(no subject)

[undyingcrow]

[A message appears on the network one morning, not long after a certain Ren appears.

Not long after it goes up, some parts are edited out.]

Attention, "Crow" and "Joker."

With the arrival of my Ren, we formally challenge you over your precious codenames. Let us prove to you that we are the ones worthy of the titles, while you are mere variations from a simpler, happier world. despite the power you wield.

You may have seniority within this space, but we were forged in the fires of our hardships and have emerged on the other side of Maruki's reality.

You two have likely grown soft from your domesticity. Perhaps you'll find us worthy opponents after all this stagnation. They say the spirit of competition can bring out one's best and their worst.

[Is it bold to proclaim the challenge over the network? Yes. But he'd have it no other way, really. Everyone deserves to know how serious they are.]

As for the rest of you, I'd like to start a little bonding exercise.

Tell me something about yourself, and I'll tell you something about me in turn. Won't that be fun?

[It should be a simple way to start and prove that he's just as capable of "bonding" as Ren is.]

[ooc: Original parts of the message in strikethrough, with the edits after, if you want your character to have seen the original version.]

Comments

[undyingcrow]

Well, look at it this way.

In the event that he does arrive, you'll have all the knowledge you've gained to impress him with.

For once, he isn't one step ahead, and you hold all the cards.

[pancakeboy]

You paint an attractive picture. There's only one small flaw I can see.

[undyingcrow]

Then by all means, reveal that flaw.

[pancakeboy]

Thank you. I shall:

That's exactly what I thought last time.

[undyingcrow]

A fair point.

Perhaps a more mild version of this mindset, then. One with less hubris.

[pancakeboy]

I suppose the psychology is basic enough, when you get some distance from it. We never really wanted to beat him, did we? We wanted to impress him. To prove ourselves.

[Just like Shido. But he won't be the one to say that.]

[undyingcrow]

I tricked myself into believing I wanted to kill him. That it was the ultimate victory, that it would prove I was superior.

All excuses to lessen the cognitive dissonance that our bond created.

[pancakeboy]

I believe I felt the bond, once. He visited, just once, for an evening. More than a year ago, now.

Our eyes met across a crowded Hallowe'en party. It was quite the cliché.

[undyingcrow]

How cruel to bring him here, just to send him away.

The more I hear about this place, the less I trust our host, and my trust was already at rock bottom.

[pancakeboy]

"Cruel" wouldn't be exactly how I'd put it. Like a laboratory worker with its subjects.

He was from my future. Your present or past, I believe.

[undyingcrow]

A possible future, I assume, and not one set in stone.

Wagtail is proof enough that it can be changed.

[pancakeboy]

[Bang! Shutters down.]

What do you know about Wagtail?

[undyingcrow]

He contacted me on this very post, in Crow's defense.

Otherwise, I only know what I've seen on the board.

still locked to karasu

[pancakeboy]

Raven is understandably effusive in his affection.

[But he gives way, in the end.]

You're right. People have changed their courses, and assuming that I do go back to the moment I left, there seems no reason I shouldn't do the same.

[Except that, despite everything Ren said on Hallowe'en, Magpie still doesn't quite believe it. Nobody could be that stupid.]

[undyingcrow]

I can probably at least provide information. If I'm to be here for "bonding," it might as well serve a greater purpose.

[It's the best way he can prevent his counterpart from repeating history. He has a chance to be better.]

Raven clearly thinks highly of you, and since you're the "coolest Akechi," you deserve the appropriate tools.

[pancakeboy]

[Heaven protect him.]

I'm glad you acknowledge my status.

If you want to trade information, not just regarding my future but your present in this place, I'd be glad to meet. Perhaps in Jazz Jin, if you can stomach the poor reproduction?

[undyingcrow]

I've stomached it before. Thankfully, the lack of a cognitive Muhen-san makes it marginally more palatable.

Name your time, and I'll see what I can do.