June | Event: Trial of the Soul

[jikan_mod]

Trial of the Soul↲ OOC Plotting

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By now, most Refugees have likely experienced various side effects of Kizuna while living in Nippon. Most of these effects have been mild, but occasionally, they've produced dangerous results due to Kizuna's unstable nature as pure Sora magic. But more than just a minor annoyance, studying how to harness Kizuna is vital to the NRL's goal of fixing the refugees' home worlds. And yet the professors of MRU have been limited in what they can do to assist the scientists in Tokyo with that goal.

But all that is about to change, as MRU announces a special collaboration with the Oni Clans of Kyushu regarding ancient Kizuna practices. Although Oni are not particularly known for their magical prowess, it's believed that the concept of Kizuna bonds originated in Oni culture. As such, they are by and far considered the best source to figure out the true nature of Kizuna.

Up until now, the Oni of Kyushu haven't been receptive to MRU's requests to help the refugees, due to infighting between the two leading Oni Clans. But it seems something has changed their minds...

A Tales of Two Clans

Naturally, the MRU isn't expecting the Refugees to volunteer to head to Kyushu for free. All Refugees willing to participate in the research will be rewarded financially for their time, in addition to being provided food and lodging during their stay. Just think of it as a nice little summer vacation!

But getting to Kyushu is no simple task. Although one could certainly take the train, it'd be a two-day trip, as Kyushu is located on the westernmost island of Nippon. Thankfully, many refugees have technically already been there: Kyushu is the region above which the Tengu city of Miyazaki sits. And with a little help from the Tengu, a new teleportation terminal is added to the region below, allowing for instant travel between Kyushu and Tokyo/Kyoto.

But when they arrive, they may find that their experiences will vary greatly depending on which city their lodgings are located, as Oni culture varies greatly depending on which Clan controls that territory.

Passive Aggressions Kumamoto, Kyushu
Those with lodgings in Western Kyushu will find themselves in the city of Kumamoto, located in Ao Oni territory. The Oni here all have vibrant blue skin, and the refugees will find that the locals are both friendly and curious about them. Aside from a handful of Inu Yokai, very few other varieties of Yokai can be found living in Oni territory, and no humans whatsoever.

Refugees will be housed in a resort located near the ocean shore, where they'll be treated to gourmet five course meals, a natural outdoor hot spring, and even complimentary massages. It's the height of luxury, though it does come at a bit of a cost. Although the Ao Oni are polite, there's always a distinct sense that they're being looked down on -- a certain passive aggression, as they show wonder in the fact the refugees can do anything for themselves. Whether it be constant compliments over their ability to use chopsticks and speak the language, or outright disbelief that they can perform magic or fight, it's hard to say whether it's founded in malice or ignorance. Especially seeing as many will remark that they've never met humans before.

As one of the more popular cities in Kyushu, Refugees may wish to explore some of the shopping districts, where artisan crafts and unique fashion can be purchased. Unlike typical fashion in Nippon, Oni fashion leans towards the risque, as their vibrant colored skin is a mark of pride. Kimono are often cropped at the sleeves and left open, with minimal fabric underneath to maintain modesty. Still, men are rarely going around outright topless, and will always wear something to cover those pesky male presenting nipples, be it a tube top, thin strips of fabric, or even leather straps.

If the Refugees hope to be treated with a bit more respect, switching to the local fashion is perhaps the only way to go. And hey, it's pretty hot in Kyushu, so surely it's a win-win situation!

Tsunderoni Oita, Kyushu
Refugees staying in the Eastern half of Kyushu will instead be taken to the city of Oita, located in Aka Oni territory, where the Oni possess bright red skin. Unlike the Ao Oni, the Aka Oni are far less friendly. Even those in charge of the refugees' housing will seem somewhat disinterested, simply showing them to their rooms in a small inn without fanfare. There's no luxury to be found here, though at least the food is decent.

The streets of Oita are a very different sight than what the Refugees may be used to in Nippon. Kyushu is an island rife with volcanic activity, and all throughout Oita, thick plumes of steam can be found rising out of buildings and from the sewers below the street. As such, the entire city is extremely humid, which some may even find to be downright unbearable. And while the inside of every building is equipped with powerful cooling spells, it may discourage some from exploring.

