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WHO: Vincent Smith (

banworthy) and Accelerator (

levelshift).
WHEN: Shortly after this thread.
WHERE: Hall of Apeiron.
WHAT: Showing off the church he's created from the location left by others.
NOTES\WARNINGS: Cult indoctrination, cult nonsense, cannibalism, dismemberment, suicidal ideation/indifference to life, child murder/death, child abuse.

[ Vincent hasn't been fully aware of what's been going on in Etraya due to squirreling himself away to renovate his "new church."

If he were back home, this would be unthinkable. He would have attempted to make sure he knew everything that was going on in his town, but this isn't his town. It's just a space that houses him and so he sees no reason to keep his ear down to the ground for anything.

People, as far as he's aware, know him. He's made his personality known that it's pointless to do anything to him. He doesn't have any allies; he doesn't have any power; it's a waste of effort to crush someone who has nothing. And he takes great pride in that powerless state.

So he says. So he tells himself.

What's the point of being upset about it when that's how it's always been?

But Accelerator is different than he is. Which is why he is allowing him to see what he's done. He waits at the stop for the teenager to arrive then makes a gesture toward the distant structure that's about two miles away. As he promised, it'd be a scenic walk.

Of course, the teenager could probably teleport or fly or some other very irritating way to quickly cross distance fast, but Vincent believes there is merit and worth in the walk. ]

Did you ever come here before?

[ He asks rather than offer a greeting. Why should he? He already greeted him on the network? ]

I mean... before Aurora even did her rearranging of things?

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[It would be a lot easier to just fly around Kollville until he found a building, that's something Accelerator considered, but he isn't the type to break and enter without good reason. If Vincent's been working on this church-or-whatever it's a lot less trouble in the long run to follow his lead and let him show him around. Besides, he was serious about not having much else to do. It was either this or take a nap, and he's fairly sure lying around like a lump would allow his mind to wander back to the situation in Academy City, which is something he doesn't want.

So he takes the trolley over, already scowling as he approaches Vincent. A scenic walk through the wilderness isn't all that fun with a crutch (and when you're frail as shit).]

Not really. I've made general maps of the area in my head, but there's never been much out here.

[Even Nova City is a bit further away and easier to get to from the apartments on the other trolley line.]

It doesn't have the same oppressive feeling as where I live, but it'll do.

[ Which means Vincent doesn't feel completely comfortable out in Knollville but it is remote which is fine. It's hard to make a place that feels like breathing is difficult, anyway. ]

This is my warning to you, Accelerator.

[ It's fun to give life-lessons as they walk and talk. Especially since it'll be a bit of a walk. But guess who has reasonable stamina now? It's Vincent. Exercise and getting sweaty doesn't suit him, but he has been sweating it out to at least be able to outrun most trouble. ]

Do not bring anything here that you don't want others to have. Understand?

[Ah, right. That creepy stone monstrosity! Accelerator remembers that place, and how gloomy it was. As someone from a technologically advanced city, he wasn't a fan, and it's beyond him as to why Vincent would enjoy living somewhere like that. He honestly isn't sure if a place like that has running water.

He isn't expecting this new place to be much better, regardless of what Vincent says. He's certainly not expecting a warning right off the bat, and as they walk he glances over in confusion.]

Ah? [What on earth is that warning? It's so ominous.] Why not?

Because it can be easily trampled upon by others.

[ Does he view his acquiring of his church that way? A little.

If he wasn't worried about someone ruining his church, he would've brought it to this place. However, he became aware anyone can just claim a place someone else had brought for their comfort or desires. Or people could consider what was brought to be an eyesore and attempt to ruin the space. ]

There's no reason for anyone to cherish what you hold dear, after all.

[ He glances towards him. ] Simply because you brought it? Simply because you painstakingly acquired it? Does that mean anyone has to care as you care? It doesn't. It simply becomes space that other people exist in without knowing the meaning of it. [ Like that church he used to visit. He didn't know the significance or past of it, but went to it because it felt religious. ]

[Accelerator stares back, wondering where all of this is coming from. That, and to consider what Vincent is telling him, for better or worse.

