001 [video; D340]

[discrepant]

[The video will begin abruptly as the view of a bare room, tilted in a odd angle, will appear while the sound of someone weeping can be heard rather close by in the background. The sobbing noises will continue until the owner is able to calm down. Even then, it will not be long until the image of Soushi will appear as tears will continue to stream down while he covers the bottom of his face with his other hand. It was very surprising and different for him to show any type of emotion other than smiles. From the video, it was clear that he was having great difficulty in controlling his emotions that his voice will be heard in a high pitch as he speaks the following:]

...I do apologize for the abrupt interruption as I...I... [Breathing. Some breathing and more hiccup sounds will be offered as he continues.] I was given the most wonderful of gifts that anyone has ever bestowed on a "dog" such as myself that I...I...I wish to know if anyone else...was given a gift such as this one...? [Another pause as he is having difficult breathing at this point as he begins to sparkle and blush. This might be the closest to having him flail.] Whoever was responsible in having given me and possible others of this wonderful, precious, and grand gift I....I....you have my deepest gratitude, debt, and full loyalty!

[Without another word, Soushi will show the whole network the reason for his tears: two photographs of his master from different timelines. The third one he will keep to himself due to...reasons. A taboo to ever allow his heart yearn for the same individual from different points of time, but he didn't care.]

You have no idea how much this gift means to a creature such as myself. Thank you so much! Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart! I...I...I... [Soushi can no longer speak as he continues to cry even more now. There was no more words, but there was a smile on his lips as he continue to cry. However, almost at the final moment before ending the feed, his smile and expression will show his true emotion of loneliness and sorrow as the pictures affected him more than he liked to admit.]

((OOC: Soushi is reacting to the pictures given to him after the Samhain celebration. Whoever plays as God NPCs should totally mess with Soushi, please? That and he might pounce on whoever is responsible for giving him the pictures.))

Comments

[neverymind]

Is that a friend of yours?

[Asking the intuitive questions, today.]

[discrepant]

Yes. She...

[Realizing he has difficulty viewing the two girls as a single individual, he will explain himself further.]

They are both very special and precious to me. ["More than friends, less than lovers" is the best way to describe his relationship with them.]

in this comment: ellipse abuse

[neverymind]

That's nice...

... I got pictures, too...

fffff. oh gosh. abuse away. C:

[discrepant]

That is wonderful news to hear.

If I may ask, how many pictures were you given and do they show anything significant about them?

[neverymind]

Three of them. They're just... me and my best friend.

Video

[samantha_grey]

Stop calling yourself that. [grunt] And yeah, I got a few pictures too. It... was probably the gods. One of these photos couldn't ever have actually happened.

[The video shows her in the process of framing the photos. A pair of them were of a woman who looked remarkably like a non-demonic, brown-haired Samantha, about thirty years her senior. The images were particularly affectionate in nature, very doting, perhaps moreso than most generally had with their parents. One was of them cooking together, with her behind her daughter, hands helping her as she learned to cook. The other was of her creating a flickering blue flame under her mother's guiding eye. The two seemed very close, Samantha almost adoring in both images.

The other was considerably more intimate. It was an image of she and a woman about her age with sandy blonde hair, dressed in leathers. It was hard to say how 'into' Samantha the blonde was, but it was pretty damned obvious that the half-demon was all over her friend.]

They like doing little things like this sometimes... I haven't seen your friend in a while. It's... kind of nice.

Video

[discrepant]

...I apologize. I will do my utmost to tone down the words "dog" whenever speaking of myself...

[He felt terrible in having called himself the same way as he did in the past, but it couldn't be helped. He was Ririchiyo's dog. It was a fact he can never change, no matter how much he wishes to be more than her "dog" at times.

It won't be long until the pictures shown by Sam will have his attention as he continues to examine them. A ghost of a smile will appear as he quickly realizes the importance each of the photographs held.]

They are very beautiful pictures. Are the first two of your family? [He won't touch on the third until he has more of an idea over their relationship. He didn't wish to touch upon a sore spot without knowing.]

