts like 'Ken-kun' and 'hope he's okay' and similar.

He doesn't feel the need to say anything, though.]

[messianic]

[Ah-- and the warm feeling of a social link ranked up (maxed perhaps) and--

A whisper 'Thou art I--'

He shakes his head.

'Wheel of Fortune--Success, good fortune, beginning of something new--

Fortuna, Atropos, Norn'

And whispers that aren't quite his own thoughts. 'You are now capable of creating the goddess of fate--'

And he blinks, tucking his hands into his pockets. A glance to his own bubble and a hint of wryness to his expression. 'Better when it was all in my head']

Are you feeling better, then?

[Action forever]

[chivalrygrudge.livejournal.com]

[He opens the door, blinking as he looks at the two of them. His thought bubble is filled with little question marks of confusion.]

... Are you sure you're all right?

[text]

[toreuhhhdork.livejournal.com]

[derparcana.livejournal.com]

... But what happens when you don't know how to not change into someone you don't want to be? Something you don't want to be.

[ ... He's a little hurt, but it's obvious this guy is just like that. ]

I've been looking for a way, but...

[derparcana.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm fine. Don't worry about it. How are you?

[ A small smile. You'll notice the yellow headphones and MP3 player Minato got him are on, but it's off and empty at the moment, anyway. ]

[derparcana.livejournal.com]

... The Goddess of Fate, huh...?

[ He shakes his head a little, smiling lightly. ]

That must be inconvenient. I doubt a lot of people are going to understand the whole Persona and Social Link connection... but I guess so. I wonder... if Fortune really fits.

[ A pause. ]

But... I think so, anyway. I do feel better.

[messianic]

[A tilt of his head; it's good to see Ken caring for the others here like this as well, and good to see them all getting along.]

[messianic]

[He runs a hand through his hair, thoughts flashing back to the others who have questioned him on it.]

...It can be, yes.

['Fortune arcana?' And he repeats along with his thoughts--]

It stands for good fortune, right? The beginning to something new, positive advancement, and change. But...change in a good way.

[A nod.]

I think it fits.

[text]

[derparcana.livejournal.com]

[derparcana.livejournal.com]

... Haha, you're being silly. You know I already know that, right?

[ He just smiles. He's glad... that Minato is here. ]

[messianic]

[A bow of his head.]

Yes, I know. A reminder couldn't hurt, though.

Anyway, would you like to get some music? It won't do you much good empty.

[And he loves music, he really does. There's a reason he's never without his headphones.

...and the trickling of other thoughts, now that he's helped Ryoji, much as he tries to shove them away. 'A distraction' and a flash of Selphie's face and a flash of a piratey grin before a punch heads his way--

He shakes his head. 'Music.']

[text]

[toreuhhhdork.livejournal.com]

[chivalrygrudge.livejournal.com]

I'm fine.

[Hmm...]

If... you're sure. I guess I'll let you two get back to talking.

[He swats at his thought bubble, which has the vague thought of 'well this is awkward...' floating through it.]

[treasurehunted.livejournal.com]

[A pause with just enough time for an eyeroll.]

What happens? Well, that's simple, kid. Nature takes its course and all that shit.

But listen, you just keep looking. Better than sitting there waiting for the end.

Besides, from what I know of Minato, he wouldn't stick by a loser who gives up so easy. Unless you want to insult him by insultin' yourself further?

[derparcana.livejournal.com]

... Oh, yeah. Let's go.

[ A moment's pause-- ]

Is that... Selphie-chan? Wait, what's up with that other guy?

[messianic]

['!'

...And then a vague sense of dread in his bubble, though his face doesn't show it.]

Ah...Ani-- Motochika-san, you mean?

[He's still moving towards the door, though, opening it.]

[derparcana.livejournal.com]

Yeah, whoever he is. ... You're not being attacked by anyone, are you?!

[ PANIC. IF HIS BRO IS GETTING HURT, HE CANNOT EXCUSE THIS. ]

[messianic]

['no no no wait--']

Not at all, Ryoji-kun. He was just...reminding me of something.

[Via a punch to the face.]

[text]

[derparcana.livejournal.com]

[derparcana.livejournal.com]

... Minato-kun, why is it you let people do this to you?

[ HUFF. ]

[Text; filtered]

[derparcana.livejournal.com]

[Text; filtered]

[boundbynaught.livejournal.com]

Because he doesn't treat you like his own shadow?

[text]

[formida8le.livejournal.com]

[Quirk off! She is DEAD serious.]

[text]

[toreuhhhdork.livejournal.com]