jikan_rpg | December | Event: With A Bang

December | Event: With A Bang

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In the weeks following that rather heavy announcement, anxiety and unease become familiar emotions among the refugees. Eventually, rumors begin circulating throughout the city, as the "first" anniversary of the time loop's end draws ever closer. Even without concrete evidence, it seems some among the native population have started to believe that time will simply loop again as well.

But the refugees have more than a few powerful allies on their side, and with a little bit of work and a little bit of love, they'll find a way to move forward into next year.

For The Big Night

As the day of the potential loop draws near, all refugees will find themselves receiving a special invitation to a Winter Gala being held at the Imperial Palace in Nihonbashi on the night of the 24th. The refugees themselves are the guests of honor, with the Emperor of the East scheduled to be making an appearance. Surely this can't be a coincidence, right?

But unlike the casual atmosphere of the Western Emperor, here in the East, this is likely to be a far more formal affair. Thankfully, they'll have a few opportunities to prepare themselves before the Gala itself.

Dance Dance Perpetuation Yoshiwara, Tokyo
For a fancy Winter Gala being held in the Imperial Palace, it goes without saying that there's going to be dancing. And for those who don't know how, they'll find a certain dance troupe in Yoshiwara is offering free lessons for all refugees attending the Gala.

The dances range from a formal Waltz to traditional dances native to Nippon, with the instructors patiently teaching the steps and correcting dancers as they practice in their studio. They even offer to let the Refugees borrow some of their costumes to practice dancing in more restrictive wear.

But their patience has a limit, and their offer, an ulterior motive. Because the costumes they offer are no ordinary costumes. Built into the fabric is a special magic-conducive material that connects to a small magi-tech device hidden under the collar of each outfit. And when activated, this magi-tech will cause the wearer to move against their will, following the dance routines programmed into the device. Supposedly, these are used for training beginners, as well as ensuring that dancers who need to sync up with one another can do so seamlessly.

Of course, the reality is they're mostly just used for hazing newbies, because the sensation of having your body dance dance dance the night away against your will is unpleasant. But hey, at least you'll remember the steps!

Binary Blowout Shibuya, Tokyo
Over in Shibuya, the Central Station Department Store is holding a special winter sale for couples purchasing matching outfits for ringing in the new year. Thankfully, couples won't have to do anything embarrassing to prove they're together in order to get the sale, and merely need to buy one half of a matching set at the same time.

For the most part, these outfits will consist of traditional kimono and hakama sets. However, it seems gender equality was not taken into consideration for this sale, and with few exceptions, couples looking for up to 75% off luxury clothing may find themselves forced to pick who gets the masculine hakama set in muted colors and who gets the bright and colorful floral kimono set (complete with matching hair accessories). Unfortunately, this seems to extend into their more Western styles as well, perhaps to a more extreme degree. Flapper dresses and fancy suits? Well, at least the sizes are inclusive?

Thankfully, given the cost reduction, it's still worth it to buy the full set versus buying only one half. But seeing as the sets do need to be purchased at the same time by the couple, and the ever so helpful employees will insist on giving each person a proper fitting and even offer professional photos, this may just end up being a more embarrassing experience than they expected.

Winter Wonderland

At last, the day of the party arrives! The palace is tucked away in a large garden in Nihonbashi, set atop a man-made island with a moat surrounding it. No doubt a common sight when traveling through the city, this will be the first time any refugees have been allowed to enter the castle grounds.

Inside the castle proper, the entire main hall has been fitted with a wintry theme, complete with magi-tech powered snowflakes that aren't cold, but fall gently from the ceiling and disappear before touching the floor. As the guests of honor settle in, the Emperor himself makes an appearance, dressed in extravagant blue robes and speaking in a soft, gentle voice.

"Greetings, my dear time refugees. Although previous circumstances prevented me from extending you all a proper introduction sooner, tonight I shall hope to make up for it.

I am Karu, Emperor of the East, and the one responsible for initiating the Time Refugee Project. Although it is customary in Nippon to address me by my title, Tennō, I do not wish to impose such formalities on all of you. Call me as you will.

