[semi-open]

[abgrund]

Who: Ain and his CR
When: Jan 13th
Where: Temple of Hades, and some other places
What: Ain returns from canon update and pays a visit to his friends.

[ I will be doing closed toplevels below! If you would like one, feel free to PM me or hit me up on plurk. ]

Comments

[abgrund]

[ Ain doesn't look much different from before - at least, for his body. Though, there is a difference in the way he holds himself, a certain firm self-assuredness in his gaze and the stance of his hollowed shoulders. ]

I've come back.

[ Surely, there isn't a need to explain where he went. It's just like last time, after all. ]

I remember everything now....

[subtract]

[There's relief, but also confusion at Ain's answer. It takes a moment for Add to process the whole situation.] You remember...?

[... Ain is no longer his shinki, but he's here and has his memories back. If that's truly the case, there's only one clear explanation. Add brings a hand to his mouth, frowning behind it.]

You're not a shinki anymore, are you?

[He should be glad Ain remembers everything... but he can't help but feel a pang of anxiousness at the idea as well. This Ain isn't truly "his" Ain, after all. He didn't really get along with the Ain in his world, either... and there's most likely a different Add that this Ain knows... will that change how Ain feels about him now...?

Add falls quiet for a moment, unsure of how to really progress from here. It was easier when he didn't have to think about these kinds of problems...]

... Did you return to Elrios as well, then?

[abgrund]

I did.

[ 'His' Ain or no, all realms return to the void. All roads lead to the endless darkness, so it doesn't matter. It's hard to explain non-axial time; he doesn't consider it something important in this circumstance.

Not when this body is also probably not his real one, just an offshoot inhabiting another timeline. ]

I promised you I wouldn't leave, so I came back.

[subtract]

[Add sighs, releasing a bit of tension from his body. He doubts that Ain can actually control whether he comes or goes from this place... but it's a nice sentiment, at least. Maybe it's even a true one.]

Thanks, I guess.

So what kind of god does that make you...? [The role of Henir would probably suit Ain better, but, well, it can't be helped.]

[abgrund]

[ Obviously, Ain cannot replace Add; so in place of that he has been given something perhaps more fitting. ]

I am to be Hades, god of the underworld.

[ It's not surprising. In fact, it seems like something more fitting, with the new mission that he has chosen for himself ]

[subtract]

Hades, huh... [A Greek god, and not one from Elrios. His temple will probably be in the district with all the other newly-arrived gods, too... Ain's only been a shinki for a few months, but it still feels weird to think he won't always be around the temple anymore.]

... You're welcome to visit whenever you want. I doubt I could do much to stop you anyway. [and even if he wasn't an entity shaped by the real Henir's power, they're still friends.]

[abgrund]

I would be glad to.

[ They are friends. That will not change. ]

I think I know where the new temple is... would you like to come see it with me?

[subtract]

[He shrugs, a small smile forming.] Sure, why not? [saves him the trouble of tracking it down later himself...

He offers a hand, waiting for Ain to lead the way.]

[abgrund]

[ That settles it, then.

Ain takes Add's hand. Since they are in the void and are both accustomed to it, it's easy to travel through it and emerge in the physical world close to Hades' temple. He made sure to hide his real body in a pocket of space somewhere, so there should be no risk of alarming Add with it.

The temple itself is fronted by a small patch of grass and a brick road leading towards it. Black spider lilies line the path, ending at a Greek temple veined with dark obsidian and the unmistakable circuit pattern of the void. It looks normal, almost... if a little strange, with how it melds Greek architecture with some sort of postmodern minimalistic aesthetic. The interior of the temple hall is much like the outside, with the increased number of void patterns being the only difference. Braziers are lit in regular intervals, placed under tapestries in black and gold. Overall, the temple is rather formal, but without much life. It's empty. ]

[subtract]

[Add draws his dynamos close to himself as the void melts away, making note of the area's coordinates as the temple grounds form around them. This place certainly fits the image of a temple...

He reaches out to one of the walls, running a hand along the familiar blue circuit patterns. It seems to just be decorative... for now, at least. Perhaps with Ain around, it won't be long before this place becomes a true extension of the void.]

It suits you. [empty and tainted, but it's not like he's judging] Curious, that we'd both arrive as shinki only to become gods. It's rare for that to happen without some memory loss.

[abgrund]

[ He has to be careful to not expose too much of this place to the void, lest he get into trouble with the Heavens again. For now, all is as it seems, though - not for long.

Soon, the void will seep into this place. The entrance hall will likely stay normal for the sake of appearances, but there's no telling what will lie beneath it in time. ]

Mm. [ Hades is supposed to be creepy anyway, he's just doing his part. Though... ] I think there is a reason for that.

[ He turns to face Add, closing his human eyes. ]

Perhaps they thought it better to withhold our memories from us at first. They are... not pleasant. Not having them weigh on us was more productive for them, for whatever reason they think.

[subtract]

... That's not for them to decide. [whoever "they" might even be] A person is the sum of their experiences. Taking away their context does more harm than good.

[And maybe he's a little biased because his best friend forgot all about him. Still, what did his time as a shinki ever do for him? He scoffs, turning to face Ain again as he leans his back to the wall.]

I don't like being manipulated for someone else's benefit. Whatever force is behind this... [he will put a stop to it, one way or another. Like hell he's going to stand by and watch his friends' minds get toyed with so carelessly.]

[abgrund]

[ Add, you're just Badd. ]

Mm. [ While he's personally content to just observe for now, doing something might speed things up. ] What will you do now?