towerofanimus | What day is it, and in what month

Entry tags:

What day is it, and in what month

Characters: An actually relieved Ryoji Mochizuki and anyone that wants to swat him for ditching so long.
Setting: 4-16, Floor 78, and pretty much anywhere else.
Format: Choose either and I'll match!
Summary: Ryoji finally returns back to life after wandering his dead world as a ghost, and returns with a greater appreciation of the Tower's existence... at least until he finds the gift left in his mailbox from just when he left.
Warnings: General woobie Ryoji stuff, and he's cheerier than normal.

Dorm 4-16

[Ryoji knows where he is almost before opening his eyes. It's easy to tell from the rise and fall of his chest, and the small inhales and exhales he can hear that he's alive, or at least appears to be, and the only place where that was possible was the Tower.

He can't help but feel a surge of relief when he realizes this. Not too long ago, he would have been guilty to have yet another chance, but with all the people he's met here, and with Minato still thankfully alive and one of the residents, he's starting to accept his luck and just learn to live with this. The dangers of the place make up for his new opportunity, after all.

Though as he gets up and checks his trunk before leaving to wander the Tower once again, he realizes that the friends he has made are worth more than that.]

Anywhere excluding Floor 78

[It's been a while since Ryoji's had a chance to train with Diarmuid, so he decides going off to do some practice of his own may be a good idea. He may be found on one of the outdoor levels, fighting with imaginary enemies, or he may decide after to find a real challenge and defeat some monsters on other floors. He needs a lot of experience, so having someone tag along with him might do him good.

If not, one may always spot him on a lounge floor or in one of the libraries, taking a quick break to check the terminals or just sit and relax. If he knows you, he may likely hurry over to say hello too. It's nice to get another chance to see everyone again.]

Floor 78

[It takes Ryoji a few hours, but eventually he remembers that he should be checking his mailbox. Perhaps a worried friend left a note for him, or Lancer had planned another one of his parties and left an invitation.

Of course, he's a little confused by the presence of the package, but it looks harmless enough when he unwraps it. In fact, Ryoji finds it kind of cute. All those little twinkling lights, like the globe is pointing out all the little houses filled with people too far away to be seen. He chuckles lightly and spins it idly with one finger...

And then the lights start going out. His brow furrowing, he wonders if it's run out of batteries already, but the sickening feeling in his gut tells a different story, and indeed, a few moments later, Ryoji sees just one more reminder of what he is.

He should have known never to think this Tower was good.

Upset, angry, and very ashamed, Ryoji rushes out of the mailroom, globe wrapped up in his scarf, so he can get it to his room without glancing at it and then just shove it to the bottom of the trunk, along with those pieces of the Seal, so he never has to look at them again.]

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[ Ganondorf couldn't help but smirk when he saw the way Ryoji reacted. Not useful to him? Bold claim, but Ganondorf wouldn't deny it. Not now at least, it wouldn't serve any purpose. Instead, he replied to the question about the training. ]

I suppose it does. I hate to see wasted potential.

[ And he was fairly certain the kid hided a great potential. He had no doubt about it, only the nature of this potential was in question. He walked past Ryoji, but didn't stop speaking for that much. Instead he clarified what he meant by 'potential'. ]

The reasons that led me to chose you months ago-- I believe them to be correct even to this day. I misjudged certain aspects of your personality but my overall judgement, I do not think it was erroneous.

[Ryoji's smile fades quite quickly at the mention of potential. He'd been hopeful that Ganondorf hadn't noticed anything strange about him, but perhaps Nesir or Sephiroth had told him... His hand instinctively goes up to clutch at his scarf, hiding his violet collar.]

It's not wasted just because it's not being used for you.

[He shifts about warily, trying to keep the king in his sight, and swallowing down his nerves. Just focus... he can be brave if he doesn't let these speeches get to him.]

Well, I'm sorry, but you won't be changing my personality. No matter what you predicted and didn't predict. I'm my own person, and I have the right to follow what I believe I should follow.

[ Ganondorf's smirk widened as Ryoji went to clutch his hand at his scarf, but he said no word about it, slowly continuing about his way. ]

Indeed. It is wasted because you do not use it properly.

[ His smile slowly fades as he keeps speaking. ]

It would be foolish from me to hope and change your personality. However... [Ganondorf stopped walking at this moment, pausing a few seconds before continuing.] Your rhetoric is intriguing and very revealing. I can only hope you do truly benefit from the freedom to act upon your beliefs, as you so claim. That you truly are your own person, Ryoji Mochizuki.

And how would you define 'properly'?

[Because Ryoji is almost certain that he doesn't have the same meaning for it as Ganondorf does. Not that he wants to. He's quite happy being his own... being. He doesn't know what he can be called, but he doesn't think he's human... and he has the feeling Ganon doesn't think so either. The way he said his name was chilling, even if it was a step up from calling him 'boy'. It was as if the king knew Ryoji's true names. That shouldn't be possible, and yet...

