[VIDEO] Ren announces his return

[colorsflyinghigh]

[Having settled in again with the help of Akechi and his friends in the Oran Berries, Ren figures it's time to make a proper announcement- he doesn't just have friends in the Oran Berries, after all, so, having settled in his room, he fishes out his Grumpearl, and opens a connection.

The video opens with him grinning, trying to look collected. He does look a little weak still, though.]

Hi everyone. Guess who's back? [His grins widens a little.] Didn't think I'd be that easy to get rid of, did you?

[He chuckles. It's a bad joke, but he's trying.]

I guess I overdid it a little, so I'll try to take it easy for a bit," [he says, like a liar.] "Akechi's been fretting over me like a mother bird, so not like I have much of a choice, hehe.

[He pauses, face falling a little, before speaking again.]

Still, if you visited me while I was out... thanks. I wasn't really all there, but I appreciate it. Really." [He tries to smile again.] "Tell me so I can properly thank you in person, okay? Sorry I worried everyone. Don't do that again- message loud and clear!

[He forces an upbeat tone, but he really does feel bad.]

Uh, anyway. Glad to be back. I can't wait to get back to doing missions with everyone! I hope to see you soon.

Comments

Does The Silent Protagonist Thing

[colorsflyinghigh]

Indeed.

[That's... rough. Ren hums in understanding, placating- if she wants to say it, she will. If not, not. He's always been a good listener, but he'll leave it up to her, if she wants to continue down this particular train of thoughts.]

lol same, also oops hit send too soon

[bladeofnymeia]

...

[Thinks about it. Thinks real hard about it.]

The least...concerning way I can phrase it is, I can't seem to say no to a new experience. To a real and proper challenge. And when the dust was settled, presented with such an opportunity...I got a bit overzealous.

[colorsflyinghigh]

[Ren nods in understanding.]

Yeah, I get that. It's just... exciting, isn't it? To do something you probably shouldn't, but finding a way to overcome it anyway.

[He could've died. So many times. He'd concerned his friends and he hated that, but still... he can't say he didn't enjoy it. The cat and mouse game between him and Akechi, challenging Palace owners, challenging Shido, Maruki, a false god. He can't help it.]

cw: it's a lil graphic, but also Endwalker spoilers jsyk

[bladeofnymeia]

...It really is a feeling like no other.

[Just punching the shit out of Zenos at the end of the universe. His fist connecting, hers launching him back, a gauntlet in full plate making bone crunch. Spit and sweat and blood and the very edge of the horizon...]

*eyes sparkle* Firoza is so cool

[colorsflyinghigh]

[A wistful sigh.]

Yeah...

[Silence lapses, for a moment, and Ren ponders his exploits as a Phantom Thief, for a moment. This world is exciting in its own right, but he can't help but miss the Metaverse. His friends.

...]

Well, I'm sure Akechi would kick my ass if I tried any of that here. [Not that he wouldn't. Shh.] The hypocrite.

[bladeofnymeia]

Oh, my friends would do much the same if they were here. So I have to keep them in the back of my mind, to keep out of trouble.

[She. She never wants to make them cry again. For real. She tryin so hard.]

[colorsflyinghigh]

Haha, mine too. Though, it's not like they have much room to complain, with the stunts some of them pulled themselves.

[Try and deny it, but all of them have done some dumb shit in the name of rebellion and justice. Maybe Ren takes the cake, but still.]

I...

[A beat of silence. Then a sigh.]

... I really miss them, honestly.

[It's a quiet admission, as if he didn't really mean for it to come out at all.]

[bladeofnymeia]

...I miss mine, too.

[Said with honesty, softly, with a tender sort of heaviness that only presses just so upon the heart of those who hear it, so as not to overwhelm.

Because it overwhelms her, if she's not careful.]

If it helps to know it, you are not alone.

[colorsflyinghigh]

[Ren gives a small, but genuine smile. It's a little weak, wistful.

He doesn't know if it helps, honestly. He doesn't like it- doesn't like that everyone just... lost all of their friends, with no way to know if they'll ever see them again. If he'll ever see them again, and he's one of the lucky ones; he has at least one person from his world here. Many can't say the same. Most can't say the same.

Firoza can't say the same.

How selfish of him.

Even so-]

I appreciate it. [Quietly. Then, a bit louder.] I don't think mine would want me moping like this about it, though. I imagine yours wouldn't, either.

[bladeofnymeia]

[A little sigh.] You're right. I can practically hear them in my mind now.

[But she smiles. There's smiling happening. You've managed to lift her mood, Ren!]

[colorsflyinghigh]

[Success. It doesn't quite chase away all of his own melancholy, and he's under no illusion that it means hers is all gone, but it's... something. It's something.]

We just gotta keep keeping on. [A quick, determined nod.] We'll be alright.

[His smile has turned more genuine, less fragile.]

[bladeofnymeia]

...We shall.

[As long as they can continue to make bonds of friendship, everything will work out alright. This she believes.]

this seems like a good place to wind down if that's cool w u?

[colorsflyinghigh]

[Ren nods in agreement, his expression now a proper grin. Confident, cool, as it should be.]

In the name of keeping on- let's meet up sometime soon. I feel like I haven't seen you in a month!

[Lame joke, Ren. Lame joke.]

Sounds good to me!

[bladeofnymeia]

Sounds like a grand idea.

[Come see her on the TDM for September Ren, if you happen to be in Skull Town, yeah?]