DOWNTIME MINGLE #7

[synfluxmods]

DOWNTIME MINGLE #7

CONTENT WARNINGS: suggestive topics

▶ 001. WINNER'S CIRCLE.

Although the base has been destroyed, not all hope is lost. Many still view the defeat of the recent kaiju as a significant win, especially knowing how much more powerful it became. Considering the ominous timing of the rift as well, it seems like LILITH predicts everyone is a bit on edge, and as a result, when they come into the main hall that day they will see that it is actually decorated quite nicely. While it’s not a professional venue by any means, it certainly does have its own charms. It’s a step up from the usual pizza party, at least.


There will be plenty of fresh food prepared for everyone, and not a single questionable meat in sight. It’s either they’ve upped their lab meat game, or they’ve managed some success in their endeavors on duplicating some of the food processes from Transylvania. The one thing that hasn’t changed, however, is the bulletin board in which they’ve posted—

GOOD JOB:
MACARONS (K.O.)
GOJIRA (K.O.)
RUBBER DUCKY & QUEENOFKUR (600)
POKER & BAD DADDY (678)

While no one can say where these trends and rumors begin, maybe it’s only natural that people’s eyes are drawn to those they consider strong. Or is it that everyone else is YOWAI weak in comparison? Whatever the catchphrases are, it seems the new thing on the streets of Neo Tokyo is the emerging trend of people either wearing sunglasses or blindfolds.

It seems to be some sort of fashion statement, but it may be doing more harm than good. The blindfolds are often tech visors that citizens wear to amplify the screens they see directly from their retinas, but it doesn’t mean that’s always the case. Some people even consider it a personal form of training for them to live and breathe with blindfolds on. Unsurprisingly, hoverboard accidents have increased by 24% and the city is looking for ways to address this new craze.

There’s a yearly event that’s rolled back into town and somehow they have their new mascot, MISTER ZILLA. It’s in the form of a certified cute and extra cuddly looking kaiju that is strikingly similar to one that people may see on base day-to-day. But that has to be a coincidence, right? Maybe it’s just one more thing that’s been released by a particularly loose-lipped researcher who's been pulling one too many all-nighters.

Maybe people in attendance will end up seeing him a lot more. He’s also given out in the form of a keychain to all attendees. Perhaps he will give GIBUBU a run for their money?

Speaking of kaiju and research, a very popular brand called CHALK-MATE has hit the shelves. Supposedly it’s a food shaped like a stick of chalk that once eaten increases one's overall ability to concentrate; it even claims to make people read a little faster. … Is that a myth? There’s only one way to find out what this little treat actually does.

The only thing is that it definitely tastes a bit like chalk, too. Oddly enough, the flavors come in just “DOCTOR” and “PHD.”

CHALK-MATE, however, seems like it’s especially popular amongst avid readers. Particularly of the romance genre, also known as NOVELTOK. The fans on these platforms have been especially into a new series based on a Goddess of Death who is in constant search of love, only to be met with horrible romanceable options that leaves every reader both salivating and scratching their head. Supposedly, it’s not a book appropriate for children…

A new alcoholic drink, GLITTER, has gotten popular in Neo Tokyo’s nightlife scene. The drink’s iridescent shades of purple, blue, and green have made it a hit despite its high price tag and the condition that needs to be met in order to request one: customers must first play a game of dice with the bartender. Should the customer roll a higher number than the bartender, they will take the order and make the drink; if they roll less than the bartender, they must forfeit the cost of the drink and pay the next seven rounds of drinks, even for people who aren’t in their party. High risks begets high rewards, as they say.

▶ 002. BASE-LESS EXPECTATIONS.

Fortunately, with the success of the last battle with the Imugi and Gigakame, many companies have come forth in support of a few rebuild projects. They state they are very interested in providing funding, granted, it’s not without placing their names down as part of the construction efforts. They’re especially interested in getting some sway down in Kyoto, as that would be a new place for them to not only pitch their businesses and potentially attract those pockets of civilization out there that they haven’t been able to connect with, but it’s a good cause as any in theory, right? We don’t talk about all that free real estate, either.

