VICTORY ROAD: IC INBOX

[fingersandteeth]

This is Steven. Leave a message and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.

Comments

[fingersandteeth]

I mean. Who would?

I can't blame him for being upset for being lied to and for you not being *his* you, but at the same time, I completely understand why you didn't say anything. I was in your place too, almost a decade ago.

But look. You might not be the *original* Hythlodaeus, but you're the only Hythlodaeus that *any* of us here except Hades and Elidibus have ever known. I know he's your creator in a way and is important to you because of that, but even if he doesn't think you're a person... I do. I don't care if you're a tulpa. You're still *my* Hythlodaeus.

[hythlodaeus]

All of that translated, I think, except for “Tulpa”.

Which gives him enough time to turn the other things around in his head.

He is important to me only because I love him. The point of my creation was not the first time our minds mingled so.

I am reassured, however, with how he clings to that which is less than what he wants and given enough time he will have no choice but to accept me.

[fingersandteeth]

Well. While they mean something slightly different in their original Tibetan Buddhist contexts, the modern conception of a tulpa, at least among the internet communities I was a part of prior to my abduction, was that of an imaginary friend who takes on an autonomous life of their own.

In other words, something quite like you.

And I hope he does accept you in time. But if you *do* ever need to tap out for a while, our house is open to you as long as you check in with one of us before you come.

Did you figure out if you want to come over or if you want me to come over?

[hythlodaeus]

...So I see. I do have rather more substance than is ordinarily and ethically achieved.

I am an imaginary friend of sorts. And though I’m real now
I won’t stray from my duty to him.

So with that in mind, do come over. I need some help with my hair.

[fingersandteeth]

Yeah. Tulpa's probably the most accurate term for you from my world. I'm not sure what they'd call you in yours. But yes. No matter how you originated, Hythlo, you *are* real now. You're as much of a person as any other otherworlder.

And if that's how you feel, I'll do my best to help you and to not punch Hades when he's being an ass. Let me leave Jack a note so he'll know where I've gone and then I'll be over.

(What are we doing with your hair?)

[hythlodaeus]

There may be words, but none with quite the specificity for my tastes. In cases such as these, I like to create a term, or use one so inaccurate it provokes thought.

You may consider me an “imaginary friend” for the time being.

As ever, I appreciate when others refrain from physical assaults against him.

(Just a bit of a change. It is much too humid here, I would like to shave down.)

[fingersandteeth]

I know, I know. You're the only one who gets to hurt him—and only as a kink thing. Don't worry. I'm not going to. No matter how much of an ass he acts because he's upset with you.

(You want me to give you an undercut? Well. That's one way to remind Hades that you're your own Hythlodaeus.)

[hythlodaeus]

Thank you, Steven. As you know, he can be difficult when he’s upset. I wish to give him time to... grieve.

(...And, yes. It will be more manageable and simpler for me to care for it by myself this way.)

(I saw a photograph in a book of something akin to it. I drew inspiration, you might say.)

[fingersandteeth]

I'll probably try to avoid being around him too much in person to remove the punching temptation.

(Do you want to dye it as well? It occurs to me that your hair is light enough to take dye really well.)