estoria | ( OPEN )

[There was nothing wrong with Fishy's continued survival, if that were the case-- many in his country would consider it an honor. But, for better or for worse, the option for FrankenFishy was not available to them-- they had to work on mundane measures.

Emerging a few moments later with a thick and sturdy comforter he had pulled from the linen closet, he knocked on the door once again.]

You're right, that is a frightening fish. You may be wanting this...

[it takes him more than a minute to piece that together. History? Knowledge of history? Memories. Aha.

After a moment of thinking, Zoro glances toward the closed apartment door.]

I noticed that CERES seems to be able to go right into our memories. If they were the ones that did that, anyway - could be someone or something else.

[it's such a dry, dispassionate assessment, completely hiding his own feelings toward the memories he saw]

Most of 'em are.

[wow, that was morbid. CHANGE OF SUBJECT]

As long as you guys are okay, more or less. I'll give you a hand if you need, otherwise take it easy.

[ No one else is going to go in! Kogi has to clean up his own messes, right? Even ones that were technically started by swords that don't live there anymore! Not that he's blaming Hotarumaru, who was probably strong enough to make Fishy know who the boss was.

Kogi is not that strong. He is, however, a not-fox--- and that's pretty darn great. ]

That's a great idea, Kashuu. I'm glad you're here to back me up. Yes, here, take my vessel.

[ Dingus squad is a beautiful, terrible thing. He passes his true self over, rolling up his sleeves which immediately slide right back down. ]

Please take care of me. Now, on my count.

[ Silently, Kogi holds up three fingers... then two... then one... then... five. Wait, he's not ready. He takes a deep breath and exhales through clenched teeth before restarting his countdown and actually ending with no fingers...! ]

[ They already are! Sort of. Ever see a tiny fox fall asleep on a plush tofu-fox cube? It's pretty cute. ]

I'm glad. [ An armful of fox pillows are placed around the blanket pile. It looks like a weird sundae. ]

Ishikirimaru and I did find something interesting. A shrine with random objects around it. Some of them were very familiar and we tried to gather as many as we could to bring back home.

[ He nervously looks down at the ground, at his feet. ]

[ Kogi is happy that he's been able to get Fishy more-or-less under control! Heck, the tank was heavy to begin with but it seems that the alien fish has been growing. It's not too big to fill the entire case, but wow, has it grown since Hotarumaru disappeared! Not that Kogi's been ignoring it, but that it's nice to reflect upon good, not-being-chewed-on times...

But with Tsurumaru popping up so suddenly and Fishy not being one to take to strangers lightly... well! It hisses, frowns, bares its teeth, wiggles its fins, and starts to thrash about! And Kogi has to take cover, leaping out of the bathroom and slamming the door behind him. ]

... ah, Tsurumaru! [ He groans and coughs. Whew. Fish Wrangling 101 is hard. Thankfully his vessel is safely in his room not too far away. ] You are a sight for sore eyes. And I would advise against touching Fishy, it doesn't like being felt.

[ IS IT??? Well. Mikazuki takes Kashuu's words for it and very gently, very subtly peeks through an opening in his blanket mass when he hears the soft pats and subsequent offer. After a second's thought, he worms his way over until he's plopped right next to the uchigatana.

Any other day and he would have been fine, happy even to be sitting with Kashuu like this. Somehow though...after everything, Mikazuki jut feels like a little kid awkwardly sitting to a much more experienced older kid. Strange when he's the older one but -- Kashuu knows so much more than an old sword like him, doesn't he? Or at least he was able to see things so differently...so easily than Mikazuki might have ever dreamed for himself. ] So.

So.... [ At least the blanket isn't COMPLETELY obscuring his face by now. ] how have you been since...earlier?

It is...haha, thank you. They're all very cute shapes and colors, I appreciate that you brought them here for me. [ Mikazuki kinda sorta realizes that there was an accumulating shrine for him outside his door but he's not sure why? He HAS been kind of holed up in his room for a few days, almost a week so maybe the others were worried... ]

I hope no one was too concerned over me. I realize it's not very like me to not be out and about but...ah, I suppose even an old man like me can feel silly about some things. [ It's always easy to talk to Nakigitsune, he's a good listener and both him and his fox have always been kind to him. Perhaps this is why he feels he can spill out a bit of his worries to him. ]

[ His first thought is ah, good since it might be hard to explain all of what happened to him because of the mask to Kogitsune. It's a relief but he doesn't want the little fox to be out of the loop either...he should know and he might want to know? Just one look at Kogi's face across from him makes Mikazuki start to roll over towards him. He stops when he's practically tucked against the other, managing to bump his forehead against his chest. ] That's not surprising to hear.

Though I'm not entirely aware of what everyone has discovered about themselves or about what's been going on in the colony but...ah, I may just be too old to want to know about the bigger picture. [ He trusts that he'll be filled in if and/or when he needs to know. ] Kogi. Allow me to ask you something...after the war is over, where did you think you would go?

