⬣//A BRIEF REPRIEVE

[cccorp]

>>Look at me.

⬣//BREATHE. EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY.

This is your Official™ catch-all log for the month of November. While the boss battles rage on, those of you who are looking to disengage from combat and kick your feet up for a spell can do so here.

Post your open prompts in this post. Closed starters may also be posted here or on @Altimit, but all open posts belong here in this log. Lawbreakers will be bent over the modly knee and paddled into compliance. Thank you.

>>Navigation

Comments

Nov 11

[selfconcept]

[ On this day, Hien continues to sit in Morrigu Barrow Wall with the images of the wisteria and magnolia trees. He no longer has bandages around his head and is still wearing the same long black cloak with the hood. He sits on the grass with several journals on his lap.

He still has the black smoky halo behind his head, but by now, it has smooth tipped spikes protruding out of it. His eyes look lost and vacant, but more importantly, they're no longer the black eyes that you're used to seeing on the Head Admin—his iris is checkerboard patterned of black and white.

Perhaps if you call out to him, he might answer.

He can also be reached by his inbox until the 14th! For the rest of the week after that, he will not be responding. He will only be in this location on the 11th. Any day after that, he won't be here. ]

[murrmoire]

[ Hien doesn't look like how Memoir remembers him. Even so, Memoir is aware that Hien has changed, thanks to Sinclair relaying his information to the guild.

Still, he should approach with caution. Hien may be able to smell the recognizable scent of stew. ]

Hien?

[selfconcept]

[ The scent lets him know before Noe talks. He slowly turns around with those strange patterned eyes, looking at Noe, lost and maybe never will be found again. There is no recognition in his eyes. ]

... Do you need something from me?

[murrmoire]

[ He senses the lack of recognition. Oh, Hien...

Memoir simply shakes his head and walks over to him. He sets the stew down, in front of him. It's actually a near-perfect attempt (15) at making it, this time. ]

I promised I would make this for you again, so...here you go. You don't need to eat it, but it's here.

...You look different today.

[selfconcept]

[ Hien looks down at the stew for a moment and holds the bowl with both hands, lifting it, balancing with a single hand, and taking the spoon to slowly eat.

... ]

It's good. I like it.

[ Hien usually speaks in a flat, dead tone, but this time, it just feels very... distant. Like he's not there. Perhaps spacey, but his mind is unfortunately still here. ]

I always looked like this.

[murrmoire]

Really?

[ He can't entirely buy that Hien likes it, due to how distant he is, and how he seems to not realize that he looks different... ]

Your eyes. They look different...in a few ways.

[insinning]

Hien...?

[When Sinclair had seen the forum posts, he knew he had to look for Hien.]

[selfconcept]

[ Hien slowly turns around to face Sinclair. There's no recognition in his eyes when he sees him. ]

Hm...?

[insinning]

...your eyes...they've changed.

[The lack of recognition concerns him but]

[selfconcept]

... I was always like this.

[ He slightly tilts his head. ]

I'm not sure what you're talking about.

[insinning]

...no. Your eyes were just black before. Now they're...

[He tries to work out how to explain it]

Like a checkerboard pattern.

[rebelles]

Admin Hien, I've been looking for you. How are you feeling?

[ She doesn't know how to feel - relieved that Hien is still with them or worried that Hien is looking ever worse for the wear. They've brought back one phase after another, which gives her hope, but she knows with a heavy heart they haven't been able to save everyone. ]

[selfconcept]

[ He doesn't turn around at the word "admin", but he does seem to turn his head when called by "Hien". That shouldn't be anything odd, but when he sees at Haru, there is no recognition in his eyes. ]

... I feel lost.

[rebelles]

Hani took us to a safe place Zelkova prepared called the netslum. There are advanced AI nurses there. We can arrange to have them check on you.

[ It's a long shot, but maybe the AI will know something about Hien's condition they don't. ]

Do you remember what we spoke about last time?

[selfconcept]

[ Hien slightly tilts his head, but when Haru mentions possible relocation, he shakes his head no. ]

Who are you...? I don't want to leave.

[rebelles]

[ Oh no. ]

I'm Haru. You knew me as Noir. And you're Hien, the admin of our game. I said I would help you remember, so if you have questions, maybe I can fill in the gaps.

[justonezero]

...

Did your head heal?

[selfconcept]

[ He slowly turns his head to look at Nanashi. There's no recognition in his black and white checkerboard-patterned eyes. ]

My head is fine.

[justonezero]

[Noting those eyes...]

Well, I'm glad about that at least.

How much do you remember?

[selfconcept]

I don't know.

[ His eyes continue to stay on Nanashi. ]

Everyone that I meet keep saying that I forgot things, and I read the books and journals... It doesn't feel real. It doesn't feel like those experiences are mine.

[justonezero]

...That's a lot like the others.

Do you think you're a program now?

[alchemicalbirth]

[ On the final day before...whatever else may happen, Albedo so happens to make his appearance.

His condition has certainly progressed. Unnerving perhaps to most eyes, the other additions to the halo in particular, but it is the look in his eyes that are worst off to him. Not that image, the lost emotion in particular. ]

Hien.

...What are the journals for?

[selfconcept]

[ He looks at Albedo. There's no look of recognition in his eyes--it's as if he's talking to any stranger. ]

... Makoto's journals. He wrote in them to try and preserve his memories. I want to understand them... I want to understand him, as a person.

[ There's a moment of silence. ]

Will you help me?

[alchemicalbirth]

[ He sure happens to see that. That's always literally the opposite of a good sign. ]

...Yes, I will do my best to assist.

Where would you like to start?

[ Inwardly, Albedo is uncertain how much of that can be possible, but one never knows until they try. ]

[selfconcept]

[ Hien makes a copy of the journal and holds it out to Albedo. ]

Being "wanted" isn't really all that good either... right?