IC contact post

[pedokinesis]

"Hello there. You've reached Hyobu Kyosuke. If you're an esper and have something to say, please, leave a message. If you're a normal, however... You may want to reconsider."

Just reply with: VOICE | ACTION | VIDEO

Comments

[pedokinesis]

Mmmm... No... No... It's far too easy to make that joke.

*"Your head is always empty."

Even if it isn't the case.*

In any case, you hardly need to thank me. When someone thinks about me that much, it would just be impolite not to come meet their expectations.

[willbreak]

[ 'True; you always were polite.'

It's not even a sarcastic remark, more a flat statement than anything else. ]

It would be impolite not to thank you.

[ But anyway, small talk aside. ]

You know why I called you?

[pedokinesis]

I can think of a few reasons, actually...

Why don't you be a good boy and narrow it down a bit for me?

[willbreak]

... What did you mean by "dangerous" back there, Hyobu-san?

[ 'I can't use shadows like that.'

Or ectoplasm. Or bugs.

Nor does he want to try. ]

[pedokinesis]

*Ah, so it's that.*

Hmm... Is it that difficult to understand? You show quite a significant amount of restraint, don't you? Those who hold back when dealing with danger... Those are often the ones who prove to be the most dangerous, wouldn't you agree?

[willbreak]

[ ... he's not here for games, Hyobu. ]

Can you read everything?

[ In his head, he means. ]

[pedokinesis]

Why, do you want me to read the rest?

*But the games are his big thing.*

[willbreak]

. . .

Doesn't everyone hold back if it means potentially hurting other people?

[ Unless they're ridiculously overpowered espers or butthurt ghosts.

Nevermind that Eugeo ended up losing his patience and giving at least three people frostbite without being possessed. It was better than setting them on fire, okay. ]

[pedokinesis]

You do realize what my response to that will be, don't you?

*c'mon son.*

[willbreak]

... Most people.

[pedokinesis]

Much better.

In any case... There's hardly any deep and hidden meaning behind my words... *As there rarely is.* It's simply a fact of the matter...

[willbreak]

Do you think it's a waste?

[ That he goes to such lengths to restrain himself?

(Eugeo stop what are you doing) ]

[pedokinesis]

Boy, in my world limiters are more often than not forced on those like myself. All to prevent us from showing our true potential.

*among other reasons.*

It's always a waste to stop yourself from making use of all the abilities you have at your disposal.

[willbreak]

So what would you do?

[ 'If you could do whatever you wanted just by «visualizing» it hard enough? Would you even want to use such a convenient power?' ]

[pedokinesis]

I already can do that to a very certain extent...

*fire, lightning... not to mention all the uses of telekinesis. yet this boy is clearly more varied, even if he's not fully aware of it.*

Yet as for what I would do? I would learn to master it along with the best ways to make use of it, just as I did with my ESP when I was a boy.

[willbreak]

... And what would you call the "best ways"?

[ 'Killing everyone?' ]

[pedokinesis]

My, you certainly have a homicidal image of me... I simply refer to every practical and impractical application of whatever power it is... I'm afraid I must disappoint you if you think my initial intent of using any power is to use it to kill those around me.

[willbreak]

[ ... dubiousness. Right here.

Then again, at six kills and a further six injuries, Eugeo probably did more damage than Hyobu this time round. ]

It's okay, you're not disappointing me.

[ Though he's pretty sure Hyobu hardly cares about something like that. ]

Thanks anyway.

[ Vague as those answers were. ]

... But I do want to be useful.

[ He was created to be a tool — a tool to fight other people's battles, so why deny it? He'll fight for everyone in Haven, past and present. Equally. ]

Which means... I can't afford to hesitate.

[ He's picking his words carefully, but his thoughts should be obvious. The raid will likely show him Kirito or Alice, or both... possibly the real versions of them, not just hallucinations. Just like with Battler last time.

