Did you know Sea Jellies do not have hearts or brains? (March/April catch-all)

[mooninthewater]

Who: Mizuki + You!
What: A couple of Top Levels for doing various stuff around the Grove
When: March
Where: Gestures Vaguely
Warnings: Death mentions likely, body horror mentions likely

Comments

[mooninthewater]

[ With the brand mostly gone, and Mizuki free from the confines of the big tree that showed up, things are finally starting to show some normalcy. The sea jelly in question takes some time before he goes around and gives out an apology. He is not tired - he'd had a whole month to "rest" after all - but he does have quite a lot to think about now. Whether or not his tumultuous sea of thoughts where it's gracious to say half of them are his own will allow him properly reflect on is its own issue. At least Mizuki is used to it.

For the first few days, he'll be found at the small shrine he made a small distance from the forest's edge. In it is covered in names of people lost to the forest, or otherwise missing. Some names might look familiar, some might not. Mizuki's been here for almost two years at this point, so perhaps it's not all that surprising he's seen so many come and go.

You'll catch him adding a little wooden plaque onto it with a new 'name'.

"Beiwe's Brother". ]

[submittome]

[ Yes, he's following Mizuki. No, he's not ashamed of it. He doesn't want to let the other out of his eyesight. He doesn't even bother looking like he's not hovering when Mizuki approaches the shrine, watching as he adds a new name. His dragon eyesight comes in handy here so he can peek at the name from a distance.

Then frown, turn his head a little away, raising his hand to his braid to twirl it a bit before speaking up. ]

You truly thinks he deserves memorial?

[mooninthewater]

[ Mizuki gently lulls his head from side to side, not really stopping what he's doing to turn and look at Affogato. Though, his voice will earn him a tendril or two revealing themselves from camouflage to hold onto his hands. A silent "hello, I love you". ]

I don't think it's up to me to decide if one does or doesn't deserve something. Ourania and Beiwe mourned his loss. [ The individual that Suri used to be, anyway. ] I think that alone is enough to want this.

Do you think I shouldn't have?

Back on that philosophical BS (mix and match as you'd like)

[mooninthewater]

[ Surely being trapped with one's dead god for a month and dealing with an immense amount of grief would make someone just a little aware of the things they've done and are doing. Maybe change themselves at least a little? You know........... maybe stop being a weird freak obsessed with how people think??

...No? Okay, cool.

Mizuki is still himself - for the most part. The only physical change he seems to have is the fact his sclera are no longer white, but black, and he has oddly moon-like eyes. The sea jelly himself is still the same freak, though. Quiet until he's at your side... then grabbing your hand even if you're unfamiliar with him wholly.

He still cannot speak, but for what words he cannot speak, he signs, and accompanies it with a voice in your head that at least mostly conveys what he's trying to say. ]

Hi! Are you busy? [ He's not going to let you answer, he just excitedly leans into your arm. You're certain if this were a cartoon, he'd have sparkles around him with how delighted he seems. ]

a. What would you consider "free will" to be, really? Do you have it? Why??

b. What would you consider the responsibility of an individual in a community?

c. Do you think the gods have to think to love their creations or followers, or does it come naturally? Are we created to love them, too?

d. What constitutes the relationship between order and chaos?

e. Do you think it's sadness that nurtures happiness?

f. Is there an absolute to morality? Can anyone truly know what's "right" all the time?

g. Do ends justify means, or do you think that a horrid act will receive a horrid consequence, regardless of the cause?

C

[theuniverseleads]

[They've been working on the whole touch thing (thank you peepaw), but the sudden grab still makes them jump. They stare back in frozen shock for a couple seconds before processing what is going on.

...

Hmm, nope! This still feels very random.]

Is there a reason why you're asking me? You could ask one of the goddesses here directly, you know.

[mooninthewater]

Oh, I know I could. But I don't necessarily want the answer outright. Rather, I want to know what people think about it. What goes through their minds and the thoughts on the gods to begin with. Those sort of thoughts and ideas fascinate me.

[ It's always going to feel random, unfortunately! But when Mizuki has the itch to go asking stuff to poke around in people's heads and see how they think, he's gotta scratch it! Imagine, an itch left unscratched. Truly miserable. ]

A!

[outofsynth]

[It's not that Min-Gi minds being touched. It's more the fact he's never met Mizuki in his life and he's already way up in his personal space. Even weirder, it's like his voice is inside his head. Min's not sure he likes that.