...I held the same thought as you did over the matter of the photos being impossible to have. Ririchiyo-sama would never allow us to be in such an intimate position. Photographed, even less. [But he does agree.] ...the patrons of this world are most likely the cause behind it. I only wish to know the reason for giving us such wonderful presents. [And] Which one of them do you believe is responsible for it? [As Sam has been in Asgard longer, he thought it would be for the best to ask for her expertise.]

Re: Video

[samantha_grey]

[She didn't press the issue. One of her hands ran over the photo of her mother and her cooking and she sighed a little, her body shuddering once, and an odd little smile on her lips.]

That's my mother. The only family I actually care about. Those... well, they couldn't have been taken either. We never owned a camera. She didn't believe in having them around.

The other one's Dusk. She... was a girl I knew. We went through a lot together, actually.

Re: Video

[discrepant]

...was she an ordinary human? Your dear mother? She seems like a very kind and wonderful individual. If you do not mind talking about it, what was she like? Did she have any other children?

[He never had parents or anyone he could call as a "mother". Ayame did raise him, but she never did get close to him unless it was to check on, teach, or discipline him. There was no affections like the ones in the photos between them.

As for the friend known as Dusk, Soushi will smile as he could tell Samantha cared deeply for the other girl.]

How long did you know her? Were you two childhood friends or did you cross each other's path?

text

[windbreak]

huh sounds like a buncha people have them
was kinda wondering how it got there. i guess freaky magic beats someone sneaking into the room.
also how they knew, but maybe that answers itself

text

[discrepant]

It is good to know I am not alone over having received this wonderful gift. So far, it seems as though everyone was given three photos, is it the same for you?

As for who and how it arrived, I like to believe the patrons of this world have something to do with it. Did you by any chance participate in the latest event at the festival? The one with the tree?

[windbreak]

the big tree you mean? well i stopped by to take a look, didn't really hang around though
i think i just found one? coulda slipped my mind
i mean its pretty distracting finding something like it just sitting there right?

[discrepant]

You did not participate in placing a ribbon or letter neither? I apologize if I am asking difficult questions. I am currently researching for information so I can add to my notebook. I have been recording information onto it ever since I have arrived to this world.

Of course. I understand. These precious pictures are affecting me more than I would like to admit. They are a double edge sword. I take it it is the same for you as well? [Because he is beginning to notice a type of dishearten tone underneath the message.]

video;

[necrowmantic]

[All the sentimental things don't mean much to him; Henry's just peering very closely at the screen in his reply. His tone is almost disappointed.]

You don't much look like a dog.

video;

[discrepant]

[The reaction will be more than enough for Soushi to actually admit in a very amused tone of voice.]

The patrons of this world are to blame. I used to have a pair of ears and tails before arriving to this world.

[For him to admit that, it was clear he was in a very good mood.]

...I apologize for disappointing you over the matter...

video;

[necrowmantic]

Really!? That's awesome, why'd they remove something like that?

...But aw, it's okay! Do you miss 'em? I wish I had dog ears. Even one would be a start.

video;

[discrepant]

It is difficult to say as I am beginning to notice there are a few new individuals arriving to the city with ears and tails while remaining almost human. [A more thoughtful expression will appear.] ...I wonder if the deities do not find me worthy enough to continue to be Ririchiyo-sama's dog?

[A more amused smile will appear as he admits:] Indeed I do. I miss having the ability to summon them at will. Just like I miss using them against my adorable and precious master. [A hand over his chest while allowing a loud "ah" to escape his lips as his cheeks begin to turn red as he sparkles.] How I miss telling her how turned on I get whenever I am by her side and the reaction she offers! They are all rather delicious and very precious! [Soushi! Henry isn't asking about that!]

But if your wish is to have dog ears and a tail, why do you not ask for them by the deity you were chosen to serve under?

[Private - Video]

[emperor_with_no_groove]

A... dog?

[Does this guy have... confidence issues or something?]

Oh, wait...

[Taking a moment to lock the message, just in case.]

That girl - is she... you mentioned losing someone, back home. Was it her?

[Private - Video]

[discrepant]

Yes. That's correct.

[If he was answering to the dog question or the other concerning Ririchiyo will be unclear. However, he will speak more about it.]

It was both of them. One of the girls died before I was able to meet her while the other...is no longer in need of my services as her Secret Service agent.

