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

[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!

[perfeccion]

It... it doesn't make sense to you either, right? [RIGHT???]

[justonezero]

It totally didn't at first! Even now it's weird how everyone keeps caring about me even though I messed up so badly...

But it's nice? I don't know what they see in me, but I want to help them!

[perfeccion]

[he folds his arms]

... such strange behavior.

[justonezero]

You're going to help out though, right?

[perfeccion]

Hmph.... [he laughs and adjusts his glasses, which flash in the light] what kind of boss would I be if I moped while you all did the heavy lifting? Why, I'd be no better than Kurotsuchi...!

[justonezero]

Heheheh... It sounds like you care a little now, too!

[...]

I'm going to use my eyes, but if we make it out of this, I'm still going to need your help. So I'm in your hands.

[Or tentacles or. Whatever.]

[perfeccion]

[he stage whispers;] Don't tell anyone. It has to be a secret~

[then he smiles, something almost like a REAL smile]

Use your eyes, Nanase. When we return, I will help ensure you can use them for many years to come.

[justonezero]

...Yeah. I have to stick around so I can be with everyone as long as I can, right?

Thanks for everything, Szayel.

[His own smile is soft and genuine in turn.]

[perfeccion]

Yes. That is your assignment, Thaumiel Nanase. Please take it very seriously.

[he offers another small smile before going off to help coordinate]

[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?]

[purrtagonist]

. . . not used to having friends and people who care about you, are you?

[yeah. Akira's familiar with this type of person]

[perfeccion]

You could put it that way.

[he leans against whatever he's sitting on]

I don't know what, if anything, Kurosaki has told you about our world. But the society of Hollows is... not one of trust. I believe your human idiom is "dog eat dog". We forge temporary alliances, but you best be watching your back at all times and sleeping with one eye open, because an alliance can quickly fall apart and end up someone's lunch. [he closes his eyes] For hundreds of years, the only person I was ever able to trust was myself.

[being "trustworthy" -- it just made you weak. Someone that could be taken advantage of. Someone that could be used up and then tossed aside or eaten.]

Hollows do not make friends, Kurusu. This is all... very foreign to me.

[purrtagonist]

That's okay.

[despite his mixed feelings on Szayel thanks to the memory they just got back, Akira isn't hostile]

You can take it one step at a time.

[perfeccion]

[He covers his face with his head and groans. He feels a headache coming on ]

I suppose one step at a time is all I can do... I know I’m in no position to ask something of you but... please be patient with me...

[purrtagonist]

I have a lot of patience.






But you have to promise not to do creepy tentacle things again, first.

[perfeccion]

[he clears his throat, politely]

... Well. I can't promise to never do it. Those tentacles are how I administer most of my drugs, panaceas, and poisons. But I can promise to only do it with permission. Is that fair?

[purrtagonist]

What's wrong with using pills and needles like a normal person?

[even though he flinches a little at the word "needle."]

[perfeccion]

Because, for the most part, I store and manufacture those substances in my body. I developed the techniques before I had access to medical equipment. [he shrugs, completely unperturbed] I am a creature of habit.