But perhaps that's for the best. Those who walk the streets of Oita will find themselves being treated as an oddity, with many businesses hesitant in serving them. Some locals may even be outright hostile, picking fights and jeering at them in streets. Those bearing obvious Kizuna effects will receive the brunt of this treatment.

And yet those same refugees will find that these encounters may in fact spawn additional Kizuna effects, on both themselves and the Oni harassing them, as if a bond were made between them. Nevermind the fact that Kizuna bonds between refugees and natives are usually very rare, the fact that there's a bond at all certainly implies that their hostility isn't hostility at all. Are the Aka Oni just really bad at dealing with new people??

Revolutionary Bond Kizuna

After a few days of familiarizing themselves with the Oni and the region of Kyushu, all refugee volunteers are taken to a small region of Oita known as Beppu, where elders from the two Oni clans are waiting for them in front of a large shrine. Behind them, many natural springs filled with boiling water create a smokey atmosphere, with the water occasionally boiling over and shooting into the sky like a geyser. They certainly know how to pick location to set a mood.

"Humans and halfings have long made a habit of taking that which they do not fully understand. These Kizuna bonds were once an important part of maintaining a unified Oni nation, but fell to the wayside as Clan divisions grew deeper.

Today, only fragments of those bonds remain, carried across generations through our blood. It is a powerful magic that binds souls together, weaving their connection into the fabric of reality itself!

...understandably, it grew less popular as divorce became more commonplace."

That's right: Kizuna bonds are an ancient Oni marriage ritual.

They continue to explain that the form of Kizuna used by the refugees has been mutated due to the sheer size of the bond that keeps them in Nippon. This is what causes the severe side effects, and is likely the reason that some refugees are able to manipulate reality to a small extent through wishes or other means.

To address these issues, the Oni's plan is two-fold. First, they'll teach the Refugees a secret arte that will allow them to wield the Kizuna they produce. And then, they ask that all refugees participate in three trials once performed by all Oni prior to their marriage. This is so they can better appreciate the gift they possess, and hopefully better understand the culture behind that power.

Soul Artifacts Beppu, Oita
Kizuna magic is a type of pure Sora magic, which is magic that deals with the soul. Thus, Kizuna bonds are bonds between two souls. But that bond can also be used to summon a construct known as a Soul Artifact. This is the magic the Oni will teach the Refugees how to perform, as the act of summoning an Artifact will help use some of the excess Kizuna that would otherwise produce side effects.

Soul Artifacts are physical representations of the soul. They can take any shape or form, and some even have special abilities. While it is possible for someone to summon their own soul artifact, it is far easier to have someone else who they are bonded with summon it instead.

The spell itself is deceptively simple. Simply calling someone's name and picturing an item being drawn from their chest is enough to summon the Soul Artifact. But the simplicity of it doesn't mean it'll be easy, and for most Refugees, they'll spend the first hour or so calling each other's names while awkwardly grabbing at each other's chests.

But eventually, should their bond be significantly strong enough, the image of what that artifact is will suddenly appear in their mind, allowing them to draw it out. While the Artifact can be anything from a weapon to an ordinary household item, the color scheme and general appearance will reflect the person it was drawn from. Likewise, all Artifacts are allowed one magical ability that may vary based on the bond between the pair.

Feel free to get creative with this! A knight may draw a sword from his princess's chest capable of shooting energy beams. A librarian may draw a book from her lover's chest that can predict the future one week ahead. A dominatrix may draw a dildo from her sub's chest capable of growing three times its size. As the most powerful magic in the world, Kizuna can do seemingly anything!

Really, it's no wonder the Oni want the Refugees to learn how to control it.

The Trials of Beppu Kyushu, Nippon
Those willing to accept the Oni's terms must participate in the Trials of Beppu, an ancient rite of passage once required of all Oni before the Clan leaders could approve of their marriage. Although the tradition is no longer widely practiced, the Clan leaders insist that the Refugees take part in order to show respect for the Kizuna they wield.

As Refugees are capable of bonding with anyone, they will be allowed and encouraged to retake any trial as many times as needed with as many people as they have bonded with.


