synflux | ( open ) march catch all

[ 485 kryptos...? She doesn't know much about this economy, but this sounds very low! She'd been expecting for there to be a couple more 0s and she would have totally paid that much if needed for such beautiful flowers! ]

T-That little?!

[ She is tempted to buy them all for that price!! But that would be incredibly selfish, and a perfect goddess ought not to give in to such impulses. Other people deserve to enjoy those flowers as well. ]

Are you sure this is alright...? [What if he's paying from his own pocket for this discount? She cannot accept such kindness!] I am ready to pay more if needed.

For a world so bright, it's lost so much color.

(He puts his hands down, finishing his work with the current bouquet and leaves the counter to go to the cool displays to grab a few more. Most of the flowers are white but there are a few splashes of color mixed in there...)

White is pure. (He reaches to take one gently as if he were handling very delicate merchandise,) The way love should be.

(Not that it is. He's been alive long enough to know love is more complicated than that.)

But love isn't that simple.

(Before he closes the case, he looks oer to Ishmael,)

Which color do you think will go best? We need something to stand out.

(Too much white is boring.)

(Tilting his head to one side, almost birdlike as he turns over the question,)

In this place? (In this world?) Hmm...

(He hums and looks down at the bouquet now,)

There one was a time when people made art. Each season, a new arrangement would be made and displayed in places for people to see and appreciate... but only for a season. The beauty of nature is nothing is forever.

(He laughs. What an open and honest reaction.)

That much!

(It's not a little. It's a lot!)

Consider it a welcoming gift. And if more people come after you, you must return the favor.

That there's any nature at all in this city seems to be a miracle.

[ He misses the stars most of all, but trees and parks and things are something he didn't realize he could miss until he came here.

Winter turns away from the flowers for now, choosing instead to approach his fellow Outsider. ]

I've seen you around before, haven't I? I'm Winter.

[ Return the favor...? So offering her services at a discount for newcomers, huh? That sounds reasonable, and honestly if she was a florist too she would absolutely do that! Not just for newcomers, but for absolutely everyone! Flowers are something truly beautiful and they should be enjoyed by the entire world. ]

W-Well, I would but... [A pause. That is one of those dreaded social interaction she doesn't know how to handle.] I work at a graveyard.

[ She stares at him. Very very awkwardly.

It's not that she won't offer her services to newcomers at a discount if she has to. It's just that it would be truly unfortunate. ]

Edited 2024-03-12 17:19 (UTC)

...

(It does seem like a miracle, doesn't it? he remembers a time when there was a lot more to be found. Back then, there were more spirits, too. But now, even if the city is noisy it feels quiet to him. When he's at the base surrounded with his new comrades, it feels more familiar with that mix of alive and "alive.")

Winter? My, I thought spring was coming.

(He's funny.)

I suppose I should go by another name now... but you can call me Tsurumaru.

(Do their names translate... how far do these translations go? Do they come with asterisks and hover options to help people understand thing sin greater detail like how "Tsurumaru" means "crane." )

(

He stares.)

(And in an instant, he lights up, letting out a bright and cheerful sort of laugh as he leans across the counter, propping his elbow on the top so he can rest his hand on his palm and smile,)

You should have said so sooner!

If you're sure, then. [Raidou catches that answer as a little evasive, but he's not one to pry.

He walks over to the screen, earnestly interested in seeing the display of swords. Tsurumaru can be sure that if there's any one person among the Outsiders who would, it's Raidou.]

Are the others mentioned like your, ah, colleagues? [Do they have spirits too? Are they friends? Rivals?]

You're not an enemy!

[ Not that he's complaining that seriously, since he knows it's good practice. Curses - and Sukuna - won't give him a warning before going for him, so this is something that's worthwhile to spend his time doing. He lifts the blade again to protect himself, and he's pushing down on Tsurumaru when he feels the sharp kick to the shin, making him cry out.

Unfortunately - for Tsurumaru, at least - if it's only pain, then Yuji Itadori is relentless.

He doesn't flinch more than the sound he makes, shoving his weight forward and trying to overpower Tsurumaru that way. The closer he gets, the more likely it is that he can pull this off, and as soon as he gets close enough he's leaning in to try and slam their heads together.

Even in a swordfight, Yuji using his head means a literal headbutt, not his mental fortitude. ]

A... macchato? Alright. [ Is that a Neo-Tokyo thing? Maybe it's a Neo-Tokyo thing. ]

That's one part of one of my questions answered. [ So the next is - ] What sweets do you like? Or do you want to try?

[ He chuckles, a low and rolling sound bubbling up from his chest. ]

Tell that to our hosts.

[ While he's fine giving his real name to anyone he recognizes as an Outsider, he's less confident about speaking LILITH's name out in the open. Better to avoid it until he has a better grasp on how this place works.