I am well aware of the many difficulties our world has imposed on you. Hence forth, I hope to become a more reliable ally for all of you in this world. It is my hope that together, we can move forward towards a brighter future, both here in Nippon and in all of your home worlds."

After delivering his speech, he can be found mostly surrounded by his attendants and just quietly enjoying the atmosphere. While guests are welcome to speak with him, they may be quick to notice that he's not quite as eloquent when his words aren't pre-written.

Sus Snax Imperial Palace, Nihonbashi
Beautiful decor aside, the Gala has a live orchestra supplying the music, which seems to be of a more classical affair, with a Nippon-like twist. Dances will shift from playfully energetic to slower and more romantic as the night draws on. Enjoy a slow dance with a sweetie? It might just be your last chance before time resets at the end of the night.

And of course, no party would be complete without plenty of food and drink. Drinks are unlimited, with no shortage of beer, locally-brewed sake, and very expensive wines imported from before the time surges made international travel too dangerous. Should the Emperor really be giving this out for free? If asked, the attendants managing the party will simply explain that the Emperor is not very fond of alcohol, and wishes to share the collection he's acquired over the years with those who will enjoy it.

But at some point after the party has begun, some rather mysterious snacks make an appearance. Although looking like perfectly innocent manju, just one sniff will reveal the unmistakable scent of Uki weed laced within the sugary treat. How did someone smuggle these into the Imperial Palace of all places?? Well, as long as no one's a killjoy, the attendants won't recognize the scent, and the snacks will remain until they've all been eaten!

But what of those looking for a little... privacy? There's far more to the palace than just the main hall, and with just a little sneaking around, they'll find a door that leads to the upper floors. Despite being closed off, it looks like some of them have been decorated for the season as well, although it only takes a glance to see that most of the rooms are clearly unused. Wasn't this the Emperor's home? Well, regardless, there's still plenty of futons to be found in the closet of each tatami-lined room, so there's no reason that guests can't have a little fun in secret.

Mistleno Imperial Palace, Nihonbashi
It seems there's some other sort of trickery afoot at this Gala. All around the main hall, and even in some of the private hallways and outdoor areas, colorful paper cranes can be found hanging from doorways and ceilings. There's only ever one, and they seem to following some kind of colorful theme. Naturally, it should come as no surprise that these little fellas are enchanted, with different effects triggering depending on the color of the crane itself.

The red cranes will cause whoever walks under it to kiss the first person they see. A second variety, with a glittery sheen, will instead make them seek out someone they've never kissed before for a smooch.

The orange cranes will cause whoever walks under them to spontaneously teleport to the side of the last person they were thinking about, whether they want to be there or not. It seems someone thought it was funny to stick one of these above the bathrooms...

The green cranes will only cause an effect if two people walk under one at the same time. This crane will cause their minds to switch places, putting them in the other person's body. Passing under additional green cranes while the effect is still present will cause another swap, until no one knows who anyone is anymore.

The blue cranes will cause whoever passes under it to suddenly confess something out loud to the first person they see. Thankfully, it doesn't have to be a major secret, and may even just cause them to offer a spontaneous compliment, or admit they've have a little bit of the Uki snacks from earlier.

The purple cranes will manifest a random Kizuna effect that may linger for the rest of the night. This can be anything, from a mild physical change like growing flowers in their hair, to a severe mental change like intense levels of possessiveness.

And the pink cranes are of the most predictable sort, causing whoever passes under one to become almost insatiably horny. Thankfully, these ones are the rarest.

But how long will the effects last? Good question! Although none will last past midnight, the range seems to be anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. If pointed out to the Emperor's attendants, they'll immediately begin trying to remove them, but the cranes will simply take flight and flutter to another hidden location. So they weren't intentional, after all... so who put them there?

Party Crashers

As the evening progresses, the source of the mysterious Uki and magical paper cranes is revealed, when a number of Yokai abruptly crash the party. But this is no ordinary group of party crashers, as they're all dressed in imperial regalia, and are joined by the Emperor of the West himself, Katsuragi no Mikoto.

"Salutations, my dear guests from another world! Please, do not let me and my entourage disturb you! You see, I simply have very important business with a certain Karu-chan who stood me up last summer... no regrets, right?"