As such, Outsiders are being encouraged to submit their proposals on how to build up on the city of Kyoto and what attractions would lure the citizens to take on the city. While safety protocols are naturally being put into place, as with any new build, they are also open to any additional ideas to secure the perimeter, as well as to make this a more colorful and unique place amongst the wreckage that sweeps the abandoned areas outside the immediate cities.

The only thing is… bureaucracy strikes again. The forms must be filled out in a specific fashion, and Outsiders will be expected to go through a similar trial like when gaining clearance to travel. They will be required to sign documents, and even rushed to the temporary “city hall” in order to drop it off on the dot. They may even expect some people to warp back to Tokyo just to submit a page or two of a signed waiver.

With city plans still emerging, there are positions open for Outsiders to apply and run as local government. While the government of Neo Tokyo have already designated a mayor for the city, there are positions open for people to be in charge of other areas such as healthcare, food, energy, culture, justice, treasury, and infrastructure. LILITH is placing no restrictions on Outsiders who want to contribute their time and expertise to the new city as long as they continue to carry out their missions to defeat the kaiju. Those who wish to apply are free to do so at city hall, but they will need to rally votes and support from civilians and other Outsiders alike to be elected.

Speaking of trouble and real estate, while a lot of vacant land is available, Outsiders have been summoned to confirm all the plots of lands are free of kaiju before any real scoping can be done. Outsiders will be tasked to go out and survey the areas and stave off any large or mutated creatures that may exist in the expanse of wilderness that borders the area around Kyoto. For anyone interested in assisting with the scoping efforts, they will be encouraged to travel in pairs. The permanent rift that’s opened in Tokyo has been making many strange waves all across the country. Kaiju have been acting far more erratically, almost as if they can feel the pulses from this rift, regardless of the distance. Or perhaps, it’s all connected somehow? LILITH researchers think it’s better to remain on-guard because of this, especially when traveling through uncharted territory.

Outsiders are also welcome to explore the region. They will find several old temples that may appear dilapidated, but very much recognizable all the same. Such as the Todai-ji Daibutsuden in the neighboring Nara, or even closer sights like the string of tori that line the Fushimi Inari Shrine. There is even a setting in the oculars in which a general tour guide audio can be heard. However, Synthia is still on the fritz and there is no telling what she says is completely accurate. She also can’t control her language functions, volumes, or the fact that she may also be linking random people’s calls and text messages to one another.

There’s no way that negatively impacts any travel plans, right?

(Note: Please fill out the thread below and submit ideas for buildings and businesses in Kyoto! If players wish to have their characters take a role in managing the city, you are free to coordinate this with other players with the same goals for their characters (or handwave it if your character will be taking a smaller role). Mods will not be choosing any characters officially. )

▶ 003. KAIJUCON.

This is the yearly event everyone has been looking forward to— KAIJUCON is here. This event not only acts as a large research symposium for those who work in kaiju-related research fields, it’s also a place where the most enthusiastic members of the kaiju community come together to share their mutual fascination with the creatures. The event makes it clear that this is in no way meant in any support of the kaiju or the devastation that’s hit humanity, but of coming to be a better understanding of them. Or that was its original purpose.

Now it’s become a larger, more commercialized event where vendors from all over come to pitch their safety gear, offer classes in case of a city-wide emergency, and even have several large and popular exhibitions for kaiju. As much as people may fear kaiju, it seems that kaiju themselves as a concept have been popular for decades before even the first rift opened.

As a result, there are sections of KAIJUCON for the most… zealous kaiju researchers in which they can enter virtual reality scapes and pretend to be kaiju. This form of live action roleplaying has become wildly popular in the city, and has become a hobby to relieve stress for some.

On the flip side, it seems this also has opened up a whole group of people who come up with their own KAIJUSONAS and who attend the event dressed up as their idealized version of kaiju. Fortunately, as LILITH does have its fair share of research and information to trade, it’s the perfect opportunity to grab additional funds to fix up the areas of the base … and of course, how could they not ask the Outsiders to join in?

Instead of the usual team building exercises, they will be expected to help at various booths at KAIJUCON. Whether these are panels in which they teach and share all the intimate details of kaiju anatomy, or where they join in the highly coveted title of BEST KAIJUSONA.

