#002 [video]

[theonewhodied]

((Proper network introduction time!))

[The recording begins with a shot of the soles of a rather nicely buffed, clean pair of shoes making themselves at home on the top of a coffee-table. Some first impression!

The owner of the shoes, dressed in a black Japanese school unfirom, is reclining into chair, sinking down so low that the only thing that can be seen beyond his crossed legs is his head leaning off to the side, looking most unimpressed.]

Well, so-called-Deities. I hope you had your fun.

I won't forgive such an insult so easily.

If you mean to trap me here, I advise you to take a good, long look at me while you still can, because I won't be here long. [He uncrosses his legs, placing his feet on either side of the communicator now. He leans forward, adjusting his hat.]

My name is Naoi Ayato. That's "god" to the rest of you.

Comments

[beyourarmy]

No, you're just Ayato. Better watch it.

Go around calling yourself God, and I might just have to take you down.

[theonewhodied]

[While normally, he'd take offense to that, he instantly takes a liking to anyone who calls him by name. Particularly his given name, because nearly no one uses it.

So, instead of anger, he simply raises his head and smirks.] Oh, how scary.

And what stake do you have in this, I wonder? Don't tell me you're divinely inspired.

[beyourarmy]

Nah. People full of themselves can just get annoying.

Or I might be wondering why you think you're a god. If you are one, what kind of god are you?

[theonewhodied]

Sorry to inconvenience you, whoever you might be. [Clearly not sorry at all, but he is hoping he'd get his name.]

One that grants the dissatisfied souls of children the peace they need to move on.

[beyourarmy]

[And Setsuna doesn't catch that, too oblivious.]

So, like a death god?

[theonewhodied]

... in a way.

I wasn't born one, I became one in the afterlife.

[beyourarmy]

So you were just a regular human, and you come in here wanting us to call you god? Really?

[theonewhodied]

The key word here being "was." I have powers beyond any human, alive or dead, now!

Actually, I wanted to be seen as a god there too.

[beyourarmy]

Doesn't matter. Even you were once a human. Don't be expecting much awe in a place like this, a place run by deities. A place that manages to keep you here.

[theonewhodied]

Don't worry.

I have my ways of earning respect.

[beyourarmy]

Good. Because that's how respect's earned. Demanding it ain't gonna work.

My name's Setsuna, by the way, Ayato.

[theonewhodied]

Of course, I know that already.

It's nice to meet you, S-Se—

[His arrogant, stoicism gives way to a look of surprise as his cheeks colour. It takes him a moment to react and when he does, he starts by clearing his throat:] ... Setsuna-san.

Your kindness is embarrassing me! If you want to call me Ayato, that's [—great, excellent, amazing—] all well and good, but please use an honorific of some sort!

[That serious manner of speaking is completely falling apart, even while he tries to cram in as many words as possible to distract from how red he's turning. The pitiful hand-waving isn't helping matters either.] I mean, I don't even really know you and isn't this going too fast?!

[beyourarmy]

[Setsuna pauses for a moment, like he's giving it thought, then flatly:] No. I don't even give my teachers honorifics. [But the other commentary.... Maybe he should relent a little.]

Is Naoi better?

[theonewhodied]

Suitable.

[Still flustered, but he'll get over it!]

[beyourarmy]

Good, because you're not getting an honorific.

[dignity_misery]

[...Oh uhm.]

Fuck you.

[theonewhodied]

The sentiment is mutual, wench.

[dignity_misery]

[She makes a snotty little face, incredulous.]

Wench.

[We're not pirates.]

[theonewhodied]

What's wrong, not to your taste? I do have another word I could use, but I think it'd be an insult to female dogs everywhere.

[He's a brat, I'm sorry.]

[dignity_misery]

[Her expression doesn't change, her eyebrows just lift a little further.]

Only the two?

[theonewhodied]

The others are too ignoble for divinity.

[dignity_misery]

[Oh right... back to that...]

Have you talked to the angels about your divinity yet?

[theonewhodied]

I confined an "angel" to a cell once. Clipped her wings, to borrow a phrase.

[dignity_misery]

[Disgust crosses Carla's face.]

Welcome to your new cage.

[theonewhodied]

The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure.

[dignity_misery]

I'm having a blast.

[indecent_butterfly]

One does not recall him or any other looking like you. Nor being named Ayato.

[theonewhodied]

I'm different. I actually do my job. [Is that a hint of bitterness under that pride?]