[Nodding, nodding! While he grabs the ketchup ones for himself.]

Ah--did you fight them for very long? They were quite scary to face alone, retreat seemed the better option...

Scary? Nah. I've seen bigger. [jerk.

He's got a tasty snack, he's good to flop down and hang out for a bit.]

I fought 'em until I was just too tired, then I figured food was more important than having fun. Went back down into the underground area.

We hope so as well...wherever they may be.

[He keeps standing there for a moment, before moving to sit next to Kousetsu. Should he try praying too? He doesn't really know how to pray though...after another moment's hesitation, he tries holding up a hand in the way Kousetsu does.]

[He may feel like a little kid sitting next to a more experienced older kid, but Kashuu curls up next to his side like he's the younger one. ...Which he is, but. You know. Mikazuki's always been a sturdy, calming presence - really close to what an actual human grandfather might be like, he supposes. So he rests his head against Mikazuki's arm and it's clear that in spite of the rollercoaster they've gone through, there's still a great amount of trust and love here.]

I've been okay. [Okay. Not great, but not bad. Coasting somewhere in the middle.

But there's something more important to ask here, and he turns his face up so he can look at Mikazuki - or whatever little portion's been left uncovered by his mobile blanket fortress...]

What about you?

[Said softly, but not really carefully. He's not used to treating things with delicate care, so he's brusque as always.]

[MORBID INDEED. They're just a morbid bunch in here today...]

Thanks. We're all gonna be resting for a while, probably.

[To be fair, Kashuu encouraged Hotarumaru to bring Fishy home... NOT THAT HE'S GOING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY.

But he'll take Kogi's true self very carefully! Careful handling of his comrades! And watches as his sleeves roll right back down, ah... Good work, friend.]

Um— [Dingus squad compadre, please don't hurt yourself?! Actually, when Kogi gets down to zero fingers, Kashuu suddenly pipes up.]

Wait, wait, wait! There's gotta be a better way to do this.

[He can't help tilting his head back to stare at that laugh - did he say something funny? Is Namazuo a little happier?

It's difficult to tell.

He falls silent again, and reaches for another candy to offer his cousin.]

[Yes yes their fox den is growing! The most comfortable den, with the best foxes. Naki likes them all...]

Oh yes, that's a wonderful idea! Do you think the others would like some nice foxes? We could go back to the store where we found this one, perhaps!

[Hiding places for cybuddies everywhere!

And yes, she saw enough for it to be incriminating. His manly cool pride, gone...]

It has been a while since we've been here, at least when it comes to pets. How are they? How are you, as well?

[The fact he responds and tries is at least relieving, since she's sure he'll recover. Somehow. Hopefully quickly, but if not, then she'll be there to help him along the way.

Vietnam nods.]

I was fine, thankfully. I witnessed others having to endure it, but myself, there was...nothing. I am assuming it did not go so well for you...

[She nods slowly--] Did it happen to you, Zoro?

[She knew about them being able to dig deep.] It didn't happen to me here, so I am unsure if it is CERES, I know they can if they wanted to. I've experienced something similar before. [Three days of endless mental torture, where they tried to show her deepest fears. It was punishment for trying to steal information secretly with others.]

I would be awful if more groups can go into our minds like this.

[She must see this happen. SHE MUST.

Also it's weird, but it looks cute.]

Ah...you saw those too. Things that belonged to people we know?

[Foolish, maybe, but Namazuo just nods. He gets it. He gets why Kashuu would want to believe that, why he'd tried so very, very hard to focus on the positive. Isn't that what Namazuo always does? Most of his brothers have never even been here, but Kashuu has had to watch his loved ones come and go for so long...

What's foolish is this. Lying here, being useless, making people seek him out like this. He died, and it was terrible, and he's caused enough pain and worry as it is. Isn't he the one who should be doing the comforting? Isn't that how it's supposed to be?

Slowly, he sits up, but it's only to lean over and rest his head on Kashuu's shoulder. It's meant to be a gesture of reassurance for Kashuu, but he'll quietly take what solidarity he can get from it, too.]

...We need to find out where they are. [Had he been with them when he died? Or had he simply ceased to exist?] ...and how to save them.

Makes sense. I don't blame ya.

[he gives Kashuu a quick shoulder-pat. He'll take care of swords when they're ready for it.]

Yeah. [NO BIG DEAL just. The only real secret he's kept from his crew, all except for two who were there.] It was pretty rude of 'em to do that.

[but if Vietnam has experienced it before...ugh]

I don't get what the point is. Digging into our memories, making them public? What are they even doing to us? It sure ain't just letting us live a quiet life.

[She winces on his behalf, getting your mind probed is still awful.] It is, who knows what they can do with such things!

I am unsure as well. Revealing weaknesses...? Though for what reason, especially since they claim to be "helping" us.

( OPEN )

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the most tofuful fox society

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