As Outsiders within LILITH, all characters will be approached to speak at panels. Characters previously deemed as HEAVY HITTERS or characters who have dealt a K.O. to a kaiju will be particularly popular at the convention, with fans flocking to them with requests for pictures and autographs. While at panels, a Q&A session will often be held, and Outsiders may have to deal with questions ranging from sensible to ... uncomfortable.

Once their shift is over, they’re more than welcome to take a look around!

(Note: You are all free to presume everything you’d expect at a convention to be there! Including, but not limited to, merchandise, snack carts, panels, and more! Outsiders with inhuman forms do not need to wear their cloaking devices. As a note, Outsiders are public figures known by their alter egos/usernames. However, the fact that they are from a different dimension remains classified information to the public. )

▶ 004. CROSSED WIRES.

While rebuilding of both the Tokyo Base and Kyoto are coming along, certain other departments seem to be struggling. SYNTHIA in particular is still broken, and try as the LILITH engineers might, repairs are slow going.

While SYNTHIA is down, there are all sorts of communication errors:

- Messages being sent to the wrong recipient, or to the base at large
- Thoughts transcribing themselves as texts and being sent without approval
- Text messages glitching during the sending process and sending as illegible symbols and strings of letters
- Text messages never sending, or sending dozens of times repeatedly
- SYNTHIA generating inaccurate information about Outsiders and sending them during the numerous reboot processes (think Google AI summaries)
- Blocked users suddenly becoming unblocked, and best of friends suddenly blocking each other

If asked, researchers will apologize for the errors and suggest that Outsiders meet in person to discuss any important topics. There's no better way to grow relationships than to spend time in person after all, right? Towards the end of the month, the errors will slow until they are finally fixed.

(Note: Feel free to use this as a general text glitch event in either your top levels for this event or in inboxes and individual player logs! We've listed out some suggestions of what characters might experience but feel free to come up with your own fun ideas as long as they aren't gamebreaking.)

▶ 005. AFTERWORD.

Welcome to our fourth downtime mingle!

As stated in the prompt itself, players are welcome to suggest buildings and business to be found in Kyoto by replying to the header below. Please submit all suggestions by March 31.

The texting glitches will last to the end of the month, at which point SYNTHIA will be repaired and all systems will go back to normal.

All tags on this log are worth 2 points.

EVENT BREAKDOWN/RECAP (CLICK TO EXPAND)

1. WINNER'S CIRCLE: The heavy hitters/KO winners of the last kaiju fight receive their sponsorships, including cute plushies, stylish sunglasses and blindfolds, and edible chalk enhancements among other things.

2. BASE-LESS ACCUSATIONS: ICly, Outsiders are tasked with assisting in rebuilding projects across Kyoto, which include scoping out land, suggesting what new businesses and buildings to construct, and general exploration. OOCly, players are welcome to suggest new businesses and buildings to add to the Kyoto area.

3. KAIJUCON: The annual convention centered around kaiju-related research and inventions. Outsiders can find all sorts of kaiju-related merchandise and gear for sale, as well dress up and meet other kaiju enthusiasts.

4. CROSSED WIRES: With SYNTHIA still broken, communications within LILITH are breaking down. Outsiders will experience a string of troubles when trying to message others. This will be fixed by the end of the month.

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Comments

01. its peepaw time.

[misclassed]

[ Oh the vibes are BAD. He felt them even before he made it to the rendezvous point, and now, standing in front of the taller young man and his... companion(?), Muramasa feels them more acutely than ever.

Slowly, his gaze flicks to Rika for a long moment before jumping back to Yuta and his sword. No reaction, just a thoughtful examination. The combination of this boy's, earnest, weary karma and the battering of the curse's spiritual energy against his own is making an interesting picture to look at. Thankfully his Magic Resistance is helping to subdue the feeling of wrongness he feels from the spirit — not that something as minor as bad vibes alone would stop Muramasa from finishing a job once he's taken it on.

He'll just have to work around it. ]

Yep. You sure you need me?

hell yeah peepaw!!