He goes tense, the words not even properly registering immediately so Mizuki gets a delayed response.]

Free will means you can make your own choices. Of course I have it. Everyone does.

[Not entirely true. Min himself had to work himself up to making the choices he wanted to make, but he's freaking out a bit. Is he trying to imply he doesn't have free will??]

[mooninthewater]

Hehe, I don't!!

[ This is also not entirely true. In fact, he's got enough free will that he very pointedly is able to ignore the eldritch thoughts of actual gods - but, y'know, he thinks he doesn't have any. It's fine, he's good.

He gives Min-Gi's hand a little shake. ]

I'm Mizuki, by the way. If you would rather me just sign, let me know. I know a lot of people don't know sign language, though. Anyway, about your answer, is that the whole thing, or do you think there's a bit more elaboration there?

G

[poaceae]

[ The voice in his head is really an improvement over the written signs, honestly. Fern still isn't much of a reader. He's more startled by the question than the sudden attack, really. It feels extremely pointed! ]

Huh, what? Why are those my two options?

It's *hilarious* you chose that one because-

[mooninthewater]

I guess there could be more options? But for this thought experiment, I believe you have to be willing to ponder things like this. There's this game I play that explores stuff like this, and it gets me to thinking about it a lot. It challenges you to think about the fluidity and identity of a person, and how the relationship between one's body and perceived self is a very delicate balance. You cannot change one without affecting the whole. And goes further from there and has the player question that if these changes stem from an horrible act, and you commit a horrible act in turn, should you also be met with a horrible act? Does the cycle just continue? "You", the player, are the perceived hero in this story. But the game challenges you to recognize your acts as violent acts, regardless of your reasoning or morality.

It's very interesting, and I'd like to get to know other people's perspective on the matter!

C

[foreversembrace]

[Soooo Till has not been here long enough to be okay with ANY sort of unprompted physical contact (A.B.A does not count, she literally bodyslammed him and threw him into the Inn), so when he feels somethingone leaning against him, he will recoil immediately like ????

Oh, god. The voice directly in his head, he hates that. There is a non-zero chance there are a lot of Aliens back "home" that can also do that, and he hates it every single time. Who is this lost child-]

What are you asking me for??

[He hates philosophical shit. He hates thinking about it. He's heard it all before, from their captors, from the other kids, even from the other adults. He doesn't want to think about gods, because if they exist they sure left them a long time ago.]

[mooninthewater]

You specifically, or why I'm asking in general? [ The emphasis on "me" should've been enough to answer that question, but Mizuki isn't good at picking up on tone, so... ] In general, because I would like a little perspective on it. You, because I think it's a pretty good question to get to know someone. How they think, what they ponder on, what their life was like. Little questions like this can give a lot of insight, y'know?

b

[aneikonic]

[ Sudden Mizuki makes him blink, stopping what he was doing to turn his attention to the small blue-boy. He lets his hand be taken or lets himself be leaned on, or whatever Mizuki would like to do, bemused at the question suddenly lobbed at him. ]

Well, first, let me say it's good to see you well again. Joshua told me about what happened.

[ There are no secrets between the brothers. ]

e

[beathollow]

( mafuyu jolts, eyes wide as she turns to look at mizuki and then... yeah, okay, this might as well happen. after a moment though she holds up the little apple boar she'd been cradling. )

I don't mind answering your question, but this one is a little needy. Can you give him some pats since you've taken my hand?

... Anyways... I think, in a sense, it does? It's easier to appreciate the good when you have bad to contrast it with. Otherwise... it all becomes the same.

e

[winterfrosting]

Ah, hello Mizuki.

[If there's any awkwardness at Mizuki approaching him so closely it doesn't show on Cacao's face or posture]

I think the two are deeply connected, but not specifically that one feeds into the other, no.

[nitrotempered]

Yeah, I am busy. [ He is in fact, not busy. Their words clash because Mizuki keeps talking, and Bakugo still answers him. If the other is still trying to lean against his arm. Bakugo takes his whole palm and puts it on Mizuki's face to push him away. ]

a. Yes, because you're alive and living, -
b. To pull their own fucking weight and not be annoying like you are right now -
c. Who gives a fuck about gods?
d. It's a constant loop. You can't have one without the other, that's just how complex systems work - shut up.
e. No, you're stupid if you think that and romanticizing suffering like a sick freak - get out of my face.
f. I know whats right.
g. We have a justice system for a reason - are you FUCKING DONE ASKING ME ALL THESE GOD DAMN FUCKING QUESTIONS YOU FREAK?