There are very few things Accelerator has brought into Etraya. The wind turbines showed up without his input, and the only physical place he's made an effort to ask for has been a Japanese convenience store. A place like that holds no real sentimentality for him - he only wants it for the products it'll carry. Namely, much stronger brands of canned coffee than what can be found in the Kwik Trip.

Otherwise, most of what he's asked for have been small things for other people. He hasn't given the places people have asked for a lot of thought before, so Vincent bringing this up is pushing his mind into a new, uncertain place.]

... I guess, but if you bring some important place in you can always tell people what kind of meaning it has, right? Then again, with the amount of turnover Etraya has, if you leave there's no guarantee newbies will be able to learn.

[He sighs a little.]

It's stupid to expect any guarantees when you're stuck here.

Exactly. And eventually, what does it matter what that importance is? If all the people that were associated with it are gone, does its past have any merit?

[ He holds his hand out to Accelerator as he muses about this aloud. ]

The abode that Hannibal lived in is vacant, no? [ His eyebrows rise as he looks at him. ] Does it matter any more what happened there? The person is gone. The person who knew him is gone. Everyone else may avoid where he lived, but eventually, it'll be something forgotten.

[ Vincent has a unique take on the past due to living in Silent Hill. A mayor was dismembered in their homes because they had thought to get in the way of the Order. This eventually became just "the past" that no one cared about since all those who could've cared fled the town. Outsiders may be able to find this past, but what does it matter to them? Does it hold any weight to them other than "something" that happened? ]

There are no guarantees, no. Not even the horror or pain you suffer will mean anything.

[Accelerator falls silent, quietly realizing the question Vincent is posing is a question he had to face back home. Before the Sisters and the Level 6 Shift experiment became public knowledge, the deaths of the first 10 031 clones had essentially been erased. They never officially existed as people and their bodies had been completely destroyed; they only lived on in his memories, and at the time he had to accept that.

He remains quiet, his resigned expression making it clear he has no desire to argue. And when Vincent mentions Hannibal, he visibly tenses.

Right. Yeah. He still remembers what had happened in that fucking house. He knows other people who knew have left since then, so how long will it be until it's been completely forgotten, like Vincent says? Is that such a bad thing? With Hannibal gone no one else has to worry about him being a threat. No one has to worry about getting fucking eaten.]

Maybe it's better for that fucker and what he did to be forgotten.

[He's mumbling that under his breath. If Hannibal was here he'd have a different opinion, of course. But he isn't, and whoever remembers that dinner party doesn't need to make it other peoples' problem.

This whole conversation is depressing. He clicks his tongue, raising his voice a bit.]

So I guess nothing really matters, huh? In the end being stuck here is just nihilism at its finest.

It probably is.

[ His shoulders lift and lower in a quick shrug. For everyone involved, it probably is best that it was forgotten. Vincent pauses as his eyes roll up to the sky -- right, he was one of the people who ate human flesh, too.

Holding his chin, he still isn't all that upset about it. Not because he felt like he would become a cannibal himself, but he felt he was onto something in understanding. He still wonders how close he was to his breakthrough. ]

I didn't say that, Accelerator. I said that it won't mean anything, not that it doesn't matter. [ He holds his finger out and wags it at him. ] There's a difference. It matters to you, but it won't mean anything as time goes forward. All the suffering that you can and will go through ... it'll be meaningless to someone else.

[ Again, he flicks his finger to him. ] But that doesn't mean it didn't matter. Get it?

[It'd be a lot less complicated to just be angry at Hannibal for the nonconsenual cannibalism. Accelerator wishes it had been that simple for him, just like he's right now wishing he had killed the asshole when he confronted him afterwards in his home. At least that would have potentially offered some strange kind of closure, even if the death would've only been temporary.

The frown on his face deepens into a scowl in response to the finger wag.]

So what, you're saying that something mattering is just an ephemeral phenomena that only exists in an individual's mind? And as soon as that person is gone, so is that meaning?

Exactly.

[ If he was feeling patronizing, he would have clapped his hands together for the teenager that he got what he's saying. But he's dealt with some prickly teens and knows better than to be too smart around them. ]

A person can only carry so much. [ This is the mentality of a weak person; the mentality of Vincent Smith. It's his mentality but also his delusions. ] You will matter for as long as people carries it with them.

