[Not to worry, dear Venti, for Odasaku is not a corpse! Not yet, at least.
Indeed, the next time Venti sees him, he’s alive and whole, as if what happened mere minutes ago did not just happen. He’s walking on his own again, lost in thought, although he pauses for a moment to look at the sea.]
[ Obviously everyone else is who's being weird, not her. Toph caught on ages ago that she's the only one who thinks animals should always be hybrids, so even in dreams she's ready with a retort. ]
We can at least take a look. My name's Toph -- thanks for helping me.
[ She might be a blunt, loudmouth gremlin of a child, but she knows what manners are and she does appreciate the ready willingness to help. ]
[Time rewinds like a spool being turned, as flashes of light send Akutagawa back to the very beginning.
Indeed, Odasaku stands before him once more — standing without a speck of blood on his face or coat, and most importantly he is completely alive and well. It’s like that horrendous sight mere seconds ago never happened.
And yet he does not recognize Akutagawa’s presence. He only moves forward, never looking back.]
I bet. If we suddenly showed up in Gaoling, I'd freak out.
[ Not least because Toph kind of hates Gaoling and never wants to go back there, but she gets the idea, anyway. After a full year in Aldrip, her memories of home are starting to feel remote and faint, like they were a million years ago. As it gets vaguer, her homesickness gets worse.
And Kakashi's village is already starting to remind her of home... something about it resonates as familiar. ]
So the ninja who're still here are, what, between assignments? Is that how that works?
[ Why does Gilgamesh felt like he did such a task in the far future? In a world not here? With a person not his Friend? Such a nagging feeling but he paid no mind to it. He was more intrigued with the traveler. It doesn't seem he knows who Gilgamesh is, which is fine. Every once in a while, a King needs to hide his true name.
Still, this individual was out of place here. As much as Gilgamesh knew it was wrong, a fog clouded his reasoning. ]
How intriguing. If you don't mind, perhaps you could regale me a tale or two. I got quite a bit of free time on my hand.
[ The more ways he can stall time from Siduri finding him. ]
[ Her feet are absolutely bare but they are also hidden. Toph might grump about dressing up, but she doesn't hate it, exactly; she just gets self-conscious about it and needs someone else to reassure her she looks okay. (Not that she'd ever admit to that.)
She's also educated in social graces well enough to know why Ethlyn would be upset about her brother starting an argument. She sighs heavily. This is all completely stupid, but she cares about Ethlyn enough to offer to help, hence the sighing. ]
You want me to go over there and act like a dumb blind girl who needs him to help me?
[ No one can escape death. For that was the universal truth. Gilgamesh knows it as well. He and Death were no different. They were arbiters.
For Justice? For Evil?
No. Simply for humans.
That's why Gilgamesh was angry. That's why he rages at the Heavens. For Gilgamesh is "HUMAN." ]
THEN TAKE/KILL ME INSTEAD! WAS I NOT TO BLAME? WAS THE CAUSE NOT BY ME?
[ The Epic of Gilgamesh stated that the King of Uruk feared dying after witnessing his dear friend decade back to mud. Maggots crawled from Enkidu's body. His form breaks under Gilgamesh's arms. The primordial fear of DEATH whispered to the King that he, too, would be like that. That was what was written, yet what Ryoji witnessed was utterly different.
Was this the real Gilgamesh? The almighty King of Uruk. The one that brings Heaven and Earth together. One who was born inhuman, yet here he lies before Death, acting as human as he could ever be. Teary eyes glared up at the Heavens. Voice cursed the Gods that gave birth to him. Emotions that were raw and bare for all to see. ]
A life for a life? Is that not so? Then, take my life. Return Enkidu to the people!
[ That was wrong. Gilgamesh has a duty to foresee. He has a legacy that he must leave behind. ]
[ Just the once is enough. She knows Octavian is dead and she knows he'd never felt he'd gotten justice for how it happened. Root doesn't know the details, but her innate sense of loyalty means she doesn't feel she needs to know; if Octavian tells her to shoot someone, she'll shoot, no questions asked. That being said, not in front of my family is a very reasonable request, and hey, she's not an animal. Root knows how normal society works even if she elects to not participate it.