The first trial, the Trial of Promise, is the most simple. A bonded pair must enter a special cave located behind a massive waterfall in Takachiho Gorge, said to have been the very same cave where the goddess Amaterasu once hid herself away, causing all light in the world to disappear. Upon entering, the cave entrance will abruptly seal itself, shrouding the pair in darkness.

Should the pair's bond be sufficiently strong, the cave will light up, revealing a hidden message carved into the stone: "You cannot leave until you"... do what, exactly? The prompt will vary based on the pair in question. Some may need to kiss, others may need to fuck, and others still may need to tell a secret, defeat one another, or even attempt to kill one another. Upon successfully completing the trial, the entrance will open, allowing them to leave at their leisure.


The second trial, the Trial of Devotion, will have a bonded pair enter a forest at the foot of Mt. Aso at night, armed only with their partner's Soul Artifact. A gently sloped mountainside home to an active volcano, the pair must ascend to the highest peak just outside the forest before sunrise. Toxic fumes pouring from the volcano's caldera aside, the forest itself is filled with terrifyingly huge monsters, including dodongo, lavahounds who combust when threatened, and giant beetles called daikabuto who can grow as big as houses.

Thankfully, there's a trick to all of this: as long as they maintain physical contact with one another, a special spell will protect them from all harm, though they can still be pushed around by anything attempting to separate them. The spell will only last until morning, but will refresh with a kiss before the morning sun -- so they best make haste to the top if they want a chance of getting back safely. Those who return with their spell intact will pass the trial.


The third and final trial is the Trial of Love, though it seems rather poorly named. In this trial, a pair will wield each other's Soul Artifacts, and must engage in combat against one another. The goal is to destroy your own Artifact without destroying the one you are wielding. Thankfully, as Soul Artifacts are only representations of the soul, destroying them will have no ill effect. But it can be very painful, not unlike a bond breaking, as one of the Aka Oni will demonstrate: shattering the sword drawn from his own soul, before falling to his knees and wheezing in pain.

Essentially, it's a battle for who can destroy their own Soul Artifact first, in order to spare their partner the pain of their Artifact breaking. But how is this supposed to work? Not all Soul Artifacts are weapons, after all!

As it turns out, the trial is a trick. Following the rules as given will still allow both competitors to pass, regardless of who wins. Likewise, should both participants come together and choose to either simultaneously break their Artifacts, or surrender the trial all together, it will still count as a pass. Because the true Trial of Love is simply the act of participating in the trial together to test their bond.

Aftermath Beppu, Oita
Once the trials are complete, those who passed at least two trials will be invited to a special ceremony, designed to mimic that of those long past. Naturally, since no one is getting married here (unless they want to??), the ceremony is mostly just an excuse for a massive feast. Taking place in a large open park just outside the city, hundreds of Oni have arrived from all over Kyushu to witness this rare event, where the current leader of the Aka Oni clan offers a few brief words.

"Time's finally changing, and after so much time unchanging, we Oni should learn to better embrace these changes. Otherwise, we're no better off than we were in the time loop. The bravery put on by these alien halfings is nothing to sneeze at. And I'd say they're as worthy of the Aka Oni name as any of you ol' farts sittin' out there drinking your asses off!"

Refugees who passed the trials will be considered unofficial members of the Ao and Aka Oni clans, and will find that from then on, the Oni of Kyushu with treat them with familiarity, as if somehow able to sense the bond they now share with their homeland. In addition to no shortage of food and booze, there's music and dancing that will last until well past sunrise.

Hot and Steamy

With the trials behind them and a new form of magic under their belts, the Refugees will be allowed to simply enjoy the rest of their vacation in Kyushu however they may please.

But there's just one question remaining: why did the Oni suddenly decide to help with the Kizuna research, despite Kizuna being such a cherished aspect of their culture?

As it turns out, the Refugees are having a larger impact on this world than they may realize.

Hellish Bathwater Beppu, Oita
As it turns out, the Trials of Beppu draw their names from a certain natural phenomenon known instead as the Hells of Beppu. It refers to an area in Eastern Kyushu where a number of naturally occurring hot springs carry unusual effects. However, unlike the enchanted pools of Hakone's Owakudani, not all of these springs are safe to enter.