[copy]

[ Yuta is somewhat braced for any averse reactions that Rika's appearance might elicit, but he's banking on both the fact that they're still technically on base grounds and the casual manner with which she's floating by his side to be enough to mitigate any immediate alarm and clock her as something of an ally. It's a huge part of the reason why he has her out and about already when normally he reserves her presence for battle. It would be very unfortunate if she was mistaken for an enemy while out fighting kaiju, so letting other Outsiders get familiar with her (and she with their newfound allies) feels prudent.

The other apparent teen that joins him doesn't bat an eye at her beyond a hard stare though and that's— promising? Maybe? It gives Yuta some tentative hope and he doesn't let his smile falter when the gaze is redirected to him. The eventual question gets a prompt nod. ]

My name is Okkotsu Yuta and this is Rika-chan.

[ A motion to the cursed spirit before he politely bows in introduction. Rika simply remains in place, impassive, yet for all her lack of defining facial features she might be giving the distinct impression she's doing some seizing up of her own. ]

Rika's more like an extension of my abilities, so I figured going with another Outsider would be better.

[ He also just... doesn't like being on his own if he can help it. Rika isn't exactly a great conversationalist, she doesn't speak much. ]

[misclassed]

[ It's no wonder Rika is sizing Muramasa up; normal Servants are already overpowered spiritual familiars, jammed full of humanity's beliefs and myths. A High Servant? Nearly indescribable. With his amalgamated core of two other spirits, and divine ones at that, Muramasa's presence is bordering on terrible to behold for those with the awareness. The overall effect is fully at odds with the unassuming appearance of the youthful body that he occupies, but he exudes no hostility, no malice. He just nods at the introduction (once to Yuta and once to Rika herself), and finishes trotting over to join them, his own blade in hand. ]

Well, it's not like they said anything against a group of three—and you can stop glaring at me, missy, I ain't gonna bite your boy.

[ So behave, kids! ]

The name's Muramasa. If you're ready, let's start and see if we can't make it down to the river and back before the sun gets too low.

[ The brief introduction is all he needs, in his opinion, and he won't take questions on the matter. Unless they're really good questions. He doesn't wait for Yuta to agree, just gestures for the young man (and his charming lady friend) to follow, and starts making his way towards the base exit. ]

[copy]

[ Where Yuta's senses to detect cursed energy and the like have been rather dulled by Rika's constant presence, Rika herself does not share that problem in spite of Yuta's own leaking immense cursed energy. It makes her more alert and on edge — more so than she already normally is in her zealous protectiveness — and Yuta's oblivious to it until their new companion addresses her directly. Puzzled, it draws his gaze to her and she finally stops her leery scrutinizing to look away with all the huffy grace of a caught, put-upon child.

He can feel better now, with Muramasa closer, what might be bothering her, but well... he's not exactly in any position to judge there. Questioning it would probably be rude, too. So instead he murmurs a "let's all get along, Rika" to her in both a gentle chide and a plea before his focus snaps back to Muramasa. ]

Ah, right! I look forward to working with you!

[ Said to finish up the short introduction, ever mindful of his manners as he is, and then he's moving to follow without fuss, Rika drifting along in his wake. Clearly he's just going to let himself get bossed around and not even question it. ]

Have you been here long, Muramasa-san?

[ Usually a boy seeming around his own age would get a 'kun', but somehow 'san' feels more appropriate. Maybe it's the sense of seniority that the easy confidence to direct him brings? Whatever the case, Yuta's on his best behavior around a new acquaintance. It might make up for Rika's inherent distrustfulness. ]

[misclassed]

[ That's a cute interaction, and a familiar one at that; he almost finds himself grinning at the way the parts divide up easily, the peacemaker and the hothead, even though the actors are so... extraordinary. Kids are kids, no matter what, sometimes. ]

Only a few weeks. [ His pace is brisk, but sustainable, and even though they're technically "on a mission" he still wears his haori draped across his shoulders, not interested in the safety dress code. The hem gently floats along in the wind behind him like a ghost, revealing brief peeks of the ornately embroidered lining. ]

But I'm originally from Kuwana, over in Ise Province, so if you think that counts as local... just don't ask me for directions.

