[video] forward dated to 9/13

[appraiser]

Ryoji Mochizuki shared a video.
09/13 near Apprassage

[ The video starts up, dark, silent. A bedroom, if an empty desk and neatly made bed and too many cardboard boxes count as a bedroom, and then the view flips over with a soft ] Oh. [ as the user finds the front-facing camera instead of the rear that he always uses on his phone. ]

Hi... It's been a while.

[ The bottom half of the screen blurs as Ryoji draws his knees to his chest where he sits on bare floorboards, phone in his hands. He doesn't introduce himself— doesn't need to, when his name is up there for people who don't know him, his face right here for people who do: the people he's recording this video for, whispers in an empty room. ]

I'm back. I know there are probably questions as to why, or how... and I can't really explain it well myself. But I'll answer the best I can, if you want to ask, texting or in person.

[ Ryoji sits up a little straighter now, looks a little more serious. This is what he meant to say: a confession. ]

But before that, I want to say that I'm glad to be back, however it happened... a second chance like this. I also want to be more upfront about myself, and there are things I want to say to a lot of people.

There was a time in the past where I was a monster: I'd hurt a lot of people, and I ran from all of that, hid myself away, and pretended it hadn't happened. The memories I've been experiencing, I kept the good ones close, the bad even closer, pretending they weren't real and that they have nothing to do with me. I thought... that it would be better to forget about all of that and return to a simpler time. Unconsciously, I think that's what I did. I went back to before everything happened, to start over, and do better this time. But I got it wrong. I made myself forget, but I wasn't forgotten...

[ He's rambling now, a little, so he turns his eyes away from the screen, staring off at something in the distance- it's the moon reflected in his eyes, only half. ]

There's somebody I still need to say goodbye to, but after that... I want to see so many of you. I owe a lot of "thank you"s and "I'm sorry"s and "I love you"s, and I want to be with people again. I don't want to leave this world or its people ever again.

So... I'll see you guys soon.




( ooc: forward dated to 9/13 to give myself a buffer. replies can be via text, or an in-person if you want to fast-forward to ryoji showing up at your character's house/class/chance meeting at some cafe/hi roommates/he'll be finding people around town somehow. for his cr, please assume he checked up on them, whether it's handwaved or not! )

Comments

[appraiser]

[ Ryoji rubs at the back of his head, mind uncertain even as his heart already knows. ]

...Yeah. It's natural, and everybody goes through it. Even though our individual experiences are different, the solidarity and empathy is there because we can, in part, understand each other.

[ So. There isn't any point in him hiding or feeling shame about those sorts of emotions. It's natural, it's understandable, and it's fine. ]

[liberal_arts]

... I think this has been rather productive, don't you? -Kasen finally had a smile tug at his lips, weak as it was. But it was enough, he hoped.-

[appraiser]

It was.

[ He sounds a bit surprised at that, remembering not too long ago when he was simply flinging paint down onto the ground. But what came of it was an avenue to vent, and he hasn't gotten that chance in literally years, and he can't help but laugh, a quiet little huff of breath. ]

...I really appreciate this. Thank you.

[liberal_arts]

Any time. You saved my life, so this is the least I can do. If you ever just want to come here and... toss jars of paint and talk, I'll make myself available.

[appraiser]

[ Ryoji's laugh this time is louder, brighter. ]

I'd love that! Maybe next time, we can talk over dinner? It might be less expensive in the long run, than me going through jars of paint every time I want to hang out.

[liberal_arts]

Oh I wouldn't worry about that. Trust me, cost on these sorts of things isn't really a problem for me. -Kasen laughed nervously, waving off the concern. The studio space did seem to be pretty expensive...-

[appraiser]

[ Expensive places just means it's more expensive to clean!! No dark carpets to hide stains, like how Ryoji's old apartment used to be like. ]

Even so! You've helped me a lot, so I don't want to cause any more trouble than I need to.

[liberal_arts]

I assure you, it's no trouble at all. And I'm not just being polite. I routinely make an absolute mess of this place. It's just all part of the creative process.

It's better to do it here than at my condo, that's for sure.

[appraiser]

[ ...He supposes that's what a studio is supposed to be used for; he wouldn't know for sure, not being an artist, and his area of expertise being outings with friends for coffee at a cafe or ice cream from street carts. ]

Then, I hope our talk today has inspired you as much as it's inspired me.

[liberal_arts]

It's given me some things to think about, at least.

[appraiser]

Then I'll give you time to think those thoughts. And I'll call you later?

[liberal_arts]

Please do. After everything that's happened to us, the real wrong doing here would be becoming strangers once more.

[appraiser]

I'll keep in touch, no matter what. See you later, Kasen. And thanks for today.