✵ 002; [text/anonymous x2] | future dated to the 23rd

[jumyouboshi]

[Today, the network is greeted by yet another anonymous text message. Or rather, anonymous text messages, plural. At first, the memory merging wasn't too bad, but when the 21st happened, it was as if a switch had been flipped for the floodgates to be opened, except instead of water, it was memories. Emotionally engaging and possibly traumatic memories, at that. By then, it was much more painful for the both of them, and very clear that something was wrong.]

Greetings, Hinoto-Ri. Though I understand this may be a confusing time, we have questions we wish to ask of you humans. Or rather, it is because it is confusing that we wish to ask you all.

[There's a pause, and the typing style completely changes to one more rough and commanding. It's as if the COMP...was handed off to someone?]

Refrain from using "human", fool, you're being too obvious.

[And back again. ...Yes. Surely nobody can tell that it's those two. Surely.]

My apologies. But, does it truly matter?

[And again.]

That's irrelevant.

Hinoto-Ri, to be frank: my associate and I have observed an unusual peculiarity relating to memories within this city, and are asking if any others have noticed this as well. How many of you suffer from memories that do not belong to you? Are you aware of the cause?

Comments

[jumyouboshi]

You have a point. That is a very valid possibility.

[He certainly knows, possibly more than anyone else, how there could be alternate selves, and how different they could be...hah. Not to mention that he already knew Nyarlathotep as a regular ol' level 80 demon before he got here.]

But I feel it more wise to remain cautious of him, regardless.

[Again, paranoid and distrustful tendencies of his swap partner kicking in.]

[otakuro]

Right.

[Yeah, it was pretty clear what Nyalatotep was supposed to be.]

Still, if what he's saying is true... It's not much of a departure from what I'm familiar with. At the level these guys are playing at... Isn't it always a cosmic chess game, one way or another? The forces of heaven against the forces of hell, or Philemon against Nyarlathotep. One side ostensibly wants us to 'succeed', but that definition may not be the same as what we believe it to be.

I don't think anyone came into this city blindly believing Philemon. The situation is too... bizarre for that. I wouldn't be surprised if our interests eventually... drifted apart, but as long as they're inclined in the same direction, it's better to have one cosmic force on your side than none. You just have to be choose the time to part ways very carefully. If you're lucky enough, you can even do it without ire.

At least, here, we know Nyarlathotep is actively malicious.

[jumyouboshi]

Indeed. It would be better to have one ally, even temporarily, than to have none at all. Even if "ally" may be subjective.

[otakuro]

Aaand... it's nice to feel like someone's on your side. Even if it's for a selfish reason.

[jumyouboshi]

I see little problem with that.

[otakuro]

Anyway. ...Thanks for the information, but I think I'll make my own decisions about Philemon later down the road.

Right now, we've just got to figure out how to untangle the strings.

[jumyouboshi]

Of course. That decision is yours and yours alone to make.

Yes. The more pressing matter is finding something or someone who possesses such knowledge or such an ability.

[otakuro]

Has anyone asked the 'Wise Men' yet?

[jumyouboshi]

...Not to my knowledge. Are you suggesting we do so?

[otakuro]

It can't hurt, right?

[jumyouboshi]

[There's a pause.]

Indeed. It would serve as the opposite, rather.

[They had nothing lose...aside from a few more minutes of memory pains. Or something.]

[otakuro]

...Well. We should probably go see what we can do, then.

Thanks for the information. I'll definitely read all of those conversations later.

[jumyouboshi]

You are welcome. I wish for nothing more than for humans to make their own decisions.

[And with that, he closes the connection.]