[ lol. things are very different from the former imperial capital of his time. ]

You?

[copy]

[ Yuta settles into the pace with apparent ease and not a single word of complaint. Between the slightly longer stride that his taller height affords him and a superhuman stamina to fuel his steps besides, it's not a problem. He's not raising an eyebrow at the state of undress his newfound companion is in either. He's been around too many people with an apparent distaste for keeping a shirt on for long to be fazed at this point, it barely registers as an oddity. (Which maybe says something about the strange life he's been living, but any sense of 'normal' has been beyond his grasp for years now.)

To hear Muramasa is a fellow newbie is a bit surprising given the ease with which he takes command, but Yuta gets distracted from that at the mention of Ise Province. Like from the past? Or is it just another alternate universe thing? Maybe Yuta will put two and two together and realize the company he's in yet, but for now he's oblivious. ]

It's the same for me. I got here pretty recently.

[ There's nothing like just managing to save the world only to be dragged to another without a moment of rest to do it all over again. ]

Back home I grew up in Sendai, but I was in Tokyo for school. It's actually pretty surprising how much is the same here.

[ He could give better directions! Probably. ]

[misclassed]

[ He can't help it. It had fallen to him to provide tactical decisions in the absence of others while in Britain — and now, surrounded by so many young Outsiders, it feels like having a pile of apprentices. It's easy to just step in, and instruct. ]

Like the technology, you mean? Or the... state of affairs?

[ Similar, huh? There's the barest glance over at Rika, though for whatever reason, he doesn't share. ]

[copy]

Oh, no, I meant more like geographically. The names of places and where certain things are and everything.

[ There's a pause after he says that, a realization striking him that has him not noticing the glance at Rika at all. Rika certainly takes note though. Where she had been solely focused on staring at Yuta's back, her head tilts just the slightest bit in Muramasa's direction. Whatcha looking at, old man?

Meanwhile Yuta's demeanor turns wry as he gives voice to his little revelation. ]

Although I guess the state of affairs isn't that different either. There was a big threat with a lot of destruction and now the whole country's in chaos...

[ It's kind of the same?? In the wake of Sukuna and the entire world learning about the existence of curses, things are going to be drastically different. ]

[misclassed]

[ He's just curious, missy. Her devoted(?) focus on Yuta is certainly striking, but he's still not 100% certain of how he feels about having a spirit that feels so... malignant watching their backs either. Still, if the boy isn't concerned, he'll try not to be either. ]

Maybe you can use this detour as practice for whatever you gotta do when you get home, then. It feels like half the people here keep having to go to Edo—er, Tokyo, just to answer questions about the threats they've had to deal with so far.

[ (He does not know about the doujinshi, yet. Yet.)

As the abandoned street in the base begins to stretch out in front of them, part of Muramasa's attention shifts away from Yuta and Rika and towards their environment with a casual air, but he remains focused on the other two. He isn't worried about running into a lesser kaiju appearing and putting them in danger — if anything, he's more interested in stopping a threat before it can interrupt their conversation. ]

[copy]

[ She's watching you and your strange vibes, geezer. The intensity of her single-minded protective focus is something Yuta has grown so accustomed to over the years, it's just a given as sure as the rising and setting of the sun by now. Seeing as this Rika is not prone to irrationally lashing out at any perceived threat as the original had been, her presence is much more a comfort than anything. Yuta's as content to have her drifting along in his wake like a particularly scary-looking kite as she seems to be, unperturbed. ]

Possibly. Any practice will be welcome either way, it doesn't seem like Japan will stop being the epicenter for these sorts of things any time soon...

[ No matter the world it seems. The only difference back home is that it's curses rather than kaiju. A strange multiversal constant.

It's without Yuta's direction that, once the environment starts to change, Rika breaks away to float above them, taking up the position of a watchful sentry. Meanwhile Yuta can't help his curiosity anymore, between Ise Province and Edo... ]

If I may ask, what year are you from, Muramasa-san?

