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 honestly just seems to be in a mild state of shock -- and not because Akira is here]

I can't... I can't believe this...

[messianic]

... Is it really that surprising?

[He sounds sincerely curious.]

[perfeccion]

The exit is... the exit is right there... [he gestures vaguely to the outside, which is still a void for them of course. he seems genuinely dumbfounded] Why? Why would they stay to die?

[messianic]

[Minato just tucks his hands into his pockets, shrugging.]

They're not staying to die.

They're staying because they believe they can live--and do so while saving all of us, too.

[perfeccion]

I was....

I was so sure.... I was certain....

[he trails off]

[messianic]

That's okay, I think... isn't it?

[After all--]

We can learn from being wrong, too. They're not going to leave us behind... not this time. We're all going to make it out of here.

[perfeccion]

[he had been standing, and he just sort of

sits down.

he still looks utterly gobsmacked.

It's a good thing Akira is here to lead because ur boss kinda broke]

.....That Ichigo. He was right after all.

[messianic]

[Akira's good at that.]

Yeah? That somehow doesn't surprise me. Ichigo's got a good heart.

[That means he's not surprised he was right about people.]

Personally... this feels pretty reassuring to me. No matter what happens from here, we're all in this together.

We're going to be okay.

[perfeccion]

[he covers his face and laughs a bit]

Or we'll just all die. Damn.... [he sucks in a deep breath and lets it out.

Then he stands up and composes himself]

... Well, if the living, who have everything to lose, are willing to give it their all... who am I to sit around waiting for death?

1/2

[purrtagonist]

[SQUINTS AT U, MR. TENTACLES]

[purrtagonist]

. . . what? Is something wrong?

[maybe now is not the best time to bring that up, though]

[perfeccion]

They're...

They're all staying....?

[purrtagonist]

[turns to crane his neck at the living, a slow smile curving up the corners of his mouth]

. . . of course they are.

They haven't given up on the people on this side. That's why I said we shouldn't give up on them.

[perfeccion]

[he looks at Akira, his eyes wide and somewhat unseeing, then looks back at the living...

then he looks at his hands]

... I misjudged them all so completely... I was sure, no, certain... they would take the opportunity to run -- from the Resort, from the Foundation, from me.

[he puts his hand over his face]

But it's just like Kurosaki said... that they would stay and risk their lives for... for....

[pardon him, Akira, he's breaking a little. For him it feels like the laws of physics have just flipped]

[justonezero]

Kinda weird when people care, huh?

[LIKE. HE'S WITH YOU THERE, SZAYEL.]

[perfeccion]

I've never... felt this sensation before.

[it's VERY ODD???]

[justonezero]

Welcome to the club!

[purrtagonist]

[. . . . .]

Not everyone is purely selfish. Or. . . maybe they are being selfish?

[a wry laugh, and Akira tilts his head back, eyes slipping shut]

Selfishly sticking around to protect-- to save-- the people they love.

That's human nature for you.

[perfeccion]

I...

I just....

[he sighs, collapsing a bit]

... I don't understand.

[is this the power of bonds?]

[moonlightbeast]

Really? Because this seems exactly like the kind of thing he would do.

[Yep. Just gonna casually dunk on Akira here.]

[perfeccion]

[he glares at Atsushi]

I'm not talking about him! That is perfectly within reason for an Akira instance. I'm talking about them.

[he points to the assembled living]

[moonlightbeast]

You...really expected them to leave us here to die?

[perfeccion]

Of course I did! Why wouldn't I?! It's the most logical and reasonable action to take if they wanted to live, and perhaps even escape Foundation custody for a time...!

[moonlightbeast]

Because they're our friends, and want to help us? If your friend is in danger, then it makes sense to try and help them.

[perfeccion]

.... they are not MY friend. I don’t. I don’t have friends, that’s ridiculous.