[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

video

[telewarped]

Fresh out of an actual coma and you're already thinking about missions? Are you even trying to sound convincing?

[Shoka is as abrasive as ever, but their psychic connection makes it obvious: she's relieved to see him.]

[colorsflyinghigh]

Hey, I'm tired of doing nothing already. I've been out of it for a month.

[He pouts a little.]

But I'll take it easy, promise. If nothing else, I know some people are gonna be real strict about that.

I just... can't do nothing, y'know? I'll go mad!

Video;

[quirkynote]

I'm...happy for your survival, but...

[Something still bothers her about it all.]

...I think we should speak. Alone. About your continued survival.

[telewarped]

Have you tried getting a hobby? Or maybe you could ask your lameass boyfriend to invest in a scratching post and some mousy toys for you!

TOTALLY NOT OMINOUS ABA LOL

[colorsflyinghigh]

Good to see you too, A.B.A.

[Ah... well, if anyone would know what it's like, it'd be A.B.A, wouldn't it? Maybe they should talk. Compare notes.]

... And sure. We can meet up later, if you want.

[colorsflyinghigh]

Hey! I'm not actually a cat!

[Oh, how the tables have turned... he feels a lot of sympathy for Morgana, suddenly.

Morgana...]

... But I can see the appeal. Maybe I should bat you around a bit.

[Video]

[bladeofnymeia]

[Just the brightest expression from this lil Nidoran!]

Ren! You're up! I came to visit and check on Akechi as well, while he was tending to you. [And they had a heart to heart about Stuff. It was a whole thing.] How are you feeling?

Re: [Video]

[colorsflyinghigh]

[Firoza! Ren's real happy to see her, his ears perking up visibly.]

Hey! Good to see you, Firoza, [he says warmly, grinning.] Thanks for checking on him- on us. I really appreciate it.

[He settles a little, grimacing.]

I'd say I'm fine, but there's no way you'd believe that, would you?

[bladeofnymeia]

[A sympathetic grin.] Sadly, I know all too well what it's like to push so far as to collapse. I can't imagine you're feeling as usual just yet. But being awake and aware, and well enough to reach out? That's a good start.

[telewarped]

You can come and try it whenever you like—then we'll see what happens!

... Seriously though. It's—good to see you up and at 'em again. I came by to check up on you a few times, but, well... [A memory floats through their connection: a vague impression of the clinic, Ren asleep, and Akechi at his bedside.] Always felt kinda like I was interrupting something.

[colorsflyinghigh]

[A grimace.] Hah, not quite, no. It'll take a little while before I'm allowed to do anything more strenous, according to Dr. Denne.

But hey, as you said, it's a good start! Hopefully I'll get cleared for more soon- I'll go stir-crazy if not.

[colorsflyinghigh]

[Ren's smirk softens, and genuine appreciation meets the memory Shoka sends him.]

Thanks. Really, I mean it. [He chuckles.] And hey- don't blame me for that one. I was totally out of it!

[bladeofnymeia]

Oooh, I know that well, too. [A laugh, jovial.] The last time I was laid up, I lost count of the days...a friend dumped a kitten into my lap and told me I had to live for him, so he wouldn't mourn me if I was gone. As if I hadn't learned my lesson by making everyone cry...

[Firoza is not scared of death. What she fears, truly, is causing her friends any amount of sorrow because of her own stupid mistakes.]

[telewarped]

Didn't make it any less gross. [(Affectionate).] Anyway, I'm guessing you've already been fed and everything... But if there's anything you're craving or whatever—or anything you need an update on—I'll see what I can do.

[colorsflyinghigh]

Hah, that's what Mona would do, sometimes! He'd park his little kitty butt right on me and tell me to rest up, or else.

[... Man. He misses Morgana. He's annoying sometimes, but in hindsight, he's definitely also... around 90% of Ren's impulse control.]

... I only ever got really hurt once, [Ren sighs.] It was calculated, but I hated seeing everyone worry about me.

[Ren is similar to Firoza, in that sense. The fear of death is no match against his fear of hurting his friends.]

[bladeofnymeia]

...It is unfortunately a potent sort of motivation.

[She just. She can't. Can't do it again. Never, never, so long as she can help it.]

I've been injured many times - close to death a few. But that one time was the worst, and it was all because of my own...mm. I. I don't know if I want to say the word.

[colorsflyinghigh]

[Oh indeed. Akechi had a field day with providing for him, not to mention the nurses making sure his every need was being met. Still...]

It's been a while since we hung out, right? Why don't we meet up later?

[... And, for good measure-]

I suppose I have a bit of a craving for poffins, if you catch my drift.

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...]

[telewarped]

I'm down. You back at the Spire? We can meet up by the entrance.

[She's apparently out right now herself, judging by the open sky serving as the backdrop of her video. She must be someplace high up, with no landmarks visible from where she's sitting.]

You got a favorite flavor?

*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.

[colorsflyinghigh]

I am. Sounds good to me, I'll mosey on down then.

[Ren doesn't immediately recognize the backdrop of the video. Maybe she found a new place...?]

Hmm... I do enjoy a good bitter-sweet treat every now and then. I'd offer to bring a drink but- hah, well.

[He doesn't exactly have anything on him right now, nor is he keen to go rummaging around in the guild's stock.]

Either way, see you soon, then!

[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?]

video > action

[telewarped]

One bitter-sweet treat coming right up, then.

[Sure enough, when he arrives at the entrance to the Spire, Ren will find Shoka waiting there for him with a small bag in hand. Once she spots him, she'll perk up and make a beeline for him. He may be up and at 'em again, but he's surely still recovering; she won't make him walk more than he has to.]

Ren, hey! Good to see you... In the flesh, I mean.

[colorsflyinghigh]

Shoka! [he gives her a grin, and for once, doesn't push himself to meet her halfway. His body still aches, and his limp was obvious when he arrived at the entrance.] Good to see you too... in the flesh.

[He chuckles a little. They did just talk over the Grumpearl network, but in person is still better, in his opinion. His eyes wander over to the bag, and he licks his lips.]

Is that what I think it is?

[telewarped]

If you were thinking poffins, then yeah. [Bitter-sweet flavored, of course!] Don't say I never do anything for you.

[She takes one poffin from the bag and hands it to him. As soon as he has it in his mouth, she'll make to shuffle off elsewhere, gesturing with her free hand for him to follow.]

C'mon. I know a place where we can hang out.

[colorsflyinghigh]

Oh hell yeah. [He eagerly takes the poffin, taking a bite. Delicious! He lets out an inquisitive noise when she shuffles off, and he's quick to follow.]

Well then, my almighty, beloved, poffin-delivering friend Shoka whom I treasure so much, [Ren! Be nice!] show me the way!