Whatever it was Ganondorf did or didn't know wasn't the issue. Ryoji knew he was purposely being riled up, and regrettably, he couldn't prevent it from happening. He forces himself to take a deep breath before responding.]

I don't know what's so revealing about it, but I'm sure making my own choices is preferable to any other option. If I can do that, I don't doubt that I will become my own person, and that's all I really need to be.

[ Thankfully, Ganondorf didn't know much of anything about Ryoji. He just pretended to know more than he did, speaking vaguely enough so that his words could coincide with what fragments Ryoji revealed through his own words. And it worked; if anything Ryoji's word confirmed that not only the boy truly wasn't human but also is, or at least used to be, unable to make his own choices. ]

Making choices is the privilege of those who have power. Unless you have the power to enforce your freedom, those with a power greater than yours will limit your choices. This is the reality common people are faced with everyday. They're nothing but puppets whose strings are pulled by Princes, Emperors, Gods.

But of course, the puppets always create comfortable illusions to hide the horror of their situation and pretend they are not puppets-- Pretend they are something else. Pretend they are free. Not unlike the glamour in this tower.

[ Ganondorf laughed, a slightly more cruel laughter than before. ]

Define 'properly', you say? [Ganondorf turned back to face Ryoji. Not an answer, but a statement.] Unless you earn the power to chose, you will never become your own person.

[Ryoji takes a step back, more than a little shocked by what Ganondorf is figuring out about him. His hand still gripping his scarf has white knuckles, while the other still clutches his sword. It would be so tempting to toss this practice one away and summon a proper one...

No. He has too many intense feelings to release even a little of his power. He can't risk giving in to the anger and losing control. Unfortunately, even putting that limit on himself, he's still being influenced by his emotions, which is clear to see judging from how much he lets slip about his true nature through his words.]

I won't be her puppet any longer!

[He takes a deep breath after his sudden outburst, struggles to keep his voice even.]

Illusions only last so long. And some puppets don't realize what illusions they've created until it's too late. They don't always mean to pretend...

Besides, I'm sure those puppets explain to the people that matter... People can do a lot more than you give them credit for. Sometimes they influence those gods and shape them into what they are.

...I think anyone can become his own person with a little support.

[ "Her"? Well, he had gotten more information from this discussion than he expected. However he had a feeling getting more details from Ryoji would be hard, but this didn't matter. He had had enough for a day, he could probably get more of this story at another time. He was a patient man, after all. ]

Not all people can. Only a few select can. Those who are gifted with power-- Or those who conquer it. Your average powerless person can do nothing. Do you truly not know that, or do you just pretend?

[ Ganondorf folded his hands together. ]

Do you know why when I threatened your loved ones months ago, you so easilly complied? Do you know why you didn't stand against me then?

[Ganondorf is certainly right about that. Ryoji almost seems to physically clam up, trying to make himself smaller, as if he can just disappear and leave this horrible conversation behind. He doesn't want to talk any longer, and it shows. His responses are short, hardly giving an answer to any questions, much less extra information.]

You're wrong. Every person has power, more than you know.

[Ryoji turns away, ready to leave.]

I don't know, and I don't want to find out. I'm leaving now.

[ Ganondorf wouldn't insist. It was obvious enough what he intended to say to Ryoji about the events surrounding the infiltration. In a sense it was better, without giving his own answer, this would force the boy to answer it himself. He turned away as well when Ryoji said he was about to leave leaving. Very well, so would he then. ]

And so the puppet chooses to walk once again the path of illusions.

[ And with this, Ganondorf goes back on his ~merry~ way, with only one more word that Ryoji may hear: ]

Amusing.

[Ryoji wouldn't want to answer the question himself, but with the way he was carrying on, it was only a matter of time before he had to face that issue. Soon, he'd understand why he was so quick to dismiss his own death yet could never forget what those he cared about went through. Maybe he'd learn to preserve his own life, and quit being reckless when faced with someone threatening his friends.

Unfortunately, he hasn't seemed to learn that yet.

Though he still faces away from Ganondorf, Ryoji has paused in his tracks, setting that training sword down beside him. His voice comes out in a low mutter, in an attempt to hide his anger for a while longer.]

Other people's lives don't exist for your entertainment. Stop threatening my friends.

[ If only Ryoji realized his reaction only furthered his entertainment. He had thought the boy to be done with the discussion, but apparently he maybe could get some more anger out of him. Ganondorf didn't stop walking, so his voice would probably sound distant as he replied to Ryoji.

His voice didn't sound amused however. He sounded very calm, annoyingly so. ]

The only reason I can threaten your friends is because you allow me to. You said people have the power to influence higher beings? You are right. Through your powerlessness, you shape the power of those above you.