[ So, for his life lesson, what is he trying to say? ] This place isn't nihilistic. Everything matters, but we cannot always know the meaning as to why. And without the people present to explain, the meaning will forever be lost. However, meaning can be warped by other people.

[ He points toward the structure. ] I never met the people who brought this. However, we can assume that this mattered to them due to what? Sentimentality? Comfort? These are vague meanings but may not be close to what is true. Yet I've been renovating it to become my religion's church. It's meaning is changing to suit my needs... but the fact it mattered to someone else before me... doesn't change.

[ A longer sigh. ] It's a roundabout way of saying... your students' deaths, their funerals... the way the adults trample upon you... that matters, but due to not being in that world... it doesn't have any meaning anymore. If something has no meaning, there's no reason to be hurt by it even if it matters.

[Accelerator follows where Vincent is pointing, at the building they're approaching. It's a hell of a difference in architecture compared to most of the buildings in Etraya. It's not that it looks rundown, it just looks ancient. Sort of like that crappy fortress or whatever Vincent is living in. Maybe that's why he commandeered this one? Either way, it sounds like there isn't anyone left to oppose him taking it over.

A thought occurs to him. If the #2 or #5 were here they could read the building, map out all the scratches and wear and recreate the emotions and memories that had been left behind like how a CD player reads the grooves in a CD to produce music. It wouldn't be the real thing though. What had Mugino called it? "Making a human model by putting clay over the bones of a corpse.”

That isn't what Vincent is doing. He's transposing his own meaning onto something that's become meaningless. Accelerator supposes that's better than leaving it to rot.

His voice grows a bit quieter.]

... He came back anyways, so I guess it was like he never died at all.

[Except it was, because there was the autopsy, arranging for the cremation, the funeral, Aleister trying to kidnap Touma's dead body to resurrect him with unethical science and Accelerator having to stop him -

Despite all of that, there's only that numbness where he thought there would be emotion. So is there some merit to what Vincent is saying? Does that mean everything that happened to him back home no longer matters? If it did, surely he'd be shoved into some prison situation like he was back home.

And does it really mean that everything he went through growing up is meaningless?

He's actually looking a little troubled by these thoughts.]

I should just let all of that go, then.

Always little troublesome when they do that, hm?

[ Like the situation with Heather, with Alessa.

She died then due to Claudia's interference she came back. Yet she lacked all the memories and trauma that she once had. Yet now she says that Alessa and her are inseparable. He's willing to go along with that, but Heather is Heather.

He also would rather she stay a teenager rather than what Alessa is. In truth, of Alessa came to this place, Vincent is uncertain what would happen. The entire reality of this realm may change; she may even call something like God down. He's been mulling that over -- could Echo be seeking a vessel for herself? Is that why Heather was called?

Either way, he has done what he could to keep her safe. Acquired items that ward off both the divine and unholy (whichever a person prefers but if one asks him, it can be one and the same). She should remain herself, and that's what is most important. Truly, it would be nice if she could remain a powerless teenager. ]

You should. It's not doing you any good to hold onto it, is it?

.......

['Troublesome' is one way of putting it. Even though Accelerator won't admit it out loud, he is glad that Level 0 came back, and without Aleister's interference.

He almost doesn't answer that question. With Vincent it could easily be rhetorical, or at least he could treat it as such and be a little punk at him instead of being honest. Why not? They don't actually like each other, so he doesn't mind being shitty.

It'd be effort though, and he doesn't care all that much. He doesn't keep his low opinion of himself a secret or anything, so why bother.]

I don't know. I don't place a lot of importance on what's good for me.

That's not true.

[ Vincent dismisses the self-depreciating statement for what it is. He supposes that there is some truth in it, but it isn't "true." ]

You are, after all, seeking happiness. [ His shoulders lift and lower - slowly instead of a bounce. ] You wouldn't be so wretched if you weren't. [ He snaps his fingers to his side, adding a sound to his point. ] I've seen those that have given up on happiness. They don't even seek despair.

[ He pauses; his face scrunches up. ] So, you may not place much importance in it, but you're still seeking something for yourself. [ Vincent snaps his hand out to point toward him before bringing his hands back. ]

Congratulations are in order, I suppose.

[He's seeking happiness? No, no way. There's an immediate, visceral reaction to that claim, an aversion that he can't ignore. Accelerator shakes his head, his voice almost a growl.]