After a brief kerfuffle, the two emperors quickly take their leave to the very private balcony that absolutely no one can sneak into or blatantly peek at from the windows, not at all. Those hoping for a steamy scene may leave a little disappointed, but the lingering glances and shy smiles shared between the two say plenty on their own.

Boom Boom Boom Nihonbashi, Tokyo
Although the party may have been winding down before, once the Yokai join the group, things grow very lively very quickly. The classical music playing on the dance floor is replaced with some swinging jazz tunes, and dancers may find themselves literally dancing on air, as the Yokai use their magic to allow for weightlessness on the dance floor. They're being very careful that no one falls, and those affected will find their dance steps unaffected by the chance in altitude, but it's sure to be a little disorienting for some.

In addition to the Uki-laced snacks from before, drinks bearing magical effects are also brought out, with each effect carefully labelled to prevent accidental ingestion. The blue soda bottles cause drinkers to grow or shrink in height or size, in varying degrees of strength. Some may simply grow to a respectable six-feet tall, while others may find themselves shrunk down to no more than six-inches tall! The red berry-flavored drink causes those who drink it to become overtly flirty and confident, earning it the nickname "suave soda". And the mysterious sparkling sake causes those who drink it to become imbued with powerful Kizuna magic, causing severe Kizuna side effects to manifest. Strangely, it seems this one effects Yokai very differently, as the intended effect is simply a magical amplifier. Oops?

But aside from escorting their amorous emperor to his long-awaited date with the other emperor, the Yokai accompanying him have one last present to offer the refugees to make the evening even more magical. As the night grows late, a special spell is cast upon the ceiling, making it entirely transparent. And following a brief countdown, a spectacular show of fireworks is played overhead, visible from all over Tokyo. Magical in nature, the colorful bursts often take the shape of creatures, bounding across the sky before bursting into a brilliant show of light and magic.

By the time the show comes to end, few will have noticed that the clock has long since passed midnight.

Your Best Friend Everywhere, Nippon
It's not until the sun begins to rise that the last of the party goers begin filtering out of the castle and into the streets. Although none of the people sleeping in their homes are aware, it seems yet another time loop has been successfully stopped thanks to the refugees!

...sure, they did cause this one, but it still counts for something!! Though it seems they'll be left with no definitive answer for exactly how the time loop was prevented in the end. Maybe someone just needed to let loose a little for once?

Over the next few days, things really do seem to be progressing as normal. And more importantly, the people seem to be in even higher spirits than before. As another year safely passes by without any word of another loop, the native population begins to feel a true sense of relief, as if this year was proof that the time loop was truly over. Perhaps this is why scienz_rulz_1899 was so insistent that no one else find out the truth: because she knew just how important this peace of mind would be for the people of Nippon.

As thanks for their efforts, all refugees will find a gift addressed them to delivered to wherever it is they're staying -- and regardless of where. How did it find their way to them? It seems she still has her secrets! Each gift will include either a box of fancy pastries, a bottle of wine, or a small amount of money for those who can't enjoy either. And alongside that, an item from their home world that they would be happy to see again.

And at the bottom of each box is a small card, printed in their native tongue: from your best friend, Tomoko.

OOC Notes
Welcome to Jikan's December event! Please direct any questions to the Question Thread in the OOC Plotting post.

• While there is no official dress code, characters will ICly be encouraged to dress up for the occasion! For outfit ideas, consider searching 1920s fashion trends and Taisho era fashion!

• Feel free to make the effects of the paper cranes and drinks as mild or as strong as you'd like! Only the sparkling sake is alcoholic.

• Attempting to destroy the cranes will cause them to fly away. With effort, they can be torn up, but the effects they cause will linger unless burned to ashes. They are not living creatures, so don't feel bad about it.

• Characters who are in one of the upper floors when the fireworks begin will also experience an invisible ceiling. However, thanks to the way the magic works, the floor will not be invisible, and those on the floors below will not see them fuckin'. Unless you want them to, in which case, exactly one room will have this effect for all you exhibitionists out there.

