video;

[pullsheavendown]

[Roxas doesn't address the entire network a lot, but he's reasonably social (well, kinda-sorta), so some people might recognize his face. Those who do won't see much difference, but his voice is a touch more gravel-y, as though he's been through a lot and gargled sand recently, or maybe he's just completed the journey of Boy Becomes Man and reached the bottom of his register. Who knows.]

Hi.

[He raises a hand in greeting and lets it drop to his lap, smile fading at the same time. He doesn't look upset so much as he looks really tired.]

It's been a while. Even before—I didn't want to talk to anyone for a while, because my best friend left and I didn't know how to deal with it.

But then I went back, too, so it's been even longer for me. I'm not sure how long, exactly—I didn't have a good sense of time. Months, for sure. Maybe a year. I don't know. Anyway, I'm back now, if anyone missed me. Or...either way.

[He moves as if to end the transmission, but then stops himself.]

A lot of you guys have done this before, right? Ported out and come back? Is it weird to feel like not much has changed, but everything has changed, at the same time?

Comments

[pullsheavendown]

Huh. That is pretty strange. It's kind of the opposite of me, though. When I was born, I didn't look that different than I do know, but I kept aging afterward.

As far as I can tell, anyway. I mean, I got a little taller. I needed bigger boots.

[continuousgroaning]

ok, that does sound really weird. Almost like you just appeared fully formed

is there a chance you just don't remember your early life?

[pullsheavendown]

oh, i did.

yes and no. it's sort of complicated.

[No, not sort of. It's just complicated.]

[continuousgroaning]

I won't press it, then

did you at least get some kind of satisfaction from going home?

[pullsheavendown]

Yeah. A lot. I got back things I thought were gone for good.

[continuousgroaning]

i'm glad to hear it. that makes it seem like it was worth it.

how much time did you miss from this world? I can catch you up on what you missed

[pullsheavendown]

A few weeks, maybe a month? I don't remember the exact day anymore since it was a while back home.

[continuousgroaning]

well, there was some kind of poison or something in the water supply that was making people act strange, then peoples' powers started going haywire

i was unaffected, though, which is strangest

so maybe it was better to not be around for that