anonymous post

[anenemies]

I'm trying to learn more about Distortions. The best way to mitigate rumors and foster acceptance is to talk about things and learn, after all. I know what it's like to have to hide, and I don't want Distortions to go through that too. I want them to be accepted.

Unfortunately, I don't know a lot about them...can anyone help out?

Comments

anon;

[dereban]

[ ... Debates on replying to this.

Decides to respond anonymously. ]

it's going to be hard to believe that if you're hiding anonymously, yknow
i know all about it tho

[anenemies]

Oops! I wouldn't say I'm hiding.

I chose to go anonymous because I wanted other people to feel comfortable being anonymous too. It must be a sensitive subject if not much is known, but...maybe you're right. Maybe I'll use my identity next time.

Do you now?

[dereban]

ofc i know
im one, after all

[anenemies]

In that case, is it alright to ask you a few questions? I won’t pressure you to answer them if you are not comfortable.

[dereban]

depends on the questions tbh

[anenemies]

I won’t twist your arm.

Is it correct that Distortions occur when a kami becomes a rumor? Making you a kami?

Do you know what excuses people give for not accepting Distortions? Is it based on fear?

If there was anything you’d want the public to know about Distortions- misconceptions to clear up, or something else, what would it be?

[dereban]

i'll answer this numerically, in order

1) it's kind of like being both, but also not really. tbh i wouldn't consider myself a kami

2) the general public isnt aware of distortions just like they dont know about rumors and for good reason

afaik tho fear is a huge factor. distortions have a lot of power, but at the cost of their soul. basically, in some ways, you could say it's a lot easier for one to potentially die

3) i wouldnt want the public to know at all tbh

[anenemies]

1. That sounds confusing. Are you objectively not a kami?

2. That's no good. I wonder if an increased acceptance could also benefit each distortions' soul. Stabilize them, maybe, the same way a spirit with a contract is given additional powers?

3. Would you rather things continue as they are?

[dereban]

1. let's leave it at "it's complicated".

2. idk. it might be possible, but you would have to individualize it per person probs.

3. no. but in order to explain distortions you'd have to explain rumors. if more of the general public knew about rumors, there'd be chaos. both spirits and ppl alike would be hurt greatly. i wouldnt be shocked if more ppl would end up either being afraid of distortions or wanting to use the distortions power for their own self benefit.

[anenemies]

1. Fair enough. [He figures that’s more of a yes than a no.]

2. Are there many Distortions that you know of? Even if it had to be done individually, it might be possible.

3. Keeping them in the dark hasn’t done us any favors so far. People are already hurting.

[dereban]

2. afaik in our group there's 4

3. yes, but that doesn't mean that telling everyone will ~make things better~ either. i'd bet 1000 starling it'd only make things worse

[anenemies]

2. 5*

3. Maybe, but that’s just human nature. It’s unfortunate that people end up paying for it. I understand where you’re coming from too. I just wish there was a way to easily have everyone accept distortions.

[dereban]

2. how are you so sure it's 5; weren't you the one asking the question in the first place

3. maybe. tbh im not so sure "accepting distortions" is the way to go tho

[anenemies]

2. I’m not. It’s just a guess.

3. Maybe! But there’s someone I want to help.

[dereban]

1. hmmmmm

2. may i ask who

[anenemies]

Sorry! My friend’s secret isn’t mine to tell.

[dereban]

so it's a secret, huh

oh well, i guess i'll find out sooner or later

[anenemies]

I would do the same for you.

What makes you say that?

[dereban]

dunno about that

there's only so many options www

[anenemies]

Sure, think what you want.

Proving you wrong might be worth my time.

[dereban]

ha.

good fucking luck with that.

[anenemies]

Thanks! But I don't need it!

[dereban]

ur loss ig

un: yuuto

[spacialeyes]

Yes, hello!

I'm a Distortion. I can do my best to help you out.

I'd like for people to be able to accept the other Distortions as well!

[anenemies]

[His favorite bullying target!]

Are you sure, Yuuto-san? That's very kind and admirable of you.

I'd like to learn more of the mechanics involving being a distortion, but more than that I want to know how you feel about it. Do you feel as if the general public wouldn't accept you?

[spacialeyes]

How I feel?

I guess that it's a bit troublesome sometimes. But it's better than dying?