• The item received in their gift from Tomoko/scienz_rulz_1899 can be normal or magical in nature, but it must be something they would want to see again, and something that would realistically fit in a large box. They do not need to attend the Gala to receive this item.

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I. SUS SNAX: I GAVE YOU MY HEART

[It had been a long deliberation on whether or not Scaramouche was going to attend the Gala, the thought of time looping still weighing heavy on his mind. Forgetting things doesn't sit well with him, not when it's out of his control, especially when there's plenty he wants to remember. While it may be better in the long run for him not to go, it's the warning of regrets that has him deciding that perhaps he does want to spend some time with people.

A foolish thought, but not being entirely alone pushes his decision in the direction of attending.

It's only the insistence of dressing up that has the Harbinger wearing something other than his usual attire. The outfit still has shorts, but the purple thigh high tabi with his usual zori perhaps make up for that fact. Mostly formal still counts certainly. He even painted his nails red instead of the usual black, and thanks to Vennessa, his long hair is nicely braided, so no one could say he didn't at least try.

For most of the party Scaramouche finds himself around the drinks, all too willing to down a few cups of sake to try to keep his mind from wandering too far in a direction he doesn't want. And while he has agreed to a few dances he always seems to drift back towards the drinks, as though he's intent on clearing out all the sake on his own.

It may be a party, but he doesn't seem to be having a fun time.]

II. MISTLENO: THE VERY NEXT DAY YOU GAVE IT AWAY

[Despite having run into a few of the cranes and their effects, the Harbinger's focus isn't set on them when he moves about. The few he's encountered have been annoyances, things he would rather have avoided, but nothing truly infuriating. Not that anyone will remember soon enough anyway.

With more important things on his mind than to watch where he steps, with so many cranes about, he doesn't even register when he passes under another.

Should it be a red crane that the Sixth finds himself passing under, he'll grab the nearest person by the shirt to pull into an aggressive kiss, regardless of if he knows them or not. He'd be sorry - or horrified - if he were in a better mood.

Where those who find him under a blue crane are generally met with admissions that matter little - like how many drinks he's had, or how he's gone rogue from the Fatui. Though someone unfortunate enough may hear how the longer he's been in Nippon the more empty and lonely he's starting to feel. Nothing to worry about though, that just means he needs to drink more.]

III. WILDCARD

[Feel free to throw something else. Plotting post here. Or smack me at twasbrillig.]

Edited 2021-12-22 08:19 (UTC)

[With news of the time loop Scaramouche, had begun to distance himself from Kazuha. A feat particularly difficult when he had been on a trip with the man at the time, as well as spent most days studying magic with him. It wasn't that he was upset with the samurai, far from it, but the thought of time looping and forgetting everything left him uneasy with nothing to assuage the uncertainty.

Would he be perpetually trapped feeling loss, lies and emptiness because of the Gnosis? What of the bonds he had made, as unintentional as they were? He needed time to himself, to come to terms with what was potentially to come. Yet time alone hadn't been helping.

That he and Kazuha aren't friends should make being alone easier, life as normal, yet the Harbinger finds himself missing the company. Along with the warning of regrets it's enough to coax him into attending the Gala, to spend time with people and hopefully alleviate his growing loneliness.

He has no intention of interacting with the samurai should he run into him, not wanting to touch upon whatever emotions were plaguing him on that front. Though it's made into more of a challenge when he notices the man on the dance floor showing off with his abilities - when he later finds himself thinking of the moron as he passes under a crane.

When he finds himself suddenly teleported next to the one person he's been trying to avoid.

The Sixth is fortunate only in that it seems as though Kazuha has yet to notice him, facing the other way, and he immediately takes to trying to sneak away without drawing his attention. He wouldn't need to confront any feelings if the man didn't know he was ever present. It had to be busy enough to stop him from noticing.]

[The distance was not unnoticed.

It hurt more than Kazuha expected something like that. It wasn't the amicable partings of a wanderer he's used to— this stung like loss and left him feeling surprisingly lonely. It colored his mood for a melancholy night, a sadness clinging to him like dewdrops on blades of grass. Although his smiles and laughs try and shake it free, the remnants of it still linger.

