The Silence After the Storm

[vrdr_mods]

The Ken Amada who made certain threats, whom Igor didn't bring to the Velvet Room and didn't welcome, has been permanently contained within his other-world self. Many of the Velvet Room residents mobilized in the effort to neutralize the threat he posed, and now, in the moments after the devastating battle that sealed Ken away, perhaps you have business to conclude.

Maybe you're a fighter, left in the rubble the battle made of its surroundings—or maybe you were a noncombatant this time, left behind to wonder what's happening or prepare for the aftermath. Maybe you linger around the battle site, or maybe you have other things to do.

Or maybe you didn't survive. Maybe you're one of the glowing forms slowly coalescing in front of Igor's desk in the Velvet Room over the course of the subsequent half hour. Igor presides over them gravely, with no sign of his usual smile. Near his desk sits a box of snacks, familiar to anyone who's used the operation's training room.

[[ooc: This post is a general catch-all for the aftermath of the battle! It's backdated to February 26, the day Ken got got.]]

Comments

[fogboundcrow]

That's...

Well, it's a lot to process, let alone imagine. It ended well, clearly, but even going through it temporarily... Raven shudders.

"Well, at least I know what to expect when I eventually face that godforsaken cup, though knowing certainly won't make it pleasant."

[vampirethief]

"No it won't. Just make sure to say no if Yaldy tries to offer a deal with you too. Gaining power is not worth sacrificing humanity's free will."

Honestly given how much this place attracts Akirens, he's surprised a version of him that accepted Yaldabaoth's deal hasn't shown up yet.

That would be bad if so, especially if it means Evil Ken 2.0. They barely won this time.

[fogboundcrow]

"Rest assured, I know better than accept the terms of..." He trails off before he can finish. "Well, I did approach Sagiri-san to awaken my powers, but that was different."

Mostly. He saw how it worked! It wasn't the same as a literal deal with the devil.

[vampirethief]

Ren nods. "I don't know Sagiri that well, but I can say for sure that Yaldy is much more malicious and not to be trusted."

At least if Yaldabaoth were to show up, the God of Control could be taken down easily by everyone. It wouldn't be the first time for most Akirens, himself included.

But hopefully things will be peaceful for at least a while.

[fogboundcrow]

"I asked Sagiri-san about it once, and he thinks Yaldabaoth is a poser who 'copied his homework' without understanding the intentionality behind it." Though, ultimately, Raven shrugs. "You'd have to ask him for more details... Or her, I suppose?"

He pauses.

"I suppose only Sagiri-san can elaborate on matters of gender identity, but Izanami is a fairly feminine entity for obvious reasons."

[vampirethief]

That gets Ren to laugh. "That and I don't think he thought through letting me make bonds if he wanted me to become jaded enough to turn against humanity."

The death goddess, eh?

"That does explain that note about Yomotsu Hirasaka being listed as a potential dungeon to train in the TV World back at the training room."

Yep, he saw Crow's note. Ren is familiar with japanese myths, so he figured it had to do with Izanami.

Though the Hollow Forest does sound like an interesting challenge to try, provided he had a team with him. He knows it would be a bad idea to try to do it solo.

[fogboundcrow]

"Honestly, I didn't expect Sagiri-san to be Izanami of all deities." His face scrunches up slightly as he mentally tries to put the pieces together. "Assuming a masculine guise is a clever way to conceal the truth, but it's still a bit strange. Not to mention, I had assumed Sagiri-san to be a trickster, not a mother goddess..."

[vampirethief]

"Many trickster deties tend to be more fluid with their gender, and Loki is a good example of that. It's likely why Sagiri wanted you to believe she was a trickster to throw you off."

It also makes quite a bit of sense in a way.

[fogboundcrow]

"I admit, it was a clever ploy. And even the Greek gods and goddesses sometimes defied gender with their disguises, like Athena when she approached Telemachus in Homer's The Odyssey."

Sorry, Ren. You have tapped into Raven's nerd mode again.

[vampirethief]

It's fine by him. Ren likes it when he gets into nerd mode, it's adorable.

"Yeah and that's not even including animal disguises either." Especially given Zeus' reputation in that regard.

[fogboundcrow]

Oh god. His face crumples up at the mere suggestion. "Zeus and his ridiculous libido... Honestly, I've nothing but sympathy for Hera, at least where he is concerned."

[vampirethief]

Ren shakes his head. "Yeah Zeus in the myth was a real asshole. It's no wonder that one Destiny movie had to basically make him a completely different character so he was likeable at all." Yeah he's seen the Hercules (Heracules?) movie.

"Then again, a lot of the greek gods tended to be assholes at times too. That's a part of what makes the greek myths interesting. They feel more human, so to speak."

Not that he thinks other myths from other countries are bad to be fair. It's just different with greek mythology.

[fogboundcrow]

"At least Poseidon gave a damn about his children. Say what you will about the gods and heroes of that era, but I would have given anything for a father who would go on the warpath on my behalf."

Instead of Shido... Ugh. He glowers at no one in particular. Just the floor, really.

"Though... Dojima-san has been a kind guardian, so I can't say I'm in the worst position."

[vampirethief]

"I'm glad you have a parent that gives a damn about you."

His own parents aren't exactly good parents. Sojiro is likely the closest to a dad he could ever get, but even then, it's not the same.