[misclassed]

[ Oh, that's... really convenient, actually. Being such a shortie in this body, Muramasa won't ever begrudge the advantage of higher elevation. And it allows him to keep more of his focus on Yuta, and their conversation. ]

Mm, I was summoned in... 2018, I think? Something like that.

[ He flaps the hand not holding his sheathed katana in Yuta's direction, before the boy can even decide if he's going to keep being polite and not ask a follow up question, or to actually follow his heart and learn something. ]

I know, I know, [ it's not a good answer, but it's factually correct! ] but it feels inauspicious to tell you something like the day I died, right? All that matters is my life was long enough ago that I'm a fish out of water with a lot of this this modern shit, the eyeball fuckery and the like.

[ His vessel is technically "modern" by the standards of his own earth, but the world of LILITH is even further distanced from that little bit of understanding he recieved. It's more like the world of Olympus and its Machine Gods, but even then... The functions of day to day life weren't something he observed that much either, being either with the Foreign God's entourage or staying in Chrome Dome's workshop.

He hates these implants, btw. They give him a headache. ]

[copy]

[ Being a big, floating monster has its advantages. Rika will look after you shorties.

The surprise to hear Muramasa is from the same year he'd been in is somewhat lessened by the use of 'summoned' that preceded it. That just brings a whole new wave of confused curiosity for different reasons. It no doubt shows on his face as he stares at Muramasa, unsure whether to press for more details, but there's already a hand being waved in his direction in dismissal. Yuta's head tilts in consideration of the rest of the answer he's given before he's nodding, seemingly taking it in stride. It's not a concept that's unfamiliar to him when it sounds a lot like the circumstances the reincarnated players in the Culling Games were in. ]

I understand. There were a few people in a similar situation as yours back home.

[ Except they inherited the memories of their vessels which made adapting to the modern era a lot easier. By the sound of it, that might not be the case for Muramasa. As advanced as the tech here is, Yuta hasn't had too much trouble adjusting despite being from 2018 himself. (The bombardment of advertisements through the ocular will probably never stop being an overwhelming nightmare though. It sucks.) ]

Some of the technology here is more advanced than what I'm used to as well, but if you ever need help with that or need directions around Neo-Tokyo, please let me know. I'd be happy to help!

[ He's so disgustingly sincere about it. ]

[misclassed]

[ He is so sincere... which is what makes his presence so alarming. But the way people choose to act is the most important part of karma; that sentience, the awareness of the impact of your actions and the decision to use your free will for the betterment of the world and others... that is what makes a human a person. ]

Hah, alright. If you're offering, who am I to deny you?

[ Does he really seem that out of his depth? That's embarrassing. But Muramasa has nothing else to do with his time besides work, so... sure.

He nods towards toward's Yuta's sword bag as they make their way down the deserted street, gradually picking up the pace. (He wasn't kidding when he said he wanted to get to the river and back before nightfall, okay? With Yuta's longer stride, he should have no trouble keeping up with the brisk trot. After all, Yuta's in sneakers, and Muramasa's in... sandals? gramps how is that OSHA compliant. does LILITH even have OSHA?) ]

Tell you what, if you ever need your blade looked at, or something replaced... just let me know. I should be able to hook you up with something good.

[ #understatement ]

[copy]

[ The acceptance of his offer makes him brighten, so very pleased. ]

Then please count on me.

[ Obviously, it makes him happy to be relied upon. When he's so new among the recruits, he doesn't feel like he can fulfill the same senpai role he did back home — if anything the roles between him and the kouhai that's here seem to have switched when Yuji has been here so much longer, knows exactly how things work and are run around here — but in this small way, Yuta can still be helpful to someone even more out of their depth.

A slightly puzzled glance is spared at his sword bag when it's indicated before his curious gaze returns to Muramasa, matching the quickening pace step for step unthinkingly with ease. When he naturally tends to walk quickly, the brisk pace is comfortable to him. Rika just keeps bobbing along above them, unbothered. The offer comes as a pleasant and welcome surprise. (Somewhere in the back of his mind, a realization might also finally be starting to form, but he's currently too distracted by the generous offer itself.) ]

Really? That'd be a great help! I try to be careful, but sometimes my sword just ends up breaking...