Of them, one of the most popular is the Umi Jigoku, the sea of hell. A vast boiling spring with vibrantly blue water, this spring is said to be the deepest pool of water in Kyushu, with massive lily pads floating atop the surface that are believed to stretch for miles below. Brave and foolish Aka Oni can sometimes be found jumping between the lily pads to cross the steaming pool, or even grabbing passerbys to strand them on a lily pad in the middle. Standing in any one spot for too long will cause the lily pads to sink into the water, burning flesh within seconds, so those who visit may need to be prepared for an emergency rescue or two.

And those hoping for a spring they can actually soak in will find it at Chinoike Jigoku, the blood pond of hell. Appropriately named, the water in this spring is bright red in color and has a strange almost gooey consistency. Relaxing in this spring is said to have powerful healing effects, and according to legend, it can even revive the dead. Perhaps it's the latter reputation that keeps it from being more popular, but Refugees who soak in the strange water will find any aches, pains, or chronic conditions healed -- including those previously thought to be incurable.

The only downside is that the strange water has a tendency to get the blood boiling in a very specific way, leaving those who soak in it for too long in a state of prolonged arousal, earning the pond a second name: Chinchin Jigoku.

Stone Dragon God™ Sakurajima, Kyushu
Those looking for a little more excitement on their vacation look no further than Sakurajima, a region perpetually blanketed in smoke and ash from the nearby volcano of the same name. Thankfully, there hasn't been an eruption for a few weeks, so the region is currently safe to explore.

And they really ought to go take a look. In fact, the Oni will insist that it's a place all refugees ought to visit.

In addition to curious ruins of ancient cities forever half-buried in old mud flows, Sakurajima is currently home to a new species of ayakashi the Oni have taken to calling Ninseki, the stone people. These ayakashi only started appearing recently, and really, calling them ayakashi feels inaccurate. Capable of limited speech and organizing themselves in quaint villages, the only reason they're called ayakashi is because Ninseki used to be Kaoseki.

It's unknown how they came to evolve at such a fast rate, but the MRU has a few leads. And perhaps the most damning comes from the Ninseki themselves, who have taken to worshipping a figure they refer to as the stone dragon god, statues of whom can be found throughout Sakurajima, seemingly crafted using some kind of Tsuchi-based power unique to the Ninseki. A gift from the stone dragon god, perhaps?

Thankfully, the Ninseki themselves are extremely friendly, and will happily invite any refugees to join them in a meal or dance, or even challenge them to a race up the mountain! Perhaps it's because they were once forever stationary, but the Ninseki enjoy any activity that keeps them moving!

And for those who happen to recognize this stone dragon god of theirs, perhaps they'll understand why the Oni thought it vital that the Refugees learn to control the Kizuna they produce, lest they permanently alter this world well after they've left it.

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

• While characters do not need to participate in the trials to visit Kyushu, they will not be provided lodgings, and may find it especially difficult to procure any on their own unless they visibly look like an Oni.

• Only characters who participate in this event will be able to unlock Soul Artifacts. Future characters will eventually be able to unlock it via Bonus AC.

• You have 100% creative control over how your character's Soul Artifact manifests. Likewise, you are welcome to have it change shape depending on who draws it from their soul. For example: Both Tom and Fred are bonded with Gloria. Tom draws a sword from Gloria's soul because he has a strong desire to protect her, but Fred draws a teacup because he greatly enjoys their weekly meet-ups at the local coffee shop. And Gloria draws a gun from her own soul because of her double life as an assassin.

• Teleporting out of the Trial of Promise will only work if both participants agree to forfeit the challenge. Likewise, agreeing to forfeit will cause the door to open after about an hour.

• All dangers in the Trial of Devotion are optional, as some may simply never come across any monsters during their hike, and all pairs are welcome to travel in groups. No climbing is necessary to reach the top, but it is a very long walk.

• There are no hints to imply the true means of passing the Trial of Love beyond the name, as the Oni will only tell them the rules and will answer no questions.

