shibuyacrossed:
He wasn’t quite sure how much time passed between his words and hers, the air around him feeling stagnant and suffocating as he more or less simply ceased functioning. The mask he’d donned since returning to the RG had always been an incredibly fragile one, anyone who knew him well enough more than able to see through its shoddy materials, but he’d always held it up, nonetheless. He’d always refused to let it crumble completely, doing his best to at least act okay even if he wasn’t and worried that he never would be ever again.
It’d been one thing when he’d first gotten back to Shibuya. He hadn’t had time to focus on what he was thinking or feeling. The city’s safety had taken priority, and once he’d gotten back to the RG, he’d just continued to put it off. He didn’t want to think about if he was okay or not, because deep down, he knew the answer was that he wasn’t. Deep down, he knew that he didn’t feel like he belonged in the world of the living, no matter how hard and desperately he tried to make himself fit.
Though she didn’t mean any harm, her words had reinforced the thoughts he was constantly trying to stave off. That he was better off in the UG. That he had no purpose being alive. That he wouldn’t ever accomplish anything here- not compared to what he’d accomplished there. His legacy wasn’t going to be anything like CAT’s. His name would forever be tied to the UG, twisted and knotted and impossible to sever.
‘Don’t apologise.’
Well what else was he supposed to do? He wasn’t the person she thought he’d be. She’d approached him all shy and hopeful, and he’d ruined that all because he couldn’t keep his emotions in check for more than a few moments at a time. Wasn’t he supposed to be better now? He’d wanted to be. He’d worked so hard to be, but in some ways he was even worse off than he’d been before. He’d always felt out of place among the crowded streets, but at least when he’d been shutting everyone out he felt like he had a right to exist!
He tried to keep his hands from tensing up again, shoving them into the pockets of his jacket and hoping that the texture of the fabric might help ground him in reality. His thumbs rubbed small, repetitive circles against the cloth as he tried to hold himself back from snapping at her. She was just trying to help. He knew that. She could feel the turmoil within him that he refused to let anyone else see, but she didn’t know why he felt that way. She didn’t really know him. How could she say his life here was worth something when she didn’t know anything about his life?
He could barely feel her grip on his shoulder as he forced himself to take a long breath of air.
“Sor-” He snapped his eyes shut and bit down on his tongue, hard, feeling like an idiot for apologising being his first, instinctive response to dealing with his own emotions. A few moments passed as he focused on his breathing before he slowly opened his eyes back up, and tried to meet the girl’s gaze.
“I’m… really not as great as everyone thinks. Not even in the UG, but especially not here.”
Sheridan was used to this. Used to feeling spirals and breaks in others and guiding them through them. But it was never easy, and it always took something from her in return, not that she'd show as much. The stirring of resentment in her gut softened her gaze further.
It happened sometimes, when she pushed too hard on accident or said the wrong thing. It always felt like a rejection though, and the girl fought the urge to run away. She had to help, and her own cowardice would not stop her.
As he went to apologize again before roughly stopping himself she felt guilt fill her.
Had she just made everything worse? She shouldn't have opened her big mouth. He was a person, just trying to live his life and she’d reminded him of trauma out of selfish desperation to not be alone. The quietness of the UG frightened her. What if the next time the Game started up it was worse than the Hell the last 3 years were? She didn't think she could handle that again. But ultimately…that wasn’t his problem. He’d done more than enough for everyone in Shibuya’s sakes whether he saw it that way or not.
Her smile was understanding, as she shook her head.
"You don't have to and shouldn't have to be. You may have been through things most wouldn't believe; but you're still just a person, Neku."
She clutched at her necklace sheepishly, feeling her cheeks heat.
"I...I shouldn't have unloaded on you like that. I've just never seen a Player back in the RG before that I could talk to who'd understand my situation and that I trusted. I didn't mean to trigger bad memories and emotions. I'm truly sorry. It was selfish of me, and I wasn't thinking."