[ He has the decency to look sheepish about it at least. He's better about it now than he was before when he would accidentally channel too much cursed energy into the blade and end up breaking swords that way until his cursed energy control improved. Nowadays it's mostly insanely strong opponents who end up doing the breaking, so it's not entirely his fault. ]

[misclassed]

And it hasn't gotten you killed yet?

[ Something about this seems to amuse him. Part of it is because he of all people knows what its like to have to fight and have your blade shatter in your hand, but at least he's doing that on purpose, and has a convenient workaround for it! ]

Guys like you keep swordsmiths in business, at least. You don't have to do full Niten Ichi-ryū, but maybe consider bringing along a wakizashi as well.

[copy]

Not so far, haha... [ Because he's #blessed with the powers his auspicious bloodline grants him and also: ] You can still stab with a broken blade in a pinch.

[ He's done it before. Drove the jagged broken tip of what remained straight into a heart.

As much as he doesn't necessarily need a sword to be effective in battle — it is just a mere tool that makes channeling his cursed energy a little bit easier — he is still listening to the advice with rapt attention, clearly taking it into attentive consideration as he nods. ]

Normally it wouldn't really be a problem because Rika carries my cursed tool inventory inside of her so I always have a full armory with me wherever I go, but that seems to have gotten lost in the transfer over here....

[ The majority of those weapons are on loan from Maki. If she ever comes (back) here and finds out he lost them, he's done for. She'll kill him. The very thought has him looking like a dejected kicked puppy. ]

You're right. At least carrying a wakizashi along until I've rebuilt it is probably a good idea.

[misclassed]

[ As they move along, the pace continues to pick up, without much concern for the obstacles littering the road. Muramasa hops over the hood of an abandoned car blocking an intersection, scattering a shock of birds unused to human presences, and is utterly unsurprised when Yuta follows suit, continuing the conversation like there was no obstacle. ]

That's easy enough. You want a longer one or a shorter one? And when you say cursed tools, that means... something to do with why I could feel you a mile off, yeah?

[ It's the second time he's heard such a word used like its a common modifier, and it doesn't take a genius to put one and one together about Yuta's (and Rika's) terrible presence. But he'd like a better understanding of the concept, if it means he needs to make any special modifications to a blade he forges. ]

[copy]

[ Given the last time he'd had to walk through abandoned streets, this is almost like a pleasant stroll to Yuta. It's all the better for not having to navigate the streets alone or having to shepherd vulnerable civilians through a perilous area, expecting an ambush at every turn. There's no obstacle that a little cursed energy-reinforced pep in his step can't overcome where needed and so he's happy to just focus on the conversation, unhindered, barely paying the car or the sudden susurrus of wings any mind. ]

Hmm, I think a longer one would suit me better— [ Because he likes having the range when it comes to blades, he wants to say, but quickly gets distracted by the mortifying realization that follows with what Muramasa continues with. ]

Oh, you could feel it that much...? I'm so sorry, I can't suppress it very well.

[ More like, at all. Gojo-sensei has gotten on his case about it numerous times and still he can't hide his presence for shit. At least he looks appropriately embarrassed and apologetic about it. An explanation is definitely in order if he's been unwittingly inflicting his awful curse-laden aura on someone who can fully perceive it. ]

Where I'm from, people's negative emotions create a spiritual energy we call cursed energy. As a jujutsu sorcerer, I can use my cursed energy to fight in various ways. There's a few of us sorcerers here, you might have felt them too.

[misclassed]

I have. Gotta say, it was one hell of a shock when I first realized most of you were still human.

[ Before going to Britain, he had thought Limbo was the ultimate extent of a curse's power, but that was before he'd seen a god's corpse spewing millennia of resentment. If anything, the sorcerers are a reasonable amount of power to be expected in a monster slaying military force. Some of his senses have been dulled on their own, too, so perhaps if he met Yuta at his fullest, and he at his own, he'd have been a lot more on edge from the start.

Or maybe not. Yuta is painfully earnest. A desire to do good, to be useful seems to radiate off of him, despite the suffering he can see in the boy's karma. And there's no point wondering, really, when this is the truth of the world lying before him. ]

But, more importantly... You think you can manage okay with just a regular, sharp sword? I don't do heretical work, no matter how bad my reputation's gotten.

