[video]

[its_dad_sanzo]

[ Heeeere's Koumyou! The man's smiling oh-so serenely at the camera as his shiny new jpad starts broadcasting. ]

Out of curiosity... how many of us are in the 'dead back home' club?

[ Surely there are others? ]

Comments

video

[sirenvoice]

[Angel looks... uncomfortable. It's not something she's been trying to think about.]

I don't think a lot of us are... at least, from talking to other people about it.

It's a relief, though. I'm glad most people are just waiting to go back.

[its_dad_sanzo]

Is that so? Well... I suppose that's a good thing...

[ Koumyou wanted to know how much of an anomaly he is. Talking about death doesn't in itself bother the Buddhist high priest, of course. ]

It doesn't seem like it would be too hard to go back, if that's what people want.

text

[gatescostmoney]

I'm not dead yet, so I'd have to say that I'm not part of your little club.

[ But he makes a mental note that some people may actually be dead and... really hopes certain dead people from back home don't show up. That'd be a mess. ]

[its_dad_sanzo]

Ahhh...

Is that so?

[ If responding via video to text is weird for him, it doesn't show. Someone's used this kind of tech before! ]

What a shame... it's going to be such a groovy club!

[gatescostmoney]

[ It's nothing personal. Sasuke just prefers text when he's unsure who he's talking to and wants to be cautious about what stays on this thing. ]

I'm sure it would be. Who else could tell stories of the underworld and have it be true?

[its_dad_sanzo]

[ Koumyou's not offended, the stranger just has to deal with him squinting at the screen to read his texts before replying! ]

That's the spirit!

[ Get it? Underworld? Spirit? Goddamnit, Koumyou. ]

[gatescostmoney]

[ Nothing wrong with a little grim humor. ]

So, if you're part of this club, got anything good to share?

[its_dad_sanzo]

Uhh...

[ Cue setting the jpad against something so that this hands are free to pat himself down. ]

...Nope! Should I?

[gatescostmoney]

Really? That's a let down. What's the point of being in the club then?

[its_dad_sanzo]

Solidarity!

[ Koumyou's smile is even brighter somehow. ]

We're the ones who can't go back, so we've got to stick together!

[gatescostmoney]

I suppose you have a point there, but I'm still disappointed that you don't have any stories of what it's like on the other side.

video;

[shotinhead]

...In your world, is it common t'just... ask people that?

[ the video seems rather dark, though. in a cave? ]

[its_dad_sanzo]

I've never been dead on that world and able to ask questions at the same time!

[ Koumyou honey no that's not the point. ]

[shotinhead]

...Yeah, but it's still personal. Might be traumatizing. [ but they like your attitude. ] Besides. What d'you count as dead?

[its_dad_sanzo]

[ Koumyou props the jpad against something so that he can rummage around in his huge sleeves for a moment, hunting intently for... ah yes, his pipe and lighter.

What? ]

Ready for reincarnation, I suppose? Ah... the absence of life in your mortal form!

[ Being the Pope equivalent in the Buddhist priesthood means this is far from his first lighthearted chat on mortality, at least. Even dying can't make him act proper... ]

[shotinhead]

...Now, that's more like what I was thinkin' - losing the ability to live. But, say - what if that one became two? Would one of their deaths hinder the other?

[ meanwhile, in their home world, couriers' brain would be rolling their eyes if they could. ]

[its_dad_sanzo]

One soul in two... living bodies?

[ HM! Koumyou looks like he's really thinking on that idea for a moment, and then it's like a switch flips and he just gives the camera his token dopey smile. ]

I don't know! That sure would be a trick, though!

[shotinhead]

Well, that's my situation. My brains' off in Big MT, scheming away. 'm here, still livin' and trying my best.

[ There's a pause, and a hearty laugh. ]

...It sounds bullshit, doesn't it. I was probably dead for a bit as well when my brain was ripped out. Or th'bullets though it. Maybe some poisonin', too? And-- well, I've been though a lot.

[its_dad_sanzo]

[ There's a lot of different reactions Koumyou could have to that information, but what we get is-- ]

Woah~! Your brain's not in your body?

[ --Koumyou forgetting to be a dignified 47-year-old high priest and instead reacting like a kid. ]

That's so weird! You don't sound like someone without a brain?

[ Koumyou stahp. ]

[shotinhead]

Yeah, it's fuckin' strange!

[ hey, courier is in late 30s, they shouldn't be grinning like this and taking this so lightly. ]

But some brains in jars stole mine, and somethin' about my brain was special. So I didn't end up a Lobotomite - that's what th'Think Tank called me - when they did their twisted experiments. I could have taken my brain back, but it seemed happy without me. So I'm me and they're... them.

[its_dad_sanzo]

Huh!

Was it to save it after you got shot?

Is it not in this world too or is it where you came from?

[ So many questions! And they're actually not dumb! And then-- ]

Did they pull it out through your nose like the Egyptians?

[ --Whelp. ]

[mostsplendid]

I suppose I am a member of this club as well. It does ease the mind to know there may be some ever permanent residents in the land. Those that have no choice but to stay.

[its_dad_sanzo]

[ Shhhhh Koumyou totally wasn't looking for reassurance that he's not the only dead guy around that would be silly. Shh. Sh.

That's definitely what he was doing. ]

Well, there's always the choice to be dead again!

[ One can almost hear a heart emoji at the end there, somehow. ]

[mostsplendid]

Yes... I suppose. Though that idea holds little favor with me. While I cannot go back home there is plenty to do here. I would not so easily squander a second chance at life.

Text

[unwilling_hero]

Does almost dying count?

[There is a Reason she's asking. Also doing it via text.]

[its_dad_sanzo]

[ Squinty priest's gotta squint at the screen for a second to read that, and replies with ongoing video. ]

Not really, no!

[ Death is a very exclusive club, right up until it isn't! ]

Don't worry, you'll get there someday!

[unwilling_hero]

it should but i'm glad it doesn't.

i hope i don't die for a long, long time.

[its_dad_sanzo]

[ Koumyou holds up one finger. ]

Near-death experiences may be very scary, but they don't stop you from, say, seeing your son grow up.

[unwilling_hero]

[Yet another reason to be glad for Text in her mind.]

that's true. you didn't, i guess?

[its_dad_sanzo]

Indeed!

If I go back, I'm dead for reals-reals, and will never see him again. If I stay here, well, there's always the slim chance he'll come here too!

[ But being dead back on Earth meant a lot less options. ]

[readypunch]

I didn't realise there could be a club for that. [but uh.] Technically I think I'm okay back in my home, though!