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un: cantilena
This might be a weird question but bear with me. I think some of us remember having a life before the one we've supposedly lived in Crane City or beyond. But does anyone remember dying? Literally dying or being led to believe you have.
I won't ask the specifics. You don't even need to tell me your name if you don't want to. Death is a very personal thing and one of the first things they teach you in my profession is to avoid asking direct questions about the event itself. But I've been turning the possibilities in my head and even the reincarnation angle doesn't really fit. If you've got any insights or ideas I'd love to hear them. Or if you know anything about the afterlife/netherworld in general. Either way, let's swap notes.
I won't ask the specifics. You don't even need to tell me your name if you don't want to. Death is a very personal thing and one of the first things they teach you in my profession is to avoid asking direct questions about the event itself. But I've been turning the possibilities in my head and even the reincarnation angle doesn't really fit. If you've got any insights or ideas I'd love to hear them. Or if you know anything about the afterlife/netherworld in general. Either way, let's swap notes.
text ↪️ un: just.a.chef
Do you remember your "death," then? It's awfully unpleasant.
[ The first few hundred times, at least. ]
no subject
but I haven't ruled out something more sinister going on here as well
and yes and no. it's complicated
I remember heading home, catching a glimpse of something...... wrong before blacking out
next thing I knew I was in the netherworld fighting for my unlife
[ Wait. ]
you remember dying?
🔒 private
I know Death better than almost everyone here, unless we've got a few deities in our midst.
I know what dying feels like. It's burned into my soul.
So I really, really hope the death you're recalling was false or an illusion.
🔒 private
[ And as far as he knows, that promise tally is only at 1, not the huge number it was back then. ]
burned into your soul?
I believe you just... I've never heard anyone put it that way
are you ok talking about it?
what I vaguely remember was it being very sudden
I still lean toward false memories than actuality
except there's one detail that doesn't line up with that theory
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...Honestly, no. This isn't the kind of information I should dump on anyone but a therapist. But what kind of fucking therapist, supernatural or not, is going to believe a guy who claims to have died a million consecutive deaths?
I'd be thrown to the closest psych ward.
Anyway. What's the rub in your story? What's got you doubting?
[ Oh, how quick he is to compartmentalize. ]
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[ There's a long pause on her end after he hits her with that bombshell. No "..."ing, just dead (lol) silence. ]
what do you mean a million?
[ Just as quickly as she drops the subject completely and refocuses on his response. He would never lie about that kind of thing... ]
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Rain check.
This conversation was never about me in the first place. And... I'm not ready to unravel that mess just yet.
[ He's not sure he ever will be. ]
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I'm holding you to that I hope you know
but I can wait for now
what I saw before I woke up in the netherworld
I can't fully explain it except that it felt wrong
and not like anything I've encountered before
you'd think false memories would try to pull from what you know
no subject
How much supernatural exposure did you have when this happened?
There are too many variables to say for sure, but I wonder if you were hexed. Maybe cursed? Or maybe something's been hovering over your shoulder for a long time.
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but there's always a distinct feel
or I guess sound might be more accurate?
I can see the difference between normal and supernatural more or less but my ears are a better judge
[ ...Don't hyperfocus on that word. Cursed. ]
I know what it feels like to have something attached to you
it wasn't that
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Still too many variables. Do you remember what it sounded like? Looked like?
...Are you comfortable talking about this?
no subject
maybe not over text
I have a hard time talking about this kind of thing where others can see
[ Yes, it's a private conversation, but if her past unlife had taught her anything, it's to not trust networks like this. ]
no subject
Meet me there.
[ He doesn't trust message boards either. Luckily, Kaito's rounds have already led him to the small street fixture of a noodle shop. All he has to do is pull up a stool and wait. ]
1/2
sure
be there in 20
2/2 ➔ action
Nope. Never getting used to that.
Seeing the familiar empath, Hibiki takes the stool next to him. ]
Hey.
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...And something very familiar to the siren is playing out of the speakers on either side of the stall.
The familiar empath flashes a familiar, knowing smile. ]
Yo.
I dunno why it never clicked until now that you're the one who's always on the radio at the Noodle and its associated businesses.
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...
But she hears him loud and clear, which is why she turns her head toward him, visibly flustered. There are other places playing her music?! That... weirdly makes sense, but at the same time, she's a bit dumbfounded. ]
Ah, yeah. Right. I'm glad they like my stuff enough to play it. Still feels really weird, though.
