cancry | Superbia Intro Log

[ Amber seems to be waiting... for quite a while. Not ridiculously long but several more minutes than he might have expected or hoped for - though maybe with all the realizations he's having, he might not mind the extra time to think. Eventually though the guidance counselor door opens and another "student" is being ushered out by a.... ridiculously tall man with horns and a snake tail. They seem to be mid conversation: ]

--as I said sweetheart, I will be fine. They haven't sent anyone here yet today anywa--

[ And then he stops, noticing Amber waiting, his tail sticking up in surprise. ]

...Ah.

[He was told he'd be speaking to the guidance counselor after the "little stunt" he pulled during class, which...like. Is it really a stunt if it's in self defense? That other kid threw the first punch, and he can't possibly be expected not to retaliate, okay. Even if he was mostly verbally egging him on than anything. It's not his fault, and he's sticking to that.

Not that he's really thinking about that right now anyway, and...well. When said guidance counselor steps out into view, even what Amber was thinking about while waiting gets pushed to the wayside because, hello, what the fuck.]

....Uuuhhhhh.

[He blinks a time or two, one hand on his knee while the other holds the icepack up to his face as he leans forward slightly.]

I didn't think that kid punched me that hard...

[Then his gaze flicks up to said man with horns and a snake tail, and for a moment he doesn't even know like...what the appropriate response here is? Probably to not say anything, but.

He's going to say something, of course he is.]

Nice..........horns. .....and tail. You got there.

...sir.

[ Superbia is a nice chance from Avaritia, but the whole, you know, being stuck here and the weird school has Rei's nerves absolutely shot to pieces. The idea of the routine of going through school has... kind of helped, but she's still jittering with anxiety and definitely A Girl On The Edge.

Which is maybe why, when the student outside his office makes that passing comment about Achilles' horns, Rei's reponse is to step in between them, fluffing up indignantly and looking very much like a kitten trying to protect a bull mastiff. ]

D–don't be so rude to my dad...!

[ ... Then the annoyance slides off her face as she registers what she's just said. ]

[ She looks up at Achilles.

At the other student.

Back to Achilles. ]

... Um... then... s–since you have another student to see I'll... I'll just... excuse myself...

[ Rei runs away... ]

Edited 2021-07-14 21:11 (UTC)

[ Achilles is surprised to hear his horns being commented on but not anywhere near as surprised as he hear Rei call him dad and then run off. He watches the door long after she's gone, before clearing his throat and turning to the student. ]

You'll have to excuse my daughter, she's been a bundle of nerves since moving here.

[ He steps aside and gesture to his office. ]

Why don't you come inside and we can talk about what happened to your eye?

...And my horns, if you'd prefer.

Edited 2021-07-14 21:19 (UTC)

Uuuuh...ssssure, yeah...

[Amber is still struggling to process what just...happened, but. He knows he needs to just get this over with, so might as well. He just hopes that this is just one of those cases where he's being kindly humored because he got punched so hard he got a concussion, or something. That's the only way he can think to rationalize this.

He follows Achilles inside as instructed, his eyes scanning the space without taking much of it in. It all seems so...different. Sure, he's a new student, but it feels especially different for some reason. Like the very architecture isn't sitting right.

Once he's made to sit in front of his desk, though...]

Just for the record, he punched me first.

[ Achilles should... probably sit at his desk like a normal person but instead he sits on one of the corners across from Amber because he's cool-- haha no, it's because the desk is too short for him and he's already hit his knees several times. In the center of the desk is a bag of various snacks and lunch items courtesy of Rei that he didn't get a chance to put away yet. ]

So someone did punch you? Why did they do that?

[ He can easily believe it's not this kid's fault, he doesn't seem like the kind to start fights but he'd like to hear the whole deal. ]

Some meathead wanted to try to bully me into doing his homework for him. I guess he thought I looked like an "easy target".

[Massive airquotes around that.]

All I did was respond accordingly. I didn't humor him, and...sure, I was kinda rude about it, but it's not like I did anything other than talk, and talking's free.

Anyway, he punched me in the face after that. I got sent here before I could do much to react, though I'd like to say I got at least one good hit in.

[He probably shouldn't....admit to that, but he doesn't really care lbr]

…Ah. I see.

[ Theres a flicker of irritation in his eyes and Amber wouldn’t be blamed if he thought it was at him… but it’s soon proven to not be the case. ]

How unfair to send you here then instead of him.

I’m glad you got at least one punch in. Bullies shouldn’t be allowed to get away with stuff like that.

[ His moves then to dig into the bag, trying to find some snacks to grab. ]

…You don’t have to worry about being in trouble. I wouldn’t ever dream of lecturing someone for standing up for themselves.

[ The tail pulls out two snacks - some umaiibo because there’s no way I believe Claire would make a school setting that didn’t have umaiibo - and holds them out to Amber, offering one. ]

But if you’d like to stay here a while and talk some more before going back to a class like that, you’re more than welcome to.

Edited 2021-07-14 22:30 (UTC)

[...oh. And here he wasn't expecting the counselor to actually take his side, so color him surprised. He leans back in his chair a little as he takes the umaiibo in hand, still marveling at the existence of...tail...among other things.

He doesn't open it to eat just yet, looking a bit pensive.]

Yeah, I...I think I should probably stay until my head's unscrambled itself. Maybe I hit it on the floor or something, I...

