he smiles when he comes over, to examine it? ] Lin has something like this, too. [ or, well, zhanlu can be a motorcycle and it's way more tron and less normal earth but he doesn't say that. ] Though, I've never gotten up close to an ancient Earth vehicle, before.
[ anyway as he's saying this, leaning over to check out the dash... he suddenly lifts his hand, and presses something right on akira's chest like a badge. it's
Really? I don't know much about them. I just enjoy driving it...
[A true jock here.
The reach out startles him a bit, but the star absolutely startles him more. He stares at it, bewildered. A... gold star?! He looks up like ?! at Lu Bixing.]
No! I'm a hacker, I can steal data, but the idea of trying to pickpocket someone's beyond me, and I think she might kill me.
[ don't just say that
but he smiles at akira anyway, hands on his hips, and says, very officially - ]
No, this is a star from the headmaster of the Starry Sea Academy. Awarded as a high merit for service to the population of hell through good deeds and recognition of an outstanding level of support. Awarded to you, Akira, in my official capacity as the Prime Minister of the Eighth Galaxy and Headmaster of the Starry Sea Academy Lu Bixing.
[ he's had these stickers since the debate event but sometimes
He stands there like a complete doofus, listening to this. His eyes shimmer, glassy. He looks down at this dilapidated star sticker...........feeling rallied. It feels like he's being crowned Emperor. Baby Akira is what he feels inside.
Gently, he touches the edges of it with his fingers.]
[ he's a baby. this is a baby. lu bixing smiles at him, reaching up to very gently knock his knuckle against the star. there's a twinkle in bixing's remaining eye that's very warm and, well. proud. ]
Don't thank me too much - you're the one who earned it. I just call them like I see them, okay? [ his job on this week of insecurity is to very gently prop up every sad little duckling in hell. it is his duty as the master of metaphorical chicken soup for the soul.] Thank you for being there for us every week, even when it's hard. I'm proud of you.
[Well, a lot of (redacted) has happened, so this kind of really stuns him in place. He's hard rebooting a bit, unsure of what to say or do except look stupidly at Lu Bixing.
Hearing that someone is proud of you... He looks down. He's a worm. He has done nothing worth the praise. He's in hell!]
Thanks. It isn't a big deal or anything. It's the least I could do.
[His hair floofs in every direction when it is ruffed because god forbid it be neat and orderly.
For what it’s worth, he does seem to perk up slightly after the commendation. Boost.]
I can drive it, yeah. It might run out of gas later. I’ll have to find some or ask for some. This is the first place we could come to where I had more room to ride.
[ he is a grandpa... a little ancient earth teen...
anyway, he seems very pleased, and goes to hop on the bike. it's not unfamiliar, at least - it doesn't hover, but it's still a motorcycle! and as he's getting comfortable, the question surprises him. ]
...Well, I'd like to think so. [ that... hits home, actually, a little more maybe than akira might've thought it would. ] It's the old metaphor of the ship of Theseus, though. Why do you ask?
[He is a very reckless grandpa teen, and there are no helmets.]
Ship of Theseus?
[He feels so stupid and inadequate… Ryo would know what that was. Ryo always knew everything.]
No reason, just… curious. Like if the planet is still there, but it’s been… I don’t know, destroyed more than it was. And the moon was a little destroyed too.
It would depend on if it was still able to sustain life, I guess. Moons can be recreated, depending on the technology of the place.
[ the future is a wild place. he makes a thoughtful noise, though, and puts on his good explaining teacher voice. ]
...The Ship of Theseus is an old thought paradox. It goes like this: Theseus owned a ship, and that ship was made entirely of wood, with thirty oars. Over the years, parts of the ship were replaced and rebuilt with different wood, in order to keep the ship in functioning shape, until eventually, the entire ship was made of new parts. So, the philosophical paradox is this - is the ship of Theseus still the same ship, even though its been completely replaced?
He glances over his shoulder to listen to Lu Bixing talk. This is kind of a simple, educational thing, but... the way he pauses for such a long time to think about it, to consider it. Is the ship the same, if it is nothing but new parts?]
...Even if it's a different ship, it doesn't mean it's not his ship. Or that it's a bad ship.
he likes this, about akira, though. this is the ideal student, for lu bixing - someone who wants to learn. someone who deeply thinks about theories and questions and gives them their best, even if they don't entirely understand them.
he's quiet to give him time to think, though he gives him a little nudge to make sure his eyes stay on the road. please don't knock us over or run into a giant plant or something. and... the answer makes him hum a little. ]
I'm inclined to agree. [ a ship of theseus. something - somewhere, or even someone, rebuilt. ] It might even be a better ship. And, if Theseus still sees it as his own, it is still, in its essence, his ship, I think. The fact that he put the effort in to fix it in order to try and save something so important to him matters.
So, if we apply that to a planet - it might never be the same. But as long as the resources to sustain life can be there, and people still want to be there, then, I think it can be done.
