[CAMPUS/IC]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[This is a general post for threads that can't go anywhere else, to prevent making closed posts for one or two characters.

Threads here are 100% IC for the_campus.

05/10/13 - A Soft Heart Breaking. (Date Mislabelled on actual thread)
05/10/13 - What Family's For
8/10/13 - Trespass of the Soul
13/10/13 - Fears of the Past
13/10/13 - The Great Evacuation
14/10/13 - A Beach Date! Jokes Spiralling Out of Control
31/10/13 - Questionable Intentions
03/11/13 - Secrets of the Mind]

NEXT

Comments

[fluffydeathdealer]

It's kind of scary... Even if it was just something like relatives, it'd be frightening. But even with that uncomfortable feeling, I could come to terms with things.

But...

That man got really weird when he realized.

[helpusduelist]

Weird how, precisely? I would think meeting my reincarnation would be strange, in some way.

[Actually was strange, in fact, but he won't address that.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

He said... that because I had the Ring, it meant that he had 'unfinished business'. And that if anyone so much as touched me wrong... he'd "rip them apart".

[helpusduelist]

...I suppose if you can't be protective of yourself in all forms, you can't say to be interested in self-preservation... as strange as it might be.

Don't worry. He won't be allowed to rampage as he pleases.

[fluffydeathdealer]

Un. I can understand that. But that level of protectiveness is kind of terrifying, you know? After all, with someone like that, who knows what he'd take to be 'wrong'?

[A serious nod.]

He was asking questions, but I didn't let anything on about what's going on here. I didn't even mention your name. I don't think the Spirit let anything on either, since he seemed suspicious of him. So as far as I know, he doesn't even know you're here. But I wanted to warn you regardless, in case something happened.

[helpusduelist]

I appreciate the warning, Ryou, thank you. We'll all take care to be as on alert as we can manage around him.

Now...

[Henry looks at him, seriously and firmly.]

What is it that was bothering you? This was understandably worrying you, but there's something else here as well.

[fluffydeathdealer]

Eh-?! You could tell that easily-?!

[helpusduelist]

Ryou...

Haven't we talked about this already?

[His voice is gently teasing and affectionate as he leans on the railing a bit more.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

U... un.

[He laughs a little awkwardly, looking out over the view.]

I can't help but feel like a bad person, somehow. Having been that... and knowing the Spirit is part of me too. If the Spirit and I are the same person... then what purpose is there in trying to get rid of the Ring at all? It'd be better to keep him where I can at least try to control him somehow. After all... I can't abandon the guilt of his actions, even if they weren't mine.

It's like one hand claiming it's innocent because the other hand held the knife that stabbed someone.

[helpusduelist]

[It's probably not what you expect, Ryou... but Henry just smacked you upside the head.]

What in the name of God are you talking about?

[fluffydeathdealer]

Ow-!

[He rubs his head ruefully, looking sheepish. He probably deserved that.]

Sorry.

[helpusduelist]

What have you done that harbors such guilt, Ryou? And I am not speaking on this thief or the spirit. What have you done, with your own two hands and your own will?

[fluffydeathdealer]

Me...?

[He has to think on it for a moment.]

I... didn't do anything.

[helpusduelist]

Then why are you acting as if what they do is your guilt to bear?

[fluffydeathdealer]

I'm... not sure. It just feels like it is.

[helpusduelist]

Then your feelings are wrong.

[That's... kind of sharp and blunt.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Give him a minute here, Henry. He doesn't want to say anything until he's thought it through. Finally, he draws in a sigh.]

You're right.

Even if they're 'me', they're still not the 'me' that I am.

[helpusduelist]

Precisely, Ryou. It doesn't matter if you happen to be a reincarnation of him, or if that spirit is a part of that man. That is what once was.

[He glances over, resting his head on his hand.]

You are aware the Rose Cards give power over time and space, correct? Let me ask you this... have you ever wondered why the five of us haven't used them freely? Or why I didn't attempt it after Jack perished?

[fluffydeathdealer]

Un. I wondered about it. But I assumed there was some sort of problem with using them freely. Some sort of penalty, maybe.

[helpusduelist]

It isn't so much a penalty as it is that time isn't changed that simply. Fate and Time are both mistresses that act upon their own wills, and though with our power we can defy them at times, there are some things that simply... cannot be altered.

One such thing is who we used to be in the past, whether our own selves or reincarnation. But altering who we were then is not important.

[Henry looks out over the island.]

The past should never be forgotten, so that it is not repeated. But the person who we were in the past does not determine our path of life.

Christopher was an abandoned child, tossed aside and hated. He became a man of strength and compassion, a religious swordsman who is counted as the royal guard of the king.

I was once a closed-off child -- and even adult -- who only held one very special person to me. I've become a king who attempts to be benevolent in all he does and I have made companions in this place, not the least of whom is you.

[He looks to Ryou, red eyes burning intensely.]

In some past life, you were a cruel thief and some twist of fate means that this spirit plaguing you is that past of yours. But that is your past, Ryou. A past long ago that you have no control over and are no longer connected to. So what if this "past" is a cruel thief?

What of your future, Ryou?

[He looks up now.]

Instead of worrying over those who embody what you used to be... wouldn't your time better be spent turn your attention to the man who you will become?

[fluffydeathdealer]

[The man he'll become...? He hasn't given it much thought. Listening intently, he thinks over the words thoughtfully. That's right... he shouldn't be giving up so easily. His past self may be a monster, and the spirit of the Ring may be a part of him he can't deny, but that doesn't define who he is. He wants to be a good person. Whatever fate has in store for him, that is something he can't just discard because of the past. He can grow past it.]

Un. You're right, father. I'm sorry for my transgression. I'll try not to let that mindset take over again.

[helpusduelist]

[Henry smiles gently, reaching over to pull Ryou into him and hug him tightly. He places a light kiss on the boy's head, stern face replaced by that fatherly love.]

That's what I hoped you'd say. I do love you, Ryou... and I know that you can be someone truly amazing. I'm always here if you ever need help with that.