006 - Connecting Lines, Connecting Lives

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Connecting Lines, Connecting Lives New Imprints ▲ Comments The Ground Shakes
It begins unremarkably enough, with the light tremors of the ground so small they might easily go unnoticed, or else dismissed as the movement of some creature nearby. As time goes on, however, those little tremors begin to grow in both strength and duration, the length of time shortening between each one. To begin with only small, light, unsecured objects are rattled loose by the rumbling of the ground, but as the tremors grow in strength there is a growing danger of much larger things being moved.

The realm’s clear lack of understanding of how things work cannot be relied upon in such a situation. If the tremors have grown strong enough to throw all the books of Hammerhead to the ground and throw over all the clothes rails and capsule machines and furniture in the Academy, then what if they grow strong enough to move the heavy blanket of snow atop Mount Silver? What if they grow strong enough to damage the caverns within?

Then there is the question of how, or why, the realm has made the land shake. It must surely have picked up the idea of an earthquake from someone, right? An answer to the question is not immediately forthcoming, but should one stay low to the ground and listen, they might well hear the muffled, distorted sound of screaming.

Creature Chaos
As the rumbling and shaking continues, it is clear to see that the local wildlife has been disturbed, and they seem remarkably active. Critters can be seen running and flying to and fro, and any who go out to investigate may find themselves the center of attention. Brushboys may paint arrows on the ground in an effort to lead them somewhere, or bluurgobos might actively offer rides, or the flying cat-like creatures will excitedly circle someone before attempting to lead them somewhere. Going along with them will lead to one of two places:

1. The meaty, pulsating, cavernous tunnels of Mementos shudder and convulse in a way quite unlike before, and closer inspection will quickly reveal why. The flesh has been cut and torn, hacked apart, leaving gaping and bleeding wounds to spill over the subway tracks. Whichever critter has brought someone here excitedly gestures towards the wounds, and as it does a giant and painful shudder goes through the tunnels and shakes the earth. All those earthquakes… could this be the source?


2. The road to the Hammerlocke Citadel Ruins are as long as winding as ever, and precarious with the risk of an earthquake dislodging snow and rock from the mountainside. The animal that has taken the lead is on a mission, however, as unclear as that mission might be. On arriving, it turns its attention to a group of the spiky, bear-headed beasts that are lazing about as though the land is not currently shaking and quaking around them, and tries to draw their attention. Clearly, these bear heads are expected to do something, and they aren’t doing it.

First Words
Though the tremors have finally stopped, they have left a significant change to the World in their wake. Where the ground above was once flat and untouched, there now lay cracks and fissures that glow with a strange, but enchantingly warm light. There doesn’t seem to be a single area that has been left untouched by them - though the number of cracks are denser in some places than others, it’s difficult to find a place completely devoid of them. Could this be the world’s attempt at trying to heal itself?

If all of that wasn’t enough to warrant investigation, the sound of whispers that appear to be coming from they might do the trick. Upon closer inspection, however, it becomes apparent that the whispers aren’t coming from the lights, but from inside your own head. Focus a little more, and some of the voices may sound familiar…

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Comments

[kimihiros]

I'm probably older than you.

(given the fact that he is older than all the humans, sure, it makes sense to him to assume so.)

... Yes.

(he guesses?? too tsun to say yes properly, but not too much of an ass to say 'i guess')

[hightouch]

Ehehe... you're probably right! Guess that makes me one of the youngest around here.

[He doesn't sound too happy about that, but what can he do?]

So I was right! If you're one of senpai's friends, that makes it extra important to help you... N-not that I wouldn't help, even if you weren't! I still would!

[kimihiros]

There's nothing you can do, though. I don't figure there's anything I can do either.

[hightouch]

But...that's not what you said just now! Something about feeling better when you have people around...?

[It makes sense to him; he feels better when he spends time with people, too. Yet...somehow, Shouyou gets the feeling he and Watanuki don't mean the same thing here.]

[kimihiros]

It's more complicated than that. Don't worry, your friend barely leaves me alone.

[hightouch]

[Sorry, Watanuki. It'll take more than that to shake him off.]

No way! What if something happens to you? Even if Iwaizumi-san's checking in on you, he'd still want you to feel the best you can. I'm sure of it!

[Then, he adds a little more hesitantly-] Maybe I don't get if yet... but I want to.

[kimihiros]

The way I've been feeling isn't the best -- It's barely human, with no tiredness or hunger. I'm not very fond of it.

(iwaizumi-san? how old is this child, considering iwaizumi himself is one? oh dear. kimihiro will let the guard down, just a little.)

This place seems to be turning me into something I don't want to be.

[hightouch]

[He makes a face, though Watanuki can't see it.]

I don't think I'd like it either...this place messes around with stuff enough. Like time and light. I guess it'd make sense if it could change us, too.

[This is all honestly out of Shouyou's comfort zone. He doesn't even understand Takeda-sensei's philosophical pep talks sometimes! But being changed without his knowing... it's a concept that scares him.]

What do you think it's changing you into?

