[open dreamdive] no longer human

[thesettingsun]

WHO: You!
WHERE: Shuji's subconscious.
WHEN: August 18.
WHAT: Dreamdiving!
WARNINGS: Depends on how the dive goes, but a likely one is suicide.

[Maybe you weren't even in line of sight of Shuji. Just about everyone has a reason to be out and about on a Saruday afternoon, and nobody wants their day interrupted by the ground falling out from under them. Maybe you don't even instantly recognize that the library entrance you fall into would be part of Shuji's subconscious and not anybody else's.

This is how things ended up for you today, unfortunately. Might as well take a look around and see if you can't spot the man himself.

Locations are in top-levels added as divers enter them.]

Comments

[scythegun]

No, I haven't. I suppose that might help, ja? Maybe some of your friends will be able to help?

[thesettingsun]

Maybe! It couldn't hurt to ask, anyway...

[scythegun]

That's certainly true! Are you going to stay here while I look for them?

[thesettingsun]

I wish I could come with you, but this place needs some serious straightening up...

[scythegun]

Oh, don't worry, I'm sure I'll be back soon enough! Maybe I'll even help you out when I return~!

[But for now he'll wave and head back out. That takes care of the two doors in here, so back out to the library! He'll pick the door down the right hallway, time to see what's in here!]

[thesettingsun]

[Right door leads to the infirmary!]

[scythegun]

[ALRIGHT GUESS WHO'S BACK.

Jaeger takes a moment to steel himself before opening the door, and immediately his persona changes. He looks incredibly worried, and he gestures out the door behind him.]

Shuji, come quickly! Something's happened to your boyfriend, I don't know what to do, we can't just leave him there!

[thesettingsun]

[""Shuji""'s eyes go wide, and he jumps off the desk.]

What happened?!

[scythegun]

I don't know! We were talking and he suddenly collapsed! Does he have some sort of heart condition or...?

[He'll start heading back toward the door, you are coming, aren't you?]

[thesettingsun]

He doesn't - he can't.

[He takes a step forward and then stops.]

Why would you run all the way here, out of the infimary? ...You're not pulling a trick on me, are you?

[scythegun]

[He'll turn a bit at that, but he's still well outside the room, like he's waiting for Shuji to follow.]

Don't you trust me, Shuji? Why would I lie about something like this?

[...he's gonna owe Shuji so many apologies after this is over, but look, no one said Jaeger plays fair.]

[thesettingsun]

I don't know. But I know the Mista in my heart can't have a heart attack or anything that would make him collapse.

[''Shuji'' starts to sniffle. Dazai's always been good at crying on demand.]

Why would you betray my trust like that? You're cruel...

[scythegun]

Ah, and here I thought you'd try at least a little harder than that. Oh well, I suppose it can't be helped.

[He'll reenter the room, glancing at the shelf to see if he can spot a book Shuji might be in. He's not making any move for it just yet, but he is angling himself so he's in a better position to vault over the desk if he needs to.]

You're also fairly cruel for betraying my trust, ja? Why don't you properly introduce yourself?

[thesettingsun]

[The shelf has books that have nothing on the spines, and one that says 'Shuji Tsushima' on it.

Dazai's tears stop as quickly as they'd started.]

Don't blame me. It's his fault for pretending to be anything but Dazai Osamu.

[scythegun]

[There we go. Where's Dazai standing right now in relation to the book shelf?]

Oh dear, that's not a particularly nice mindset to have. But now I'm curious - you have Shuji's memories, ja? What do you think of the life he's been leading here?

[thesettingsun]

[Just about directly between Jaeger and the bookshelf, because nothing is ever easy.]

It's as pathetic as he is.

[scythegun]

[Nothing is ever easy... For now he won't do anything, at least.]

My, I didn't think you could hate a part of yourself so much!

[thesettingsun]

...have you met him?

[Dazai's twice as bad as Shuji, but Shuji's already pretty bad about the self-loathing sometimes!!]

[scythegun]

You're talking about him like he's supposed to be you, and yet you don't approve of his life here at all. What do you think will change if he becomes you?

[thesettingsun]

I'll be me, of course. There won't be an inferior copy of me running around with my face.

[scythegun]

Why is he inferior to you? What makes you so much better?

[thesettingsun]

I'm the original. Isn't that enough?

[scythegun]

Not at all. Honestly, it's not really fair to compare anyone here to their past lives, no matter how similar they might be. The memories and changes we've received from Retrospec are certainly pulling us closer to our past lives, but does that really mean that everything we've experienced in this life is meaningless?

Can you truly tell me you've felt nothing towards Shuji? His accomplishments, his failures, his friends and family... He's his own person, ja? He may be your reincarnation, but surely you can acknowledge that he's had a very different life than yours.

[thesettingsun]

[Jaeger is trying very hard, and this reasoning would probably work on somebody who was not a douchebag.

But it's Dazai, so.]

The further he is from me, the less reason I have to forgive him for taking my face and my name.

You should leave.

[scythegun]

He's not even using your name, though.

[...that's not the point, but listen.]

I have to wonder if you're jealous of him. His life certainly isn't perfect, but he's got a lot going for him. A wonderful boyfriend, caring friends, his writing... Not to mention his personality! He's quite charming!

[As he speaks he takes a few steps forward, just to be sure he's not close to the door. His grip on the briefcase is tight, but he's not transforming it.]

I doubt you were exactly the same while you were alive. Your life wasn't as nice, was it?