[ Maybe her own music will drown her out. ]
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Yup. My associates and employees love your work. They can't stop looping your music, especially in the Naganoodle. I've had to tell them to alternate with a few other artists so the customers don't get bored, but they insist.
Are you surprised? You have a really nice singing voice.
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Seriously, on loop? I can't even imagine. I never had that kind of luck before, it always felt like I had to fight for fans.
[ A playful grin starting to spread, she directs it straight at him. ]
And it sounds like I might've just earned one more. Or do I need to do more to win you over?
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His response to the grin is almost immediate—a soft smile in turn, followed by his retreating gaze. That's too much sunlight for someone like him. At least, so he thinks.
But there's a warmth that fills his chest that feels distinctly... not familiar, but right. Like it belongs, despite him never knowing that it had been missing.
Is this what he remembers? ]
Tsk. You've done plenty. I think the least I can do is support your music career here. Real or not, it's right in front of you, right now.
[ Golds slowly pan up to meet her gaze properly. ]
You deserve that happiness.
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Little does he know that there's a bit of happiness sitting not too far from her now. It's more than a little unfair. Her gaze darts away briefly before she forces it back toward him. ]
Maybe you're right. I didn't have the time or the opportunity to really pursue it before. There was so many other things going on...
[ And now there aren't. She can go out and make something of herself, pursue what makes her happy without guilt or regret.
... ]
You know, there's something I wanted to ask a while ago but never got the chance to. Pre-Duocaeli days.
[ Hopefully he gets the time context. ]
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A pair of miso ramen bowls loaded with tonkatsu (on the left, specifically...) come across the table. Kaito forks over some credits and then shoos the chef away. In an instant, everyone's stepped out for a conveniently timed smoke break. ]
Whatever the case may be, if you have the opportunity to pursue something important, you should do it. At least try.
[ He doesn't touch his ramen. Instead, Kaito grabs a cup of tea and takes a sip. Although his brows raise, there's no clear indication that he explicitly understands what she's referencing.
But he has a hunch. ]
If you have the opportunity to pursue something important...
[ Siiiiip. ]
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She doesn't seem to notice that the place has emptied out, instead grabbing a pair of chopsticks before offering them out to him. ]
It feels a little selfish considering what I should be doing, but life is short. You never know when it might get pulled out from under you. Sometimes you've got to take a chance.
[ ...Nice, that's as good a segue than ever. ]
End of the month, Brava. It's a cute wine bar on the Promenade that has regular performers in on the weekends. I'll be there on the last Saturday of this month. I was wondering it... you'd come see me perform.
[ Oh god that sounded desperate! Quick, backpedal! ]
I mean, obviously no pressure! It's no big deal if you can't make it, or if you don't want to! I just never got the chance to ask back then.
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Oh shit, is she asking him out??? Wait, is this a test of their past friendship? Were they friendzoned the entire time? If he says yes, does that just mean he's walking into a trap— ]
—Um.
[ 'Don't just "Um" and then pause, you idiot!' ]
I-I mean, yes. Yes! Yes? [ Cough. He finally picks up his chopsticks, breaks them cleanly, and proceeds to inhale a good quarter of the bowl's noodles before following up. All in ten seconds. After the spectacle, Kaito clears his throat and attempts to pass things off as if he hadn't just done all of... that. ]
Um. Yeah.
Of course I'll go.
1/2
It takes a few seconds after he answers again for it to fully register. It isn't even supposed to be a big deal, but she can't deny the little leap her heart does when he tells her that he'll go. It doesn't matter that she's inviting him as a friend, she's over the moon. ]
You will? Really?
[ Don't sound so excited! It's not like this is a date or anything (...had they ever gone on a date, she isn't sure they have). She claps her hands once, grinning from ear to ear. She'll probably look back and realize that she looks like a complete idiot, but that's a future Hibiki problem. ]
I promise, it'll be worth it! I've got some new material I'm planning on bringing, and the space is great. Better than the dingy clubs and bars I usually play. And I'll pick up the cover charge for you, so don't even worry about that! The drinks will be on me! [ Speaking of which! She pulls her attention away from Kaito to look toward the front of the shop. ]
Excuse me--
2/2
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