[Event Post]

[maximumogredrive]

You can find some scruffian stooping at your place of work if you work in a supernaturally themed business. This includes SAI or OOPARTS, but isn't limited to that. He can also be found in the DA or local library, pouring over newspaper articles and history books.

He seems like he's trying to make conversation, but is waaaaay too awkward to know how to approach something.

Comments

[maximumogredrive]

He scrunches up his face. Ugh, reading. But he does a good job of skimming, looking at them, his frown deepening.

"And it seems... psychological differences too. A helluva lot of them. Seems like it'd be a real bad idea to even try."

[knowinginthedark]

Well, yes, especially after I did further research into why it might've happened.

*he pulls out another picture he's printed out-- now that is much more similar to the guy you're talking to. Only he's actually cleaned up and proud of himself.*

This is a picture taken before the incident in the articles. So how did he turn out like the picture that's in his profile, now?

[maximumogredrive]

"... that's real weird. Maybe possession from that artifact recovery site? If ya take treasure from some monsters, they want payback, right?"

[knowinginthedark]

Well, in so far as I can tell, this is definitely the result of monster-possession.

The question is whether or not the possession ended.

[maximumogredrive]

"I dunno. Wouldn't he go back to being normal looking if it did stop? Or at least more than he does now?"

[knowinginthedark]

That'd be the question, wouldn't it? But it's why I'm worried-- if I go ahead and "merge" with him in any way or form, how is that going to affect the total situation? And is he still possessed or not, since far as I've been able to tell, he is absolutely recognized as "Yamada, Mamoru"?

*pulling out more papers he's been working on. Things about the Barians, including little profiles about each of the known ones. About the scythe that got pulled up. Things about "Hasegawa, Kai" and "Kanzawa, Koyo". About the "Numbers" cards. About the post-incident medical reports on Mamoru himself, after he was found unconscious, the artifact shattered and himself injured...*

And just how deep does this rabbit hole even go?

[maximumogredrive]

He tries to prevent his eyes from crossing. This all seems real important but he's got other stuff to focus on.

"That's... alot of research. Wouldn't it be better to just call off the merge and maybe figure out how to come clean?

I ain't merged with my alter and I'm doing fine."

[knowinginthedark]

My situation is a little... Dire, I guess I should say. I'm not sure if it's possible to "come clean" about this.

Plus, you're trying to find a way home, right? So it means you probably got "pulled" to here, yes?

I chose to come here.

[maximumogredrive]

"...You chose?"

[knowinginthedark]

Yes.

Where I'm from... I was meant to have an overall purpose. It's a purpose that I can't really ignore-- or more that it's impossible to ignore, but my world was... "Broken", I guess?

Imagine a game that glitched out so much, that the "win" state was impossible, but at the same time, the "lose" state was also impossible.

That was my world.

[maximumogredrive]

"Oh.

...I'm sorry that happened. And you think... you can do that purpose here?"

[knowinginthedark]

I think this world has a better shot of it at least, though I might be a little late to the overall party.

But, well, better a "lose" situation than a "nothing" situation, right?

[maximumogredrive]

"...yeah."

You're kinda giving me the jitters with this talk.

"Look, I don't know what all you're going through, but maybe there's a better roa-"

There's the sound of doors breaking open somewhere.

"...No."

[knowinginthedark]

Oh hey look at the time, it sounds like it's "not be here o-clock".

*trying very carefully and very quickly to regather up all of his documents and materials, as much as one can when trying to not panic*

[hardcorebestcore]

And not here o-clock has come to your table.

"NOT FATHER

YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN YOUR SACRED BOSS RUSH DUTIES

YOU HAVEN'T EVEN DUELED ONE OF US.

... Hello Mr. Tarou! I hope you have had good chat with this LOSER but I need him now for training!"

[knowinginthedark]

Oh, yes, don't worry, I was just leaving, thank you for the wonderful talk, I'm sure we'll get back to it very soon, good luck with the boss rush.

*grabbing up all of his stuff to run away.

... he forgot to close the browser.*

[hardcorebestcore]

Huh? Why's he have this browser open with all of this info on Mamoru...? That's super suspicious...

Unless...



"Mister Tarou you forgot to close down the site of the man you're probably gonna have to interview with at LDS! Don't worry, I got it."

Aaaaand she's closed it for him.