Aftermath: The Memories of Then and Now

[all_onis_are_true]

*By all rights, it's a time for celebration, and on some level Hiroshi knows that. At the same time, he can't quite bring himself into the mood to revel, and at some length in the midst of the little celebrations he slips out into the night to take a walk. His route is long and winding, passing by old familiar landmarks -- the Ermis Suites, the library where the first populated Oni attack had occurred, the Justice League Building. Here and there, until at last he finds himself on the tall hill where he had nearly made the biggest mistake of his life.

He looks out. Everything seems peaceful. Everything is peaceful, honestly. The monsters are no longer a threat. Nobody he knows here died and became Oni -- well, not on this timeline, he supposes. By all rights, he thinks he should feel like he's accomplished something.

But there's something empty to it. Even with the monsters sealed, something feels inconclusive. And it bothers him.

He continues watching outward. At least, if you were looking for him, you know where he is -- or perhaps you are simply a night owl yourself. He seems approachable, at least.*

Comments

[shineslightintodarkness]

Hiroshi?

[Rudolph sits down next to him, glancing over to him]

[princeofmaggots]

[Beelzebub is more of a night penguin than owl but the concept still holds true. There's a funny feeling he gets when he flies over the city at night; either it's an appreciation for urban beauty or indigestion. Either way, Beelzebub spots the guy from above and decides to drop by for a chat.]

If it isn't the hero, Mr. Hiroshi. It is a fine night to enjoy the view from here. Or are you perhaps looking for more creatures to seal up?

[alittleblackmagic]

[Palom plops down next to Hiroshi with a bag of marshmallows.]

Hiroshi!

I wanted to ask you something! I've been thinking about your holiday and even though there's already a day to give candy to kids, I think Hiroshi Day should be celebrated with free ice cream and marshmallows. Did you wanna add other stuff, too? I'm mailing my letter to the mayor tomorrow.

[all_onis_are_true]

My... "holiday?" Palom, aren't you going a bit overboard?

[all_onis_are_true]

*Eh? He doesn't recognize this... penguin? Whatever it is. Anyway, he's not in a state of mind to think about it too hard right now. It seems like it's being sarcastic, but Hiroshi just assumes it's because he definitely doesn't look very heroic. Or feel it.*

I'm hardly a hero. Things just needed to be done, and it was my responsibility to do so.

[all_onis_are_true]

...sir.

*He looks at him, then back out at the city. For a long time, it seems like he's going to be as taciturn as always, then...*

Am I supposed to feel this... unaccomplished?

[alittleblackmagic]

You don't want a holiday?

We can call it Palom Day if you're embarrassed. I'm fine with it.

[shineslightintodarkness]

[He watches the light of the city]

You feel what you do. There's no one right way. With something like that... I suppose there's always a feeling that you could have done more.

[all_onis_are_true]

Palom, I don't... I don't really think I'm as great as you're making me out to be here.

[all_onis_are_true]

*He's silent again, thinking about this.*

I thought, if I dealt with those things, I'd feel some closure. Something to tell me that these few memories I have of my life at home can finally be put behind me. But I don't. They're gone, and I guess I'm happy nobody else needs to worry about them. But it doesn't change the past.

*He looks down, fiddling with his scarf.*

It doesn't change the fact that my friends died. That the only people who could be bothered to see something supposedly worthwhile in that know-it-all kid with the good grades and the cold attitude all ended up getting lost to that mansion, and for some reason I'm the only one that made it out.

It doesn't change those moments I could have helped save them, but didn't.

[alittleblackmagic]

Why not?! All the bad guys are gone, aren't they? Everyone's safe!

[all_onis_are_true]

After I nearly turned a bunch of people into them, and then nearly lost the one thing that could help people by running off like an idiot.

I'm not a hero, Palom. I'm just a dumb kid who thinks he knows what he's doing when he doesn't.

[princeofmaggots]

Ahahaha, now don't be modest. Your heroic tale is spreading on the lips of the locals themselves. I would not be surprised if you get a movie deal out of this.

[Beelzebub glances at him out of the corner of his eye.]

Why yours, if you don't mind me asking? It is not as if you summoned these creatures yourself.

[all_onis_are_true]

Except I did. Just by showing up.

I have a theory, see. That somehow in the process of transference to this place, we bring along certain other creatures. Whether this is some greater intentional thing or an accident, I cannot say yet. But those things only existed here because I came.