[indecent_butterfly]

That would certainly be a first. Although who can say just what god's job is other than himself?

[Oh ne does like pride.]

[theonewhodied]

I am a man of firsts. [Luckily for nem, Naoi has that in spades.]

At the very least, supposedly merciful god should not sit idle while the innocent suffer and turn a deaf ear to desperate prayers.

[valentineluke]

Don't expect respect shown to you anytime soon, then.

[theonewhodied]

It's fine. I'm used to being disrespected and forgotten by fools who don't know how lucky they are to bask in my presence!

[valentineluke]

Apollo had a somewhat similar attitude, but at least he was far more polite about it.

[theonewhodied]

Apollo?

[valentineluke]

Greek god who was here for a time.

[monochrome_mirror]

Ayato-san.

[Nope, she's not even asking permission. (ooc: But the player is, so if you don't want this to happen, lemme know and I'll edit stuff. IIRC you were okay with this sort of thing?)]

Look at me.

[theonewhodied]

((Like I said before, I'm fine with pretty much everything, so yes! ^o^/))

[It is unusually foolish and trusting of him, but the fact that she uses his given name intercepted his rationality and he looks at her, saving his questioning for only after he makes (relative) eye contact.] What is it...?

[monochrome_mirror]

[And she holds up the mirror, so he can see his own reflection in it. Without a word, she starts looking back through his past record -- why is he calling himself a god? Is he actually one? Is he lying? Why is he so arrogant -- is this just his personality, or is he hiding something? He seems young -- is this appearances or truth? And is he treating her differently just to get something out of her, or because he actually listens to her?]

Your arrogance is remarkable.

[ooc: ...dammit am I actually using his first name? I looked up the character and I think I might have gotten it backwards. Web sites are always inconsistent when it comes to Japanese name order. ><]

[I apologize for how dreadfully boring and TL;DR this is.]

[theonewhodied]

((Don't worry, you're right! Ayato is his given name. His twin brother's Naoi Hayato, so you've got it right, don't worry. o/))

Thank you. [Sarcasm.]

Shikieiki-sama, just what are you doing?

[Prepare for a rather twisted story, then!

He was only a child when he died, hence the young appearance. Evidently, he has been dead for quite some time, without aging, as he's become something of an immortal ghost.

The reason for his attitude is found in life: his arrogance is a cover for a severe inferiority complex and an aching need to be acknowledged. Two sons born to a master potter, only one of them showing any natural talent, the other is neglected and left to his own devices, until an accident claims one's life, while the other is only injured. A switch is arranged by his father, who declares Naoi Ayato dead and Hayato the survivor, despite the fact that it was Ayato who lived. Naoi's only too happy to go from being forgotten to having a meaningful existence, even if his strict father never tells him a kind word and never seems satisfied with how Ayato hasn't reached Hayato's level... until it's cut short by his father falling sick and becoming incapable of teaching him the art of pottery anymore. Back to an aimless life of seclusion, only now caring for his entirely dependent father.
Despairing when his prayers aren't answered, he breaks when he realizes that he was written out of his own life (he had essentially become his brother and carried on Hayato's existence), never acknowledged for himself, Naoi passes away, feeling as if he never truly existed.

In the afterlife, all children's souls who still have regrets cannot move on unless they enjoy a fulfilling youth and attain peace with the lives they lead before, Naoi avoids passing on by living a dual life as a model student to obtain high standing, while assaulting his classmates behind closed doors. He purposefully keeps himself in turmoil, deciding in his madness and desire to be acknowledged, that he will become the god of this world because he has earned it by suffering so much. When the girl he serves is incapicitated, he slaughters all the students who oppose him, tries to force them to pass on, and only stops, when one who was not involved in the battle embraces and accepts him for himself, affirming his existence.

This is enough to soothe his spirit and allow him to move on, but his nature is still cruel and his mind is still twisted. He is incapable of feeling guilty about the wrongs he's committed (probably because everyone he "kills" in the afterlife revives), sees his hypnosis as a valid response to even the mildest annoyance: the main difference being that he no longer attacks unprovoked and becomes incredibly attached to anyone who exhibits similar behaviour to Otonashi's kindness. He's protective of those he cares about, but otherwise acts in a very immature and controlling manner. His cruelty has a childlike innocence to it, so he's incapable of feeling guilty about it. This is clearly a very bad combination with his intelligence and immense power.]

[It's not boring ^^ Aw, sad Ayato!]