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[sultanofsquat]

[ Seeing Nyuu go through the sizes and pick out various outfit options gives Cloud a chance to proverbially breath. More time to recompose himself here now that she's taking some charge. He hopes it's because they're making progress for her! An observant eye keeps track of the various tops she picks through. But the one that catches his eye the most? That black lace tube top. Picturing that on her was far less embarrassing in his head. They're thoughts he otherwise would have never entertained back home (what with being in the middle of heavy JRPG stuff fdajha), but he can rationalize it on her easier with less shame in his brain. That's what he keeps telling himself when she has an assortment of tops and bottoms to try. ]

You got this, Nyuu.

[ And a little encouragement for good measure? Aaand, she's gone behind the curtain. He can breath again for an entirely different reason. Loosing a quiet sigh, he places his hands on his hips, not aware of a certain Oni clerk that's approaching the blond. Her temperament hasn't changed completely, but seeing effort getting put in by humans was at least worth a smidgeon of service. Especially when Cloud's got his arms crossed and looking like he's struggling to give a verbal response to Nyuu's commentary from the other side, tapping his foot. Right before he can open his mouth and blurt something stupid like "just hurry up",

"Standing there's totally helping," the clerk mutters passive aggressively, passing Cloud by whose caught off guard. But the clerk won't be able to see his furrowed brow and pouty glare. She's already walking away to go help a local. ]

...

[ He sighs. ]

Let's see.

[ Said with the straightest face and driest delivery. He said he would help. And should Nyuu comply? Poker face. For the love of god, Cloud. Poker face. ]

[scarredhorns]

Eh? O-Okay... You can come in.

[She could use her own vectors to get the too-tight chest harness off herself, but her brain sort of short-circuited when he offered to help her again and all she could do was go along with it.

She could've had her back turned to Cloud when he squeezed into the changing room with her and given him eye contact via the mirror, but no. She's facing in his direction when he enters. The chest harness is able to cover her nipples sufficiently, but her poor chest looks like it's being squished. Some of the skin puffs out around the vice-like grip of the straps.

It's only after Cloud's already gotten an eye-full that she finally turns her back, giving him easier access to the clasps.]

Here.

[Thankfully, she doesn't need to be told to hold the front of the chest harness close to her body so that it doesn't just slide off once the clasps have been undone. Her hands and forearms are already pressed against her chest in an 'X' formation.]

[sultanofsquat]

Huh?

[ ... Come in? Suddenly, Cloud can feel his posture stiffen and shoulders square upright. Was he holding his breath? It sure seemed like it as he tries to figure out what he's supposed to do next. Perhaps he should have been the one to elaborate; damn his penchant for not forming complete sentences out of his thoughts. At first, he thought he could get Nyuu to step out of the changing room to model off her outfit and get his opinion. That's what he'd been prepared for! Up until the girl had timidly invited him in.

The hell was he supposed to do now?! Correct her by saying, "No, you come out here." and put more pressure on the poor lady?! Face still relatively composed, but now with crimson all the way up to his ears, he audibly sighs and rubs the bridge of his nose. As if that would help what he's about to do next.

Alright, Cloud. You've got this. ]

Coming in.

[ And trying to do so without anybody seeing them (they do aklsjdf), he squeezes into the change room with her. Sure enough, Cloud is successful at keeping a straight face when he stares down at Nyuu. He visibly swallows, something he should have done before getting in so his nerves were checked on the other side of the curtain. His eyes are drawn to the merciless chest harness that squishes her boobs, the swell of her cleavage that's pushed up in the tight leather,

And the very real fact that if this room were any tighter or she were another step closer, she'd be rubbing on abs right about now. ]

......

[ He looks unimpressed. But only because if he shows any other emotion right now, his shyness was gonna show and he'd crumble. Nyuu's looking for help. ]

Definitely too tight.

[ It's only when Nyuu turns around that his expression can finally shift, his shoulders going more lax as he wastes little time in moving his hands up to the back of her oni-inspired bra. Seems they were fitting in here until they were satisfied with her look. His hands are surprisingly swift, unclasping her with ease. Hmmm... It's almost like he's taken off a woman's bra before.

...

It was his. When he tricked all of Wall Market into thinking there was a new hot chick in town. And her name was Miss Cloud. ]

What about that tube top? [ A beat. ] Won't have as much support as this, but...probably breathes better.

