[yeah, chandra is ignoring the crying. not like he knows how to handle any of that anyway!
but with the broken way akira is speaking, he could be referring to any number of things, so chandra waits to see if he's going to finish that sentence or dissolve further into tears.]
Well, for one, that isn't what I said. Don't put words in my mouth. What I meant was that nothing changes simply because you happen to have feelings about it.
[all that matters in the end is action.]
In any case, coming back from the dead isn't synonymous with altering the past in the first place. Death can be undone without changing the fact that it happened.
That's not true... [Only because unfortunately Chandra is talking to the most Feelings person.] Having feelings means you won't make the same mistake made the first time!
[Because there will be shame, or guilt, or regret. Because love means there's sorrow.]
Being alive when you should be dead means you're already changing the past.
You are being deliberately obtuse as to what I mean, so never mind.
[he sighs.]
You're applying the limits of your world to others again. Coming back from the dead may be unusual where you're from, but you'll likely find many universes that don't consider it as extreme as you do.
Stop arguing with me as if what I went through was nothing just because it doesn't line up with some other world! [he snarls, and it probably would have been more demonic if they weren't here.] I don't care if it doesn't work that way for everyone!
That's how it'd work for me. My world is gone, and bringing it back means being alive again and changing the past!
Do you have confirmation from Satan and the demons that that's how the revival would work, or are you merely hoping?
If you do, lead with that, and you can consider what I said about undoing death moot. If you don't, make sure to find out—that was my point. Rather than simply regret, figure out what assumptions are or aren't true, and take actual action.
[he takes out his phone, thinking about how he should stop trying to offer advice if it ends up like this. "is it because he has shitty people skills" mayhaps but unfortunately he's not going to change]
You're the only one trying to take my words as some sort of denouncement of your situation.
Yes, they're largely useless, and anything they say should be taken with a grain of salt. A direct answer would, if anything, be even more suspicious.
Still, there can be some value in seeing how they respond to things, especially if your plan already amounts to discussing it with Satan. [a beat] I don't believe in giving people false hope, so normally I'd leave it at this, but given that you're likely the kind of person who intends on running on it anyway—
[he finally stops texting! he doesn't get off the phone, though, instead turning it to show akira a string of texts.
]
However you wish to factor this in, if at all, is up to you.
[Yes. He is very stupid and emotional, thank you for understanding, Chandra.
He glances skeptically down at the phone when it's turned to him, not moving for a moment. Wary. And then, finally, he comes a little closer so he can read the screen.
He frowns at the words. The fact Chandra asked at all on his behalf, Akira won't Forget, sorry. But anyway.]
It isn't... [...] It isn't I didn't know if I could. I mean, I... didn't know for sure. If time could be changed. But it's not... about changing time now.
It's about how it'll always happen no matter what. The end. If Ryo and I go back. It'll always happen.
My world is destroyed. And Ryo... [He looks away, sighing quietly.] Ryo...
[His expression is debating. But Chandra has never been conniving. The honesty is always brutal, but he doesn't get the feeling Chandra is wicked. He looks back.]
...Ryo is Satan. He doesn't like the humans because... God favored them. But demons and humans can't exist together. The demons will kill them, and the humans will fear them. If Ryo and I go back, it'll keep happening.
So I... though about asking... for a world just for the humans. One neither of us would go back to.
Oh, this is why you suggested that Satan could be young.
[anyway.]
Well, at least from the way the demons talk about it, discussing the terms with this Hell's Satan isn't off the table. Of course, I wouldn't bank on him agreeing either, or him even necessarily having that sort of power.
[Wow, stop. Satan can be young, okay! Satan can be a baby.]
I'm not giving up. [FIRSTLY.] I'm still trying... this stupid contest. But... I'm going to see if Ryo will stay here with me. Or... somewhere else not the planet given to the humans.
I can't figure it out until I get there to talk to him.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
but with the broken way akira is speaking, he could be referring to any number of things, so chandra waits to see if he's going to finish that sentence or dissolve further into tears.]
no subject
But he's a boy who is full of a lot of emotion, so he's quivering with it, unsure of what his hands will do if he lowers them from his head.]