She follows Octavian to the kitchen and checks the safety on the shotgun, slipping it over her shoulder on the carrying strap. No accidental discharges here. ]
That wasn't a no, [ she points out, alert and on edge, scanning the windows and doors to build a mental model of the room in case a Samaritan agent tracks her here. ] You need me to shoot anyone for you, Tavvie? I can make a little pit stop while I'm on the run.
[ It's a completely genuine offer. Root is in fight or flight mode and she's happy to flip the switch at any point. ]
[ "Jealous", huh... Man, it's always like this with little siblings, isn't it? Either there's something in the water, or he's doing something wrong (or right?) as a part of his big brother role. Still... he'd failed to address his little siblings' feelings before, and their lives went tits up as the result; he certainly doesn't want anything similar to happen with Jinx. So he makes a mental note to invite the girl to hang out some time soon so he can reassure her that she has nothing to worry about. ]
thanks for the permission still not gonna
[ Hopefully this bit of levity helps her for the time being. Now, for her question... she's probably not wrong, but ever since the presence of the AI has been revealed to them, Ragna has been seriously reconsidering the Council's role in their predicament. ]
don't quote me on this cause I'm spitballing here but I think the council is responsible for seeing our "rehabilitation" through whether it's us or some other batch of the chosen they don't care they just need to oversee the sentencing shit and hopefully produce results but during the reset thing she wanted to keep specifically us alive even though it would've probably been easier to just wipe the whole place clean and start over
[Rosen's behavior clearly indicates that he does not identify this young man as a king, but even if he did, it is unclear whether he would care. Mortal men hold no significance for him. Their lives are pitifully short, and most men just cannot meet his lofty expectations. While he may reconsider such notions on a later date, Rosenkrantz honestly sees himself as a deity among men.
However, he appears to be fine with playing the dashing traveler for the sake of brevity. Rosen sees no harm in telling his stories, especially since it's impossible to predict whether the dreamers of this universe will remember him the next morning.]
I don’t mind at all. [He laughs.] I traveled through the sea of stars throughout the decades, watching humanity grow from its humble beginnings.
While most of you aren't worth your salt in gold, I must admit that I've witnessed great civilizations emerge and collapse from behind the Veil. Humanity's dreams frequently lead to greatness in the form of soaring skyscrapers that almost reach the heavens, as well as beautiful underground cities that glitter like jewels in the dark.
[There’s no limit to mankind’s ingenuity and Rosen knows this firsthand. However, he hates them all the same.]
Have you ever heard of the Dreamscape? The veil that lies between the waking world and the world of dreams.
[Octavian can't help the way his gaze slides back towards his family even as he waits for Viktor to decide; they're just right there, he wants to see, to witness— even the back of Hiram standing in the corner, although, hm, less so. But oh, that's a surprise; to actively want to go out and see the city, but to stay and hear about his family first? It's not something he honestly expects, both because so few people would and because Viktor is not, you know, a particularly social creature much like Octavian himself...
So it's nice to hear, actually. It makes him smile, happy to indulge in his happy little family fantasy and touched, more than he expected, by the interest. He reaches over to pinch Viktor's sleeve as he shuffles a bit further into the room, if not actually into the conversation happening. It isn't entirely clear what the other two are talking about, either; the whole thing is meant to be appreciated in comfortable silence, the sound of pleasant conversation and the clinking and tapping of the hammer in the other room.]
This is my brother, Sterling, [he says, gesturing with his other hand. Sterling glances toward them again with a quick smile, then goes back to,] And my nephew, Emory. Do you hear the stone being worked? Sterling's wife Maria was an artist.
[He's seen some of her work, even, out on display. But never in a contemporary sense, and that thought makes him pause, because he is so, so pleased to show this to Viktor, and pivoting into, hm, harsh reality might put a damper on it? And yet. Viktor has asked. Viktor is interested, and where Octavian might just ignore anyone else walking into this scene, he thinks he would like to share.]
They can never be like this. At home. Sterling and his wife died when Emory was too young to remember. So here they can have a night at home, as a family.
[ He may have experience under his belt, but putting all this knowledge together and drawing conclusions is above his pay grade. He does give it some thought, however. If they were to assume the "AI" in question is Amaterasu, and the "Council" is the Takamagahara System, then... ]
maybe not enemies maybe they just have different priorities? like they're kinda going for the same thing but their ways of going about it aren't always the same
[People had definitely been whispering about his sunglasses all day when they thought he was out of earshot, but Kotone honestly doesn't even think twice about them. Like, why wouldn't he wear sunglasses inside? She's pretty sure he'd look weird without them at this point, though if pressed, she couldn't say why.