[scarredhorns]

[Nyuu does notice how easily Cloud undoes her bra, and it leads her to believe that he's been with several other women before. Having seen his looks for herself, she could only imagine how many women threw themselves at him. The very idea makes her face flush even more. She'd better stop, or else she's going to start feeling dizzy from heat again even while they're in the AC.

Nyuu's too polite, though, so she's not about to ask why it was so easy for him to undo her clasps. That, and other people's love lives aren't any of her business.

She does, however, breathe a sigh of relief when she feels the compression on her chest lessen by a considerable amount.]

Thank you... Ah, yes. I was going to try on the tube top next anyway, so that works out perfectly. I'll come outside to show it once I'm ready.

[Once she's given some privacy in the changing room, it doesn't take long for her to slip on the tube top. Oh, this is much more comfortable and it actually looks quite nice! The curtain to the changing room is pushed aside as Nyuu displays herself for Cloud with little flare, merely holding her arms out low by her hips and rotating herself.]

How does it look?

[sultanofsquat]

[ Oh if only he knew what was going on inside Nyuu's head. Cloud wasn't even fussing over the bra, the number of partners he's had amounting to...two. Not even a full hand. Cloud recognizes how flush her face was getting, if only because he was taller and could see the side of her face from his view. On one hand, he couldn't help but feel bad for her and being stuck in this predicament. Not to mention being stuffed in a changing room with him mustn't be helping. So when she dismisses him so she can slip her top on, Cloud finds himself shuffling behind her, mindful not to move forward or brush against her when he peeks his head out from behind the curtain.

...Cloud. That only makes things even more suspicious if anyone were to catch you doing that. jhkdsfa

Yet, with the coast clear, he looks back to Nyuu with a nod. ]

Seeya in a bit.

[ As he steps out into the open, he closes his eyes and takes another deep breath. That was a little too much mental and visual stimulation for him. But even something so little, a well-meaning gesture despite jumping out of his comfort zone for someone, was enough to light the Kizuna spark. Albeit a very tiny fleck of a link, but it only serves to prove the Oni right when it came to the power of bonds. Luckily for Cloud, he's calm and cool again when she pushes the curtain aside to model the new outfit.

Compared to last time when he was inspecting her more risqué straps? His expression is far less steeled, eyes broadening a little more with surprise. The top and bottom match nicely, with plenty of skin to show but not in a way that it invites the eyes in an embarrassing way. ...well. Less embarrassing. Cloud's hands move to his hips then, humming his approval with a nod!

"How does it look?" ]

Like I'm contemplating swapping out for a top like that.

[ Albeit less lacy. ]

You look a lot better.

[scarredhorns]

[The tube top's definitely more modest when compared to the straps she just had on. Her shy smile morphs into one that's much brighter and she twirls herself around once.]

I feel better~ I think this will do. Let me just pay for everything

[She'll neatly hang up what she decided not to purchase in the designated area, and fold the (normal) clothes she had on before so they'll fit into her bag, before approaching the clerk. Now that Nyuu's up close, the clerk's eyes hone in on her little horns again, until she (the clerk) finally asks,

"Girly, are you a catgirl?"]

Ah, well, no... These are actually horns.

[The oni woman chuckles loudly. "You call those little things horns? These are horns." She proudly runs her hands over her own horns. Indeed, they're much longer, bigger, and pointier than Nyuu's. Nyuu isn't offended, though. She just smiles, nods, and agrees.]

So they are. They're very impressive. You look good.

[...Did the clerk just blush?]

[sultanofsquat]

[ It's not a common word in his vocabulary, yet it floats around in his head anyway when she does a twirl and her spirits are lifted. Cute. And now that she's feeling more confident and less shy and awkward, it's rubbing off on Cloud, too. He feels like he can cool off a little and lay off on the stone-faced mercenary gig. ]

Right on, [ he says before a light hum.

He still has to begin the trials, so despite his appearance, he hasn't been shown too much hospitality beyond the passive aggressive Ao Oni at the resort. But until then, at least he felt some satisfaction knowing he actually stepped up to help. And he did it for free, too! Revealing Clothes Shopping wasn't exactly on a merc's to-do list, anyway. Following Nyuu up to the counter, he keeps a step behind Nyuu as the Oni woman asks about her horns, something that draws Cloud's attention again. Ah...so he was right. But, she wasn't an Oni, was she?

