[Voice]

[undyingcrow]

[In the middle of a restless night, Akechi addresses the radio.]

One thing has become abundantly clear since my arrival: the vast majority of us hail from different times, if not different worlds.

[He pauses, letting that sink in.]

For instance, I'm from Japan in the year 2017. However, it is specifically the same version of Japan shared by Akihiko Sanada and Naoto Shirogane... in the future. That places the three of us in a shared reality, but not the same point in time.

However, our version of Japan has endured a number of odd, even supernatural occurrences, such as a "Dark Hour" and, more recently, the vigilante work of a group of "Phantom Thieves" who quite literally changed the hearts of wicked adults through the use of a parallel, cognitive world.

[His voice remains calm, if tinged with a subtle weariness.]

But that is far from universal. In my time here, I have encountered a talking turtle from a world where yokai and mutants are real. I've spoken with someone who had been sent into a digital world, like an isekai protagonist. I even had to explain the concept of religion to Serph-san, as well what a horse is.

[...]

All this to say, it may be worthwhile to cross reference the worlds and time periods we hail from. If nothing else, it may help us discern patterns that could in turn heighten our understanding of our present circumstances.

Comments

[undyingcrow]

Frankly, you're better off not getting involved with politics. Having worked with politicians quite extensively, they are about as vile as one would expect.

Opportunistic as well.

[wereperrito]

[Jack laughs a bit.]

Oh, I suppose that's true. I would rather just be what I am. No one smart would elect me for anything, anyhow.

Not that I think it will become an issue here! Unless we as a group decide we need to elect a leader for some reason.

[undyingcrow]

I certainly hope not. The last thing we need is pointless infighting over leadership, when we're already fighting for our survival.

[wereperrito]

I'd agree, but you never know what will happen when you get enough people together for long enough.

[undyingcrow]

And oftentimes people favor leadership and structure. There are those who would rather surrender personal agency to a higher power.

[wereperrito]

[And Jack has always been able to just slip away from the higher power if he needed to. That'll be a little harder here, when they're on the move together.]

Hopefully nobody gets that into their head, then.

[undyingcrow]

If they do, I certainly don't plan on playing along. I've had my fill with being a puppet.

[wereperrito]

Oh. I suppose so, after the therapist thing, yes?

[Or the politicians. Or something else Akechi hasn't even mentioned yet! There are so many awful possibilities.]

[undyingcrow]

Oh, more the accumulation of an entire lifetime's experiences, with Dr. Maruki as the most recent example.

[Still, he's a fine enough example.]

[wereperrito]

How old are you?

[Because Jack was under the impression Akechi was a teenager, and that if he's had "an entire lifetime's experiences" with being a puppet, Jack might be a bit concerned.]

[undyingcrow]

Eighteen, going on nineteen.

[So, yes. Jack is right to be alarmed.]

[wereperrito]

I feel suddenly very old.

[Said with a sigh.]

I am sorry that you had to have so many experiences by eighteen to feel that way.

[He knows he was awfully disillusioned at that age, as well, though mostly only for one fairly large reason, not a lot of... possibly equally large reasons.]

[undyingcrow]

I know I'm not the only one. I'm sure other orphans and illegitimate children have suffered similarly.

They just didn't awaken to supernatural abilities and use those abilities recklessly and violently.

[At least he's self-aware enough not to ask for pity. He's hardly in the position to.]

[wereperrito]

[Now he sounds like Jack at that age, run away from home, bitter, and unable to properly contain the wolf. There's less awkward sympathy and more understanding in his voice when he answers.]

Yes. I can see how that would be. I hope your troubles were over before you were brought here.

[undyingcrow]

They were... better, I suppose. Most people would argue that finding yourself alive after assuming you were dead is a net positive.

Not that I've had a lot of time to sort out what comes next, seeing as I'm now here.

[It all rolls so nonchalantly from his lips. Really, this is all par the course for him.]

[wereperrito]

No so much over as maybe waiting until later, then. I am sorry to hear it.