She can feel her smile shifting to match his as she laughs in response, though her smirk is more playful than egoistic.] I guess you did!
[Luck out, that is. Usually her schedule is pretty packed, but this year, it seems as though she has more free time than usual. It's only April, though, so things could definitely pick up steam sooner rather than normal. Best to enjoy the time she has now, right?
Taking a few more steps back, she tilts her head and then turns in a clear indication that he should follow as she heads up the hall intending to show him the club rooms.] This is your first time being in Japan, right? What do you think?
[Kotone pumps her fist in the air with a bright smile. They did it! Easy battle (for her, anyway), and almost immediately, she's turning the grin on her companion.]
You too, Ryoji-kun!
[Splitting up to find the missing person had seemed like the best course of action, and even if she and Ryoji weren't already friends before all of this, it would only make sense to take him with her. Junpei had made some noises like he might protest, but-! She is the leader, and with her versatility in combat, it means she can give Ryoji the best support.]
So let's get this guy back to the others. C'mon.
[She waves Ryoji closer as she herself moves in to kneel in front of the lost man, checking for any obvious injuries.]
Whoa, Time Tax? [ Abigail continues to follow through with the conversation, looking over at Dante with a peculiar and curious look. There is suddenly an air of seriousness to her as she steps forward, trying to stand upright and begin their apparently assigned Job. ] This is serious! You can't mess up taxes; I heard taxes have the ability to make you suffer in agony, but we can't have that - we have to stop the taxes before they hurt anyone else!
[ Her sound logic comes into a declaration, stepping forward again, with a bounce to her movements. Leaning forward just a bit, Abigail tries to look around deeply, staring into this strangely colored world. Her mustache wiggles as she speaks.]
Hm, hm, I took a wrong turn, I think. [ The girl had, indeed, crossed from one dream into the next. Her feet pattered against each glass stair here that she constructed. Moving to level herself down towards where this being with an authority of its own being admonished to her. It crashes its course against her own authority, and rather than feeling herself pulled. Abigail simply walks forward, because she is curious, yearning for information, and wanting to know who this stranger is. ] Where am I? My name is Abigail; I am the bearer of the key to the gate - Ymg' ah kadishtu ahf' Y' ai?
Am I? [ Abigail made her way into Fuana's dream purposely, wanting to see what was going on with this place that seemed to curate dreams so easily. Upon entering into here, she could feel the authority of Gods lingering in the air itself. A strange presence, but not one that made her feel uncomfortable or afraid to walk forward. When she approaches to hear the girl speak to her, Abigail is questioning where her place is in all this. ] Where do I go?
[Honestly, it was pretty annoying hearing all those whispers from the other students. If they have something to say, then they should just say it to his face!! But somehow, he didn't let it get to him.
Maybe he's getting better at controlling his feelings, being mature, or he's just really that happy to be at Gekkoukan. It's not like he fully belongs in this school, it's not that kind of feeling, but he still truly wants to be here with her. Who knew that he wanted to be in Japan that much? Weird. His more positive outlook truly shines in how he interacts with his 'senpai,' because if he was in a bad mood, he'd be way more grumpy and quiet.
Doesn't hurt that she's really cute (why does he feel so safe around her already).]
Yeah, first time. [He answers, while easily taking pace with her.] It's not bad, but the real first test is when I try a hamburger here. [Is he actually serious...] But hey tour guide, are you going to ask my name?
Hehe... Where is he going like that? [ Abigail wants to see, and since this is a dream! She summons a unicorn to her side, hopping onto its back and kicking it so that it marches forward! ] Catch that crazy boy!!
[ Here she comes galloping behind him on a unicorn! That, unfortunately, may randomly look like some eldritch horror abomination flicking in an out as if it were some glitch. ]
There, within the confines of her tent, sits a little girl! Looking no more than 12 winters and with the smile of 12 summers. She seems to be kicking back and forth, her feet on a spot that could be transformed easily into a seat. With her backside pressed down upon its surface, and her hands holding her up on either side, "Hi!!! I didn't want to interrupt so I decided to wait here in your tent - I hope that is okay?"
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expiationlogs2025-01-13 12:39 pm
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