Regardless, he puts his hands on his hips, impressed with Nyuu's attitude when the clerk was showing off her pointier horns. Cloud doesn't say anything yet when the clerk starts blushing, only wearing a smirk unbeknownst to himself.

Well, until the oni points it out with a glare.

"Oi, what are you looking at?" ]

Nothing.

[ Tch! First Nyuu and now this guy? At least Cloud was spared making the mistake of telling her she had a nice pair herself. Because for the love of god, phrasing. ]

[scarredhorns]

Eh? Me?

[Nyuu mistakenly thinks the oni clerk is addressing her, until she realizes the clerk is actually looking past her at Cloud, causing Nyuu to look over her shoulder at him curiously. She exhales through her nose, finding the banter between the two funny, except her little laugh only irritates the clerk more.

"You gonna pay or what?"]

Um, yes!

[Startled, Nyuu stutters out an apology and pays for her clothes, thanking the clerk and bowing. She looks up at Cloud, too, smiling again.]

Thank you very much for helping me, Cloud-san~

[She bows to him as well.]

[sultanofsquat]

[ If it weren't for how flustered the Oni clerk was getting, he'd have taken a stronger stance on her attitude. But instead, knowing that they were at the end of this smooth enough shopping escapade, he sucks it up and allows her to finish paying for her clothes. He's glad that Nyuu had her own money to spend, the MRU's incentive coming in handy, especially when some of these outfits didn't come cheap. ...especially to foreigners and especially refugees. But Cloud's not in the mood to argue that.

Not when the girl looks so happy compared to how dismayed she'd been practically melting in that heat. There was still the problem of going back outside, and adjusting to it all...

Which is why, after he gives a light bow back, feeling a little embarrassed to be in the spotlight of her gratitude, ]

We should prolly get something to drink. Stay cool. [ Preferably water? Ice cold water? God, it's a thought he wouldn't have humored before, but rubbing a chilly bottle on his skin right now sounds like heaven. ] I'll buy.

[scarredhorns]

[Oh? She wasn't expecting him to invite her to share a friendly drink, but she smiles again and nods.]

A cold drink does sound nice. Thank you again.

[Another quick little bow.

Nyuu lets out a "fuwaahh" when she feels the hot air hit her face as soon as they exit the store.]

It's still hot, but at least I'm not wearing sleeves anymore.

[Or pants, but that would've sounded weird if she said that.]

[sultanofsquat]

[ She has a lot more energy in her now that she wasn't being restricted by all that stuffy clothing! While Cloud wasn't the kind of person to turn into a bubbly person because the person he was with had that vibe, she does rub off on him a little as he can't help but feel content in her company. She's nice enough. And they can part ways after they've had something nice and cold! Or, more specifically, he knows she's going to be okay. ]

Or much of anything.

[ But as he says that, he sighs through his nose with a lighter hum, facing Nyuu more directly as he looks down at himself. ]

Lookit us now, though.

[ Cloud's pants hung low on his hips, nice and secure (thank god), and save for the straps around his chest? Completely exposed up top. But he had to admit, it would have been a lot more difficult to look Nyuu directly in the eyes if she went with the straps and bra earlier. ]

[scarredhorns]

[Now that they've spent a little more time together and got real cozy in the changing room, Nyuu isn't as flustered around Cloud anymore. She's able to look at the way he's dressed without feeling as embarrassed (mostly), though she does blush a little. Still, the pink in her cheeks could be blamed on the heat.

Oh--that's right.]

I've been meaning to ask... Why are you carrying a sword? [She tilts her head.] Were you a swordsman back home?

[That's a really big sword, though? How's he able to carry it so easily? It looks awfully heavy.]

[sultanofsquat]

[ A simple enough question, yet it still catches him by surprise all the same as they start to walk and talk. Sans the horns (in his case) and lack of markings on their bodies, the two could pass for denizens of Kyushu by chancing glance! If this helped them blend in and somehow dodge the condescending remarks of the locals, getting stuffed in a changing room with a girl he just met was worth it.

"Were you a swordsman back home?" ]

Yup. I used to work for an elite taskforce, but now I'm just a sword for hire.