[DON'T PANIC, IT'S COOL IT'S COOL... they have not left yet just because he wanted to have an existential chat. Unfortunately for Lu Bixing. "he likes it" unfortunately for him]
...
[He gazes out into the middle distance, his eyes shifting over things he isn't really paying much visual attention to actually. Then for a moment, he looks like he's debating, hesitant. He glances at Lu Bixing, then away at the dash of the bike as if he might simply start it up and go.]
...Ryo and I finished destroying our world. I want to bring it back, but I don't know if I can. I haven't asked Satan yet if you can exchange a do-over for changing time, or... creating something.
and...well, this is also why he's so fond of akira, because that kind of outlook feels familiar, touches something that it feels like he lost, a long time ago. ]
...I guess that would depend on what condition you want it in. I don't know the extent of what he can or can't do, but you have to be careful - anytime you strike some kind of deal like that, you have to make sure you phrase it exactly the way you want it. If the same conditions that destroyed it were present and there was a redo, would it just happen again?
[ a pause. ]
...Would that be in exchange for you staying here?
[He sort of nods solemnly in response to the last question.]
...If Ryo exists, it will probably happen again. So I want to put Earth back without Ryo. But I'm no better than he is, and I can't leave him to be punished alone. So I want to make one without the two of us. Without... demons. Just an earth for the humans.
But... if Ryo also wins, he will want something different.
...huh. well. it makes their little game that they had to play back on that space ship make even more sense. he's quiet for a moment, thoughtful. ]
I see. [ ... ] Beyond - the rest of it, in its simplest terms, I don't think Ryo would want a world without you in it.
[ just based on their conversations. but. he also seriously doubts ryo wants to be dead. so! wow! what a predicament! what is devilman crybaby about. ] That is immensely complicated. And... I'm guessing your world's not quite far along enough to just hop off to another planet in terms of technology, either, huh.
[It's an honest answer. He isn't looking at Lu Bixing when he says it. Complicated Devilman things.]
There isn't anything left to go to another planet anyway. Not... for me. Ryo is a different story. He's from... a different time? He's from my past. So the world is still there for him for now. But we didn't have the tech to jump ship, no. Not like that.
[ what a heavy, heavy burden of decision, for someone so young to have to bear.
lu bixing shifts a little where he's sitting on the bike, and after a moment, hooks an arm around him to give him a hug. it could also just be holding in for whenever they take off, but... it's a good dad hug and he doesn't really have to hide that from akira, of all people. ]
Ryo mentioned something like that. [ time problems. he and lin are lucky, maybe. at least they died together. ] ...Have you two talked about it?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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he smiles when he comes over, to examine it? ] Lin has something like this, too. [ or, well, zhanlu can be a motorcycle and it's way more tron and less normal earth but he doesn't say that. ] Though, I've never gotten up close to an ancient Earth vehicle, before.
[ anyway as he's saying this, leaning over to check out the dash... he suddenly lifts his hand, and presses something right on akira's chest like a badge. it's
a misshapen but still good
golden star sticker. c: ]
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[A true jock here.
The reach out startles him a bit, but the star absolutely startles him more. He stares at it, bewildered. A... gold star?! He looks up like ?! at Lu Bixing.]
Did... you steal this from Harrowhark?
[help]
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[ don't just say that
but he smiles at akira anyway, hands on his hips, and says, very officially - ]
No, this is a star from the headmaster of the Starry Sea Academy. Awarded as a high merit for service to the population of hell through good deeds and recognition of an outstanding level of support. Awarded to you, Akira, in my official capacity as the Prime Minister of the Eighth Galaxy and Headmaster of the Starry Sea Academy Lu Bixing.
[ he's had these stickers since the debate event but sometimes
your son needs cheering up. ]
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He stands there like a complete doofus, listening to this. His eyes shimmer, glassy. He looks down at this dilapidated star sticker...........feeling rallied. It feels like he's being crowned Emperor. Baby Akira is what he feels inside.
Gently, he touches the edges of it with his fingers.]
...Thank you.
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Don't thank me too much - you're the one who earned it. I just call them like I see them, okay? [ his job on this week of insecurity is to very gently prop up every sad little duckling in hell. it is his duty as the master of metaphorical chicken soup for the soul.] Thank you for being there for us every week, even when it's hard. I'm proud of you.
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Hearing that someone is proud of you... He looks down. He's a worm. He has done nothing worth the praise. He's in hell!]
Thanks. It isn't a big deal or anything. It's the least I could do.
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[ in a very terrible situation like hell. but! he smiles after that, reaches up and ruffles his hair. peak dad. ]
But, I won't embarrass you any more. Tell me about this motorcycle! Do you have gas, are you able to drive it here?
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For what it’s worth, he does seem to perk up slightly after the commendation. Boost.]