...Our world got destroyed anyway. We destroyed what was left of it.
no subject
Such is reality. Effort doesn't always produce results, and the decisions one makes don't necessarily lead to good outcomes.
Minimizing damage in a fight is difficult even for the strongest beings.
no subject
[Before his legs can give out, the hole essentially spits them once again into a place in hell with very little fuss.]
no subject
but they're back out of the hole now, at least.]
Mourning what has already happened won't change the past.
no subject
Then why are any of us bothering to go to a party if we don't think we can change the past?!
no subject
Well, for one, that isn't what I said. Don't put words in my mouth. What I meant was that nothing changes simply because you happen to have feelings about it.
[all that matters in the end is action.]
In any case, coming back from the dead isn't synonymous with altering the past in the first place. Death can be undone without changing the fact that it happened.
no subject
[Because there will be shame, or guilt, or regret. Because love means there's sorrow.]
Being alive when you should be dead means you're already changing the past.
no subject
[he sighs.]
You're applying the limits of your world to others again. Coming back from the dead may be unusual where you're from, but you'll likely find many universes that don't consider it as extreme as you do.
no subject
That's how it'd work for me. My world is gone, and bringing it back means being alive again and changing the past!
no subject
Do you have confirmation from Satan and the demons that that's how the revival would work, or are you merely hoping?
If you do, lead with that, and you can consider what I said about undoing death moot. If you don't, make sure to find out—that was my point. Rather than simply regret, figure out what assumptions are or aren't true, and take actual action.
[he takes out his phone, thinking about how he should stop trying to offer advice if it ends up like this. "is it because he has shitty people skills" mayhaps but unfortunately he's not going to change]
You're the only one trying to take my words as some sort of denouncement of your situation.
no subject
I'm not going back.
[Very resolutely and firmly.]
no subject
Then what is your intention?
no subject
[Which sounds terribly honest unfortunately.]
I'm going to ask Satan for something else if I make it.
no subject
Have you discussed this with the demons?
no subject
Why? They've never really bothered to help us. And how do I know when they're telling the truth?
no subject
Yes, they're largely useless, and anything they say should be taken with a grain of salt. A direct answer would, if anything, be even more suspicious.
Still, there can be some value in seeing how they respond to things, especially if your plan already amounts to discussing it with Satan. [a beat] I don't believe in giving people false hope, so normally I'd leave it at this, but given that you're likely the kind of person who intends on running on it anyway—
[he finally stops texting! he doesn't get off the phone, though, instead turning it to show akira a string of texts.
However you wish to factor this in, if at all, is up to you.
no subject
He glances skeptically down at the phone when it's turned to him, not moving for a moment. Wary. And then, finally, he comes a little closer so he can read the screen.
He frowns at the words. The fact Chandra asked at all on his behalf, Akira won't Forget, sorry. But anyway.]
It isn't... [...] It isn't I didn't know if I could. I mean, I... didn't know for sure. If time could be changed. But it's not... about changing time now.
It's about how it'll always happen no matter what. The end. If Ryo and I go back. It'll always happen.
no subject
So you intend on leaving your world altogether?
no subject
My world is destroyed. And Ryo... [He looks away, sighing quietly.] Ryo...
[His expression is debating. But Chandra has never been conniving. The honesty is always brutal, but he doesn't get the feeling Chandra is wicked. He looks back.]
...Ryo is Satan. He doesn't like the humans because... God favored them. But demons and humans can't exist together. The demons will kill them, and the humans will fear them. If Ryo and I go back, it'll keep happening.
So I... though about asking... for a world just for the humans. One neither of us would go back to.
no subject
Oh, this is why you suggested that Satan could be young.
[anyway.]
Well, at least from the way the demons talk about it, discussing the terms with this Hell's Satan isn't off the table. Of course, I wouldn't bank on him agreeing either, or him even necessarily having that sort of power.
[gotta sprinkle some downer pragmatism there.]
no subject
I'm not giving up. [FIRSTLY.] I'm still trying... this stupid contest. But... I'm going to see if Ryo will stay here with me. Or... somewhere else not the planet given to the humans.
I can't figure it out until I get there to talk to him.
no subject
no subject
The demons like him. Or... at least two of them do. They think he's trying his best for us.
no subject
[chandra just sounds unimpressed because he's an ass.]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)