When saving Players, and helping them make Pacts and the like, she had to pretend to be in the UG. If they knew she was in the RG it'd raise way too many questions and risked her getting caught by those who wouldn't agree. But she knew Neku wouldn't snitch on her; he had a good heart, she'd seen his development from afar. Him and his group were probably the only ones she'd confide in, save Joshua. The way he muted all her Empathy was an immediate flashing sign that put her on edge.
She just hoped she hadn't made everything worse, like usual.
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HC Meme #2 [misc.]
❤️- does my muse feel worthy of romantic love?
😭- how does my muse cope with sadness?
🌹- does my muse spoil a lover? Do they like to be spoiled themselves?
☕️- what’s my muse’s morning ritual, if any? If they don’t have anything specific then how do they prep for the day?
👽- does my muse believe in intelligent extraterrestrial life?
👻- does my muse believe in ghosts?
🎃- does my muse celebrate holidays? Why or why not?
🧠- would my muse say they are intelligent? How does my muse feel about intellectual types?
👮🏻♂️- how does my muse see authority? Is it something to be respected at all times, or is it okay to call out injustice hiding behind the letter of the law? Are they a rule-follower or an iconoclast?
👷🏻- how does my muse see the working class? Do they exist to serve those in power or should they be helped when possible?
👨🎓- what is my muse’s level of education? Is this something they care about one way or another?
👨💻- is my muse technologically savvy?
👨⚖️- does my muse care about legality or do they do what they want regardless?
🧙♀️- does my muse believe in the supernatural?
🙏- what are my muse’s theological beliefs? How complex are they? Are they religious, spiritual, or an outright atheist?
🕎- does my muse celebrate religious holidays?
🛐- does my muse believe in a higher power? Why or why not?
☮️- is my muse a “hippie” or are they more traditional/straight-laced?
☸️- does my muse believe in reincarnation?
✝️- is my muse’s faith important to them? How does this inform their daily life?
☯️- how does my muse feel about faith systems that are not their own? Are they intolerant or welcoming?
⚛️- how much faith does my muse place in science? Do they believe science and religion are at odds?
🧟♀️- would my muse have a deceased loved one resurrected for any reason?
👨👩👧👦- does my muse have children?
👶- does my muse want children? If so, how many? Does it matter if the kids are biological or adopted?
🤰- if my muse has been pregnant, what was their experience with it? Did they love or hate being pregnant? Is it something they would repeat?
🙇- what type of parent is my muse? Strict or laid-back? Does parenthood come easy to my muse?
🙅♂️- how does my muse discipline their children?
🧖♂️- does my muse like to pamper themselves? What do they do?
💆♂️- how does my muse unwind after a stressful day?
👨👩👦- does my muse cherish their family or are they estranged?
🧵- does my muse have hobbies? What are they?
👔- is dressing up for social functions something my muse enjoys? Alternatively, do they avoid formal affairs like the plague?
👑- what are my muse’s opinions on monarchy?
🐶- does my muse have pets?
🦅- is my muse reverential or disdainful of wildlife? Why?
🦐- does my muse eat seafood?
🌞- is my muse an early bird?
🌝- is my muse a night owl?
❄️- does my muse like snow?
🌊- does my muse like the sea or are they fearful of it?
🍌- what is my muse’s favorite healthy snack?
🍕- does my muse have a favorite meal?
🍧- what is my muse’s favorite dessert?
🎂- does my muse celebrate birthdays? Why or why not?
👩❤️👨- how does my muse feel about love?
🐷- does my muse eat meat? If no, then why not?
🌱- what is my muse’s diet?
🌍- does my muse like to travel outside of their home country?
🌈- what is my muse’s sexuality?
🪐- would my muse like to go to space?
🧇- what’s my muse’s favorite breakfast?
🍫- does my muse have a favorite candy?
🍺- is my muse a drinker? If yes, what is their alcohol of choice?
🥂- is my muse classy?
🥡- muse’s favorite takeout restaurant?
🧂- what condiments does my muse put on their food?
🏈- does my muse like sports?
⛹️- does my muse play sports?