[kimihiros]

I have no clue. It's what I'm trying to figure out. All my knowledge seems useless in this place.

[hightouch]

I wanna help!

[An embarrassed pause.]

Um, I heard there was a library around here. [Which he's felt no inclination to seek out until now.] I'm not all that smart, but maybe it'll be easier to find something if more people are looking.

[kimihiros]

If you'd like, you can bring me books. I'm not leaving my apartment.

[hightouch]

I can do that! Should I bring the ones about magic and ummm anything that sounds spiritual?

[If there were a sound to express how Shouyou had perked up, Watanuki would've heard it. As it is, it's easy to pick up on his eagerness.]

[kimihiros]

Sure. And bring Iwaizumi too.

[hightouch]

Leave it to me! I'll grab him on the way. See you later, Watanuki-san!

[It takes a bit of time, between scouring the library shelves for the right kind of books to take with them, but he and Iwaizumi show up on Watanuki's doorstep just as promised.

It's a good thing Iwaizumi already knew which apartment to go to.]

Watanuki-san! [Shouyou manages to knock on the door while balancing the books in his arms.] It's Hinata! And I brought Iwaizumi-senpai with me.

[kimihiros]

(what a good child. kimihiro leaves the shrine, decided steps towards his apartment in kichijoji, and truly it is a good thing that iwaizumi is coming along, because without knowing where it is, hinata surely could be lost.

he changes, because of course he does, into a different kimono and awaits for the visits to come. at least this time, iwaizumi had the decency of coming through the front door instead of the emergency stairs on the side of the building, right into his room. with a sigh, the man takes his pipe to inhale as he goes down the stairs, majestic as always, although grumpy from having his thoughts broadcasted like this.)

What did you find, Hinata-kun? Iwaizumi, help with tea.

[bluecastleace]

[Iwaizumi glares as he enters the apartment, which isn’t out of the ordinary, but made no better by Kimihiro immediately barking orders in his direction.]

Can’t you at least greet me before you start bossin’ me around, asshole?

[And yet, here he is, heading for the tea kettle.]

You know I could hear your whole conversation, right?

[And thus, he is worried - quite worried.]

Go on, Hinata.

[hightouch]

[He glances between the two of them with raised brows. So this is what their friendship is like? Well, Shouyou can't exactly judge when he and Kageyama bicker all the time, too.]

Ahhh there wasn't as much as I was hoping--the library had lots of cookbooks, though. I just grabbed these.

[Here, Shouyou tips the books onto the nearest table. There's a few on supernatural lore and creatures from various cultures, and a fairytale book or two.

With his hands free now, Shouyou looks around the apartment with curious eyes.]

You live here by yourself, Watanuki-san?

[kimihiros]

(nO kimihiro will die alone with no friends please hinata)

It's not polite to eavesdrop, you know.

(he keeps his naggy tone, but honestly, he too is worried and scared on top of it all. iwaizumi knows a thing or two about him, but he hasn't yet realized the more complicated parts of his story -- the ones that worry him the most about being less than a human. about disappearing.

the oldest man takes a drag of the pipe, blowing smoke through his nostrils as he checks out the things that were brought. interesting... but nothing he doesn't know about. still, should give for an amusing read when he finds himself sleepless later today.)

Yes. A temporary arrangement, should the Void be so kind to make my shop appear.

(mugetsu, the little tube-like snake that snakes out from behind him squeaks. how dare iwaizumi not greet HIM?)

[bluecastleace]

[When Iwaizumi sees Mugetsu, he holds his hand out for him, a small greeting, but a greeting nonetheless. He’s too busy glaring at Kimihiro’s words to gush over the little fox right now, but beneath the irritation on his face is a layer of concern. He continues stubbornly preparing the tea as he speaks.]

What’s this research on? Specifically. I wasn’t eavesdropping hard enough apparently. [Plus he wants to hear it from Kimihiro directly.]

I heard you and Hinata talking. Not much else.

[hightouch]

[It's too late, you've been friend-adopted. Just accept your fate, Watanuki.]

Watanuki-san's just worried about his health! I said I'd help him research any um... supernatural stuff.

[Shouyou's at least tactful enough not to go into too much detail, and let Watanuki explain it himself. Sensing that the talk's about to turn much more serious, he turns his attention to Mugetsu instead, reaching out with one hand to carefully pet the little fox.]

[kimihiros]

Between all the people that come and go of this shop, it's fair to say I haven't eaten in a week. We're trying to figure out what is happening, but I'm afraid none of these books will enlighten the situation.

(hinata probably hasn't ever seen a pipe fox spirit, has he? while mugetsu is busy booping iwaizumi's hand, kimihiro just blindly (literally) boops the fox for his attention, and it squeals happily to make the other's acquaintance.)

As the shop owner, I'm afraid I've met or know of most of these myths.

[bluecastleace]

I don’t get what the big deal is. [Iwaizumi says this, turning to the two others with a frown.] This world doesn’t make any goddamn sense and we all know it. Wouldn’t this just be one more thing that doesn’t add up?

Give it some time.