He knows Scaramouche is there too, still avoiding him. He rarely catches sight of the immortal, though he can smell where he's been, seemingly everywhere where he is not. It's fairly clear the Balladeer does not wish to see him. Part of Kazuha wonders what he's done to receive such sudden coldness, especially on the night that might be a true farewell.

It's perhaps the reason why, when the other Inazuman suddenly teleports behind him and attempts to sneak off thinking that he'd not garnered the samurai's notice, that Kazuha's grip is so tight when he snatches the other man's wrist. It is fortunate he's quicker than the Harbinger, as if his movements were swift as the wind itself, and he pulls the other man forward closer to him as he turns. He's dressed in the outfit the other man purchased him, though the cloth now has the samurai's characteristic scent of campfire and ocean sea breeze.]

'How admirable!
To see lightning and not think
of transience.'

[The poetry rolls off his tongue easily. Kazuha smiles, though his eyes are narrowed in a predatory gaze, aggression hidden in his expression. Though there's a light flush to his cheeks and ears, as sign that he's been drinking this evening, everything about him screamed sharp sobriety.]

Good evening, Scaramouche-san.

[Scaramouche should know better, that not drawing the man's attention would not be something he was capable of regardless of how many people were present to possibly muddle his senses. He was much too close, still it was worth the attempt given the sudden unplanned relocation.

The samurai's movements are swift, grabbing hold of him before he can manage a breath, grip so tight he thinks it may bruise. That it is Kazuha holding onto him, tugging him around, is the only reason his first response isn't to shock and force the other Inazuman to let go. Instead the Harbinger merely turns to face him. From the grip alone he expects Kazuha is upset with him, though as ever his face doesn't betray that much.

It's clear enough that Scaramouche has been drinking as well, though not as much as he had when he'd fallen asleep in the other man's lap. Face coloured red and scrunching into various expressions before settling on something unreadable.

He's met with poetry and a hello, and for a moment he doesn't know what there is he can say in return. Greet the samurai in return and pretend as though he hasn't been avoiding him? The thought of that didn't feel right, and he hates how something twists inside him from being stuck with nowhere to run.

Instead of a response he shifts his gaze over the samurai's choice in clothes, knowing instantly where it's come from.]

I told you that looked good on you.

[He'd caught the Harbinger a bit off guard, he realizes. Good, that's what he wanted. Kazuha's smile is pleasant, his eyes flicking downward to where his fingers as curled tight around the doll's wrist, and he raises both their arms as he loosens his grip. His palm slides up a pale, unblemished forearm, his fingers light, until he laces their hands together.]

It was all I had that was appropriate to wear.

[His tone is mild, as if he's unruffled by avoidance. The way he holds the other man's hand, delicate fingers laced tight together, betrays some of his feelings otherwise. His head is tilted forward, some strands of white hair framing his face where they've come loose of his characteristic ponytail, his eyelashes a shroud over piercing ruby eyes.

The samurai presses his other hand to Scaramouche's side, and then drags him into a step in the beat of the music. He wouldn't allow him to escape so easily.]

I knew the moment you'd arrived. Your hair looks lovely, by the way.

[The grip Kazuha has on him begins to loosen, and for a moment Scaramouche thinks that he'll be able to draw away from the impending conversation he most definitely does not want to be having. Trying to place what he feels is one of the last things he wants to be doing, it's not something he believes he can do.

The thoughts of freedom are quickly dashed as instead of letting go of him completely the samurai laces their fingers together, and the Harbinger's brain completely stops. The colour on his face only deepens, creeping up to his ears, as he appears far more startled than he had from the initial grab of his wrist.

He can hear Kazuha speaking, see his mouth moving, yet the words seem faint, barely registering in his mind. All he can seem to focus on is the fact that the man is holding his hand for reasons unknown. It does its job of stopping him from going anywhere, but so did the hold on his wrist.

The touch is so searing in his mind that he doesn't feel the other hand that comes to rest on his side. Nor does he register the pull into a dance, brain still racing to try and catch up with everything that was happening.]

Vennessa did it.

[He finally manages some form of response, thinking there was some mention of hair in Kazuha's words somewhere. He doesn't consider how the man might feel that he hasn't been avoiding their other friend, but while he's taken to Vannessa rather quickly he hasn't spent as much time with her to feel quite the same pains when thinking of forgetting.