🏋️♀️- what is my muse’s exercise routine?
🤹♂️- does my muse have any special talents?
✈️- how does my muse prefer to travel?
🚦- does my muse obey traffic laws?
🗽- does my muse enjoy visiting national monuments or tourist attractions?
🏝- what is my muse’s perfect vacation spot?
🎢- does my muse enjoy theme parks?
🏥- how does my muse feel about hospitals in general?
⛪️- would my muse want a big church wedding or something smaller outdoors? How does my muse feel about marriage?
🕍- does my muse regularly attend houses of worship?
🛤- does my muse undertake spiritual pilgrimages? Have they ever wanted to?
☎️- as technology advances, does my muse prefer old-school or new inventions?
🎆- how does my muse react to change?
📸- does my muse like photography? Is it just something they admire or a hobby for them?
⌛️- how does my muse fill their days? How do they feel about the passage of time?
💵- what are my muse’s feelings on money and/or wealth?
💸- what’s my muse’s financial background?
⛓- how does my muse feel about punishment? Does it always fit the crime or is it sometimes excessive?
⚰️- how does my muse process death?
⚱️- would my muse prefer burial or cremation when they die? Why?
🔭- is my muse curious about space?
🦠- does my muse get sick often?
🩹- how do my muses take care of themselves when they are sick or injured?
🚿- does my muse prefer to shower or bathe?
🪥- did my muse practice good hygiene growing up?
🛎- does my muse like staying in hotels?
🔑- does my muse lose their house keys often or do they keep their keys on their person at all times?
🛏- how much sleep does my muse get each night? Do they nap during the day?
🖼- does my muse have art in their home?
🛒- how often does my muse go shopping for groceries?
🛍- does my muse enjoy shopping?
🎉- does my muse celebrate the New Year or is it just another day to them?
📬- how often does my muse check their mailbox? Is it mostly junk?
🗓- does my muse keep a calendar?
🗑- is my muse’s house clean or disorganized?
📒- does my muse like to journal? What do they write about?
📌- how does my muse mark important dates?
📝- how was my muse in school? Did they get good grades or were they slackers who mostly coasted?
🔐- is my muse a private person?
🔓- how easily does my muse open up?
📵- how does my muse feel about social media? Is it a powerful tool of connection or an unnecessary distraction? Is it the very personification of vanity?
🎥- does my muse document important life events? Give an example of what and how.
🗡- does my muse know how to use weapons? What purpose do they serve?
🚬- is my muse a smoker? How do they feel about smoking and people who smoke?
💉- does my muse give blood regularly?
⏯- does my muse pause movies or tv shows when they need to get up or listen from the kitchen/bathroom?
#️⃣- does my muse have any phone numbers memorized?
🎵- does my muse listen to music while they work?
🎶- is music a good stress-reliever for my muse?
♾- does my muse believe that history inevitably repeats itself or can we influence events to shape something altogether new?
🔙- would many muse travel back in time if possible? Is there a specific reason?
🏳️- how does my muse handle peacetime? Are they a pacifist?
🇦🇮- how does my muse feel about their home country?
🇦🇺- how does my muse feel about other countries?
🇨🇦- does my muse believe in national stereotypes? Do they themselves conform to these stereotypes?
🇺🇸- is my muse patriotic? How do they define patriotism?
😅- is my muse a nervous person? Are they simply naturally anxious or do they have an anxiety disorder?
😍- is my muse openly affectionate or more reserved?
🥸- does my muse like disguising themselves if their job calls for it?
🥳- is my muse a party animal?
🤩- does my muse get starstruck when meeting celebrities or other public figures?
😇- does my muse believe in an afterlife?
🥶- does my muse get cold easily?
🥵- does my muse get hot easily?
🤬- does my muse swear often? Do they try to censor themselves around children or elderly people?
🤗- is my muse a hugger?
🙄- is my muse flippant?
🤥- how easy is it for my muse to lie? Is it second nature or does it depend on the kind of lie they’re telling?
🤐- can my muse keep a secret?