I don't fucking believe that.

[If he was trying to be happy he wouldn't have accepted the position of board chairman, he wouldn't have given himself up to law enforcement and ensured his trial resulted in a guilty verdict. He wouldn't be actively ruining his own life.]

I'm not looking for anything that makes me happy. I might not be a useless lump that's given up on everything, but that's because I've got important responsibilities as the city's strongest esper.

[ Halting his steps, he shifts to face Accelerator rather than continue to walk at his side and gesture. ]

You don't have to do anything. [ As a powerless person, he's never understood this mindset. The mindset that because one has power that they have responsibilities. That is something that is beaten into a person; bleed into them with broken bones and cruel intentions. ] You don't have to save or look after anyone.

[ His head tilts. ] Who cares if you're the strongest? Someone else gave you that responsibility and you're doing it, no? [ He holds his hands open and makes a dismissive gesture. ] You may not believe it, but you're looking for happiness.

[ And he sighs. ] You simply don't know what shape it is in. [ A smile. ] But who does? [ Because Vincent is also seeking happiness. He believes one day he'll experience it, so at the very least, he's fine with being alive so that he could perhaps feel what he never felt in life. ]

[When Vincent stops Accelerator only takes a few additional steps before slowing and stopping as well. To his credit he does listen, but in the end he shakes his head. He still doesn't believe it. There's no way he could be searching for happiness.]

I know I don't have to do anything.

[That's what that Level 0 had told him back in Russia. He didn't need to help anyone, he didn't need to ask for help, he should only do what he wants to do.]

If I don't, then no one else will. [No one else strong enough. He clutches his crutch a little tighter.] So what I want to do is take some fucking responsibility. I don't care whether or not it makes me happy, that isn't my priority.

So what? Who cares if no one does? You already know they won't thank or appreciate anything you've done for them.

[ So what if no one else will do anything? So what if he's the strongest and can do something? So what?

The mentality doesn't make sense to him, but it may be because he's always been a powerless person around those with power. But whatever, this isn't about him. He makes a gesture, lightly dismissing the idea, by flicking his hand like he's slapping away the sentiment out of the air. ]

I know that isn't your priority. If it were, you'd probably be more desperate. [ But he points at his face. ] However, you are looking for it. I'd say more subconsciously than consciously, because you simply don't believe you deserve it. Although, I'm not sure why you've come to that belief.

[ A sigh. ] Even the most wretched person deserves happiness. If only so that they can have it taken away from them. [ He turns his head away to bark out a laugh. ]

I'm not doing it for any appreciation. People hate me.

[And not just the adults benefiting from Academy City being a shithole. He engineered his trial specifically so the general public would focus on how much of a monster he is so the clones would look more sympathetic, and he put the city under martial law to try and protect the kids when a dangerous man was rampaging.

He isn't doing any of this to be a hero or be liked. If he was, then maybe he'd agree with Vincent's assessment, because he knows objectively that people liking you is supposed to be a source of happiness.

But he isn't, and he scowls in irritation.]

Is that something you're obligated to say as a priest? ['Even the most wretched person deserves happiness' certainly sounds like something a priest would say.]

I know you're not talking about me, but I don't hate you. I don't like you, though.

[ Hate is a strong word. It's a word that is associated with anger, and he isn't capable of maintaining rage. He finds it to be tiring and not worth his energy. Is him being mad at someone going to change anything? No. He's a powerless person who isn't even capable of throwing a capable punch. People can trample over him as much as they please, so anger is worthless to him.

Irritation and being unpleasant is its own reward, he supposes, but regardless -- ]

God tell us that the wretched should also be loved. [ By that he means that they'll be burned with everyone else and granted the chance of redemption or Hell. A kindness, really. God is kind but not merciful. ] Anyway, of course, you're not doing this for appreciation or love. If you were capable of wanting those things, you would've already acquired them.

[ He makes a dismissive gesture with his hand as he starts walking. ] As I said, you don't know the shape of your happiness, but you want to remain in the world until you acquire it. There's nothing wrong with that, Accelerator.

[They're on the same page. Accelerator doesn't hate Vincent, though he does dislike him. There are a lot of people he dislikes in the world, so it isn't a big deal to him. Just because you dislike someone doesn't mean you can't talk to them.

