#33CCFF

[underworldpianist]

( color )

I think it's finally hit me, how long I might be here. How long I might be away from everyone.

I don't remember any time before that I've felt... I suppose 'lonely' is the best way to describe it. The feeling isn't unfamiliar, but until now, it'd been so distant in my heart that I couldn't remember it.

I've been with my friends, my comrades, for a few human centuries now. I don't know how just a few months here feels even longer than that. I'm at a loss, especially without him to watch out for. I find myself waiting for him sometimes in the morning, thinking he'll show up, hungry and sleepy-eyed, but he's not here. It's better he's not when there's always so much work to do, really, but I guess I never thought any of us would be apart.

Death can't separate us, after all. I'm surprised anything was powerful or manipulative enough to keep them from finding a way here.

I guess I wonder how other people are coping with it. How you deal with not being around the person or people you've centered your life around and love so dearly. I don't think I comprehend those feelings as well as a human would, but it'd be nice to just talk about those feelings together.

Comments

#FFE094

[crowsigliere]

[ Color ]

Goodness, I was beginning to wonder who would be the next to initiate something grossly sentimental...

That said, I'd spent some centuries with those from my own home, before we arrived here. It's a wonder you hadn't begun to grow bored with your lot.

[underworldpianist]

Absolutely not. They're spontaneous and, in some ways, still unpredictable. They are the ones that bring me happiness.

If you're bored of your own friends, that's just a weakness of your own heart.

[crowsigliere]

That must be where the difference lies. If every day were to feel just the same as the last, then it wouldn't much matter who took part in it, would it? Even your closest friends would become little more than puppets playing their part in the script you've predicted for them. You would be cursed to watch as everything plays out exactly as you've always known it to, again and again, forever and ever.

If we're speaking of happiness, I can't say there's any to be found in a place like that. So in that sense, I suppose I don't mind that I've found myself here.

[underworldpianist]

I'm afraid I can't sympathize with such a scenario. Hell can never be so predictable. It's structured, but it's too chaotic for such monotony and the addition of dealing with human spirits and the things they can become... well, it makes every day different.

Perhaps you should just stay here.

#B9536C

[scooptimistic]

( color )

I can't say I've ever known any of my friends for as long as you have, but when I get lonely, I just remember that I'll definitely see them again. And the longer I'm here, the more stories I'll have to share with them.

[underworldpianist]

That's a good way to look at it, I think. It might be a first for me, honestly. Usually, they bring stories back to me. Since I was promoted, I don't go into the field as often.

[scooptimistic]

I don't think it's anything bad to have as a first. And don't you have plenty of stories for them already?

[underworldpianist]

You think so?

I suppose you're right.

[scooptimistic]

You would know better than me. But you'd better tell them all about the beautiful journalist you met!

[underworldpianist]

I will make sure that they are absolutely jealous of the intelligent and lovely journalist I've gone on such fun adventures with. That is a promise.

[scooptimistic]

Aww, Saeki! This is why you're one of my favorites.

[underworldpianist]

And you are one of mine. I hope we continue to have adventures together and I thank you for cheering me up. I feel a little better now. Making a good friend here has helped me keep my head up, too.

[scooptimistic]

Well, I'm the same. I think it's easier to get through any situation if you don't have to go it alone.

But at the same time, Saeki, if you're feeling bad or sad about something, you know you can tell me, right? I may not have known you for centuries, but I'm sure I can support you in some way!

[underworldpianist]

Thank you. It doesn't matter how many years you've lived, your kindness and optimism are enough to make you a good support. I'll be happy to support you, too.

[scooptimistic]

Is this a compliment challenge now? Because I won't lose!

[ Maya, no. ]

[underworldpianist]

We can make it one, but I won't be as good at it as you are.

[ has he already started or is he being serious? who knows? ]

[scooptimistic]

[ the world may never know. ]

Oh, I don't know about that. The really surprising compliments come from the ones you don't expect it from.

[underworldpianist]

Really? I guess they have an element of surprise to them when it's from someone who's usually less .. mm... polite?

[scooptimistic]

Well, you're polite, but compliments from you are definitely surprising! You're more matter-of-fact with what you have to say.

[underworldpianist]

Hm, well, you're deserving of them, so I think it's fair to tell you what I think.

[scooptimistic]

Now that sounds just like you... I guess if it involves fairness, that makes more sense.

[underworldpianist]

It's a sensible way to look at it, right?

#ffff99

[troubadamsel]

I try to keep myself busy when the hardest feelings hit, but in the end, it's something we must live with as long as we're here. There's nothing wrong with it, so long as it doesn't burden you to the point where you can't function.

[underworldpianist]

I think it helps to know one isn't alone in their feelings, if nothing else. Staying busy is a good idea. What kind of things do you do? Do you busy your hands or your mind to distract yourself ?

[troubadamsel]

If you can distract the body, you can distract the mind. I often go on self-appointed patrols through the town to see if anyone needs help. I also had the fortune to have my horse come into this realm with me, and they do need walks.

[underworldpianist]

Oh, so that was your horse I saw when I was out exploring the different villages. I'm glad you have your companion with you.

[troubadamsel]

Fortunately, I'm not the only one. My housemate also brought his horse, and we keep our stable open to all who need it.

[underworldpianist]

Oh, that's good though, I suppose. Riding on your own is fine, but it's nice to have company along sometimes.

#FBFBC1

[catlady]

[  Meow.  ]

I'm probably not much help on this particular subject, but distractions help. Have you managed to make some friends here? Are you able to keep yourself busy? Pick up some kind of new hobby?

