Text

[iracorn]

[The sender is listed as Ira, but anyone familiar with Ira will notice several key details about this journal entry. Particularly, the handwriting looks nothing like Ira’s, and the manner of speech is… well… not exactly his.]

Greetings, people of Reverein. I am Master Ira, and I have a message for everyone. This is real hard for me to say, but I’ve been having a hard time here and could really use a friend or two.

[This doesn’t sound like Master Ira at all. That’s because, it’s not Ira at all, but Roxas. He snagged Ira’s journal after a sparring practice session and is currently writing as fast as he can in it, before he’s found out by said Master.]

I think it’s really important that everyone here has someone they can rely on when they’re feeling alone or struggling with things. While I’ve been here I’ve been doing my best to manage alone, but it’s starting to get to my heart. I’m feeling really bad because of it. I think it’s time for me to realize that I can’t force myself to deal with things on my own and that if I am struggling, I should reach out to others.

So, this is me. Reaching out to people. Because I need to learn it’s important to reach out to people when I need it. So, anyone out there looking for a new friend?

[ooc: both Roxas and Ira will be responding to this post. Feel free to specify if you want just Roxas or just Ira, otherwise it'll be random. Thanks to CS for writing this! ]

Comments

Sender: Erichthonios

[beshackled]

[That... definitely does not read like Ira's writing. Nor does it feel like the not-monoceros version of him... Unicorn. That was what he called it.

Though whether this is some manner of personality-distorting magick, or another person entire... Erichthonios has yet to see. Regardless, if it ends up helping the man, he's willing to respond.]

You are always welcome to share your troubles.

[twilightskey]

Yeah see that's the part I have to work on. Sharing my troubles.

Sometimes I think I'll worry my friends and that's not good. So I'll give you permission to pester me and make me share my troubles even if I don't want to.

["Ira" seems to be talking rather strangely today!]

[beshackled]

[Indeed. Very strangely. 'Tis an entirely different way of speaking and writing. So much so that Erichthonios is inclined to suspect that it is not, in fact, Ira... but mayhap someone concerned for him.]

Are you one of his friends?

[twilightskey]

[Uh oh, this guy's onto him.]

No, what are you talking about? This is Master Ira.

[iracorn]

[some time later, now with the correct handwriting.]

My apologies, Erichthonios.

My student was a little over-zealous in helping me.

However, I do appreciate your offer, and will make an effort to reach out more.

[beshackled]

'Tis unwell to take too heavy a burden on one's shoulders, tempting as it may be to do so.

[The desire to be strong for the sake of others is a moving one.]

Mayhap they did not take the best approach, but 'tis heartening to see that others care for you here.

[iracorn]

His Heart is certainly in the right place.

[If anything, Ira's exasperation comes from Roxas's attempts to imitate him. Does he really sound like that?]

I suppose I must confront that I am very good at not taking my own advice.

sender: beat

[stillarhino]

yo i feel ya man
used to think like that too

[twilightskey]

See that's why I wanted to reach out. It's hard to do so sometimes.

Can you make sure I do so more often? And make sure I actually follow through with it?

[stillarhino]

yeah i can do that
what do i gotta look out for?

[twilightskey]

If he I start going quiet or acting on my own. I need help remembering that I don't have to handle these problems all on my own.

Just asking me how I'm doing and making sure I'm talking about what's bothering me is goo.

I may need some pushing too.

sender: ira

[iracorn]

[Some time later, with the proper handwriting]

My apologies Beat.

Roxas has taken it upon himself to ask this on my behalf. There is, no need to worry.

[stillarhino]

[The shift in handwriting comes as a surprise.]

hold up
that aint you earlier

[iracorn]

No, it's not. It is Roxas pretending to be me.

[Not that Roxas's message is wrong, but still.]

sender: ira

[iracorn]

[He doesn't find this until later.

And it's met with a sigh. Because the thing is. The thing is, Roxas isn't wrong. It's not how he would have worded things, and, there's probably a million, stalling arguments that Ira could make but also, it has cut to the heart of the matter, so to speak.

He probably sighs a lot before he responds.]

Roxas

[twilightskey]

Hey Ira. How's it going?

[Well, he was bound to be caught sooner or later. But maybe if he plays dumb, he can prolong judgment?]

[iracorn]

I suppose you could tell me

Sender: Martel Yggdrasill

[untwisted]

You're quite right, Master Ira. It's very important to have friends and people to depend on. I know how hard it can be for some people to reach out, too, so you're doing an excellent job!

I'm always available to listen whenever you need someone to lend an ear. And of course I'll be your friend if you'd like!

[twilightskey]

Thanks Thank you for saying that. I am happy for your offer.

Since it is hard for me to reach out at times, can you make sure to check in on me once in a while? Just asking how I'm doing will help, since I don't want to be a bother

[There seems to be some oddities in Ira's word usage here...]

[untwisted]

[Unfortunately for Ira, Martel hasn't had the pleasure of meeting him yet, either. So she'll just happily keep on being her usual ball pure compassion.]

Oh, of course! That's no trouble at all. And if you ever want to practice reaching out when there's no pressure, you can turn to me for that too.

sender: ira

[iracorn]

[Some time later, a different set of handwriting appears.]

My apologies.

My student has taken it upon himself to help me. Though, I appreciate the offer.

[untwisted]

Oh.

[There's a pause as she continues the blinking and processing the message initially started.]

It was kind of him to try! But I am still happy to talk to either of you at any time if you need.

Sender: Emet-Selch

[snapoutofit]

And that's making an assumption that everyone has someone, is it not? What if there is no one left confide in? You are making generalizations when every story is hidden.

asdfgfds sorry I wasn't tracking this and missed this!

[twilightskey]

[Uh oh, this isn't a reply Roxas was expecting. He was trying to find Ira some people to confide in, not have a debate on the matter. He has to scratch his head before coming up with a reply.]

I don't think it's wrong to ask for help.

I don't think we're in a position where no one is left. If someone needs help, they should ask for it, shouldn't it?

[And in thinking of how to reply, he might have... forgotten he's supposed to be in character. Whoops.]

No worries!! I've been Going Through It this past week, so I'm sorry it took me awhile to respond!

[snapoutofit]

[Ahhh, but just because a debate wasn't called for didn't mean that one wouldn't be offered anyway. Especially a debate about this, about loneliness, about solitude.]

Perhaps you are not at that position yet, but one day you may - and probably will - be. And then what?

"Help" is such a relative word, tangled with expectations.