GRAVEYARD

[foundationmods]

[On the instant of your death, you're suddenly outside of your body - probably staring down at the remains it's become.

Yet, you're not alone. For all of you (except Szayel), a young man appears from behind you, his face set into a firm, yet sad, scowl. His shaggy strawberry blonde hair is pretty eye-catching, along with the black and white Shihakusho he wears and the large sword on his back, even as he gently tries to lead you back into the lobby and away from what was once your body. You can still clearly hear and see the living, if you want to try - but they can't see or hear you.

'Welcome to the world of the dead in this Resort,' he says, quietly. 'Looks like you're stuck here with the rest of us.'

He hands you a tablet, just like the one you had before. "You'll need this if you want to keep talking to them,' he explains, looking sad.

It looks like you've passed on, and yet...You still feel like you have a role to play in all of this.]

Comments

[perfeccion]

[Szayel runs the wand over Yoshi's whole body, like an airport security guard might do at a checkpoint. He holds it near and around his head and face for longer]

That will do. Give me a moment to check these results...

[justonezero]

[A blink, and Yoshi closes his eyes for a while, interrupting his own calculations with other thoughts.

Ready when you are, doc.]

[perfeccion]

Alright... It seems that while you are actively using your ability, the strain on your eyes and brain go up exponentially. [beep beep] That seems consistent with a psionic ability... ah, and since you can use it in soul form, I'm afraid it's not something a new gigai will fix. It's fine for short-term use -- the brain isn't completely wimpy. But if you put it under constant strain, your ability will break down, eventually. You see, the brain isn't like a muscle -- it doesn't get stronger as you use it. It has limits.

[justonezero]

[He opens his eyes again, listening to Szayel's explanation.

So it really is...]

...Mikado's eight years older than me. So if they brought him here, and he still died at twenty-two...

[Yeah, a gigai probably isn't a fix, is it?]

[perfeccion]

[he does another reading, this time while Yoshi isn't actively using his power] Ah, but see, here? [he points to a small graph that has manifested on the screen and... doesn't really seem to make much sense but ok] Your basal usage is quite low. Was this Mikado doing something differently than you?

[justonezero]

[He looks at the graph and... remembers at the last second not to try to calculate what any of those numbers actually mean.]

I'm not sure. I didn't even know he had the same power. For all my life, I thought he was just my cousin.

He only called me "my younger self" in that memory I got.

[perfeccion]

Strange. [he sets the monitor down] Well, it's hard to say. I'll have to fit you with a constant monitor, when we leave this place, in order for me to get a better idea of how much of a toll it's taking on you. But, if you like, I can also make a limiter -- something to keep your brainwaves in check when you're not wanting to use your powers. It should extend the integrity of your brain significantly, and therefore your usefulness... and your life.

[justonezero]

My turn to be a test subject, huh?

[Though he doesn't sound all that opposed.]

...My BitPhone already processed my brainwaves. So I guess I'm already used to that kind of thing?

[perfeccion]

I do enjoy a willing labrat. Anyway. It need not be intrusive! The data collector will just be a small piece of metal fitted around your head. A few weeks of normal use and I should be able to calculate how long your brain will last. As for a limiter, I could easily incorporate it into your BitPhone design.

[justonezero]

As long as I don't lose my limbs or my life a second time, it's probably fine!

[Probably.]

I wonder if we can get it back? ...Or get another one from the resort if we fix it.

I have no idea what they did with it after I died.

[perfeccion]

Hm... that's a good question, actually. [he taps his chin] I was actually quite fond of the coat I had on when I died, but I'm afraid it was immolated with my body. I'm not sure what happens to the clothing and accessories of those that end up as lunchmeat. [he waves a hand] We'll cross that bridge when we come to it, my dear.

[justonezero]

I was probably eaten by the rats, but... they shouldn't eat the metal and plastic too, right?

[...Hrm.]

[perfeccion]

I can't imagine it'd be good for their little bellies, anomalous though they may be.

1/2

[justonezero]

Plus, those BitPhones are one of a kind! They're custom-made, so--

2/2

[justonezero]

[...Oh. That's actually really depressing to think about too.

What a thing to find out...]