The Harbinger wants to remember her too, someone that's been nothing but kind to him, but Kazuha is different when he thinks back on all that they've done and how much time he's given him.

As his mind begins to catch up he realizes just what the other man is doing, his own feet falling into step on autopilot only to stop him from falling flat on his face.]

I never agreed to a dance, Kazuha.

[Watching emotions play across Scaramouche's face is interesting, but helps Kazuha no more understand what exactly the other is thinking. He thinks he maybe sees relief cross the other's face when his grip loosened. The samurai isn't sure how that makes him feel, drawing in a deeper breath as he focuses on remaining relaxed and pleasant. It's not something he can keep up for long.

It's one thing to know in his heart that he'd been singled out to be avoided, but confirmation is another. Some of his smooth edges crack, the pleasant smile falling away. Kazuha's brows knit in visible hurt, a sharp pain lancing through his chest that seems to travel to his hands.]

Vennessa is... a good friend.

[It's a very aloof response for the samurai, who was doing his best to control his emotions. This was not the time or the place for an outburst— why does he even care at all? He can tell himself it's because he feels he's been made a fool of. Diluc had warned him to stay away, that the Harbingers did not care about him. He knew this.

If Scaramouche wants to avoid him so badly, then he is going to make him endure every excruciating moment. Kazuha never used to be so confrontational— he had his dear, departed friend to thank for that change in him.

The grip he has around the other's hip slides to his back, pulling him closer against him as he drags him along to the song. He wants him uncomfortable, and there's no small part of him that takes pleasure in seeing it on his face.]

No biting insult? A surprise. Though, I don't recall giving you the option about a dance. You were so fit to pretend I'm not here that you've forced my hand.

[Normally Kazuha is difficult to read, that near permanent smile on his face and steady tone masking much of what Scaramouche looks for when dealing with people. His way of thinking doesn't help in understanding, often being unpredictable enough to confuse or catch him off guard. It's something he can't stand, struggling just to figure the other Inazuman out whenever they're together.

However that's slowly becoming less the case in this moment. He notices immediately the moment Kazuha's smile falters, how tight he holds onto him, the way his expression shifts into something more displeased, and the Harbinger realizes he's upset him. It should be something he's pleased about, actually being able to tell for once, of an expression leaning towards those he often finds amusing on humans.

He can't stop the uncomfortable feeling that washes over him, that feeling of being sick but not that he often feels when Kazuha acts certain ways around him. Like he's unsure of just what he feels, of what he's supposed to feel. He doesn't like that the samurai's upset and he isn't sure what he's supposed to take from that.]

Friend... I don't know if I'd call her that.

[Friend, a word he's yet to really use for anyone in Nippon. A word he never really used back in Teyvat. Vennessa is someone he doesn't mind spending time with, someone that doesn't annoy him and he can talk to. But friend still seems a strong word to use.]

Should I be insulting you? I didn't want to interrupt your time with your friends, that's all--

[Kazuha pulls him closer and he practically splutters in surprise. His hand that isn't being held firm enough to stop him from leaving finally comes up to grab tightly onto the fabric of the samurai's sleeve. It's clear enough that there's no way for him to worm his way out of this. If he was going to be forced to speak with the man then he may as well try and explain.

Perhaps it would be enough to stop him from feeling whatever it was that was plaguing him, seeing Kazuha upset for once.]

If we're all going to forget then what's the point? Better to not waste the time thinking on all the things we're going to lose. Your heart is so sentimental, I had no intention of forcing that upon you.

[Despite his words it's not impossible to see how it's something he's trying to convince himself of as well, eyes refusing to meet the samurai's gaze. Building his walls so high and running at the slightest chance of even the smallest crack.]

[Usually by now, Kazuha would have wrangled control of his expression and emotions again, reminding himself that he must remain calm. While feeling isn't forbidden, losing composure does not help resolve the situation. Yet, the frown lingers on his face. He can't seem to regain his smile, weeks of pent up feelings bared open like a fresh wound.]

What would you consider a friend then?

