Text | un: PantsonPyre

[localweirdo]

Hello, I hope you are all doing well. My name is Hu Tao and I was curious.

Is there anyone here who might be interested in learning how to do a burial? Or perhaps might know a thing or two about it?

Please do let me know, I want to see how many people might help me restart my business! I promise that if you join, you'll be a discount on whatever coffin you choose!

[And there she goes.]

Comments

text; un: fushiguro

[mahoraga]

You're finally doing it?

[localweirdo]

Of course! If I'm going to be here, I might as well start it now!

[mahoraga]

Hope it goes well.

Did you have any luck finding employees?

[localweirdo]

So far? I have or, at the very least, people who might be interested. Which I'm rather surprised.

I have to admit, I had some trouble finding those who want to be hired.

[Nevermind that Hu Tao kept bothering people about buying coffins with coupons or discounts.]

[mahoraga]

Well ... a discount on a coffin isn't the most attractive offer..

A lot of people prefer not to think about how they might die.

[localweirdo]

But it's still better to be prepared! You never know if you might need one!

[Especially in a place like this!]

[mahoraga]

True.

I respect what you do, but it doesn't matter to me what happens to my body after I die.

[localweirdo]

Oh c'mon now. Even when you're dead, your body is still a part of you. It deserves respect and I simply can't allow you to disregard it.

[mahoraga]

A funeral director would say that, huh ...

I guess I'd feel that way about the people I know.

[localweirdo]

You might think so but that isn't the case.

I say it as someone who appreciates life as it is! To be honest, it makes me a little worried about you.

[mahoraga]

What are you feeling worried for?

There's no need for that. It's not a big deal.

[localweirdo]

The fact that you don't seem to care about your own wellbeing is what worries me.

It might not be a big deal but it might to others.

[Does somebody have a death wish??]

[mahoraga]

It's fine, I said. I take care of myself.

[ He has his meals, exercises often and drinks water! He has just accepted that he can die at any time, and he doesn't really want a funeral that will just make his loved ones sad. Also, it really doesn't matter to him what happens to his body ... Megumi tends to keep his private thoughts to himself, so he doesn't type them out. ]

Why is this a concern to you? [ Not accusing, just curious. ]

[localweirdo]

[There was a pause. She liked to think herself as someone whom Megumi could talk to but she also knew that she shouldn't be imposing herself on others. Still, it felt like it needed to be said.]

That is what friends are supposed to do. We make sure that they don't get hurt or worse! Get killed here.

[mahoraga]

[ It's true that they are friends. Megumi tends to work on the assumption he is not cared for, so he needs things spelled out to him for him to realise that there are people looking out for him. Now that he thinks about it, she's so often trying to get him out and find different ways for him to have fun. He thought it was just strange, persistent behaviour on her part, but he's realising now she probably just wanted him to have a good time because she cares. ]

Friends, huh ...

[ It feels like he ease up just a bit with sharing his private thoughts. If only because she has him feeling fond. There's a pause, before some pensive words. ]

If I have to die, it's better if no one knows. I don't want anyone to feel sad.

[localweirdo]

[It seems like that he does agree with her, he does see her as a friend. While she was happy to hear that, it didn't stop her from being worried at his response. As she gave a pause or two, she wondered how to respond back.]

Even so, it would be only a matter of time before somebody does. Such things can't be kept a secret for long.

[Especially when he has so many that care for him]

[mahoraga]

As a sorcerer, we are always prepared to die. It would just be easier on them to forget about me.

[ But at the same time, the selfish part of him doesn't want them to. It's only human to want to be cherished and remembered. Anyway, he's shared two (2) private thoughts, which is more than he's done for anyone in a while. It's time for a gentle topic change - toward something more lighthearted. ]

I think I know why you keep trying to bring me out now.

[ Because!!!! U care him? 🥺]

[localweirdo]

[There, Hu Tao wasn't sure if she should continue this conversation. From the sound of it, if his life really was that harsh? It would make sense why he didn't value his life.

...]

You make it seem like I wasn't trying to before. Should I be upset about that?

1/2

[mahoraga]

No... I knew what you were trying to do. I just didn't know why.

[ He thought she was really bored??? He's only realising now that she was asking him because she wanted him to have a good time, and also spend time together.

Is she actually upset or teasing? He can't tell. ]

[mahoraga]

[ Anyway, she'll get some rare honesty for all her efforts. ]

I'm glad we're friends.

[localweirdo]

[There was a pause or two as she stared at her screen. It was odd, she was so used to hearing how her friendships were always one sided. She knows that she could make friends here but it was strange to hear it being confirmed.]

Oh? I wasn't expecting you to be so honest with your answer. I have to admit, I thought you would find me bothersome.

[mahoraga]

...

Hold on. Why would you think that?

[localweirdo]

[Ah yes, there was a rather long pause on Hu Tao's part. As much as she didn't want to be honest about her own feelings, she knew she had to. It was only fair when Megumi was being so earnest about his own.]

I'm afraid people don't take kindly to me talking so openly about death in my country.

[mahoraga]

I remember you telling me that.

And I remember telling you they were small-minded people. Do they think not talking about it is going to prevent it from happening?

[localweirdo]

More that they are aware that it will happen but it's not something they want to talk about. Which is a shame because it needs to be discussed as it will prepare them one day.

[Pause]

Although, I suppose that makes me the outlier doesn't it?