G

[sailingfor]

[He's so not used to Mizuki's grilling... he supposes he's not busy, though! He's sitting out by the well since everywhere else is.

Compromised.

No he does not like the flying Seaborn why do you ask—]

Those are two different questions. [you have autism] The ends justify the means for most people, but typically the people who use that sentiment are using it for bad reasons, such as the Iberian Inquisition. "A horrid act will receive a horrid consequence" is about karmic cycles. If you asked me if I believe in karma... no. Not really.

a, c, and/or f, please feel free to pick and choose if you're overwhelmed

[livlaughlove]

[i bet the zooks desperately wants to therapize razlo after the arbor, so --

a:] ..... Next question.

[c:] Eugh. Thought don't even cross their fuckin' minds. Screw ya over if you don't grovel at their feet, though.

[f:] Hell no. That shit's already confusin' enough. 's like sayin' "all killin's wrong" when ya got a loaded gun in yer hand 'n there's a genocidal maniac standin' right in front'a ya. [looking at YOU and knives, VASH--]

F

[charlastan]

[Stan hasn't talked a ton with Mizuki, but he knows the guy's friends with Dipper and that Dipper bullied him into filling out some kind of mental health survey for Mizuki in exchange for a croissant or something. But honestly, none of the things that would be extremely odd to someone else feel all that unusual to him. Mizuki's a jellyfish, the Pines are all squids. You get used to how bizarre it all is after a while.

Honestly the touching is more startling, and instantly suspicious.]

Uh. ...No? Morality's relative. But more important than that, what's this all about, you gremlin?

[Stan doesn't pull away exactly but he does lift up his arm like he's entertaining a toddler by letting them hang off of him.]

Therapy Time

[bajamutblast]

[One minute, Dion is falling. The next, he's seated in a chair within a room he doesn't recognize. He leaps to his feet almost instantly, looking this way and that until he settles on the young man before him.

He has no idea what's going on. He's never heard of therapy in his life. He has no way of knowing that he's not supposed to leap forward and get into his therapist's face, or anything like that.]

You. Where am I. What manner of magic is this?

Lifts Dion

[mooninthewater]

[ Maybe this really is Beiwe's way of getting him patients. Thanks, Sun Mom. :) Mizuki blinks a moment, picking up his clipboard and setting it in his lap. He uses his hand to sign, but Dion will hear a voice in his head. ]

Hello! You're at the Grove's Therapy Building! I... Which part do you think is magic? Therapy or getting here? 'Cause if you mean the latter, I dunno if I know how to answer that. But I can tell you the 'magic' behind therapy.

Closed to Ourania | Before the event, after Thorns' excursion

[mooninthewater]

[ Mizuki hasn't actually tried to talk to the goddesses on his own, so this is sort of new for him. He isn't sure what the "rules" are, or if there are any. He doesn't have a voice to be heard, and he'd feel a bit silly if he just signed at a statue. Regardless, he's here at her stone replica, and he sort of shifts in place.

...

Eventually he'll reach out and just... knock? ]

[sticksandbonesmods]

It's quiet for a moment, and then there's a soft chuckle.

Hello, my darling. Would you like to come up?

Closed to The Forest?

[mooninthewater]

[ There’s a lot of very upset people lately. Mizuki is not exactly an exception — far from. But… he’s also been strangely level-headed since his time he’s been stuck with the Arbor. Perhaps feeling everyone’s grief for a whole much made him a bit numb to it himself or maybe he’s just been overly optimistic. Everything will work out in the end, right?

There’s also a… very, very small part of Mizuki that blames himself for this. Like maybe the reason everyone is feeling this grief is because of him, somehow. He knows it not logical, but feelings aren’t always logical, right?

But it means he’s out in the forest, perhaps unsurprisingly around the same area he’d previously rescued Thorns from, though cautiously within the path that the golden glasses revealed. He clears his scratchy throat, and coughs a little because even that much hurts. Then he pulls out his phone for text to speech. ]

Mister The Forest? I have something to say to you, if you’re there. If not, I’ll still probably say it. So I hope you’re listening.

[sticksandbonesmods]

( suri knows the boy is there the moment he steps into the woods. he does not move from his desk in his new temple, but he opens the connection; mizuki can tell a presence is there that wasn't ten seconds ago, like eyes watching. like the weight of a too-heavy blanket.

speak, boy. he's listening. )