[It was early November when Kazuha had realized he'd grown close to the Harbinger. It had disturbed him at first, though he'd grown to feel calmness in his heart once accepting it to be true. He thought he'd be fine with it being inequal, to have his warmth met with the cold reception of someone who doesn't feel the same.

He finds he's not.]

You're insulting me by implying you'd be interrupting me.

[Scaramouche might not meet his eyes, but Kazuha keeps his eyes on him. As the music swells, the steps of his feet speed up. He manhandles him, dipping him since he has a grip on his sleeve, their hands still entwined.

The explanation just makes the flush to his cheeks deepen, but it's out of frustration than embarrassment. Was the immortal attempting to tell him that he was sparing him? The samurai has a hard time believing that to be the reason.]

So you thought it better to not say goodbye at all? To just pretend I don't exist? An unpleasant trait to pick up from your creator.

[Kazuha shakes his head. Though he's dressed quite well, much of his hair has come loose of his ponytail during the night. He looks slightly disheveled. Maybe it just helps reflect what's in his heart. Too sentimental, it seems, for Scaramouche. He is a fool for ever caring about the Fatuus.]

In the next cycle, maybe you'll strike me dead on sight.

You make it sound as though I have plenty of experience to decide such things.

[Witnessing friendships is much different than experiencing them, knowing what in most cases drew people together, what kept them close. How would he ever be able to feel the same when he lacked one vital aspect that everyone else had. The Harbinger has no reference for what criteria a friend to him needed to meet. If he would ever be so foolish as to want a friend.

He has no friends and yet he finds himself lonely for the company of a select few.]

Certainly there are other people you would rather spend your time with.

[Somehow Scaramouche manages when Kazuha decides to increase the speed of their steps, his grip tightening the moment the man feels the need to dip him, as though he's unsure if he plans on dropping him. But that would give him too much of an opening to run, and he wants to run, to get away from a conversation he didn't want to be having. Something he's aware the other man knows.

It's clear enough now that he won't be going anywhere, that the samurai wasn't going to let him go. Offering up his thoughts is all he can do, it should be easier with the knowledge that they won't remember this conversation soon enough, that regardless of what he says or what happens time will just loop and it'll be like it never happened. It should be easier, but Scaramouche struggles to put the jumble in his mind into words. He's not certain he wants to.]

I thought it would be a good way to lessen the pain of loss, seeing as we don't have a choice in the matter. It wasn't meant to hurt - the less you see of me the less you'll care.

[It's not meant to hurt Kazuha, and it's certainly not meant to hurt him - an ache the Harbinger hasn't felt in a long time. A part of him realizes that some of it is born from fear, that he's the one trying to avoid loss. Thankfully it's only a small part of him willing to acknowledge it, and he's able to push it to the back of his mind. This was for Kazuha's benefit and his alone.

The comment on similarities between him and his creator he lets slide - just this once - though the look that finds its way onto his face is telling enough that he's not pleased with it. A look that only seems to grow more irritated, brows furrowing, as the idea of him killing the other man is placed forward.]

I have no desire to kill you Kazuha. Even if I don't remember.

Don't be daft. Surely you must have some idea to have formed at least an idealized concept, out of observation or just literature.

[Such harsh words were more usual for Kazuha's behavior with handling the immortal a few months ago; more recently, he's been much more gentle and patient with how he handles him. It seems that his patience has run out in the moment, his frustration bleeding through. His brows are knitted in plain irritation.]

You continue to insult me. Time is precious right now. I don't intend to waste it on people who aren't important to me.

[It's maybe not the tenderest of confessions, but with the hours counting down, Kazuha does not intend to conceal his feelings right now. That the 6th Harbinger had become a close friend, a confidant, wasn't something he could deny further. If it wasn't true, then he wouldn't feel this way at Scaramouche's rejection.

And it is rejection. The samurai wants to shake him. He has a little bit of a temper when he loses his patience, and it has no small part in the rough way he handles him, pulling him close again after the dip. He bares teeth.]

You don't get to decide how I'd feel.

Scaramouche | Genshin Impact

CLOSED TO KAZUHA

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CLOSED TO VENNESSA

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Mistleno - Red

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