In that case, Eugeo's initial response would be to freeze their movements, but if there was absolutely no way forward except to kill them... even now, even after trying his best to convince himself that personal attachments shouldn't matter anymore, even though he knows he has to be prepared to sacrifice a few... he's not sure if he could.

He's made his decision as to what he wants. It's weak, and selfish beyond belief, but that doesn't matter anymore. Besides, Alice doesn't even remember him, and she has Kirito now. As for Kirito... he's from a whole other world, with friends like Sinon, Asuna, Klein and many others. They'll be fine.

So currently the only question is how to ask Hyobu to grant his wish to forget... as well as what Hyobu wants in return, if he does want anything. ]

[pedokinesis]

*An impressive record for sure. Most definitely outdoing him there, considering he has a flat zero k-d ratio for the most recent little haunted house antics.*

Oh?

*There's an alarming amount of thought going through that boy's head right now. It's a curiosity fueled affair to be certain. The fact he called out for him specifically makes whatever the boy wants quite apparent... Especially given his skill set and his current train of thought.*

If you wish to make a request of me, boy, you should make it politely and carefully consider your wording.

[willbreak]

[ A nod; he understands. ]

Hyobu-san... the first time we met, I told you that nobody had the right to manipulate the memories of others. I said that the world was probably better off without those that did.

That was wrong of me, so I apologize.

[ People who can manipulate others will do so. He knows that now; that's why he occasionally experiences those fleeting memories of him and Kirito growing up together, despite having "met" when they were both seventeen... because they did grow up together, he's sure of it. It was those people in the «outside world» — Kirito's world — that took those memories away... not only from him, but also from Kirito. The people who created him and Alice as tools for war; nothing more. (He hates them, even though he has no right to. For making others do their dirty work while they sit comfortably behind desks, just because they're scared and powerless themselves — but no, they're not bad people. They must have their reasons. That's what Eugeo's been telling himself over and over ever since he found out.

And dimly, he wonders if Hyobu had ever been used in a similar way — but then he swiftly shifts his thoughts elsewhere. This isn't the time to be nosy.)

To the point, however: ]

As I am now, facing a certain two people in battle would hinder my ability to — apply my powers in a practical manner. While I'd usually strive to overcome that by myself...

[ It's too late. The raid is tomorrow. ]

You could achieve a clearer result in a much shorter time.

That's why — I'd be extremely grateful if you could erase my memories of Alice Schuberg and Kirito.

[ It hurts. It feels like he's finally betraying everything he ever stood for, but it's okay. "Betrayal" is just a word. Just like "trust" is just a word.

He smiles. ]

Honestly, I'm not sure what I could give you in return. But... doing this may amuse you, at the very least.

[ At least this way, he can be a tool for the people trapped in Haven, rather than one for «that company». If he has to be Hyobu's toy meanwhile, so be it. ]

[pedokinesis]

*Ah, there it is.

This was certainly a first. Even back in his own world, someone had never asked him to do the sort of thing this boy was requesting. He had certainly wiped his fair share of memories and altered even more. In fact his ability to do so was a bit of a mark of pride. His talent for it was outstanding, so much so that not the Empress herself could tell he had done so if she tried.

Still, this boy was putting forth quite the unique request. He couldn't help but let out a cackle after the mention of what he could give in return. While there was no denying this would prove to be amusing... Yet to erase them... hm. Perhaps he should be a bit more refined than that?*

You aren't mistaken. This will amuse me...

*Always the honest one, Hyobu.

He'll be approaching Eugeo more properly now, leaning in close with his hands still firmly in his pockets. That smirk he often wears plastered on his face as it often is.*

I can tell you've committed to this request... Yet are you aware of what this involves? You're extending an open invitation to me into that head of yours, boy. I'll be aware of everything you are and have been. You won't be able to hide anything from me. And you have no guarantee that's all I'll do once I'm in your head...

*And he straightens himself out, still grinning.*

... Yet if you believe that to be worth this, simply say as much. I'll indulge this request of yours if you say it with conviction.