I can drive it, yeah. It might run out of gas later. I’ll have to find some or ask for some. This is the first place we could come to where I had more room to ride.
[He looks at Lu Bixing.]
Wanna ride…?
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Really?
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[He will get back on the bike. It’s so funny he is seventeen but a grandpa to Lu Bixing who is from the future.]
Lu sensei, do you think a world can come back if it’s already been destroyed…?
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anyway, he seems very pleased, and goes to hop on the bike. it's not unfamiliar, at least - it doesn't hover, but it's still a motorcycle! and as he's getting comfortable, the question surprises him. ]
...Well, I'd like to think so. [ that... hits home, actually, a little more maybe than akira might've thought it would. ] It's the old metaphor of the ship of Theseus, though. Why do you ask?
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Ship of Theseus?
[He feels so stupid and inadequate… Ryo would know what that was. Ryo always knew everything.]
No reason, just… curious. Like if the planet is still there, but it’s been… I don’t know, destroyed more than it was. And the moon was a little destroyed too.
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[ the future is a wild place. he makes a thoughtful noise, though, and puts on his good explaining teacher voice. ]
...The Ship of Theseus is an old thought paradox. It goes like this: Theseus owned a ship, and that ship was made entirely of wood, with thirty oars. Over the years, parts of the ship were replaced and rebuilt with different wood, in order to keep the ship in functioning shape, until eventually, the entire ship was made of new parts. So, the philosophical paradox is this - is the ship of Theseus still the same ship, even though its been completely replaced?
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He glances over his shoulder to listen to Lu Bixing talk. This is kind of a simple, educational thing, but... the way he pauses for such a long time to think about it, to consider it. Is the ship the same, if it is nothing but new parts?]
...Even if it's a different ship, it doesn't mean it's not his ship. Or that it's a bad ship.
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he likes this, about akira, though. this is the ideal student, for lu bixing - someone who wants to learn. someone who deeply thinks about theories and questions and gives them their best, even if they don't entirely understand them.
he's quiet to give him time to think, though he gives him a little nudge to make sure his eyes stay on the road. please don't knock us over or run into a giant plant or something. and... the answer makes him hum a little. ]
I'm inclined to agree. [ a ship of theseus. something - somewhere, or even someone, rebuilt. ] It might even be a better ship. And, if Theseus still sees it as his own, it is still, in its essence, his ship, I think. The fact that he put the effort in to fix it in order to try and save something so important to him matters.
So, if we apply that to a planet - it might never be the same. But as long as the resources to sustain life can be there, and people still want to be there, then, I think it can be done.
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...
[He gazes out into the middle distance, his eyes shifting over things he isn't really paying much visual attention to actually. Then for a moment, he looks like he's debating, hesitant. He glances at Lu Bixing, then away at the dash of the bike as if he might simply start it up and go.]
...Ryo and I finished destroying our world. I want to bring it back, but I don't know if I can. I haven't asked Satan yet if you can exchange a do-over for changing time, or... creating something.
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and...well, this is also why he's so fond of akira, because that kind of outlook feels familiar, touches something that it feels like he lost, a long time ago. ]
...I guess that would depend on what condition you want it in. I don't know the extent of what he can or can't do, but you have to be careful - anytime you strike some kind of deal like that, you have to make sure you phrase it exactly the way you want it. If the same conditions that destroyed it were present and there was a redo, would it just happen again?
[ a pause. ]
...Would that be in exchange for you staying here?
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...If Ryo exists, it will probably happen again. So I want to put Earth back without Ryo. But I'm no better than he is, and I can't leave him to be punished alone. So I want to make one without the two of us. Without... demons. Just an earth for the humans.
But... if Ryo also wins, he will want something different.
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...huh. well. it makes their little game that they had to play back on that space ship make even more sense. he's quiet for a moment, thoughtful. ]
I see. [ ... ] Beyond - the rest of it, in its simplest terms, I don't think Ryo would want a world without you in it.
[ just based on their conversations. but. he also seriously doubts ryo wants to be dead. so! wow! what a predicament! what is devilman crybaby about. ] That is immensely complicated. And... I'm guessing your world's not quite far along enough to just hop off to another planet in terms of technology, either, huh.
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I think that's the problem.
[It's an honest answer. He isn't looking at Lu Bixing when he says it. Complicated Devilman things.]
There isn't anything left to go to another planet anyway. Not... for me. Ryo is a different story. He's from... a different time? He's from my past. So the world is still there for him for now. But we didn't have the tech to jump ship, no. Not like that.
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lu bixing shifts a little where he's sitting on the bike, and after a moment, hooks an arm around him to give him a hug. it could also just be holding in for whenever they take off, but... it's a good dad hug and he doesn't really have to hide that from akira, of all people. ]
Ryo mentioned something like that. [ time problems. he and lin are lucky, maybe. at least they died together. ] ...Have you two talked about it?