[ Though... ]

Or I was.

[ Before coming here to Nippon. ]

[scarredhorns]

Yeah, Nippon does seem pretty peaceful, time loops notwithstanding.

[She continues to look up at him curiously.]

Do miss it? The lifestyle of a sword for hire?

[Not that Nyuu would really be able to understand why someone would miss that life. Was it the adventure? The payment? The thrill of the fight? Or something else entirely?

She smiles bashfully.]

It's a little embarrassing for me to admit it now that I know what having a job is like, but I wasn't really doing anything in my world. Nothing professional, at least. I lived with my friends in a large house, so we'd rotate chores. I attended university with them, but I wasn't even a formal student. I just didn't like to be apart from them.

[While Nyuu retains her innocence and doe-eyed gaze, she's matured in her own way during her time in Nippon. Looking back on it now, she's astonished by how little she knew then. She lets out a wistful sigh, a sad smile gracing her lips.]

It makes me wish that my friends from home could see me now. They'd probably be very surprised, but proud.

[sultanofsquat]

[ Her question grants him pause, though not quite enough to stop walking with her as they round the corner for another street. That's the first time someone's asked him that, if he missed what he had left behind. Knowing what he knows now... ]

In a way... For a while, it's all I thought I knew. So getting pulled here really threw a wrench in my way of thinking.

[ Cloud couldn't just tell some complete stranger about the straits back home. Because there's a lot more to it beyond just being a good fighter for money. Not with the journey he and the others were about to embark on. That being said, before he listens to the pink-haired girl's own experiences, ]

This hasn't been so bad, though.

[ Figuring out what it was like to really live. When Nyuu looses that wistful little sigh, his gaze is intent on her, trying to imagine the progress she would have made in her time here. Cloud's only been here for a few months in comparison, but for her to be so open... ]

I'll bet they would, Nyuu. [ A beat, giving her a confident little nod and hum of approval. He's better at listening than talking about himself, so, ] So what do you do here?

[scarredhorns]

[All he thought he knew. She wonders if that's how Lucy felt before coming to Nippon, too. While Lucy has opened up to her about some things, Nyuu felt as though her other self was still keeping much more from her. She'd tried so hard to get Lucy to divulge the info at first, but now, Nyuu's decided to let her be. Lucy knew how to keep a secret, so there was no cracking that tough shell, or at least, not by Nyuu's hands. Only if there came a time when a buried memory was brought back to Nyuu's mind would she pester Lucy again, such as the horrible moment she discovered that Lucy had been the real cause for the deaths of Kouta's family.

She smiles softly.]

I'm glad. I was terrified at first [especially since her time loop had been centered around her death], and I just wanted to go home.

[To let her and Lucy pass on into the afterlife, or whatever came after death, just as they originally planned.]

But now, I like it here. [A chuckle.] Even with all of Nippon's strange quirks.

[It's gotten to the point to where she and Lucy are actually considering on staying even after the time loop in their world has been resolved.]

I'm a singer at one of the jazz clubs, and an opera troupe member on the side. One of my friends back home was training to become an opera singer like her mom, and she'd let me practice with her whenever she was at the house.

[sultanofsquat]

I feel that. I just didn't trust this place at first.

[ Granted, who could blame him? New worlds? Converging timelines? It all felt so crazy despite what they'd just pulled off back home. ]

A singer, huh? [ The buddings of a bond, the Kizuna's helping the young swordsman be a little more honest. When he'd otherwise keep his thoughts to himself, Nyuu gets a more engaging response. Even if he's not chomping at the bit and shaking her up and down with anticipation (don't shake the scantily clad oni-inspired girl up and down please), there's a lift in his voice as they round the corner prepare to cross the street. ] Might hafta swing by for a listen sometime.

Thread wrap-up

[scarredhorns]

[Nyuu tends to trust people easily so long as they've been kind, but the Kizuna's working its magic on her too, in more ways than one as sparkles appear in her pink hair. There's even a little bit of blue in her eyes now, mingling with the red.]

It would make me happy if you did stop by to listen~ I'll even treat you to a drink.

[Her own drink won't be containing any alcohol, though, lest she wanted to do something embarrassing while drunk, or switch to Lucy.]