Ninth Curse

[bondsofsuffering]

[Video]

[There are two people on the feed today! It looks like Hizumi’s using his COMP to broadcast. He’s got his arm around the shoulders of a certain unfortunate soul as he gives a jaunty wave towards the camera, looking, if possible, even more excited than he usually is.]

Yo! Someone new decided to come along with when we left Geartopia, so I figured it would be good to introduce him to everyone!

[That unlucky individual has a slightly put upon expression on his face in spite of seemingly allowing the hand on his shoulder. Really, he hadn’t signed up for something like this when he came along….] Hey, cut it out--

[Cut it out? Hizumi? Never. Instead, he interrupts with:] His name is Ayumu Narumi, and he’s from my world, so treat him nicely, okay? He might look grumpy, but he’s a good person!

[What a pain There’s a quiet, nearly inaudible mutter of ‘idiot’ from Ayumu at the oddball introduction. Compared to Hizumi’s energy, the brunette in the video is almost downright gloomy in the air around him and that long suffering expression only fades after Hizumi finishes speaking. His next words are polite, if lacking in the energy of the other teen beside him.] It’s good to meet you all. Sorry about this guy hijacking the airwaves for something like this.

[Wow rude!] This network can be used by any of the Visitors at any time. It’s not hijacking! Geeze, you’re making me sound like a bad person...

[It was unnecessary, that’s what.] So you decide to introduce me to everyone on it?

[Clearly this Ayumu is the most social of butterflies. Why was he hanging out with Hizumi, some might wonder? A mystery.]

If I didn’t, you’d probably just watch the network instead of introducing yourself, right? I’m trying to help you out here!

[Ahem. But he digresses.]

Seriously, this guy won’t make any friends if he’s left alone, so come bug him as much as you want! If you need help with anything, he probably won’t be able to turn you down!

((OOC: Green is Hizumi, if that weren’t already obvious, and normal text is Ayumu! Both will be threadjacking around!))

Comments

[bondsofsuffering]

So yokai in your world really do mix with humans?

[Interesting. It definitely sounds like something out of fiction, but then again that could be applied to much of Hinoto-Ri life.]

[bondsofsuffering]

But would you?

[melodyoflogic]

[Just. This face.

He read him way too well. And he had a feeling it wasn't just because of spending time with his brother, either.]

I'd manage.

[bondsofsuffering]

I still think my way was better. You got to meet some interesting people this way.

[melodyoflogic]

You seem to attract quite a few interesting people.

[That guy with the halberd? A tanuki?]

[bondsofsuffering]

That's kind of how things go in Hinoto-Ri.

[Despite Visitors from all walks of life, the place has quite its share of weirdos.]

But should you really be saying that? After all, you know some interesting people back in our world, too.

[melodyoflogic]

I'm starting to realize.

[Not that he expected this place to be normal from Hizumi's description back in Geartopia, but....]

You'd probably fall under that title too, you know.

[He is not unaware of how bizarre his life has become recently.]

[bondsofsuffering]

Mm, maybe. But unlike you, I haven't even met many of the Blade Children, much less had the opportunity to get to know them myself.

[melodyoflogic]

I heard. Only Rutherford and Kanone Hilbert know.

[And the latter meeting had gone... well.

Not well.]

But you'd still fall in the 'interesting people' catagory, if you ask me.

[bondsofsuffering]

Because I'm the "Devil"?

We're both on even ground there, you realize.

[melodyoflogic]

[He's still getting used to that info, thanks.]

I'm not as much of a goof as you, though.

[bondsofsuffering]

And that's what makes me interesting?

You're the one who managed to subdue the most dangerous Blade Child without casualties on either side.

[Even in the short time that he's known them, Ayumu has been able to bring far more comfort to the Blade Children than Hizumi ever could and indeed, ever would.]

[melodyoflogic]

If it was just me, I'd have failed miserably.

[As usual, he's frank with his failures. The situation with Kanone could have been resolved with less bloodshed if he had been better, and he knew it.

Instead, he'd needed her help to get his head together. Everyone had sustained serious injuries, and his sister would be in the hospital another month. He couldn't really call it that amazing a victory.]

[bondsofsuffering]

But it wasn't. So you were able to achieve it.

[A small sigh, here. So this is someone who's been crushed by the weight of an ideal self...]

Y'know... That's already a lot more than most people would have been able to manage.

[melodyoflogic]

[Oh Hizumi. Someday you might get the story of how that went down out of him.

Maybe.]

It still doesn't put a dent in my brother's plan, you know. He told Kirie that himself.

[bondsofsuffering]

Haa... so it's fine if Kanone survived after all?

[melodyoflogic]

'Those who must be killed, will be killed' was what he said.

[And those who must kill, will kill.

...He didn't plan to go along with all that so easily.]

[bondsofsuffering]

Cryptic as usual.

Did he tell that to Kirie-chan? I bet she wasn't happy.

[Video]

[capitalbackup]

...If you don't find any enough players, I can possibly join in.

[hachitaro]

... Some do. The ones who can, do - unless they're the kind who think humans are beneath them. But a lot of yokai can't. That's why there's the Underground. It's... kind of like a bunch of safehouses. People trade fake IDs and documents, too.

There's... also a black market for more... eugh... sinister items. No one really likes talking about it and I wanted to help shut it down, but...

[Getting killed kind of put a stop to that.]

[Video]

[bondsofsuffering]

Would you? That would really help us out!

That would put us up to three players, so if the rumors are right, that means we only need one more.

[Video]

[capitalbackup]

Just simply give me a call when you are ready.

[youonlylivethrice]

So you know about the alternate methods. There are Government-funded Persona games for younger children on a regular basis. Most are conducted in the Magi facilities for documenting purposes.

Of course, playing the game does not guarantee a reward.

If you're intent on following through there are groups scheduled tomorrow.

[melodyoflogic]

As long as there's a chance there's no reason to pass it up, right?

[He had every intention of sticking around, and preferably not getting mauled by some demon.

Tomorrow....] We'll be there.

[melodyoflogic]

Of course.

[Hm.]

And no, she wasn't pleased about it.