Check-In [Week 1]

[helborn]

All right, you know the deal. If you're yourself, psychically raise your hand.

Or, uh, if that doesn't make sense to you, just... let people know you're you. I'm myself, obviously, but I have no idea what the hell my archetype or role is. I was infiltrating last time as Ace -

- shit, I need to avoid him. Anyway! Yeah. Uh. ... Yeah...

[His psychic voice just trails off as the awkward overtakes him.]

Comments

[private]

[vrepit_no]

[Gently]

That's right. Oracles are supposed to help the Champions and Adversaries figure themselves out. They're the ones people come to for advice and insight. You'll be good at that. You're smart. And you've been through a lot and still come out the other side. You can listen, and use your knowledge to help people. Like a big brother.

You've got this.

[private]

[helborn]

... I... I guess... it's scary.

I'll... do my best. I'm...

[He laughs suddenly, and there's the image of the major arcana cards fanning out, Fool to World.]

I've been dragged on my own journey to the World, haven't I?

[Wait, is Shiro even going to understand that...]

[private]

[vrepit_no]

[It takes him a second, but the imagery helps and he chuckles.]

As I understand it, that's pretty much what life is - a repeating journey to find the World.

To your other point, though, yeah, it is scary. It's really scary to suddenly realize that you're the role model in the room. The impostor syndrome is very, very real. But you've made those steps and you're definitely not the Fool anymore. Personally, if I'm remembering my cards right, I think you're out past Tower somewhere.

[private]

[helborn]

[Past Tower, huh?]

... Sun or Judgement, maybe. As scary as that sounds. I’m past the illusions. Most of the time, anyway. It’s metaphorical, after all.

[private]

[vrepit_no]

Yeah, the metaphor doesn't entirely hold up. And it's not like we can't relapse. Recovery is complex. But the point is that if that metaphor helps to visualize, you're much further along in your journey than the Champions, who are in the early stages. Most are still Fools, you know?

[private]

[helborn]

Yeah. ... There's always going to be a part of me back there, but there's also going to be the hurt angsty part that you saw in my second dungeon. ... But I'm... all that and more.

... It's just really weird being suddenly seen as an adult.

[There's a brief pause, and then -]

Also I'm a little taller and a little less baby fat. I look like my actual age rather than the age I stopped aging at.

Re: [private]

[vrepit_no]

Heh. Yeah, tell me about it. Half the time I have to stop myself from looking over my shoulder when someone calls for an adult.

Oh, really? Well that's cool. I wonder if that's part of the dreaming effect. I know some people's bodies wind up shifting to what they believe is necessary to fulfill their role.

[private]

[helborn]

At least you have some other people to throw at whoever calls for one.

[There's a wave of amusement.]

Yeah, probably. It's also super annoying that I don't age anymore, since I don't think I was finished growing. Also I haven't been able to get a haircut in five years. It just grows back overnight like I'm a wizard. [Harry.]

Re: [private]

[vrepit_no]

You would think. Depends a lot on where and when I am. [There's a little chagrin in the mental tone.] And sometimes it's the adults looking for an adult.

Can you cut your hair now, do you think? Would it stick?

[private]

[helborn]

Ah, yes. The 'adultier adult' paradox.

In this form? No idea. I fully expect to go back to my normal form when this is over, so I don't expect that it'd stick.

Re: [private]

[vrepit_no]

I know there are some people who kept that dream body type transformation aspect from last time... If you like it enough, maybe it'll stick around, who knows?
.
.
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Do you want to do some hair experiments?
[Once a scientist...]

[private]

[helborn]

Maybe. I think the last time I tried I turned into Ace again, but that was a while ago and right after the Jaunt.

... Sure? I'm not sure what you can really do with my hair, it's kind of that weird limp style.

Re: [private]

[vrepit_no]

Depends on if you'd like me to use the clippers or not! It doesn't have to be cut as close as mine is - I've got a couple of different guides for it, so we could do anything up to and including an inch long. Plus we can always do gel or mousse or color it... There are a lot of options out there.

[helborn]

... We'll get together and take a look at options. It's a little overwhelming to be honest.

[vrepit_no]

Oh yeah, there's no rush. We're going to be here a while, so there's plenty of time. Don't worry about it - I'll check back in with you later on and see if we can get together to explore ideas of what you want it to be.