He starts following again, emphatically shaking his head. Thankfully, the fact that they dislike each other means he at least understands Vincent isn't saying any of this to try and comfort him. It'd piss him off if that was the case. He doesn't want anyone's sympathy or pity.]

No? Even if it was true that I wanted to be happy - and it still isn't, despite what you say - I'm not the kind of person who should be happy. People have gotten killed because of it, and I've done too much terrible shit to deserve any kind of happiness.

[It wouldn't be fair to other people, especially the ones he's killed, that he gets to be happy and they don't.]

That's quitter and loser talk.

[ He flicks his finger in Accelerator's direction yet again.

Vincent feels a moment of pride in himself. It is because they're walking this distance without him getting tired. Seems like running like an idiot for months has paid off. His shoulders drop as he makes a face about his health but he returns to standing properly and walking. ]

I didn't realize that the strongest Esper was both.

[ Letting out a series of little chuckles, he returns to the conversation to smile at his own joke. His eyes roll up as he does a little re-evaluation of the investment he has in the teenager. Pointing with his other finger, he has his finger level before flicking it upwards. Suppose that's fair. ]

[He doesn't argue either claim. He doesn't see the point. Is he a quitter? That one annoys him a bit more than being called a loser, but he readily went along with the administration's idea of isolating him when he was ten. He stopped giving a shit about society, and now back home he's locked himself away in prison. Maybe he's a quitter, maybe Vincent is right.

Hardly any thoughts cross his mind at being called a loser. He's been called worse than that before.]

What can I say? I'm a piece of shit monster. That doesn't lend itself to good qualities.

[His tone is dry, and he raises an eyebrow at the excessive hand flicks. Is Vincent getting even more animated than normal? Kind of seems like it.]

You're not a monster. You're a teenager with power.

[ Vincent flicks his wrist in his direction like he is batting away the accusation. Like Heather. Like Alessa all those years ago.

Does he feel sorry for any of them? No. That would require a level of empathy that he simply does not believe that he has. He recognizes what happened was wrong and insane, but so what? He couldn't do anything about it; no amount of telling someone how bad it was will make the suffering endured go away. So, what's the point of it? Self-satisfaction? He gets enough of that due to being a normal person, thank you.

Furthermore-- and Vincent finishes his thought aloud: ]

You don't want me to tell you how your life has been. [ Who would? ] Your life isn't over yet and will continue for some time. No matter how many people died in your wake, no matter what you did, you'll be forgiven for your youth.

[ With some irritating cheer: ] So, forgive yourself as well... why not? It's one of the rare positives of being your age.

Edited 2025-06-28 23:27 (UTC)

[You're not a monster. Accelerator hears that and visibly bristles. Why is it people keep on insisting this? First Harold, now Vincent. Why do they have to act so certain that isn't the case?

He growls, holding his crutch tighter, spitting his words out.]

People who use my age as a way of excusing everything I did are fucking idiots. Just because I'm young doesn't mean I don't understand what I did. I understand perfectly, I was happy to do it.

[Not really, but he's feeling irritated enough to push the lies that allowed him to lose his trial and be convicted. It was fun. I could feel myself growing day by day. Those are the facts.]

I have no right to forgive myself. Besides. [He waves his hand, mimicking Vincent a bit.] Who the hell says I'm going to live for very long? I seriously doubt a person like me has a long life to look forward to.

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cw: cannibalism, dismemberment, death (we have fun here)

cw: cannibalism. Just normal stuff here!!

cw: cannibalism

cw: cannibalism, murder

cw: child deaths, murder

cw: child deaths, murder

cw: SH3 spoilers! vague mentionings of child abuse

cw: this kid is depressed

cw: just cult things

cw: just cult things and also self-loathing

cw: cult things, child abuse

cw: cult things, child abuse

cw: cult things, child abuse

cw: cult things, child abuse

cw: cult things, child abuse

cw: cult things, child abuse

cw: cult things, child abuse ... you know it's just gonna be this way down the line...

cw: cult things, child abuse it's fine they're just being garbage at each other

IT'S FINE. THEY'RE FINE. THEY HAVE NO LINGERING ISSUES.

Crane would have a field day if he heard this entire log lol