It doesn't solve the problem, I realize this, but it's what's always worked best for me.

[underworldpianist]

I think your advice sounds very helpful. I've made friends, a few, though I think my very existence could be unsettling for a lot of the people here.

A hobby? I'm always so busy at home and they fill up my idle time. Other than playing piano, I don't normally have time for hobbies. Even the piano is something my superior taught me, so I feel responsible for staying in practice.

[catlady]

Your EXISTENCE, huh? That sounds awful cryptic.

The down time is the thing I struggle with the most here. Things at home are always busy, there are always things to do and something going on. It can get busy here, sure, but it's not quite the same kind of busy.

Have you been able to FIND a piano around here?

[underworldpianist]

I'm a being that captures wayward and violent spirits and brings them to hell for judgement. Death and the afterlife scares most people, for some reason.

That's right. It's not the same kind of busy. It feels too strange.

Not as of yet.

[catlady]

Of course it does. There's too much uncertainty, too many what ifs, and the possibility of pain. No one feels they know, for certain, where they'll end up when they die. Everyone THINKS they want to live forever.

I am sorry about your lack of piano, though. Perhaps there's something you can pick up in the meantime? Something that you've always been curious about but never had the time for? Options in Chroma are limited, of course, maybe you could find something else to keep your hands busy.

[underworldpianist]

Which is so strange to me. Living forever sounds good on paper, I guess, but it doesn't mean you'll be happier with a longer life. I'd think some aspects of living might even lose meaning.

It's alright. It's mostly an annoyance. But, you're right. Maybe there's something else I could put my time into while I'm here. I'll have to consider my options.

#F0E68C

[tenthousandmiles]

(color)

perhaps you could write letters to them, as though they were reachable

[Loneliness is a concept that's both foreign and intimately familiar to Ginko; it's like the idea of breathing air--something so fundamental to one's day to day that it's barely ever thought about. Unable to settle in one place without bringing harm to both his environment and himself, he has very few relationships that have persisted long-term. He can't quite relate to the other's particular feelings, having lived this way for as long as he can remember, but he understands in a sense nonetheless -- even he needs people, sometimes. It was in the nature of humans to seek each other out, for their own survival.

Perhaps after many centuries, when the earth itself changes under one's feet and all other connections to one's surroundings are lost, that becomes even more true.]

you could write the things you would want to say to them--the feelings you're struggling with

[underworldpianist]

Letters? Unsent letters.

That sounds like it would help. A friend suggested considering this a big story I could tell them. I think letters would help me keep track of those stories, too.

[tenthousandmiles]

that's a good way to look at things
i hope it eases your loneliness, doing these things
if you wish to, talking about your friends to others might be worthwhile as well

[underworldpianist]

It would.

They're interesting people and are always up to something.

[tenthousandmiles]

tell me about them

[underworldpianist]

Hm, well there are a few of them. I guess I could start with Kirishima. He's my dearest friend among them. He's very taciturn and no-nonsense, but he has a good heart. Maybe a little too literal about things, but he's extremely loyal.

I probably miss him the most. We spent most of our time together and were a work pair. I'm so used to taking care of him, it's weird to wake up and have nothing to do for someone. He's very hungry all the time, you know? He'll stare at you like a cat and wait for you to find him a snack to eat... or maybe he just has me trained to do it.

[tenthousandmiles]

he sounds like a good friend
how did you meet?

[underworldpianist]

He is.

I guess 'through work' would be the best answer.

[tenthousandmiles]

and what is it you do?

[underworldpianist]

Me? I'm a Gokusotsu. A hell escort who captures spirits to bring to Lord Enma's realm for judgement.

#FFF176

[tropism]

It's been difficult. I was in the middle of rather important affairs back home before I was taken here, and that's a source of frustration for me.

I've been attempting to be more social than I normally would. I want to conduct myself in a manner that would make them proud regardless, so I'm doing my best to be good.

[underworldpianist]

It's very frustrating, isn't it? We were working on a particularly nasty mission and then I arrived here in the middle of it! I'll be scolded for sure...

Well, doing your best is the most anyone can hope for, right? I'm sure they'd be happy you were trying so hard.

[tropism]

Well, I hope you won't get into as much trouble on your return. I don't think anyone predicted being kidnapped in this scale before coming here.

What was your mission, if you don't mind me asking? You don't have to be specific if it's difficult to do so, I'm just curious.

[underworldpianist]

Hopefully not. It's not common for one of us to go missing for this long. It's stranger still that they can't locate me. This place must really be something beyond belief.

There was a spirit of a woman who had a particularly complicated life, it seems, who was wreaking havoc in an abandoned school. Her negative energy was attracting other spirits and demons to that place. It was getting pretty dangerous there.

#33acb7

[resoluteseraph]

(color)

While I can't fully understand how you feel as I've rarely been apart from the friend I've grown up with, I do question what it will be like when he's gone. My friend is... putting himself in a deep sleep to help a great deal of people and as much as I would like to stay at his side until he wakes a few hundred years from now, I know it's not what he'd want.

I think that is what will get me through it. Knowing that he'd want me to live my life even though he can't be there and knowing that he's saving so many people even while he sleeps. I want to watch his dream unfold when he can't and record everything so that when he wakes up I can tell him about it.

It'll be lonely without him and I'm sure there will be times when I turn to speak to him except he's not there but I'll get through it. Just take it one day at a time.

And I don't think that not being human makes those feelings any less important.