[His attention will return to the photos in his hands, a lonely smile will finally appear as he adds.]

...this world...it is very cruel as...it is currently separating us. [His eyes will show true and genuine sadness even when his voice sounds very, very calm.] I miss her... [More than anyone can ever realize, he was completely lonely without her.]

[Private - Video]

[emperor_with_no_groove]

Why the hell...

[He trails off, because that isn't the most important thing right now. He can always circle back to it later.]

Ah, so you were like... her bodyguard. Did she, uh... mean more to you than that? [Because even as dense as Akihiko is, he knows how to recognize when someone else is in love, like with Junpei and Chidori.] It sounds like you love her.

[He sighs quietly, but nods in understanding.] And you wanna go back home, so you can be with her. I get ya. [And he's the one with reasons not to rush home so quickly...]

Look, if we all focus on getting stronger and ending this war, then everyone can go home. Try to focus on that. If you keep thinking about her, it's just gonna get you down. It won't change anything here.

Don't get me wrong. I know how you feel. But... it's kind of a big distraction, when we've got so many people counting on us.

[Private - Video]

[discrepant]

[For someone to realize his line of work without having to explain it was a breath of fresh air, it was good to know that Akihito was observant. While at the same time, now it made him wonder if he should be happy about it or not. He was being asked very personal questions which will leave him in a thoughtful mood, but at the declaration over his feelings for Ririchiyo, he will nod his head and admit to it.]

...I adore her...I love her more than life itself.

[As for the question of returning home, Soushi will not answer as he feels uncertain over the matter. He wanted Ririchiyo to be by his side. He wanted her to be in Asgard while at the same time he didn't wish for it neither. His feelings were currently conflicted over the matter. There are even times he does not wish to return home while at the same time he yearns for it.]

...it is difficult to do so as I...am currently fighting in this war for her. Only her. [A more serious expression will appear as he admits:] I do not care for anyone else who are not her. [Yet.] ...it is getting quite difficult to not realize the sheer amount of others whose friends and family are appearing while I...do not have anything or anyone by my side. [That was the truth. He is highly concentrated in training, fighting, and learning as much as he can, but he is beginning to feel entirely alone as he begins to take notice of his surroundings. Almost everyone had someone from home while he was feeling entirely alone! A position he has welcomed and even preferred in his past, but ever since he met his master -- he can't stand feeling alone anymore.]

Ririchiyo-sama is my greatest weakness, but she is my greatest strength as well. Everything I do is for her. I am cooperating with the deities all for her safety and future. I've promised the Ririchiyo-sama from the past that I would assist the patrons of this world and anyone else who are in need of my services. [In other words, she will never be a distraction and is doing everything he can, but...his emotions are beginning to pile on over the already repressed feelings he has been ignoring.]

[Video]

[comeonthensexy]

[ He did receive a gift like that, but he has no intention of saying that. Not like it really matters. ]

Soushi... You're okay?

[Video]

[discrepant]

[There will be silence on Soushi's end as he is currently trying to control his emotions and repress them before speaking to the Doctor, but it would seem he is having great difficulty in keeping the mask from cracking into pieces.]

...of course I am. How else should I feel when I was given the greatest gift anyone can bestow on me?

[He will take a deep breath as his eyes begin to slightly darken as he continues to offer the most forced smile to ever appear on his lips.]

...I feel extremely grateful and joyful as I have pictures of my wonderful, precious, and lovely master...there is no reason to feel anything else...I am very thrill... [Even if his eyes are currently turning red, he will fight and continue to repress because he can never show his weakness to anyone. He shouldn't allow himself to break.]

[Video]

[comeonthensexy]

[ Yeah, Soushi really needs to stop believing the Doctor doesn't notice these things. Besides, Soushi already displayed how emotional it made him. Of course he's happy, the Doctor gets that too, but... ]

Feelings don't generally listen to reason, from my experience.

[Video]

[discrepant]

Reason?

[Yes, he will play cute now.]

I do not entirely understand the meaning behind your words, Meddler-san. [Even when he is all smiles, his tone will hold a certain edge underneath it.] What are you exactly trying to tell me? Will you not offer a more candid explanation over the subject?