[willbreak]

It's fine. Go ahead, Hyobu-san.

[ It's true that "trust" is just a word. But Eugeo really, truly believes that Hyobu isn't "evil". It's like he said; there's more to him than just killing people. And in any case... if Hyobu had wanted to brainwash Eugeo into spontaneously turning on everyone, he would have done it already, wouldn't he? ]

Please enjoy yourself.

[ He never breaks eye contact even once, nor does his smile fade. ]

[pedokinesis]

Hah... You make it sound like this is going to become a pleasurable act.

*It's more like work, when it's something this complicated. Yet all the same, his right hand is coming out from his pocket and after curling his fingers once, it will be placed rather firmly upon the side of Eugeo's head.

The world might feel as if it's going dark for him, as it's a tad painful to go about altering someone's memory when they're fully conscious... or at least it would under normal circumstances. The fact he's letting him makes that step largely unnecessary. Yet it makes him work faster when he doesn't have the person staring at him.

. . . even with that, it's far from a lengthy process. Without any mental locks or attempts to block him out, it's all done quite quickly.

'Done' being rather generous, considering the fact he's not exactly erasing them as requested. More putting them behind a powerful mental lock. A lock which he'll be holding onto the key for.

Yet it does occur to him as he's doing this... removing 'Alice' from his memory entirely will create some gaps. Gaps that would likely be better off having some sort of substitute for which he can focus himself on.

. . . ah, perhaps a 'present' for his despair laced friend? That would be a rather entertaining turn of events for him on multiple fronts. Both from him and her.

That'll do... for now.*

Hm.

*His hand comes back, while Eugeo will feel somewhat disoriented as his brain adjusts to having the memory center of his brain so thoroughly manhandled.

Hyobu remains silent while he adjusts, rather curious as to what the boy's first reaction will be upon regaining his full sense of awareness. It might not feel as if he's all that different right away, yet when he has a moment to look back on himself before he arrived here... well... that should prove to be quite the empty experience.*

[willbreak]

[ He doesn't flinch at Hyobu makes contact, ignoring all his instincts to GET OUT OF THERE. Then the world goes dark, and briefly, he's unsure as to whether he's standing or otherwise.

But then it's done; his vision returns, and after a slight headshake and small stumble backward... ]

You... Hyobu-san?

[ His expression is more curious than anything else. What was—

Ah, he was asking the other about his powers, wasn't he? But then why... —wait, did Hyobu do something to him? Dimly, Eugeo recalls that he'd resented him in the past for «tampering with others' minds»... but that feels like a long time ago. One of his earlier memories. ... That's right, he has «amnesia». Like Morgan.

Still, could it be that Hyobu had tampered with those memories? Eugeo doesn't agree with Hyobu's attitude at all, and «altering memories» is one of the things he brags about...

But on the other hand, Eugeo clearly remembers summoning Hyobu of his own accord. He would only have done that if he... trusted Hyobu? ]

Sorry, did you say something?

[ His face flushes involuntarily. He's being rude, isn't he? Of course he wouldn't have called Hyobu if he hadn't wanted to talk to him. And now he's probably just missed something he said because of that weird dizzy spell — an aftereffect of having the ghosts in his head, most likely. ]

[pedokinesis]

*It's always interesting to watch how the mind copes with sudden memory loss. It would appear Eugeo's mind was filling in all the gaps and connecting the dots nicely. There are times when doing an act such as this would leave a mind shattered and the broken, completely beyond recovery...

Which made his adjusting so quickly a good thing. At least as far as his continued survival goes. The question on his own mind was would he notice it was wrong sooner, later, or not until someone points it out?

His money would be on the third option.

There's a cackle as he takes a step back, wearing a smirk as one would expect him to.*

Nothing too important, boy. Merely making an observation regarding your ability to adapt to the circumstances here. You've done quite well in that regard from what I can tell.