1/2

[copy]

[ That gets an awkward little laugh out of him when he isn't even sure he can call himself human anymore after throwing away his humanity. He sure doesn't feel like it after everything he's done in order to try and defeat Sukuna, but that's likely a different matter entirely. Outside of subjective considerations of what classifies as humanity, he's still human enough. (Probably.) Not counting the two outliers of Choso and Sukuna, they all are. None of them have turned into cursed spirits at least; an unlikely scenario for a jujutsu sorcerer anyway.

Still, he's more than happy to go along with that more important subject of swords. ]

Reputation? [ An absentminded echo that sets off a dawning realization in the back of his mind without him being fully cognizant of it, continuing on blithely. ] Oh, but that's no problem. I use a regular katana by default so I can imbue it with my own cursed energy. It's...

2/2

[copy]

[ Realization finally hits him like a hammer strike to the back of his head, all the pieces falling neatly into place — the name (not a coincidence or a namesake), Ise Providence, the intention to make him a sword. It's enough to cut himself off and make him falter in his tracks with a soft: ]

Ah.

[ Above, Rika dutifully pauses as her boy does, not even needing to glance down to know he's stopped. She just keeps scanning the area from her position without missing a beat while Yuta stands there feeling foolish. ]

[misclassed]

[ Meanwhile, Muramasa keeps going. He's a full thirty feet away when he realizes that Yuta's presence is now behind him, instead of next to him. He pauses, balanced on an old railing, to look back over his shoulder at Yuta and his bodyguard. ]

... Okkotsu? Come on, keep up.

[ The young lady hasn't reacted to anything being a threat, and he hasn't picked up on anything himself so... its gotta be not that big of a deal, right? Right. ]

[copy]

[ It's not a big deal. He's just having a little bit of a crisis over here about how he keeps meeting really famous figures without realizing it. It happened with Godzilla too. Maybe he should just start assuming everyone he meets here is like a famous bigshot? It makes sense for LILITH to bring those types of people over to fight for the cause. He's just... not sure how he's meant to deal with it. His social skills have drastically improved since coming to Jujutsu Tech, but some of the old awkwardness of growing up an anxious, isolated mess remains here and there.

But he's snapping out of it at the call of his name, quick to spur himself into motion to stop holding up their patrol since that won't do. It's with a burst of alarming speed that he closes the gap, Rika following suit. ]

S-sorry about that.

[ He laughs an awkward titter of a laugh in lieu of explaining anything. ]

[misclassed]

[ Briefly, Muramasa's brows cant upward at Yuta's sudden burst of speed—when he starts moving again, it's once again at a faster pace. They're gonna make this patrol in record time, if this keeps up! ]

What's the matter? You looked like you'd seen a ghost, or something.

[ (lol)

Clearly thats a funny thing to say, after he's been perfectly forthright about dying a long time ago and being summoned back to life. But the Yuta had been so nonplussed when it was first brought up and when he introduced himself, it also doesn't immediately dawn on Muramasa that the delay is technically his own fault, for existing. ]

[copy]

[ Muramasa's a comedian, is he? It's very funny. Yuta would like to stick his head in the sand until the embarrassment passes, but alas they're speed-walking this patrol and he's gotta keep moving and also figure out how to tactfully respond. ]

Haha... something like that. You—

Y̸U̵T̸A̵.̷

[ THANK YOU RIKA for saving him from his own awkward social blunder with an interruption. Or perhaps rather, thank the kaiju for appearing because Yuta already inherently knows that's why she must be calling for his attention. A glance upward shows her drifting off to the side, pointing ahead. Whatever she's seeing, he can't see it from their lower position yet, but he's already reaching over his shoulder for his sword anyway, demeanor instantly serious. ]

D̷O̶ ̵I̷ ̴G̵E̴T̵ ̶T̴O̸ ̴P̴L̷A̴Y̸?̶

[ He could just let her loose and send her ahead, but Muramasa took charge and so Yuta's deferring to him with a glance. ]