[He shakes his head.]

Everything feels weird, somehow. I don't know.

[ Once Amber takes one he brings the other snack to his own hands, taking it and already starting to open it. ]

Mmm, I would imagine so.

You know what’s interesting? Ever since my horns came in, you’re the first specter to even so much as mention them. Most folks don’t seem to care or bat an eye — or maybe it’s more accurate to say they don’t realize they should care, that it should be strange at all. Even back where I’m from where they’re not unheard of, they’re certainly not common enough to not get a few second glances.

[ He has a hunch about why that is… he just has to confirm it now. ]

So let me ask you something:

…You’ve realized you’re dead, haven’t you?

[Amber had been toying a little with the edge of the umaiibo wrapper, but when Achilles says that?

He goes completely still. Completely quiet.

His eyes flicker up to the man's, and they reflect a mixture of uncertainty, confusion, suspicion, but most of all: fear.]

H....how did you-?

Edited 2021-07-14 23:25 (UTC)

[ Achilles turns his attention to his snack - ]

Because it happened to me. And all of my other companions.

[ And after saying THAT takes a bite before continuing. ]

The truth is everyone here is dead - just only a few of us ever realize that. We refer to the process as “awakening”.

Edited 2021-07-14 23:31 (UTC)

[To him...and his companions. Amber isn't sure what to make of that, watching Achilles intently now as he explains. His suspicion is growing...namely because, like. Isn't this guy supposed to be counselor?]

Wait, why don't you just tell everyone? Shouldn't they have a right to know?

[AMBER YOU CAN'T JUST TELL PEOPLE THEY'RE DEAD]

I can't even remember what happened to me! Or...maybe I can't remember anything period.

[ He looks back at the boy, meeting his eyes. ]

I am in agreement with you - I also feel they deserve to know, but the unfortunate truth is we can’t. Or rather, we can try but it won’t work. You can try for yourself later if you’d like. But you’ll find it just goes over their head and they either act like you grew a second head or don’t even acknowledge that you said anything.

The fact of the matter is they’ve not pieced back together enough of their self conscious and will power to realize or remember themselves yet. They might some day, but it’s not something we can have any effect on - they have to do it on their own, at their own pace.

Edited 2021-07-15 00:00 (UTC)

[...]

I didn't know at first. I woke up confused, not really knowing much about myself...so I just went along with what I assumed I was supposed to be doing, here. I figured I just forgot, or something...

[But how do you just forget your whole life? The answer: you don't. Not under normal circumstances.]

After I got hit, I remembered. I got this...really strong feeling, I guess, that I'd died. But I don't know how, or when...or why.

[...]

I honestly don't even know if my name is right.

[ …

He sets the now empty wrapper for his snack aside and moves off the desk in order to stand. Soon enough he’s kneeling at Amber’s side. ]

It likely isn’t. The names seem to take longer than other memories so we just go with what first comes to mind - I could only remember “Beast” at first myself, and even the name I go by now is one I chose for myself, not remembered.

But…

[ At that he reaches out to put a hand on one of Amber’s… if he’ll allow it. ]

I can promise you these things come back with time. And being with others in a similar position, talking to them, fighting with them, living with them— it helps. It helps stabilize your sense of self and keeps you from forgetting again, and in time you remember more.

But most importantly - it also means you’re not going through this alone.

[It's clear that Amber is still very unsure, but even with the horns and tail...Achilles gives off a kind and gentle air. Like he's somebody who can be trusted.

Why does he get the sense, though...that he should still be wary?

He's quiet, even when he goes to put a hand over his. His fingers tense, but...he doesn't pull away.]

This is...a lot.

[Which Achilles probably understands more than most.]

Are you saying I'm not...supposed to be here? At this school?

[ He averts his eyes for a moment. ]

That’s… somewhat complicated.

[ He lets go of Amber’s hand and stands again, digging into the bag from Rei. This time though it’s not to offer snacks but to use them to illustrate a point. ]

So this… after life is called Purgatory, and Purgatory is made up of layers.

[ He starts piling different snacks on top of each other, trying to represent the different layers. ]

The ultimate goal for every soul here is to make it to the bottom, here. [ He points to a box of pocky. ] Down here is where the cogs of renewal await which, hypothetically when reached will allow a soul to reincarnate into the next life. Right now however they are clogged and not working, so no souls are actually passing on.

[ He moves up to the top of his pile. ] Here is where you actually start: Limbo. It’s where I was when I awoke and met Rei for the first time. You likely first arrived there too, however if I recall correctly new specters actually appear in a different form before they regain their own appearance, so it’s possible that you made your way down here before you even regained a more physical form.

Here, by the way, is… [ He goes down the pile, passing over two more layers ] this spot. Before it were two more layers called Invidia and Avaritia. My group just arrived here the other day after going through them.

Does that make sense so far?

[The visual aids do help, so Achilles is doing a good job there. And the good news? Unlike Second, Varian is viciously smart. He seems to be following along well, even if it's a bit overwhelming.]

Yeah. Yeah, I think so.

So you're saying that I've been in these other layers- [He points for emphasis.] -but I wasn't aware of it, when I was there. I didn't have a physical form, so I sort of just existed...but not enough to be able to think.

C - LET'S GOOOOOO

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1/????? we'll see

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DONE!!!!!

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