I've been told that if I hadn't Distorted, I would have just ceased to exist. We can also be a bit dangerous?

[anenemies]

That’s no good. I don’t want Yuuto-san to die.

Does that have anything to do with a rumor and kami combining? Anyone can be dangerous.

[spacialeyes]

Thank you! I'm doing my best.

And yes, it does. It's sort of like

If kami are "1" and Rumors are "-1," then they combine to make "0."

That should mean ceasing to exist. But for Distortions, instead of being 'nothing' you become 'everything.'

We can trade our lives for a miracle.

[anenemies]

A contradiction. You can't have nothing, without everything. Hmm! That sounds familiar.

Is the miracle being your continued existence?

[spacialeyes]

No, that's not the miracle.

It's more like

I could become 'everything' for a moment and make something amazing happen.

Then burn out forever?

[anenemies]

Something amazing, hm...?

Could that be anything? Even what's impossible?

I can see why some might hide that they're Distortions. Although, with that ability it might be possible to create a world where they're accepted, maybe even stabilized, and no longer vulnerable to the whims of the general public.

Or perhaps it could be used to change the laws of being a Distortion entirely.

un: coolhunting

[dokkans]

Wonder who this is.

Anyway.

All of us have ticking time bombs that'll explode the instant we get pushed too far. The bomb inside me's not worth accepting.

From what I'm reading, the first part of getting anyone to accept distortions is to have them accept it themselves. Yuuto's got it, whoever the anon is, doesn't.

[anenemies]

I'm not sure what you mean?

Aww, don't say that. Just because you're not one of the chosen few super special distortions, doesn't mean it's not worth accepting. Although I agree with you. Everyone is dangerous, but finding a scapegoat is convenient. It's easier to blame what you don't understand.

Interesting, but valid perspective. You think that acceptance must first start from within? Or can a little nudge in the right direction help with that process?

[dokkans]

Don't misunderstand me. I'd rather be dead than actively be in that state. In fact, if that bomb goes off, I want to be killed immediately.

But, yes. If it's seen as a hindrance to someone, then everyone else'll feel the same way. Perception's everything, of course!

Although, a little nudge wouldn't hurt.

[anenemies]

Okay.

If you can tell me how, I'll respect your wish.

In that case, the opposite can happen too. But sometimes people would rather stay drowning in the comfort of their pain, no matter what kind of hell it is, then risk change and a hell they can't predict.

[dokkans]

Sorry! It's a secret until that day comes. Can't go showing off all my weaknesses. ♥︎

Gosh, that's true. They say something about the devil you know, right? If the devil's in your mirror, then who would you know better than that?

Do you think it's possible to be a distortion and be a good person?

[anenemies]

Aw. I don't know if I can handle that kind of suspense! I'm not very patient.

That's true. But sometimes our own perceptions of ourselves can become distorted as well. I fear that's what has happened with our dear anon.

Hmm...I don't think it's possible to be a good person at all, but I think it's possible to be a less terrible one and Yuuto-san seems to be succeeding at that.

[dokkans]

That's a them problem. If you can change their tune then fine, but they don't sound open to it.

Gosh though, you're 100% right. Becoming a good person isn't certainly possible, and even being "less terrible" is difficult. Well, if they can fake it well enough, then that's good enough. I'm sure that's what's happening here.

[anenemies]

They have to want to change their mind, even if it's only a little. Lucky them, there's someone else I'm doing this for.

Oh. But you probably already knew that!

Maybe...but faking it or not, I don't think it matters too much. He's entertaining either way.

[dokkans]

Sure do! Not super thrilled about it, but honestly? If you can pull this off, I'll buy you a soda pop or something, mysterious stranger. ♥

That's true! See, we can accept something like him, can't we?

[anenemies]

Now I have to succeed! I have a few ideas, the toughest part is settling on one because all my ideas are good.

We can. I wonder if Yuuto-san would be our spokesperson...

[dokkans]

That's not a bad idea! Usually, the best thing you can do is run your ideas by someone that everybody likes!

And who doesn't like that guy?

[anenemies]

If I didn't know any better, I would guess that you didn't!

But I don't know if he would like my ideas. :(

[dokkans]

Oh, trust me. You'll know when I don't like someone.

Just convince him! It'll take some doing, but I believe in you! Good luck good luck, Mister (or Miss?) Anonymous! ♥ ♥ ♥