[ He stopped walking however before finishing his statement. ]

If you had the means to defend your friends, no threat would affect you. But you're rejecting your potential and with it the power to protect them.

[He can't give in. He doesn't want his anger to get the better of him. He'll lose control if he tries to fight like this... but the more Ganondorf says, the more Ryoji can feel the pressure building inside him, and he swears he's going to explode if he doesn't...

He's gotten past the point of coherent conversation. He tries to respond, but no words come out, just heavy breathing as he struggles to see straight. He tries to walk away, but the only way his feet want to take him is towards that... tyrant, that monster. No matter how hard he tries to think rationally, no matter how much he reminds himself that getting angry is just letting Ganondorf win... he just keeps repeating those few words over and over.

If you had the means to defend your friends...

He does have the power, and Ganondorf doesn't realize that. He has a true form begging to be released, and Ryoji doesn't think he can contain it. And he doesn't want to.

There's a bright flash of light, and suddenly Ryoji is no longer there. What takes his place is a skeletal monstrosity, with a huge, almost bird-like jaw and coffins chained together, forming a sort of cape along his back. In his hand is a sword that looks far sharper and more brutal than his old training sword... and now it's pointed straight at Ganondorf as the monster hurtles in his direction.]

[ Ganondorf was still facing away from Ryoji when the boy released his true form, but he certainly didn't miss that bright flash of light. To be honest, Ganon was uncertain how to feel. Happy about that unexpected yet pleasant result, or disappointed at how easy it was to manipulate the boy? Probably a bit of both.

He didn't move from his position, not even as Ryoji rushed and pointed the dangerous-looking sword at him. He stood still until the very last moment when the sword was about to hit him-- At which point Ganondorf simply jumped out of the way. Not a small, normal jump of course. A jump that took him high into the air and many feet away from Ryoji, at a safe distance. Sorry, but Ganondorf had no intent to die today, nor any intents to kill Ryoji.

Someone from his size and stature shouldn't be able to jump that high and far. For that matter, someone normal shouldn't be able to jump in such a manner at all, but Ganondorf wasn't really human to begin with. He had two swords in hands when he landed, facing Ryoji this time and clearly grinning. This form confirmed all of his suspicions. ]

Excellent, boy. [He sounded pleased. Maybe too much so.] This is the potential you should be training and drawing upon. But what good is it, if you cannot even hit me?

[ Maybe he could taunt him even more in this form. He was, after all, an incarnation of hatred. Either way, he would probably try to cut this confrontation short soon. ]

[Ryoji, or at least, the thing that used to be Ryoji, whips around, struggling to track Ganondorf down. He should have realized that he wouldn't be able to attack him so easily, should have recalled training and tactics, but unfortunately, when he's this upset, it's difficult to focus that power into technical attacks. He just wants to rush forward again and again, bury that sword straight into Ganon's gut, make sure he proved that he had the strength to fight those who would threaten the people here...

His only response to Ganondorf's taunting is an angry, animal howl, and the sound seems to summon a large, green ball of light between the two of them. It rapidly makes its way closer to the ground just in front of Ganondorf, and when it touches, it will release a blinding flash and massive explosion that could do quite a bit of damage.

Enjoy that Megidola, jerk.

In the meantime, Ryoji will take advantage of the distraction the explosion should cause and try to get close enough to catch Ganondorf off guard.]

[ Ganondorf smiled at the attack. Tapping into the magical might now, on top of the physical one? The boy certainly was angry. Ganondorf didn't pay much attention to the explosion, convinced it wouldn't harm him-- So he did not move and remained fully focused.

The Megidola however, against all of his expectations, did manage to harm him even if only a little. Well, this meant the boy's powers were impressive. Very few attacks had the means to harm him. Thanks to his innate powers and most specifically thanks to the Triforce of Power, Ganon was immune to roughly everything. Only beings of great powers or weapons designed to repel evil could hope to harm him.

The fact that the boy could hurt him only served to reinforce his belief that his power was an interesting one. A very interesting one even, which he would have to find out more about. ]

You are meeting my expectations. But I can no longer allow this charade to continue.

[ With that said, he folded back his swords back into his sleeves and the second Ryoji would be close enough, he would jump back once again. Rather than landing this time however, he remained floating into the air, his arm rising high above him, ready to unleash not one, but many energy balls.

Hopefully Ryoji knew how to play Ganon-Tennis®. If not, these energy balls were far from enough for killing, but more than enough to cause high level of pain. ]

[Ryoji certainly was angry, far more angry than he's ever been. Back in his own world, he'd been much more composed. Anger and hatred wasn't something he experienced. People disliked him, but he didn't seem to mind, and when disagreeing with someone, even when that disagreement meant unbelievable suffering for the opposite party... Ryoji let it go. People could live their lives the way they wished to, in his opinion.

