audio (after shield is repaired and things are settling down at the end of the area)

[coffinturk]

[ Vincent isn't one to mince words. The message is relatively short and precise given its content. ]

We are all changing.

[ Yes. That is correct, Valentine. ]

The marks that appear are connected. But the changes are different even when two people seem to be becoming the same type of monster.

Contact me with the changes you are experiencing and the sigil's appearance. I will make a record.

Deliver it however you wish. Your thoughts on the changes are welcome.

Comments

[coffinturk]

[ The next answer comes with a few more words. ]

Working under the presumption everyone will change is good sense. Recording the changes, permanent or not, even more.

[ The literal answers may not have the nuance of emotion which an audio transmission would give. What follows could be considered a sign of impatience. ]

Do you have a criticism? Speak it.

[phantomshow]

Presumptions aren’t good sense if they’re wrong.

[Yeah, he has a few criticisms. Any kind of record being kept on him is a bit personal for Ren, given the fact that his own record of conviction for a crime he didn’t commit has followed him like his own shadow for the past year.]

No criticism. Just wondering why you think it’s such a good idea to keep a registry.

[And because Ren can’t help poking, he adds:]

Assuming it’s criticism when people are just asking questions looks pretty defensive, you know. Some people might find that suspicious.

omg weerds from vincent

[coffinturk]

I only asked if you had criticisms. You expressed it.

[ The hedging questions are one thing. But what else is 'presumptions aren't good sense if they're wrong' directly after Vincent stated he is working with the presumption that everyone will change'?

But... registry? A term with a definition that might have just given Vincent an actual clue as to what one of the core issues Ren might have. ]

A record of changes serves a few purposes. Each sigil is a type of grouping. There's signs that even when two people seem to become the same type of monster, their traits can be different. Memory can change. People disappear. So that's another purpose for this. Temporary transformations, the land they're encountered in. The effects of Moon Warp. It's worth recording.

[ It seems the summary of examples will end there, but it's obviously far from inclusive. ]

The information about the changes, temporary or not, is important. I don't care if the submissions are anonymous. Only that they're accurate and up to date. Names might be useful to verify facts. But not a priority.

[ And if there's a choice between the information of the changes and the identity of the person they belong to, guess which one Vincent finds is the priority to obtain. ]

A presumption born of several month's observation is reasonable. No one has yet been free of some change or being marked. If that turns out to be wrong, then it will be important to find out why there are exceptions.

[ The answer was a while in coming. But that much 'talk' from someone like Vincent? Maybe it's reasonable to expect that. ]

[phantomshow]

[As reluctant as Ren is to back down from arguing against a systematic record being kept, Vincent’s explanation does make sense. The information about memories changing is new to Ren, and it makes his stomach twist into uncomfortable knots.

Changing memories is what Maruki did with his “ideal” version of reality, giving his friends what he believed would “save” them from a life of pain. Ren remembers how much it hurt Futaba to have her mother returned to her and then cruelly ripped away all over again. Same for Haru and Makoto and their respective fathers.

And Ren hates that he can’t forget how much those “ideal” realities created for his friends hurt him because he wasn’t part of them. He’d simply been left behind once he was no longer needed, and months later, it still stung. Akechi was the only one who hadn’t forgotten about him.]

How do we know you can be trusted? Someone could do a lot of damage with that much information.

[coffinturk]

[ Fortunately, Vincent is only talking about how memories can be muddied with the passage of time. Details aren't as crisp. That's the nature of most human minds.

If there's other types of muddling, he's yet to experience or witness it. ]

You don't.

[ What, thought he was going to defend himself? ]

My name is Vincent Valentine. I take care of the firearms and ammunition I or others who are willing to pass to me scavenge. The record will be placed in the Convoy's database. Names can be omitted on request. Sigils can be generalized.

[ Does he expect that to be enough? Also no. But his identity is now clear. And it would be hard to stand against the entire Convoy if he chose to misuse the information. ]

Whether or not you provide information is your choice.

[phantomshow]

[It seems contradictory to the wariness Ren has so far expressed, but he respects Vincent’s answer a lot - more so than if he’d tried to argue for his trustworthiness. It signals an understanding of the world’s variability, an acknowledgment of the myriad shades of grey between the comparatively rare specks of black and white.]

OK. I’ll consider it.

[If he’s trusted enough by the community to handle firearms, that could be another point in his favor. Ren wouldn’t mind having that particular tool back in his belt, either. But he wants to consult with Akechi first before making a decision.]

If someone wanted to talk to you in person, where would they find you?

[coffinturk]

[ It's all circumstance. But Vincent was clearly honest about it; he keeps the firearms he salvages and the ones people are willing to leave in his care. This is largely because some see the sense in his expertise to make certain the weapons are safe to use and what caliber the ammo itself is. It's not all factory stamped.

He also has offered reasonable conditions to teaching proper use of such weapons.

As for the rest? Vincent is a former assassin. He knows the grey all too well. ]

The trailer with the shop boots. I'm available there from one hour after the Convoy stops for the night for a span of two hours barring emergencies.

[ Ren might have seen the sign. ]

[phantomshow]

[Ah yes, that sign. Ren noted it briefly but didn’t investigate further, deciding to prioritize his time on fishing to help stock the Convoy’s food stores. But now that he has connected the dots, he’ll likely pay Vincent a visit soon enough.]

If I stop by I’ll let you know.

[And Ren feels like he should give Vincent something in return for his transparency. A show of good faith, if nothing else.]

I haven’t been here long enough to have anything change permanently. But I can tell you my thoughts on the changes - whoever is responsible needs to face justice for what they’ve done.