un: cantilena

[windsongs]

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.

Comments

un: deku

[defendure]

I can't help with the first part, although I guess that's always a possibility, but my top theory was some sort of reality-bending ability? I haven't really narrowed down to one theory as of yet so there's a lot of possibilities still. I'm not sure how to test for most of them though.

un: lark

[appeale]

This makes Stygia even more confusing, huh Kiki?

[ CASUALLY TRYING A NICKNAME WHILE SWEATING ANXIOUSLY BECAUSE SHE NEEDS TO SOLIDIFY HER EXISTING LIFELINES!!! ]

We never figured out if we were really dead or not, and now we're suddenly here...

text ↪️ un: just.a.chef

[nagano]

Residence in the underworld isn't nearly as permanent as it may initially seem. That's my two yen.

Do you remember your "death," then? It's awfully unpleasant.

[ The first few hundred times, at least. ]

[windsongs]

it's not really proven back home but I know more than a few people who believe that it's possible

reality-bending abilities huh?
that's pretty vague... what other theories do you have?

[windsongs]

[ She recognizes that user name, and mentioning Stygia cinches it. ]

it's frustrating! I mean I didn't completely buy the unseen death in a seedy alleyway angle
sounds more like something you'd see in a movie
but we're alive and hopefully never have to see that place again








and Kiki? is that supposed to be me? 😆
cute.......

[windsongs]

you know, if you would have told me that a couple of months ago I would disagree with you
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

[nagano]

Don't tell anyone. I'm not usually so loose with my words.

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

[windsongs]

I promise I won't

[ 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

[nagano]

Promises are easily broken. But if "I" trust you, then I'll hold you to that.

...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. ]

[windsongs]

please do. I haven't broken one yet and I don't intend to now

[ 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... ]

[nagano]

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. ]

[windsongs]

[ One sec, taking a screenshot of this conversation. ]

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

[nagano]

Yeah. My time is limited.

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.

[windsongs]

knowingly? about three months
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

[nagano]

Screenshotting that for later.

Still too many variables. Do you remember what it sounded like? Looked like?

...Are you comfortable talking about this?

[windsongs]

[ ... ]

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. ]

[nagano]

There's a rickety ramen stand past the southern border of the Batata District, just outside its bounds. Hag & Cool Ray.

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

[windsongs]

[ Oh hey, she knows that place! She's pretty sure she has a menu tucked away somewhere. ]

sure
be there in 20

2/2 ➔ action

[windsongs]

[ It takes her about fifteen minutes to get to that part of town, and that's without the usual tailwind on her side. A few twists and turns, her feet knowing the route even if this is her first "official" time at the establishment. Walking through the door, getting a very familiar-sounding greeting from one of the workers (weird), she answers back out of habit.

Nope. Never getting used to that.

Seeing the familiar empath, Hibiki takes the stool next to him. ]

Hey.

[appeale]

Sorry, I hope it was okay to call you that!! 😖
I was trying to think of a good nickname... but I won't if you don't like it!

I'm really glad it seems like a lot of us made it here, though.
Even if this place is nicer, it would have been too sad without anyone else from Stygia.

[ although, she actually fucking hates this place and she wishes they had all stayed in Stygia, purgatory or not. ]

[nagano]

[ Kaito flashes a wave. The chef on the other side of the bar is already hard at work preparing two bowls of ramen.

...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.

[windsongs]

I love it!
I dunno if I'm cute enough to be a Kiki but I don't mind you calling me that! 😊

and agreed. it feels like we're getting a second chance at things
or maybe a third?
it's still weird though. how different is this life from the other one you remember?

[windsongs]

[ The song comes on a few seconds before plops down, pulling her stool up as piano is accompanied by a very familiar voice. She freezes, turning her head to look befuddled at him. That's her song! Her brain might be telling her that this isn't the first time (or place) she's heard her stuff playing, but good luck getting through the loud keysmashing taking place in her brain.

...

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. ]

[nagano]

[ He would gladly take on the headaches in exchange for hearing her mental keysmashes. Damn. ]

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.

[windsongs]

[ Alas, he'll never know the truth. She settles quickly, expression settling into something more bashful but still incandescently bright. Quiet pride, with a hint of mild embarrassment for added flavor. ]

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?