It was now that he'd been in the Tower for several months that he was starting to experience those emotions, and Ganondorf made them the strongest. He hated him. He couldn't justify anything he did or said. He was just pure evil... And maybe Ryoji wasn't perfect, especially now that he honestly feels intent to harm someone, but he wouldn't care if it meant Ganondorf wouldn't threaten anyone close to him.

He's so close to driving his sword into him, and sickeningly, he feels a swell of pride at the idea of defeating Ganondorf. Unfortunately, he jumps away once again, and Thanatos lets out a frustrated growl. He's not at all thinking straight, and certainly not in the mood to deflect those energy spheres. He does his best to dodge, but one grazes his side, and he screams again, a brief flash of yellow appearing as Ryoji flickers back to his normal form for just a second. It shouldn't take him long to yield if Ganondorf keeps sending those things at him.]

[ It's a shame really, Ganon-Tennis® is one of the most popular sports in Hyrule. Maybe another time.

To be frank, Ganondorf didn't try to get people to hate him. He just did and said what he thought to be... appropriate, right. Only that his definition of "right" would make most normal people question his sanity. In the end, as a literal "Incarnation of Hatred", this was not so surprising that Ganondorf was so easy to get people to hate him, even without trying.

And hatred was one of the few emotions he felt permanently.

Back to the battle Ganondorf did keep sending energy balls at Ryoji, or rather at the monster. Less of them, but with better precision. Unless Ryoji manages to reach him, find a way to stop him or keep avoiding them as they come, Ganondorf wpuld keep attacking until he's forced to go back to his sad human form. ]

[Ryoji keeps dodging as best he can, swatting some of the ones that get too close away with his blade, though he's not trying to hit Ganondorf with them. He'd prefer the satisfaction of stabbing him, not sending balls of energy back at him.

Unfortunately, angry as he was, he couldn't focus enough to avoid them all. A few more hit him, and he flickers in and out of his Thanatos form again. He's too frustrated. He was getting so close to getting at him again, to finally extracting some revenge for everything he'd threatened his friends with. He forces himself to push farther, and he's finally closing the distance between them... but after one more sphere hits him, the pain is too much for him.

With one final roar, Thanatos reverts back into Ryoji, who falls to his knees, panting and clutching his side. As far as he can tell, he doesn't have any major injuries, but those blasts of energy were definitely painful and withstanding them took a lot out of him. He couldn't do much in his human form anyways, and now, he certainly wasn't going to try to pick up his training sword and keep up an attack.

Still, he's down, but he's not exactly giving in. He's glaring at Ganondorf, and the hand not holding his side is clenched in a white-knuckled fist.]

[ Maybe if the kid learnt to control himself when in this form he could deal some serious damages. Shame, Ganondorf thought. In a way it was similar to what happened when he himself first turned into a demon. His power was impossible to wisthand, but his blind anger and hatred had permitted the hero to weaken him enough for Zelda to seal him away.

Bad memories.

As soon as he turned human once again, the evil king landed next to Ryoji and looked down at him, pointing one of his words at the boy's neck. The way Ganondorf looked could lead to think he didn't make any efforts. Maybe he only used a fraction of his power. Maybe he was just a good actor. The world would never know. ]

The power your fury awoke was impressive, but you will have to do better than that. As long as you cannot protect your friends, you are nothing more than a liability to them. I am not the one bringing them suffering and death.

You are.

[ Ganondorf then withdrew the blade, turned and walked away. He never had had any intention to kill the boy or seriously harm him after all. In fact he never had had the intention for things to go that far, but he was satisfied nonetheless. Now to hunt for information and find out more-- The network's history may be a good starting place for trivial details. ]

[Ryoji instinctively tilted his head up, trying not to let fear show as the tip of the sword touched his throat. He's died enough times before. Once more is going to hurt, but he can handle it. As long as it's him. As long as there's no one else who will have to suffer.

He didn't win this time, but he just hasn't trained enough. He'll learn to control himself, and then he'll be able to do just what Ganondorf claims he can't. He doesn't look to be in pain now, but Ryoji will change that.

His glare falters at the next words he heard, and squeezes his eyes shut, trying to regain his composure. He knew Ganondorf was just trying to provoke him, but the words hit too close to home. All this time in the Tower, Ryoji had wanted to make up for the suffering he caused in his original world, but the more he tried, the harder it was to pick himself back up when he inevitably failed.

He keeps his eyes closed until Ganondorf walks away, then picks himself back up. It's hard, but he's going to need to push himself. Keep trying. Keep fighting against him and Nyx and everyone else that tries to use him.

And so he'll pick up his sword and find somewhere else to train, trying not to wonder what Ganondorf will do with the information Ryoji let slip.]

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What day is it, and in what month

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