🤑- does my muse always look for ways to make money even if it is through illegal or immoral means?
👎- is my muse a pessimist?
👍- is my muse an optimist?
👊- does my muse get into fights often?
🗣- does my muse speak loudly or softly?
👨💼- does my muse dress to impress or just throw clothes on?
🎅- does my muse love Christmas?
🧛♂️- what is my muse’s favorite kind of movie monster?
🧞♂️- if my muse was granted three wishes, what would they be and why?
🙍♂️- is my muse easily discouraged?
💍- how would my muse propose?
🐣- would my muse raise animals from birth?
🦂- is my muse caustic or overly defensive?
🦑- is my muse a multitasker?
🌗- how would my muse prepare for a significant life change? For example: changing schools, a marriage, the birth of a child or the death of a loved one.
🏩- how does my muse handle pain? Do they vocalize their discomfort (verbally or through sound) or do they try to “suck it up” and get through it quietly? Does it depend on the type of pain?
🏦- how does my muse handle their finances? Are they good with money?
📞- does my muse prefer talking on the phone to texting?
📺- does my muse prefer older tv shows or newer ones?
🙎♀️- is my muse easily offended or thin-skinned?
🧏- how does my muse solve a problem?
🤷♀️- does my muse throw their hands in the air and give up quickly, or do they persevere?
🙅♀️- is my muse closed off or guarded? Is there a reason why?
🙋♀️- is my muse inquisitive?
👯♂️- how would my muse react to learning they are a clone?
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akashicmuses:
Yoshiya’s taken aback by Sheridan’s outburst, tilting his head to the side with obvious confusion. Scared, sure, he remembered how much seeing these things had scared him too, but… he hadn’t ever felt angry. Maybe he’d been angry at the other people who didn’t seem to care, but by the time he’d figured out that no one else could see the things that he did, he was…
Well, let’s not dwell on the past too much.
“You shouldn’t beat yourself up over it that much. All the Players are dead, so their time in the RG is over anyway. The only way you could actually help anyone is if you killed yourself to enter the Game. And even then, you’d only really be helping your Partner.”
The words leave his lips so easily, as if he’s long-since accepted all of this as irrevokable truth. “And if you play the Game illegally, you’ll get in big trouble.”
“Mmm…” He hums, pausing his words to think a little. Maybe he’s said a little too much? Would Joshua be mad that he’d said all this? But, maybe he could change the subject now? He puts his hands into his pockets and looks up at her, a small frown playing on his features.
“Still… it’s sad to watch.” A quiet sigh leaves him. “Maybe we could talk about it more over some ice cream? That always makes me feel better.”
Sheridan tensed at the boys nonchalance with suicide and the way he pointed out she'd get in trouble for playing illegally certainly caught her attention. Hm. So there was a ruler and she was doing something wrong…though technically she wasn't Playing the Game. More like aiding and abetting those that were.
She was aware there was a hierarchy from overhearing Reapers, hence why she was careful but to think this child knew about the Game and the rules so well. It made sense, if he was more comfortable watching though. But still. It was a good reminder to not be so open about her helping Players, and to be even more secretive and careful if she could.
She mustered a weak smile at his offer and nodded. She could use some ice cream too truth be told; her heart was still pulsing with pain at not being fast enough and the boy was the only thing keeping her grounded and giving her purpose. The least she could do was get him some ice cream.
Plus...it was someone like her. Someone who saw what no-one else did, and she could admit she was curious.
"That sounds like a fine idea. Shall we?"
She leads the way to Sunshine and when they arrive at the window she pays for both their cones and hands his over before guiding the lad over to Hachiko, sitting on one of the nearby benches.
She's contemplative as she absent-mindedly licks at her dessert taking in the people around them and letting her eyes adjust to the RG more than the UG. So many people in a desperate rush, consumed with their lives. She didn't speak, allowing the boy to take lead of the conversation in whatever way he wanted to. He was the younger, and in her view, more in need of reassurance than her. It was always her instinct to take care of others first and herself second after all and he was no exception.
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