[monochrome_mirror]

[...He isn't a god at all. She expected this, but not in such a dramatic way. Shining blue eyes, a clash with the memory of his own red glare, stare into his, and see more destruction than she thought possible from a child.

His power and hers are like two sides of the same coin, both invasive and overwhelming, but one is passive and observant, the other active and oppressive...and she now braces herself for the reaction on his part.]

Discerning who and what you are. A personality and identity such as yours does not arise from nothing.

[I, uh, figured I should be using his last name, isn't that how Old Formal Japanese does it? Is this horrendously rude, to use his name the way she's doing it? ^^;]

[I'm glad. ^^;;; Yeah, his story's pretty sad.]

[theonewhodied]

((Yeah, formally, even in modern Japanese, one uses the family name and not the given name. This is also how Naoi addresses others typically too.
It's not rude in and of itself, but it is far too familiar for comfort if used towards a perfect stranger and that's how it can come across as rude. You could totally excuse it here by it being no more invasive than anything else she's doing.))

[His eyes widen and he looks surprised, before a smirk plays upon his lips. He's mortified, but he's trying to cover it regardless.] I see.

And? What do you think of this monster now? [His voice is softly lilting, almost mocking.

He's thinking back to how she treated him before, when she guided him after his arrival. He had to remind himself, even then, not to become too used to the kindness she showed him, because if she knew the truth about him, she would either fail to notice him or simply revile him. He's hoping for the latter because it's better than being forgotten.]

Will you judge me now?

[tl;dr back at you. XD ]

[monochrome_mirror]

[ooc: for character consistency, I'll switch to her using his last name, because I had gotten then mixed up. I guess we'll retcon that she has been generally doing this, because even in the City she only uses first names by request (i.e. Penny, who insists on it).]


[She doesn't need to see the details right now. It will take a while, use more of her energy, and isn't necessary for her conclusions at the moment. Putting down the mirror, she lets the energy dissipate, the aura fade, and her eyes return to their mundane blue.]

What do I think? That you are too young for your power, your actions, and your fate. I think that your life is one that has been toyed with for too long, and that the City is nothing like the judgment I would call upon you, were the City to allow me use of my powers. Were you an adult, I would consider you hellbound. But as you are...I would reincarnate you and give you a chance at another, more fair existence. This is not to say that you cannot be blamed at all for your actions...but that you were never given a fair chance by the world. Those who are so disadvantaged as this, are always given consideration in their circumstances.

Before I was a Yama, I was a guardian of children, travelers, and the innocent. I understand the ways of youth and the pain that children experience when they are harmed. While I cannot punish the world for what it does, as the world is no more intelligent and malicious than a falling stone or a stroke of lightning, I consider that it is strictly unjust at times, and I will do what I can to mediate that.

As you are the spirit of a human, you would be quite within my domain of formal judgment...if I were in my own world. Here, I can do no more than speak to you, though my mirror still performs well.

Consider yourself alive again, for your time here. You are in a world that knows nothing of you, as if you have been born anew here, only with past experience in mind. It is as close to reincarnation as one can achieve here, so I for once agree with the City's decision. Consider yourself not forgotten, but undiscovered, and you may write the tale of your life however you wish, and into whose minds you desire.

...As for what I will do, I will watch over you in your new life. I will not forget who you are, nor what you have done, nor what you choose for the future. I will encourage you to return when you stray, and I will guide you when you are lost, as best I can.

Such is my conclusion for Naoi Ayato.

[......... crap, I teared up. \o/]

[theonewhodied]

((Roger! o/))

[The sardonic smile fades as soon as she finishes her first statement. He listens with utmost seriousness to what she has to say.

Then, he starts to smile, genuinely, in spite of himself when she says she would reincarnate him.

Tears build up in the corners of his eyes when she promises to watch over him and he has to bring down the rim of his hat... not that it hides the tears rolling down his cheeks.]

Thank you... I've been trying my best not to lose my way again. [He's only hypnotized Reiuji to convince her she's a wash-basin! ... then again, he also convinced poor Lucina to kill him and hypnotized her when she wasn't willing so she would be forced to do it, which wasn't very nice. (But he had a reason, he wanted to know if he could still revive here!)

He's just going to have to keep trying harder, then.]

[I try! ]

[monochrome_mirror]

[Her smile deepens, warm and understanding.]

I know.

I will leave you be to your introductions...and I will see you again.

[She turns off the device.]