In any case, Winter's implant doesn't ping with any helpful translation data, but then, he's rather new to using it, so it's possible he missed it, too. ]

Pleasure to meet you, Tsurumaru. Everlight, right?

[ Loving the vibes of this action will have consequences in the brackets. ]

Out of town? [ It takes a while until it clicks. ] Ah, yes. I guess.

[ Did it really click, though... ]

I might drop by more often. Are we... supposed to do jobs?

[ Guess who's new and unemployed. ]

That's just how it is. At least this place stands out because of it.

[ and it could've been worse. the ability to see colors at all could be placed behind a paywall, like in district T. ]

Love again? [ she sighs, the white ribbons on her hair bobbing along as if to agree. ] Seems like it's such a big deal here. We just celebrated it last month, didn't we?

[ pure love is practically nonexistent, and it's just not that simple. if it could save lives, her world would've been a much better place. ]

Red, I guess. It probably doesn't matter.

[ ... ... ... ...???????????????????

Why... Why does he look so happy about it? She would expect people to be horrified by her working at a graveyard! Not as horrified as they are when they learn she is the Goddess of Death in her world, but still! ]

But... But why?

Because we aren't enemies, you expect an easy outcome?!

(Because from his experience, he knows that isn't the case. It's the allies that prove to be the most difficult. The friends that are the hardest to forgive.

He expects Yuji to recoil from the kick but the boy holds his ground. Is his pain tolerance high? Is there more to him than what meets the eye? He can't really sense anything coming from him that would make him think he was anything but a boy but...

He doesn't have time to think on it. He's calculating his next move which is probably why when Yuji headbutts him, he takes the hit and lets out a growl but still manages to swing his arm at him as he pulls back. It's a wild swing thanks to being stunned but it's still a punch aimed at his face just to keep Yuji from getting too close.)

That hurt!

(It really, really hurt and he glares at Yuji. This is going to leave a mark.)

You're stronger than I thought, too.

(... And he flips his wrist, turning his sword so the blade is facing Yuji instead of away. He'd been using the flat of his blade as a safety measure but now he's going to really aim to hurt him.)

Love.

(He nods his head. That's exactly what it is and he casually plucks a few red feathers from their storage vases to use for his next arrangement,)

Some of the oldest stories and songs are about love. Humans have celebrated it for as long as they could desire.

(Loop, twist, pull, repeat. He talks while he works,)

A month is hardly any time at all.

It's an important job.

(And he means it honestly. Truly.)

Not everyone has what it takes to keep watch of a grave, let alone many!

(It's like they're talking about ordinary jobs. Like being a barista or a teacher or a doctor.)

Have you tried it yet? What do you do?

(Ah, and he lets out an embarrassed sort of laugh and reels in some of his excitement. It's clear that she looks confused and he wonders if he should explain. Well, since they've gotten along so well already...)

I was once a grave keeper, too.

(Yes, their hosts... he smiles and laughs lightly in response,)

Mhm. (He nods. If he can narrow him down to his team then it must be because he's seen him in their wing or at least heading towards their wing,) Ah, are we working together?

(He raises a hand to his cheek and feigns surprise even if he isn't really surprised.)

How rude of me. I should have greeted you sooner.

(Clearly, a matcha latte macchato must have like... twice the tea in one drink? And isn't that exciting?!)

Hmm... something that goes well with tea, I think.

(Which doesn't really narrow it down.)

Everything looked delicious when I walked by.

I've seen others doing work outside.

(But most of them seem to have jobs that actually help society. Medical work or keeping things safe.)

As for me... I was just bored.

(And he wanted to get away for a bit.)

(He nods,)

We were together for a long time.

(They're collection friends.)

This is Ichi. ("Ichigo Hitofuri.") He's very responsible and caring. But you don't want to make him angry. (He laughs and there's something... almost guilty in it? He's recalling something.) He's even scarier than an oni when he's mad.

(And he moves to the next sword in the collection,)

And this is his brother, Hirano-kun.

(Hirano Toushirou and Raidou may notice the little caption card says they were both made by the same sword smith school. But while he talks and introduces each one.... Tsurumaru sounds fond.)

[He recognizes that fondness, and smiles himself. He can't help but think about what his sword might be like as a person. ]

If the swords are located somewhere in the collection... Is there a chance they're here somewhere, too?

[Could they be living elsewhere in Neo Tokyo, or would they have to be brought here like Tsurumaru was, from a different time? It left a lot of questions in Raidou's mind.]

[ Winter gives a nod. They are indeed working together, though just how Winter ended up on a team that sounds bright and shiny when he himself is Extremely Goth, he’ll never understand.

LILITH must work in mysterious ways. ]

No time like the present, hm? I don’t mind a belated introduction. Have you been here long?

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