*He looks down.*

People... died because I showed up here.

[alittleblackmagic]

If you just went and knew how to do everything perfectly from the start, that wouldn't make you a hero. Being a hero's about... winning in the end, even if you messed up a lot on the way! Because you messed up a lot on the way.

[Palom tells himself this at nights before he goes to bed so he feels better about his life choices.]

[princeofmaggots]

[A rough cackle escapes from his beak.]

If that isn't the funniest thing I heard I day, I'll eat my own crown.

Do you hear the shit that comes outta your mouth? You're crediting yourself for these so-called killings? I doubt you could smack down a fly without feeling sorry. At least you're competent putting away your killer friends.

[all_onis_are_true]

*Because nothing builds comradery like laughing at somebody's self-loathing. No, really.*

I'm glad I amuse you. Can you go away now?

[all_onis_are_true]

What about the times where you messed up and things only got worse?

[shineslightintodarkness]

I am sure you did everything in your power to save them.

[He looks over his hand, wondering why this sounds familiar]

It never feels enough, but - that's what makes you a good kid. It's not a pleasant feeling certainly, but the day you go 'I did enough' is the day you should question yourself.

[all_onis_are_true]

...

Sir, I was thinking. You seem to be something of a researcher yourself, right?

[shineslightintodarkness]

[Rudolph turns to look at Hiroshi]

Yes... that seems to be the case with how familiar some things seem to be.

[all_onis_are_true]

*He seems to be debating between his next action and his dignity.

Ha ha, who is he kidding, what dignity? He turns to Rudy.*

Sir! I want... I want to know more about monsters too! I want to know everything I can, so I can make sure what happened to us doesn't have to happen to anybody else! But me, I'm no good by myself. I've already nearly messed everything up because I let my emotions get in the way! So please!

*He bows severely.*

Please let me be your assistant! I'll do anything!

[alittleblackmagic]

Well.

You didn't. So it's dumb to think about it.

[all_onis_are_true]

I'm not talking about what happened here, Palom.

[princeofmaggots]

[Laughter is the best medicine. Especially when it's at the expense of someone else.]

But where else can I amuse myself at this time of night? Honestly... so these monsters followed you, it's their fault for doing so.

[alittleblackmagic]

...
...
...

You shouldn't assume everything you remember is right until you've got all your memories back. I've remembered all kinds of stupid things.

[all_onis_are_true]

I... suppose. Still, I just wish they had stayed in my world where they belonged.

[shineslightintodarkness]

[Rudolph pauses as Hiroshi starts bowing to him, smiling a little wanely]

I know you got an eye for detail and an assistant would be great. Just remember, we will have to go out in the field and there will be danger, and there will be tedious work when it isn't dangerous. Do you still want to do this?

[all_onis_are_true]

I'm no stranger to danger at this point, sir. It will make the tedium seem welcome. At any rate, no science work is without its tedious bits.

[all_onis_are_true]

I definitely remembered seeing them die, Palom. Whether I want to or not.

[princeofmaggots]

Who knows, it is likely that they all followed you here. You might have inadvertently saved your own world without being there.

[alittleblackmagic]

Well. Were their heads knocked off or did they just look kinda...

[all_onis_are_true]

Big, blue and mean?

[all_onis_are_true]

I'm not sure being told my world is better without my presence is much better than knowing that my coming here might have doomed people, you know.

[alittleblackmagic]

I bet you'll remember a way to save everyone who got monster-fied next.

[all_onis_are_true]

If only that were true... The last thing I remember of the experience is fleeing the mansion with the thing that used to be one of my best friends in pursuit.

[alittleblackmagic]

That doesn't mean there's not more! ...There's always gonna be more. It's not done until you've remembered the whole story!

[Palom seems agitated about this for reasons beyond mere sympathy.]

[all_onis_are_true]

*He nearly says "Not all stories have happy endings, Palom." He does. But something's holding him back. Perhaps... affection? In a weird sort of way.*

...maybe. I guess I still have memories left to get.

*Although he's positive nothing of use.*

[alittleblackmagic]

It's not a maybe. That's just how things are.

[Palom huffs a little before thrusting the bag of marshmallows in Hiroshi's direction.]

[shineslightintodarkness]

[After a moment's thought, he stuck his hand out and smiles softly]

Welcome aboard then, Hiroshi.